"Never mind," interrupted Miss Durant. "Would ten dollars pay for them
all?"

"Ah, I know'd youse wuz tryin' to stuff me," dejectedly exclaimed the boy;
then, in an evident attempt to save his respect for his own acuteness, he
added: "But youse didn't. I seed de goime youse wuz settin' up right from
de start."

Out of the purse Constance, with some difficulty, drew a crisp ten-dollar
bill, the boy watching the one-handed operation half doubtingly and half
eagerly; and when it was finally achieved, at the first movement of her
hand toward him, his arm shot out, and the money was snatched, more than
taken. With the quick motion, however, the look of eagerness and joy
changed to one of agony; he gave a sharp cry, and, despite the grime, the
cheeks whitened perceptibly.

"Oh, please stay quiet," implored Miss Durant. "You mustn't move."

"Hully gee, but dat hurted!" gasped the youngster, yet clinging to the new
wealth. He lay quiet for a few breaths; then, as if he feared the sight of
the bill might in time tempt a change of mind in the giver, he stole the
hand to his trousers pocket and endeavoured to smuggle the money into it,
his teeth set, but his lips trembling, with the pain the movement cost
him.

Not understanding the fear in the boy's mind, Constance put her free hand
down and tried to assist him; but the instant he felt her fingers, his
tightened violently. "Youse guv it me," he wailed. "Didn't she guv it me?"
he appealed desperately to the policeman.