The young fireman was surprised to see him returning a few minutes later, in the company of two of his own friends, Mr. Trevor, the nephew of the president of the Great Northern, and Van Sherwin.
“Well, this is a queer meeting,” cried Van with enthusiasm, as they entered the house. “Here we met Judge Graham, who is a great friend of Mr. Trevor, and the very man we wished to see.”
This statement was soon explained. It appeared that Mr. Trevor had fully recovered his health, and had come to Stanley Junction with Van to make preparations to issue and sell the bonds of the Short Cut Railroad. The judge was one of the friends he had intended to interview about buying some bonds.
For an hour young Trevor recited to Judge Graham the prospects of the little railway line and their plans regarding the same. Ralph was fascinated at his glowing descriptions of its great future. 180
Ralph’s visitors went away, but in a short time Van returned to the cottage.
“I say, Ralph,” he remarked, “Judge Graham is going to invest in those bonds.”
“That’s good,” said Ralph.
“And I heard him tell Mr. Trevor to put down an extra block of them in the name of Ralph Fairbanks.”