“Sure it is, and he would have won his game only for that streak of tough luck. Uncle Jim, let me introduce to you my friend, Ralph West!”
The lawyer started and looked closer than ever at the second boy.
“Glad to meet you, Ralph. And, to tell the honest truth, it was to see you that I’ve journeyed up here just at a very busy time in my practice.”
He still kept his eyes fastened on the face of the boy, which of course he could see had gone white.
“I’m glad to meet you, sir; and it’s mighty nice for you to say such kind things about my work. I’m green at it yet, but hope to do better after more practice,” Ralph managed to say.
“No doubt of that, not a bit. You’ve got all the earmarks of a ‘comer’ in that line. But, Ralph, I wish I were bringing you better news than I am able to. I’ve been convinced by my brother that it is only right to tell what little I know in connection with that money, regardless of my promise. I’m only sorry I happen to know so little, that’s all. But it may start you along the right road.”
“Thank you, sir. Every little must help. I’ve been fortunate enough to-day to meet a man who seems to know something about the mystery of my life; and he’s promised to tell me all this very night. So that good luck seems to be swinging around my way just now.”
“Yes, Ralph seems to have been able to have done this man a great favor. As near as I can make out he found a little child in the woods with her hand crushed. She was crying bitterly. Ralph was on his way by a roundabout route to the ball-grounds when this happened; yet he carried that child a long distance to her father. And it seems that the man recognized Ralph, or on hearing his name, I don’t know which, only that he promised to tell him something to-night,” remarked Frank, eagerly.
“Fine! couldn’t be better all around,” said the lawyer, enthusiastically. “I see that to have been of any assistance I should have turned up earlier. But I had some very important cases on the docket; and was not quite sure that I ought to break my word until I received an urgent letter from Frank’s father here. I can tell you just what I know in a very few words, if you want me to, Ralph?”
“I am wild to hear, sir, and was just wondering how I could hold out several hours until night came along. Please start right now, Judge Allen!” exclaimed the boy.