d Cato, with a guffaw.

"I suppose you do wash, now and then, don't you?"

"Yes, sar, sometimes," answered Cato equivocally.

When Tom had completed his toilet he found that it was but ten o'clock.
He accordingly went down-stairs, intending to see a little of the city
before dinner.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE EVENTS OF A MORNING.

Graham and Vincent had kept quiet during the latter part of the voyage.
They had a wholesome fear of Mr. Waterbury, and kept aloof from him and
Tom. They even exchanged their stateroom for one at a different part of
the boat. All was satisfactory to Tom and his companion.

When the worthy pair reached Cincinnati they were hard up. Their united
funds amounted to but seven dollars, and it seemed quite necessary that
they should find the means of replenishing their purses somewhere. They
managed to ascertain that Tom and his friend were going to separate, and
this afforded them satisfaction, since it made their designs upon our
hero more feasible. At a distance they followed Tom to the Alleghany
House, and themselves took lodgings at a small, cheap tavern near-by.
Like Tom, they set out soon after their arrival in quest of adventure.

"We must strike a vein soon, Graham," said Vincent, "or we shall be in a
tight place."

"That's so," answered Graham.

"Thus far our trip hasn't paid very well. It's been all outgo and no
income."

"You're right, partner; but don't give up the ship," responded Graham,
whose spirits returned, now that he was on dry land. "I've been in the
same straits about once a month for the last five years."

"I've known you for three years, Graham, and, so far as my knowledge
extends, I can attest the truth of what you say. By the way, you never
say anything of your life before that date."

A shadow passed over Graham's face.

"Because I don't care to think of it; I never talk of it," he said.

"Pshaw, man, we all of us have some ugly secrets. Suppose we confide in
each other. Tell me your story, and I will tell you mine. It won't
change my opinion of you."

"Probably not," said Graham. "Well, there is no use in holding back. For
this once I will go back to the past. Five years ago I was a favorite in
society. One day an acquaintance introduced me into a gambling house,
and I tried my hand successfully. I went out with fifty dollars more
than I brought in. It was an unlucky success, for it made me a frequent
visitor. All my surplus cash found a market there,