arted to cross Broadway.

Like a flash Ralph was after him. The boy was fearful the sharper would get
away and the money be lost once more. Before Jackson Walters reached the
car tracks Ralph had him by the arm.

"Let go of me!" howled the sharper.

"Not much! I want my money!" replied the boy, stubbornly.

"There, take your confounded money, then!" cried the sharper, and snatching
several dollar bills from his vest pocket he flung them in the street.

The sight of the bills relieved Ralph greatly. He stooped to pick them up,
and as he did so, Jackson Walters darted across the street, the policeman
at his heels.

With the bills in his hand, Ralph got out of the way of the trucks and
wagons as soon as he could. He ran to the sidewalk, and counted the money.
There were eleven dollars. In his haste, Jackson Walters had thrown him
five dollars more than the amount originally taken.

Ralph now found himself in a new crowd of people. The policeman and the
sharper had entirely disappeared.

Thinking to find the pair, the boy crossed Broadway and hunted around, up
and down and into several of the side streets. But it was useless, the two
had disappeared.

"Well, I am not the loser," thought Ralph, with considerable satisfaction.
"I'm the gainer, and if Jackson Walters wants his money let him apply to me
for it."

The fact that he now had his money safe once more gave Ralph not a little
satisfaction. He was no longer worried over the fact that he might not see
Horace Kelsey before nightfall.

It was now noon, and Ralph felt hungry. He walked along until he came to a
clean-looking restaurant, which he entered, and called for the regular
dinner, at thirty cents. He ate all that was placed before him, with keen
relish.

While at the table he reflected upon his situation, and came to the
conclusion that his duty was to write to his mother, telling her of all
that had happened. He would also ask her to see Bill Franchard and pay him
the money due for boat hire, and tell him all, so that he might start on a
search for his missing boat.

"Then I'll wait till I see Mr. Kelsey and get his advice as to what to do
next," he thought. "Perhaps he'll see through his mystery, even if I do
not."

Close to the restaurant Ralph found a stationery store, at which he
purchased a sheet of paper and an envelope.

"Will you kindly allow me to write a letter here?" he asked.

"Certainly," replied the clerk. "You will find pen and in