he proprietor to
address him when, on chancing to look up, he saw Henry Davis rush past
as if in a tremendous hurry.

"Hullo, that's the fellow who was with the old farmer," he told himself.

"What can I do for you, young man?" asked the proprietor of the
bookshop, approaching at that instant.

"I believe you wish a clerk," answered our hero.

"Have you had experience in this line?"

"No, sir."

"Then you won't do. I must have someone who is experienced."

"I am willing to learn."

"It won't do. I want an experienced clerk or none at all," was the sharp
answer.

Leaving the bookstore, Joe stood out on the sidewalk for a moment and
then walked around the corner.

A moment later he caught sight of Josiah Bean, gazing up and down the
thoroughfare and acting like one demented.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Matter?" bawled the old farmer. "I've been took in! Robbed! Swindled!
Oh, wot will Mirandy say!"

"Who robbed you?"

"Thet Mr. Davis I reckon! He counted the money last, an' now it's gone!"

"I saw Mr. Davis a minute ago."

"Where?"

"Around the corner, walking as fast as he could."

"He's got my money! Oh, I must catch him!"

"I'll help you," answered Joe, with vigor. "I thought he looked like a
slick one," he added.

He led the way and Josiah Bean came behind. The old farmer looked as if
he was ready to drop with fright. The thought of losing his wife's money
was truly horrifying.

"Mirandy won't never forgive me!" he groaned. "Oh, say, boy, we've got
to catch that rascal!"

"If we can," added our hero.

He had noted the direction taken by the swindler, and now ran across the
street and into a side thoroughfare leading to where a new building was
being put up.

Here, from a workman, he learned that the sharper had boarded a street
car going south. He hailed the next car and both he and the old farmer
got aboard.

"This ain't much use," said Josiah Bean, with quivering lips. "We dunno
how far he took himself to."

"Let us trust to luck to meet him," said Joe.

They rode for a distance of a dozen blocks and then the car came to a
halt, for there was a blockade ahead.

"We may as well get off," said our hero. "He may be in one of the
forward cars."

They alighted and walked on, past half a dozen cars. Then our hero gave
a cry of triumph.

"There he is!" he said, and pointed to the swindler, who stood on a car
platform, gazing anxiously ahead.

CHAPTER XVI.

A MATTER