'Which counts now, at any rate. I should starve without it.' During this colloquy Hill sat in utter amazement. 'You a Newton boy?' he exclaimed at last. 'Yes,' said Hiram. 'And you know him, and no mistake?' to Innis. Innis nodded. 'Then old Joslin may go to the devil. I--' 'He'll go soon enough, and without your permission; and if you are not careful, you'll go with him,' interrupted Innis, rising. 'I am all right now,' he continued. 'I've but to step a block and a half and back. I will be with you again in three minutes;' and he darted off to hand in his evening's report. Hill sat looking at Hiram, who, with all his impenetrability wore a surprised and puzzled expression. 'You don't remember me,' he said. 'No.' 'Why, I am Deacon Hill's son, of Newton. I quit the academy, I guess, just about the time you came. Innis and I were there together. Well, I declare, your innocent look threw me off the track; but I have seen you many a time in Hampton. You used to be with Jessup, didn't you?' 'Yes.' 'You've been coming possum over Joslin; isn't it so?' 'I don't understand you.' 'Oh, never mind; he's a cursed knave, anyway. I shall quit him first of January--keeps me on promises and the lowest kind of a salary, and no end of the dirty work--' 'Such as sham sales of my employer's paper sold A.H. Hill,' interrupted Hiram, dryly. 'Hallo! where did you get hold of that?' said Hill, laughing. Hiram made no reply; and Innis entering at this moment, the subject was changed. Hill, who had already imbibed more than was good for him, ordered a brandy toddy; and Hiram, true to his temperance principles, partook of a cup of hot coffee. Before the toddy was half finished, Hill, who was already illustrating the proverb that 'children, fools, and drunken men speak truth,' commenced again about his employer, Joslin. 'Really, Mr. Hill, I don't think you ought to refer to your confidential relations with your principal,' said Hiram, gravely. He knew, cunning fellow, it would only be adding fuel to the fire. 'You be----,' said Hill. 'I tell you what it is, Innis: here's a sell. I'm fairly come over. He is on Joslin's track--I know it, and I'll own up.' He thereupon proceeded to give a general account of Joslin, and how he did business, and what a cowardly, lying knave he was. Innis laughed. Hiram was quiet, but he did not miss a word. The little supper was finished, and the trio rose to depart. 'I had no idea it was so late,' said Innis. 'Have you far to go?' said Hiram. 'Yes, to Chelsea; and the omnibuses have stopped.' 'Come and stay with me: I have a very nice room.' Innis saw Hiram was in earnest, and after a little hesitation he assented. Hill bid them good night, and hiccoughed off toward his own quarters; and Hiram with Innis went to the Franklin House. When these young men reached their room, they did not go to bed. They sat up for an hour or two. What this conference led to we shall see by-and-by. CHAPTER XII.