During the next hour it seemed as if a steady stream of money was flowing into the box, and Teddy was feeling confident that Mr. Sweet's prediction would prove to be correct, when the one especial man he wanted to see came up with a folded paper in his hand.
It was the merchant from Waterville, and he said, as he handed the document to the boy:
"Here is the receipted bill, and I am more than glad to see you doing so well."
"Can I talk with you for five minutes?" Teddy asked, hardly noticing the paper as he put it in his pocket.
"As long as you want to. What is the matter? Running out of stock?"
"Oh, no, your clerk made such a good selection for me that I've got all I shall need. This is something more important."
Then Teddy hurriedly told the merchant how and where he had first met Hazelton; explained fully what the latter's business was; of the accusations made by Uncle Nathan; what he and Dan had heard and seen, and concluded by repeating the request made by the fakir as he was led away to jail.
"Are you willing to do anything for him?" the boy asked, as his story was finished.
"I can't say it is a matter which appeals very strongly to my sympathies, because of the swindles he perpetrated, but if it is an unjust accusation something should be done to help him. The one lawyer above all others who can be of assistance came over with me this morning. I will see him, and later in the day you shall have a call from us."
"Before you go I wish you would take this money," Teddy said, earnestly. "It is too large an amount for me to carry around, and it will be safe with you."
The merchant consented to take charge of Hazelton's ill-gotten gains, and Teddy felt decidedly relieved when the cash was in another's keeping, and he had nothing of more value than an acknowledgment of the same to look after.
"In this matter I shall recognize no other order than yours," the merchant said when the transaction was concluded, "and if the fakir should succeed in regaining his liberty he must come to you for the necessary document.
"I don't care how it is fixed so long as the money is not in my hands," Teddy replied, in a tone of satisfaction, and then he was called upon to attend to another rush of customers, every one of whom was eager to be waited upon first.