The gentleman looked at the clock resting upon the mantel shelf.
"I have an engagement at eleven o'clock," he returned. "Until then I am entirely at your service, and will be in the afternoon if you desire it. I'll promise to give you the best advice I can."
"Thank you. I am a stranger here, and most people won't pay much attention to a boy," I replied.
Then I told my story in full just as I have written it here. Mr. Harrison was deeply interested.
"It is a strange case," he said, when I had concluded. "These men must be thorough rascals, every one of them. Of course it yet remains to be seen what this Chris Holtzmann has to do with the affair. He may be made to give evidence for or against your father just as he is approached. I think I would be careful at the first meeting."
"I did not intend to let him know who I was."
"A good plan."
"But now if I venture on the street I may be arrested," I went on.
"It is not likely. Chicago is a big city, and unless the officer who arrested you before meets you, it is improbable that he can give an accurate enough description of you for others to identify you. Then again, having failed in his duty, he may not report the case at all."
"That's so; but if I do run across him&—"