“Have you been out walking?”
“Yes.”
“You found it rather dark, did you not?”
“It is dark as a pocket.”
“You couldn’t have found the walk a very pleasant one.”
“You are right, my friend; but I didn’t walk for pleasure. The fact is, I am rather worried about a business matter. I have learned that I am threatened with a heavy loss—an unwise investment in the West—and I wanted time to think it over and decide how to act.”
“I see,” answered the clerk, respectfully, for Stark’s words led him to think that his guest was a man of wealth.
“I wish I was rich enough to be worried by such a cause,” he said, jokingly.
“I wish you were. Some time I may be able to throw something in your way.”
“Do you think it would pay me to go to the West?” asked the clerk, eagerly.