“Only five cents, mister,—that’s half price.”
“That’s cheap enough,” said Gilbert; “but I’ve just lost my place, and I cannot afford to pay even that.”
“Been bounced?” asked Tom.
“Yes.”
“What for?”
Gilbert hesitated. He did not like to admit that he had been suspected of dishonesty; still he was innocent, and had nothing to be ashamed of in the matter. He accordingly related what had happened.
Tom whistled.
“Did you say the money was found in your pocket?” he asked.
“In the pocket of my overcoat,” he replied.
“And was your coat hanging up?”