there. Neither of the three chums was in, nor was Mr. Wilding, but at both hotels the clerks said they would deliver the messages promptly.
"Now to wait until they come," said William as he left the booth.
Just then, as he was looking at the boy, who was still carrying in the crates, he saw a big man with a red moustache approach him. William was not near enough to hear what the man said, but he noted that the boy seemed frightened.
"Ah I've caught you, haven't I?" exclaimed the man, and Ned (for as William suspected the boy carrying in the oranges was the missing youth) looked up with a start. "I'll teach you to steal my money and run away."
He grabbed Ned by the arm and shook him roughly.
"I didn't take your money, Mr. Cassidy!" exclaimed the boy, as he recognized the lodging house keeper.
"What did you run away for? I'm on to your game. Now you can come along with me and work out what you stole from me, or I'll hand you over to the first officer I meet. What are you going to do?"
What was poor Ned to do? He was in dire straits. Still it seemed better to go with Cassidy
