immediate successor of Mr. Chauncey Bowen, then engaged in Lawyer
Mitchell's office on the purchase of the Watkins Farm; and he was
presently ushered into the presence of Mr. Mitchell by the demon clerk.

Mr. Mitchell greeted him affably.

"Good-day, sir. What can I do for you to-day?"

"Mr. Oscar Mitchell, is it?"

"The same, and happy to serve you."

"Got a letter for you from your cousin, Stan. My name's Johnson."

Mitchell extended his hand, gave Pete a grip of warm welcome.

"I am delighted to see you, Mr. Johnson. Take a chair--this big one is
the most comfortable. And how is Stanley? A good boy; I am very fond of
him. But, to be honest about it, he is a wretched correspondent. I have
not heard from him since Christmas, and then barely a line--the
compliments of the season. What is he doing with himself? Does he
prosper? And why did he not come himself?"

"As far as making money is concerned, he stands to make more than he'll
ever need, as you'll see when you read his letter," said Pete. "Otherwise
he's only just tol'able. Fact is, he's confined to his room. That's why I
come to do this business for him."

"Stanley sick? Dear, dear! What is it? Nothing serious, I hope!"