was six o'clock when he arrived at the Hudson River depot, and
learned that a train for New York would leave in a short time.

"Give me a ticket," he said, producing one of the bills found in the
house from which he escaped.

The ticket-seller took the money, looked at it scrutinizingly for an
instant, and then at the boy.

"Where did you get this?" he asked.

"Out on the road a piece. Don't think I stole it, do you?"

"Tell me where you got it."

"I don't know. It wasn't any town, an' I ain't acquainted 'round this
way."

"Who gave it to you?"

"A man."

"Did you earn it?"

"Say, mister, what's the matter?" and now Jet began to be alarmed, for
the ticket-agent looked very stern.

Instead of replying the man beckoned to an officer who was standing
near by, and said, in a low tone:

"Take this boy on a charge of passing counterfeit money. I will be up
to make a complaint as soon as I can get away."

"Come with me," and the officer laid his hand heavily on Jet's shoulder.

"What's the matter?" Jet asked, as he tried to release himself, but
succeeded only in getting such a choking as nearly deprived him of
breath.

"You'd better come along without any trouble, for I don't want to club
a little shaver like you."

"But I'm going to New York, an' that man has got my money."

"I reckon you won't need it yet awhile."

"Tell me what business you've got to haul me off like this?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

By this time quite a crowd had began to gather, and realizing that it
would be useless to make any further objections, Jet added:

"Let up on my collar a little so's I can breathe, an' I'll go along
peaceable."

The officer did as he had been requested, but not to such an extent
that there was any danger his prisoner would have an opportunity to
escape, and the two walked rapidly along the street followed by a
throng of boys.

At the police station Jet was led in front of a high desk, and the
officer said in reply to a question from the sergeant:

"Charged by the ticket-seller at the depot with passing counterfeit
money."

The small prisoner was asked his name, age, and place of residence, to
all of which he made truthful answers, and then he was searched
thoroughly.

As a matter of course this could only result in the finding of the
second bill, and the sergeant said, severely:

"I reckon this isn't his first offense of the same kind. Who sent you
out to pass that money, my boy?"