“I am afraid I never shall, Mr. Warren.  I was not intended for an author.”

“Oh, I think you might write something,” said Warren, patronizingly.

“No; I shall leave the literary field to you.”

CHAPTER XXVII.

ANDY MAKES A COMMISSION.

Mr. Crawford was busy in his office when a gentleman of fifty entered.

“I hope you are at leisure, Crawford,” he said.

“But I am not, Mr. Grayling.  I am unusually busy.”

“I wanted you to go out and show me that house in Mount Vernon which you mentioned to me the other day.  My wife is desirous of moving from the city for the sake of the children.”

“Won’t to-morrow do?”

“To-morrow I shall be busy myself.  To-day is so fine that I managed to get off.  Can’t you manage to go?”

“No, Grayling, I can’t possibly be spared from the office.”

“Is there no one you can send with me?”

Mr. Crawford hesitated a moment.  Then, as his eye fell upon Andy, he had a sudden thought.

“I will send this young man,” he said.

Mr. Grayling smiled.

“He seems quite a young man,” he said.

“Yes,” said Mr. Crawford, with an answering smile, “he is several years short of forty.”

“If you think he will do I shall be glad of his company.”

“Wait five minutes, and I will give him the necessary instructions.”

“Have you ever been in Mount Vernon, Andy?” asked his employer.

“Yes, sir; I have a boy friend there, and I once spent a Sunday there.”

“Mr. Grayling wishes to purchase a residence there.  I shall place him in your charge, and give you an order for the key.  I will mention some points to which I wish you to call his attention.”

Andy was pleased with the commission.  It seemed like a step in advance.

“Thank you, Mr. Crawford, for your confidence in me.”

“If you succeed in selling the house to Mr. Grayling, I will give you one per cent. commission.”

“I will do my best, sir.  I have no claim to anything except through your kindness.”

“Now let me see how much business ability you have.”

Andy and the prospective purchaser took the cars at the Grand Central Station, and in forty minutes found themselves in Mount Vernon.

At the depot, much to his satisfaction, Andy found his friend, Tom Blake.

“What brings you here, Andy?” asked Tom, in surprise.

“I have come to show the Griffith house to this gentleman.  Can you direct me to it?”

“I will go with you.”

“Thank you, Tom.  You will be doing me a favor.  Is it far?”

“Little more than half a mile.”

“Shall we walk or ride, Mr. Grayling?”

“Walk, by all means.  It is a charming day, and a walk will do me good.”

They reached the house.  It was a spacious country residence in good condition, and Mr. Grayling was favorably impressed.  The key was procured and they entered.