CHAPTER IV
AN OCEAN MONSTER
Dave knew not what to say. Here he was accused of a robbery of which he knew absolutely nothing. The very prison doors seemed opening to receive him.
But while he stood there, not knowing what would happen next, an unexpected friend stepped up in the shape of a stranger, who had been reading in a corner.
"Excuse me, but there is something wrong here," said the stranger. "That man is no thief, to my way of thinking."
"What do you know of this?" demanded the hotel clerk.
"A short while ago I saw that man come up behind this young man and slip that pocket-book into his pocket. I thought at the time he was playing some friendly joke, but it seems he was up to something more serious."
At these words Pete Rackley turned deadly pale. He was caught in his own trap, and he knew it.
"It's false!" he began. "I—I——"
"I saw the action, too," put in another stranger. "I thought it very queer."
"We'll have the police investigate this," said the hotel clerk, and told a hallman to call an officer of the law.