Wright entered.

The outlaw keenly sized him up and observed that he was a well dressed
young fellow with a sturdy figure, not particularly good looking as his
features were very angular, but his dark eyes showed a very high spirit.

"You wish to see me, sir?" he asked, as he studied Jesse and felt a most
repugnant sensation creep over him.

"I have called on a begging expedition," bluntly replied the bandit,
inventing a plausible lie. "I live in Missouri, and wish to go home. I
was unlucky enough to lose my pocket-book. I am an utter stranger here,
and did not know what to do to raise ten dollars to pay my car fare.
Having been told that you was a charitable man, I wish to know if you
will lend me the money. I will gladly mail the amount to you when I
reach home."

"Why certainly I'll let you have it," replied Jack.

"To prove to you that I want the money only for the purpose I
mentioned," glibly preceded the outlaw, "you can make out a check
payable to the bearer, and you will find the voucher stamped or endorsed
by the railroad company in payment for my ticket."

"I would have been obliged to give you a check anyway," laughed Jack,
"for I've only got three or four dollars in cash in my pocket. Just
wait, and I'll give you the check."

He sat down at his desk, and Jesse saw him pick up several checks
exactly like the ones purloined from the bank by Frank.

Jack filled out one of the orders for ten dollars.

He handed it to Jesse, and the bandit thanked him like a very grateful
man, repeated his assurance that he would refund the money upon his
arrival at home, and then departed.

Jesse James was delighted at his success thus far.

Returning to the hotel, he procured pen and ink, retired to his room and
studied Jack's check intently.

The signature to it was a very peculiar one that the most expert forger
in the world would have found it almost impossible to imitate.

But the rest of the writing was easy to copy.

The bandit practiced the formation of the different letters for over an
hour, and made a good imitation of them.

"And now to raise Wright's cheek," he muttered in tones of exultation,
when he saw how successful he was.

CHAPTER II.
SWINDLING THE INVENTOR.

The date, number, amount, and figures designating the amount of money
Jack's check called for were written.

Jesse now took one of the blank checks Frank got for him, and imitating
Jack's writing, he filled it in with the same num