CHAPTER II
A little later, sitting in the plain but convenient office opposite the great man he had come to see, Lawrence was impressed by the power and force in the steady eyes that looked so straight into his own, and in the kind mouth and forceful broad brow saw a promise of clean dealing and deep wisdom.
“I cannot get over my surprise at your youth,” said Mr. Ridgeway. “It seems a foolish procedure to give such a great enterprise into the hands of a boy like you. Are you sure,” he added, laughing, “that you have not a father or brother to whom I should be talking?”
“No, sir; I am the one you sent for,” replied Lawrence. “I have been fooling with airplanes and balloons ever since I graduated from kites.”
“How old are you?” asked Mr. Ridgeway.
“I don’t know, sir,” said Lawrence, a flush mounting to his brow. “I am a waif. I do not know my own name, or my age. I was taken from one of the worst parts of the city to the Home where I was partly brought up. I have no hope of ever finding anyone belonging to me.”
“Have you no clues?” asked Mr. Ridgeway.
“I fear not, sir,” he replied. “At least they are too slight to be considered. I speak of this because I think you ought to know that whatever becomes of me, there is no one to rejoice and no one to grieve.”
“I am sorry,” said Mr. Ridgeway simply. “Yet for my purpose, that simplifies everything. You will embark on a desperate enterprise if you attempt what I have in mind for you to do. And I cannot tell you, indeed I cannot guess the outcome. It depends largely on your own daring, caution and ability. Your youth is your best safeguard because no one would ever believe you to be embarked on anything like this.”
“I am willing to take the risks,” said Lawrence simply.