lesson he had learned and the
good resolutions he had made that New Year's Day in the little brown
cottage.

No one ever again heard him say, "I fully intended." To intend was to
_do_ with him at last.

NEW YEAR'S EVE.

Ye bells! peal forth
From south to north,
No longer let your iron tongues be dumb:
Up to the rafters swing,
Make all the country ring
An omen of a Happy Year to come,

[_This Story began in No. 2._]

ANDY FLETCHER,

the Story of a Boy with a Purpose.

by JOHN RUSSELL CORYELL,

Author of "Cast Adrift; or, Ned Carroll's
Promise," etc.

CHAPTER IX.

Police Headquarters.

"Who are you? What are you talking about?" demanded one of the
detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his
exclamation that it was not the little boy.

A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the
child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but
rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered,

"What does all this mean? Why am I stopped in this way? Is there a
policeman here? Call a policeman, somebody, please. Upon my word--a
pretty pass this, that a man may be molested in a public place in such a
fashion!"

Mr. Roberts was well dressed and his manner was composed and even
dignified, so that the sympathy of the spectators was with him at once,
until one of the detectives threw back his coat and showed his badge,
when there was a murmur of wonder, and one of them asked:

"What's he done?"

Just at this point the policeman came hurrying up.

The detective in charge saw him and showed him his badge, and then said
to him:

"Collar the kid," pointing to Andy, "and fetch him along to the office
up here. Are you a passenger on the steamer?" he asked of his prisoner.

"No; but I warn you that you will find yourself in trouble if you do not
release me at once. I can easily see that there is a conspiracy among
you to give me trouble. That boy there, whose father is a convict, as I
happen to know, is at the bottom of it, I suppose. As for this child
here, he is the son of a friend, and I have brought him here to see the
departure of the steamer. If, after this explanation, you still persist
in detaining me, it shall be at your peril."

"If I've made a mistake, I'm sorry," said the detectiv