The screams of the ladies caused every broker to look up from the floor of the Stock Exchange. Like a flash they saw a man and boy come tumbling down upon them from the gallery. There was a party of four brokers grouped together immediately under them, and, as a matter of gravitation, they landed on top of them--on their heads and shoulders. Hats were crushed and a confused mass of humanity scrambled about on the floor. The yelling ceased when the shrill screams from the gallery were heard, and brokers ran forward to help those who had fallen. The pickpocket struck out desperately, 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."