He had nearly reached the house where he lodged on the evening after the departure of Mr. Onthank from the Somerset Hotel, when his attention was drawn to a boy of ten with a bundle of the "Evening News" under his arm. He was shedding tears quietly. Rupert had a warm heart and was always kind to younger boys. He was touched by the little fellow's evident distress and spoke to him. "What is the matter, Johnny?" he asked. "I can't sell my papers," answered the boy. "How many have you got left?" "Twelve copies." "How many did you have in the first place?" "Twenty." "Then you have only sold eight?" "Yes, sir." "So that you are behindhand unless you sell more. Have you a father and mother living?" The boy answered in the affirmative. "I shouldn't think they would let you go out selling papers so late." "They are very poor," answered the boy, in a sorrowful tone. "Doesn't your father work?" "Yes, he works for Mr. Lorimer, on Third Avenue." Rupert's attention was aroused. This Lorimer, as the reader has already been told, was his father's former partner, and, as Rupert believed, the cause of his failure. "If your father has a position I should think he would be able to support his family." "Mr. Lorimer only pays him five dollars a week," explained the boy. "Only five dollars a week!" repeated Rupert, in amazement. "Doesn't he pay more to his other salesmen?" "Yes, but he knew father was poor, so he told him he must work for that or leave the store." Rupert was not altogether surprised to hear this, as he knew that Lorimer was a mean man who had no consideration for the poor. "Where do you live?" he asked. "In that big house," answered the boy, pointing to a tall tenement, one of the shabbiest on the street. "We live on the fifth floor, but I guess well have to move out to-morrow." "Why?" "Father hasn't been able to save enough to pay the rent." "What rent do you pay?" "Six dollars. Father has only got three dollars toward it." "What is your name?" "Harry Benton." "Well, Harry, I am not very rich, but I can help you a little. I will take all your papers, to begin with." The little boy's face brightened. "You are very kind," he said. "And now you may take me to your home. Perhaps I can think of some way to relieve your father." "Come this way, then," said Harry. Rupert followed him to the entrance of the tenement house. "I don't know but you'll be tired going up so many stairs," he said. "We live on the top floor." "I'm not a very old man yet," laughed Rupert. "I guess I can stand it if you can."