“I knew they would and that I wasn’t safe in that section,” proceeded Bruce. “I felt sure that sooner or later some one would suspect or identify me. It wasn’t safe for my sister. I didn’t know what to do, for what little I had earned wouldn’t take us far. Then came my big luck,” and the face of the speaker became radiant.
“Tell it,” directed Hiram, on the edge with curiosity.
“Some one had stolen an automobile from the village banker,” went on Bruce. “I had heard of it. I had read the posters giving the number and make of the machine, and offering a hundred dollars as a reward for its recovery. Just think of it! that very day an invalid lady I had chopped some wood for, asked me if I could get her a bunch of water lilies. I made a few inquiries of some boys I met. They directed me to a swamp about two miles from the town. I found a fine bed of the lilies, and was wading out with an armful, when down among a nest of reeds, where it had been run by the ride-stealers was the missing automobile.”
“That was fine,” remarked Hiram. “I guess you got back to town on the double quick.”
“I did for a fact,” agreed Bruce. “And inside of two hours I had the reward in my pocket. Oh but I felt rich! I went to the matron of the home and told her my whole story for the first time. She not only thought I had better get Lois to some safer place, and further away from Hillshore, but gave me a letter to a relative living on a farm near Chicago. I got some new clothing for my sister and myself, left Lois with the kind-hearted lady who was only too glad to take her in at two dollars a week, and her help around the house, and hunted down the address you gave me. You see—you see,” concluded Bruce longingly, “I wanted advice.”
“What about?” inquired Hiram.
“Well I’ve got over fifty dollars to invest. There’s a good deal moving around this place. You spoke of a friend, a Mr. Dashaway, and I thought——”
“Yes, that’s my chum, Dave,” interrupted Hiram proudly,—“the most level headed fellow who ever lived. Dave!”
Hiram called his chum and there was an introduction. An explanation followed. The pilot of the Ariel soon had a knowledge of all the circumstances of the case. He and Hiram had seated themselves on a bench opposite their guest. It was warm weather and both threw off their caps. Bruce hesitated and then followed their example, but in an awkward and confused way.
“Why,” exclaimed Hiram with a start, as he noticed that under his cap their visitor wore a close fitting skull cap—“what’s that for?”