"You are rid of him, Andy," cried Chet, gayly. "It was fine of you to think of the trick," responded Andy, gratefully. "Say, I've got a good mind to have some fun with the old man," went on Chet. "Fun? I hope you don't mean to knock him down?" "No, for he might have me arrested, and that would keep me from going on the trip. I'll just quiz him a little." "Better be careful." "Don't worry--I know what I am doing." While Andy still kept out of sight, Chet sauntered slowly across the depot platform, as if looking for somebody. Josiah Graham stared at him and leaped to his feet. "Wot you a-doin' here?" demanded the lazy man. "Oh!" cried Chet, in well-assumed surprise. "Is Andy with you?" he questioned, anxiously. "No, he ain't," snapped Josiah Graham. "Do you know where he has gone?" "Don't you know?" "He was at our hotel yesterday, but he isn't there now." "Mebbe he's on thet ship," sniffed Josiah Graham. "No, he isn't on that ship, either." "Wasn't he a-goin' to sail with you?" "So he said, but----" Chet paused. "Then you really don't know where he is?" "If I do, I ain't a-goin' to tell you, Chet Greene." "Don't be hard on me, Mr. Graham, now I am down on my luck." "Humph! It's your own fault you ain't got no work. Why didn't you stay around Pine Run?" At this question Chet only sighed. He took on a very forlorn look. "Would you--er--would you----" "Wot?" "I hate to ask it, but would you mind lending me the price of a ticket for Pine Run?" he said, falteringly. "Me?" shrilled Josiah Graham. "Not much I won't! You go an' earn your money, young man. Serves you right if you are out o' pocket an' ain't got a cent." "Then you won't--er--even give me the price of a--er--a dinner?" "Not a cent! You don't deserve it. I see how it is," went on Josiah Graham, craftily. "Thet man who owns the ship has got sick o' you an' Andy, too, an' don't want nuthin' more to do with yer! Well, I don't blame him. Now ye can both go back to Pine Run an' go to work." "How can a fellow get back if he hasn't the price of a ticket?" asked Chet, in a hopeless fashion, although he could scarcely keep from laughing. "Go to work an' earn money, I tell yer! I have to do it, an' you ain't no better nor I be." "Have you been working?" "O' course I've been working." "Then you won't even give me ten cents for some bread and coffee?" "No. Go to work--it will do yer good." "Will you tell me about Andy?" "Well, if ye want to know so awful bad, Andy has gone back to Pine Run. He has found out the errors o' his ways, an' has sent fer me to take care o' him. I don't think he'll be a-runnin' away ag'in very soon." "Too bad! too bad!" And the mischievous Chet placed a handkerchief to his eyes. "It's wot a boy gits when he won't mind his uncle," went on Josiah Graham, stiffly. "After this I guess he'll toe the mark! It's a pity you ain't got nobuddy to bring you to your senses."