Examination was made, and the scratch was found just as he described it.
“The money evidently belongs to the German,” said the officer. “Give it to him.”
“You are robbing me of my money,” said Hogan.
“Look here, my friend, you had better be quiet,” said the officer significantly, “or I will have you tied up to keep out of mischief. You are getting off very well as it is. I have no doubt you have been up to other dishonest tricks before this one.”
“That is true, sir,” said Joe, speaking up for the first time. “This is the same man who sold me a bogus ticket, two days before we sailed, for fifty dollars.”
“It’s a lie!” said Hogan. “I’ll be even with you some time, boy, for that lie of yours.”
“I don’t care for the threats of such a scoundrel as you are,” said Joe undauntedly.
“Look out for him, Joe,” said Folsom. “He will try to do you a mischief some time.”
He would have been confirmed in his opinion had he observed the glance of hatred with which the detected thief followed his young ward.