CHAPTER XVII
Nine o’clock is an early hour for a New York lawyer of prominence to be at his place of business. Yet, when Captain Elisha asked the office boy of Sylvester, Kuhn and Graves if the senior partner was in, he received an affirmative answer.
“Yes, sir,” said Tim, respectfully. His manner toward the captain had changed surprisingly since the latter’s first call. “Yes, sir; Mr. Sylvester’s in. He expects you. I’ll tell him you’re here. Sit down and wait, please.”
Captain Elisha sat down, but he did not have to wait long. The boy returned at once and ushered him into the private office. Sylvester welcomed him gravely.
“You got my message, then,” he said. “I spent hours last evening chasing you by ’phone. And I was prepared to begin again this morning.”
“So? That’s why you’re on deck so early? Didn’t sleep here, did you? Well, I cal’late I know what you want to talk about. You ain’t the only one that reads the newspapers.”
“The newspapers? Great heavens! it isn’t in the newspapers, is it? It can’t be!”
He seemed much perturbed. Captain Elisha looked puzzled.