nbroker, with shade of anxiety.

"You will have no difficulty about it. It will be redeemed."

"How much did I lend on it?"

"Ten dollars."

"Yes, I remember."

"Can you remember who brought it in?"

"No, except that it was a boy about your size."

"Did he look like me?"

"I can't remember. You see, I have so many customers."

"I remember," said the old lady, speaking up. "He was about your size."

"It was not I?"

"No; he was thinner than you, and he was dark complexioned."

A light began to dawn upon Andy. This description fitted John Crandall.

"Do you remember what kind of an overcoat he wore?"

"It was a light overcoat."

"Thank you. Will you please remember this if you are asked?"

"Did the young gentleman own the watch?"

"He was employed by another party, but I cannot tell you any more at
present. The watch will probably be redeemed by a man about thirty-five.
Don't mention to him that any one has asked you questions about it."

"All right. I shall be glad to oblige you. You are sure it was not
stolen?"

"The man who sent the boy was not dishonest. You will have no trouble."

"It was a new watch, and I thought it might be stolen. We poor
pawnbrokers have a hard time. If we take stolen property we get into
trouble, but how can we tell if the rings and watches they bring in are
stolen?"

"Very true. I can see that you must sometimes be puzzled. Do those who
pawn articles generally give their own names?"

"Very seldom. They almost always give wrong names. That sometimes leads
to trouble. I remember a gentleman who mislaid his ticket, and he could
not remember what name he gave. If he had we might have overlooked the
loss of the pawn ticket. As it was, we did not know but he might be a
fraud, though I think it was all right, and the watch he pawned was his
own."

"Thank you for answering my questions. I am sorry to have troubled you,"
said Andy, politely.

"Oh, it is no matter," rejoined the old man, who felt very favorably
impressed by Andy's good looks, and frank, open manner.

As Andy went out of the shop he experienced a feeling of relief. He saw
that he would be able to prove his innocence through the testimony of
the pawnbroker and his wife. He was in no hurry. It would do when Mr.
Flint returned. He did not want the friendly jeweler to think that he
had been dishonest.

It was clear that he was the victim of a conspiracy, and that the plot
had been engineered by Simon Rich an