interest in him had been of such assistance, and he stopped and looked
about the courtroom for him. But Foster and the other reporters were
busy telephoning the story to their papers, and repeating the
magistrate's scathing rebuke to the police of the precinct and the city,
so that Bob could not see them. And, after lingering a moment or so, he
finally decided to return to his guardian without more delay, promising
himself that he would search out his champion and thank him another
time.




CHAPTER IV

BOB DETERMINES TO BE HIS OWN MASTER


Fearing that if he hurried too fast through the dismal corridors of the
court building he might arouse suspicion and get into more trouble, Bob
restrained his impulse to break into a run, and endeavored to walk as
unconcernedly as possible. But it was with a feeling of vast relief that
he stepped forth from the stone portal and again breathed the free air
of the street.

Once he had reached the sidewalk, not long did it take him to mingle
with the throng of passersby.

Like a bad dream did the trying experiences through which he had passed
seem, and he actually pinched himself to see if, after all, it might not
have been some sleep delusion. But the pain of the sharp nip he gave