took some money from Mr. Wilkins to deposit in
the bank."

"Well? come, be quick."

"I put it, as I thought, safely in this pocket; I went from here
straight to the bank. I don't know how it happened, I'm sure I can't
imagine," said Arthur, growing confused, with those stern, strong eyes
staring straight into his, "but when I got to the bank I found, sir, I
had lost it."

"The devil you did!"

"I am sorry to say it, it is true."

"And what were you doing, on your way to the bank, that you hadn't an
eye on that money, I'd like to know?"

"The money I supposed was safe, sir, and I walked straight along without
thinking about it, till I reached the bank."

"A likely story that! Who did you talk to, or see, on your way? any of
your companions?"

"I saw only one person, sir, whom I knew at all; one whom I have not
seen before for several weeks."

"And that very one, I dare say, picked your pocket. What was his name?
who was he?"

"He is a gentleman, sir, who would not do such a thing, I'm sure, any
sooner than you would. He is a friend of mine."

"What is his name, I say?"

"Clinton, sir. No one that you know, probably."

The merchant leaned forward, and peered keenly into Arthur's face, as if
to see if there was aught of hidden meaning in his words; and his
features grew ashy pale while he asked, in a hoarse whisper:--

"_Clinton?_ Clinton what?"

"Mr. Clinton is the only name I know him by. I haven't heard his given
name," returned Arthur, surprised at the merchant's agitation.

Mr. Delancey said nothing for a moment; but sat leaning forward, with
his pale face dropped in thought upon his breast.

"Did he talk with you long?" he asked, at last.

"No, sir. He walked with me one block."

"You had the money when he left you?"

"I did not touch it from here to the bank, sir; and knew nothing of it
from the time I left this door, till I reached the bank counter."

"Hem! yes, yes, a very likely story. It couldn't have got out of your
pocket without hands, young man; and if your friend wouldn't do such a
thing, and your pocket was safe, I don't think but what you know
something about it."

"Me, sir? Mr. Delancey, you don't mean to say--"

"Tut, tut, I know about you young chaps; I might have known I would have
just such trouble when I took you, I suppose you think I don't know that
Henriquez's billiard table is between here and the bank, eh?"

"If you do, you know more than I do, sir."

"Dare you