the casket valuable?

ewels, all the more valuable bec

f much intri

h several hundred

lly. "They have evidently been taken by some passenge

ut the casket?" asked a

you give any info

sat behind you rose and reaching over for it

had stopped

t I thought he might be a fr

him. He must ha

arance, madam?" as

ned man, with side whiskers co

ot out of the rea

s,

urning to Rodney. "He thinks the casket valuable en

Rodney, feeling helpless and

e will probably stop over in the village

m afraid I shouldn't kno

lp you make it hot for him. I've had a spite against thieves eve

to you, Mr. Woods, but won't i

eel sufficiently repaid for the small interruption. But come on, w

repay you, Mr. Woods,"

t of me when you

though I am afraid it w

e in store for you. Did you notice, mad

of the window. He went o

ou will see, Mr. Ropes, that

Mr. Ropes. Ca

atural to dub a boy Mr.

ed to the village. They could see the latter

nk we have 'struck his trail

hall we

tel if the

lage see

ler would be likely to interrupt his journey unless he had a special object in doing so

ge. Looking about they saw a small hotel ju

e," said

blic room in which th

ed it. Silently he pointed to a name evidently just written, for the

his real name," said M

gister, gentlemen?

will register later. By the way, I recognize

ntleman just

mind desc

ark man as near a

d a small cask

nd a gr

lighting up with satisfaction. "It

his

w long he inte

aid nothing ab

cially careful a

n his hands, but let the ser

t in an impressive tone, "

lerk looked a

Mr. Wheeler

le jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a retur

mmon a co

reathe a word of wh

ctions in a low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in

t for you, Mr. Barl

for you?" asked

recover stol

asure if you will tell m

, then he led the way up stairs, followed immediately

No. 9," said

efore the door of

!" said

d by Rodney. A glance showed that the occupant ans

lor, for he recognized b

e asked in a tone which he

, pointing to the jewe

ler, if that was his name,

t under

oubtless by accident" he emphasized the last word, "taken

Wheeler with brazen hardihoo

hat does i

business," returned Wheeler, determined

I am too old a traveler to be taken in by

You break into a gentleman's room, and undertake to carry off his pr

readily, for I have an

He began to see that the si

reat mistake

ee wit

he door, and called

promptly pre

nt me, sir

ore to my young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to

the thief. "I had a casket exactly like

" said Rodney, "and I can tell you

s contain?" as

nswered Whee

arti

ined to think this cas

d Mr. Wheeler will probably

scomfited thief was left a prey t

thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by an afternoon train. They