"Go on with you!" cried the policeman, and the newsboy ran off, while Hal started on his way back to the office.
"What's the matter with your lip?" inquired Hardwick, as the youth entered.
"I cut it," replied Hal.
The book-keeper turned and smiled to himself.
"I guess Ferris kept his word," he muttered. "He said he was going to fix the boy. I wish he had killed the tramp."
That afternoon dragged heavily, but at last it was time to close up. Mr. Sumner hardly spoke to either when they bade him good-evening.
Hardwick walked up Wall Street, and then turned into Nassau, instead of continuing to Broadway.
Suddenly an idea entered Hal's head to follow Hardwick.
Despite all the evidence pointing in other directions, the youth thought Hardwick either guilty of the robbery or else that the book-keeper knew much concerning it.
Hardwick continued up Nassau Street until he reached Park Row.