Part 43 (2/2)
”He is mistaken,” bl.u.s.tered the sharper. ”I am an honest man. My name is William G. Harrow, and I am in the crockery business over in Park Place.”
”Well, the best you two can do is to come with me,” said the policeman.
”Where to?”
”To the police station. You can tell your story there.”
”I am willing,” returned Ralph, promptly.
”It is an outrage,” cried Jackson Walters. ”A respectable citizen like myself to be dragged to the station house----”
”You won't be dragged, you can walk,” interrupted the policeman, with fine sarcasm.
The fact that Ralph was willing to go while the other was not, had impressed him greatly in the lad's favor.
”It's all the same. This boy is a young gamester. He wanted to frighten me into paying him money. It's a pure case of blackmail.”
”If it is, the boy will be sent up for it,” replied the policeman, sharply.
”Just come with me, both of you.”
”I won't go!” cried Jackson Walters, and before he could be stopped he sprang away, and started to cross Broadway.
Like a flash Ralph was after him. The boy was fearful the sharper would get away and the money be lost once more. Before Jackson Walters reached the car tracks Ralph had him by the arm.
”Let go of me!” howled the sharper.
”Not much! I want my money!” replied the boy, stubbornly.
”There, take your confounded money, then!” cried the sharper, and s.n.a.t.c.hing several dollar bills from his vest pocket he flung them in the street.
The sight of the bills relieved Ralph greatly. He stooped to pick them up, and as he did so, Jackson Walters darted across the street, the policeman at his heels.
With the bills in his hand, Ralph got out of the way of the trucks and wagons as soon as he could. He ran to the sidewalk, and counted the money.
There were eleven dollars. In his haste, Jackson Walters had thrown him five dollars more than the amount originally taken.
Ralph now found himself in a new crowd of people. The policeman and the sharper had entirely disappeared.
Thinking to find the pair, the boy crossed Broadway and hunted around, up and down and into several of the side streets. But it was useless, the two had disappeared.
”Well, I am not the loser,” thought Ralph, with considerable satisfaction.
”I'm the gainer, and if Jackson Walters wants his money let him apply to me for it.”
The fact that he now had his money safe once more gave Ralph not a little satisfaction. He was no longer worried over the fact that he might not see Horace Kelsey before nightfall.
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