d at the runaway
sternly.

"I don't know where she is."

"You met her."

"Certainly--half a dozen times."

"How did you get acquainted with my folks?"

"Oh, I met them by accident, and as soon as I learned who they were I
introduced myself and said I knew your uncle Dunston Porter."

"What did you say about me?" and now Dave was more anxious than ever.

"I--er--I----"

"Come, out with it, and tell the exact truth, Jasniff, or it will be the
worse for you."

"I--er--I didn't mention you," stammered the runaway. He could scarcely
bring himself to speak the words.

"You didn't!"

"What! do you mean to say you met Mr. Porter and his daughter and didn't
let them know that Dave was alive and that he was looking for them?"
demanded Roger.

"It wasn't my business to tell them," answered Jasniff, doggedly.

"Nick Jasniff, you are the meanest fellow I ever met in my whole life!"
burst out the senator's son. "For two pins I'd give you the worst
thrashing you ever received. Didn't you know how happy it would make Mr.
Porter and his daughter to know that Dave was alive?"

"I--er--that wasn't my business. Dave was no friend of mine--why should
I put myself out to do him a good turn? If he wants to find his father
and his sister let him do it."

"Did you become well acquainted with my sister?" asked Dave, after a
pause.

"Fairly well, yes."

"Did you take her out anywhere?"

"No--er--she wouldn't go with me."

"I am glad to hear it. You say you have no idea where she is now?"

"Not exactly. There was an American family named Endicott over here.
They came from somewhere out West. They had a daughter about Laura's
age, and the two were chums. I think your sister sailed with the
Endicotts for the States."

"Did they write to my uncle?"

"I don't know, but I think not, for they thought your uncle was still
knocking around the South Sea Islands."

"And you wouldn't tell them a word!" cried Dave, bitterly. "Jasniff, I
never supposed any fellow could be so cruel and hard-hearted."

"Humph! I haven't forgotten what I had to suffer," muttered the runaway.

"You brought all that on yourself. You had no business to go in with
those two thieves. If you had remained honest there would have been no
call for you to run away."

"Oh, don't preach, Dave Porter."

"What Dave says is true, Jasniff," said Roger. "If you have suffered, it
is all through your own dishonesty."

"Who says a relative of mine is dishonest!