"Man! That is fine! But I always knew he could not do anything really bad--I mean, anything that the police could touch him for.

But it is not that, Dad.

I have heard Jack say he used to be different when he came down first, and now sometimes he--" The lad's voice fell silent.

He could not bring himself to accuse his hero of any evil.

His father drew him close to his side.
"You mean that he has fallen into bad ways--drink, and things like that ?" The boy hung his head; he was keenly ashamed for his friend.