“Why, that’s where I have put up. If you don’t mind we’ll go there now. It is nearly lunch hour. Anyhow, I’d like to have a talk with you.”
To this invitation Vance offered no objection, and ten minutes later they were ascending the hotel elevator together.
CHAPTER IX.
DAME FORTUNE TAKES VANCE THORNTON UNDER HER WING.
“Well, Thornton, I trust that you and I will be good friends,” said Mr. Bradhurst, as he motioned Vance to a seat by the window after they had entered one of the best suites of rooms in the house.
“I hope so, sir,” replied the boy in a cheery tone, which indicated that he saw no reason, at least on his part, why they should not.
“It isn’t every one that I take a fancy to,” said the broad-shouldered man; “but I am bound to say that, even apart from the natural friendliness I feel toward one to whom I am so largely indebted as yourself, I have taken a liking to you on general principles.”
“You are very kind to say so,” returned Vance; “I can say the same thing as regards yourself.”
“Then we appear to be mutually pleased,” said Bradhurst with a breezy laugh. “The fact of the matter is, young man, I have lived for the last eight years in a sort of rough-and-ready community, where a man’s character comes to the surface without much effort on his part to hold it down. We soon learn to size up those with whom we are thrown into contact, and sift the honest fellow from the worthless scamp.”
“You have lived in the mining districts, I suppose?”