"I am in a great hurry, to meet an engagement," said Smithson.
"Suppose I shouldn't meet you. Suppose I should keep the money."
"No fear. You look honest. Well, meet me in an hour;" and he hurried out of the restaurant, saying, with a nod to the cashier: "The boy will pay."
Here was another compliment, Ben thought. A perfect stranger had trusted him with three dollars and sixty-five cents, which he might readily make off with.
"I am glad I look honest," thought Ben. "I seem to be treated very well."
Two minutes later he went up to the cashier's desk, and, laying down the two checks, extended the five-dollar bill. The cashier was about to make change when his attention seemed to be drawn to the bill. He held it up, and scrutinized it very closely, considerably to Ben's surprise.
"Young man," said he suspiciously, "where did you get this bill?"
"From the man that came in with me," answered Ben.
"Are you aware that this is a bad bill?" asked the cashier sharply.
"A bad bill?" exclaimed Ben, in genuine surprise. "No, I had no idea of it."