-minded that Mrs. Fairbanks pitied him, and,
observing this, Ralph said:

"You are welcome, Zeph, and I will later talk over with you the
prospects of a situation."

The visitor was soon completely at home. He ate a hearty supper, and,
after the meal, took some home-made disguises from his satchel. The
poor fellow strutted around proudly as he put these on in turn.

"Old peddler," he announced, donning a skull cap, a white beard made
out of rope, and a big pair of goggles. "Tramp," and he put on a
ragged coat and a torn cap, and acted out the appearance of a typical
tramp quite naturally. There were several other representations, but
all so crude and funny that Ralph with difficulty restrained his
merriment.

"How will it do?" inquired Zeph, at the conclusion of the
performance.

"You have got the elements of the profession in mind," said Ralph
guardedly, "but there is the practical end of the business to
learn."

Then Ralph seriously and earnestly told his visitor the real facts of
the case. He devoted a full hour to correcting Zeph's wrong
impressions of detective and railroad work. By the time he got
through, Zeph's face was glum.

"Why, if what you say is true," he remarked dejectedly, "I'm next to
being good for nothing."

"Oh, no," said Ralph, "don't you be discouraged at all. You have the
starting point of every ambition--an idea. I myself do not think much
of the detective line for one as young as you are. As to railroading,
I can tell you one fact."

"What's that?" interrogated Zeph dreamily.

"You must begin at the bottom of the ladder and take one step at a
time--slow steps, sure steps, to reach the top."

"You're a fireman, aren't you?" asked Zeph, admiringly.

Ralph answered that he was, and this led to his relating to the
curious and interested Zeph the story of his career from roundhouse
worker and switch tower man to the present position.

"It's fascinating, ain't it?" said Zeph, with a long-drawn breath,
when Ralph concluded his recital. "I reckon I'll give up the detective
idea. Can you help me get a position in the roundhouse?"

"I am willing to try," assented Ralph. "You are strong and used to
hard work, and that means a good deal in the roundhouse service."

Ralph suggested a stroll before bedtime. Zeph was glad for the
exercise. Once they were outside, Ralph broached a subject he had been
thinking over all the evening.

"Zeph," he said, "I want to ask you a very important ques