I am out of work

    "Nor I very well. If you are on your guard I think you won't be in any danger."     "I will remember what you say. You seem young to act as adviser to a man like me. Are you in business?"     "At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me three months."     "Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?"     "Not now, but I was six months ago."     "How did you lose your money?"     "I did not lose it. My guardian lost it for me."     "What is your name?"     "Rodney Ropes."     "You've had some pretty bad luck. Come up to my room and tell me about it."     "I shall be glad to do so, sir."     Mr. Pettigrew called for his key and led the way up to a plain room on the third floor.     "Come in," he said. "The room is small, but I guess it will hold us both. Now go ahead with your story."     In a short time Rodney had told his story in full to his new acquaintance, encouraged to do so by his sympathetic manner. Mr. Pettigrew was quite indignant, when told of Jasper's mean and treacherous conduct.     "That boy Jasper is a snake in the grass," he said. "I'd like to give him a good thrashing."     "There isn't any love lost between us, Mr. Pettigrew, but I think it will turn out right in the end. Still I find it hard to get a place in New York with him circulating stories about me."