“My eyes are pretty good,” said Ben, with a smile.

“They have done me good service to-day.  May I know to whom I am indebted for such timely help?”

“My name is Benjamin Barclay.”

“Do you live in the city?”

“No, madam.  I live in Pentonville, about thirty miles from New York.”

“I have heard of the place.  Are you proposing to live here?”

“No madam.  I came in to-day on a little business of my own, and also to select some goods for a country store in which I am employed.”

“You are rather young for such a commission.”

“I know the sort of goods Mr. Crawford sells, so it was not very difficult to make the selection.”

“At what time do you go back?”

“By the four o’clock train.”

“Have you anything to do meanwhile?”

“No, madam,” answered Ben, a little surprised.

“Then I should like to have you accompany me to the place where I am to settle my bill.  I feel rather timid after my adventure with our late fellow-passenger.”

“I shall be very happy to oblige you, madam,” said Ben politely.

He had just heard a public clock strike one and he knew, therefore, that he would have plenty of time.

CHAPTER XII BEN’S LUCK

“We will get out here,” said Mrs. Hamilton.

They had reached the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway.

Ben pulled the strap, and with his new friend left the stage.  He offered his hand politely to assist the lady in descending.

“He is a little gentleman,” thought Mrs. Hamilton, who was much pleased with our hero.

They turned from Broadway eastward, and presently crossed the Bowery also.  Not far to the east of the last avenue they came to a carpenter’s shop.

Mr. Plank, a middle-aged, honest-looking mechanic, looked up in surprise when Mrs. Hamilton entered the shop.

“You didn’t expect a call from me?” said the lady pleasantly.

“No, ma’am.  Fashionable ladies don’t often find their way over here.”

“Then don’t look upon me as a fashionable lady.  I like to attend to my business myself, and have brought you the money for your bill.”

“Thank you, ma’am.  You never made me wait.  But I am sorry you had the trouble to come to my shop.  I would have called at your house if you had sent me a postal.”

“My time was not so valuable as yours, Mr. Plank.  I must tell you, however, that you came near not getting your money this morning.  Another person undertook to collect your bill.”

“Who was it?” demanded the carpenter indignantly.  “If there’s anybody playing such tricks on me I will have him up before the courts.”

“It was no acquaintance of yours.  The person in question had no spite against you and you would only have suffered a little delay.”

Then Mrs. Hamilton explained how a pickpocket had undertaken to relieve her of her wallet, and would have succeeded but for her young companion.