“By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you.”

Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good society, and said: “I shall be very happy to speak with him.”

[ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]

CHAPTER VIII.

RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.

“Surely,” said the Englishman, “you were not brought up in the street?”

“Oh, no,” answered Rodney, “I was more fortunate.”

“Then how does it happen that I find you here—among the needy boys of the city?”

“Because I am needy, too.”

“But you were not always poor?”