"Two or three days. I shall be extremely busy, but I shall find time to attend to your business. In fact, I feel an interest in you, my friend, and shall be glad to do you a service."
"You are very kind, and I'm obleeged to you," said the farmer gratefully.
"Now, if you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will go into the smoking-car and have a smoke."
When he had left the car, Luke immediately left his seat, and went forward to where the farmer was sitting.
"Excuse me," he said, "but I saw you talking to a young man just now."
"Yes," answered the farmer complacently, "he's a relative of President Madison."
"I want to warn you against him. I know him to be a swindler."
"What!" exclaimed the farmer, eying Luke suspiciously. "Who be you? You're nothing but a boy."
"That is true, but I am traveling on business. This Mr. Coleman tried to rob me about a fortnight since, and nearly succeeded. I heard him talking to you about money."
"Yes, he was going to help me invest some money I have with me. He said he could get me ten per cent."