"Thank you doctor," said Bobsey, "I'm much hobliged, and shall be still more so if you'll help a frien' of mine." "Who is he?" "Stranger in this country. Was engaged by Mr. Floyd, but now he's hout of work 'cos of the fire. He'll 'ave to starve, and you wouldn't like to see him do that." "Never in the wide," answered the good-natured doctor. "He shall attend to my surgery. I'll teach him to mix potions and roll pills." "That's hall he wants," said Bobsey. "Can we go and pitch hour tents in the kitchen till morning, sir?" "Go right in," said Dr. Slasher. "I'm about to go to bed myself. It's no use waiting up any longer. This is the most disappointing fire I ever witnessed. My professional skill has not once been called into requisition." "Wild Charley's burnt hup, sir." "Well, the young scamp deserved it, and I guess they won't put him to sweeping snow where he's gone to. Now you and your friend can sleep by the stove in the kitchen, but I shall want you up in the morning. You'll have to work, or I'll know the reason why." Bobsey promised acquiescence, and ran away, to make Tommy acquainted with the welcome news. "Hi've got you hon," he exclaimed. "How can I thank you?" replied Tommy. "This will save me from an awful lot of misery. It's dreadful to be in a foreign country without money or friends." The doctor had retired, leaving the door open for them, and the two boys entered the house, making themselves comfortable in the kitchen. Next day they were given a room to themselves, and their duties were mapped out for them. Dr. Slasher was not a married man, and his home was kept by an elderly lady who might in years gone by have been called good-looking, but who had long, long ago lost all pretensions to beauty. Her name was Miss Minks, and she was cook and housekeeper all in one. For some days all went on smoothly at the doctor's. It was quite a week before Tommy was allowed an opportunity for exercising his remarkable powers for doing things as they ought not to be done. Dr. Slasher had been invited to dine at a neighbor's house, but having a patient to attend he could not go. Walking into the surgery where Tommy was rolling pills, he said: "Go to Mrs. Jones at 99 in this street, and say with my compliments that I can't dine with her to-day, though there is nothing I should like better, as I don't expect I shall get much to eat at home." As Tommy walked up the street he conceived a great idea. His master could not go out to dinner, but evidently wanted something to eat. It should be his business to see that this was attended to. When he arrived at Mrs. Jones', he asked to see that lady, and was ushered into the hall, where she came in full-dress. "Doc's compliments, ma'am!" he exclaimed, "and he can't come to dine, but he'd like something to eat, so if you'll put the grub in a basket, I'll take it home for him." "Oh, eh! yes," replied Mrs. Jones, in some confusion. "Wait here and I'll attend to it."