Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/183

Rh got to have a check cashed. What is it, speak quick, I've got no time to fool."

While he was talking, the man was busy making change for other customers who walked past Ned.

"Do you mean that you think I'm trying to cheat you?" asked the boy.

"I don't mean anything if you pay for what you've eaten. If you don't pay—well—there's a cop just around the corner, and we've had your same kind in here before."

By this time Ned stood alone in front of the desk, as the line of waiting men had passed out.

"I had my money when I came in here," said the boy. "Or at least I think I did. I had it a little while before, I'm sure, for I counted it. There was thirty cents—"

"That's what you look like now," the cashier interrupted, with a coarse laugh at his joke. "It'll be thirty days for yours if you don't settle up."

"But I haven't got the money," replied poor Ned.

"Then you shouldn't have eaten anything. Do you think we're feedin' beggars here?"

"I thought I had the money when I ordered the cakes," Ned replied, staring helplessly at the fifteen cent check in his hand.