"Oh, we just took a walk up this way," returned Ward Porton, with some hesitation. He gave Dave a keen look. "You see, I was on my way to the Crumville poorhouse. By the way, Merwell told me that you had once been connected with that institution," and he gave Dave another keen look. Our hero's face flushed, and for the instant he did not know what to say. Caspar Potts, too, showed confusion. "David was not--er--connected with that institution, sir," said the old gentleman, hurriedly. "He was placed there when he was a child by those who found him wandering along the railroad tracks here. They did not know who he was, and----" "I don't think Mr. Porton will be interested in that story, Professor," interrupted our hero. "Well, to tell the truth I am interested," answered Ward Porton. "I once lived in a poorhouse myself." "Indeed! Is that so?" murmured Caspar Potts. "How interesting!" "It wasn't anywhere around here, though," went on the young moving-picture actor. "It was 'way down East. And believe me, it was a hard life! I don't really see how I pulled through," and he smiled, grimly. "I can't say that I had such a very hard time of it," said Dave. "They treated me fairly well, and as soon as I got old enough to work, Mr. Potts here took me and not only gave me a good home, but also the beginning of a good education. Then, after that, I found my folks--I had been stolen away from them you see when a baby--and since that time I have had an easy time of it." "You're the lucky one then," answered Ward Porton. He seemed on the point of saying something more, but evidently changed his mind. "Well, if it's all the same to you, I'll be going," he concluded. "Better take my advice, and drop Link Merwell," said Dave, as the young man moved away. "If you don't, sooner or later he'll get you into hot water. The authorities want him, even though they got back the things he stole." "I'll remember what you say," was the answer, and then the young moving-picture actor walked away, and soon disappeared around a bend of the road. "It is very strange that they should have come here," remarked Caspar Potts, when he and Dave re-entered the cottage to get the box of books. "I should say it was!" answered our hero. "I don't understand it at all. I believe Link Merwell is up to another one of his tricks. I'm going to keep my eyes open for him." When Dave returned home he told the others there of having met Link Merwell and Ward Porton. Mr. Wadsworth was, of course, particularly interested in Merwell, and he at once telephoned to the authorities to be on the lookout for that individual. But Link Merwell had probably taken warning, and did not show himself again. Nor, for the time being, did Dave see anything further of Ward Porton.