“What makes you so sure it was for you?” inquired Fred laughingly. “It was signed ‘American Brother’ and was simply addressed ‘Sir.’ Perhaps it was meant for me after all.”
“No, the letter is mine,” said the man quietly and as he spoke the four boys were aware that he intended to retain possession of the perplexing missive.
That he was able to do so was manifest in the breadth of his shoulders and the evidences of strength which were apparent as he turned and walked away.
“Whew!” whispered Grant. “I guess that man could tell some stories if he wanted to.”
“I hope he will want to,” said George. “I know I want to hear them.”
The conversation turned from the stranger who had claimed the letter to plans for the following day and then when two hours had elapsed all four boys, thoroughly tired by their experiences of the day, sought their rooms.
The following morning John was surprised when he first went down to the lobby to discover there his host of the preceding day.
At first John suspected that the man intended to ignore him, for he advanced toward him with outstretched hand to express his surprise at the unexpected meeting. The stranger, however, turned abruptly away. Abashed by the action John’s face flushed and he watched the man when he slowly walked out to the piazza and seated himself near the entrance.
Turning to the clerk John said, “Who is that man?”
“I do not know,” replied the clerk. “I have seen him here several times this summer.”