he spoke he handed Ben a five-dollar bill.

"But," said Ben, "there will be nearly four dollars left."

"Meet me an hour hence at the place where we were seated, and
hand me the balance of the money."

"But," said Ben, "I might miss you. Haven't you better pay yourself,
as you go out?"

"I am in a great hurry, to meet an engagement," said Smithson.

"Suppose I shouldn't meet you. Suppose I should keep the money."

"No fear. You look honest. Well, meet me in an hour;" and he
hurried out of the restaurant, saying, with a nod to the cashier:
"The boy will pay."

Here was another compliment, Ben thought. A perfect stranger had
trusted him with three dollars and sixty-five cents, which he might
readily make off with.

"I am glad I look honest," thought Ben. "I seem to be treated very well."

Two minutes later he went up to the cashier's desk, and, laying down
the two checks, extended the five-dollar bill. The cashier was about
to make change when his attention seemed to be drawn to the bill.
He held it up, and scrutinized it very closely, considerably to Ben's
surprise.

"Young man," said he suspiciously, "where did you get this bill?"

"From the man that came in with me," answered Ben.

"Are you aware that this is a bad bill?" asked the cashier sharply.

"A bad bill?" exclaimed Ben, in genuine surprise. "No, I had no idea
of it."

"Who is this man who gave it to you? Do you know him?"

"He said his name was Smithson, from Philadelphia. I never saw him
before this morning."

"What were you to do with the change I gave you back? Did he tell
you to keep it?"

"No, sir. I was to meet him in the park in an hour and give it to him."

"He has been making a catspaw of you."

"I don't understand," said Ben.

"Knowing the bill to be bad, he did not venture to offer it himself, as
it would make him liable to arrest."

"Arrest!" exclaimed Ben, in dismay.

"Yes. One who knowingly offers a counterfeit bill is liable to arrest
and imprisonment."

"I hope you don't think I knew anything about it," said Ben alarmed.

"No; you look too honest to be a confederate of a scoundrel."

"He ought to be ashamed of himself to impose upon me," said Ben
indignantly. "What shall I do?"

"Have you any other money?"

Ben produced a two-dollar bill.

"I will take pay out of this for your share of the dinner, and with your
help I propose to arrest your companion."

The cashier briefly explained his plan.