They found Sydney waiting for them in the corridor of the hotel. He was looking very haggard, but he seemed very glad to see Miles.
“I have good news for you, my boy,” he said; “good and bad, too. I have found your father, but he is not quite himself.”
“What do you mean?” exclaimed Miles, while Roy and Rex looked their interest.
“His mind is affected,” Sydney went on. “We hope the sight of you may have a favorable effect, but be careful not to be excited yourself when you see him. Take it quite as a matter of course.”
Miles drew in a long breath. It was going to be rather a difficult matter for him to take easily a meeting with the father he had thought never to see.
“Where is he?” he asked in a faint tone.
“Not far from here. Come, we will go there at once.”
On the way to Mrs. Fox’s Sydney explained that he and the old lady had arranged that she should give a sort of boys’ party at which Mr. Darley should be present. He would then have an opportunity to study Miles quietly, while the latter was engaged in playing games.
“You look so much like him,” Sydney added, “that we hope he may recognize you.”
Miles appeared to be somewhat astonished when they halted before the odd little home in Seventh Street. But he said nothing, and the next moment they were all being warmly welcomed by Mrs. Fox.