"Look here, old man; you want ter keep your upper lip mighty stiff jest now, an' I'll get you out er this scrape somehow. I s'pose there'll have to be a reg'lar trial down to the Tombs, and I'll bring the fellers there to swear you didn't do anything. We'll show up that Skip Jellison gang in great shape to-morrow mornin', 'less I can coax you off from this cop."
"It's no use to try it," Teddy replied, mournfully. "I reckon I'll have to go to prison."
"Now see here, that's just the way! You fellers from the country ain't got any sand about you, that's what's the matter. Don't get down in the mouth over this thing, 'cause, as I said before, I'm goin' to see you through."
"But what can you do against a lot of policemen?"
"Wait and see. P'r'aps I haven't lived in this city a good many years, an' don't know how to fix things!" Carrots replied, as if he were positive how the matter might be arranged; yet at the same time he had not the remotest idea what it would be possible to do toward aiding this boy.
Teddy was not reassured by the remark.
Although a stranger in the city, he knew that young Carrots would not be able to do very much to help him, and felt sure his business career was ruined.
"How much money have you got?" Carrots whispered.
"Not more'n ten cents. You see, I had jest begun to sell papers when they nabbed me. How much do you want?"
"I've got enough. I was only thinkin' 'bout you. Here, take this; it may come in handy before mornin';" and the bootblack pressed several coins into the prisoner's hand.