And the boy who came shyly, timidly after Dick was--Bart Trafton.
"You well, Bartie?" asked Dave.
"Oh, better!"
"Why?"
"Because you've got back," said the caller, with snapping eyes.
"That's encouraging. And granny, is she well?"
"Oh yes, when--"
He did not finish. If he had completed his sentence, he would have said "when father isn't at home."
The same day two other people were in the shop whom Dave had met previously, though he did not recognize them at once. There stood before the counter a rather tall man, wearing a tall hat and closely muffled about the face, for the day was one of cold blasts of storm.
"I want a good ship's lantern," said the customer.