Part 45 (1/2)
”How long are you going to stay in New York?”
”About two weeks. Then I shall go back to Montana and take you with me.”
”Thank you. There is nothing I should like better.”
Two days later, as the two were walking along Broadway, they met Mr.
Wheeler. The latter instantly recognized his friend from Montana, and scrutinized closely his young companion.
Rodney's face looked strangely familiar to him, but somehow he could not recollect when or under what circ.u.mstances he had met him. He did not, however, like to give up his intended victim, but had the effrontery to address the man from Montana.
”I hope you are well, Mr. Pettigrew.”
”Thank you, I am very well.”
”I hope you are enjoying yourself. I should be glad to show you the sights. Have you been to Grants Tomb?”
”Not yet.”
”I should like to take you there.”
”Thank you, but I have a competent guide.”
”Won't you introduce me to the young gentleman?”
”I don't require any introduction to you, Mr. Wheeler,” said Rodney.
”Where have I met you before?” asked Wheeler abruptly.
”In the cars. I had a box of jewelry with me,” answered Rodney significantly.
Louis Wheeler changed color. Now he remembered Rodney, and he was satisfied that he owed to him the coolness with which the Western man had treated him.
”I remember you had,” he said spitefully, ”but I don't know how you came by it.”
”It isn't necessary that you should know. I remember I had considerable difficulty in getting it out of your hands.”
”Mr. Pettigrew,” said Wheeler angrily, ”I feel interested in you, and I want to warn you against the boy who is with you. He is a dangerous companion.”
”I dare say you are right,” said Pettigrew in a quizzical tone. ”I shall look after him sharply, and I thank you for your kind and considerate warning. I don't care to take up any more of your valuable time. Rodney, let us be going.”
”It must have been the kid that exposed me,” muttered Wheeler, as he watched the two go down the street. ”I will get even with him some time.
That man would have been good for a thousand dollars to me if I had not been interfered with.”
”You have been warned against me, Mr. Pettigrew,” said Rodney, laughing.
”Mr. Wheeler has really been very unkind in interfering with my plans.”
”I shan't borrow any trouble, or lie awake nights thinking about it, Rodney. I don't care to see or think of that rascal again.”