Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/162

152 "Afraid to tell, eh? Well, the judge will soon have it out of you."

It was quite cold now, and Ned, standing half dressed as he was in the room, began to shiver. He put on his clothes.

"Guess that's a wise thing to do," the proprietor of the lodging house remarked. "You'll get a ride in the hurry-up wagon soon."

The words struck a chill of terror to Ned's heart. Must he spend the rest of the night in a cell? The man's manner showed no relenting. He either believed Ned had robbed him or was insisting on the charge for some reason of his own.

"Are you in earnest about this?" asked Ned, as he put on his hat and overcoat.

"You can make up your mind to that," was the man's answer. "It'll be the jail for yours, in a little while, if you don't give me back my money. It isn't too late. I can fix it with the cop if you'll give up. Why look here, kid, they'll search you and find it on you. You haven't had time to hide it, and, besides, there's no place in this room. You must have it on you Give it up and save trouble."

"I haven't your money," Ned said boldly. "Those bills you took from under the pillow were