tigating the story further, the reporters agreed to
accept his version, and to accord with it they wrote their stories.

As Jack Foster left the police station, his anger at the system which
made it impossible for a person without influence or money to obtain
justice, was strong, and his heart went out to the boy, as he thought
how he would feel, were he himself in his place.

"If that boy isn't honest from the soles of his feet to the top of his
head, I shall be the most surprised man in New York," he said to
himself, "and if my paper has any influence, I am going to get him out
of his trouble."

Occupied with considering various plans for aiding Bob, Foster quickly
reached the store of Len Dardus, but as he entered and caught sight of
an old, gray-haired man, with a face in which craftiness was the chief
characteristic, he wondered if, after all, the police sergeant could
have been right.

"Is this Mr. Len Dardus?" asked Foster, walking up to the counter,
behind which this repelling creature stood.

"That's my name," snapped the proprietor of the store, adding as he
scrutinized his questioner closely:

"What do _you_ want?"

"I want to know if you have a boy working for you by the name of Bob
Chester."

"I have, but I won't have after to-night, I can tell you. I have no use
for lazy boys, and for laziness he can't be beaten. Here I sent him to
deliver some goods more than two hours ago, and he hasn't got back yet,
and this is my busiest day."

So disagreeable was the tone in which the old man spoke that Foster
could not refrain from remarking:

"Well, you do not seem to be overrushed with trade just now. However,
that is neither here nor there. How long have you had Bob in your
employ?"

"Ever since he was big enough to be of any service to me."

"He's a good boy, isn't he?"

"No, he's not. Didn't I just tell you he has been gone over two hours,
delivering an order that should not have taken him more than fifteen
minutes at the most? No good boy would dawdle so about his business. But
why do you ask?"

Foster, however, was not ready to tell Bob's employer of his predicament
until he had obtained more information about the boy, and instead of
answering the question, said:

"You misunderstood my meaning. I want to know whether or not he is
honest or has any bad habits."

"He has the habit of taking a long time to deliver his orders, and he
always has some plausible excuse for the delay--although I