merry frame of mind, for he laughed several
times, and even slapped his hand against his thigh in a way he had,
as if to emphasize his thoughts.

"Oh, you sly rascal!" Hugh was saying as he continued to observe all
these significant things. "I'm beginning to size you up for what
you are, all right. But just think how Thad will be stunned when I
tell him all about my adventure! Why, he'll almost believe he's
asleep, and dreaming it. There, I do think he's turning around as
if he meant to come back this way. That suits me O.K., because I
won't have to chase after him."

Hugh thereupon prepared a surprise for the reformed hobo. He secured
his wheel and stood just around the bend, trying to look severe and
knowing, though his heart was beating like a trip-hammer, and he felt
that his eyes must be fairly dancing with all the excitement.

In imagination he could tell just how near the other man was as the
seconds passed. Hugh wondered how Brother Lu would take it upon
learning that his deep-laid schemes had been discovered. Apparently
the boy did not see anything to fear, or else he would have sped away
on his wheel instead of remaining to charge the other with his base
deception.

Then the sound of footfalls came to the waiting lad. He caught his
breath, and his eager gaze was glued on the bend around which the man
must speedily appear. As he walked Brother Lu had his head lowered,
and consequently did not at once see that some one waited for him in
the middle of the road. Indeed, he drew very near, and finally Hugh
gave a sudden cough.

At that the other quickly looked up, as though startled. When he
saw who it was he immediately commenced to grin after his usual
custom. Somehow Hugh no longer saw anything to condemn in that
broad smile that covered the face of the ex-hobo; just then, in the
light of the new revelation, it seemed most kindly and benign; for
circumstances alter cases, and a great deal depends upon one's
view-point as to whether an expression can be classed as merry or
sarcastic.

Brother Lu did not seem to be bothered a great deal on making the
discovery he did, though he must surely have jumped to the conclusion
that the boy had been spying upon his late movements. He continued
to advance. Hugh could detect the light of humor in those blue orbs
that had always mystified him, even when he believed the other to be
the worst kind of an impostor, or human leech, capable of living
upon t