Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/243

Rh "Here," said Cassidy suddenly, holding out five one dollar bills to Ned.

"What are they for?" asked Mr. Wilding.

"Guess they're his. Anyhow four and a half belongs to him. The rest is interest. I took 'em from under his pillow thinking they were mine. I hope you'll let this thing drop."

"You've made a serious mistake, Cassidy," Detective Reilly said. "You are liable to be sued for damages."

"I hope you'll not prosecute me," whined the lodging house keeper.

"That's a question we can settle later," said Mr. Wilding sternly. "Come, boys, let's get away from here. We will go to my hotel, and then I'll send a telegram to our friends in Darewell. They are very anxious to hear from me."

"Will you arrest Mike and get my money back, Reilly?" asked Cassidy.

"Maybe, later," the detective replied. " You don't deserve it, for the trouble you caused," and he followed Mr. Wilding and the boys to the street.

"But, Ned, it wasn't that accusation that kept you in hiding, was it?" asked his father as they walked along.

"No—no—" Ned answered with a look at