“Let’s go over there,” proposed Mr. Hibbert smiling, as he glanced from one face to another.

“That proposition was just before the house, and was voted down,” Tom continued.

“What was the matter, boys?” demanded young Mr. Hibbert beamingly.  “Didn’t you have the price?”

“On the contrary, we had the price,” Reade answered, as gravely as ever.  “However, after discussion, we decided that we had other uses for our capital.”

“But I haven’t any other uses for my present capital,” pursued Mr. Hibbert, as smiling as ever.  “So come along, please.”

Instead of jumping at the offer, Dick’s partners regarded the man in the four-quart hat with some doubt.  Often, when offered a courtesy from strangers that they would like to accept, these boys were likely to regard the offer with this same attitude of suspicion.  It was not that Dick & Co. meant to be ungracious to strangers, but rather that their boyish experience with the world had taught them that such offers from strangers usually have strings attached to them.

“Don’t you young men like ice cream?” asked Mr. Hibbert, looking fully as astonished as he felt.

“Certainly we do, Mr. Hibbert,” Tom responded.  “But what’s the idea?  What do you want us to do for you?”

“I ask you for the pleasure of your company,” explained Mr. Hibbert.  “I’m a stranger in this town, and I’d like a little company.”

“And—–­afterwards?” pursued Reade.

“’Afterwards’?” repeated Alonzo Hibbert looking puzzled.

“What do you want us to do for you by and by?” Tom asked.

“Oh, I see,” replied Hibbert, laughing with keen enjoyment.  “You think my invitation a bait for services that I expect presently to demand.  Nothing of the sort, I assure you.  All I want is someone to talk to for the next half hour.  Won’t you oblige me?”

“Mr. Hibbert,” broke in Dave suddenly, “I’ve just happened to remember that there is a man in town who wants to talk with you.  We met him at the station, and he inquired where he could find you.”

“I think I know whom you mean,” admitted Hibbert.

“We told him you were stopping at the Eagle Hotel,” Greg added.

“Then, if the man who is looking for me went to the Eagle Hotel, he has already learned that I am elsewhere.  It’s his business to find me, not mine to run about town seeking him.  He can find me as well in the ice cream shop as in any other place.  Will you young men oblige me with your company?”

At a nod from Darrin the others fell in line.  Mr. Hibbert led the way across the street, entering the shop, which proved to be empty of other customers.

As the waitress approached the two tables to take the orders for ice cream the host of the occasion turned to his guests.

“Give the young woman your orders, gentlemen,” said Alonzo Hibbert.

“Strawberry,” said Tom.