"
"Thank you," said Carl. "I hope my services
may be worth compensation."
"I don't know how you are situated as to money,
but I can give you some in advance,"
and the old lady opened her pocketbook.
"No, thank you, Miss Norris; I shall not need it.
I might have been short if you had not kindly paid me
a reward for a slight service."
"Slight, indeed! If you had lost a bank
book like mine you would be glad to get it
back at such a price. If you will catch the
rascal who stole it I will gladly pay you as
much more."
"I wish I might for my own sake, but I am
afraid it would be too late to recover my money
and clothing."
At an early hour Carl left the house,
promising to write to Miss Norris from Chicago.
CHAPTER XXXII.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
"Well," thought Carl, as he left the house
where he had been so hospitably entertained,
"I shall not lack for business. Miss Norris
seems to have a great deal of confidence in
me, considering that I am a stranger. I will
take care that she does not repent it."
"Can you give a poor man enough money to
buy a cheap meal?" asked a plaintive voice.
Carl scanned the applicant for charity
closely. He was a man of medium size, with
a pair of small eyes, and a turnup nose. His
dress was extremely shabby, and he had the
appearance of one who was on bad terms with
fortune. There was nothing striking about
his appearance, yet Carl regarded him with
surprise and wonder. Despite the difference
in age, he bore a remarkable resemblance to
his stepbrother, Peter Cook.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166