t broad shoulders and the hand that seemed to weigh a ton
and the gripping fingers that were closing like a vise. He suspected
that this was a plain-clothes man in the Police service, and the
thought filled him with a nameless dread. He glanced around for his
companion, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"What do ye want me to do?" he at length gasped.

"Go pick up those coins, and then apologise to the girl for your
rudeness," was the reply.

"Good heavens! I can't do that, ye know. What will me chums say?"

"Never mind what they will say. They'll say a great more if I have to
drag you there by the coat collar. So get a move on at once."

The victim looked helplessly around upon the crowd which had gathered,
as if expecting some assistance. But not a friendly face could he
behold. All seemed to be greatly amused at his plight.

"Hurry up."

The voice was calm but the clutching fingers were becoming almost
unbearable. There was nothing else for the young man to do, so with a
face as pale as death he turned and walked slowly back to where the old
violinist and the girl were standing.

"Now, pick up the coins," was the imperious command.

The culprit at once obeyed, and groped around as well as he could but
nothing could he find. Several street urchins, who had been ahead of
him, now stood near and jeered at his fruitless efforts. At length,
straightening himself up, he turned to his captor. The perspiration
was streaming down his face, and he looked the picture of misery.

"I can't find anything," he gasped.

"Well, then, apologise to the girl. Tell her you are sorry for what
you did and that you will never do such a thing again."

With trembling lips the young man stammered forth a few broken words as
he stood facing the surprised and abashed girl. It was hard to
understand what he said, but that did not really matter. His
punishment had been severe, and his captor felt somewhat satisfied.

"Now, clear out," he ordered, "and be thankful all the rest of your
days that you have escaped so easily."

Scarcely had he finished speaking ere a large police officer forced his
way through the crowd. He grasped the situation in an instant, and
when he saw the man standing near the culprit, a light of recognition
came into his eyes.

"Shall I take him, sir?" he asked, at the same time giving the salute.

"No, Sergeant, I think we had better let him go this time," was the
reply. "He has been taught a