"I may as well knock," he thought, and had raised his hand to do so when a man inside began speaking. "That's Broad," said Dick to himself, and directly afterwards he heard his chum's voice. Then the key turned in the lock, the door was flung open, and Dick found himself face to face with Mr. Farrant.
"Hullo!" exclaimed the latter, who was just going for a policeman; "who's this?"
Dick was rather taken aback, but he answered boldly, "If you please, I want to see Mr. Broad."
"Come again in the morning; he is busy now."
"But I can't wait," pleaded Dick. "I must see him now; it's very important."
"Let him in, Farrant," said the stationer; "he may know something of this miserable business."
"Come along then," grumbled Farrant, pulling him roughly inside and shutting the door. "Now, what have you to say? Make haste with your yarn, whatever it is!"
Dick glanced around apprehensively, and felt relieved at finding no policeman in the shop. He smiled brightly at Jim, as if to say, "Cheer up, old chap; I'll soon get you out of this scrape!" and then walked over to Mr. Broad.
"I fancy I have seen you before," said that gentleman. "Aren't you one of Hartland's friends?"
"Yes, sir," replied Dick promptly; "Jim and I are old friends."