"Undoubtedly. His son is an impudent young cub. It would have given me pleasure to box his ears. He evidently thinks his father a man of great importance, and is inflated by his own estimate of his social consequence."
"What makes the captain stay in such an obscure place?"
"He tells me it is on account of his family, and also because it adds to his safety."
"When are we to see him?"
"He will be in Chicago next month, and lay out work for us to do. One thing I will say for him, he has good executive talent, but he ought not to keep out of the way so much of the time."
Then the talk drifted into other channels.
To this conversation Dean listened with the utmost attention. He felt interested and excited. He could not fail to understand that Kirby was referring to Squire Bates. The mystery was deepening. Who and what was this man who in Oakford posed as a lawyer, a reputable citizen, and a Justice of the Peace? It was clear that he was allied to some outside organization in which he wished to conceal his membership.
This man Kirby who was now Dean's employer, was a friend and associate. Why under the circumstances should Squire Bates have been willing to send him off as Kirby's clerk or secretary? If there was anything to conceal, it was only giving him an opportunity to find it out.
"I must keep my eyes open," thought Dean. "I mean to find out who robbed my uncle, and whether Squire Bates had anything to do with it. If I could only recover the money I should be happy."
"What are you thinking about so intently?" asked Guy.