"Because this is the name of either a Jew or a Russian, and Dick's an
American."

"Oh, maybe dot's so," agreed Sam. "But you can't always sometimes
tell. Maybe he is a part Jew and part Russian and part American. Ve
had better ask him, I dinks."

"Well, it wouldn't do any harm, I s'pose," admitted Jimmy. "Come ahead
over to the lodging-house, and we'll tell him about this advertisement."

They found Dick feeling pretty comfortable, and, as he seemed able to
converse about the mystery, Jimmy began on the subject that had brought
Sam and himself to his partner's room.

"Dick," asked Jimmy, "you don't s'pose you ran away to fight Indians;
did you?"

"Fight Indians? No. Why?"

"And you didn't take any money from your dad; did you?"

"Of course not. What makes you ask such questions?"

"Because it's in der paper," replied Sam. "See, iss dis got anyding to
do mit you?" and he held out the torn piece of the newspaper.

Dick read it quickly, and slowly shook his head. A look of hope had
come into his face when Sam had extended the slip, but it faded away
again, leaving him pale and wan.

"No, I'm sure that isn't my name," he said.

"Are you sure?" asked Sam, who hated to give up the idea.

"Very sure."

"But didn't you want a pony?" asked the German youth.

"No, as near as I can remember, I had a horse or a pony," replied Dick.
"I seem to recall something about owning one. I know I used to take
long drives in a carriage, through a beautiful country."

"Den you didn't lif in New York," declared Sam, positively. "Dis is a
great city, but dere ain't no beautiful country about it. I know. I
lived in der country in der Vaterland, und dot vos country dere vot
_vos_ country," and he sighed in regret.

He looked at the piece of paper once more.

"Vait!" he exclaimed. "Vos you ever haf a desire for a bicycle? Maybe
dot's it. Maybe your fadder vouldn't gif you a bicycle, und you runned
avay to hund Indians, und dey scalped you, und took your remembery mit
'em."

"Oh, no, no!" exclaimed Dick, laughing in spite of himself. "I never
cared much for a bicycle. I'm sure I shouldn't have run away from home
because I couldn't have one."

"Und der Indians didn't scalp you?" asked Sam, as if still in doubt.

"No, indeed. I've got all my hair yet, even if my memory has gone back
on me. I guess that must refer to some other boy. Why, of course it
does. Here it says his first name is Isaac, and the d