Arrived at the city, Bronson accompanied Fred to the firm for whom Mr. Markham was working, and, after being introduced, left the father and son together while he went to his home. After so many months' separation from his family, Mr. Markham had a veritable avalanche of questions to ask. "Why did you send for me?" asked Fred, when at last he had a chance to get in a word. "Mr. Bronson wants to see you," replied his father mysteriously. "Do you happen to know why he sent for Clothespin?" "He will tell you, Fred." "Then it's about the same thing?" cried Fred excitedly. "Yes." "Oh, father, please tell me!" "It's a matter of great consequence to us," replied Mr. Markham. "But just what Mr. Bronson had in mind, I don't know. I do know this, though, he has taken a great liking to you. Indeed, it was what his son wrote about your kindness when school opened that caused him to reconsider his refusal to take my case." "How do you know?" "He told me so. Now, just amuse yourself with the paper for a few minutes while I attend to some things, and then we are to lunch with Mr. Bronson." "At his home?" "No; at his office." "He must have a funny office if he can have lunch in it," observed Fred. "He will have it sent in," smiled Mr. Markham. "You must remember you are in the city, son--where money can do anything." "But why doesn't he take us to his house? That would save expense." "Because the matter is very important, and he wants to be assured of absolute privacy. Besides, a man is not supposed to let his business affairs intrude upon his home." His curiosity only whetted--instead of gratified--by these replies, Fred possessed himself in peace as best he could while he waited for his father. At last Mr. Markham was ready, and the two soon arrived at the office of the distinguished lawyer, where they found Clothespin awaiting them with his father and two men who immediately went to another room. Cordially Mr. Bronson greeted Fred, congratulating him on knocking the home run that beat Landon. "I suppose you consider me very inconsiderate for insisting upon your presence here to-day," he said, smiling as they all seated themselves around the table which had been set in another room in the lawyer's offices. "Oh, the team can get along without _me_. It's Jim who'll be missed," replied the boy. "Don't you believe it, father," returned the school pitcher. "Bart Montgomery has more speed than I have. He won the game last year." "He may have more speed, but he hasn't your control nor jump, Clothespin," returned Fred. "Besides, he gets rattled. Landon knows that, and they'll certainly go after him with their tin horns." "I'm sorry if I have jeopardized Baxter's chances of winning, but it is just as well you boys should realize that business is of more importance than baseball, or anything else," came from the lawyer. "Furthermore, if your nine loses to-day, you still have an opportunity to win on Saturday."