CHAPTER V.
DAVE DOES SOME GOOD WORK "Good evening, Mr.Hinman!" called Dick softly.
The old man started, affrighted.
"Who---who calls ?" he quavered.
"One of the boys you talked with, this noon." "Where are you ?" "Here," answered Dick, throwing his blanket aside, rising and stepping toward the old man, who, more bent than ever, was shaking as though from fright.

"Don't be afraid of us, sir.

Can we help you in anything ?" "I am afraid not," replied the peddler, then leaned against a tree-trunk, staring, as he tried to stifle his sobs.
"What has happened, sir ?" asked Tom Reade, also stepping forward.
"I've been robbed!" replied the old man, in a broken voice.
"Robbed ?" repeated Dick.

"Do you mean that some villains have stolen the goods from your wagon ?" "No, no!" replied the old man, with sudden, unlooked for vehemence.
"I've been robbed, I tell you---my money stolen!" "Money ?" asked Tom in surprise.

"How much was taken from you ?" "Four hundred and eighteen dollars," replied the old man, with a lack of reserve that testified to his confidence in these unknown but respectful and sympathetic high school boys.
"All that money ?" cried Dick.