"And the tobacconist can identify the boy from whom he received the marked shilling?" "I took him to the shop," said the second officer, "and he knew him in an instant." When all the formalities were concluded, the two boys were marched off, Curly throwing a savage glance at Dick, and muttering, "I’ll pay you out for this!" as he passed. "I think there is nothing further now," said the inspector to Mr. Broad. "Of course you will be present in the morning. As to the shop-boy, I hardly know whether he should not have been charged with the others; but no doubt we shall get at the truth when the case comes before the magistrates." "Jim Hartland didn’t know anything about it, sir!" cried Dick, who was bold as a lion in defence of his friend. "Perhaps not, perhaps not!" replied the inspector testily. "However, we shall soon see." As soon as he could get away, Dick ran off to Brook Street, knowing that his chum would be anxiously awaiting him. As a matter of fact Jim stood at the gate, and on seeing Dick he cried eagerly, "Did you catch them? Had Peters spent the money?" "Make yourself easy, old chap!" laughed Dick; "it’s all right. Curly had the florin, and he gave himself away before knowing it was marked." "Did he try to drag me into it?" "No. Don’t pull such a long face. The truth is bound to come out. I shall be surprised if Bryant doesn’t own up; he’s nearly frightened to death. Well, I must be off; mother will think I’m lost." "She knows where you are; we told her." "That’s a good chap. She’s been awfully fidgety since Dandy Braithwaite was drowned. Well, ta-ta! See you in the morning, as the fisherman said when he popped the trout into his basket." "You won’t come in?" "I’d rather not. Wait till this affair’s done with, and we’ll celebrate the event in fine style." "Good-night, then. I can’t thank you properly just now, but I shan’t forget in a hurry what you’ve done for me." "All right, old fellow! _I_ know." And Dick went off whistling. Jim closed the gate softly, but did not go into the house for some time. Thus far—thanks to Dick—all had gone well; but there was still a prospect of danger. Suppose Curly, finding himself trapped, endeavoured to throw the blame on him. He might even assert that he, Jim, had planned the robbery, and had knowingly shared the plunder. The magistrates might doubt such a tale, but some people would believe it, and in their eyes he would be a thief. "Oh yes," they would say, "that’s the lad who was mixed up in the till robbery. Nothing was proved against him, you know, but—" And then there would be expressive glances and waggings of heads.