"Why doesn't he come for it himself?" inquired the hotel clerk, with a searching glance at Graham.
"He wishes me to buy his steamboat ticket," answered Graham coolly. "He is going down the river in my charge."
"Are you his guardian?"
"Yes," answered Graham, with cool effrontery. "He is the son of an acquaintance of mine, and I naturally feel an interest in the boy."
"He told me he never met you till yesterday."
Graham was rather taken aback, but he recovered himself quickly.
"That's pretty cool in Tom," he returned, shrugging his shoulders. "I understand it, though."
"I am glad you do," said the clerk sarcastically, "for it doesn't look to me at all consistent with what you represent."
"The fact is," said Graham plausibly, "Tom has a feeling of independence, and doesn't like to have it supposed that he is under anybody's protection. That accounts for what he told you. It isn't right, though, to misrepresent. I must give him a scolding. I am in a little of a hurry, so if you will kindly give me the boy's money——"
"It won't do, Mr. Graham," said the clerk, very firmly. "The money was put in our charge by the boy, and it will be delivered only to him."