“Your time will come, Conrad.”

“Has your employer given you much money to travel with?”

“I am to draw on him for what I want.”

“Say, won’t you write me a letter from Chicago?  I wish I had known you were going; I would have asked pa to let me go with you.”

Andy was amused at Conrad’s change of front.  He knew very well that Conrad was no more his friend than before, but that his notions were strictly selfish.  However, he promised to write to him if he could get time, and made the promise in good faith.

“I wish Valentine were going with me,” he thought; “but I should not enjoy Conrad’s company.”

Andy’s journey to Chicago was uneventful.  About two hours before the train arrived a tall man left his seat on the opposite side of the car and seated himself beside Andy.

“Good-morning,” he began.  “I suppose, like me, you propose to stop in Chicago?”

“For about twenty-four hours,” answered Andy.

“And then you go on further?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How far?”

“I cannot tell you definitely,” answered Andy, who thought it wise to be on his guard.

“Could you oblige me with small bills for a ten?  I am owing a dollar to the porter.”

Andy took out a large-sized wallet from an inner pocket and opened it.  It contained about fifty dollars in bills of different denominations.

“I am afraid I cannot accommodate you,” he said, “unless two five-dollar bills will answer your purpose.”

“I am afraid it won’t help me.”

“I am sorry,” said Andy, politely.

He did not observe the covetous glance of the stranger as he noted the large wallet and its contents.  It occurred to him afterward that his companion had not produced the bill he wished changed.

“Oh, well,” said the stranger, carelessly, “it doesn’t matter.  I can get the bill changed at the depot.  Are you traveling on business?” he inquired.

“Yes, sir.”

“So am I. I represent the firm of Arnold & Constable, in New York.  Doubtless you have heard of them.”

“Oh, yes.  They are well known.”

“I have been in their employ for five years.  Before that I worked for Claflin.”

“Indeed!”

“You do not mention the name of your firm.”

“No, I am traveling on private business for the head of the firm.”

“Ah, yes.  I don’t wish to be inquisitive.  You do right to keep the business to yourself.”

“You see, it is not my business.”

“Just so!  You are young for a business agent.”

“That is true, but I am growing older every day.”

“Exactly so!  Good joke!”

Andy’s companion laughed quite heartily, rather to the surprise of his young acquaintance.

“I am very glad to have met you.  You see, I am very social, and can’t stand being alone.  By the way, where do you stop in Chicago?”