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, coming across the street to take up a position, where he could watch the lad he suspected was Ned, puzzled his head over the scene he had just witnessed.

"I wonder what he went off with that man for?" he said to himself. "Didn't act as though he wanted to, either. I'll ask the fruit man."

He approached, and then the thought struck it would be a good idea to apply for the job the other boy had just left. He got it, for there was need of hurry in unloading the fruit, as the day was cold.

"What was the matter with the other fellow?" asked William carelessly as though it was of little moment to him.

"I don't know," the fruit man replied. "The boy came along just like you and asked for a job. I hired him and then along comes this fellow and says the lad owes him money. It wasn't any of