Jed laughed.
"It didn't prove very interesting at the last," he said. "When my good friends the Averys were turned out, Mr. and Mrs. Fogson succeeded them, and I concluded to leave."
"I am not surprised to hear it. I have seen Mrs. Fogson," remarked the detective dryly.
"Did she give me a good character?"
"Quite the contrary. She prepared me to find you a desperate young ruffian."
Jed laughed.
"Do I come up to your expectations?" he asked.
"Not altogether. I may conclude that you have no information in regard to your family or parentage?"
"No, sir. Can you"—something in the detective's face prompted the question—"can you give me any information on the subject?"