"This will suit me exactly," he said, eagerly. "May I have this room?"
"You really haven't looked at it very carefully," said Olden, with just the barest hint of amusement in his voice.
"Oh, well,--I--I can see that it will suit me. I shan't be in it very much, you know. I'm connected with the News, as you know from my card. I'll be here only at night."
"Yes, it's a pleasant little room. And it has an open view. That large building is Miss Elliott's School, I am told."
"Yes, I know," laughed Lyon. "Fact is, I know one of the young ladies at the school."
"Indeed?" There was surprise and, if it had been possible to believe it, disappointment in Mr. Olden's voice. It was as though he had said, "Oh, is that it?" The blue goggles scrutinized Lyon for a moment before he said, "Well, shall we consider it settled?"
"If you please. When can I come in?"
"Whenever you like. I'll tell Sarah to make the room ready. And I hope, Mr. Lyon," he added, as they went back downstairs, "that you will sometimes join me in a cigar before you turn in. Shut in as I am, unable to use my eyes or to see people, you will be doing me a charity if you will come in and gossip a bit. Will you do it?"
"I'll be glad to," said Lyon, heartily.
"That will more than repay me, if there is any favor to you in our arrangement," the man said with a certain emphasis. He probably was lonely, Lyon reflected, with quick sympathy.