"My name is Rick Dale," began Alaric, who did not feel that he could disclose his real identity under the circumstances, "and my home is in San Francisco; but it is closed now. My mother is dead. I don't know just where my father is, and I was left with some people whom I disliked so much that I just--" Here he hesitated, and Phil, noting his embarrassment, hastened to say:
"Never mind the particulars. I had no business to ask such questions, anyway."
"Well," continued Alaric, "the result of it all is that I am here looking for work. I had a job, but it didn't pay anything, and I lost it about two weeks ago. Now I am trying to find another."
"Anything, so long as it is honest work that will provide food, clothing, and a place to sleep."
"In that case," said Phil, thoughtfully, "I don't know but what I can put you in the way of one, though--"
"It must be a job for two of us," interposed Alaric, "for I have a friend who is in the same fix as myself."
"I only wish I had known that in time to have him breakfast with us," said Phil; "but the job I am thinking of, if it can be had at all, will serve for two of you as well as for one. You see, it is this way. There is a Frenchman over at the hotel whose name is Filbert, and who--"
Just here both lads started at the sound of a shrill whistle announcing the hour of noon.
"I had no idea it was so late," explained Phil, "and I must run; for we leave here on the one-o'clock train."
"I must hurry too, for I promised to meet Bonny at noon," said Alaric.
"Then I want you to give this to him from me, for fear he may not have found any breakfast." So saying, Phil slipped something hard and round into Alaric's hand. "Now good-bye, Rick Dale," he said. "I hope we may meet again sometime. At any rate, be sure to call on Monsieur Filbert at the hotel this afternoon. I guess you can get a job from him; but even if you don't, always remember that, as my friend Jalap Coombs says, 'It's never so dark but what there's a light somewhere.'"
Then the lads parted, one filled with the happiness that results from an act of kindness, and the other cheered and encouraged to renewed effort.
With grateful and loving glances Alaric watched Phil Ryder until he disappeared in the direction of the hotel, and then hastened to keep his appointment with Bonny. On the road leading to the wharves he passed a tall, lank figure, whose whole appearance was that of a sailor. His shrewd face was weather-beaten and wrinkled, but so kindly and smiling that Alaric could not help but smile from sympathy as they met.