"Where are you stopping, sir?"
"At the Burnet House."
"I think I can spare half an hour. It is near by."
"Thank you. I will endeavor to make the interview a profitable one for you. I am going to ask a service of you, and I am willing to pay handsomely for it."
Upon a young man "hard up," as Maurice was, this suggestion was not thrown away.
"I shall be glad to help you, sir," he said, quickly.
"Come with me, then. I will defer saying more till we are seated in my room at the hotel."
In less than five minutes they were so seated. By the gaslight Maurice got a fair view of his companion, and was led to wonder who he was.
"Mr. Walton," said the older man, "it is only fair that I should give you an equal advantage with myself. I know your name. You do not know mine. Let me introduce myself as James Grey."
"Formerly in business in this city?"