ce. He had engaged a berth, and took his ease until it was time
to go to bed. Arriving at Chicago he made his way without delay to the
Palmer House.

He found the hotel crowded and had some difficulty in getting a room.
Mr. Maurice Vane had not yet arrived.

"I guess I'll leave a note for him," thought our hero, and sauntered
into the reading-room to pen the communication.

While Joe was writing, two men came into the room and sat down behind a
pillar that was close at hand. They were in earnest conversation and he
could not help but catch what was said.

"You say he is coming West?" said one of the pair.

"Yes,--he started yesterday."

"And he has found out that the mine is really valuable?"

"I think so. Anyway he is quite excited about it. He sent a telegram to
that boy, too."

"The hotel boy you mean?"

"Yes."

So the talk ran on and Joe at length got up to take a look at the two
men. They were Gaff Caven and Pat Malone. At once our hero drew out of
sight again.

"How can you get the best of Vane, Gaff?" asked Malone, after a pause.

"There is but one way, Malone."

"And that is?"

"Can I trust you?"

"Haven't you trusted me before?"

"We must--" Caven paused. "We won't talk about it in this public place.
Come to my room and I'll lay my plan before you."

Then the two arose and left the reading-room as rapidly as they had
entered it.

CHAPTER XXVI.

HOW A SATCHEL DISAPPEARED.

"They certainly mean mischief," Joe told himself, after the two men had
vanished. He saw them enter an elevator, but did not know at what floor
they alighted.

Looking over the hotel register he was unable to find the names of
either Caven or Malone, or even Ball. Evidently the rascals were
traveling under other names now.

"They'll bear watching," he concluded. "I must put Mr. Vane on guard as
soon as he comes in."

He gave up the idea of leaving a note and took his station in the
corridor of the hotel. After waiting about two hours he saw a well-known
form approaching, dress-suit case in hand.

"Mr. Vane!"

"Oh, Joe, so you're here already! I'm glad I won't have to wait for
you."

"I'm afraid you won't be able to get a room, Mr. Vane. But you can have
mine."

"I telegraphed ahead for a room, Joe."

"Do you know that your enemies are here?" went on our hero.

"My enemies?"

"Gaff Caven and Pat Malone. But they are traveling under other names."

"Have they seen you?"

"I think not, sir."