"Oh, yes, you do. My name is John Schickling."
"I haven't the honor of knowing you, Mr. John Schickling," said Lane, in a tone of sarcasm.
"You know me well enough," said the boy, persistently.
"Just as you like, but I have no time to spend with you to-day. Pass on and let me alone," said Lane, impatiently.
"I will as soon as you pay me what you owe me."
"Why, you impudent young rascal, how should I owe you anything?"
"You hired a room from my mother at three dollars a week, and you went off owing three weeks' lodging, if you will give me nine dollars I will give you a receipt."
"This is ridiculous nonsense. I never lived in three-dollar rooms."
"All the same you had a room at our house for several weeks at the price. I have been looking for you every day since you left us."
"Boy," said Crawford Lane, "I have just returned from Europe, and therefore cannot have roomed in your house. If you have any doubt on the subject, my young friend here will tell you that we arrived in New York this morning on the ship _Arcturus_."
"That may be," rejoined John; "but it is two months since you left our house. You have had time to go to Europe and back."
"I can't be troubled with you to-day, boy. Get out of my way!"
"Where can I find you? Where are you stopping?"
Crawford Lane drew a card from his pocket, and scribbling an address on it, passed it to the boy. While John Schickling was trying to make it out, Lane hurried on with Scott.
"Fifth Avenue Hotel!" repeated Johnny. "Why, that's a very dear place. If Mr. Lane can afford to stay there, he can afford to pay mother's bill."
Later in the day John entered the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and went up to the desk.
"Is any gentleman of that name staying here?" he asked.
"No," answered the clerk, shaking his head.
"No; I should remember the name if he had."
"Sold again!" said Johnny. "If I ever meet Mr. Lane now, he won't get off so easily."
"That is a very impudent boy!" said Lane, as he resumed his walk with Scott.
"I thought him a pleasant-looking fellow. Didn't you know him?"
"Never saw him before in the whole course of my life!"
"It is strange," mused Scott. "He called you by your name."
"Then he must have overheard you addressing me."
"But he met us. He was not walking behind us."