sir."

"I don't allow that cuts any very great figger, for there'll be many
another chance when you're in better trim than you were this night."

"Anyway, I've helped wash up twice, an' that counts for something,
'cause I'm just so much ahead on points."

"Take care you don't stick your nose too near a fire some time, and get
one point too many," the driver said with a smile as he ascended the
stairs wearily, and Seth called after him:

"I'd rather it would be that way, Mr. Davis, than never know anythin'
about the business."

"You'll do, Amateur, you'll do, if you're driven with a tight curb, an'
that's what I count on seein' that you have."

Then Seth lay down on the straw once more, and slept soundly during the
two hours which followed.

It was seven o'clock in the morning when he finally arose, and although
he would have been pleased to remain there a while longer, the boy knew
it was time to begin his day's work.

Dan grumbled not a little because Seth insisted he should "turn out,"
declaring he had hardly slept a wink; but, understanding he would not be
permitted to remain there very many moments longer now the men were
already astir, he arose to his feet and lounged lazily around until Seth
had polished the boots of those members of the company who called upon
him for such service.

'Lish Davis came down-stairs just as Seth, his labor finished, was on
the point of leaving the building, and he stopped the boy by asking in a
friendly tone:

"Where are you off to now, Amateur?"

"Out chasin' nickels. It's time we hustled if we expect to find lodgin's
between now an' night."

"Flash up here about three o'clock this afternoon, and if I ain't in,
wait for me."

"All right, sir."

Then Seth went out of doors followed by Dan, and when they were on the
sidewalk Master Roberts asked curiously:

"What do you s'pose he's got on hand for you at three o'clock?"

"Most likely he don't want his boots shined till then."

"It must be somethin' more'n that," Dan replied, sagely.

"Of course it ain't. What else could he want of me?"

"Perhaps he's goin' to give you somethin' for what you did last night."

"I'll feel awful bad if he does."

"I'd like to know why?"

"'Cause then it would seem all the more as if I was really an outsider;
he wouldn't give Jerry Walters anythin' for helpin' him out of a
scrape."

"I don't see as--Jimminey! but there's Jip Collins! Ain't he got the
nerve to be snoopin' 'roun