“No,” was the reply; “he only occupied it for a week, and then left. I understand that he left without paying his rent.”
“Indeed!” said Squire Turner; “that surprises me. I understood that he was at the head of a large and responsible business house.”
The other laughed.
“If you had seen him, you would soon have corrected your mistake. He was a seedy adventurer. I don’t believe he was worth twenty-five dollars in the world.”
“Indeed!” repeated the squire; “I am concerned to hear this. The fact is, the son of one of my neighbors—a widow—came to the city to enter his employ. One letter has been received from him, but no other. His mother is feeling very anxious. How long since they vacated the room?”
“I have not seen him for four or five days.”
“Did you see anything of the boy?”
“Yes; I saw a boy here last Monday, and on Tuesday morning, but not since. Fairchild was here for a few minutes in the afternoon; but he, too, has been absent from that time.”
“Really this looks suspicious. What would you advise me to do?” asked Squire Turner, with an appearance of concern.