and finally in a hoarse voice
addressed his companion:

"Bob, do you hear, there's been a robbery!"

His friend Bob was bending over the water basin, his head and face
covered with a stiff soap lather and his hands rubbing his skin
vigorously. Before replying he dipped his head completely under the
water, held it so submerged a moment then stood erect with eyes shut and
reached for a towel. In a moment he had wiped the suds from his eyes,
and looking at his friend he answered most unconcernedly:

"What of it?"

"But--but--the conductor wants to search me."

"All right. What are you afraid of? You are not the thief, are you?"

"No--but----"

"There is no but in it. If you are innocent let them go through you."
Then with a light laugh he turned to the glass and began arranging his
cravat. His friend looked at him a moment with an expression which no
one but Mr. Barnes understood. The detective had recognized by their
voices that it was Bob who had made the wager to commit a crime, and it
was plain that his friend already suspected him. His fright was
occasioned by the thought that perhaps Bob had stolen the jewels during
the night and then secreted them in _his_ clothing, where if found the
suspicion would not be on Bob. Mr. Barnes was amused as he saw the young
man actually searching himself. In a few minutes, with a sigh of intense
relief, having evidently discovered nothing foreign in his pockets, he
turned to the conductor who stood waiting and expectant.

"Mr. Conductor," he began, "I fear that my conduct has seemed
suspicious. I can't explain, but nevertheless I am perfectly willing to
have you make a search. Indeed I am anxious that it should be a thorough
one." The examination was made and, as with the others, nothing was
found.

"Here is my card. I am Arthur Randolph, of the firm J. Q. Randolph &
Son, Bankers." Mr. Randolph stood a trifle more erect as he said this,
and the poor conductor felt that he had done him a grievous wrong. Mr.
Randolph continued: "This is my friend, Robert Leroy Mitchel. I will
vouch for him."

At the name Mitchel, Mr. Barnes was a trifle startled. It was the same
as that which had been given by the woman who had been robbed. At this
point, Mr. Mitchel, a man of forty-five, with a classic face, spoke:

"Thanks, Arthur, I can take care of myself."

The conductor hesitated a moment, and then addressed Mr. Mitchel:

"I regret very much the necessity which compels me to ask