"Will somebody call a policeman?" asked Vincent.
A policeman soon made his appearance. He was a stout, burly man, and pushed his way through the crowd without ceremony.
"What"s the row?" he inquired.
"This boy has picked a lady"s pocket," exclaimed Vincent.
The officer placed his hand roughly on Tom"s shoulder.
"You were a little too smart, young feller!" said he. "You must come along with me."
"I didn"t take the money," protested Tom, pale, but in a firm voice.
"That"s too thin," said Vincent, with a sneer.
"Yes, it"s too thin," repeated two or three in the crowd.
"It"s true," said Tom.
"Perhaps you"ll tell us how the money came in your pocket," suggested a bystander.
"That man put it in," answered Tom, indicating Vincent.
The latter shrugged his shoulders.
"He says so, because I exposed him," he remarked, turning to the crowd.
"Of course; that"s a common game," interposed the policeman.
"Have you any reason for what you say, my boy?" asked a quiet-looking man, with a pleasant face.
"Of course he hasn"t," replied Vincent hastily.
"I spoke to the boy, sir."
"I have a reason," answered Tom. "A friend of this man roomed with me at Pittsburg, and during the night tried to rob me. We were both pa.s.sengers on the _River Belle_ on the last trip. During the trip he entered our stateroom, and stole a wallet from my roommate. This man slyly put it into my pocket, in order to escape suspicion."
"It"s a lie!" exclaimed Vincent uneasily. "Gentlemen, the boy is very artful, and the greatest liar out."
"Of course he is!" a.s.sented the policeman. "Come along, young feller!"
"Wait a minute," said the quiet man. "Have you any proof of your statements, my boy, except your own word?"
"Yes, sir; my roommate will tell you the same thing."
"Who is he? Where can he be found?"
"He is Mr. Nicholas Waterbury, of Marietta. He is now at the Burnet House."
"That"s all gammon!" said the officer roughly. "Come along. I can"t wait here all day."
"Don"t be in a hurry, officer," said the quiet man. "I know Mr.
Waterbury, and I believe the boy"s story is correct."
"It ain"t any of your business!" said the officer insolently. "The boy"s a thief, and I"m goin" to lock him up."
"Look out, sir!" said the quiet man sternly. "You are overstepping the limits of your duty, and a.s.serting what you have no possible means of knowing. There is reason to believe that this man"--pointing out Vincent--"is the real thief. I call upon you to arrest him."
"I don"t receive no orders from you, sir," said the policeman. "I"m more likely to take you along."
"That"s right, officer," said Vincent approvingly. "The man is interfering with you in the exercise of your duty. You have a perfect right to arrest him."
"I have a great mind to," said the officer, who was one of the many who are puffed up by a little brief authority, and lose no opportunity of exercising it.
The quiet man did not seem in the least alarmed. He smiled, and said, "Perhaps, officer, it might be well for you to inquire my name, before proceeding to arrest me."
"Who are you?" demanded the officer insolently.
"I am Alderman Morris."
A great change came over the policeman. He knew now that the quiet man before him was President of the Board of Aldermen, and he began to be alarmed, remembering with what rudeness he had treated him.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said humbly; "I didn"t know you."
"What is your name, sir?" demanded the alderman, in a tone of authority.
"Jones, sir."
"How long have you been on the force?"
"Six months, your honor."
"Then you ought to be better fitted for your position by this time."
"I hope you won"t take no offense at what I said, not knowing you, alderman."
"That"s no personal offense, but I object to your p.r.o.nouncing upon the guilt of parties arrested when you know nothing of the matter."
"Shall I take the boy along, sir?"
"Yes, and this man also. I don"t wish to interfere with the exercise of justice, but it is my opinion that the boy is innocent."
"I protest against this outrage," said Vincent nervously. "Am I to be punished because I expose a thief?"
"Come along, sir," said the policeman. "The alderman says so."
"I appeal to the gentlemen present," said Vincent, hoping for a forcible deliverance.