re!" answered Bill sorrowfully, "except
Dick Schmidt."

"I suppose Dick is a boy?"

"Yes."

"Where have you been living?"

"You won't take me back there?" said Bill uneasily.

"I won't take you anywhere where you don't want to go. I want to be your
friend, if you will let me."

"I should like a friend," answered Bill slowly. Then, examining the
kind, boyish face that was bent over him, he said, "I like you."

"Have you had anything to eat to-day?" asked Robert.

"No."

"Will you go with me to my hotel?"

"I have no money."

"Poor boy!" thought Robert, "it is easy enough to see that."

Bill's ragged clothes were assurance enough of the truth of what he
said.

"I must take care of this poor boy," thought Robert. "It will delay me,
but I can't leave him."

He heard the sound of approaching wheels, and, looking up, saw a man
approaching in a wagon. Robert signaled him to stop.

"I want to take this boy to the hotel," he said, "but he has not
strength enough to walk. Will you take us aboard? I will pay you a fair
price."

"Poor little chap! He looks sick, that's a fact!" said the kind-hearted
countryman. "Yes, I'll give you both a lift, and I won't ask a cent."

There was some surprise felt at the hotel when Robert appeared with his
new-found friend. Some of the servants looked askance at the ragged
clothes, but Robert said quietly:

"I will pay for him," and no objection was made.

When Bill was undressed and put to bed and had partaken of a refreshing
breakfast he looked a great deal brighter and seemed much more
cheerful.

"You are very kind," he said to Robert.

"I hope somebody would do as much for me if I needed it," answered
Robert. "Do you mind telling me about yourself?"

"I will tell anything you wish," said Bill, who now felt perfect
confidence in his new friend.

"What is your name?"

"Bill Benton; at any rate, that's what they call me."

"Don't you think it's your real name, then?"

"No."

"Have you any remembrance of your real name?" asked Robert, not dreaming
of the answer he would receive.

"When I was a little boy they called me Julian, but----"

"Julian!" repeated Robert eagerly.

"Yes."

"Can you tell what was your last name?" asked Robert quickly.

Bill shook his head.

"No, I don't remember."

"Tell me," said Robert, "did you live with a man named Badger in the
town of Dexter?"

The sick boy started and seemed extremely surprised.

"How did you find out