44 Fred the Apprentice.

shoulder caused him suddenly to suspend his
work. He turned his head, and saw a stranger
who was attentively looking at the drawing.

‘In which factory is this machine that you are
making a drawing of?’ asked the stranger.

‘In Mr. Kartmann’s,’ replied Fred.

‘How did you manage to get a sketch of it?’

‘Mr. Kartmann allows me to study with his
sons.’

‘Then you must have in your portfolio draw-
ings of most of the machinery in the establish-
ment.’ :

‘Of nearly all, sir’

‘T should like to see them.’

Fred obligingly opened his portfolio, and
showed his drawings to the stranger, who said,
after he had minutely examined them:

‘I do not see among them a drawing of the
large machine that Mr. Kartmann had from
England two months ago.’

‘We are going to make a drawing of it in the
course of a few days, sir,’

‘Do you think that you could give me copies
of the drawings ?’

‘TI have not much time to spare; nevertheless,
to oblige you, I will try to make copies for you.’