"She is not here; so you needn't think any of her crying and fuss will avail. I'll give you in charge unless you confess."
"Confess what?" said Jack, wriggling away from Mr. Skinner's grip. "Hands off, I say! I am not going to run away. What am I to confess?"
"Take him into the back parlour, Joe. You'll have the neighbours coming in: take him out of the shop."
"Hold your tongue!" was the rejoinder. "I shall do as I choose."
"Let me go and call Mr. Boyd," Jack said. "He will tell me where my mother is. Let him be a witness of what you say, and what charge you have against me."
Jack now looked across the row for the first time, and saw a young man standing at the door of the little stuffy shop, which, unlike its opposite neighbour, had grown smarter, and had a lot of ships' lanterns hanging over the door, and showy aneroids and compasses in the window.
"Where's Mr. Boyd? Where's little Joy's Uncle Bobo?"
"Gone! He has sold the business; he is gone right away."
"Gone! And where's Joy--little Miss Joy? I tell you I will know. And where is my mother?"
"Look here, youngster! This matter must be cleared up. You'll not be let off so easy; but if you confess, well--we shan't be hard on you."
"Confess _what_?" Jack shouted now. He was getting very angry, and repeated, "Confess _what_?"
"Oh, that's all very fine! Perhaps you've forgotten you ran away and broke your poor mother's heart, and took my little cash-box with you with four pounds odd money in it," said his aunt.
"It's convenient to forget. You'd better not try to fool _me_," said Mr. Skinner. "Your aunt's key of that drawer was in her little key-basket. You slily took it out, and when the house was quiet, opened the drawer and put the box in your pocket I see!"
Jack's face grew crimson. He felt very much inclined to fly at Mr. Skinner's throat, and pummel him well with his strong young fist. But the vision of his mother and little Miss Joy rose before him, and with a desperate effort he controlled himself.
"Prove what you say, and don't call me a thief till you have proved me one."
"Well, it's my duty--my painful duty," said Mr. Skinner, "to lock you up till I have fetched a policeman, and communicated with your mother."
"You needn't _lock_ me up," said Jack proudly. "If I say I'll stay here, I'll stay. Indeed, I will stay till you have made it all clear. Your little cash-box! Aunt Pinckney----"