"Shall I take the boy along, sir?"
"Yes, and this man also. I don't wish to interfere with the exercise of justice, but it is my opinion that the boy is innocent."
"I protest against this outrage," said Vincent nervously. "Am I to be punished because I expose a thief?"
"Come along, sir," said the policeman. "The alderman says so."
"I appeal to the gentlemen present," said Vincent, hoping for a forcible deliverance.
"Madam," said the alderman to the lady who had been robbed, "did you see the boy take your pocketbook?"
"No, sir! I thought it was the man, till he told me it was the boy, and the money was found on the boy."
"I should think that told the story," said Vincent. "Any man here might be arrested as soon as I. Fellow citizens, is this a free country, where a man of reputation can be summarily arrested at the bidding of another? If so, I would rather live under a monarchy."
There was a murmur of approval, and some sympathy was excited.
"There will be no injustice done, sir," said the alderman. "I propose to follow up this matter myself. I will see my friend, Mr. Waterbury, and I can soon learn whether the boy's story is correct."