sked for Theodore.

Now, this proceeding, as it proved, brought swift detection and
punishment upon the young blackmailer.

Theodore had not remembered to guard against the children coming to the
house; indeed, he had not thought of his rascally scheme bearing fruit
at all so soon.

Happily for the frustration of that scheme, Theodore was out, having
been sent on an errand by his grandfather; and the old captain himself,
who was lounging on the front steps, was the one who first met the lame
boy. Tony, who was not able to read numbers, had not been quite sure of
his ground in the row of houses all so much alike; but he had no
further doubt when he saw Captain Yorke.

At first he drew back, uncertain whether to make it known that his
business was with Theodore; but his fear that his tormentor would "tell
the perlice" before he had the opportunity to quiet him was too strong
for his caution, and he asked the captain if Theodore was "to home."

"No, he ain't; an' what ye want with Theodore, sonny?" asked the
captain.

Tony hesitated and fidgeted; and the old man asked sharply and quickly,
"He ain't been hookin' your peanuts agin?"

"No--o," stammered Tony; and the captain, coming down the steps to
where the boy stood, laid his hand upon his shoulder, and said
sternly,--although the sternness was not for the cripple,--

"Ef he's touched another peanut, or been a-wrongin' of ye any way, tell
me,--tell me right off. What is it?"

But Tony dared not tell; and the honest old seaman, whose confidence in
his grandson had never been fully restored, was convinced that he had
been about some of his evil ways again. He could do nothing with Tony,
however; no persuasions could avail to draw any explanation from him;
and he presently made his escape, hobbling down the street with the
marvellous celerity with which he used his crutches, leaving the
captain a prey to disquietude and apprehension.

Nor had he hope of obtaining any thing like the truth from Theodore
himself: so he asked him no questions when he returned, nor did he tell
him that Tony had come to ask for him, but, after taking counsel with
himself, resolved to see Johnny Petersen, and tell him to be on the
watch; and soon after we had left the florist's, he appeared there.

Tony saw the old Brutus coming down the street, stern and determined of
aspect, trouble in every line of his weather-beaten countenance, and
supposed himself to be his objective point. Dread