"How do you know?" the young man asked.
"Because we met that boy, and he told us just how you acted when you discovered your loss. Besides, that boy is thoroughly honest."
"Say, is there anything about my case that you girls don't know?" asked the young man with a smile. "But before I go any further, perhaps I had better introduce myself—"
"Oh, we know your name!" exclaimed Betty.
"You do? And you never saw me before?"
"You forget that your name was signed to the notice in the post-office—Mr. Blackford," and Betty blushed.
"That's so. But I don't know your names, and, if it's not too impertinent, after the service you have rendered me—"
"We'll tell you—certainly," interrupted Betty, and she introduced herself and her chums.
"I suppose you will wonder how I played the part of a tramp," said the young man. "I will tell you why. I was almost out of my mind, and I imagined that by going around looking ragged I might pick up some news of my lost money from the tramps along the railroad."
Then he told of how he had started to write a letter, stating he could not buy the business he was after, and had then torn the letter up, because he still hoped to find the bill and get control of the business.