"Then I will go with you to the other end of the city and beyond. Have you ever heard of Staten Island?"
"It is a few miles to the south of the Battery. I own a small piece of property there--a couple of houses at New Brighton, which are let to tenants. They have sent me word that they need some repairs made, and I may as well go over and see them. I never like to travel alone, and as I have a companion I may as well utilize his company."
Half an hour on the Sixth Avenue Elevated train brought them from Fifty-ninth Street to South Ferry. Close beside it the Staten Island boats started from their pier.
Scott and his companion went on board, and ascended the stairs to the upper cabin. Here they found seats in front, and sat enjoying the fine breeze which is almost always to be found on this trip.
Mr. Wood pointed out Governor's Island, the Statue of Liberty and other notable sights.
Arrived at Staten Island, they took cars to New Brighton. Mr. Wood attended to his business, and then took Scott on an extended ride around the island. But first he stopped at a hotel and ordered dinner. This they both enjoyed.
When they left the dining room and went out on the piazza they were treated to a surprise. In an armchair, tilted back, with his feet on the balustrade, sat Crawford Lane, evidently enjoying the fine breeze.
Justin Wood smiled as he saw how unconscious Lane was of his presence. Then he walked forward quietly and laid his hand on Lane's arm.
"Mr. Lane," he said, "this is an unexpected pleasure."
Lane turned quickly, and looked very much disconcerted when he saw who it was that accosted him.
"I--I didn't expect to meet you here," he stammered.
"I presume not. Don't you recognize this boy?"
"Yes; I am glad you have not forgotten him. He is here on business."
"Yes; in a fit of absence of mind you relieved him of fifty dollars, or the equivalent in English bank notes. I don't say anything about the considerably larger sum which you took from me in London, for I can stand the loss, but this boy is poor and wants the money back."
"I can't give it to him," said Lane, desperately.
"So you have spent nearly fifty dollars in one day?"
"That was foolish. If you had lost your own money it would have served you right. But you had no business to squander the boy's money in that way. How much money have you got left?"