as glad he had done so. He
had studied his guide-book faithfully as to all that end of New York,
and in spite of his recent blunder did not now need to ask anybody
which was the starting place of the elevated railways and which was
Castle Garden, where the immigrants were landed. There were little
groups of these foreigners scattered over the great open space before
him.

"They've come from all over the world," he said, looking at group after
group. "Some of those men will have a harder time than I have had
trying to get started in New York."

It occurred to him, nevertheless, that he was a long way from Crofield,
and that he was not yet at all at home in the city.

"I know some things that they don't know, anyway--if I _am_ green!" he
was thinking. "I'll cut across and take a nearer look at Castle
Garden--"

"Stop there! Stop, you fellow in the light hat! Hold on!" Jack heard
some one cry out, as he started to cross the turfed inclosures.

"What do you want of me?" Jack asked, as he turned around.

"Don't you see the sign there, 'Keep off the grass'? Look! You're on
the grass now! Come off! Anyway, I'll fine you fifty cents!"

Jack looked as the man pointed, and saw a little board on a short post;
and there was the sign, in plain letters; and here before him was a
tall, thin, sharp-eyed, lantern-jawed young man, looking him fiercely
in the face and holding out his hand.

"Fifty cents! Quick, now,--or go with me to the police station."

Jack was a little bewildered for a moment. He felt like a cat in a
very strange garret. His first thought of the police made him remember
part of what Mr. Guilderaufenberg had told him about keeping away from
them; but he remembered only the wrong part, and his hand went
unwillingly into his pocket.

"Right off, now! No skulking!" exclaimed the sharp eyed man.

"I haven't fifty cents in change," said Jack, dolefully, taking a
dollar bill from his pocket-book.

"Hand me that, then. I'll go and get it changed;" and the man reached
out a claw-like hand and took the bill from Jack's fingers, without
waiting for his consent. "I'll be right back. You stand right there
where you are till I come--"

"Hold on!" shouted Jack. "I didn't say you could. Give me back that
bill!"

"You wait. I'll bring your change as soon as I can get it," called the
sharp-eyed man, as he darted away; but Jack's hesitation was over in
about ten seconds.

"I'll follow him, anyhow!