"Mr. Fogg?" "Yes." "What about him?" "Say," replied Clark, edging close to Ralph, "just take a careless backward look, will you? About half the square down on the opposite side of the street you'll see Fogg." "Why such caution and mystery?" propounded Ralph. "I'll tell you later. See him?" inquired Clark, as Ralph followed out the suggestion he had made. Ralph nodded assentingly. He had made out Fogg as Clark had described. The fireman was walking along in the direction they were proceeding. There was something stealthy and sinister in the way in which he kept close to the buildings lining the sidewalk. "That's four times I've noticed Fogg in this vicinity this morning," reported Clark. "I discovered him opposite the lodging house when I first came out this morning. When I came back he was skulking in an open entry, next door. When we left the house together I saw him a block away, standing behind a tree. Now he bobs up again." "I can't understand his motive," said Ralph thoughtfully. "I can," declared Clark with emphasis. "What's your theory?" "It's no theory at all, it's a dead certainty," insisted Clark. "Your fireman and that gang of hoodlums hitch together in some way, you mark my words. Well, let it slide for a bit. I'm hungry as a bear, and here's the restaurant." It was a neat and inviting place, and with appetizing zeal the two boys entered and seated themselves at a table and gave their order for wheat cakes with honey and prime country sausages. Just as the waiter brought in the steaming meal, Clark, whose face was toward the street, said: "Fogg just passed by, and there goes the crowd of boys. I'm thinking they'll give us a chance to settle our meal, Engineer Fairbanks!" "All right," responded Ralph quietly, "if that's the first task of the day, we'll be in trim to tackle it with this fine meal as a foundation." Their youthful, healthy appetites made a feast of the repast. Clark doubled his order, and Ralph did full credit to all the things set before him. "I was thinking," he remarked, as they paid their checks at the cashier's counter, "that we might put in the day looking around the town." "Why, yes," assented his companion approvingly, "that is, if you're going to let me keep with you." "Why not?" smiled Ralph. "You seem to think I may need a guardian." "I've got nothing to do but put in the time, and get a signed voucher from you that I did so in actual railroad service and in good company," explained Clark. "I think I will go back to Stanley Junction on your return run, if it can be arranged." "It is arranged already, if you say so," said Ralph. "We seem to get on together pretty well, and I'm glad to have you with me."