fortune.

Our hero was destined to be strangely surprised. His eyes were
unusually keen, and enabled him after a while to observe some rather
remarkable movements on the part of the young man. Though his eyes
were looking elsewhere, Ben could see that his right hand was
stealthily insinuating itself into the pocket of the richly-dressed
lady at his side.

"Is it possible that he is a pickpocket?" thought Ben, in amazement.
"So nicely dressed as he is, too!"

It did not occur to Ben that he dressed well the better to avert
suspicion from his real character. Besides, a man who lives at other
people's expense can afford to dress well.

"What shall I do?" thought Ben, disturbed in mind. "Ought I not to
warn the lady that she is in danger of losing her money?"

While he was hesitating the deed was accomplished. A pearl
portemonnaie was adroitly drawn from the lady's pocket and transferred
to that of the young man. It was done with incredible swiftness, but
Ben's sharp eyes saw it.

The young man yawned, and, turning away from the lady, appeared to be
looking out of a window at the head of the coach.

"Why, there is Jack Osborne," he said, half audibly, and, rising,
pulled the strap for the driver to stop the stage.