As he walked along, thinking of Riverdale and its loved ones, Tom came out of a grocery store where he had just sold a book.

“Here, Bob, is a ten dollar bill.  I believe I have sold ten books for you,” said Tom, after they had walked some distance.  “You had better keep the money now; and while I think of it, you had better take what I have left of my former sales;” and Tom handed him another ten dollar bill.

Bobby noticed that Tom seemed very much confused and embarrassed; but he did not observe that the two bills he had handed him were on the same bank.

“Then you had ten dollars left after your frolic,” he remarked, as he took the last bill.

“About that;” and Tom glanced uneasily behind him.

“What is the matter with you, Tom?” asked Bobby, who did not know what to make of his companion’s embarrassment.

“Nothing, Bob; let us walk a little faster.  We had better turn up this street,” continued Tom, as with a quick pace, he took the direction indicated.

Bobby began to fear that Tom had been doing something wrong; and the suspicion was confirmed by seeing two men running with all their might towards them.  Tom perceived them at the same moment.

“Run!” he shouted, and suiting the action to the word, he took to his heels, and fled up the street into which he had proposed to turn.

Bobby did not run, but stopped short where he was till the men came up to him.

“Grab him,” said one of them, “and I will catch the other.”

The man collared Bobby, and in spite of all the resistance he could make, dragged him down the street to the grocery store in which Tom had sold his last book.

“What do you mean by this?” asked Bobby, his blood boiling with indignation at the harsh treatment to which he had been subjected.

“We have got you, my hearty,” replied the man, releasing his hold.

No sooner was the grasp of the man removed, then Bobby, who determined on this as on former occasions to stand upon his inalienable rights, bolted for the door, and ran away with all his speed.  But his captor was too fleet for him, and he was immediately retaken.  To make him sure this time, his arms were tied behind him, and he was secured to the counter of the shop.

In a few moments the other man returned dragging Tom in triumph after him.  By this time quite a crowd had collected, which nearly filled the store.

Bobby was confounded at the sudden change that had come over his fortunes; but seeing that resistance would be vain, he resolved to submit with the best grace he could.

“I should like to know what all this means?” he inquired, indignantly.

The crowd laughed in derision.

“This is the chap that stole the wallet, I will be bound,” said one, pointing to Tom, who stood in surly silence awaiting his fate.

“He is the one who came into the store,” replied the shopkeeper.