"You thought you were alone,
did you?"

"I certainly did," Douglas replied. "But I am delighted to see you, as
I was getting tired of my own company. Do you like music?"

"I like yours, oh, so much! I can never forget the first time I heard
you play."

"Heard me play!" Douglas repeated in surprise. "When was that?"

"Why, don't you remember?" and the girl's eyes opened wide in
astonishment. "It was that awful night in the city when my father was
playing, and you came and took the violin from him, and----"

"You don't mean to tell me that you are that girl?" Douglas
interrupted, as he leaped to his feet. "Why, yes, you are the very
same though not so pale and frightened. I knew I had seen you
somewhere before, but could not remember just where."

"Isn't it funny!" and the girl's silvery laugh rang out. "How in the
world did you happen to come here?"

"Oh, I'm working for Jake Jukes, that's all."

"I know that. You're the man who put him on his back. My, you must be
a great wrestler!"

"Why, who told you about that?" Douglas smilingly questioned.

"Empty, of course. He knows everything that goes on in this place."

"And tells it, too?"

"Why, yes. He's as good as a newspaper. Nell says we wouldn't know
what is going on but for Empty."

"Who is Nell?"

"She's my sister, and she's reading to daddy now, in front of the
house. You must come with me at once and see her, for I've told her
about you a thousand times."

"About me!"

"Yes. How you played on the street, and were so good to us. And daddy
will be so glad to meet you, too, for he has been feeling so badly ever
since that night that he didn't thank you for your kindness."

The girl's face was flushed with excitement, and she was anxious to
rush off to tell of the great discovery she had made. But she wished
to take her prize with her, and Douglas was nothing loath to go, as he
longed to meet the old man he had seen in the city. He believed that
he was Andy Strong, of whom Jake had spoken, and who had "a great deal
to say about churches, 'ligion an' parsons," and who was "down on 'em
all." He felt that he must be prepared for another wrestling match far
different from his bout with Jake. He might find in this blind
musician an able opponent, and it would be well for him to be on his
guard.

The girl was delighted when Douglas, tucking his violin under his arm,
walked along by her side. She was an excellent companion and cha