"I would speak to you alone," he at length said. "Your friends will please excuse us for a short time."
"While you are engaged I will show our friends through the city building," spoke up Poppet.
"Very well, if all are satisfied."
The next minute Van Vincent and the president of the strange city were alone in the room.
"So your name is Van Vincent," said the crippled man, gazing at our hero in a curious manner.
"It is," was the reply.
"Where were you born?"
Van quickly told him.
"Your mother is dead, is she not?"
"Yes," replied the boy, gazing at him in surprise. "My father is, too. He died somewhere in Africa, I believe."