"Budd Boyd! How dare you enter my house, sir?"
"I have business with you, Mr. Johnson," Budd replied gravely, and with dignity.
Something in his quiet tones and self-possessed manner soothed Mr. Johnson's anger, and he asked, shortly:
"What is it?"
"May I sit down, sir? I have several most astonishing revelations to make," said Budd, noticing the impression he had made.
Mr. Johnson without a word motioned the boy to a chair, and taking one near by, waited for him to speak.
"Do you remember the conversation I had with you about Thomas H. Bagsley, when in your office last March?" Budd now asked.
"I do," said the gentleman addressed, briefly and haughtily.
"You may remember that as I left your office he entered, making it evident that he had been listening to our conversation," continued the lad.
"What makes you think so?" asked Mr. Johnson with a start, and for the first time beginning to show an interest in the conversation.