“Well, you see, Tom, you hain’t had so much experience as what I have, but you’ll come out all right, and make a big detective, I know you will.”
Bob stopped talking to sell a paper, and after making change and pocketing his profit, he continued:
“Now, Tom, I tell you what ’tis: you and me and Herbert will eat breakfast together, when he comes down.”
“When will he be down?” asked Tom, his hand dropping instinctively upon his empty stomach.
Tom Flannery was known among his crowd of street lads as the hungry boy. He was always ready to eat, and never seemed to get enough food to satisfy the cravings of his appetite. This invitation, therefore, was very welcome to him.
“It’s ’bout time for him now,” replied Bob, in answer to Tom’s question.
“I wish he would come,” said Tom, looking hungrier than usual.
“He is probably making up sleep,” said the young detective.
“How much sleep has he got to make up, Bob?” asked Tom, seriously.
“I don’t know exactly, but I guess pretty near a whole night.”