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38 one subject he seemed glad to avoid was any reference to his direct family and friends.

He was full of life, and Ralph found him very entertaining. Some bad breaks in grammar showed, indeed, that he had not amounted to much at school. Some of his adventures also suggested that the presence and power of money had not always been at his command. Ralph noticed some inconsistencies in his stories here and there, but Clark rattled on so fast and jumped so briskly from one subject to another, that it was hard work to check him up.

As they reached the porch of the house Clark gave Ralph a deterring touch with his hand.

"Just wait a minute, will you?" he spoke.

"Why what for?" inquired Ralph in some surprise.

"I want to find out something before we go out into the street," and the speaker glided down the walk to the gate, peered down the street, and then beckoned to his companion.

"Come on," he hailed. "They're still there though," he added, his tones quite impressive.

"Who is there?" asked Ralph.

"Just dally at the gate here and take a look past the next street corner—near where there's an alley, see?"