y.

"I can't take that bill," he said, abruptly.

"Why not?"

"Because it is counterfeit."

Carl turned pale, and the room seemed to whirl round. It was all the
money he had.

CHAPTER X.

THE COUNTERFEIT BILL.

"Are you sure it is counterfeit?" asked Carl, very much disturbed.

"I am certain of it. I haven't been handling bank bills for ten years
without being able to tell good money from bad. I'll trouble you for
another bill."

"That's all the money I have," faltered Carl.

"Look here, young man," said the clerk, sternly, "you are trying a bold
game, but it won't succeed."

"I am trying no game at all," said Carl, plucking up spirit. "I thought
the bill was good."

"Where did you get it?"

"From the man who came with me last evening--Mr. Hubbard."

"The money he gave me was good."

"What did he give you?"

"A five-dollar bill."

"It was my five-dollar bill," said Carl, bitterly.

"Your story doesn't seem very probable," said the clerk, suspiciously.
"How did he happen to get your money, and you his?"

"He told me that he would get to gambling, and wished me to take money
enough to pay his bill here. He handed me the ten-dollar bill which you
say is bad, and I gave him five in return. I think now he only wanted to
get good money for bad."

"Your story may be true, or it may not," said the clerk, whose manner
indicated incredulity. "That is nothing to me. All you have to do is to
pay your hotel bill, and you can settle with Mr. Hubbard when you see
him."

"But I have no other money," said Carl, desperately.

"Then I shall feel justified in ordering your arrest on a charge of
passing, or trying to pass, counterfeit money."

"Don't do that, sir! I will see that you are paid out of the first money
I earn."

"You must think I am soft," said the clerk, contemptuously. "I have seen
persons of your stripe before. I dare say, if you were searched, more
counterfeit money would be found in your pockets."

"Search me, then!" cried Carl, indignantly. "I am perfectly willing that
you should."

"Haven't you any relations who will pay your bill?"

"I have no one to call upon," answered Carl, soberly. "Couldn't you let
me work it out? I am ready to do any kind of work."

"Our list of workers is full," said the clerk, coldly.

Poor Carl! he felt that he was decidedly in a tight place. He had never
before found himself unable to meet his bills, nor would he have been so
placed now but for Hu