n where is it?"

"I don't know."

"Fred, go for a constable."

The cashier yet remained by the door, and now he held it open a few
inches that his order might be obeyed.

"Please don't do a thing like that," Fred cried, while Sam stood near
the desk pale as death, but every action breathing defiance.

"Do you think I'll let a boy steal eight hundred dollars, and do nothing
toward recovering it?"

"Wait until Mr. Wright comes back and see what he thinks."

"And in the meantime he or his accomplice will have had plenty of time
in which to carry the cash beyond our reach."

"But I am sure that what he tells is the truth."

"I don't believe a word of it. Such a thing never happened before, and
the thief sha'nt go free now if I can prevent it."

Fred was about to plead yet further for his friend, but the cashier
checked him by saying:

"Another word in his behalf and I shall believe you know something of
this very mysterious robbery. Will you go for the constable?"

"No, I won't move a step from this place until Mr. Wright comes back."

This show of friendship was not sufficient to save Sam from the ignominy
of an arrest. The cashier had hardly ceased speaking when one of the
miners made an attempt to enter the store, and the angry official sent
him for the guardian of the peace.

"You'll have a chance to go back to Blacktown, and it may be that you
will find the money on the way," he said, in a tone of irony.

Sam made no reply. Silent and motionless he awaited the coming of the
officer.

CHAPTER XX

THE ACCUSED

Not for a moment did Fred believe it possible Sam had done anything
dishonest in regard to the money, and yet it seemed very singular that
he could have been robbed without knowing when the deed was committed.

He had no opportunity to speak privately to the accused boy, because of
the strict watch maintained by the cashier, but he remained very near
him, as if eager to show confidence in his innocence.

From the time the miner had been sent in search of an officer not a word
was spoken. Now and then Sam glanced at his friend as if to ask that his
story be credited, and the accuser kept a strict watch over every
movement.

There was no parley when the officer arrived, his duty was to take the
prisoner away, and he did so in a matter-of-fact manner which aroused
all of Fred's anger.

"It wouldn't do him any harm to say he knows you ain't a thief," he
whispered, "but never mind, o