"
"All right," said the Major, and departed.
CHAPTER X
ALMOST A TRAGEDY
A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of
the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting
as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his
present duties.
"Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain. "Don't you like
your job?"
"Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me
better, and, besides, I shall make more money."
"Where are you going?"
"Major Bancroft has given me the chief clerkship at the hotel."
"Ah, I didn't know that you had met the major. What will he do
with Case?"
"I do not know."
"Well, it will be several days before he gets possession. When do you
want to leave me?"
The reply was: "I should like to be released tonight, as Mr. Case is
going to show me how to do the work."
"Very well," replied Mr. McLain, "come to me tomorrow morning and I will
settle with you."
* * * * *
"Nick Hanson, Genesee House, Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.A: Come quick. Your man
is here. Risis--Montreal."
Hanson received this telegram at seven o'clock in the morning, while
eating his breakfast in the old Genesee House, Buffalo. In thirty minutes
he was on the Niagara Express. That night about ten o'clock two men
walked into the public room of the Majestic. Just outside the office
door, in a lounging chair, sat the prospective landlord, as everybody
called him.
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