Part 29 (1/2)
”Why didn't he tell, and stop my bein' arrested, then?”
”I asked him that; but he said he was afraid Micky would beat him when he found out. But he is a friend of yours, and he stands ready to testify what he knows, at your trial, to-morrow morning.”
”That's lucky,” said d.i.c.k, breathing a sigh of relief. ”So it was Micky that served me the trick. He always loved me like a brother, Micky did, but I didn't expect he'd steal for my benefit. I'm very much obliged to him, but I'd rather dispense with such little favors another time.”
”You will be surprised to learn that Micky came round to our store this afternoon.”
”What for?” questioned d.i.c.k, in amazement.
”I don't know whether he came by accident or design; but Mr. Gilbert employed him to black his boots.”
”Mr. Gilbert!”
”Yes. They seemed to be conversing earnestly; but I was too far off to hear what was said. Finally, Gilbert appeared to get angry, and drove the boy out.”
”That's strange!” said d.i.c.k, thoughtfully. ”Mr. Gilbert loves me about as much as Micky does.”
”Yes, there seems to be some mystery about it. We may find out some time what it is. But here is your friend Fosd.i.c.k.”
”How are you, Fosd.i.c.k?” hailed d.i.c.k from his cell. ”I'm holdin' a little levee down here. Did you receive my card of invitation?”
”I've been uneasy all the afternoon, d.i.c.k,” said Fosd.i.c.k. ”Ever since I heard that you were here, I've been longing to come and see you.”
”Then you aint ashamed of me, even if I am in the station-house?”
”Of course I know you don't deserve to be here. Tell me all about it. I only got a chance to speak a minute with Tim Ryan, for there were customers waiting.”
”I'll tell you all I know myself,” said d.i.c.k. ”I'm sorry to keep you standing, but the door is locked, and I've accidentally lost the key. So I can't invite you into my parlor, as the spider invited the fly.”
”Don't stand on ceremony, d.i.c.k. I'd just as lieves stay outside.”
”So would I,” said d.i.c.k, rather ruefully.
The story was told over again, with such new light as Mr. Murdock had been able to throw upon it.
”It's just like Micky,” said Fosd.i.c.k. ”He's a bad fellow.”
”It was rather a mean trick,” said d.i.c.k; ”but he hasn't had a very good bringin' up, or maybe he'd be a better boy.”
That he should have spoken thus, at the moment when he was suffering from Micky's malice, showed a generosity of feeling which was characteristic of d.i.c.k. No one was more frank, open, or free from malice than he, though always ready to stand up for his rights when he considered them a.s.sailed. It is this quality in d.i.c.k, joined to his manly spirit, which makes him a favorite with me, as he is also with you, let me hope, young reader.
”It'll come out right, d.i.c.k,” said Fosd.i.c.k, cheerfully. ”Tim Ryan's testimony will clear you. I feel a good deal better about it now than I did this afternoon, when I didn't know how things were likely to go with you.”
”I hope so,” said d.i.c.k. ”But I'm afraid you won't get any supper, if you stay any longer with me.”
”How about your supper, d.i.c.k?” asked Fosd.i.c.k, with sudden thought. ”Do they give you any in this establishment?”
”No,” said d.i.c.k; ”this hotel's on the European system, with improvements. You get your lodgin' for nothing, and nothing to eat along with it. I don't like the system much. I don't think I could stand it more'n a week without its hurtin' my const.i.tution.”