"Me dad, mister."
"Your dad? Your father?"
"Yes, mister; been sick going on two months now, and ain't no better."
Richard looked at the boy sharply. He had been deceived so many times that he was half inclined to discredit the urchin's story.
"It's the truth, mister," went on the boy, seeing the look of distrust.
"I ain't tellin' no lies, so help—"
"What's your name?"
"Pep, sir."
"Pep what?"
The urchin held down his head.
"I ain't got no other name!" he answered hesitatingly.