“Hello!” he said, quickening his steps as he caught the sound of music, and following its source he noticed a crowd gathered about a corner curb.
As Ben neared the group he discovered a street piano mounted on wheels, being operated by a man. Standing by him was his partner. The latter had a piece of tin between his lips. Keeping in tune with the hurdy gurdy, he was producing beautiful liquid notes that rang out clear and musical as the soaring notes of a lark.
The crowd was enchanted. The music was novel and harmonious. The whistle gave out notes as clear and pure as those of a flute.
The tune ended. Ben Hardy watched the whistler remove the piece of tin from between his lips. As he did so Ben started forward, his eyes fixed upon the little device intently.
“Why!” exclaimed Ben in profound astonishment, “that is the very whistle I invented for Bob Dallow.”
CHAPTER IV
THE “SYBILLINE” WHISTLE
The whistle he had invented and the name Bob Dallow instantly carried back the mind of Ben to what he looked upon as the pleasantest part of his young life.
About six months previous to the opening of this story Bob Dallow had put in an appearance at the Hardy home. Neither Ben nor his parents had ever seen him before, but the homeless orphan boy had received a hearty welcome.
It appeared that he was the son of a half sister of Mrs. Hardy, and he had come into the Hardy household in such a lively, manly fashion that he had won all their hearts at once.