On board the boat he look around him, thinking it possible that he might recognize some one of his fellow passengers. Considerably to his surprise he noticed Mr. Archer, superintendent of the factory at Milltown, whom he had not seen since the latter declined to take him on again at the mill. "I wonder what brings Mr. Archer here?" His surprise, however, was only momentary. There was nothing strange in the superintendent's having business at East Boston. Ben noticed, however, that Mr. Archer wore a traveling-suit, and carried a knapsack. Ben would have liked to inquire if Squire Archer had seen his aunt lately, if they had been on friendly terms; but he was very doubtful how his advance would be received, and remained where he was. The boat touched the pier and the passengers disembarked. Ben was two or three rods behind the squire. Our hero inquired the way to the steamer, and had no difficulty about obtaining the necessary information. To his additional surprise Squire Archer crossed the gangway only a little in advance of Ben. "What can be the squire's business here?" thought Ben, in surprise. Ben halted on deck, and looked around for some officer to whom he could entrust the package. At this moment Squire Archer turned and saw Ben for the first time. He started and changed color, as Ben could see. For an instant he looked irresolute. Then he approached Ben, and said roughly: "What brings you here?" "I am here on business," answered Ben. "On business! What business?" "I have a package of books for one of the passengers." "Oh, I see," said the mill superintendent, seeming to be relieved. "You are working in a bookstore." "Yes, sir." "What firm is it?" "Jones & Porter." "Oh, yes, I know. I have often been in their store. How do you like your place?" Squire Archer's tone was quite genial and friendly, though there was an uneasy expression on his face. "Very well, sir." "If you ever get out of a place, come to me." "I thought you said my record was not good." "So I did," said the superintendent; "but I was mistaken. I was thinking of another boy at the time." "I am glad to hear it, sir," he answered. "I felt disturbed about it at the time." "Of course. I believe you and Sam had a little difference." "Yes, sir; but I don't think I was to blame." "I don't care to inquire into that. You and Sam will laugh over it when you become a little older." Squire Archer had never seemed so kind and pleasant. Ben began to think he had misjudged him. "I would like to be friends with Sam," he said. "I shall be ready to meet him half-way." "I will tell him so to-night," said the superintendent. "By the way, I suppose you are rather surprised to see me here. You didn't think I was going to Europe?" "No, sir, I didn't think that. I suppose you couldn't be spared at the mill."