"Present my card, if you please, and say I sent you there."
The drummer produced his card and handed it to Bob. From this our hero learned that his companion was Benjamin Baker, traveling for Dunham & Co., wholesale grocers.
"Shall you stay at the hotel this evening?" asked Baker.
"No; I shall pass the night on my boat."
"How many have you on board?"
"Only myself and a colored boy from home—Clip."
"Isn't that rather a small crew?"
"Perhaps so; but we haven't much to do, except to let the boat drift, keeping her straight meanwhile."
"By the way, speaking of Pearson, senior member of the firm I have recommended, he is in great trouble just now."
"How is that?"