Tom walked up Broadway till he came to the Astor House.
It was but eleven o’clock, and it was not yet time to meet Darius Darke. He therefore passed on, and walked slowly up that wonderful street, watching with mingled interest and curiosity, the shops and the display of goods therein. He was especially interested in a large ready-made clothing store, and the overcoats about the door.
Tom was very much in want of an overcoat. In fact, though it was a cold day, he had none on at that very moment. He reflected that he had ten dollars of his own, the sum sent him by Darius Darke. As his traveling expenses were paid by Mr. Julian, he had not been obliged to trench on that fund.
“If I could get an overcoat for five dollars, I don’t know but I’d buy one,” he said to himself.
He entered, and inquired the prices of several articles in that line, but he found, to his disappointment, that ten dollars was the lowest price.
While he was standing in the store, a gentleman of moderate size made choice of one of the best overcoats sold by the firm.
“Shall we send your overcoat home?” asked the salesman.
The gentleman shrugged his shoulders.
“I suppose you may as well, though I don’t expect ever to wear it again.”
Then, glancing at Tom, who was on the point of leaving the store, he said: