“I am in the employ of a gentleman in New York,” said Andy, “and this man is scheming to rob me.”

“You are perfectly shameless!” said Robinson, encouraged by what the old gentleman had said.  “I will give you just five minutes to return my pocketbook, or I will have you arrested.”

Andy felt that he was in a tight place, but his wits had not deserted him.

“As you claim the pocketbook,” he said, “perhaps you will tell how much money there is in it.”

“I can’t tell exactly,” replied Robinson.  “I spend money liberally, and I have not counted the money lately.”

“That is quite reasonable,” said the old gentleman.  “I don’t know how much money there is in my wallet.”

“What is there besides money in the pocketbook?” asked Andy following up his advantage.

“I think there are a few postage stamps,” answered Robinson at a guess.

“You certainly have a good deal of assurance, young man,” said the old gentleman in a tone of reproof.  “If I were in this gentleman’s place I would summon a policeman at once.”

“I prefer to give the boy a chance,” said Robinson, who had his own reasons for not bringing the matter to the knowledge of the police.  “I don’t want to get him into trouble.  I only want my money back.”

“You are more considerate than he deserves,” said Andy’s critic.  “And by the way, here is the hotel detective.  Officer, will you come here, please?  Here is a case that requires your attention.”

The hotel detective, a quiet-looking man, approached.

Robinson was far from thanking the old gentleman for his officiousness.  He feared recognition.

“What is the matter?” asked the detective, coming up and eying Robinson sharply.

The old gentleman volunteered an explanation.

The detective seemed amused.

“So this man charges the boy with robbing him?” he asked.

“Yes, sir; and we all believe that he has good grounds for doing so.”

“I don’t believe it,” said the gentleman who had already spoken for Andy.

“What have you to say, my boy?” asked the detective, turning to Andy.

“Only that I made the acquaintance of this man on the train.  He induced me to go to a small hotel on the outskirts of the city, on the ground that I could board there cheaply.  What I saw and heard there excited my suspicions, and I left the place without his knowledge.”

“Taking my pocketbook with you.  I incautiously laid it on the bed.  When I went up later I found that it and you had disappeared.”

“Do you hear that, officer?” asked the old gentleman, triumphantly.

“I do,” answered the detective.  Then, turning to Robinson with a change of tone, he asked: 

“How did you get so much money, Tom Maitland?”

Robinson turned pale.  He saw that he was recognized.

“I will let the matter drop,” he said.  “I don’t want to get the boy into trouble.”