Sitting at a table was his employer, with a number of bank bills spread out before him, which he appeared to be engaged in counting. Naturally Dean glanced at them, and his surprise was great when he recognized the denomination of the bills. They were all fifties! What could it mean? Was this man Kirby the one who had robbed his uncle? But his intimate relations with Squire Bates presented another explanation. The bills might have been received from the squire. Dean's reflections were cut short by his employer. With a look of alarm and annoyance he swept the bills together, and turning to Dean, said, harshly, "Why did you come in without knocking?" "Excuse me!" said Dean, in a tone of apology, "I didn't think." "It was positively rude," said Kirby in an excited tone. "One would know that you had been brought up in the country." "I haven't been round much," said Dean, "but I hope to improve, especially if I travel about with you." "There's no harm done," said Peter Kirby, cooling down rapidly, concluding that Dean had seen nothing to excite his suspicions; "but I was a little startled when you opened the door. It's dangerous for a man to be seen with money in a large city like this, for there are plenty of designing persons who might seek to relieve him of it." "I hope you don't suspect me, Mr. Kirby." "Certainly not. Well, you left Waterford this morning?" "Yes, sir." "Where is your luggage?" "Here, sir," answered Dean, showing his bundle. Kirby frowned. "It will never do to travel with a bundle like that. You must have a valise. I haven't time to go round with you. Do you think you can be trusted to find a place where they are sold?" "I have a friend who will go with me." "What friend?" asked Kirby sharply. "It's a boy I got acquainted with on the train—a boy about my own age, named Guy Gladstone." "Oh, a boy!" repeated Peter Kirby, evidently relieved. "He would like to have me occupy a room with him, unless you wish me to be with you." "I have no objection; but mind, I shan't allow him to join our party and travel with us," said Kirby suspiciously. "No; he would not care to. He is going out West at once." "Alone?" "Yes; he will only stay here one night." "Here is a five-dollar bill. You can take it and look up a valise. Three or four dollars ought to buy one. A small one will answer, judging from the size of your bundle. I suppose you have had nothing to eat since you left Waterford?" "No, sir." "You can go to a restaurant and get some dinner. The other boy will show you where to find one. I am obliged to go out on business. This hotel is on the European system, and doesn't provide regular board." "Shall I take my bundle with me, sir?" "Yes; you can transfer the contents to the valise when you have bought one. When you return you can put your name on the hotel book, taking a room with this Guy Gladstone." "Thank you, sir." Dean descended to the office and communicated to Guy what his employer had told him.