CHAPTER XX.
MR. KIRBY WRITES A LETTER FOR EFFECT.
Any lingering doubts Dean might have were of course dissipated by the sight of the watch. It was evident that his employer was a professional thief and pickpocket. The question arose, ought he or ought he not to expose and denounce him?
Should he do so he would find himself adrift, without money or situation. Moreover, he would lose the chance of proving Kirby the accomplice of Squire Bates in the robbery of his uncle. On the whole, he decided to wait, and conceal from Kirby the knowledge that he had acquired concerning him.
Kirby remained but a day in Boston. What business he attended to Dean didn't know. He was left to his own devices, and managed to see Boston Common, Bunker Hill Monument, and to ride out on a Washington Street line of cars to Roxbury. Late in the evening he started for Chicago with Mr. Kirby, and two days later the two registered at the Commercial Hotel, corner of Lake and Dearborn Streets. Dean enjoyed the journey. He caught sight of the famous falls of Niagara, and would like to have stopped for a few hours there to see the cataract at his leisure, but of course didn't venture to make such a request of Mr. Kirby, who, as he knew, was traveling for his own purposes, not for the gratification of his private secretary.
They reached Chicago in the morning and took breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast Kirby said, "Come out with me, Dean; I will show you a little of the city."
Dean accepted the invitation with alacrity.
The two walked through some of the principal thoroughfares. Dean was impressed by the large and handsome buildings everywhere to be seen in the business portions of the city. Finally they turned into a minor street, lined with smaller and less pretentious structures.
Peter Kirby halted at last before a pawnbroker's office, with the three golden balls displayed above the entrance.
"Oh, by the way, Dean," said Kirby, suddenly, "I am a little short of money, and must borrow some on an article I don't need at present."