THE HOME OF THE BOYS It was a quarter-past eleven when Phil and Giacomo entered the shabby brick house which they called home, for want of a better.

From fifteen to twenty of their companions had already arrived, and the padrone was occupied in receiving their several contributions.

The apartment was a mean one, miserably furnished, but seemed befitting the principal occupant, whose dark face was marked by an expression of greed, and alternately showed satisfaction or disappointment as the contents of the boys' pockets were satisfactory or otherwise.

Those who had done badly were set apart for punishment.
He looked up as the two boys entered.
"Well, Filippo," he said, harshly, "how much have you got ?" Phil handed over his earnings.

They were up to the required limit, but the padrone looked only half satisfied.
"Is that all you have ?" he asked, suspiciously.
"It is all, signore." "You have not done well this afternoon, then.