"I can't tell. I don't just know how long my father's business will keep me. Probably I shall be there several weeks."
"Then I'll tell you what I'll do," said De Royster, in a friendly tone. "I'll get you fixed up at a good hotel, and then I'll show you the sights."
"But how can you spare the time from your business?" asked Roy, who was beginning to think he had found a real friend in the rather eccentric person of Mortimer De Royster.
"Oh, my work is nearly done now for the season. I shall not start out on the road again until fall, when I shall take goods for the spring trade. I was selling Christmas stock this trip."
"Christmas stock, and it is only June," exclaimed Roy. "My, but they hustle things in the East!"
"They have to. That's why I'll have some spare time now. I can show you various sights of interest, and, in turn, you must promise to protect me from robbers. I think I'll have to get a guardian if this keeps on," and the dude laughed at his joke.
"I'll do my best," replied Roy. "If I see those fellows again, they'll not get off so easily."
"Then we'll consider ourselves friends!" exclaimed De Royster, extending his hand, which Roy shook warmly.
The boy was quite attracted to the young man, whom he began to like more and more, as he saw that, under his queer ways, he hid a heart of real worth and kindness.