“By Jove!” he said, “I am in a fix.”

Phil looked at him inquiringly.

“I took out a roll of bills at the house of my aunt, where I stayed last night,” explained Mr. Lake, “and must have neglected to replace them.”

“I hope you have not lost them,” said Phil politely.

“Oh, no; my aunt will find them and take care of them for me, so that I shall get them back.  The trouble is that I am left temporarily without funds.”

“But you can get money in the city,” suggested Phil.

“No doubt; only it is necessary for me to stay over a train ten miles short of the city.”

Mr. Lionel Lake seemed very much perplexed.

“If I knew some one in the cars,” he said reflectively.

It did occur to Phil to offer to loan him something, but the scantiness of his own resources warned him that it would not be prudent, so he remained silent.

Finally Mr. Lake appeared to have an idea.

“Have you got five dollars, Philip?” he said familiarly.

“Yes, sir,” answered Philip slowly.

“Then I’ll make a proposal.  Lend it to me and I will give you this ring as security.  It is worth twenty-five dollars easily.”

He drew from his vest-pocket a neat gold ring, with some sort of a stone in the setting.

“There!” said Mr. Lake, “I’ll give you this ring and my address, and you can bring it to my office to-morrow morning.  I’ll give you back the five dollars and one dollar for the accommodation.  That’s good interest, isn’t it?”

“But I might keep the ring and sell it,” suggested Phil.

“Oh, I am not afraid.  You look honest.  I will trust you,” said the young man, in a careless, off-hand manner.  “Say, is it a bargain?”

“Yes,” answered Phil.

It occurred to him that he could not earn a dollar more easily.  Besides, he would be doing a favor to this very polite young man.

“All right, then!”

Five dollars of Phil’s scanty hoard was handed to Mr. Lake, who, in return, gave Phil the ring, which he put on his finger.

He also handed Phil a scrap of paper, on which he penciled: 

“Lionel Lake, No. 237 Broadway.”

“I’m ever so much obliged,” he said.  “Good-by.  I get out at the next station.”

Phil was congratulating himself on his good stroke of business, when the conductor entered the car, followed by a young lady.  When they came to where Phil was seated, the young lady said: 

“That is my ring on that boy’s finger?”

“Aha! we’ve found the thief, then!” said the conductor.  “Boy, give up the ring you stole from this young lady!”

As he spoke he placed his hand on Phil’s shoulder.

“Stole!” repeated Phil, gasping.  “I don’t understand you.”

“Oh, yes, you do!” said the conductor roughly.

CHAPTER V.