“He did, though I don’t know how. The click of the machine startled my employer, and he came near dropping the baby; but I told him it was a window creaking upstairs in the old building, and he believed it. But after all the picture never did either of us any good, for I never could find Mr. Jackson again to ask a loan on the strength of it,” and the man laughed disdainfully. “But now the picture promises to come in valuable to me. Oh! will you please let me have it to give to Mr. Allen, who is going to carry my case out for me?” “Certain I will. And, Ralph, though it may cost me dear I stand ready to testify to my part in this here rascally game when the time comes. I give you my word on that, lad, come what will,” said Sam Smalling, resolutely. Ralph squeezed his hand when he replied. “Perhaps it may not be necessary at all. I promise you that you will not be brought into the matter if it can be helped; and Judge Allen will find a way, with this picture to help out, I’m sure. Oh! I wonder how that man could have been so cruel. And do you really think that his sister, this widow, Mrs. Langworthy, can be--_my mother_.” “That’s what it seems like, and you can make up your mind to it, money was at the bottom of his game when he stole you and had me take you away. Sounds like a story out of the books, but I guess people to-day ain’t a bit different from old times.” “I’m glad I came here to-night; and, Mr. Smalling, after what you’ve said and done don’t think I’m going to hold it against you. I’m too happy myself to want to make anybody suffer. And later on I expect to drop in here to see you again, you and little Mary,” said the boy, rising to go, for he was now just as anxious to see and consult with Judge Allen as he had been to reach Sam Smalling’s home. “I’ll expect you, Ralph. I’m glad this happened as it did. It’s just Fate, that’s what! But the best of luck go with you, lad; and remember to call on me if there’s any hitch to the game. Good night, Ralph, good night.” CHAPTER XXII A PLAIN TALK WITH BILL KLEMM “There, what do you think of it, Frank?” Ralph sat back in a chair in his friend’s den, and waited to hear the decision of the one in whose opinion he had such faith. “It seems as clear as print to me, and I’m tickled nearly to death at the way things are turning out It was mighty nice in you coming here to-night on the way home, and relieving my anxiety,” said the other, vigorously wringing the hand of his visitor. “But I had a double motive. I hoped to see your Uncle Jim, and now you tell me he’s away for the night--gone with your father to see a sick friend over the mountain, and won’t be back until morning. But what do you make of all this strange story?”