"
"Is your mother home?"
"Ain't got no mother; she died when I was a kid."
"Well, Pep, I'm sorry for you," said Richard kindly, "and I won't do
anything to you for having taken that money. But those letters--they
were valuable. What have you done with them?"
"I've got 'em home, sir. I'll bring 'em to you right away, sir."
"I haven't got time to wait now," returned Richard, highly elated to
find that Doc Linyard's property was safe. "Will you meet me here at
six o'clock to-night?"
"Yes, sir."
"Sure? Remember I must have those letters."
"I'll bring 'em. I've got 'em hid in de garret. I didn't open 'em or
noddin'. I can't read only a little newspaper print--'nough to find
out what's in de paper ter sell it."
"Well, I shall expect you sure," replied Richard. "I'll give you ten
cents for bringing them," he added, to make certain that Pep would not
change him mind. "Have you had any breakfast?"
"I haven't had no eatin' since yesterday mornin'."
"What would you do if I gave you ten cents?"
Pep's eyes opened in wonder. In his knockabout life he had met all
sorts of people, yet here was certainly a new kind.
"Yer jokin'!" he gasped.
"No, I'm not."
"Then if I had ten cents I'd go and buy some morning papers--I could
sell 'em yet--and take de money home.
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