rtment deserted.

"An early bird, it seems," observed Ralph. "Probably gone for
breakfast."

John Griscom had told Ralph all about the house he was in, and the
young engineer soon located the bathroom and took a vigorous cold
plunge that made him feel equal to the task of running a double-header
special. Ralph had just dressed when Marvin Clark came bustling into
the room.

"Twenty minutes for breakfast!" hailed the volatile lad. "I've been up
an hour."

"You didn't take a two hundred mile run, or you wouldn't be up for
four," challenged Ralph.

"Guess that's so," admitted Clark. "Well, here we are. I've been out
prospecting."

"What for?" inquired Ralph.

"A good restaurant."

"Found one?"

"A dandy--wheat cakes with honey, prime country sausages and Mocha,
all for twenty cents."

"Good," commended Ralph. "We'll take air line for that right away."

Clark chattered like a magpie as they proceeded to the street. It was
evident that he had taken a great fancy to Ralph. The latter liked him
in return. For the son of a wealthy railroad magnate, Clark was
decidedly democratic. The one subject he seemed glad to avoid was any
reference to his direct family and friends.

He was full of life, and Ralph found him very entertaining. Some bad
breaks in grammar showed, indeed, that he had not amounted to much at
school. Some of his adventures also suggested that the presence and
power of money had not always been at his command. Ralph noticed some
inconsistencies in his stories here and there, but Clark rattled on so
fast and jumped so briskly from one subject to another, that it was
hard work to check him up.

As they reached the porch of the house Clark gave Ralph a deterring
touch with his hand.

"Just wait a minute, will you?" he spoke.

"Why what for?" inquired Ralph in some surprise.

"I want to find out something before we go out into the street," and
the speaker glided down the walk to the gate, peered down the street,
and then beckoned to his companion.

"Come on," he hailed. "They're still there, though," he added, his
tones quite impressive.

"Who is there?" asked Ralph.

"Just dally at the gate here and take a look past the next street
corner--near where there's an alley, see?"

"That crowd of boys?" questioned Ralph, following his companion's
direction.

"Yes, that gang of hoodlums," responded Clark bluntly, "for that is
what they are."

"And how are we interested in them?" inquired Ralp