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lected his work. He finished the mirrors. He polished the show cases. He wiped invisible dust from the shelves. Three customers came in and he attended them with the air of one who found it a pleasure to serve their wants. Noon came, and Bert prepared to go home through the rain.

"If I let you have the book," Sam asked, "can you have it back to me by to-morrow?"

Bert promised.

"Better put it under your coat. It cost me a dollar. I don't want to get it wet."

Bert hid the book and was off. The clerk stood in the doorway and watched him make his way down the rain-spattered street.

"Sam," he mused, "you surely do fall into the luckiest straits. As soon as you discover an opportunity in this town I think you can put your hands on a partner with some capital to invest."