“This man just slipped the pocketbook into your pocket,” answered Joe.
“I did not!” put in the swindler, hotly.
“You did.”
“Dat's right!” piped up the newsboy who had brought the policeman. “I see him do de trick jest a minit ago!”
“This is a plot against me!” fumed the swindler.
“Dat feller is a bad egg!” went on the newsboy. “His name is Bill Butts. He's a slick one, he is. Hits de country jays strong, he does!”
At the mention of the name, Bill Butts, the policeman became more interested than ever.
“You'll come to the station house with me,” he said, sternly. “We can straighten out the matter there.”
“All right,” answered Bill Butts, for such was his real name.
In a few minutes more the party, including Joe, was off in the direction of the police station.