Vance was rather taken aback at this proposition.
He was not a bit anxious to go with Guy Dudley under the circumstances.
But to refuse his invitation without some good reason was sure to give offence, and Vance always considered it a wise policy not to make an enemy if he could avoid doing so.
So he accepted Dudley’s offer, much to the young man’s inward satisfaction, and then pleaded a business engagement to get rid of him.
The dapper young man, having accomplished all that he wanted for the present, made no further effort to press his society on Vance, hinting that he also had business to attend to; as indeed he had, but not of the nature he would have his boy acquaintance believe.
So they parted at the entrance to the Criterion, Dudley promising to call for him at his hotel at about half-past seven that evening.
Kansas City, Kansas, is a wideawake, lively town, and Vance Thornton spent several hours that afternoon wandering about the principal streets, an interested observer of western progress.
Promptly at seven-thirty Guy Dudley presented himself at the hotel office and inquired for Vance Thornton.
“Are you Mr. Dudley?” asked the clerk.
“That’s my name,” said the dapper young man airily.