Smart fellows, those pickpockets. I claim to be rather
smart myself, but there are some of them smart enough to get
ahead of me.
"I was relieved of my pocketbook containing over two hundred
dollars in money once. By Jove! I was mad enough to knock
the fellow's head off, if I had caught him."
"It is rather provoking."
"I think I'll trouble you to hand me the money the boy left
with you, as I have to use some this morning."
Mr. Coleman spoke in an easy, off-hand way, that might have
taken in some persons, but hotel clerks are made smart by
their positions.
"I am sorry, Mr. Coleman," said the clerk, "but I can only
give it back to the boy."
"I commend your caution, my friend," said Coleman, "but I can
assure you that it's all right. I sent it back by Luke when I
was going to the theater, and I meant, of course, to have him
give my name with it. However, he is not used to business,
and so forgot it."
"When did you hand it to him?" asked the clerk, with newborn suspicion.
"About eight o'clock. No doubt he handed it in as soon as
he came back to the hotel."
"How much was there?"
This question posed Mr. Coleman, as he had no idea how much
money Luke had with him.
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