Mrs. Masterson proved to be a motherly lady of fifty, and she readily consented to keep the boys and give them their supper and breakfast.

"You won't have to pay a cent," she declared. "I am glad to do Doctor Reed's son a favor, and your friend a favor too. The doctor is a wonderfully fine man."

"An' Mr. Dodge treated me right on that lumber fer the barn," put in
Aaron Masterson.

The boys were invited to sit down to a well filled table, and did so, after washing their hands in the kitchen at the sink. They had a real homecooked supper and enjoyed it immensely.

They were just finishing up when there came a loud knock on the dining room door of the farmhouse. Aaron Masterson answered it.

"What's wanted?" he asked, of a man who stood on the porch.

"Please, sir, I am a poor man looking for work. Would you mind giving me a bit to eat?" came from somebody outside.

"It's Kiddy Leech!" whispered Snap. "Now, what do you think of that?"

CHAPTER XXVII

THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMP