“I haven’t seen Jack for a good while,” said Mr. Burnett, “and he was curious to know what I was doing. He expressed himself rather oddly.”
“The fact is, Tom--and I suppose you may have guessed--I am a dealer in watches and jewelry. I was in business in Cincinnati till recently, but decided to remove to San Francisco, upon learning that there is an excellent opening there for a man in my business. A small part of my stock I have in the satchel which you are carrying. Did you ever think of learning the jewelry business?”
“No, I never thought of it,” Tom replied.
“When we get to San Francisco I may be able to offer you inducements.”
“I shall want to travel about the State a little first,” said Tom. “Thank you for the offer, though.”
“Oh, well, I shall be in a hurry. Will you go to the mines?”
“Perhaps I may go, too. I have never been in any mining district, and I have a curiosity to see what it looks like. Will you have a cigar?”
“Oh, I forgot you don’t smoke. I suppose I must go into the smoking-car--be back soon.”
The reader may have a curiosity to know what passed between Percy Burnett and his friend, the rough diamond, when they left the car together.
“Who’s that boy you’ve got with you, Jim?” asked Jack.
“A young man who is under my guardianship,” said Mr. Burnett, hesitating.
“A pretty sort of guardian you’ll make,” he said, winking at his friend.
“Don’t speak so loud, Jack. You’ll attract attention.”
“And that’s just what you don’t want, I reckon.”
“Come, now, tell me what’s your game anyhow? Is the boy rich?”
“He has a little money,” said Percy Burnett, cautiously.
“You wrong me--indeed, you do. I am taking him out as far as Salt Lake City, and my expenses are to be paid by his friends.”
This was the best story that Mr. Burnett could devise upon the spur of the moment.
“All I can say is that his friends can’t know much about you. You didn’t mention to them the term you had served in----”
“Hush!” said Burnett, looking about him in alarm. “Don’t you know any better than to blurt out such things where people may hear?”
“Do so, and I’ll make it worth your while, Jack.”
“No, it won’t, if you go all the way to Salt Lake City.”
“Perhaps I may not go all the way there,” said Percy, in a low voice.
