Part 38 (1/2)

”If I have to go I want him to go, too.”

At these words Mr. Wakefield Smith's face changed color.

”I can't go, officer; have an important engagement at the--er--club.”

”He is a pickpocket and I'll prove it at the station house,” said Jerry, warningly. ”It is your duty to make him go along. I'll help you carry him if it's necessary.”

”And you'll skip out, too, if you get the chance,” remarked the policeman, grimly.

”If you think that, handcuff me to this fellow.”

”Do you mean that?”

”I do, sir.”

”Hang me if I don't think you are honest, after all.”

”He's a big thief!” bawled Mr. Wakefield Smith.

”Keep quiet and come along. They can straighten matters out at the precinct.”

The officer took Mr. Wakefield Smith by the arm and started to walk the prisoner away. With a dexterous twist the intoxicated man cleared himself and plunged down the street.

The bluecoat and Jerry made after him as quickly as they could, but a drawing school in the neighborhood had just let out, and they were detained by the crowd. Mr. Wakefield Smith stumbled across the street and down a side thoroughfare that was very dark. The officer and our hero went after him, but at the end of the second block he was no longer to be seen.

”Now you've let him escape,” said Jerry to the policeman. ”I have a good mind to report you.”

”Go on with you!” howled the officer in return. ”I reckon it was a put up job all around. Clear about your business or I'll run you in for disorderly conduct!”

And he made such a savage dash at the young oarsman with his long club that our hero was glad to retreat.

He continued the hunt for the pickpocket alone, but without avail, and, much disheartened, finally returned to his boarding-house. He was afraid he had seen the last of Mr. Wakefield Smith, and was glad he had gotten at least ten dollars from the pickpocket.

CHAPTER x.x.xI.

NELLIE ARDELL'S TROUBLES.

On the following morning Jerry went to work at the bindery as if nothing had happened. When he went in, d.i.c.k Lanning glared at our hero and stopped as if to speak, but changed his mind and walked off without saying a word.

During the day the young oarsman became much better acquainted with his work and began to like it.

That night, on leaving the bindery by the side entrance, which opened on a narrow lane, our hero saw d.i.c.k Lanning and several of his friends waiting for him.

He attempted to pa.s.s but Lenning put out his foot, and had Jerry not stopped he would have been tripped up.

”Let me pa.s.s,” said he, sharply, but instead of complying, Lenning took a stand in front of him and hit the youth on the shoulder.

”I said I'd git square,” he hissed, savagely. ”If yer ain't afraid, stand up and fight.”