"That's true," laughed Fred. "If I had depended on my savings, I shouldn't have been able to go farther than Hoboken, or Coney Island, but a rich friend supplied me with a moderate sum for expenses."
"Then you were in luck."
Fred was a little afraid that Bowman would inquire the name of the rich friend, and made up his mind that he would evade answering. However, his companion showed no curiosity on the subject.
"Will you take a glass of ale with me?" asked Bowman, as he filled his own glass from a bottle beside his plate.
"No, thank you. I have no taste for it."
"I didn't like it myself at first but I've come to like it."
"Does your partner board with you at the hotel?" asked Fred.
"No," was the careless reply. "We have a small cottage just out of the village."
"I wonder how he gets along for meals," thought Fred.
However that might be, Paul Bowman didn't permit anxiety to interfere with his own appetite. He did ample justice to the supper, and so indeed did Fred. Fortunately the ham and eggs were well cooked, and the loaf of bread was fresh. In place of ale Fred contented himself with tea.