Jim Huskin entered one of the tenements, to find it as he expected, deserted.
"Say, just look here a minute!" he cried, coming to the front door. "What do you think is the matter with this poor fellow?"
Wondering what was up, Robert advanced and entered the hallway of the tenement.
The light was poor, and for several seconds he could see but little.
"I don't see anybody--" he began, when, without warning, Jim Huskin leaped upon him and caught him by the arm and collar.
"Give me that money and your watch!" he cried, harshly. "Give it to me instantly, or it will be the worse for you."
For the moment Robert was dumfounded, for he had not dreamed that this pleasant stranger was about to attack him.
"Do you hear? Give me that money," repeated Huskin, and tightened his grip.
"Let me go!" returned Robert. "Would you rob me?"
"I want that money you drew out of the post-office. And I want it instantly."
"I won't give you a cent," cried Robert, and began to struggle with all the strength at his command.
Although but a boy, he was strong, and soon it looked as if he might break away in spite of all the sharper could do to hold him. Seeing this, Huskin whistled loudly three times,--a signal that Andy Cross must join him at once.
The signal had scarcely come to an end when Andy Cross pushed his way into the hallway.
"Quick--hold him!" shouted Jim Huskin. "He's a regular eel."
"I've got him," answered Andy Cross, and caught Robert from behind, and soon his bony fingers were pressing themselves directly into the poor youth's windpipe, so that it looked as if Robert would be choked to death.
Robert could not see Cross, but he recognized the sharper's voice, and at once came to the conclusion that the two men had laid a plot to rob him.
Nearly strangled, he let go his hold of Huskin, and tried to break Andy Cross' grip.
The moment Jim Huskin felt himself free he wrenched Robert's watch and chain from their fastening and placed them in his own pocket.
"Let--let me go!" spluttered Robert. "Help! thiev----"
He could go no farther, for now his wind was cut off entirely. All grew black before his eyes, and it was only in a hazy fashion that he felt Huskin snatch the money from where he had placed it with care.