"Yes, but he is busy."
"Nevertheless, I will venture to disturb him."
"You'd better not; he won't like it."
But Paul had already opened the door of the inner office, and stood in the presence of Mr. Bradford.
"Bless my soul, Paul! I am glad to see you," said the manufacturer, rising and shaking hands cordially with our hero. "When did you arrive?"
"Yesterday afternoon, and I tried to get a chance to call, but——"
"Of course, your mother wanted to see you. It's all right. Now let me know all about your trip."
Paul gave a summary of results, and his employer listened with evident surprise and approval.
"You have done splendidly," he said. "I did not dream of realizing so much for the mine. And you got the better of Fox, too. I value that as much as I do the money you have made for me. Besides your wages, I shall make you a present of five hundred dollars, to show my appreciation of your services."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Bradford, but I have been handsomely rewarded by another party," and he mentioned the two thousand dollars paid him by Jim Scott.