BEN'S VISIT TO THIRTY-FIRST STREET Ben's evenings being unoccupied, he had no difficulty in meeting the appointment made for him.

He was afraid Conrad might ask him to accompany him somewhere, and thus involve the necessity of an explanation, which he did not care to give until he had himself found out why he had been summoned.
The address given by James Barnes was easy to find.

Ben found himself standing before a brick building of no uncommon exterior.

The second floor seemed to be lighted up; the windows were hung with crimson curtains, which quite shut out a view of what was transpiring within.
Ben rang the bell.

The door was opened by a colored servant, who looked at the boy inquiringly.
"Is Mr.Barnes within ?" asked Ben.
"I don't know the gentleman," was the answer.
"He sent me a letter, asking me to meet him here at nine o'clock." "Then I guess it's all right.