he tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around him
and he told his story in a few words.

"I used to be rich, boys," he said, "but my guardian spent all my money,
and now I am as poor as any of you."

"You'd ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney," observed Mike.

"I wish you had. You wouldn't have lost my money for me."

"True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney's guardian, what'll
we do to him?"

"Give him de grand bounce," suggested Patsy.

"Drop him out of a high winder," said another.

"What's his name?"

"I don't care to tell you, boys. He's written me a letter, saying he
will try to pay me back some day. I think he will. He isn't a bad man,
but he has been unlucky."

Mike, at the request of Mr. O'Connor, showed Rodney a locker in which he
could store such articles of clothing as he had with him. After that he
felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel though an humble
one.

At eight o'clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but Mike
and Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed with what
kindness yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly flock.
Unruly they might have been with a different man, but he had no trouble
in keeping them within bounds.

It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New
York merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandy
whiskers of the mutton chop pattern.

"Good evening, Mr. Goodnow," said the superintendent, who recognized the
merchant as a friend of the society.

"Good evening, Mr. O'Connor. I have brought my friend and correspondent
Mr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your young Arabs."

"I shall be glad to give him all the opportunity he desires."

The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turn
were examining him with equal interest.

"They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper and
more intelligent," he said. "But surely," pointing to Rodney, "that boy
is not one of the--Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman."

"He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight."

"He must have a history. May I speak with him?"

"By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you."

Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good
society, and said: "I shall be very happy to speak with him."

CHAPTER VIII.

RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.

"Surely," said the Englishman, "you were not broug