“Well, we will go out as soon as a friend arrives whom I have invited to accompany us.”
Fifteen minutes after, the friend referred to arrived. It was Hartley Brandon,—the same man who had visited Squire Turner in Vernon the week before.
He glanced sharply at our hero, and said something in a low tone to Mr. Fairchild which Harry did not understand. He little dreamed that the new-comer was to be intimately connected with his fortunes. Still less did he dream that he was an agent of Squire Turner, and that all the profitable business transactions of Mr. Lemuel Fairchild were merely fictitious, and got up solely to deceive him. Harry was a smart boy, but even smart boys are likely to be taken in, in matters of which they have no previous experience. But Harry’s eyes were to be opened very soon.
CHAPTER XVI.
HARRY’S FIRST BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
Lemuel Fairchild conducted Brandon and Harry to Lovejoy’s Hotel on Broadway, and led the way to the restaurant connected with the hotel.
“I’ve done a good stroke of business this morning,” he said. “I can afford to stand treat. Sit down, Mr. Brandon. Sit down, Raymond. Now, what will you have?”
“Roast beef,” answered Brandon. “I prefer the sirloin.”
“Very good. What for you, Raymond?”