to a drinking-place, and treated me to a
whiskey-punch."
"Also with my money, I suppose."
"Yes, sir; he wanted to get the ten-dollar bill changed."
"Was this in Brooklyn or New York?"
"In Brooklyn."
"Upon my word, very well planned. So you expected me to believe your
story about having your pocket picked. Did you?"
"Yes, sir."
"A pretty story, Mr. Clement," said the doctor, turning to his friend.
"What would you advise me to do, arrest the boy?"
"Oh, don't," implored Sam, turning pale; "I'll never do it again."
"You won't have the chance," said the doctor, drily.
"If you ask my advice," said Mr. Clement, "I will give it. I suspect
this Jim is the worse boy of the two. Now he's got ten dollars of your
money."
"Yes, sir."
"Do you mean to let him keep it?"
"He's spent part of it by this time."
"You can get the rest back."
"How? I don't know the boy."
"You know his name. The Superintendent of the Newsboys Lodging House
could probably put you on his track. Besides, your boy here can help
you."
"I don't know but you are right."
"Sam," said Mr. Clement, "are you willing to help Dr. Graham get back
his money?"
"I don't like to get Jim into a scrape," said Sam.
"It seems he's got you into a scrape. It is your only chance of
escaping being sent to Blackwell's Island."
"Will Jim be sent there?"
"That depends on the doctor. If this Jim will give back what he has of
the money you gave him, and agree to give back the rest as soon as he
earns it, I think the doctor will let him off."
"Then I'll do what I can," said Sam.
"As for you," said the doctor, "I shall retain these nine dollars;
also the four I was to have paid you to-morrow. If I get back the full
amount from your confederate, I will pay you the difference. Now how
can you get at this Jim?"
"He'll be somewhere around City Hall Park," said Sam.
"You may go in search of him. Tell him to come to this office with
you. If he don't come he will be arrested, and I will have no mercy
upon him. If you undertake to play me false, the same fate awaits
you."
"Don't be afraid," said Sam. "I'll come back, honor bright!"
"Do you think he will?" asked Dr. Graham, turning to Mr. Clement.
"Yes, for he knows it wouldn't be safe for him to stay away."
"Go away, then, and come back as soon as possible."
Sam made all haste to the City Hall Park, where he expected to find
Jim. He was not disappointed. Jim was sitting on one of
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