“That settles it, I'm off,” said our hero, and bought a ticket for the great city by the lakes without delay. Then he said good-bye to the Talmadges and the Gussings, and boarded the train at sundown.
Joe was now getting used to traveling and no longer felt green and out of place. He had engaged a berth, and took his ease until it was time to go to bed. Arriving at Chicago he made his way without delay to the Palmer House.
He found the hotel crowded and had some difficulty in getting a room. Mr. Maurice Vane had not yet arrived.
“I guess I'll leave a note for him,” thought our hero, and sauntered into the reading-room to pen the communication.
While Joe was writing, two men came into the room and sat down behind a pillar that was close at hand. They were in earnest conversation and he could not help but catch what was said.
“You say he is coming West?” said one of the pair.
“Yes,—he started yesterday.”
“And he has found out that the mine is really valuable?”
“I think so. Anyway he is quite excited about it. He sent a telegram to that boy, too.”
“The hotel boy you mean?”