"
"False?"
"Yes."
"Then you were disguised?"
"I tried to be," was responded faintly.
Bart stood for a moment or two queerly regarding the roustabout.
"Mr. Baker," he said finally, "I am bound to respect any wish you may
suggest, but I declare I can't understand you."
"Don't try to," advised the roustabout in a dreary way. "I'm not worth
it."
"Oh, yes, you are."
"And it wouldn't do any good."
"It might. It must!" declared Bart staunchly, "See here, I want to ask
you a few questions and then I want to give you some advice, or rather
tender my very friendly services. Do you know what you have done for me
to-day?"
"No. If I have done anything to help you I am glad of it. You have been
a friend to me--the only friend I've found."
"I'll be a better one--that is, if you will let me," pledged Bart
warmly. "You warned me about the burglars last night; you helped me save
my father's life."
"Anybody would do what I have done."
"No one did but yourself, just the same. Don't be cynical--you're
something of a hero, if you only knew it. It was you who went into the
burning express shed and saved the account books and closed the safe
door.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88