Abner turned pale, and realized that his best course was to keep quiet about an affair which might seriously compromise himself.
CHAPTER XVII
NEW ACQUAINTANCES
Herbert stopped overnight at Columbus.
The first train eastward left Columbus at seven o'clock in the morning. It was Herbert's intention to take this train, but unfortunately, as he thought at the time, the clock at the hotel by which his movements were guided was ten minutes too slow. The consequence was, that before he had quite reached the depot he saw the cars going out at the other end. He ran as fast as possible, hoping still to make up for lost time, but it was in vain.
“You're too late, youngster,” said a porter, who had been assisting to stow away baggage. “You'll have to wait till the next train.”
“When does the next train start?” asked our hero.
“Twelve o'clock.”
“Then I shall have to wait till that time,” Herbert concluded, with regret.