“I’m in luck to fall in with you, Mr.—­”

“Coleman,” said the drummer, with suavity.  “J.  Madison Coleman.  My grandfather was a cousin of President James Madison, and that accounts for my receiving that name.”

The farmer’s respect was further increased.  It was quite an event to fall in with so near a relative of an illustrious ex-President, and he was flattered to find that a young man of such lineage was disposed to treat him with such friendly familiarity.

“Are you going to stay long in Detroit?” asked the farmer.

“Two or three days.  I shall be extremely busy, but I shall find time to attend to your business.  In fact, I feel an interest in you, my friend, and shall be glad to do you a service.”

“You are very kind, and I’m obleeged to you,” said the farmer gratefully.

“Now, if you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will go into the smoking-car and have a smoke.”

When he had left the car, Luke immediately left his seat, and went forward to where the farmer was sitting.

“Excuse me,” he said, “but I saw you talking to a young man just now.”

“Yes,” answered the farmer complacently, “he’s a relative of President Madison.”

“I want to warn you against him.  I know him to be a swindler.”

“What!” exclaimed the farmer, eying Luke suspiciously.  “Who be you?  You’re nothing but a boy.”

“That is true, but I am traveling on business.  This Mr. Coleman tried to rob me about a fortnight since, and nearly succeeded.  I heard him talking to you about money.”

“Yes, he was going to help me invest some money I have with me.  He said he could get me ten per cent.”

“Take my advice, and put it in a savings-bank.  Then it will be safe.  No man who offers to pay ten per cent. for money can be relied upon.”

“Perhaps you want to rob me yourself?” said the farmer suspiciously.

“Do I look like it?” asked Luke, smiling.  “Isn’t my advice good, to put the money in a savings-bank?  But I will tell you how I fell in with Mr. Coleman, and how he tried to swindle me, and then you can judge for yourself.”

This Luke did briefly and his tone and manner carried conviction.  The farmer became extremely indignant at the intended fraud, and promised to have nothing to do with Coleman.

“I will take my old seat, then,” said Luke.  “I don’t want Coleman to know who warned you.”

Presently, Coleman came back and was about to resume his seat beside the farmer.

“You see I have come back,” he said.

“You needn’t have troubled yourself,” said the farmer, with a lowering frown.  “You nearly took me in with your smooth words, but I’ve got my money yet, and I mean to keep it.  Your friend can’t have it.”

“What does all this mean, my friend?” asked Coleman, in real amazement.  “Is it possible you distrust me?  Why, I was going to put myself to inconvenience to do you a service.”