As soon as he could get away, Dick ran off to Brook Street, knowing that his chum would be anxiously awaiting him. As a matter of fact Jim stood at the gate, and on seeing Dick he cried eagerly, "Did you catch them? Had Peters spent the money?"
"Make yourself easy, old chap!" laughed Dick; "it's all right. Curly had the florin, and he gave himself away before knowing it was marked."
"Did he try to drag me into it?"
"No. Don't pull such a long face. The truth is bound to come out. I shall be surprised if Bryant doesn't own up; he's nearly frightened to death. Well, I must be off; mother will think I'm lost."
"She knows where you are; we told her."
"That's a good chap. She's been awfully fidgety since Dandy Braithwaite was drowned. Well, ta-ta! See you in the morning, as the fisherman said when he popped the trout into his basket."
"You won't come in?"
"I'd rather not. Wait till this affair's done with, and we'll celebrate the event in fine style."
"Good-night, then. I can't thank you properly just now, but I shan't forget in a hurry what you've done for me."
"All right, old fellow! I know." And Dick went off whistling.