," he said.

"Not now."

"But he has been here. He came here from Harrisburg, didn't he?"

"Yes, and he was here till three weeks ago. Then he came home from the
shop where he was at work and told me he was going away."

"Did he tell you where he was going?" asked Bert, eagerly.

"He said he should go to Chicago first, but I have not heard from him
since he went away."

Ralph Harding then was in Chicago. If Bert had only known that, he would
have remained there and prosecuted the search in the Lake City. Yet what
chance would he have of finding a man whom he had never seen and would
not know by sight in so large and populous a place?

His face showed the keenness of his disappointment, and Mrs. Clifton was
led to inquire:

"Did you wish to see my brother on business of importance?"

"Of importance to me, yes."

"Is it," she asked with hesitation, "likely to get Ralph into trouble?"

"No, madam. On the contrary, if I find him it will be of advantage to
him."

"Then I hope you may find him. But I am afraid it will be difficult.
Ralph is very restless. We tried all we could to keep him here, but it
was of no use. He had a good place, and, though I say it myself, a good
home, where he enjoyed every comfort, but all that didn't prevent him
leaving us to go among strangers," she concluded, with a sigh.

"I only just came from Chicago. I wish I had known that he was there."

"Did you come to Peoria expressly to see my brother?" asked Mrs.
Clifton, showing some curiosity.

"Not entirely. I am connected with the theatrical company. We play the
'Streets of Gotham.'"

"Are you an actor, and so young," asked Mrs. Clifton, in surprise.

"I take a small part in the play," answered Bert, modestly. "Allow me to
place two admission tickets at your disposal."

"Oh ma, can I go with you?" asked the young girl who had opened the
front door.

"Perhaps so, Belle."

"Have you any picture of your brother which you could show me?" asked
Bert, returning to the object of his visit.

"Fortunately, Ralph had some photographs taken while he was here. But
for me he would not have done so, but I insisted, and paid for them
myself. Belle, go and get one of the pictures of your Uncle Ralph."

The little girl left the room, and soon returned with a photograph.

"You can have that, if you like," said Mrs. Clifton. "I got a dozen, and
Ralph did not feel enough interest to keep one for himself, so I have
plenty. I suppose it isn