"I wish you knew him," said Ben.
"Why?" asked the other in surprise.
Ben blushed all to himself in the dark, but, reasoning that it was "only a boy," boldly answered:
"I should like to know whom his lady companion is."
"Oh! Is that it!" and the way he said it sounded singular to Ben. "Well, I suppose you live here and will have a chance to find out."
"No, I do not live here. I live in New York."
"Going home to-night?" inquired the lad.
"No," laughed Ben. "I'm going to St. Louis before I go home again."
"To St. Louis! I declare! There is where I'm going myself."
"Perhaps we may travel together," suggested Ben, laughing.