"I don't know where he has gone. He may go across the lake with dad, or he may stay in Chicago. When dad talked with Whipple, I didn't hear him say what Hector was to do."
"It's a good thing your father has left you, Helen," said Matt, "and if all I hear about your brother is true, I hope he won't come around to bother you."
A sad look crossed the girl's face. With her father and her brother both criminals, her position was forlorn, indeed.
"I have friends in Chicago," said she, "and I could go and stay with them for a time."
"That's the thing to do," approved Matt. Taking two ten-dollar bills from his pocket, he forced them into the girl's hand. "You've got to take the money," said he. "Sometime, if you feel as though you ought to, you can pay me back, but don't let the debt bother you."
"Here," called Ferral, diving into his own pocket and bringing up some money, "I'm in on this."
"Und me, too," said Carl. "I vill dake five tollars' vort'."
Helen thanked all the boys, with tears in her eyes, but Matt's was the only money she would take.
"This will be enough for my immediate needs," said she, "and while I am staying in Chicago, I can arrange to get something to do."
By that time the little party was well into South Chicago. The satchels were returned to the hotel, and Carl was left with Helen, to take her to a restaurant where she could get something to eat, and then to put her aboard a train for Chicago. After that, Carl was to make his way to Jerrold's house.