"I don't know as it is. And I guess this man will help me if I want him to."
"So? That's good. Did he say he would?"
"No-o, not exactly, but I think he will. And he's got the acquaintances, all right enough. He knows almost everybody that's worth while."
"That's the kind to tie to. Who is he? Somebody up in Boston?"
George shifted again. "I'd rather not mention his name just now," he said. "Our talks have been rather—er—confidential and I don't know that I should have said anything about them. But I've got plans, you see. Then there is my aunt's estate. I am the administrator of that."
"Oh? I didn't know. Your aunt, eh?"
"Yes, my Aunt Charlotte, mother's sister. She was single and lived up in Meriden, Connecticut. She died about a month ago and left everything to my half-sister and me—my married sister in Springfield, you know. I have charge of—of the estate, settling it and all that."
Sears smiled inwardly at the self-satisfaction with which the word "estate" was uttered. But outwardly he was serious enough.
"Good for you, George!" he exclaimed. "Congratulations. I hope you've come in for a big thing."
His visitor colored slightly. "Well—well, of course," he admitted, "the estate isn't very large, but——"