“I lost my position a month ago. Since then I have only managed to earn enough to live, and it was hard work at times. I hadn’t had anything to eat all day yesterday,” he went on, “and I was cold and weak. I was on my way to the river, thinking I could find a place on the wharves to sleep, when I stumbled and fell into the snowbank. When I was down it felt so warm there I decided to stay. I didn’t care what became of me.”
“But you do now, don’t you?” asked Frank.
“Do I?” asked the boy eagerly. “Say, will you lend me a stamp so I can write home to mother?”
“We’ll do better than that,” said Bart. “We’ll send her a telegram.”
When the message had been forwarded to Mrs. Perry, telling her of the unexpected finding of her wandering boy, the three chums told the waif their reason for being in New York.
“And you haven’t been able to find a trace of Ned, eh?” asked William, musingly.
“Not a trace,” replied Frank. “But don’t let our troubles worry you. You must get strong and hurry home to your mother.”
“Say, let me help you!” exclaimed William eagerly. “Maybe I can pay you back for your kindness. I know New York like a book. I’ve knocked all around it for the last six months. Maybe I can locate Ned for you. I know lots of places where fellows go when they’re down on their luck, as I was. Let me help. Mother won’t mind when I write and tell her I’m going to stay here a few days longer, when she knows what it’s for. I believe I can help you.”
So it was arranged that William was to stay with the three chums at the hotel for a few days. He was not to venture out until the next day, however, as he was still weak.