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256 At first he paid no attention to them, but at last pointed them out to Andy.

"Yes, I noticed them myself," returned the senior partner. "They do not look as if they wanted to buy, but just as if they were spying."

"Supposing I call them in and ask them to buy?" suggested Matt, for both of the men were at that moment gazing in the window at the articles displayed there.

"Certainly, you can do that if you want to," returned Andy.

So Matt walked from behind the counter toward the door, but before he could reach it one of the men saw him and spoke to his companion, and both hurried up the street and around the nearest corner.

"Humph! that's queer, to say the least," said the young auctioneer, and Andy agreed with him.

There had been a "To Let" bill upon the show-window of the vacant store next door, but on the following morning when the young auctioneers opened up they found the bill gone. The door of the store was open, and inside a boy somewhat younger than Matt was cleaning up.

"Hullo!" cried Matt, stopping short. Then he poked his head in at the door and confronted the boy.