ly lady, of middle
age, with a kindly expression. Next her sat a young man, attired
fashionably, who had the appearance of belonging to a family of
position. There were, besides, an elderly man, of clerical
appearance; a nurse with a small child, a business man, intent upon
the financial column of a leading paper, and a schoolboy.

Ben regarded his fellow-passengers with interest. In Pentonville he
seldom saw a new face. Here all were new. Our young hero was, though
be did not know it, an embryo student of human nature. He liked to
observe men and women of different classes and speculate upon their
probable position and traits. It so happened that his special
attention was attracted to the fashionably-attired young man.

"I suppose he belongs to a rich family, and has plenty of money,"
thought Ben. "It must be pleasant to be born with a gold spoon in
your mouth, and know that you are provided for life."

If Ben had been wiser he would have judged differently. To be born to
wealth removes all the incentives to action, and checks the spirit of
enterprise. A boy or man who finds himself gradually rising in the
world, through his own exertions, experiences a satisfaction unknown
to one whose fortune is ready-made. However, in Ben's present strait
it is no wonder he regarded with envy the supposed young man of
fortune.

Our hero was destined to be strangely surprised. His eyes were
unusually keen, and enabled him after a while to observe some rather
remarkable movements on the part of the young man. Though his eyes
were looking elsewhere, Ben could see that his right hand was
stealthily insinuating itself into the pocket of the richly-dressed
lady at his side.

"Is it possible that he is a pickpocket?" thought Ben, in amazement.
"So nicely dressed as he is, too!"

It did not occur to Ben that he dressed well the better to avert
suspicion from his real character. Besides, a man who lives at other
people's expense can afford to dress well.

"What shall I do?" thought Ben, disturbed in mind. "Ought I not to
warn the lady that she is in danger of losing her money?"

While he was hesitating the deed was accomplished. A pearl
portemonnaie was adroitly drawn from the lady's pocket and transferred
to that of the young man. It was done with incredible swiftness, but
Ben's sharp eyes saw it.

The young man yawned, and, turning away from the lady, appeared to be
looking out of a window at the head of the co