"No, sir." "Just what I thought. Go ahead, Finnegan." They took up the bureau and slowly moved to the door, and down the staircase with it. "It's a shame!" said Mrs. Sheehan, standing at her door. "You'd better look out, ma'am! It may be your turn next," said the landlord with a scowl. "If it is I won't wait for you a minute." "It's a hard man, you are, Mr. Mack." "I need to be," said Zebulon Mack grimly. "If I wasn't it's precious little rent I'd get in." The outlook for the Fentons was dark indeed. CHAPTER V. AN ADVENTURE ON THE TRAIN. Fred was on board his regular train that same morning at the usual hour, and started on his round of duty. He sold four morning papers, but trade seemed rather dull. About eleven o'clock he went through the first car distributing some packages of candy to the various passengers. On reaching the end of the car he returned, collecting the money for those purchased, and reclaiming those not wanted. About midway of the car was a man of middle age, with small, insignificant features, and a mean look. He seemed very much absorbed in reading a penny paper when the train boy came up. "Will you buy the package of candy?" asked Fred. "What package?" asked the passenger, looking up. "The one I left with you when I passed through the car." "I don't know what you mean. You left no package with me." "I remember distinctly leaving you a package." "You are thinking of some other man." "No, I am not." "You are mistaken!" said the passenger, frowning. "Will you be kind enough to get up and let me see if it is on the seat, or has fallen underneath?" "No, I won't." Fred was convinced that the passenger had secreted the package, and was scheming to cheat him out of the dime. He was a boy of spirit, and he did not propose to be swindled. "Sir," he said in a louder tone, "I am a poor boy trying to earn an honest living. If you don't pay for this package I shall have to." "That is none of my business. I shall not pay for what I haven't got. Boy, you are very impertinent. I shall report you to the president of the road." "You may do so if you want to. I can't afford to give away my stock in trade." "Boy," interposed a pompous gentleman sitting opposite, "I quite agree with this gentleman. You are not employed to insult passengers." "Or to be cheated by them," said Fred hotly. "If you treated me in this way, I would make it my business to have you discharged." "Even if I was right?" "Of course you are not right. This gentleman's word outweighs yours." "Why should it?" "He is a respectable gentleman, and you are only a poor train boy." "That may be, sir, but I always tell the truth." "Like George Washington," sneered the stout gentleman. Fred felt that he was losing his case, and the mean passenger smiled with satisfaction. But his triumph was short-lived. The train boy found an unexpected defender.