CHAPTER XXII. DICK THE BOOTBLACK.
|What's the matter?" asked the bootblack, noting the swift change inBernard's face.
"That man--he is after me!" ejaculated Bernard, preparing to move on.
He knew that it would be disagreeable to have an encounter withProfessor Puffer and he thought it better to get out of his way.
Whether he could do so was doubtful, as the professor was close at hand.
"I'll help you," said the bootblack, "if you'll give me a shilling. Yoube here in an hour."
"All right," said Bernard, and he started to run.
But by this time Professor Puffer was only ten feet away. He felt thatBernard was within his grasp.
But he did not reckon for the bootblack. The latter advanced to meet theprofessor, and managed to stumble in front of him so that Puffer, whoselegs were short, fell over him, striking forcibly on his face. MeanwhileBernard was hurrying away.
Professor Puffer got up in a furious rage.
"What are you running over me for?" he demanded, shaking his fist at thebootblack.
The latter began to rub his knees vigorously.
"What are you runnin' over me for?" he demanded in an injured tone.
Professor Puffer eyed him suspiciously. He hardly knew whether theencounter was premeditated or not, "Did you see a boy rather taller thanyou dressed in a dark suit? I think you have been blacking his shoes."
"Yes, I did, and he run away without payin' me. Is he your boy?"
"Yes. Where did he go?"
"I dunno. You ran over me so that I couldn't see. Will you pay for theshine?"
"No; he must pay for it himself. But I'll give you a sixpence if you'llfind him for me."
"All right! Give me the money."
"Not now. I'll wait till you find him for me."
"I don't do business in that way, mister."
"I believe you're in league with him," said the professor suspiciously.
"I dunno what that means," returned the boy innocently. "Don't you tryyour long words on me. If he was your boy, what made him run away fromyou?"
"Because he is a bad lot. He won't obey me."
"Ain't he bad, though?" said the bootblack virtuously. "And you looklike such a kind old man, too. He'd ought to be flogged, that he had."
"I am not so very old," said the professor quickly; for, like a goodmany others, he didn't care to be considered aged.
"That so! You don't look more'n sixty."
"I am not near that," said Puffer. "But that is of no importance. Ifyou'll help me you will find it for your advantage."
"I'll try. S'pose I do find him, where will I find you?"
The professor took out a card and wrote his address on it.
"I'll tell you what to do," he said. "If you find Bernard----"
"Is that his name?"
"Yes. Bernard Brooks. If you see him, find out where he lives and comeand tell me."
"What will you do to him, if you catch him?" asked the bootblack, withcuriosity.
"Never you mind! I will take him back into my charge. I may send him toa boarding-school."
"I wish some kind gentleman would send me to a boardin'-school," saidthe bootblack, with an angelic expression. "Say, mister, won't you adoptme?"
"I cannot afford it. Besides, I have trouble enough with the boy I have;but I can't stand waiting here. You are sure you didn't see where theboy went?"
"No, I didn't."
"Somehow that boy continually eludes me," muttered Puffer, as he walkeddisappointed away. "I begin to hate him."
Meanwhile Bernard had not gone very far. He had darted into a narrowstreet, and, himself screened from observation, watched the interviewbetween the professor and the bootblack. Though he could not hear whatwas said, he judged that his street friend was not betraying him.
"He has an honest face, though a dirty one," he reflected. "He hasearned the money I promised him."
When Professor Puffer had disappeared from the scene he crossed to wherethe bootblack was standing.
"Well," he said, "so he's gone."
"Yes."
"You had quite a talk with him."
"Yes. I fooled the old man. He's goin' to give me sixpence for lettin'him know where you live."
Bernard laughed.
"You can tell him any place you like," he said.
"Then I'll tell him you're boardin' with Queen Victoria at BuckinghamPalace."
"I don't think he'll give you sixpence for that."
"I don't want any of his money," said the bootblack contemptuously."He's no good."
"What did he say about me?"
"He says you're a bad lot."
"I've heard that before. I'd a good deal rather have you for a friendthan him."
"Would you?" asked the bootblack, with an expression of gratification."What is your name?"
"Dick Sprowl."
"Then, Dick, there's my hand."
"My hand is dirty. You'd better not take it."
"I don't care whether your hand is dirty or not. Your heart is allright. There's the shilling I promised you."
"You're a gentleman," said the bootblack. "Say, you needn't give me anymoney as long as you're my friend."
"Yes, Dick, take the money, and my friendship, too."
Bernard returned to the Arundel Hotel in time for dinner.
He met Miss Minerva Smith on the doorstep, waiting for the door to open.
"Well, Bernard," she said pleasantly, "has anything happened?"
"Yes; I fell in with Professor Puffer."
"Where?"
"On the Strand."
"Was the interview a pleasant one?"
Bernard laughed.
"To tell the truth, I didn't wait to see him."
Then he told of the professor's approach, and of his escape by the helpof the bootblack.
"You seem to have been fortunate. Have you heard of any position?"
"No," answered Bernard, shaking his head. "I am not so lucky as that. Iam beginning to feel a little anxious. I am not sure but I ought to finda cheaper boarding place."
"I don't think you could--that is, a satisfactory one. Perhaps it maynot be necessary. In looking over a morning paper I saw an advertisementwhich might possibly prove of advantage to you."
"Let me see it!" said Bernard eagerly.
"I will show it to you after dinner."
"That may be too late."
"No; the applicant was to call between three and four this afternoon."
After dinner Miss Smith produced the paper, and called Bernard'sattention to this advertisement.
WANTED--By a young man about to make a voyage for his health, a pleasanttraveling companion. Apply, between three and four o'clock thisafternoon at Morley's Hotel, Trafalgar Square.
Walter Cunningham.
"How would that suit you, Bernard?" asked Miss Smith.
"Very well indeed."
"Then you are not afraid of seasickness?"
"No; in my voyage across the Atlantic I had no trouble in that way. Doyou think I shall have any chance of success?"
"I think your appearance would recommend you. The chief obstacle wouldbe your youth. If you were as old as I am--" and she smiled and paused.
"Can't you lend me a few years, Miss Smith," asked Bernard.
"I should be only too glad to do so," replied the schoolmistress; "but Iam afraid that is not practicable."
"Perhaps I should be expected to bear my own expenses," suggestedBernard. "Of course, that would be out of the question."
"That is hardly likely. At any rate, you will soon learn all theparticulars."
"Where is Trafalgar Square?"
"Not much over a mile distant. You might take a hansom."
"I think I will. Otherwise I might fall in with Professor Puffer again,and even if I escaped from him, the delay might prove fatal."
"Very true. Fortunately, the expense will be trifling."
Bernard went up to his room and put on a clean collar. H
e brushed hishair carefully also. His shoes were all right, thanks to his youngstreet friend, Dick Sprowl.
Then he went to the Strand and hailed a hansom.
"I want to go to Morley's Hotel, Trafalgar Square," he said. "Do youknow where it is?"
"Yes, sir," answered cabby, with a pitying smile. "I'll have you therein a jiffy."
In about fifteen minutes the cab drew up in front of a plain hotel, andthe driver assisted Bernard to descend.
Bernard satisfied himself that this was Morley's Hotel, and dismissingthe cab driver he advanced to the entrance. The result of hisapplication would be so important to him that he could not help feelingnervous.
Bernard Brooks' Adventures: The Experience of a Plucky Boy Page 22