“Nowhere, but the country. Some place where I’d be safe--I mean where they couldn’t find--that is, oh, just to get to some quiet little country town where I could get work.” “I’ve got the town and I’ll guarantee the work,” cried Frank heartily, slapping Markham on the shoulder. “See here, no secrets between friends now. You’ve got no money, or you wouldn’t be riding on car tops.” “That’s true enough,” admitted the boy, forcing a laugh. “And maybe you’re hungry.” There was no reply to this, but Markham’s eager eyes strayed in the direction of the lighted waiting room and its gleaming coffee tank and polished lunch counter. “Come on,” urged Frank, keeping up a cheery, good-fellow air. “I’m ready for a bite, too.” Markham held back as Frank tried to pull him along with him. “See here--” “Newton--Frank Newton, that’s me.” “Well, I can’t go with you. In the first place, I’m a sight for respectable people. In the next place,” went on Markham, “there’s some people I don’t want to risk meeting.” Frank reflected for a moment or two. “Will you stay here for five minutes till I come back?” he asked. “Why, yes, if you want me to,” was the reply. “All right. Be sure, now.” Frank was gone less than the five minutes. He returned with a little tin pail holding a pint of hot coffee, a picnic plate containing two sandwiches, a piece of pie and some doughnuts. “There, try that,” he said, placing the things on a bumper post. “Say,” choked up Markham--but Frank strode away, whistling to himself. He did not approach Markham until every vestige of the lunch had disappeared. “That’s the first square meal I’ve had for two days,” said Markham in a grateful, contented tone. “Say, you’re good.” “Am I?” smiled Frank. “I’m good for your railroad fare to where I live, and a job right on top of it for you, if you say so.” “Do you honestly mean that?” asked Markham, almost solemnly, his voice quite tremulous. “Every word of it,” declared Frank. “I live at Greenville. It’s about a hundred and fifty miles down state. Say the word, Markham. I can see you’re in trouble or distress of some kind. I’m not prying to find out what it is. I only want to show what I think of you for saving my money, and maybe my life with a courage that has got to belong to a first-class fellow.” Markham bowed his head as if in deep thought. Frank saw a tear fall to the platform. Finally his companion spoke again. “If you will advance my fare,” he said, “I’ll pay you back first money I earn.” “That’s a bargain,” said Frank. “Come on. We’ll buy your ticket right now.” “No,” demurred Markham, holding back in a timorous way. “You get both tickets. I’ll be somewhere on the train. I’d rather sort of hang around the smoker and the platforms till we get beyond the city limits.” “All right,” said Frank.