nge, was surprised to see no one
in the place.

"Why--why--where's Jimmy?" he asked.

"Jimmy is over in Brooklyn," said Bulldog, with a laugh.

"In Brooklyn? I thought you said he was hurt."

"Well, I guess he is, fer he's bound t' fight wid Mike when he finds
out he's been fooled, an' Mike's liable t' hurt him."

"But what for? Why should he be in Brooklyn? And why have you brought
me here?"

"Jimmy's in Brooklyn t' git him outer de way," explained Bulldog, with
an ugly leer, "an' youse is here t' answer me some questions. Now,
den, kid, I wants t' know where youse run away from home, who youse be,
an' where youse lives. I'm goin' t' take youse back an' git de reward.
Now youse can't fool me, an' if youse tries, it'll be bad fer yer.
Come now, own up. Didn't youse run away from home? Answer me or I'll
punch ye till yer does!" and Bulldog threateningly shook his fist in
Dick's face.

[Illustration: "Didn't youse run away from home?" _Page_ 137]

CHAPTER XIX

JIMMY TO THE RESCUE

When Jimmy started for the room, late that afternoon, after having met
Dick and arranging to go to supper with him, he was accosted, just
before he reached the lodging-house, by Mike Conroy. Now, though Jimmy
suspected Mike of having robbed him, and though he considered him his
enemy, Jimmy was a whole-souled, good-hearted lad, not long holding
enmity against any one. So, when Mike greeted him pleasantly enough,
Jimmy responded in kind.

"Heard youse was lookin' fer a news-stand t' buy," said Mike.

"We was," replied Jimmy, "but it was too steep for us."

"I know a feller what's got one t' sell cheap."

"Where?"

"Over in Brooklyn.

"I don't believe we'd like to go to Brooklyn. New York is the best
place for a newspaper stand. You can make more money here."

"No, I mean de feller what owns it lives in Brooklyn. De stand is in
New York, close t' de elevated."

"How much does he want for it?"

"About seventy-five dollars."

This was so near the figure that he and Dick could command that Jimmy
was at once interested.

"What's the man's address?" he asked.

"I'll take youse t' him," volunteered Mike. "He said he'd pay me a
commission if I brought him a customer, an' I'll bring youse."

"All right. I'll go. But I must leave word for Dick where I'm gone."

"Oh, youse needn't bodder about dat. We'll soon be back," said Mike
quickly. "Come on."

So, thinking he would return almost as soon as his