receive where you were last employed?"

"Ten dollars a week."

"You shall receive this sum for the present. It is very good pay for
the small service required of you."

"All right, uncle."

The stews were ready by this time. They were brought and set before
Stephen and his uncle. The latter toyed with his spoon, only taking a
taste or two, but Stephen showed much more appreciation of the dish,
not being accustomed, like his uncle, to dining at first-class
hotels.

"How am I to let you know what I find out?" asked Stephen.

"Write me at Milwaukee. I will send you further instructions from
there."

"Very well, sir."

"Oh, by the way, you are never to mention me to this Luke Walton. I
have my reasons."

"I will do just as you say."

"How is your mother, Stephen?"

"About the same. She isn't a very cheerful party, you know. She is
always fretting."

"Has she any lodgers?"

"Yes, three, but one is a little irregular with his rent."

"Of course, I expect that you will hand your mother half the weekly
sum I pay you. She has a right to expect that much help from her
son."

Stephen assented, but not with alacrity, and as he had now disposed of
the stew, the two rose from their seats and went outside. A few words
of final instructions, and they parted.

"I wonder why Uncle Thomas takes such an interest in that newsboy,"
thought Stephen. "I will make it my business to find out."

CHAPTER X

STEPHEN WEBB OBTAINS SOME INFORMATION

Luke was at his post the following morning, and had disposed of half
his papers when Stephen Webb strolled by. He walked past Luke, and
then, as if it was an after thought, turned back, and addressed him.

"Have you a morning _Tribune?_" he asked.

Luke produced it.

"How's business to-day?" asked Stephen in an offhand manner.

"Pretty fair," answered Luke, for the first time taking notice of the
inquirer, who did not impress him very favorably.

"I have often wondered how you newsboys make it pay," said Stephen, in
a sociable tone.

"We don't make our fortunes, as a rule," answered Luke, smiling, "so I
can't recommend you to go into it."

"I don't think it would suit me. I don't mind owning up that I am
lazy. But, then, I am not obliged to work for the present, at least."

"I should like to be able to live without work," said the newsboy.
"But even then I would find something to do. I should not be happy if
I were idle."

"I am not wholly without work," said