lit two, four, and even
six times and are then sold. You can see this sort of leather up-stairs
in the shipping-room of the other factory, and if I were you I would
take the trouble to go up there some time and look at it. You may be
interested, too, to know----"

But what the interesting item was Peter never found out.

A boy, breathless from running, came rushing into the room.

"If you please, sir," he panted, "Mr. Bryant sent me to find Peter
Strong! Young Jackson has been hurt. He slipped on the wet floor and the
wheel of a heavy truck went over his ankle. Jackson says it is only a
sprain, but Mr. Bryant thinks the bones are broken. They've telephoned
for a doctor. Jackson is lying on the floor awful white and still, and
he says he wants Peter Strong. Mr. Bryant told me to tell you to send
him right away."

Peter needed no second bidding. Down the stairs he flew.

Only yesterday he had longed for a chance to prove his friendship for
Nat. Now, all unsolicited, the opportunity had come.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VI

TWO PETERS AND WHICH WON

Aflutter with anxiety, Peter followed the messenger back to the
beamhouse.

Of all people why should this calamity come to Jackson? In addition to
the suffering that must of necessity accompany such a disaster Peter
reflected, as he went along, that Nat could ill afford to lose his wages
and incur the expense of doctor's bills. Poor Nat! It seemed as if he
had none of the good luck he deserved--only disappointment and
misfortune.

Peter found his chum stretched on the floor in a dark little entry
adjoining the workroom, with Bryant keeping guard.

"I am down and out this time, no mistake, Pete!" called Nat with a
rather dubious attempt to be cheerful. "You see what happens when you go
off into another department and leave me. I was all right while you were
here."

Peter knelt beside him.

"I'm mighty sorry, old chap," he said. "Does it hurt much?"

As Jackson tried to turn, his lips whitened with pain.

"Well, rather! I guess, though, I'll be all right in a few days. It's
only a sprain."

As Peter glanced questioningly at Bryant, who was standing in the
shadow, the older man shook his head and put his finger to his lips.

"Well, anyway, Nat," answered Peter, trying to feign a gaiety he did not
feel, "you will at least get a vacation. I told you only the other day
you needed one."

"I don't need it any more than you do, Peter. Besides I can't stop