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258 encounter rivals, but had never dreamed of having them at such close quarters.

"Well, I suppose we will have to stand it," he said, hardly knowing how else to reply to the boy's bragging statement.

"If I was you I'd pack up and try some other place," went on the boy. "Gissem &amp; Fillow will take every bit of trade—they always do wherever they go."

"Gissem &amp; Fillow? Are those the names of the men who run the concern?"

"Yes, and they are the slickest auctioneers in the country."

"Perhaps you only think so."

"Oh, I know it. I'll bet you a new hat you don't take in a dollar after we get a-going."

"Thank you, but I don't bet. May I ask where you came from?"

"We came from Stroudsburg."

"Were you down in Bethlehem before that?"

"Yes. How did you know that?"

"We came through there after you had gone."

"Bet you didn't sell anything. We squeezed the town dry."

"We didn't sell much," returned Matt. He was on the point of stating that he had heard how the