The officer hesitated for an instant, for he had another prisoner to guard.
"Go after him," exclaimed Ben, eagerly. "Don't let him escape. I'll stay where I am."
The conviction that the escaped party was the real thief determined the policeman to follow Ben's advice. He let him go, and started in rapid pursuit of the fugitive.
Ben sat down on a doorstep, and awaited anxiously the result of the chase.
CHAPTER XX.
HOW ALL CAME RIGHT IN THE MORNING.
It is quite possible that the pickpocket would have made good his escape, if he had not, unluckily for himself, run into another policeman.
"Beg your pardon," he said, hurriedly.