Michael's eyes shone, and even Sam grinned surreptitiously.
"He'll do," he said to Sam as they went out. "He was lonesome this evening and wanted to come along with me."
Lonesome! A fellow like that! It gave Sam a new idea to think about. Did people who had money and education and were used to living in clothes like that get lonesome? Sam cast a kindlier eye back at Will as he closed the door.
Alone in the dark cold entry where the wind whistled up from the river and every crack seemed a conductor of a blast, Sam and Michael talked in low tones: "Say, he's lit out!" Sam's tone conveyed dismay as well as apology.
It was a sign of Michael's real eagerness that he knew at once who was meant.
"Buck?"
Sam grunted assent.
"When?"
"Day er so ago, I tuk yer word to 'im but he'd gone. Lef' word he had a big deal on, an' ef it came troo all right 'e'd send fer us. You see it wan't safe round here no more. The police was onto his game. Thur wan't no more hidin' fer him. He was powerful sorry not to see you. He'd always thought a heap o' Mikky!"
"How long had he known I was here?" Michael's face was grave in the darkness. Why had Buck not sent him some word? Made some appointment?
"Since you first cum back."
"Why--oh, Sam, why didn't he let me come and see him?"
"It warn't safe," said Sam earnestly. "Sure thing, it warn't! 'Sides--"
"Besides what, Sam?" The question was eager.
"'Sides, he knowed you'd had edicashun, an' he knowed how you looked on his way o' livin'. He didn't know but--"
"You mean he didn't trust me, Sam?" Sam felt the keen eyes upon him even hi the darkness.
"Naw, he didn't tink you'd snitch on him ner nothin', but he didn't know but you might tink you had to do some tings what might kick it all up wid him. You'd b'en out o' tings fer years, an' you didn't know de ways o' de city. 'Sides, he ain't seed you like I done--"
"I see," said Michael, "I understand. It's a long time and of course he only knows what you have told him, and if there was danger,--but oh, Sam, I wish he could go down to Old Orchard. Did you ever tell him about it, and about my plans?"