"I don't know about a job for him, but perhaps I can help him," answered Tom. And then he and Sam left the place.
They had just reached the sidewalk when they beheld Andy Royce coming towards them. The former gardener of Hope Seminary was partly under the influence of liquor, and several children were annoying him by pulling at his coat and calling him names.
"You go 'way an' leave me alone," mumbled the man. And then, as he caught sight of the Rovers, he tried to brace up.
"Hello, you here!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, we want to talk to you, Royce," answered Tom. Then he motioned the children away, and led the former gardener of the seminary towards the alleyway beside the hotel.
CHAPTER XXIV
ANDY ROYCE'S CONFESSION
"Want to talk to me, eh?" mumbled Andy Royce. "What you want, anyhow?"
"See here, Royce! what is the use of your drinking like this?" broke in Sam. "Is that the way to use the money my brother's wife loaned you?"
"I ain't been drinkin'," mumbled the man. "That is, I ain't had much."