"I am glad for you. I will go and see you when you make your first appearance." CHAPTER XXIII. A BAFFLED SCHEME. Both Julian Lorimer and his father felt mortified at the failure of their attempt to humiliate Mr. Benton. They had supposed he had neither friends nor influence and were very much surprised at his securing another position elsewhere at an advanced salary. They tried to find out where he was now employed, but without success. Julian inquired of Rupert one day when he met him, but the bell-boy refused to tell. "Oh, it's a secret, is it?" sneered Julian. "Yes, to you," answered Rupert. "Why did you wish to know?" Rupert was confident that Julian meant mischief, and in the interest of Mr. Benton he declined to give him any information. Of course this made Julian all the more anxious to gain his point. He got in the way of visiting every dry-goods store, and scanning the clerks and salesmen. But there are a good many such stores in New York, and it was some time before he made any discovery. One day, however, he strayed into Grand Street, and entered a large store in quest of some cheap neckties which he saw exposed outside. Julian was rather a dude, and these ties had attracted his notice. As he was passing through the store without any special thought of his father's old clerk, he chanced to pass by the counter where dress goods were sold. His face lighted up with malicious joy when he saw Benton measuring off a dress pattern for a lady. He stopped until the salesman was at leisure. Then, stepping up to the counter, he said, "Good morning, Mr. Benton." Benton certainly was not pleased to see his old persecutor. Perhaps his countenance expressed his feelings as he answered, "Good morning, Julian." "So it is here you are employed?" "Yes, as you see." "Did you come here directly from pa's store?" "Yes. How did you find out that I was here?" "I didn't find out till just now." "Can I do anything for you? Do you wish to buy anything in my line?" "No. I came in for some neckties. Do you ever see anything of Rupert Rollins?" "Yes, he has a room at my house." "Oho, I didn't know that. That accounts for his interest in you." "I am glad he has an interest in me. He is a very good friend of mine." "A poor boy like him isn't much of a friend. He can't do much for you." "He got me this position." "Did he?" said Julian, in some surprise. "Yes." Benton might have told Julian that Rupert owned two valuable lots in Harlem, but he thought it more proper that Rupert himself should make it known whenever he saw fit. "Well, so long. I may see you again before long." "I am not in the least desirous of it," thought Benton, but he answered civilly. "Well, pa," said Julian, at dinner, "I saw your old clerk, Benton, to-day." "Did you, indeed," said Mr. Lorimer, interested. "Is he out of work?" "No; he's employed in a Grand Street store." "Did you speak to him?" "Yes." "How did he appear?"