“I guess it would be very helpful to us, in our search,” smiled Jim.
When evening came the boys were tired, but strange to relate, the professor was not. His interest in places and men amounted to a passion with him, and he loved to study them at every opportunity. The boys were sitting around in the hotel room and the professor, after walking around restlessly, suddenly faced them.
“Are you boys too tired to do some more walking?” he asked.
“Well, I’m pretty well played out,” admitted Don. “But if you’d like us to go with you, anywhere, professor, we’ll gladly go.”
“Oh, no,” replied the professor, hastily. “I just wanted to ask you if you’d care to take a stroll down near the water front. There are some very quaint places down there, and I’d like to visit some of them. But I don’t want you boys to go out if you are tired.” He reached for his hat and went on: “I’m going down there for a stroll. I’ll be back shortly.”
“If you want us—” began Jim, but the professor cut him short.
“No, no, not at all. You boys stay here and I’ll wander a bit myself. See you later.”
“Take care of yourself, professor,” called Don, as he went out.
“I will, thanks. Don’t worry; I’ll be right back.”
Once on the street the professor struck off for the water front at a brisk pace. In the hotel room Jim looked inquiringly at Don.