r a brief search, produced
the bill in question.

It was a five-dollar bill on the Park Bank of New York, as he had
already told the boys.

"Now, Mr. Washburn," asked Wilkins, trying to repress his excitement,
"will you examine the back of the bill, and see if there is any mark on
it."

The jeweler did as requested, and announced, after slight examination,
that there was a cross on the back of the bill in the upper right hand
corner.

"Hurrah!" shouted Ben, impulsively.

To the wondering jeweler he explained his precise object in the inquiry
he had made, and the boys were complimented by Mr. Washburn for their
shrewdness.

"If I ever meet with a loss, I shall certainly call on you for
assistance, boys," he said.

"Thank you, Mr. Washburn," answered Wilkins, "but I do not expect to be
here to be called upon."

"You are not going to leave the institute, are you?"

"I shall write to my father in what manner I have been treated, and let
him understand how the principal manages the school, and I feel sure he
will withdraw me."

"Ditto for me!" said Ben Platt. "Old Sock's partiality for his nephew
has been carried too far, and now that the only decent teacher is
going--Mr. Crabb--I don't mean, to stay here if I can help it."

The boys, upon their return to the school, sought out the principal.

"Well, boys," he said, "have you come to confess?"

"No, sir," answered Ben, "but we have come to give you some information
about your money."

"I was sure you knew something about it," said Socrates, with a sneer.
"I am glad you have decided to make a clean breast of it."

"You are mistaken, sir."

"Well, out with your information!" said the principal, roughly.

"A five-dollar bill, marked as you have described, was paid to Mr.
Washburn, the jeweler, only yesterday."

"Ha! Well?"

"The one who offered it purchased a gold ring."

"I don't care what he bought. Who was it that offered the money?"

"Your nephew, James Smith!"

"I don't believe it," said the teacher, very much disconcerted.

"Then, sir, I advise you to question Mr. Washburn."

"How can he identify the bill? Is it the only five-dollar bill he has?"

"The only five-dollar bill on the Park Bank of New York, and he says he
noticed that this was the bank that issued the bill handed him by your
nephew."

"What of that?"

"The note, which he still has in his possession, is marked just exactly
as you have described."

"It may have been marked