A poor German had lost forty dollars, the entire capital he was carrying with him to the new country.

“Some tief has rob me,” he complained, in accents of mingled grief and anger.  “He has rob me of all my gold.  He has not left me one cent.”

“When did you miss the money?” inquired the first officer.

“Just now,” said the poor German.

“When did you see it last?”

“Last night when I went to mine bed.”

“Did you take off your clothes?”

“No.”

“What men sleep near you?”

The German pointed to two.  The first was a German.

“But he would not rob me.  He is mine friend,” he said.  “He is Fritz.”

“Who is the other man?”

The German pointed to Henry Hogan, the same man who had defrauded Joe.

“The man’s a fool,” said Hogan.  “Does he mean to say a gentleman like me would steal his paltry money?”

“He hasn’t said so,” said the first officer quietly.  “He only said that you slept near him.”

“He’d better not accuse me,” blustered Hogan.

The officer was a judge of human nature, and Hogan’s manner and words made him suspect that he was really the guilty party.

“My man,” said he, “you are making a fuss before you are accused.  No charge has been made against you.  The man’s money has been taken, and some one must have taken it.”

“I don’t believe he ever had any,” said Hogan.

“Can you prove that you had the money?” asked the officer, addressing the German.  “Has any one on board seen it in your possession?”

An Irishman named Riley came forward.

“That can I do,” said he.  “It was only yesterday morning that I saw the man counting his money.”

“In what denomination was the money?”

Pat Riley scratched his head.

“Sure I didn’t know that money belonged to any denomination, sir.”

The officer smiled.

“I mean, was it in five, or ten, or twenty dollar pieces.”

“There was four tens, sir—­four gould eagles.”

“Is that right?” inquired the officer, turning to the German.

“Yes, sir, that’s what I had.”

“Then,” said the officer, “it seems clearly proved that our German friend here had the money he claims.  Now, I suggest that the two men he has said occupied bunks nearest to him shall be searched.  But first, if the man who has taken the money will come forward voluntarily and return the same, I will guarantee that he shall receive no punishment.”

He paused for a brief space and looked at Hogan.

Hogan seemed uneasy, but stolid and obstinate.

“Since my offer is not accepted,” said the officer, “let the two men be searched.”

Fritz, the young German, came forward readily.

“I am ready,” he said.

“I am not,” said Hogan.  “I protest against this outrage.  It is an infringement of my rights as an American citizen.  If any one dares to lay hands on me, I will have him arrested as soon as we reach California.”