"And kin dad have a nuss and medicine? Maybe they'll let him in the hospital if he pays, hey? And I'll get some new clo'es, and then they'll let me come and see him."
Pep rattled on as if the idea of sudden wealth had turned his head.
"I'll go and tell your uncle," said Richard at length. "I know it will be a big surprise to him."
"Kin you find the way from here and back?" asked Pep anxiously.
"I don't know," replied Richard doubtfully. "I wish you could come along."
"I would, only—" and the urchin pointed to the mattress. "Go ahead," put in Frank. "I'll tend to him while you are gone, I don't think I'll have any trouble."
"Dad gets mighty cranky sometimes," returned Pep, with a doubtful shake of his head.
"Never mind; I'll manage it. You won't be gone over an hour, I guess," added the stock-clerk to Richard.
"I think not; that is, if we can find Doc Linyard. His place is no doubt shut up and he may be away."
A moment later Richard, accompanied by Pep, went down into the court and made their way to the street beyond. The urchin was all eager expectation, and if it had not been for Richard, for whom it was hard work to keep up as it was, he would have run the entire way.