“Yes, sir, ever since I can remember. Up in Maine. He lived right near us for a good while.”
“Seen him lately?”
“Yes, sir, twice. Once I met him on the street and the next time he came to our room in Haylow Hall. Is—has he been arrested?”
The Captain nodded. “Yes, we took him in charge about four o’clock. He’s been loafing around town for several days. He will be up in court in the morning charged with vagrancy. I dare say he’ll get off with a suspended sentence if he agrees to quit town.”
Jim breathed loudly with relief.
“Only thing puzzles us,” continued the Captain, “is where he got what we took off him.” He opened a drawer at his side and took out a small parcel. “Ever lend him money, Mr. Todd?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How much money?”
Jim hesitated again. “Eight dollars and a half,” he answered.