“We don’t often meet,” Mr. Mitts assented. “And it is curious that this visit should have been the means of giving me sight of a man in whom I want to interest _you_. His name is Chester—Dudley Winthrop Chester. He is the son of my old clergyman, and he has given his parents a deal of trouble. I don’t know that Dud ever was vicious or dissolute. But he was the most confirmed idler and spendthrift I ever knew. He couldn’t even get through college, and he never would do a stroke of work. He made his father pay his debts half a dozen times, and when that was stopped, he drifted away, and his family quite lost sight of him. I met him in Baltimore last year, and lent him money to come to New York. He said he was going to work. And just as I came in your front door, I saw him going out of your basement door with a package under his arm, so I infer he is employed by one of your trades–people—your grocer, perhaps.” “Just as you came in? Why—a large, dark–haired young man?” “Yes; clean–shaven.” “Why, that was Quinlan!” “No,” said Mr. Mitts, with the smile of superior knowledge. “It was Chester, and if I’m not mistaken, he was kissing the cook.” “Then you _are_ mistaken!” cried Mr. Copernicus; “my cook is as black as the ace of spades. There isn’t a white servant in the house.” “Why, that’s so!” Mr. Mitts was staggered for the moment. “But—wait a minute—does your man Quinlan speak with a drawl, and just one stutter to the sentence?” “I think he does,” replied his host; “but—“ “Dudley Chester!” said Mr. Mitts. “But, my dear Mitts, where did he get the Latin and Greek?” “He had to learn _something_ at Yale.” “And the French?” “His mother was a French Canadian. That’s where he gets his French—and his laziness.” Mr. Copernicus made one last struggle. “But he has been most industrious and faithful in my employ.” “What is he?” “My—my night–watchman.” “Mr. Copernicus,” inquired Mr. Mitts, “have you a watchman’s clock in your building?” “No, sir,” said Mr. Copernicus, indignantly. “I have none of those degrading new–fangled machines. I prefer to trust my employees.” “Then Dudley Chester is asleep in your store at this minute.” * * * * *