Notwithstanding he was receiving a salary larger than is usually paid boys of his age, Herbert felt cramped for the want of money.  Six dollars a week would have paid his expenses comfortably, if he had been well provided to begin with.  But all the clothing he had, besides what he wore, he had brought with him in a small bundle, the greatest part having been left in his trunk at the house of Abner Holden.  He often wished that he could have them with him, but, of course, this wish was vain.  Indeed, Mr. Holden, when the conviction was forced upon him that there was no chance of recovering his bound boy, quietly confiscated the trunk and its contents; and this, to some extent, consoled him for the departure of the owner.

Herbert found himself sadly in need of underclothing; and, of course, his only suit, from constant wear, was likely to deteriorate rapidly.  He saved all the money he could from his weekly wages toward purchasing a new one, but his savings were inconsiderable.  Besides, he needed a trunk, or would need one, when he had anything to put in it.

“If I only had that money Greenleaf stole from me, I should be all right,” he said to himself, after long and anxious thought on the great question of ways and means.  “I don’t see how I can save up more than two dollars a week out of my wages, and it will take a long time for that to amount to much.”

There certainly did not appear to be much chance of saving more.  His boarding place was as cheap as he could obtain, or, if there were cheaper anywhere, they would probably be also poorer, and our hero felt that Mrs. Morgan’s was as poor as he should be able to endure.

He was rather mortified, too, at the poverty of his wardrobe.  Mrs. Morgan asked him one day, “When is your trunk coming?” and Herbert was obliged to own, with some shame, that he had none.  The landlady looked surprised, but he had no explanation to offer.

“I suppose I shall have to wait till my wages are raised,” thought Herbert, with a little sigh.  This, he reflected, would not be very soon, as he had started with a salary greater than he was likely to earn, as Mr. Godfrey had said.

But relief was nearer than he anticipated.

One day, as he was walking up the Bowery, he saw, at a little distance in front of him, a figure which he well remembered.  The careless, jaunty step and well-satisfied air were familiar to him.  In short, it was Peter Greenleaf, who had played so mean a trick upon him at the hotel.

Herbert’s heart beat quick with excitement, mingled with pleasure.  He felt a natural indignation against this young man, who had cheated him so remorselessly, and left him, indifferent to his fate, alone and almost penniless in a strange city.

What should he do?

Close behind him was a policeman slowly pacing his regular round.  Herbert went up to him, and, pointing to Greenleaf, rapidly recounted his grievances.