Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/242

232 "Oh, it's you, Reilly," said Cassidy, as he recognized the officer. Well, he robbed me!"

"No, I didn't!" retorted Ned, hotly.

"That's right, you didn't kid! ' exclaimed a husky voice, and a man, in ragged clothing, shuffled into the light. "He didn't take your money, Cassidy."

"Who did then?" asked the lodging-house keeper.

"It was Mike Jimson. I met him down the street a while ago, and he told me. Thought it was a good joke. He had a room next to you that night and he slipped in while you were asleep. He heard you accuse the kid here, but when the lad got away he thought it was all right, and the next day Mike lit out."

"Are you sure?" asked the detective.

"Sure! Didn't Mike tell me? He showed me some of the money. He's spent the rest."

"Then I'll have him locked up!" Cassidy exclaimed. "I wonder how I could have made that mistake? I thought sure it was you who took my money," and he looked at Ned. "I'm sorry for what I did."

Ned was too happy over the outcome to reply. He held his father's hand and his chums crowded around him.