trifle uncomfortable. Robin Hood was uncomfortable
too, but he was in for it now. He was relieved to see that the official
who confronted him was an easy-going offhand young fellow of about his
own age, dressed in extreme negligee, sleeves rolled up, shirt open,
face and throat brown like the brown of autumn. It seemed to make things
easier for the trio that Tom vaulted up onto the bookkeeper's high desk,
as if he were vaulting a fence, and sat there swinging his legs, the
very embodiment of genial companionship.

"Well, Gilbert, you got away with it, huh?"

"Here he is," said Gilbert proudly. "I found him in a kind of cave in
the woods----"

"Gilbert deserves all the credit for finding me," Hervey interrupted.
"You've got to hand it to him, I'll say that much."

"It isn't everybody who can find you, is it?" said Tom.

"Believe me, you said something," Hervey ejaculated.

"Well, I'm going to say some more," Tom laughed.

"This is my friend," said Hervey; "Robin Hood, but I don't know his real
name. He's a good friend of mine, and he can play the banjo only he
hasn't got one with him, and I want to get him a job."

"Any friend of yours----" Tom began and winked at Gilbert.

"What did I tell you?" said Hervey. "Didn't I tell you I'd fix it?"

"I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Hood," said Tom. "We're expecting to be
pretty busy here, I can say that much," he added cautiously.

"I was just roaming the woods," said the stranger. "I haven't got any
home; out of luck. The boys insisted on my coming."

"Strangers always welcome," said Tom cheerily.

It was, indeed, true that strangers were always welcome. Temple Camp was
down on the hobo's blue book as a hospitable refuge. Stranded show
people had known its sheltering kindness. Moreover, Tom was not likely
to make particular inquiry about Hervey's chance acquaintances. The
wandering minstrel had brought in laid-off farm hands, a strolling organ
grinder with a monkey, not to mention two gypsies, a peddler of rugs and
other strays.

"Well, Tyson," said Tom, clasping his hands behind his head and swinging
his legs in a way of utmost good humor, "suppose you take Mr. Hood over
to camp-fire and see if he can stand for some of those yarns. Tell Uncle
Jeb he's going to hang around till morning. You stay here, Hervey. I'd
like to hear about your adventures. Let's see, how many lives have you
got left now?"

"Believe me, I did _some stunt_," said Hervey.

CHAPTER XXIX