Part 43 (1/2)
Ralph left his name and then quitted the offices. He did not bother taking the elevator down, but used the winding stairs instead.
He had reached the second floor, and was about to start down for the street when he caught sight of a man standing on the stone steps below. The man was Jackson Walters.
”The rascal!” muttered Ralph, to himself. ”How fortunate to catch sight of him!”
He sprang down the steps two at a time. Walters heard him coming, and looked around. But before he could attempt to move away, Ralph had him tightly by the arm.
”So I've caught you, have I?” he said, bluntly. ”Why--er--really--you have the advantage of me,” stammered Jackson Walters, coldly.
”I guess I have, and it's a good thing, too,” returned Ralph.
”I--er--don't know you.”
”What!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the boy, in amazement.
”I say I don't know you. Isn't that plain enough?”
”Well, I know you plain enough. You are the man who roomed with me last night and robbed me.”
”'Pon my word, I never saw you before. This is some extraordinary mistake.”
”No mistake about it,” returned Ralph, doggedly. He was not to be buncombed by the oily manner of the thief.
”Let go of my arm, boy!”
”I will not. You are the thief, and you must return what you stole from me,” said Ralph.
He spoke rather loudly, and a crowd began to collect about the two. In a few seconds a policeman hurried up to ascertain the cause of the trouble.
CHAPTER x.x.x.
THE SHARPER IS OUTWITTED.
”What's the matter here?” exclaimed the policeman, as he pushed his way forward.
”This man is a thief,” replied Ralph.
”The boy is mistaken,” burst out Jackson Walters, in a.s.sumed indignation.
”No, I am not mistaken,” said Ralph. ”He slept in the same room with me in a hotel in Jersey City last night, and he went through my pockets and got out before I woke up.”
”A likely story!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the sharper. ”I live in Englewood, New Jersey, and I was home last night, as usual.”
The policeman looked perplexed. Ralph's earnest manner had impressed him, and yet Jackson Walters looked honest enough.
”You are sure that you are not mistaken in your man?” he asked, of Ralph.
”I am positive, sir.”