Remembering that it was early closing day, he had run up directly his lessons were finished, thinking he might catch Jim and induce him to go for a good game. He went very rarely now, but he had not quite abandoned the hope of rescuing Jim from the clutches of his new friends, who, according to some of the boys, were doing him more harm than good. Indeed, there were some curious tales floating about which made Dick extremely anxious on his friend’s account. "I’ve half a mind to call at the shop and ask him when he’ll be off duty," he thought. "Perhaps his master will be coming back in a few minutes." He still stood hesitating on the pavement, when he suddenly caught sight of a little by-play which turned his thoughts in another direction. "I wonder," he muttered, "what game those chaps are up to. No good, I’ll be bound." A few paces off he saw Curly Peters and his mate gazing after the worthy stationer, and presently they began talking together very earnestly. Dick could not hear what passed, but he felt sure they were discussing some scheme with which Mr. Broad was connected. Now, as a rule, the Angel took little interest in his neighbours’ doings, but on this occasion he could not help watching closely. "I mustn’t let them see me, though," he muttered, and crossed to the other side of the road. At last the two boys finished their conversation; and then, while Curly lounged about the pavement, his companion, whose name was Bryant, ran after Mr. Broad. "Hum!" said Dick; "that’s a queer start. I should like to watch this little game, yet I don’t want to lose sight of Curly." The whole affair was most perplexing; but in a few minutes Bryant returned, laughing and evidently well pleased. He said something to his companion, who nodded approvingly, and then strolled up the street. "Going to call on Jim, I’ll bet sixpence!" said Dick, who, by the way, never bet sixpence or any other sum of money in his life. "What an idiot he is not to drop ’em. Not much use in my going on, I suppose." He has told me since that he had actually turned to go home, when a queer thing happened. The two boys had reached the shop, when Bryant slipped into a doorway adjoining the stationer’s, and stood close against the wall as if not wishing to be seen. In this he was greatly helped by the fact of the building being in darkness. Without any definite object Dick did the same thing on his side of the street. "This is getting quite exciting," said Dick to himself. "Why did he slip in there, I wonder? Doesn’t he want Jim to see him? But if not, why not? It doesn’t seem very clear." As soon as Bryant had disappeared, Curly sauntered carelessly past the shop window and back again. Then he looked up and down the street, which was now nearly empty, and, appearing satisfied, approached the door.