“The boy must be crazy,” said the swindler.
“Did you sell him that ticket?” inquired the officer.
“Never saw him before in my life.”
“Ain’t you mistaken, boy?” asked the officer.
“No, sir. This is the very man.”
“Have you any business here?” asked the officer.
“Yes,” said the man; “I’ve taken a steerage ticket to San Francisco. Here it is.”
“All right. Go in.”
He tore himself from Joe’s grasp and went on board the steamer. Our hero, provoked, was about to follow him, when the officer said:
“Stand back! You have no ticket.”