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Rh himself," he thought, and the next moment entered the parlor.

Five minutes later, Franklin and the speculator, were seated in the latter's library alone, little Cora having been surrendered to the charge of the housekeeper. Belden Brice had closed the door, and now he saw to it that the windows were also shut.

"Franklin," he began, "how would you like to go to Chicago for me?"

"To Chicago!" ejaculated the young electrician in surprise.

"Hush, not so loud! Yes, to Chicago."

"Well—I—I don't know. This is a surprise."

"I presume it is. The truth of the matter is I did not know of the business on hand, until this morning, and I wish a representative of mine to be in Chicago, by next week Monday at the latest. I cannot go myself, and would really prefer to send some one in my place. I know I can trust you, and that you will carry out my orders to the letter."

"Thank you, Mr. Brice, for those words. But how about my position at the works here?"

"I will see Mr. Mombray about that, and make it all right. Then, you will go?"

"If you think I can do the business for you, yes, sir. But I didn't really expect to leave Paterson, for some time to come."

"I suppose not. This trip to Chicago must be made in secret. No one here must know, that you are going out there for me."