"Who, father?" asked Percy, curiously.
"Never mind, my son. Some one whom I used to know answers to that description."
As Percy went out, Albert Marlowe said to himself: "If it should be he, what shall I do about it? It is not for my interest that he should remain in Lakeville. I might denounce him to the authorities, but I would warn him first. Then, if he still lingers, he must take the consequences."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
BERT INTERVIEWS HARDING'S SISTER.
The next week Bert found himself in Peoria. His heart beat with excitement, for here he hoped he would attain the object he had in view.
The first day he was occupied in obtaining a boarding place, and in matters connected with the play. He understood his duty to his employers, and, eager as he was to seek out Ralph Harding, he waited till he could do so without intrenching upon their time.
After considerable inquiry he found himself standing in front of a neat-looking frame house of two stories in a quiet street. The plate on the front door bore the name