name, for I never had
such a fright in all my life."

"I'll be sure to remember yours," Fred remarked.

"Why will you? Because you were hurt?"

Fred looked around and saw that everybody also in the room was listening
to the claiming of the two purses, so he went close up to her and said
in a half whisper:

"Because you are the most beautiful girl I ever saw."

"Oh, my!" and her face flushed and eyes sparkled.

Young as she was, she was woman enough to know that it was honest
admiration on the part of the youth. Fred seemed half frightened over
what he had said and drew back. But she gave him a look and a smile that
told him plainly he had not offended. He was going to say more to her,
but at that moment her father turned to her, saying:

"Here, daughter, your purse is yours again," and he held it out to her.

She took it, opened it quickly and glanced at its contents.

"Young man," said Mr. Gaines, turning to Fred, "you've got the right
stuff in you," and he extended his hand, which Fred grasped and shook.
"I won't forget you. I have a brother who is a member of the Stock
Exchange, and I want send your name to him. What is it?"

"I have his name, father," said the young girl.

"Ah, very well, then," and he gave Fred's hand another shake and turned
away.

But he left a $20 gold coin in it, which Fred's fingers closed over very
promptly. The next moment they were gone. Fred put the goldpiece in his
pocket, while the thought flashed through his mind that the young girl
was all gold herself. The officer took his name and address as a
witness, and then led his prisoner away to the police station. Just as
he was leaving the room a broker called out to Fred:

"That man will never forgive you for his arrest. He will set some
friends of his after you, so you had better be on your guard."

"I'm on my guard all the time, sir," Fred replied.

"What is your name?"

"Fred Halsey."

The broker wrote the name on his cuff and then went out of the room.
Fred thought nothing of the incident, and went out a moment or two later
himself, going to the street, hoping to see Bob and find out how B. & H.
was doing. Out on the street he found that nobody had heard of the
pickpocket's arrest in the Exchange building.

"I am $20 in on that racket, anyhow," he said to himself as he walked
around to the side entrance of the Exchange. "I would like to do as well
every day in the year. Lord, but she is a beauty!"

He was thinki