"Now I'm going to search you," went on Nelson, in as determined a voice as ever.
"No, no!" pleaded Darnley in alarm. He did not like the crowd that was gathering.
"Yes, search him, Nelse," said a boy named Marks.
"That's right, search him," put in another newsboy, named Wilson. "I think he stole something from me last week."
In spite of his protestations Billy Darnley's pockets were turned inside out.
There were brought to light another dollar, which our hero also pocketed, a pearl-handled pocket-knife, a silver badge, and half a dozen other articles.
"My knife!" shouted Nat Marks. "Boys, you all know it."
"So it is, Nat," said Frank Wilson. "And this is my badge—the one I won in the newsboys' competition last month."
The boys took the things, and then gathered around Billy Darnley with clenched fists. Nelson slipped outside of the crowd, and Paul went with him.