"I don't believe you can stir him," said the barkeeper.
Mark went to the door and beckoned to the two officers.
When they came in the barkeeper looked dismayed.
"Committed a murderous assault on a party in New York."
"Well, he looks as if he were capable of it. You can take him. I shall offer no resistance."
One of the officers went forward and shook Jack Minton vigorously.
"Wha's the matter?" muttered Jack, not opening his eyes.
"I'm sleepy. Le' me alone!" hiccoughed Jack.
"Give a hand here," said the officer, signaling to to his companion.
With no gentle hand they pulled Jack from the settee, and stood him up on his feet.
Then for the first time he opened his eyes, and stupefied as he was, he realized that he was in the hands of policemen.
"Wha's all this?" he muttered. "What have I done?"
"I--I didn't do it. I tell you I didn't do it. It was somebody else."
Mark and the officers looked at each other significantly. The drunken man had unintentionally given himself away. Just then his glance fell on Mark.
"It's the kid," he said. "What's all this mean, kid?"
"I'll tell you, Mr. Minton. Your aunt, Mrs. Mack, has been attacked and robbed."
"She is my aunt. If she dies I'll get all her money. Take me to a good hotel. I'm sleepy."
It was clear that Jack did not fully realize the situation. Next morning, however, when the two New York officers arrived, he realized it fully and charged Mark with betraying him. They went to New York in the same train, Jack wearing handcuffs.
"Welcome home, Mark!" exclaimed Mrs. Mason with radiant face as the telegraph boy opened the door of their humble apartment.
"Then you have missed me?" said Mark smiling.
"It has seemed a long time since you went away. Did you have a successful trip?"
"Yes, indeed. Mr. Swan was so well satisfied that he gave me fifteen dollars besides paying the telegraph company for my services. I shall be paid my regular wages by them also."
"Poor Mrs. Mack has been attacked and robbed of a hundred dollars since you went away."
"I read a paragraph about it copied from the New York papers. How is she now?"
"She is confined to her bed. The villain, whoever he was, nearly choked her, and the shock was so great that it quite prostrated her."