"It depends a good deal on yourself, my boy," said the superintendent, kindly. "Firmly resolve to do well, and you will very likely succeed. You've had a rough time of it so far, and circumstances have been against you; but I'll try to find a good place for you, where you'll have a chance to learn something and to improve. Then it will be your own fault if you don't rise to a respectable place in society." "I'll try," said Julius, hopefully, and he meant what he said. He had lived among social outlaws all his life, and he realized the disadvantages of such a career. He shuddered at the idea of following in the steps of Jack Morgan or Marlowe--a considerable portion of whose time was spent in confinement. He wanted to be like Paul, for whom he felt both respect and attachment, and the superintendent's words encouraged and made him ambitious. CHAPTER XXII. MARLOWE OVERTAKES HIS VICTIM. On emerging into the street the two boys parted company. It was time for Paul to go back to his business. Julius was more indifferent to employment. He had five dollars in his pocket, and forty-five dollars deposited with Paul. Accustomed to live from hand to mouth, this made him feel very rich. It was a bright, pleasant day, and it occurred to him that it would be very pleasant to make an excursion somewhere, it made little difference to him where. The first place that occurred to him was Staten Island. It is six miles from the city or half an hour by water. The boats start from a pier near the Battery. "Where's he going, I wonder?" thought Marlowe, following at a little distance. As no conversation had passed between the boys about the excursion, he was quite in the dark; but he was determined to follow where-ever it might be. He soon ascertained. Julius met a street acquaintance--Tom Barker, a newsboy--and accosted him. "Tom, come with me." "Where you goin'?" "To Staten Island." "What's up?" "Nothin'. I'm goin' for the benefit of my health. Come along." "I can't come." "Haven't you got the stamps? I'll pay." "I've got to go to Twenty-seventh street on an errand. I'll go with you to-morrow." "Can't wait," said Julius. "I must go alone." "Goin' to Staten Island," thought Marlowe, in exultation. "I'll get a chance at him there." Marlowe had not much money with him, but he had enough to pay the fare to Staten Island--ten cents. So he kept on the track of Julius, and passed the wicket just behind him. The boat was approaching the pier, and they had not long to wait. Julius went to the forward part of the boat, and took a seat just in front of the boiler. Marlowe took a position near, but not too near. He had considerable confidence in his disguise, but did not want to run any unnecessary risk of recognition. It so happened that a few steps from him was a genuine specimen of the profession he was counterfeiting. With the sociability characteristic of a sailor, he undertook to open a conversation with Marlowe. "Hollo, shipmate!" he said.