“Think of that, colonel!” said Tim, disgusted. “Becomin’ a common newsboy, when he might be in a genteel employment! Did you speak to him, Hooker?”
“Yes, I asked him if he had left you.”
“What did he say?”
“That he had left you for good—that he was going to grow up respectable!”
“Think of that!” said Tim, with renewed disgust. “Did he say where he lived?”
“No.”
“Did he ask after me?”
“No, except he said that you were no relation of his. He said he expected you stole him when he was a kid, and he hoped some time to find his relations.”
Tim Bolton’s face changed color, and he was evidently disturbed. Could the boy have heard anything? he wondered, for his suspicions were very near the truth.
“It’s all nonsense!” he said, roughly. “Next time you see him, Hooker, foller him home, and find out where he lives.”