"But he met us. He was not walking behind us."
"I can't undertake to explain it," said Lane, shrugging his shoulders. "The boy is evidently very artful. It is a put-up job."
Scott made no comment, but he had been favorably impressed by John Schickling's open, frank face, and he felt some doubts about relying on Lane's explanation.
CHAPTER III. SCOTT LEARNS A LESSON.
Soon after supper Crawford Lane said: "Suppose we go to some theater this evening. It will pass away the time pleasantly."
Scott looked pained.
"Mr. Lane," he said, "you seem to forget that it is scarcely more than a week since my poor father died."
"Excuse me, Scott. I ought to have remembered it. Shall you miss me if I leave you to spend the evening alone?"