“Well, if this isn’t a queer thing!” he exclaimed. “I meant to put a hundred dollars in it this morning, to buy a rare copy of Gibbon’s Rome, but I forgot it. I haven’t a cent with me. You’ll have to lend me some, Barton.” “Are you sure you didn’t give the hundred dollars away?” remarked Mr. Spidderkins’ relative with a sneer. “No; I’m sure I left it home. I put it in back of the first edition of Bacon’s Essays. I remember now. My pocketbook hasn’t a cent in it, so if any one had taken it, he wouldn’t have stolen anything.” Tom looked relieved. Still, he wanted to be cleared of the least suspicion, and he did not know how this was going to be brought about. Unexpectedly, however, matters turned out right. Quite a crowd had collected by this time, and a policeman was edging his way through it. “What’s the matter?” asked several. “Anybody killed?” was another inquiry. “This boy tried to steal Dr. Spidderkins’ pocketbook,” declared Mr. Sandow. “I did not!” indignantly denied Tom, and he explained what had really happened. “I believe the boy’s right,” declared a middle-aged man in the throng. “What do you know about it?” asked Mr. Sandow roughly. “I was walking right behind this old gentleman,” was the reply, and the man indicated the physician. “I saw his pocketbook partly out of his pocket, and I was just going to tell him to look out for it, when he turned into the book store. Then I thought if it fell out he would hear it drop, and pick it up, and I passed on. When I saw the crowd collecting I turned back.” “Ah, I told you this boy was not a thief!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins. “You don’t know whether he is or not,” muttered Barton Sandow. “Do you want to make a charge?” asked the policeman, turning to the aged physician. “Indeed I do not, officer. I know this boy to be honest. He used to bring me books from Mr. Townsend’s store, and I am a good judge of character.” “All right,” agreed the bluecoat. “You’re the person most interested, and you ought to know what you want to do. Now then, move on, you people,” he said to the crowd which was growing larger. “It’s all over. No arrest is going to be made.” “I’m much obliged to you, sir,” said Tom to the man who had testified in his favor. “And to you, Dr. Spidderkins, for believing in me.” “Oh, that’s all right,” answered the middle-aged man. “I’m glad I could do you a good turn.” The crowd began to disperse, and Mr. Sandow, with a spiteful look at Tom, hurried off up the street. “He acts as though he had a grudge against me,” thought Tom. “I wonder why?” “There!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins, “my brother-in-law has gone off, without giving me a cent of money, and I want to buy this book. What shall I do? Oh, my memory is getting something very bad! I shall have to get a secretary.” “I’d lend the money to you, only I haven’t any,” said Tom. “I’m to get fifty cents for delivering this bundle, but I won’t have that until I return.”