"James, go to No. 147, and see if Mr. Bates is in. If he is, give him this card."
The messenger departed at once, and returned quickly.
"The gentleman is in, and would be glad to have Mr. Hunter walk up."
"Come along, Fosdick," said Dick, in a low voice.
Fosdick obeyed, feeling very nervous. Following the servant upstairs, they soon stood before No. 147.
James knocked.
"Come in," was heard from the inside, and the two friends entered.
They found themselves in a comfortably furnished room. A man of fifty-five, rather stout in build, and with iron-gray hair, rose from his chair before the fire, and looked rather inquiringly. He seemed rather surprised to find that there were two visitors, as well as at the evident youth of both.
"Mr. Hunter?" he said, inquiringly, looking from one to the other.