"Too late, sonny. He left fifteen minutes ago."
"Where to?"
"Don't know, really."
"Can't you form some idea, please?" the boy cried, dropping the jaunty air in some anxiety.
The blue-shirted fireman stuck his hands in his pocket, whistled, and answered:
"Oh, he's gone to see his best girl, I reckon."
"What's her name?" queried Robert, wondering if Hawthorne was off with the old love, and on with a new one.
"I don't know," and Robert was about to turn off in disgust at the good-natured levity of the other when Captain Stansbury, who was inside, overheard him, and came to the rescue.
"You want Hawthorne?" he said. "Well, he isn't here."
"I know, but I want him very particular. Can't you tell me where to find him?"