sperately, trying to shake off Fred. In doing so
he hit Broker Bryant in the face. Bryant was a hard hitter himself, and
instantly returned the blow--a half dozen or more.

"Blast you, take that!" he hissed, and he gave him lightning-like blows
till he sank down on the floor unconscious.

"Won't somebody hold him?" Fred cried out. "He's a pickpocket!"

"Who is he?" somebody asked Bryant.

"I don't know and don't care," was the blunt reply. "He hit me in the
face after tumbling down on my head."

By this time the policeman on duty at the Stock Exchange pushed his way
through the crowd of brokers and called out:

"What is it? What's the trouble here?" and he looked at the pickpocket,
who was slowly pulling himself together.

"This man is a pickpocket," said Fred. "He took those ladies' purses up
there, and when I caught him at it he tried to throw me over the
gallery. He did throw me, but I brought him down with me."

"Good--good!" cried a broker. "Three cheers for the kid!"

The brokers cheered and then laughed.

"I am no pickpocket," exclaimed the thief, as soon as he saw the officer
had him. "The boy lies. I merely---"

"Officer, search him!" cried the elder of the two ladies up in the
gallery. "He has my purse and that of my daughter."

"Yes, search him! Search him!" called out a dozen at once.

Brokers held him and the officer searched him. He found the two purses
or pocketbooks in his pockets.

"That one is mine!" cried the elderly woman.

"What does it contain, madam?" the officer asked.

"Money and two diamond rings. You can open it and see for yourself."

It was opened and her claim verified.

"Madam, you will have to appear against this man," said the officer,
looking up at the elderly lady, and he led the prisoner out of the Stock
Exchange and into one of the many offices of the building.

The lady, accompanied by her husband and daughter, appeared in the room
and claimed her property. The young girl, who seemed to be about sixteen
years old, turned to Fred and said:

"We are indebted to you for recovering our purses. I hope you were not
hurt by the fall?"

"Only a little bit," he replied.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Oh, it's nothing," and he laughed. "It was fun to jerk him over with
me."

Then she laughed, too, and Fred thought hers the sweetest face he had
ever seen in all his life.

"What is your name?" she asked him.

"Fred Halsey."

"My name is Eva Gaines. I want to remember your