“Oh, no—no, no; but see here; you have shown good sense and judgment. The circumstances are a little peculiar. Here is a ten-dollar bill for you. This has been a good day, for I will pay for the dinner. Now, tell me about yourself. Tell me who you are, what you are. Yes, tell me the whole story.”
The young man spoke in a very nervous tone, and his manner betrayed the fact that really he was very much disturbed.
“There is not much to tell, sir. I am a lad who keeps his eyes and ears open, that’s all, and I’ve put you on your guard. You employed me to go upon an errand. I did so and your partner betrayed a desire to find out all about my errand. Yes, he cared five dollars’ worth, and it struck me as very peculiar; and I thought I’d tell you all about it.”
“You were right, yes, just right. And now see here; meet me to-morrow, be my guest. Say nothing to any one and to-morrow we will talk this whole matter over.”
“Yes, I will meet you to-morrow and you may have something to tell me and I may have something to tell you. And I tell you one thing now; put not your trust in princes or partners when they pay five dollars to find out who sends you letters. That’s all; you may trust them, but they do not trust you.”
Burlein paid for the dinner and separated from our hero. When they issued forth Ike went home with his fifteen dollars, and Burlein returned to his office to meditate, and as the sequel will show he had ample subject for meditation. But he was a brave, trusting and noble young man and little dreamed of impending evil. He was surprised and annoyed, that was all. Alas! when he awoke to his real danger it was too late to avoid it.
Ike was quite proud when he handed Mrs. Pell ten dollars and said:
“That is for the present. I am on a big ‘lay’ and may make considerable money. I can’t tell, but I think I will.”
There came a thoughtful look in Mrs. Pell’s face. A weird suspicion ran through her mind. Fifteen dollars was a great deal of money for a mere youth in no regular business to earn in one day. Ike, who was quick and observant, saw the thoughtful look in his friend’s face and he said:
“You need have no fear. I get all my money honestly. I would neither hold nor receive money that did not come to me honestly.”