“It was Mike Jimson. I met him down the street a while ago, and he told me. Thought it was a good joke. He had a room next to you that night and he slipped in while you were asleep. He heard you accuse the kid here, but when the lad got away he thought it was all right, and the next day Mike lit out.”
“Are you sure?” asked the detective.
“Sure! Didn’t Mike tell me? He showed me some of the money. He’s spent the rest.”
“Then I’ll have him locked up!” Cassidy exclaimed. “I wonder how I could have made that mistake? I thought sure it was you who took my money,” and he looked at Ned. “I’m sorry for what I did.”
Ned was too happy over the outcome to reply. He held his father’s hand and his chums crowded around him.
“Here,” said Cassidy suddenly, holding out five one dollar bills to Ned.
“What are they for?” asked Mr. Wilding.
“Guess they’re his. Anyhow four and a half belongs to him. The rest is interest. I took ’em from under his pillow thinking they were mine. I hope you’ll let this thing drop.”
“You’ve made a serious mistake, Cassidy,” Detective Reilly said. “You are liable to be sued for damages.”
“I hope you’ll not prosecute me,” whined the lodging house keeper.