I have been told that you might help me find him.”

Hoffman shook his head, still watching him closely. “No,” he said; “I know nothing about him.”

“Has he been about here at all lately?”

“No; it is two weeks since I saw him.”

The honest German face had the word suspicion plainly written on it, Halloran saw that he was not getting at the man at all, so he leaned on the bar and explained himself.

“I have come from the University Settlement. George has been at class there regularly until lately. His teachers believe in him and want to help him. They are afraid now that he has got into trouble and is afraid to come back. Do you know anything about it?”

For reply Hoffman asked:

“What is your name?”

“Halloran.”

“You come from the Settlement?”

“Yes.”

“Have you seen Mrs. Craig?”

“I have just come from there. Miss Davies, George's teacher, is with her now.”

The big man slowly turned it over in his mind. Finally he said:

“I will tell you all I know, but it is not very much. There is another little boy named McGinnis who is around with him most of the time. The McGinnis boy worked at the ball park until the season closed last week. For ten days now he has been coming here for a glass of beer pretty often, and he always carries away the lunch. You say you want to help George?”

Halloran nodded.

“Well, I will tell you what I think.” He used the word “think,” but his expression showed that he knew pretty nearly the facts. “McGinnis has an uncle, a boat-builder, who has a place under the Wells Street Bridge. You go down there and you will learn more than I can tell you.”

Halloran thanked him and returned to Miss Davies, Mrs. Craig, he found, was getting ready to go back to work. They were all waiting anxiously for him.

“I think we are started right,” 

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