Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/273

Rh "So we are going to have neighbors, eh?" he remarked pleasantly.

"Bet your life!" was the slangy reply from the boy, as soon as he had noted who had addressed him. "You didn't expect us, did you?"

"No, I didn't know the store was taken until a moment ago," said Matt.

"Well, it can't be helped. It was the only store vacant in the neighborhood."

"Can't be helped?" repeated Matt, somewhat puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I thought you might object to our opening up alongside of you."

"I don't see why I should. What business are you in?"

"Same line."

Matt was taken aback somewhat by this unexpected reply, and his face showed it.

"Do you mean to say you are going to open an auction store here?"

"That's it, and we are going to make it everlastingly warm for you fellows, too," went on the boy triumphantly. "We've been a-watching how you run things, and we are going to scoop every bit of trade when we get started."

Matt drew a long breath. Here was certainly a new experience. He and Andy had expected to