"Who's that old codger?" he asked.

"The gentleman who has just left me is a New York business man."

"You got pretty thick with him, eh?"

"We talked a little."

Grant took care not to mention that Mr. Reynolds was a broker, as
he knew that Tom would press for an introduction in that case.

When they reached New York, Tom showed a disposition to remain with
Grant, but the latter said: "We'd better separate, and we can meet
again after we have attended to our business."

A meeting place was agreed upon, and Tom went his way.

Now came the difficult part of Grant's task. Where should he go to
dispose of his pearls? He walked along undecided, till he came to a
large jewelry store. It struck him that this would be a good place
for his purpose, and he entered.

"What can I do for you, young man?" asked a man of thirty behind the
counter.

"I have some pearl ornaments I would like to sell," said Grant.

"Indeed," said the clerk, fixing a suspicious glance upon Grant;
"let me see them."