Joshua went in, never dreaming that he had been deceived. Meanwhile his guide took to his heels with the money he had extracted from Joshua by false pretenses.
CHAPTER XIII
A STRANGER IN NEW YORK.
Joshua entered the shoe store pointed out by his guide without the least suspicion that he had been imposed upon by that enterprising young gentleman. Like most of the shoe stores on this avenue, it had a liberal stock of boots exposed outside, at prices low enough to attract the attention of those passing. Within it was narrow, but deep. There was a counter on one side, with two or three sofas in the open space for the accommodation of customers who wished to try on shoes. Behind the counter were two shopmen, while one outside was fitting a boy with boots. Joshua looked about him, but failed to recognize the friend of whom he was in quest.
“Perhaps he has gone out a little while,” thought Joshua. “I will inquire.”
He walked up to the counter, and asked, “Is Sam Crawford out?”
“He hasn’t been in very lately,” answered the clerk, taking in the rustic appearance of his questioner at a glance.
Joshua did not infer from this answer the true state of the case.
“Is he coming in soon?” he asked.
“I really don’t know,” said the clerk, indifferently, winking to his fellow-salesman, who was within hearing distance.