As they walked along the road headed for town, Thad’s curiosity got the better of his dislike and suspicion.

“In all this twenty years of knocking about, ail over the world, as you claim, I suppose now there have been times when you’ve struck pay dirt—­what I mean is that I sort of think you haven’t always been what you are now, just a tramp?  How about that, Wandering Lu?”

“What, me?” chuckled the other.  “Say, I’ve dug gold in Alaska, hunted pearls down near Ceylon, been at work in the diamond fields out in South Africa, and in lots of other places in the world took my turn at playing for high stakes with old Dame Fortune.  Why, younkers, I’ve had fortunes several times, and let the same slip out of my hands.  Some time, mebbe, if so be, I conclude to stay around this section of country, which pleases me a heap as far as I’ve seen the same, why I’d like to spin you a yarn or two that’d make your eyes look as big as them there individual butter plates they use in restaurants.  I’ve run up against heaps and heaps of queer adventures.  In fact, it’s a wonder I didn’t die long ago with my boots on.  That’s what peeves me, to think a feller who’s been so close to death by violence so many times should after all be snuffed out with the pesky con.”

Then he had another spell of violent coughing that quite aroused the sympathy of Thad afresh, while Hugh observed and took note.  According to his mind, these fits of near strangulation were almost too methodical to be genuine; still, he did not wish to condemn any one without positive proof, though laboring under the impression that the said Lu could not be as far gone as he tried to make them believe.

Presently they arrived in the environs of Scranton.  The boys went out of their way to accommodate their disreputable looking companion, for they would have struck across by another street if going home direct.

“Mrs. Hosmer lives in that small cottage ahead of us,” Hugh was saying, pointing as he spoke.

The tramp stared, and nodded his head.

“Looks right neat, accordin’ to my notion,” he said.  “Matilda was always a great hand for keeping things clean.  Now, I rather reckon I’ll like this place a heap.”

Thad burned with fresh indignation to hear him so coolly signify his intention of burdening the already hard pressed sister with his keep.

“Oh! is that so?” he snorted, “then I kind of think you’ll have to get a move on you, Wandering Lu, and remove a few pounds of superfluous earth from your face and hands.”

The man did not show any sign of being offended at this attack; simply looked at his hands, and grinned as he remarked: 

“Reckon that I will, younker; but then soap is cheap, and I wouldn’t want to soil Matilda’s clean sheets and towels.  Yes, if I’m going to become domesticated and give up all this roving business I suppose I’ll just have to clean up a bit.  Wonder now if Andrew he would have an extra suit of clothes he could turn over to me.  I’d sure hate to make my poor sister blush to introduce her brother looking as tough as I do just now.”