nd when I did return you were gone. I owe you an
apology, Tom. I hope you will excuse my unintentional neglect."

"Oh, certainly," said Tom indifferently; "it's of no consequence."

Mr. Graham looked at him sharply. He could not tell whether our hero
was aware of his dishonest intentions or not, but as Tom must still have
money, which he wanted to secure, he thought it best to ignore his
coldness.

"No," said he; "it's of no consequence as long as we have come together
again. By the way, have you secured a stateroom?"

"Yes."

"If the other berth is not taken, I should like very much to go in with
you," said Graham insinuatingly.

"I have a roommate," said Tom coolly.

"You have? Who is it?" demanded Graham, disappointed.

"That gentleman," answered Tom, pointing out Mr. Nicholas Waterbury.

"Humph! do you know him?"

"I met him at the Pittsburg House."

"My young friend," said Graham, with the air of a friendly mentor, "I
want to give you a piece of advice."

"Very well."

"Don't be too ready to trust strangers. This Mr. Waterbury may be a very
good man, but, on the other hand, he may be a confidence man. Do you
understand me?"

"I think so."

"Now, I suppose you have money?"

"A little."

"Take care that he doesn't get possession of it. There are men who go
about expressly to fleece inexperienced strangers."

"I suppose you know all about that," Tom could not help saying.

"What do you mean?" demanded Graham suspiciously.

"You are an old traveler, and must know all about the sharpers."

"Oh, to be sure," said Graham, immediately dismissing his suspicions.
"You couldn't leave your companion, could you, and come into my
stateroom?"

"I don't think I could."

"Oh, very well. It's of no consequence. Keep a good lookout for your
roommate."

Graham turned away, and resumed his walk. Soon Tom saw him in company
with the dark young man, to whom reference has already been made.

"Well," said the latter, "how did you make out with the boy?"

"He's offish. I don't know as he suspects me. I wanted to get him into
my stateroom, but he has already taken up with another man--that stout
party over there."

"So I suspected. I can tell you something about that man."

"What?"

"He carries six hundred dollars about him."

"You don't say so! How did you find out?"

"I overheard him telling the boy so."

"That's important news. The boy must have a couple of hundred, or
thereabouts, as he is on h