This was certainly a strange coincidence, that his cousin, for it was doubtless he, should be the first boy he encountered after reaching New York.  It would be still stranger if Mr. Godfrey should offer him employment, and he should find himself a clerk in the same office as the son of his rich uncle.  But it was by no means certain that he would be lucky enough to obtain such employment.  Therefore there was no need of wondering whether, under such circumstances, Tom would recognize him as a relation.

Herbert walked thoughtfully back, and on reaching his room ate the remainder of the loaf which he had purchased at the baker’s in the morning.  It was not a very luxurious repast, but his walk had given him an appetite, and he had no difficulty in disposing of all that was left.

CHAPTER XXV

GETTING A SITUATION

The next morning Herbert reported himself at his new boarding place.  He found the fare very far from first-class, while his fellow-boarders appeared at the table mostly in shirt-sleeves, and were evidently workingmen.  Our hero would have preferred a greater degree of neatness both in the table and in the guests, but he felt that he would be lucky, if he should find himself able to pay his expenses even here.  He was not to be daunted by little annoyances, but looked for compensation in the future.

He waited impatiently for the next day, when Mr. Godfrey would return.  Upon the success of the interview with him much depended.

At length it came, and Herbert once more set out for the warehouse on Pearl Street.  He entered without question, and made his way to the counting-room.  Looking through the glass door, he saw his cousin—­whom he surveyed with new interest now that he knew the relationship—­and the bookkeeper.  But, besides these, there was an elderly gentleman, rather stout, with a pleasant face, the expression of which reassured him.

“Is Mr. Godfrey in?” he asked, on entering, with a look of inquiry at the gentleman just described.

“That is my name.  What can I do for you?” said Mr. Godfrey, turning towards him.

“I have a letter for you, sir,” said Herbert, producing it from his pocket.

Mr. Godfrey held out his hand for it, and ran his eye rapidly over its contents.

“So your name is Herbert Mason?” he said, raising his eyes after finishing it.

“Yes, sir.”

At the mention of this name, Tom Stanton, whose curiosity had led him to listen to the conversation, wheeled rapidly round on his stool and surveyed our hero with intense curiosity.  He knew that Herbert Mason was the name of his cousin.  Could it be possible that this boy was the cousin whom he had never seen?  A little later, and he was convinced of it.

“You have just come from Ohio, I suppose?”

“Yes, sir.”

“My friend, Mr. Carroll, writes me that you were instrumental in saving him from being robbed while acting as his escort to Philadelphia.”