"The book has made a big sensation.

Do you know who the hero is ?" "Who ?" he asked with an air of the greatest innocence.
"Why, no less a personage than your father--John Burkett Ryder himself! Everybody says it's he--the press and everybody that's read it.

He says so himself." "Really ?" he exclaimed with well-simulated surprise.

"I must read it." "It has made a strong impression on Mr.Ryder," chimed in Mr.
Bagley.

"I never knew him to be so interested in a book before.
He's trying his best to find out who the author is.