that when you had your hand in my
pocket just now you were asleep?"

"Sound asleep. I had no idea that I was out of my berth."

"You seemed to wake up pretty quick afterward!"

"To be sure I did! I rather think you would wake up, too, if I should
jump upon your back from the top berth! But I forgive you--don't
apologize, I beg. I should have been misled, as you were, if our
situations had been changed."

Certainly Mr. Mortimer Fairfax was cool.

In his limited acquaintance with the world Robert had never dreamed of
the existence of such a character, but he was gifted with shrewd common
sense, and he did not for an instant believe the story which the other
palmed off upon him.

"Mr. Fairfax," he said, "shall I tell you what I think of your story?"

"Yes, if you please."

"I don't believe it."

"What!" exclaimed Fairfax sadly. "Is it possible you believe that I
would rob you, my kind benefactor?"

"I don't pretend to be your benefactor, but I haven't a doubt about
it."

"My dear young friend," said Fairfax, putting his handkerchief to his
eyes, "you grieve me deeply--indeed you do! I had thought you would
understand me better. You do not consider that I am a rich man and can
have no object in depriving you of your little store of money. Let us go
to bed and forget this unpleasant little circumstance."

"No, Mr. Fairfax, you cannot stay here any longer. I insist upon your
dressing yourself and leaving the stateroom!"

"But, my young friend. It is the middle of the night!"

"I can't help it!" said Robert resolutely.

"And, in my delicate health, it would be dangerous."

"I don't believe you are in delicate health, but I can't help it if you
are. You must go!"

"You forget," said Fairfax in a different tone, "that half of the
stateroom is mine. I have paid for it."

"Then I will return the money. Here it is."

"I prefer to remain here."

"If you don't go," said Robert energetically, "I will call for help and
report that you tried to rob me!"

"You will repent this unkind treatment," said Fairfax sullenly, but he
proceeded to dress nevertheless, and in a few minutes he left the
stateroom.

Robert locked the door after him and then, returning to bed, he said
with a sigh of relief:

"Now I can sleep without fear. I am sure that fellow is a rascal, and I
am glad to be rid of him."

CHAPTER XXV

A BAGGAGE SMASHER'S REVENGE

When Robert awoke in the morning it was eight o'clock and the ste