CHAPTER III
MEETING OLD ASSOCIATES
It was nearly a week after the beginning of Bar Vernon’s “new time,” and he had never enjoyed anything so thoroughly in all his life, that he returned to his hotel from one of his pleasure trips.
By this time he had struck up a sort of an acquaintance with the clerk, although that gentleman confessed to himself that he had never before fallen in with a boy of that age who behaved so very well and talked so very little.
“Mr. Vernon,” he said to our hero, that afternoon, “there’s been a gentleman in to see you twice while you were gone—a Major Montague.”
“Sorry to hear that,” said Bar.
“Why so? He seems a well got-up, rather fine-looking man.”
“Can’t help that,” said Bar.
“Claimed to be a relative of yours, and seemed quite anxious to see you.”
“So he is, I suppose,” replied our hero, “but he’s a disreputable old fellow, for all that, and I’m sure my father would not wish me to have anything to do with him. Drinks like a fish.”
“Must say he looks a little on that order,” remarked the clerk. “So we’re not to put him on your track?”