"Probably they couldn't recover your money, though, since you have no idea who robbed you." Reuben Hinman groaned helplessly.

It was plain to the two high school boys that the peddler had started out, thus, in the middle of the night simply because his misery was too great to permit of inaction on his part.
"I wish we could help you," Prescott went on earnestly.
"Why can't you ?" eagerly demanded the peddler, as one who clutches at the frailest straw.
"Call Dave, Tom.

Try not to wake the others," murmured Dick.
Then, while Reade was gone, Prescott asked: "Mr.Hinman, why on earth didn't you keep your money in a bank, and then pay by check ?" "No, no, no! No banks for me!" cried the old man tremulously.
"Are you afraid to trust banks with your money ?" demanded Dick incredulously.
"No, no! It isn't that," protested the peddler confusedly.

"The banks are all right, and honest men run them.

But-----" Whatever was in his mind he checked himself.