"No," answered Jones reluctantly.
"Then why do you accuse him? Please state the circumstances."
"A few minutes since I was paid twenty dollars by Mr. Holbrook of the hotel, in settlement of his weekly bill for groceries, and being somewhat hurried I laid it down on the desk while I was filling an order."
"Go on!"
"Five minutes since Bert Barton came in and took up his position where he is now standing. He asked me for two quarts of kerosene. I filled his can for him, and he gave me a twenty-dollar bill from which to take payment. I was naturally surprised, and looked for the bill I had left on the desk. It was gone!"
Mr. Jones gazed about the circle triumphantly.
"What do you say to that?" he asked.
Sympathetic eyes were turned upon Bert. Things certainly looked black for him.
"I don't think I need say any more," added the store-keeper. "I want you to arrest that boy."
Bert looked at the faces that encircled him. He saw that they believed him guilty, and a feeling of hot indignation possessed him.