d I see but a big
picture of a steamboat on a wall. It said, 'Bath, Gardiner, and
Hallowell,' on the bill; and I knew that was where you meant to go. So
this afternoon I hunts round and finds the steamboat. I thought I
never should have found it, but here I am."

"What are you going to do?"

"Going into the book business," replied Tom, with a smile.

"Where are your books?"

"Down stairs, in the cellar of the steamboat, or whatever you call it."

"Where did you get them?"

"Bought 'em, of course."

"Did you? Where?"

"Well, I don't remember the name of the street now. I could go right
there if I was in the city, though."

"Would they trust you?"

Tom hesitated. The lies he had told that morning had done him no
good--had rather injured his cause; and, though he had no principle
that forbade lying, he questioned its policy in the present instance.

"I paid part down, and they trusted me part."

"How many books you got?"

"Twenty dollars worth. I paid eight dollars down."

"You did? Where did you get the eight dollars?"

Bobby remembered the money Tom's father had lost several weeks before,
and immediately connected that circumstance with his present ability to
pay so large a sum.

Tom hesitated again, but he was never at a loss for an answer.

"My mother gave it to me."

"Your mother?"

"Yes, _sir_!" replied Tom, boldly, and in that peculiarly bluff manner
which is almost always good evidence that the boy is lying.

"But you ran away from home."

"That's so; but my mother knew I was coming."

"Did she?"

"To be sure she did."

"You didn't say so before."

"I can't tell all I know in a minute."

"If I thought your mother consented to your coming, I wouldn't say
another word."

"Well, she did; you may bet your life on that."

"And your mother gave you ten dollars?"

"Who said she gave me ten dollars?" asked Tom a little sharply.

That was just the sum his father had lost, and Bobby had unwittingly
hinted his suspicion.

"You must have had as much as that if you paid eight on your books.
Your fare to Boston and your steamboat fare must be two dollars more."

"I know that; but look here, Bob;" and Tom took from his pocket five
half dollars and exhibited them to his companion. "She gave me
thirteen dollars."

Notwithstanding this argument, Bobby felt almost sure that the lost ten
dollars was a part of his capital.

"I will tell you my story now, Bob, if you like. You con