“I do.”
“Now I’ll tell you why he ran out. He followed me, caught me, led me to a side street, and asked me if I had not just delivered you a letter. I told him ‘Yes,’ then he asked, ‘Did you carry one?’ I answered, ‘Yes’; then he asked, ‘Where did you take it.’ I refused to answer, and he finally offered me five dollars to tell him. I did so, resolved to come and tell you all that had occurred.”
The young man listened with starting eyes and deep attention, and when Ike stopped, he sat for some moments lost in deep thought, but finally he asked:
“Now, that leads you to think he is my enemy?”
“I thought I’d at least tell you what had occurred.”
The young man laughed—his laugh, however, was a forced one—as he said:
“It’s all right, lad; yes, it’s all right, but you have interpreted the little adventure the wrong way. Mr. Fellman is my friend, and that is why he asked you those questions. They were prompted by interest and anxiety on my behalf.”
“Oh, that’s all, eh?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Mr. Burlein, all I have got to say is, look out for his interest and anxiety in your behalf. You are not a fool, neither am I. You are greatly disturbed.”