The thief seeing there was no hope of retaining his booty, drew it
from his pocket and flung it into the lady's lap.

"Now, may I go?" he said.

There was no policeman in sight, and at a nod from the lady, the
pickpocket was allowed to leave the stage.

"You ought to have had him arrested. He is a dangerous character,"
said the gentleman who had barred his progress.

"It would have been inconvenient for me to appear against him," said
the lady. "I am willing to let him go."

"Well, there is one comfort--if he keeps on he will be hauled up
sooner or later," remarked the gentleman. "Would your loss have been
a heavy one?" he inquired.

"I had quite a large sum in my pocketbook, over two hundred dollars.
But for my young friend opposite," she said, nodding kindly at Ben, "I
should have lost it with very small chance of recovery."

"I am glad to have done you a service, madam," said Ben politely.

"I know it is rather imprudent to carry so large sum about with me,"
continued the lady, but I have a payment to make to a carpenter who
has done work in my house, and I thought he might not find it
convenient use a check."