Part 40 (1/2)
In a few minutes the lad came in.
He wore an old suit, one he had caught up when escaping from Porler. He blushed as he took Leo's hand.
”You will have to excuse my appearance,” he said. ”But you are aware it cannot be helped.”
”Yes, Mart, I understand it all. I am glad you escaped from Porler.”
”I must thank you for what you did for me,” went on Mart. ”You are as brave as you are daring.”
”Don't mention that, Mart. It was a pleasure to be of service to you.
Let me know how I can serve you further.”
There was a silence, and the lad cast down his eyes.
”I must be frank with you,” he said at last. ”I am without a friend in the world and likewise without a dollar.”
The young gymnast smiled faintly.
”My boy, allow me to contradict you,” he said. ”Neither statement is true. I am your friend.”
The boy's face lit up.
”I thought you would be my friend, you seemed so generous. And I wanted a small loan, so that I might get away from Mr. Porler. I never want to see that man again.”
”As I said before, what I have is at your service.”
”Will you loan me ten dollars?”
”Yes, and more. Here are twenty dollars. Accept them as a loan, to be paid back at any time that suits you.”
And Leo handed out the amount.
Mart blushed as he accepted the bills.
”I shall never forget you, never!” he murmured, and put the money away.
”I will repay you as soon as I am able.”
”Be in no hurry. What are you going to do, if I may ask?”
”I am going to try to hunt up an uncle of mine,” said Mart. ”If I can only find him, I think he will give me a home. If I am not mistaken, he is holding some property which belongs to me.”
”Where does your uncle live?” questioned Leo with interest.
”That I do not know. I will have to advertise for information, I presume.”
”Up-hill work, that. What is your uncle's name?”
”Daniel Hawkins.”