A well set up young man, some years his senior, asked him this question the moment his feet were on the pier.
He wanted to tell the fellow it was none of his business. But he had learned caution. He looked the questioner over from head to toe.
“Some college fellow,” was his mental comment as he took in the other’s spick-and-span appearance. Dressed to the minute, that’s what he was. “May be a young reporter.”
“Just came down from the North,” he said quietly. “Been hunting with bow and arrow.” He whirled his leather cased bow about as evidence. “Caught this boat at Two Harbors.”
“Yeah? Do you always travel that way?”
“Freight? Why, anyway, I’ve never waited for a fancy boat. Take the first one that will bring me where I want to go.”
“Not a bad idea.” The stranger’s look changed. “Going over town? Bound that way myself. Mind company?”
“Not a bit.”
“All the same, I wonder who he is and what business of his it is that I came from somewhere and am going somewhere else,” Johnny thought, as they passed through a long, low shed, and turning to the right, headed down the pier toward the city.
For some time the two walked on in silence. Johnny was busy studying his rather sudden friend. His smart black derby, neatly creased trousers and shining shoes contrasted oddly with the blue shirt and khaki trousers that Johnny wore.