Two full minutes passed before he could whip the conscience into submission. It was, as it afterwards turned out to be, the last stand of the thing called honor as it applied to whiskey-soaked Tom Braddock. Then he shot forward across the black shadows to the side pole he had been glaring at for a quarter of an hour. Through the lacings in the sidewall he saw that the section was empty. When David put his hand inside the lining of his waistcoat an hour later, he turned pale and his eyes narrowed with suspicion. For an instant he permitted them to sweep the laughing, unconscious group of men surrounding him. "Joey," he said a moment later, taking the clown aside, "my pocketbook is gone." "Wot!" gasped Joey. "'Ave you lost it?" "It has been stolen." Joey's face grew very sober. "Don't say that, Jacky. It was in your ves'cut--as usual?" "Yes. The lining is slashed with a knife." "Jacky, are you sure?" almost groaned the clown. "Why--why, there ain't nobody 'ere as would steal a pin. No, sir, not one of--" "I know that, Joey," said David. He was very white and his eyes were heavy with pain. "I know who stole it." Grinaldi looked up sharply. Something darted into his mind like a flash of lightning. "You--you don't mean--" "I won't say the name. And you mustn't say it either, Joey. But I am as sure of it as I am sure my heart beats. Casey said he--the man came in here for half an hour--I can't believe he is a thief! Joey, _they_ must never know. We must not mention this thing to any one. I don't mind the money. It is nothing--" Joey wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "Right-o! Not a blooming word. I see your meaning. By Gripes, he's sinking pretty low. But," hopefully, "mebby he didn't do it." "I hope he didn't, but--" The boy shuddered. "Joey, I passed him as I came from the ring awhile ago. He was leaning against a quarter pole. The look he gave me was so queer, so ferocious, that I turned away; I couldn't understand it. But I do now, Joey. It's as clear as day to me. He had discovered that instead of twenty-five hundred dollars, there were but six ten-dollar notes in that pocketbook. Do you understand? He was black with rage and disappointment--" "I see! Well, blow me, I--I--" Here Joey began to chuckle. "He's wondering where the balance of it is. He was trying to look through your shirt, Jacky. He--" "Do you remember that he followed us in here and watched us change clothes? Well, I noticed that he never took his eyes off me. He was watching to see if I had anything hidden about me--a belt, a package, or--anything. Joey, it's as plain as day." "And he did kick that little property boy a minute ago. I remember that. He is mad! He's crazy mad, Jacky, we've got to keep our eyes peeled, you and me--and another pusson, too. We got to stand by tonight to protect 'er. He probably thinks that pusson can tell 'im where it is."