"We'll soon see about it," the detective put in. "I know Cassidy. He's a rough sort, but he's square I guess. Come on." Up the stairs they went, the hearts of the boys beating with anxiety. Mr. Wilding's face showed the strain he was under but, as for the detective, he seemed to take it all as a matter of course. He had seen too many similar scenes to be affected. The little party entered the main room of the lodging house. Mr. Wilding pressed forward, close behind the detective. Through the office window he caught sight of a boy scrubbing the floor. There was something dejected in the lad's appearance. Mr. Wilding looked a second time. Then he called out: "Ned! My boy!" "Father!" cried Ned, and an instant later he was locked in Mr. Wilding's embrace, while the tears, which he did not try to conceal, streamed down his face. "Hurrah!" fairly yelled William. "We've found him!" and he began dancing around the room. At the sound of William's cry Ned looked up and saw his chums. "Why--why--where did you all come from?" he asked. "We came after you," replied Bart, "and a fine chase you led us. Where in the world have you been, Ned?" "Here! What's all this row about in my place?" asked Cassidy, hurrying up from the rear of the resort. "You people have no right in here." "Easy, Cassidy," advised the detective. "What about that boy?" and he pointed to Ned. "Oh, it's you, Reilly," said Cassidy, as he recognized the officer. "Well, he robbed me!" "No, I didn't!" retorted Ned, hotly. "That's right, you didn't kid!" exclaimed a husky voice, and a man, in ragged clothing, shuffled into the light. "He didn't take your money, Cassidy." "Who did then?" asked the lodging-house keeper. "It was Mike Jimson. I met him down the street a while ago, and he told me. Thought it was a good joke. He had a room next to you that night and he slipped in while you were asleep. He heard you accuse the kid here, but when the lad got away he thought it was all right, and the next day Mike lit out." "Are you sure?" asked the detective. "Sure! Didn't Mike tell me? He showed me some of the money. He's spent the rest." "Then I'll have him locked up!" Cassidy exclaimed. "I wonder how I could have made that mistake? I thought sure it was you who took my money," and he looked at Ned. "I'm sorry for what I did." Ned was too happy over the outcome to reply. He held his father's hand and his chums crowded around him. "Here," said Cassidy suddenly, holding out five one dollar bills to Ned. "What are they for?" asked Mr. Wilding. "Guess they're his. Anyhow four and a half belongs to him. The rest is interest. I took 'em from under his pillow thinking they were mine. I hope you'll let this thing drop." "You've made a serious mistake, Cassidy," Detective Reilly said. "You are liable to be sued for damages." "I hope you'll not prosecute me," whined the lodging house keeper.