Acting on the policeman’s advice, Jerry walked around to the nearest precinct station and made a complaint, giving the best description of Mr. Wakefield Smith he could.
“We will do our best to capture him,” said the captain in charge, and with this promise the youth had to be content.
My readers can imagine our hero did not spend a restful night. He lay awake for several hours speculating on the turn affairs had taken. His board was paid for a week, but that was all. He did not even have money to pay car fare back to Lakeview.
“I wonder what mother and father would say if they knew?” he thought. “I won’t let them know until there’s nothing else to do.”
Jerry arose early the next day and got breakfast before any of the other boarders.
“I must find something to do without delay,” he explained to Mrs Price. “A fellow without a dollar in his pocket can’t afford to remain idle.”
“You have a week’s board coming to you,” she said, with a faint smile.
“Yes, but I haven’t even the price of a car fare in my pocket.”
“Well, Mr. Upton, I like your looks, and if you’ll accept it I’ll loan you a couple of dollars. I suppose it was partly my fault that Smith robbed you. But don’t blame me, I’ve suffered, too.”
“I will accept the loan gladly, Mrs. Price. I don’t like to go around without a cent. I will pay you back as soon as I can.”