“It’s all right,” said the big man. “Go by any name you please. Only it’s a great credit to the company, and I wonder they didn’t think of it before.” At the word “detective,” the two pickpockets seemed to give the matter up, and in a minute more the ladies had counted their returned “valuables,” and declared them all right. “Now, Mr. Vernon,” said the big man to Bar, “what are we to do with these men?” “Put them in charge of the conductor,” said Bar. “I’ve got another errand on hand.” It happened, however, that when the conductor, who speedily arrived, was appealed to, he at once produced from another car, a “sure enough” official detective, and the big man winked at Bar, and said: “Of course. You know just what to do. Bill,” he added to one of his friends, “look at that. Those two fellows would swear neither of ’em ever saw the other before, and yet we’ve seen, with our own eyes, how one of ’em catches the birds, and the other’s right on hand to cage ’em. It’s just splendid, and it’s a great credit to the company. I wonder they never thought of it before. By-the-way, who was it shouted at that pickpocket first?” That was a hard question to answer. The two ladies, not being by any means so “sharp” as the big man deemed himself, felt sure that the boys looked more than a little annoyed by the peculiar impression they seemed to have created, and the elder turned and beckoned to Val. “Did you say,” she asked, as he came across and bent forward towards her, “that you are a son of Dr. Manning?” “Yes, madam,” said Val. “He was my father’s family physician at one time. My name is Brayton. Ask your friend to come over here. I must thank him for saving me my money.” Bar came readily enough, but he was a little inclined to stand upon his dignity until he found that Mrs. Brayton was quite disposed to accept Val’s account of “himself and friend.” Then, indeed, the boys were both quite contented to sit down with their new acquaintances, and Mrs. Brayton was not many minutes in ascertaining not only their present errand but their after destination. Not that she learned either from Bar, but Val was very much of a boy, and ready to be communicative with a “former patient of his father.” “Going to school at Ogleport Academy?” exclaimed Sibyl. “Why, mother, how strange! That is where George has gone.” “Your brother?” said Bar. “Then we shall make his acquaintance, of course. Is he older than you?” “Oh, yes, a good deal,” laughed Sibyl. “He has gone there as assistant principal, and I hope he will make you mind him as well as I have to, when he’s at home.” “Is he such a severe fellow?” asked Val. “I shall look out for him.” “You’d better,” said Sibyl, but her mother added: “I feel pretty sure he will do his duty, but he’s not a man anybody need be afraid of.”