"I may find it worth while to get well acquainted with him," thought Fred. "I shall be glad to go out with you," he said aloud.
"That's all right! But how does a boy like you happen to be traveling so far from home?"
"I have a vacation," said Fred. "I have never been in Canada, and thought it would be something new to come here."
"I'm pretty tired of it, I can tell you."
"Then why do you stay?" asked Fred innocently.
"My partner's taken down with rheumatism, and I can't leave him," answered Bowman in a tone of hesitation. "When he gets well I may go back to New York."
"I doubt if you will," thought Fred.
"Were you in a business position in New York?" asked Bowman.
"I have been for some time train boy on the Erie Railroad," answered Fred, feeling that it would never do to mention his connection with Mr. Wainwright.
"Train boys don't usually have money to spend on vacation trips," said Bowman shrewdly.