“Normal load was it, Johnson?” he asked the conductor. “You rang up twenty-four fares, I noticed.”
The man looked consciously surprised to be called by name.
“Yes, Mr. Roberts,” he said; “we carry anywhere between twenty and thirty at this time of night.”
“How about the next trip, nine-thirty?”
“Better yet if anything.”
“Best of all. The straps are nearly always loaded.”
Roberts buttoned up his coat deliberately.
“Think it would pay to run a couple of hours longer?” he asked, and this time the conductor all but flushed at the unexpected confidence.
“Yes; I’m sure it would, Mr. Roberts; especially when the school’s in session. The boys would ride half the night if they could.”