“Was he?” asked the broker, quickly. “I did not know that.”
“He was here for an hour at least. I saw him come in and go out.”
Mr. Reynolds asked several more questions of the telegraph boy, and enjoined him to silence.
“My boy,” he said, “come here to-morrow evening at half-past seven. I may want you.”
“I will, sir, if I can get away. I shall be on duty.”
“Say to the telegraph company that I have an errand for you. Your time will be paid for.”
“That will make it all right, sir.”
“And, meanwhile, here is a dollar for your own use.”
Johnny's eyes sparkled, for with his limited earnings this sum would come in very handy. He turned away, nearly forgetting the original errand that brought him to the house, but luckily it occurred in time. The nature of it has nothing to do with this story.
When Johnny had gone, Mr. Reynolds said: “Grant, I need not caution you not to breathe a word of this. I begin to think that there is a conspiracy against you; but whether Willis Ford is alone in it, or has a confederate I cannot decide. My housekeeper does not appear to like you.”