Harry shook hands laughingly, for there was something whimsical in Bill that put him in a laughing mood. He had never supposed Bill had so much fun in him; and, perhaps, in the old days Bill had not known it, either. But an honest life, and since then the thought that he was doing good for the boy who had saved Beth's life, had had a very developing effect on him. They talked a great deal more after that, each giving more details about himself, but Bill insisting on hearing most about Harry, and what he had done and where he had been, and his interest in Missoo was simply intense. "You shall see him, to-night," promised Harry. "We will go down now, keeping out of sight as much as we can, and I will take you right to his room. He'll be wondering where I am. He said he'd like to see you." "See me!" cried Bill, pleasure and surprise about equally divided. "What does he know about me?" "Why, I told him how you saved my life, of course." They walked down, and Harry led Bill to the house where Missoo was lying in bed. He was much better, but was not able to go about, though he chafed at the notion of Big Missouri being laid up with "a burnt spot on his back." "I was gettin' lonesome, Gent," he said. "Who's yer friend?" and he eyed Bill over carefully. "Did you ever hear me speak of Bill Green?" asked Harry. Missoo lifted himself up on his elbow and looked at Bill. "Not Bill Green, thet got ye outen thet burnin' mill?" he questioned, to Bill's extravagant delight to think that the great, the famous Missoo had actually kept his name in his memory. "The very same Bill Green," assured Harry. "Bill, shake!" said Missoo, briefly. And when he had shaken the hand of the delighted Bill, he held it for a moment, and said to him, "Bill, when ye saved the life o' thet thar Gent, ye saved my life, too, which is wuthless, an' ye saved the lives o' twenty men, some o' them with babbies, 'n some o' them with mothers. Shet up, Gent; I'm talkin'! Ye saved the life, Bill, of a feller what's sand--emery sand, which is the best kind--what's sand down to his toes. Bill, I'm proud to take ye by the hand; 'n I bet ye've got sand yerself." "So he has, Missoo, as you'll understand, when I tell you his story some day," replied Harry. "Why not now?" asked Missoo. Harry made a sign to Bill, and answered: "Because I want to talk about other things with him. You won't mind if we talk before you, will you, Missoo?" "Mind ye a-talkin'! Thet's music to me, thet is, Gent," said the admiring giant. CHAPTER XXIV. Harry had a two-fold reason for not telling Missoo his adventure at that time. He had not made up his mind yet as to his proper course, and he knew that Missoo would become so excited that it would perhaps make him ill; and he knew also that, if it should become known in the town that Little Dick and Hoyt had done what they had, their lives would not be safe for five minutes after they were caught.