Dick and Mr. Hobbs had written to Cedric about their ideas to help him. After that, they didn't know what else to do. But they had plenty to discuss. Every day the New York newspapers ran fresh stories about Cedric and the new Lord Fauntleroy. Every night Mr. Hobbs read the latest stories aloud to Dick.
"It seems like this Earl of Dorincourt is an important guy," Dick said. "He's got tons of money, and his castle sounds like a grand place. Imagine our Cedric living in a fancy, old castle!"
"Unfortunately, he may not be living there much longer." Mr. Hobbs put down the newspaper. "He's such a good kid. What's happened to him is a real shame."
The next morning Dick was shining the boots of a regular customer. Mr. Bennington was a young man, just starting out as a lawyer. He always enjoyed talking to Dick.
That day Mr. Bennington was reading a newspaper while Dick worked. "Have you heard about this earl in England? Turns out there are two kids, both claiming to be his heir. The Earl of Dorincourt—"
"What?" Dick looked up from the man's boots in surprise. Mr. Bennington turned the paper so Dick could see a photo.
"This is the new Lord Fauntleroy's mother. She's a handsome woman." Mr. Bennington noticed Dick's expression. "What's the matter with you?"
Dick was staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed. He pointed to the woman, who had thick, dark hair.
"I know her!" Dick said.
"Sure you do." Mr. Bennington laughed. "And I'm best friends with the queen!" He shrugged as Dick continued to stare. "I'm finished with the paper if you want it."
"I do want it!" Dick hurriedly put away his cloths and polishes. "And I'm closing down the stand for the day!"
Mr. Bennington counted out the coins for his shoeshine. "I have no idea what's bothering you, but it sounds serious."
A few minutes later, Dick was racing through the streets toward Mr. Hobbs' store.
Dick was so out of breath that he could hardly speak. "Look . . . at . . . this . . ." He handed the newspaper to Mr. Hobbs.
"What am I looking at?" Mr. Hobbs put down his broom.
"The woman in this picture!" Dick shouted. "She's no lord's wife! That's Minna—my brother's wife! I'd know her anywhere, and so would Ben."
Mr. Hobbs dropped into his chair and studied the newspaper. "I was right! Those aristocrats have cheated Cedric out of his title!"
"No, Minna is the one who's cheated Cedric." Dick stamped his foot in anger. "As soon as I saw her picture, I remembered another story we'd read. It mentioned that the new Lord Fauntleroy has a scar on his chin."
"Just like your nephew!" Mr. Hobbs was now as angry as Dick.
"That's right! Tom got that scar when Minna threw the plate. He's no more Lord Fauntleroy than I am," Dick said. "We have to do something right now!"
Mr. Hobbs sank into his chair, overwhelmed by the problem, but Dick was full of energy.
"Hand me some scissors, so I can cut out this picture," Dick said. "I'm going to send it to Ben."
"I'll write to Cedric—and the earl."
They were in the midst of their letters when Dick had another idea.
"That guy who gave me the newspaper is a lawyer. Maybe he can help us."
Mr. Hobbs was immediately impressed by Dick's suggestion. "You're absolutely right. This situation calls for a lawyer."
Mr. Bennington was surprised when Dick and Mr. Hobbs arrived at his office.
"You've already shined my boots once today," Mr. Bennington said with a smile. "Are you looking for more customers?"
"This is my friend Mr. Hobbs, and we need your help," Dick said. "It's about that newspaper story."
He quickly described how Cedric had become Lord Fauntleroy. Mr. Bennington took notes as Dick talked about Minna and her son, Tom.
"I've read about this woman before. Parts of her story don't make sense." Mr. Bennington tapped his pen on his desk. "There's no harm in investigating this. I'm not busy right now, and the publicity may give my career a boost."
"I don't care what you charge," Mr. Hobbs said. "Send me the bill, and I'll gladly pay it."
"My first task is to write to Dick's brother, Ben, and to the earl's lawyer." Mr. Bennington pulled out some paper.
When the two friends left Mr. Bennington's office, they were full of hope.
At midnight Dick and Mr. Hobbs were still talking in the grocery store. One of Mr. Bennington's letters was on a train speeding westward. The other was on a ship sailing eastward for England.