From his door, Theo could see the stairs, and when the man’s bowler hat came into view, Theo felt a wave of anticipation wash over him. He’d heard rumors, and now finally he’d have them confirmed.

“Mr. Sedgwick,” the man said, pausing a moment to catch his breath. “I have that information you wanted.”

“Don’t speak here in the hall. Come inside.” Theo yanked the man into the apartment, then closed the door.

Panting, the older man pulled off his hat and nodded. “It’s all true. Mr. Carson is bound for St. Paul and then Duluth. He’s going to oversee everything in Duluth for Mr. Cooke.”

Theo fished out the five dollars he’d promised the man. “What else do you know?”

“There’s a position open that will allow you to work in close proximity to Mr. Carson. That is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“It is.” Theo didn’t want to give himself away. “My family lives in Duluth, and I’ve always wanted to make my way back there to be close to them.” Half of that was a lie, but this man was none the wiser.

“Well, I heard there are two positions needed in the office that Mr. Carson will have in Duluth. Personal secretary to him, and a clerk.”

“And how am I to secure the position as personal secretary?”

“I suppose you would have to interview for it,” the man replied.

Theodore didn’t like the sound of that. It was always possible Carson might remember his name from twelve years earlier when Theo worked for the elder Carson’s bank.

Theo’s funds were dwindling, but he knew this man could still prove useful. “If the right man could secure that position for me, I could make it worth his while.”

The wiry fellow raised a brow. “I suppose a letter could be sent from Mr. Cooke assigning a particular man the position. For, say, the sum of twenty dollars?”

Theo was incensed by this price. He pretended it didn’t bother him, but he didn’t have much left of his savings, and losing twenty dollars would put a tremendous dent in the money he needed to get to Duluth.

“Ten dollars, and no one needs to find out how helpful you’ve been to me.”

The man grimaced, then nodded. “Ten it is. I’ll have a letter written up for you before morning. It shall be signed and delivered before six.”

“See that it is,” Theo said, handing the man half of the money up front. “You’ll get the other half in the morning. Make sure you aren’t late.”

The man smiled. “I’ll be on time, mark my word.” He left as quickly as he’d come.