"He believes in advertising," laughed Dick. "I'd like to go in and see Simon Hook. Perhaps he'll remember something about father!" he added suddenly.
"That's an idea!" returned Tom. "Let us go in, Uncle Randolph."
Mr. Rover was willing, and they entered the low and dingy-looking establishment, which was filled with boxes, barrels, and bags of goods.
They found the proprietor sitting in an easy chair, his feet on a desk, and a pipe in his mouth.
"Is this Mr. Hook?" asked Randolph Rover.
"That's me," was the answer; but Mr. Hook did not offer to rise, nor indeed to even shift his position.
"We saw your sign and as we are Americans we thought we would drop in," went on Mr. Rover.
"That's right; glad to see you," came from the man in the chair; but still he did not offer to shift his position.
"Been here many years?" asked Dick.
"About twenty."