"Why is that?"
"They--or rather the clerk--charged me with stealing a gold watch and pawning it."
"Where?" asked the boy, in some excitement.
Andy pointed out the pawnbroker's shop from which he had just come.
"I saw John Crandall coming out of there yesterday."
"You did?"
"Yes."
"I am not surprised. The pawnbroker described to me the boy who pawned the watch, and I recognized John from the description."
"What does it all mean?"
"Mr. Flint has gone out West, and Mr. Rich and John have conspired to get me into trouble."
"When were you discharged?"
"Less than an hour since."
"Who has taken your place?"
"John Crandall."
James Callahan whistled.
"I see," he said. "It was thundering mean. What are you going to do about it?"
"Wait till Mr. Flint comes home. Give me your address. I may want to call you as a witness."
Callahan gave his number on Ninth Avenue.
"I will note it down."
"How are you going to get along while you are without a place?" asked James, with friendly solicitude.
"I have a friend who will pay my board."
"Good! I am glad to hear it."
"Now," thought Andy, "I have a chain of proof that will clear me with Mr. Flint. That is what I care most about."
CHAPTER XX.
AN INVITATION TO DINNER
Andy reached his boarding house at four o'clock.
"What brings you home so early, Mr. Grant?" asked Warren, whose door was open. "Is business poor?"
"It is with me," answered Andy; "I am discharged."
"You don't tell me so! How did it happen?"
"My employer is out West, and the head salesman has discharged me and engaged his nephew in my place."
"It's a shame. What shall you do about it?"
"Wait till Mr. Flint gets home."
"I hope you won't leave us."
"No, I think not."
"Of course you will miss your salary. I wish I could lend you some money, but I have not heard from the article I sent to the _Century_. If accepted, they will send me a large check."
"Thank you, Mr. Warren. I shall be able to get along for the present."
Soon Sam Perkins arrived, with a new and gorgeous necktie.
"Glad to see you, Andy," he said. "Won't you go with me to the Star Theater this evening?"
"I can't, Sam; I have no money to spare."
"I thought you got a good salary?"
"Just at present I have none at all. I have been discharged."
"I am sorry for that. I wish there was a vacancy in our place; I should like to get you in there."
"Thank you. That is quite friendly."
Andy was about to go down to supper when Eva, the servant, came upstairs.
"There's a messenger boy downstairs wants to see you, Mr. Grant," she said.
In some surprise Andy went downstairs to see the messenger. He was a short boy of fourteen, Tom Keegan by name.
"I have a letter for Andrew Grant," he said.
"Give it to me; I am Andrew Grant. Here's a dime."