"Are you the one that advertised for a man with a small capital?" asked Tom. "To enter a light, genteel business?" continued the other, briskly. "Yes, I am the one." "Well, I've got a small capital, and that's just the kind of business I want." "You're rather young. Have you ever been in business?" "I should think I had. I've been in business for six or seven years." "You must have begun young. What kind of business?" "The boot and shoe business, mostly," answered our hero; "but I was in the periodical business for awhile." "Well, if you've got experience, you can succeed in our business. How much capital have you?" "Tell me about the business first." "Well, it's the perfumery business. We've got up a new and superior kind of perfumery, which we sell by agents. I want to find some one to take charge of the office while I travel and solicit orders. You can take care of the office, can't you?" "What's the wages?" "Twenty dollars a week." "That'll about suit me," said Tom. "You will receive the money from the agents and take care of it." "That suits me again." "But, of course, we expect you to deposit money with us as security." "How much do you want?" "Five hundred dollars." Our hero whistled. "That's ahead of my pile," he said. "How much have you got?" "Fifteen dollars; but I owe part of it for board." "Then get out of this office! Do you think I can afford to waste my time in talking to you?" said the young man, angrily. "You'd rather waste my money. You'll have to hook in some other chap, mister. I've been round." Of course it was only a trap to fleece the unsuspecting out of their money. Tom was posted, and only went in to have a little fun. He meant to wait and hear what Mr. Ferguson had to propose before forming any decisive plans for the future. CHAPTER XIII. AN ADVENTURE. The next morning, at the time appointed, Tom called at the establishment of Mr. Ferguson. The first he met was Maurice Walton. Maurice, in fact, was the youngest clerk, having received the appointment six weeks before, through the influence of his uncle. "Did you come round to see me? I'm busy," said Maurice. "Haven't you swept out yet?" asked Tom, mischievously. "Do you think I would demean myself by sweeping out?" returned Maurice, disgusted. "I thought that might be your business." "That would be good business for you. Perhaps Mr. Ferguson will engage you." "All right; I'll accept, if he'll pay me enough. Is he in?" "Who?" "Your boss." "I don't understand such low terms," said Maurice, loftily. "Then it's time you did. Is Mr. Ferguson in?--if you can understand that better." "Yes, he is, but he won't see you." "Why not?" "Because his time is too valuable." "Then I wonder why he asked me to come round this morning?" "Did he?" "Of course he did; and, if you've got through sweeping out, you'd better let him know I'm on hand." "Go yourself."