Down two steps at a time he dashed and set out over the gravel drive with the even jog of a track sprinter. On he went. Running in the June sunshine was hot work; nevertheless, hat in hand, he kept up the pace. He must be there promptly at eight, his father had told him. He could feel tiny streams of perspiration trickling down his back, and he sensed that his collar was wilting into a limp band of flimsy linen. Still he ran on. Eight was just on the stroke when he presented himself at the office of Factory 1. A stout man bending over a ledger at a desk near the door eyed the panting lad with disapproval. "What do you want?" he demanded sharply. "Boys are not admitted in this office." "I want to see Mr. Tyler," gasped Peter. "Well, you can't," the bookkeeper responded acidly. "He's busy. If you are wanting a job I can tell you right now that there are none to be had. We have more boys already than we know what to do with. You better not wait. It won't do any good." "But I must see Mr. Tyler," persisted Peter. "My fa---- I was told to give him this card." "Why didn't you say you had a card in the first place?" was the gruff question. "Give it here. You can sit down on that bench and wait." As the accountant held out his hand Peter delivered up the card. "Peter Strong--hump!" read the bookkeeper. "Sent by--oh, you're sent by Mr. Coddington, are you? Some relative of his, perhaps." "Mr. Coddington said I was to present the card to Mr. Tyler," Peter answered, ignoring the implied query. "He shall have it right away, Strong. You'll excuse my brusqueness. I did not understand that you were sent here. We have so many young boys applying for work that we have to pack them off in short order," explained the man glibly. It was evident that he was not a little discomfited at the chill reception he had accorded Peter, for he anxiously continued to reiterate excuses and apologies. Fortunately in the midst of his explanations an electric bell beside his desk rang and cut him short. "That is Mr. Tyler now," he murmured. "I'll take in your card right away." Peter watched him as he hurried down the center of the long room and disappeared into a little glass cage in the corner.