“Well,” went on his companion, “here we are! And I, for one, wanted to be somewheres else. Caleb,” turning to the station master, who came in at that moment, “any way of my gettin’ home to-night?”
“’Fraid not, Cap’n,” was the answer. “I don’t know of any. Guess you’ll have to put up at the hotel and wait till mornin’.”
“That’s right,” agreed the passenger called “Dan,” who was standing near. “That’s what Jerry and I are goin’ to do.”
“Yes, but you and Jerry are bound for Orham. I’m booked for South Denboro, and that’s only seven miles off. I’d swim the whole seven rather than put up at Sim Titcomb’s hotel. I’ve been there afore, thank you! Look here, Caleb, can’t I hire a team and drive over?”
“Well, I don’t know. S’pose you might ring up Pete Shattuck and ask him. He’s pretty particular about his horses, though, and I cal’late he—”
“All right. I’ll ring him up. Pete ought to get over some of his particularness to oblige me. I’ve helped him once or twice.”
He was on his way to the ticket office, where the telephone hung on the wall. But Mr. Graves stepped forward and spoke to him.
“Excuse me, sir,” said the lawyer. “Did I understand you to say you were going to South Denboro?”
“Yes. I am, if the powers—and Pete Shattuck—’ll let me.”
“You were going to drive over? May I go with you? I’m very anxious to get to South Denboro to-night. I have some very important business there, and I want to complete it and get away to-morrow. I must be back in New York by the morning following.”