ighty queer," said
the bootblack. "Wot's de game?"

"I am as much in the dark as you, Mickety. That man has tried twice before
to take my life."

"Gee! yer don't say!"

"It is true."

"Maybe he wants ter git a fortune away from yer, like der villain in der
play."

"There is no fortune to get away--at least none that I ever heard of. But
where has he gone?"

"He went down der street. I watched him around der corner before I came up,
so as ter make sure I wouldn't be collared."

"We had best get out of here before he comes back," went on Ralph, after a
moment's thought. "I do not wish to meet him again," and he shuddered.

"All right, come on."

"What brought you here?"

"I live across der street, an' I just come home fer me grub. I kin take yer
ter our rooms if yer want ter come."

"I will tell you what I would like to do, Mickety. I would like to stay
here until he comes back, and then follow him."

"Gee! dat's der ticket. Come on right over."

The bootblack led the way across the dirty and crowded street, and into an
alleyway.

"Me home is back dere," he said, pointing to a rear tenement. "I don't
suppose yer want ter come in, if yer goin' ter watch fer dat man."

"No, I will stay here," returned Ralph.

"I'll git a bit of grub an' den come out ag'in," said Mickety.

He ran off, leaving Ralph alone. The crowd of street children looked at the
country boy, but they had seen him talking to Mickety, with whom they were
well acquainted, and they did not offer to ask Ralph any questions or tease
him, as they might an utter stranger.

In less than a quarter of an hour the bootblack was back, munching the last
of a big doughnut.

"Ain't come yet?"

"Not yet, Mickety."

"Kin I stay an' help yer watch fer him?"

"If you wish, certainly."

"He may try to do yer ag'in, an' I kin call a cop."

"That is so. Yes, stay with me, and I will pay you for your trouble."

"Huh! don't want no pay, Mr. ---- Yer didn't tell me yer name."

"Ralph Nelson."

"I ain't askin' fer no pay, Mr. Nelson. Dis sort of a job is nuthin' but
fun."

"You may be of valuable assistance to me," went on Ralph. "I may have that
man arrested. You can prove that he bound and gagged me, and locked me up
in the closet."

"Dat's so."

"I want to find out what his object is. He may----"

Ralph broke off short and pointed across the street.

"Dat's him, true enough!" whispered Mickety, as Martin entered the tenement
opposite.