He was walking slowly now, not thinking, hardly conscious of himself, hut feeling the misery in the old woman’s voice. At the corner he paused a little, staring at the opposite wall. What had he forgotten to do.... The desks were locked and the door.... His fingers felt the key in his pocket.... And the copy was ready for Whitcomb in the morning.... And the windows? Yes, they were closed.... But he must go hack. He would remember when he got there what it was.... With a little sigh he had turned back. He walked more quickly now.... He would measure the windows for the awnings. Perhaps that was what he was trying to remember. He sprang up the stairs quickly and was on the upper floor almost before there was time for thought. His coming had been swift, and perhaps too silent for a man in the upper loft who looked up with startled glance at the sound of a foot on the stair. He moved quickly from the place he had been standing in and met the boy half way in the big room, his glance full of nonchalance. John stared at him a little. Then his brow raised itself. The man returned the look, smiling. “Jolly old place!” he said, moving his hand toward the loft, “lots of room.” The boy looked at him slowly. “No one comes up here,” he said. “Except the old man. I know,” said the other pleasantly, “but I wanted some files for the morning--early. Thought I ’d save time getting them now--Save bothering the old man, too.” “You did n’t find them, did you?” He was looking into the man’s eyes. They flickered a little. “Well, I have n’t had time.” He laughed, easily. “I only want a couple of dozen.” He moved away a few steps. “You won’t find them here,” said John. “They ’re over here,” said the man, looking back. “I guess not.” The man moved quickly to a box and raised the cover. The hoy looked in with a startled glance. “Those belong on the third floor,” he said sharply. “Very likely,” said the man. “I don’t know about that. I ’m new here.” He had taken out a handful of the files and closed the box. “I don’t run the business, you know. But I know where to find things when I want ’em.” He spoke almost as if the last words had escaped without volition. It was a challenge to the clear eyes looking into his. “They will be moved down tomorrow,” said the boy. “They will be more convenient down there,” he added. “That’s all right,” said the other smoothly. He had recovered his temper. “Glad to have seen you.” He went softly down the stairs, with little tripping steps that tapped.