“Quite satisfactory,” answered the jeweler. “I know Mr. Preston personally, and as I am pressed for time, I will accept his name without calling upon him. What is your name?”
“Paul Hoffman.”
“I will note it down.”
The gentleman from Syracuse drew out a memorandum book, in which he entered Paul's name.
“When you see Mr. Preston, just mention my name; Felix Montgomery.”
“I will do so.”
“Say, if you please, that I would have called upon him, but, coming to the city strictly on business, was too hurried to do so.”
This also Paul promised, and counted himself fortunate in falling in with a friend, or, at all events, acquaintance of Mr. Preston, since he was likely to make twenty-five dollars more than he would otherwise have done.
When he got out of the car at the Astor House, the stranger said:
“It will be half an hour before I can reach Lovejoy's, as I have a business call to make first. Can you call there, say, in three-quarters of an hour?”