“Is your name Ben Bruce?” demanded the teller.
“Ye-es,” answered Grayson in a tone of hesitation.
“That’s a lie,” broke in Sylvanus. “He has always represented himself as George Grayson.”
“I will take him to the station house,” said the officer, “and depend on you to appear as prosecutor.”
These words were addressed to Ben.
Grayson’s face changed. He felt that he was in a tight place.
“Look here, Bruce,” he said insinuatingly, “can’t we fix this thing? I’ve got a ring here that I paid twelve dollars for, and I have a few dollars in my pocket. I’ll give you them, and agree to pay the balance as soon as possible if you’ll let me go.”
“Shall I be allowed to do this?” asked Ben, who felt disposed to be lenient.
“It is too late,” said the officer. “I will trouble you to come to the station-house with me to make known the charge.”
Ben did so, and matters took their course. After some delay he received back the savings-bank book with the ring and about ten dollars. George Grayson was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.