No!  He decided that what he wanted was to bring Hector into disgrace.  The method did not immediately occur to him, but after a while he saw his way clear.

His uncle’s bedchamber was on the second floor, and Jim’s directly over it on the third story.  Some of the other boys, including Hector, had rooms also on the third floor.

Jim was going upstairs one day when, through the door of his uncle’s chamber, which chanced to be open, he saw a wallet lying on the bureau.  On the impulse of the moment, he walked in on tiptoes, secured the wallet, and slipped it hurriedly into his pocket.  Then he made all haste upstairs, and bolted himself into his own room.  Two other boys slept there, but both were downstairs in the playground.

Jim took the wallet from his pocket and eagerly scanned the contents.  There were eight five-dollar bills and ten dollars in small bills, besides a few papers, which may be accurately described as of no value to anyone but the owner.

The boy’s face assumed a covetous look.  He, as well as his uncle, was fond of money—­a taste which, unfortunately, as he regarded it, he was unable to gratify.  His family was poor, and he was received at half price by Socrates Smith on the score of relationship, but his allowance of pocket money was less than that of many of the small boys.  He made up the deficiency, in part, by compelling them to contribute to his pleasures.  If any boy purchased candy, or any other delicacy, Jim, if he learned the fact, required him to give him a portion, just as the feudal lords exacted tribute from their serfs and dependents.  Still, this was not wholly satisfactory, and Jim longed, instead, for a supply of money to spend as he chose.

So the thought came to him, as he scanned the contents of the wallet:  “Why shouldn’t I take out one or two of these bills before disposing of it?  No one will lay it to me.”

The temptation proved too strong for Jim’s power of resistance.  He selected a five-dollar bill and five dollars in small bills, and reluctantly replaced the rest of the money in the wallet.

“So far, so good!” he thought.  “That’s a good idea.”

Then, unlocking the door, he passed along the entry till he came to the room occupied by Hector.  As he or one of the two boys who roomed with him might be in the room, he looked first through the keyhole.

“The coast is clear!” he said to himself, in a tone of satisfaction.

Still, he opened the door cautiously, and stepped with catlike tread into the room.  Then he looked about the room.  Hanging on nails were several garments belonging to the inmates of the room.  Jim selected a pair of pants which he knew belonged to Hector, and hurrying forward, thrust the wallet into one of the side pockets.  Then, with a look of satisfaction, he left the room, shutting the door carefully behind him.

“There,” he said to himself, with exultation.  “That’ll fix him!  Perhaps he’ll wish he hadn’t put on quite so many airs.”