well pleased. "It is luck I meet mit a
friend like you."

"Yes," said Graham, linking his arm in that of his new acquaintance. "I
don't like to see a worthy man cheated. Come with me. How much money
have you?"

This inquiry ought to have excited the suspicions of the German; but he
was trustful, and answered promptly, "Two hundred dollar."

Graham's eyes sparkled.

"If I could only get the whole of it," he thought. But that didn't seem
easy.

They walked through street after street till Graham stopped in front of
an office.

"Now," said he, "give me your money, and I will buy the ticket."

"How much money?" asked his new acquaintance.

"I don't know exactly," said Graham carelessly. "Just hand me your
pocketbook, and I will pay what is needed."

But here the German's characteristic caution came in.

"I will go with you," he said.

"If you do, I can't get the tickets so cheap. The agent is a friend of
mine, and if he thinks it is for me he will give it to me for less.
Don't give me all your money. Fifty dollars will do. I will buy the
ticket, and bring you the rest of the money."

This seemed plausible enough, and Graham would have got what he asked
for, but for the interference of Tom, who had come up just in time to
hear Graham's proposal. He had no difficulty in comprehending his
purpose.

"Don't give him the money," he said. "He will cheat you."

Both Graham and his intended victim wheeled round, and looked at our
hero.

"Clear out of here, you young vagabond!" said Graham angrily.

"This man wants to cheat you," persisted Tom. "Don't give him your
money."

The bewildered foreigner looked from one to the other.

"This is no ticket office," said Tom. "I will lead you to one, and you
shall buy a ticket for yourself."

"He wants to swindle you," said Graham quickly.

"You shall keep your money in your own hands," said Tom. "I don't want
it."

"I go with you, my young friend," said the German, convinced by Tom's
honest face. "The other man may be all right, but I go with you."

Graham protested in vain. His victim went off with Tom, who saw that he
was provided with the ticket he wanted. His new friend tried to force a
dollar upon him; but this Tom steadily refused.

"I'll get even with you yet!" said Graham furiously; but our hero was
not disturbed by this menace.

Vincent, meantime, was making a tour of observation, ready for any
adventure that might put an honest or dishonest penny in