P. S. The money and U. S. bonds have been used, but you will find $13,500 in other securities in this package. They would have been spent too, but the holder found it impossible to negotiate them. "There, Henderson, what do you think of that?" asked Mr. Wainwright, in a quiet tone of triumph. "I was a fool, was I, to trust this boy?" "I don't know what to say, but my offer holds good. If you will release the boy I will take him into my employment at twenty dollars a week." "I will give him as much as he can get elsewhere," repeated the banker. There was a quick step heard outside, and Fred Fenton entered the office. "Good morning, Mr. Wainwright," he said. "Did you receive the package?" "It just reached me, Fred. Shake hands, my boy. You have justified my confidence in you." "I did my best, sir." "Tell me all about it. My curiosity is excited." Fred gave a rapid account of his adventures in search of the missing bonds. It was listened to with equal interest by the banker and his friend. "Wainwright, introduce me," said Henderson abruptly. "Fred," said the banker smiling, "let me make you acquainted with my friend, Arthur Henderson. He is a commission merchant. He may have a proposal to make to you." "Young man, if you will enter my employment I will pay you twenty dollars a week," said merchant. Fred looked amazed. "That is a great deal more than I am worth," said. "Then you accept?" Fred looked wistfully at Mr. Wainwright. "I should not like to leave Mr. Wainwright," he said. "Especially as he has raised your pay to twenty-five dollars a week," said the banker smiling. "You can't be in earnest, sir?" "When you get your first week's salary on Saturday, you will see that I am in earnest." "I see, then, that I must do without you," said the merchant. "Wainwright, I take back all I said. I advise you to keep Fred by all means as long as he will stay with you." The banker had opened his check book and was writing out a check. He tore it from the book and handed it to Fred. It ran thus: No. 10,531 PARK NATIONAL BANK. Pay to the order of FRED FENTON ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. $1000. JOHN WAINWRIGHT. "Is this for me?" asked Fred in amazement. "Yes. I ought perhaps to make it more, for it is less than ten per cent. of the value of the bonds." "How can I thank you, sir?" ejaculated Fred, feeling uncertain whether he was awake or dreaming. "I feel like a millionaire." "Have you been home yet, Fred?" "No, sir; I came here at once." "Go home, then, and spend the rest of the day with your mother. Do you want to cash the check this morning?" "No, sir." "Indorse it, then, and I will hand you the money in bills to-morrow." Fred, his face radiant with joy, left the office, and going to the nearest station on the Sixth Avenue Elevated Road bought a ticket and rode up town. There a surprise awaited him. CHAPTER XXXVI. A LETTER FROM TOM SLOAN.