"I wanted to ask--to ask you, if you wouldn't adopt Sherm. You see he looks like your little boy would have looked, and he hasn't got anybody or any name, and he isn't going to want to live hardly, I am afraid. And I thought.... You don't know how fine Sherm is. He's so honorable and kind--so--so you can trust him. I just know you'd be proud of him after a while." Chicken Little was pleading with eyes and voice and trembling hands. The Captain gazed at her a moment in astonishment, then he tenderly drew her toward him. "Chicken Little, I doubt if Sherm would agree to that. But if he is willing, I should be proud and happy to call him my son. But don't get your hopes up--I fear Sherm is too proud to let us find any such easy solution of his troubles. But we'll find a way to put him on his feet, you and I--we'll find a way, if it takes every cent I have! "I think perhaps the first thing to do, Chicken Little," he continued after some pondering, "is to try to find out something about Sherman's real parentage. It hardly seems possible that a comfortably dressed woman could have disappeared with her child without making some stir. I am in hopes, by getting somebody to search through the files of two or three of the leading New York newspapers immediately following the day of the accident, we might secure a clue. I shall write to Mrs. Dart at once for particulars, and then send to a man I know and pay him to make a thorough investigation." They were so interested discussing what could be done, that Sherm entered the room before they knew he was awake. The boy was calm, but looked years older, and very white and worn. Captain Clarke greeted him cheerfully. "I hope you rested. Jane tells me you had a staggering day yesterday. Chicken Little, would you mind telling Wing to serve Sherm's breakfast?" As soon as she disappeared, he gripped the boy's hand, saying confidently, "I don't wish to talk about your trouble just now and I have no words to comfort you for your loss, lad, but I want to tell you not to begin to worry yet about your identity. I believe we shall find a way to get track of your people and that you will find you have an honorable name, and, possibly, a living father to make up a little for the kind foster-father you have lost." "I don't see how we could--after all these years." "Will you leave the matter to me for a few days? And Sherm, make an effort to eat something for Chicken Little's sake--she is worrying her heart out over your trouble. You have some good friends right here--don't forget that. Dr. Morton watched by you all night. Brace up and be a man. I know you have it in you, Sherm."