"That is not true," said Grit. "I am sure some of these passengers have seen me show my ticket. Didn't you, sir?"
He addressed this question to a stout old gentleman who sat in the seat behind him.
"Really, I couldn't say," answered the old gentleman addressed. "I was reading my paper, and didn't take notice."
The conductor looked more incredulous than ever.
"I can't waste any more time with you, young man," he said. "At the next station you must get out."
Grit was very much disturbed. It was not pleasant to be left penniless at a small station, but if he had been left alone he would not have cared so much. But to have the custody of thirty thousand dollars' worth of government bonds, under such circumstances, was certainly embarrassing. He could not get along without money, and for a tramp without money to be in charge of such a treasure was ample cause of suspicion.
What could he do?
The train was already going slower, and it was evident that the next station was near at hand.
Grit was trying in vain to think of some way of securing a continuation of his journey, when a stout, good-looking lady of middle age, who sat just opposite, rose from her seat and seated herself beside him.