Stone buildings with gigantic pillars and massive walls; buildings ten or a dozen stories high, and mighty spires raising their tops afar up in mid air—all these added to the country lad’s wonder and astonishment. He passed by the Western Union building, the Evening Post building, and now paused in front of the Herald office to read the “headings” on the bulletin board.
After being thus engaged for a few moments, he turned suddenly around, and, to his surprise, saw the two young fellows who had attracted his attention on Wall Street. One of them had a look about him that seemed familiar, and yet he could not tell where he had seen him. His figure, his eyes, and the shape of his face were not unlike Felix Mortimer; and yet he looked older than the latter by two or three years, for he wore a small mustache and tiny side whiskers. Seeing these same fellows the second time, and noticing that they were apparently watching him, made Herbert feel a trifle uneasy. But he was not easily worried or frightened.
Bob Hunter was in, as on the previous night, and very glad he seemed at his friend’s good success in getting so desirable a position. He listened to Herbert’s story of the contest with much interest, and then added thoughtfully:
“It might be a good idea to look out for that feller that seemed to get down on you so. He probably knows you are a stranger in the city, and——”
“Do you think there is any danger?” interrupted Herbert.
“No, I can’t say as there is; but he might think, if he could get you out of the way, he would get the place with the banker. You said he was disappointed.”
“Yes, he showed his disappointment very much.”
“Well, nothing may come of it. You keep your eye on me, and I’ll steer you through all right, I reckon.”
Herbert was upon the point of telling Bob his suspicions about the two fellows that seemed to be shadowing him, and then it occurred to him that he might magnify the matter, and work himself into a state of uneasiness when it would be better to give it no thought whatever. Therefore he said nothing to the newsboy about them.
When they had finished dinner a little later, Bob asked him if he could manage to pass away an hour or so alone.