"We aren’t listening to testimonials of character," remarked Mr. Farrant dryly; "they can be left to the magistrates. But now, just tell us how you come to know anything about this business." Jim had not said a word. On seeing his chum his face had become white, and he hardly dared look at him. By degrees, however, he became more composed; and when Dick spoke so emphatically about his honesty, the warm blood surged to his face. Somehow he felt that in some mysterious way Dick would be able to prove his innocence, and his heart grew light at the thought. Mr. Farrant prepared to listen with a cynical smile, but Mr. Broad was anxious to give a favourable hearing to anything that might help to clear Jim’s character. *CHAPTER XIV.* *CURLY AND COMPANY.* "Before Jim came here to work," began Dick, clearing his throat, "we were generally together in the evenings. Since then, of course, he hasn’t had much time; but now and then I’ve been up to wait for him. Coming up this evening I met Mr. Broad, and just afterwards Curly Peters with a boy named Bryant." "Is this Peters a friend of yours?" interrupted Mr. Farrant. "No," replied Dick; "and I’ve never had anything to do with him. I thought a long time ago that he wasn’t up to much." "All right; go on." "Well, thinking they were going to see Jim, I turned back, and they acted in such a funny way that I became curious. First of all, Bryant followed Mr. Broad, very likely to see where he went; then they walked up to the shop." "Where were you?" "On the other side of the road. Curly went to the shop, while the other chap hid in the next doorway. Presently Jim came out; and, after a time, Curly managed to draw him away from the door a bit. Then Bryant slipped into the shop, and was back again almost before you could say ’Jack Robinson!’" "Why didn’t you call out?" "That wouldn’t have done any good. Besides, Curly was on the move directly. He joined his mate down the street, got something from him, and ran back all in a breath to give it to Jim." The two men exchanged significant glances. Thus far, at any rate, the story fitted in very well with the suspected boy’s assertions. "But if you knew these boys had been thieving, I can’t understand why you did not tell your chum," said Mr. Farrant. "I didn’t know for certain," responded Dick promptly. "Besides, I thought the best thing was to keep an eye on them." "That’s reasonable enough." "And it was lucky I did, too. I followed them into West Street, where they bought three pennyworth of bananas. Then they went on to a tobacconist’s, and Bryant bought a packet of cigarettes. He paid for them with a shilling." "How do you know that?" "Because directly he came out I went in and asked the man. His name’s Martin, and he knows me. He doesn’t know Bryant; but he could recognize him." "And what about the shilling?"