When they were ready to part Sidney said, in a friendly way, "I am glad to have made your acquaintance. Come and see me to-morrow afternoon if you feel like it. I should like to ask you something of your life and adventures, for I suppose you have had adventures."
"Thank you; I will come," answered Robert.
But circumstances arose which prevented his keeping his engagement.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CANVAS MAN FINDS A BONANZA.
Fitzgerald had put a new idea into the head of the canvas man—an idea which the man's unscrupulous and cruel nature readily welcomed and adopted. It was with malicious satisfaction that he thought it over, and considered how he should carry it out.
There was, however one circumstance that interfered with his cheerfulness—the want of money. He had never been a saving man, and now that he was discharged, and without an income, his fortunes were at a low ebb. He foresaw that after carrying out his purpose it would be necessary for him to leave Crampton, but as his purse contained but seventy-five cents it did not seem possible to go far unless he walked.
"If I had only got that boy's $200, I should be all right," he said to himself. "It would have been better for him and for me, too, for in that case I wouldn't do him any harm."
