CHAPTER XXI.
MR. PERKINS MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE.
Dick Ralston and the bookkeeper stared at their Western friend inundisguised amazement. Finally Mr. Mullins said, "What did I understandyou to call yourself?"
"Paul Perkins, of Minneapolis."
"And--you are staying at the Fifth Avenue Hotel?"
"Certainly. Didn't you send this boy with a message?" said Mr. Perkins,rather impatiently.
"Ye-es."
"How did you know that I was coming to New York? That's what beats me."
Mullins began to appreciate the situation, and he was cudgeling hisbrains for an explanation. Finally one came.
"I may be misinformed, but I learned from a friend of yours that youwere coming here with an intention of locating in our city. Now, as weare in the real estate business, I thought we would offer our servicesto find you a suitable house."
"Some friend of mine notified you of my coming to New York? Why, Istarted off on a sudden without consulting anyone. I don't see howanyone could give you the information."
"I won't undertake to explain it," said the bookkeeper. "I will onlysay that I am glad to meet you."
"Thank you! You are very polite. What was the name of the friend whospoke about me and my plans?"
"I have a poor memory for names, but I believe I have the gentleman'scard in my desk."
He opened the desk and made an elaborate search for what he knew heshould not find.
"It's no use," he said, after a pause. "It's disappeared."
"What was the appearance of the person?" persisted Mr. Perkins.
"He was--tall, and--yes, with a dark complexion and--and sidewhiskers."
"About how old?"
"I should say about forty."
"I know plenty of people answering that description. But how did hehappen to call on you?"
"There you have me. He had some business with Mr. Fairchild, andunfortunately Mr. F. started West this morning."
"I see. I can get no clew to the mystery. However, I am glad to havemade the acquaintance of this young man," indicating Chester.
"Oh, you mean our office boy," returned Mullins, coldly.
Just then Dick Ralston nudged the bookkeeper.
"Introduce me," he said, _sotto voce_.
The bookkeeper did not incline favorably to this request, but did notdare to refuse. Dick Ralston's appearance was decidedly against him,and his "loud" attire was in keeping with his face and manners.
"Mr. Perkins," said Mullins, "allow me to introduce my friend, Mr.Ralston."
"Glad to meet you, Mr. Ralston," said the man from Minneapolis,extending his hand, which Dick seized and pressed warmly.
"Proud to make your acquaintance, Mr. Perkins," rejoined the gambler."I always did like Western people."
"Thank you. I am not Western by birth, though I went out to Minnesotawhen I was a mere boy."
"And I have no doubt you have prospered," said Ralston, who was reallyanxious to learn whether Mr. Perkins was well provided with money andwas worth fleecing.
"Well, I don't complain," answered Perkins, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I shall be glad to pay you any attentions," insinuated Ralston. "Iknow the ropes pretty well, and I flatter myself I can show you thetown as well as anyone, eh, Mullins?"
"Oh, yes," assented the bookkeeper, not over cordially.
"I have no doubt of it, Mr. Ralston, and I take your offer kindly, butI am afraid I won't have time to go round much."
"Won't you go out and take a drink? Mullins, you go, too!"
"Thank you, but I don't drink--at any rate, when I am away from home.By the way, Mr.----" and he stopped short, for he did not remember thebookkeeper's name.
"Mr. Mullins," suggested that gentleman.
"You are misinformed about my wanting to locate in this city. NewYork's a right smart place, I admit, but give me Minneapolis. Thatsuits me."
"All right, sir. I am misinformed, that's all."
"If you find my friend's card just write and let me know his name. I'dlike to know who it is that knows so much about my plans."
"I will. Where shall I direct?"
"Oh, just direct to Minneapolis. I'm well known there. A letter will besure to reach me."
"Shall you be at the hotel this evening, Mr. Perkins?" added DickRalston, who found it hard to give up his design upon his newacquaintance.
"I don't know. I haven't made any plans."
"I was thinking I might call upon you."
"Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Ralston. Probably you would not find mein."
Mr. Perkins was a tolerably shrewd man. He had "sized up" the gambler,and decided that he did not care to become any better acquainted withhim.
"Just as you say," returned Dick Ralston, looking discomfited. "Ithought perhaps I could make it pleasant for you."
"If I find I have time I can call at your place of business," said theman from Minneapolis, with a shrewd glance at the gambler.
"I have no place of business," returned Ralston, rather awkwardly. "Iam a--a capitalist, and sometimes speculate in real estate. Don't I,Mullins?"
"Of course. By the way, I forgot to tell you that I have four lots onNinety-sixth Street which would make a good investment."
"Ninety-sixth Street! Ahem, rather far uptown. What's the figure?"
"Five thousand dollars."
"I'll take a look at them as soon as I have time. You see, Mr. Perkins,I do all my real estate business through my friend, Mr. Mullins."
"Just so."
Neither Mr. Perkins nor Chester was taken in by Ralston's assumption ofthe character of a capitalist. The Western man had already a shrewdsuspicion of the gambler's real business, and being a cautious andprudent man, did not care to cultivate him.
"Good-morning!" said Mr. Perkins. "I must not take up any more of yourtime. Will you allow Chester to go out with me for five minutes?"
"Certainly."
David Mullins would have liked to refuse, but had no good excuse fordoing so.
"Don't stay long!" he said, rather sharply.
"I won't keep him long."
When they were in the street Mr. Perkins said: "I don't like the looksof that bookkeeper of yours."
"Nor do I," returned Chester.
"I wouldn't trust him any further than I could see him. Who was thatRalston? Have you ever seen him before?"
"Once. He doesn't come into the office when Mr. Fairchild is at home."
"Do you know anything about him?"
"I know--that is, I have heard that he is a well-known gambler."
"By the great horn spoon, if I didn't think so! He seemed very anxiousto show me round the city."
"He would probably have taken you to a gambling house."
"Not if I was in my senses. I don't gamble, and I hope you don't."
"I shouldn't know how," answered Chester, with a smile.
"Have you any engagement for this evening?"
"No, sir."
"What time do you leave the office?"
"At five o'clock."
"Then come round to the hotel and take dinner with me. I don't knowanyone in the city, and I shall be glad to have your company thisevening. We will take a walk together, and you can show me what's worthseeing."
"Are you not afraid that I will take you to a gambling house?" askedChester, with a smile.
"I'll risk it."
"You would find Mr. Ralston a better guide."
"But not so safe a one. I shall be satisfied with you."
When Chester returned to the office Mullins asked, sharply: "What didPerkins want to say to you?"
"He asked me to dine with him to-night at the Fifth Avenue Hotel."
"Speak a good word for me, Chester," said Ralston, with unusualaffability. "I would like to become better acquainted with him."
"What shall I say, Mr. Ralston?"
"Tell him I am a prominent man, and expect to be nominated for Congressnext fall."
This he said with a
wink. Chester and the bookkeeper laughed.
"I'll tell him," said Chester.