"I've met with some kind friends," said the match boy. "I have been sick, and they took care of me."
"And now you have come back to the Lodge."
"Yes, but not to stay. I came for the money that I have saved up in the bank. It is going for these clothes."
"Very well. You shall have it. What is the name of the friend who has taken care of you?"
"Richard Hunter."
"I know him," said the superintendent. "He is an excellent young man. You could not be in better hands."
On leaving the Lodge Mark felt a desire to find his old ally, Ben Gibson, who, though rather a rough character, had been kind to him.
Ben was not difficult to find. During business hours he was generally posted on Nassau Street, somewhere between Fulton Street and Spruce Street.
He was just polishing off a customer's boots when Mark came up, and touched him lightly on the shoulder. Ben looked up, but did not at first recognize the match boy in the neatly dressed figure before him.