As the party passed through the streets they naturally attracted considerable attention. Though a criminal, Palmer had for years evaded arrest, and he felt mortified at the position in which he was placed. He reflected bitterly that but for the mistake of the hotel clerk, he might be at ease with his booty on the Canada side. As it was, things seemed to have worked steadily against him, notwithstanding his clever schemes. A long term of imprisonment stared him in the face, instead of a couple of years of luxury on which he had counted. If he could only involve Fred in his own misfortune it would be partial satisfaction. To effect this he was prepared to swear to anything and everything. Fred, though only nominally a prisoner, felt very uncomfortable. He was saved from the disgrace of being handcuffed, and was consoled by knowing that not even the detective believed him guilty of any connection with the burglary. Still he was not his own master, to come and go as he pleased, and it was not certain that he would be able to go back to New York the next day as he had planned. Circumstances thus far had worked against him, but there was to be a turn in the tide. As they walked through the streets on the way to the station house, where Palmer was to be locked up for safekeeping, they met a man whose dress showed him to be an employee of the Erie road. "Mr. Ferguson," said Fred eagerly, "that is the conductor of one of my trains. He will tell you that I am the train-boy." The conductor had just discovered and recognized Fred. "You are staying over, like me," he said. "Yes, I have permission." "And so have I. I have a brother living here, and got two days off. Where are you stopping?" "At the Lynch House. Will you tell this gentleman that I am an Erie train boy?" "Certainly; but why is that necessary?" asked the conductor in surprise. "I will tell you later. Mr. Ferguson, have you any questions to ask?" "Was this boy on your train yesterday?" "Yes." "Did he get on at Elmira?" "Certainly not. He came all the way from New York." "It is false!" said Palmer. "What does he mean, Fred?" asked the conductor. "He committed a burglary at Elmira yesterday afternoon, and is trying to make out that I was connected with it." "There he tells a falsehood," said the conductor bluntly. "I saw you on the train through the entire journey." "A very good alibi, Fred," said the detective. "Mr. Lawrence, after this testimony it is hardly necessary for me to hold the boy. Are you satisfied that I should let him go free?" "Entirely so. I felt from the first that he was innocent." "Then, Fred, you may consider yourself at liberty to go where you please. I am as glad as you are that you are freed from suspicion." "Thank you, sir. I will go with you as far as the lock-up."