Paul felt that he was in a tight place. He could not understand how the wallet could have got into his pocket. Yet there it was, and appearances were decidedly against him in spite of his innocence.
"I did not steal the wallet," Paul said firmly.
"I did not steal the wallet," he said, firmly.
"Then how came it in thy pocket?" asked the old man.
"I don't know. Some one must have put it there."
"Verily that is a poor excuse," said the aged Quaker.
"It's too thin!" said a young man near by, who thought himself a wit. "It won't wash!"
Paul looked at him in disdain. Still it troubled him, because he feared the other passengers would agree with the speaker.
Just then the conductor entered the car. He was a firm friend of Paul, whom he had known ever since he first came on board the train.