CHAPTER XXIII
FACE TO FACE
Ben Mayberry was sitting at his desk in the Damietta office, one beautiful day in Indian summer, attentive as ever to his duties, when a carriage drove up to the door containing a young gentleman and a lady. The former sprang lightly out and ran into the office, after the manner of one who was in a hurry to send an important telegram.
Suddenly, while Ben was looking at the youth he recognized him as Rutherford Richmond, with whom he had had several important meetings.
“Why, Rutherford, you have grown so much I didn’t recognize you; I am glad to see you; how have you been?”
Ben reached his hand over the counter as he greeted the young man, but the latter affected not to hear him. Turning to the desk, he wrote out a message with great rapidity, wheeled about, and, without the slightest evidence of ever having seen Ben, handed him the paper and ordered the dispatch to be sent to New York.
This was the telegram:
“Richard Willard, No.— Avenue, New York:
“Dolly and I reached here safe. Big party at Grandin’s to-morrow; sure of grand time. Will take good care of Dolly.