“Do you live near by?” he asked.

“No, but I have an uncle living in that house over there.  I came to spend the day with my cousins.”

“I am a stranger in this city.  I met a man who took me to that brick house.  He recommended it as a cheap boarding place.  Do you know anything about it?”

“I know that it has a bad reputation.”

“Will you tell me what you know about it?  You will be doing me a favor.”

“The bar does a good business in the evening.  I have heard of several cases where men who put up there complained of being robbed.”

“Thank you.  I am not much surprised to hear it.”

“Have you taken a room there?”

“Yes.  I am afraid I was foolish.”

“I hope you won’t be robbed—­that’s all.”

“I should like to get out, but I am afraid if I come downstairs with my grip they would try to stop my going.”

“Where is your room?”

“At the back part of the house, looking out on the lot.”

“I’ll tell you what you can do,” said the other boy, after a moment’s thought.  “Have you paid anything for your room?”

“Yes, but I don’t mind that.”

“Then drop your grip out of the window.  I’ll catch it.”

“I will.”

“Then you can take a car and go down into the city.”

“Do you know the way to the Sherman House?”

“Certainly.”

“If you will go there with me, I’ll make it worth your while.”

“All right.  I was just about going home, anyway.”

“Then I’ll go upstairs and get my bag.”

Andy went to his room, opened the window, and, looking down, saw his new boy friend.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“You needn’t try to catch it.  There’s nothing in it that will break.”

“Fling her out!”

Andy did so.

“Now come down.  You’ll find me here.”

An hour later supper was served.  Percival Robinson and three other men, likewise patrons of the barroom, sat down.  The landlord himself was one of the party.

“Where is the kid?” he asked.

“I saw him go out an hour ago,” said one of the guests.

“He has probably come back and is in his room,” said Robinson.  “I will go up and call him.”

He went upstairs quickly and entered the room assigned to Andy and himself.  It was empty.

“The boy has taken a long walk,” he said to himself.

Then he looked about for Andy’s grip.  It occurred to him that he would have a good opportunity to examine its contents.

He started in surprise and dismay, for the grip was gone.

“He must have given me the slip,” he exclaimed.

“Did any one see the boy go out with his gripsack?” he asked, as he returned.

“I saw him go out, but he had nothing in his hand,” answered the landlord.

“Well, he’s gone, bag and baggage,” returned Robinson, very much annoyed.