, too," returned Ralph.

"I--er--don't know you."

"What!" ejaculated the boy, in amazement.

"I say I don't know you. Isn't that plain enough?"

"Well, I know you plain enough. You are the man who roomed with me last
night and robbed me."

"'Pon my word, I never saw you before. This is some extraordinary mistake."

"No mistake about it," returned Ralph, doggedly. He was not to be buncombed
by the oily manner of the thief.

"Let go of my arm, boy!"

"I will not. You are the thief, and you must return what you stole from
me," said Ralph.

He spoke rather loudly, and a crowd began to collect about the two. In a
few seconds a policeman hurried up to ascertain the cause of the trouble.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE SHARPER IS OUTWITTED.

"What's the matter here?" exclaimed the policeman, as he pushed his way
forward.

"This man is a thief," replied Ralph.

"The boy is mistaken," burst out Jackson Walters, in assumed indignation.

"No, I am not mistaken," said Ralph. "He slept in the same room with me in
a hotel in Jersey City last night, and he went through my pockets and got
out before I woke up."

"A likely story!" ejaculated the sharper. "I live in Englewood, New Jersey,
and I was home last night, as usual."

The policeman looked perplexed. Ralph's earnest manner had impressed him,
and yet Jackson Walters looked honest enough.

"You are sure that you are not mistaken in your man?" he asked, of Ralph.

"I am positive, sir."

"He is mistaken," blustered the sharper. "I am an honest man. My name is
William G. Harrow, and I am in the crockery business over in Park Place."

"Well, the best you two can do is to come with me," said the policeman.

"Where to?"

"To the police station. You can tell your story there."

"I am willing," returned Ralph, promptly.

"It is an outrage," cried Jackson Walters. "A respectable citizen like
myself to be dragged to the station house----"

"You won't be dragged, you can walk," interrupted the policeman, with fine
sarcasm.

The fact that Ralph was willing to go while the other was not, had
impressed him greatly in the lad's favor.

"It's all the same. This boy is a young gamester. He wanted to frighten me
into paying him money. It's a pure case of blackmail."

"If it is, the boy will be sent up for it," replied the policeman, sharply.
"Just come with me, both of you."

"I won't go!" cried Jackson Walters, and before he could be stopped he
sprang away, and st