"Can you tell me, sir," inquired that gentleman of his next neighbor, "whether by taking the midnight train at Albany I shall reach Buffalo in time to connect with a train on the Lake Shore Road?"
"You will, sir; but it is a slow train. By keeping right on now you can connect with the Lake Shore Express."
"I know; but I have business that will detain me in Albany."
"So have I," muttered Tode, well pleased with the arrangement, and went back to his seat.
"Halloo, Tode! where you been?" called out a sixteen-year old comrade from a cellar grocery window, as Tode turned out of Broadway that same evening.
"Been traveling for my health. Say, Jerry, seen anything of father lately?"
"He's gone off on a frolic. Went night before last—bag and baggage."
"Where did he go?"
Jerry shook his head.