"I ain't afraid of telling the truth," responded Curly boldly.
Presently the search was over, and Dick heaved a sigh of satisfaction when Pedder placed a florin on the table. Bryant's share of the plunder had dwindled to twopence halfpenny.
"Can you identify this coin, Mr. Broad?"
"Yes," said the stationer, after examining it carefully; "here is my private mark quite plain."
"And the tobacconist can identify the boy from whom he received the marked shilling?"
"I took him to the shop," said the second officer, "and he knew him in an instant."
When all the formalities were concluded, the two boys were marched off, Curly throwing a savage glance at Dick, and muttering, "I'll pay you out for this!" as he passed.
"I think there is nothing further now," said the inspector to Mr. Broad. "Of course you will be present in the morning. As to the shop-boy, I hardly know whether he should not have been charged with the others; but no doubt we shall get at the truth when the case comes before the magistrates."
"Jim Hartland didn't know anything about it, sir!" cried Dick, who was bold as a lion in defence of his friend.
"Perhaps not, perhaps not!" replied the inspector testily. "However, we shall soon see."