“I don’t know any such bank. I’m in a hurry, young man, and I can’t stop to answer any foolish questions.”
The boat had by this time reached the Brooklyn pier, and Mr. Ephraim Smith seemed in a hurry to land.
“Look here,” said Dick, significantly; “you’d better not go on shore unless you want to jump into the arms of a policeman.”
“What do you mean?” asked the man, startled.
“That little affair of yours is known to the police,” said Dick; “about how you got fifty dollars out of a greenhorn on a false check, and it mayn’t be safe for you to go ashore.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said the swindler with affected boldness, though Dick could see that he was ill at ease.
“Yes you do,” said Dick. “There isn’t but one thing to do. Just give me back that money, and I’ll see that you’re not touched. If you don’t, I’ll give you up to the first p’liceman we meet.”
Dick looked so determined, and spoke so confidently, that the other, overcome by his fears, no longer hesitated, but passed a roll of bills to Dick and hastily left the boat.
All this Frank witnessed with great amazement, not understanding what influence Dick could have obtained over the swindler sufficient to compel restitution.
“How did you do it?” he asked eagerly.