He had gone but a short distance when he met his comrade, who had started in pursuit of him.
"Well," said Alfred, "we 've been taken in nicely, that's a fact." "Taken in--what do you mean ?" inquired Oscar.
"Why, by those young scamps that we 've been showing around town." "I thought they told great stories," said Oscar; "but what have you found out about them ?" "I 've found out that they are the greatest liars I ever came across--or at least that the oldest fellow is," replied Alfred; and he then went on to relate what transpired immediately after Oscar left them, on their return from Charlestown.

The landlord, it seems, requested the two strange boys to step into one of the parlors; and Alfred, not understanding the order, accompanied them.

They found two men seated there, the sight of whom seemed anything but pleasant to Joseph and Stephen.

These men were their fathers--for the boys were not brothers, and Joseph's account of their past life and future prospects was entirely false.

They had run away from home, and the money which they had so profusely spent, Joseph stole from his father.
The men, who had been put to much trouble in hunting up their wayward sons, did not greet them very cordially.