“You forget the letter you gave to the vessel we spoke off the coast of Brazil.”
“Yes; but do you think it went straight?”
“The chances are in favor of it. However, your idea is a good one. Write, by all means, and then we will discuss future plans.”
“What are your plans, Mr. Leslie?”
“I shall try to secure a reporter’s berth on one of the daily papers—the Call or Chronicle. I will wait a few days, however, as I have a few hundred dollars by me, and can afford to take a little time to look around.”
“I wish I were as well provided; but I have less than twenty-five dollars.”
“Don’t worry about that, Arthur,” said Randolph, laying his hand affectionately on the boy’s shoulder. “I shall not allow you to want.”
“Thank you, Mr. Leslie,” said Dodger, gratefully. “It’s something new to me to have a friend like you. But I don’t want to be any expense to you. I am large enough and strong enough to earn my own living.”
“True; and I feel sure you will have a chance in this enterprising city.”
They bought copies of the day’s papers, and Dodger looked eagerly over the advertising columns.