glad of it," said his wife.

"Well, so am I, if she'll do the right thing by me; but if she don't,
then I'm sorry."

"What shall I do when you're away, Dick?"

"Get along as well as you can. Folks'll give you victuals, if you get
hard up."

"I don't like to beg."

"Wish me good luck, then, and money enough to take care of you. What are
you starin' at, young 'un?"

This he said to the child, whose eyes, as if by a species of
fascination, were fixed upon him.

"Take me home to mamma!" pleaded the child, beginning to cry.

"Shut up!" said the ruffian, harshly, striding to the bed and pinching
the boy's arm till he cried with the pain.

"Oh, don't, Dick," pleaded the woman, who was fond of children, though
she had never been a mother.

"I'll give the brat something to cry for," said her husband, and he
pinched him again.

"Oh, Dick, how can you torture the poor child?" said his wife, braver in
the little boy's defence than in her own.

"What business has it to cry, then? I'd like to choke it. If you don't
hush I'll serve you the same way."

Jasper had listened to this brutality as long as he could, but his
indignation became too hot to be repressed. Thoughtless of consequences,
he burst open the closet door and strode into the presence of the
astonished ruffian, his fists involuntarily clenched, and his eyes
kindling with indignation.

CHAPTER XX.

A STRANGE COMMISSION.

The man whom we have called Dick stopped short and gazed in astonishment
at the boy who had so fearlessly stepped upon the scene.

"Where did you come from?" he demanded, frowning.

"From that closet," answered Jasper.

"How came you there? What business have you in my house, anyway?"
demanded the ruffian.

"I entered it supposing it to be deserted," said Jasper. "While I was
below I heard that poor boy cry, and came up."

"Did you know he was here?" asked the ruffian, turning to his wife, and
speaking menacingly.

"Yes, Dick."

"Why did you let him in?"

"He came in while I was out."

"Why didn't you tell me he was here?"

"Because I didn't want him injured in any way. I was afraid you would be
angry with him."

"That is where you are right," said Dick, adding an oath. "The young
scoundrel shall pay for his impudence in entering my house like a
thief."

"You have no right to say that," said Jasper. "I have explained to you
why I came here."

"You hid in the closet, intending to come out and steal when we w