Part 40 (1/2)

”What'll you have?” he asked.

”Bring me a plate of roast beef, and a cup of coffee,” said Andy, ”and be quick about it, for I haven't eaten anything for three weeks.”

”Then I don't think one plate will be enough for you,” said the waiter, laughing.

”It'll do to begin on,” said Andy.

The order was quickly filled, and Andy set to work energetically.

It is strange how we run across acquaintances when we least expect it.

Andy had no idea that he knew anybody in the eating house, and therefore didn't look around, feeling no special interest in the company. Yet there was one present who recognized him as soon as he entered, and watched him with strong interest. The interest was not friendly, however, as might be inferred from the scowl with which he surveyed him. This will not be a matter of surprise to the reader when I say that the observer was no other than Fairfax, whose attempt to rob Colonel Preston had been defeated by Andy.

He recognized the boy at once, both from his appearance and his voice, and deep feelings of resentment ran in his breast. To be foiled was disagreeable enough, but to be foiled by a boy was most humiliating, and he had vowed revenge, if ever an opportunity occurred. For this reason he felt exultant when he saw his enemy walking into the eating house.

”I'll follow him,” he said to himself, ”and it'll go hard if I don't get even with him for that trick he played on me.”

But how did it happen that Andy did not recognize Fairfax?

For two reasons: First, because the adventurer was sitting behind him, and our hero faced the front of the room. Next, had he seen him, it was doubtful if he would have recognized a man whom he was far from expecting to see. For Fairfax was skilled in disguises, and no longer was the black-whiskered individual that we formerly knew him. From motives of prudence, he had shaved off his black hair and whiskers, and now appeared in a red wig, and whiskers of the same hue. If any of my readers would like to know how effectual this disguise is, let them try it, and I will guarantee that they won't know themselves when they come to look at their likeness in the mirror.

After disposing of what he had ordered, Andy also ordered a plate of apple dumpling, which he ate with great satisfaction.

”I wouldn't mind eatin' here every day,” he thought. ”Maybe I'll be in business here some day myself, and then I'll come here and dine.”

Fairfax was through with his dinner, but waited till Andy arose. He then arose and followed him to the desk, where both paid at the same time. He was careless of recognition, for he felt confident in his disguise.

”Now,” thought Andy, ”I must go to the bank.”

But he didn't know where the bank was. So, when he got into the street, he asked a gentleman whom he met: ”Sir, can you direct me to the Merchants' Bank?”

”It is in State Street,” said the gentleman. ”I am going past it, so if you will come along with me, I will show you.”

”Thank you, sir,” said our hero, politely.

”Merchants' Bank!” said Fairfax to himself, beginning to feel interested. ”I wonder what he's going there for? Perhaps I can raise a little money, besides having my revenge.”

He had an added inducement now in following our hero.

When Andy went into the bank, Fairfax followed him. He was in the room when Andy received the dividends, and, with sparkling eyes, he saw that it was, a thick roll of bills, representing, no doubt, a considerable sum of money.

”That money must be mine,” he said to himself. ”It can't be the boy's.

He must have been sent by some other person. The loss will get him into trouble. Very likely he will be considered a thief. That would just suit me.”

Andy was careful, however. He put the money into a pocketbook, or, rather, wallet, with which he had been supplied by the Misses Grant, put it in his inside pocket, and then b.u.t.toned his coat up tight. He was determined not to lose anything by carelessness.

But this was not his last business visit. There was another bank in the same street where it was necessary for him to call and receive dividends. Again Fairfax followed him, and again he saw Andy receive a considerable sum of money.

”There's fat pickings here,” thought Fairfax. ”Now, I must manage, in some way, to relieve him of that money. There's altogether too much for a youngster like him. Shouldn't wonder if the money belonged to that man I tried to rob. If so, all the better.”