angry words, that the boy
had run away, and that his guardian had gone in pursuit.

"No, he wasn't. He came out about twenty minutes after Bob had gone, and
went in the opposite direction."

This response puzzled the reporter, as he could think of no plausible
explanation, but his thoughts were diverted by the old woman, who
demanded:

"What's wrong, mister?"

"What makes you think there is anything wrong?" parried Foster,
determined, if possible, to keep the knowledge of Bob's arrest from so
evident a neighborhood gossip.

"Because Len Dardus closed his store on a Saturday. I've been living
here thirty years, and he has never done such a thing before, but once,
and that was twelve years ago, the day he brought Bob back with him. So
I know that it must be something important, or the old man wouldn't lose
the opportunity to make a few cents in his store."

Struck by the coincidence that it was because of Bob the grocer had at
both times shut up his store, Foster considered for a few moments what
it was best to do, and then said with ever so faint a smile:

"I suppose you will see Bob when he comes back?"

"I reckon I will. I see most everything going on around here that's to
be seen."

"Then I will be obliged if you will give him this," and he handed her
one of his calling cards. "Tell him, please, that I am at home any
evening after seven o'clock, and should like to have him call on me."

"I'll be glad to. I suppose you may be some friend of Bob's who knew his
father? I've often wondered why no one came to see the boy and take him
from that man Dardus."

These words suggested a new train of thought to the reporter, and,
judging from the remark that his informant had some knowledge of the
boy's antecedents, he determined to learn what he could about them.

"Then you knew Bob's father?" asked Foster.

"No. I can't say as I knew him, but I do know that I wouldn't treat a
dog the way Dardus has treated Bob, and I have often wondered why none
of the friends of the lad's father came to find out about him, or to
take him away. And I made up my mind, as soon as I saw you, that you
were one of them. Anyway, I hope so, for Bob is a real bright boy; too
bright to be working for that old miser. He's fond of book reading, and
I've told old man Dardus, every time I saw him, that he ought to have
the boy educated."

"Well, I _am_ Bob's friend," said the reporter, "and if you think it's a
wise thing, I'll see what I c