CHAPTER XI.
HARRY MAKES A CALL ON BUSINESS.
A few days later Harry heard that Squire Turner had made a formal claim upon the Phœnix Mutual Insurance Company for two thousand dollars, the amount of his policy. On hearing this, he no longer hesitated as to his duty. He resolved to call upon the squire, and acquaint him with his information upon the subject. Accordingly, one afternoon, he went up to Mr. Porter, and asked for two hours’ time.
“What for?” queried the store-keeper.
“I want to call on Squire Turner. I have a little business with him.”
The store-keeper naturally supposed that the business related to the affairs of Harry’s mother, and gave permission, as business was generally slack about that time in the afternoon, but requested Harry to be back by half-past three.
When Harry got started on his way to the residence of the squire, he began to feel that his errand was rather a delicate one. He, a mere boy, was about to intimate to a gentleman of high social position that he was a rascal,—that was the plain English of it,—and was conspiring to defraud an insurance company out of a considerable sum of money. It was rather a bold undertaking for a boy of fifteen. Perhaps Squire Turner might be so incensed as to kick him out of the house. Harry was a stout boy, but still of course he had not the strength to cope with a tall man like the squire. Had he been a timid boy, he would have shrunk from the encounter. But Harry was not timid. On the contrary, he was physically and morally brave, as anybody who knew him would readily testify.
“I’ll take the risk,” he said to himself, firmly. “I don’t think Squire Turner will think it best to attack me.”
He marched manfully up the front steps, and rang the bell. His summons was answered by a servant.