“Say, do you know a girl by the name o’ Rachael?” “Do I know a girl by the name of Rachael?” “That’s what I ast you.” “Sure I do! Look here, boy, what have you got up your sleeve?” “Nothin’ much. Did you ever love any other girl as much as you love her?” Alfred Griffin flung his checking book down on top of a barrel and stared at Chick in utter astonishment. “Well, for the love of Pete!” he exclaimed. “What is it to you whether I love her at all or not?” Chick was not in the least disconcerted at this outburst. “Oh, it ain’t much to me,” he answered coolly. “I jest thought I’d inquire whether you ever ast her to marry you.” This was too much for Alfred bearing the surname of Griffin. He burst into a hearty laugh. “Chick,” he said when he caught his breath, “you’re the limit. I haven’t the ghost of an idea what you’re driving at; but let me tell you, confidentially, that I think you’ve got the wrong pig by the ear. The fellow you want to investigate is Corporal Fred Lewis. He’s got a girl by the name of Rachael, and I know her. And any day he wants to yield up his claim on her, whatever it is, I’ll be glad to drop into his shoes. Do you get me? Now, is that what you want to know?” “W’y, I heard one o’ you fellows had a girl by the name o’ Rachael, and I didn’t know which one it was.” “Well, what did you want to know for?” “I’ll tell you. You see, I’m lookin’ for a job. Not a stiddy all day job, you un’erstand; jest pickin’ up around mornin’s. An’ I didn’t know but what her folks might want such a man. And ef they did, I might git a recommend from whichever one o’ you fellows is sparkin’ the girl. See?” Alfred, surnamed Griffin, looked at him for a moment quizzically. “Chick,” he said at last, “you’re the most wonderful prevaricator that has happened since the days of Ananias. I don’t know _why_ you’re lying to me like that; I only know you _are_. Now you go and hunt up Fred Lewis if you want to, and you pull this stuff on him, and see what you get. But don’t tell him I told you about Rachael. My life wouldn’t be worth a penny whistle if you did. He’s mighty sensitive about that girl.” Chick was grinning broadly. He did not resent the charge made against him. He knew that his accuser was in the best of humor. He had the information he wanted, and he turned to go. “All right!” he said. “Much obleeged to you. No hard feelin’s. I’ll do as much for you some time. Fred Lewis works down to the Barriscale, don’t he?” “Yes; you’ll find him there in the assembling department. He’s got a good job. If he wants to marry Rachael he can afford to.” “Sure! I won’t tell him you said so, though. He can’t pick nothin’ out o’ me.” “That’s the talk! Good luck to you! Go to it!” He waved his hand gayly as the boy clumped out of the wareroom.