“One of the officers inside ordered them out when they seemed likely to fight,” proffered Ned. 

 “I’ll have a talk with him,” decided the policeman. But he could get nothing more than a general description of the two thieves, and from that he did not recognize them as any well-known criminals. 

 “Well, give me your names and addresses,” said the policeman again, when it became evident that nothing more could be done. 

 Frank complied, stating that they lived in Ipswhich. 

 “We might as well call that our home,” he 51 said to Ned afterward. “It’s the only real one we ever had, and maybe we’ll get back to it some day.” 

51

 “I hope so,” sighed his brother. “But what are we going to do now, Frank? We surely are up against it good and hard!” 

 They had left the aquarium for the second time, parted from the officer, and were now by themselves. The crowd had melted away. There had been no chance for any real pursuit of the pickpockets. 

 “Yes, we’ve got to consider what to do,” said Frank, and his voice had in it a serious note. 

 “I’m half starved,” murmured Ned. 

 “So am I,” added Frank. “We’ve got enough money left to buy us a few meals, anyhow. Luckily I held back a little change,” and he produced it from a pocket the thief had not found. “We’ll go and get a bite, and then we’ll be better able to consider matters,” he went on, as he led the way hastily up and across Broadway, toward a restaurant. 

 The meal was grateful to the boys, who had had nothing since early morning, and it was now nearly two o’clock. They did not talk much during the process of eating, for they did not want to let their troubles be known. But a careful observer might have seen anxious and rather gloomy looks on the faces of both lads. 52 

52

 “Well, now what?” asked Ned, as they came out of the eating place. 

 “Let’s walk down around South Ferry,” proposed Frank. “The elevated train that one of those fellows took went in that direction. Those thieves will have to meet again, and it’s barely possible that we may see them on the street. If we do, we can have them arrested.” 

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