s, but he couldn't refuse
anybody just then.

"What's your name, boy?"

"Ikey O'Toole."

"Well, you are out of the melting-pot for sure!"

"No, sir; I live in Hester street."

"That's all a stall about losing your tickets," Evan said, trying to
look stern. "But I'll let you go. I'm going too, see? And if there's
any rough-housing you'll have me to deal with."

The surprised and jubilant urchins hurried aboard.

This incident was witnessed with visible indignation by two pale and
solemn little girls who stood apart. They knew the bad little boys
told a story if the gentleman didn't. Lost their tickets, indeed!
During a lull Evan beckoned them. They came sidling over, each
twisting a corner of her pinafore.

"Are you waiting for somebody?" he asked.

A shake of the head.

"Haven't you got any tickets?"

Another shake.

"Do you want to go anyway?"

An energetic pair of nods.

"What will your mother say?"

"Ain't got no mutter. Sister, she don't care. She works all day."

"All right. Skip on board."

Denton and the ice-cream arrived simultaneously. Shortly afterwards a
warning whistle was blown. A small pandemonium of singing and
delighted squealing was heard from the upper deck. Evan stuck close to
Denton. They remained on the lower deck while the gangplank was drawn
in and the ropes cast off. Meanwhile Evan was gathering what further
information he could.

"How often do you make these trips?"

"Twice a week--Tuesdays and Saturdays."

"What is the Ozone Association? I never heard of it."

"I can't tell you much, though I work for them. I've always understood
it was some rich man who wished to keep his name out of the thing. I
was hired by a law firm to manage the trips, and the money comes to me
through them."

"How did you get hold of all your helpers?"

"Oh, one way and another. Miss Playfair gets her friends to help."

When the _Ernestina_ finally moved out into the stream, Denton remained
below, attending to the stowage of the ice-cream and to other matters,
and Evan stayed with him. To tell the truth, he dreaded a little to
put his fortunes to the touch by venturing up above. They were
unpacking sandwiches when Denton suddenly said:

"Here's Anway. Anway, here's a friend of yours."

Evan looked up with a wary smile. As it chanced, the busy Denton was
called from another direction at that moment, and he did not see the
actual meeting between the two. Evan had h