there was not likely to be any injury to the passengers.

"We are safe," said Adin Woods. "The only harm done is the delay. I hope
that won't be long. Suppose we go back to our seat." They returned to
the seat which they had jointly occupied.

Then Rodney made an alarming discovery. "My casket!" he exclaimed.
"Where is it?"

"What did you do with it?"

"Left it on the seat."

"It may have fallen to the floor."

Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search was vain.
THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!

CHAPTER IV.

IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.

"Were the contents of the casket valuable?" asked the land agent.

"Yes; it contained my mother's jewels, all the more valuable because she
is dead," replied Rodney.

"Were they of much intrinsic worth?"

"They must be worth several hundred dollars at least."

"Then they must be found," said Adin Woods energetically. "They have
evidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we were
away from our seat."

"Were you inquiring about the casket?" asked a lady sitting opposite.

"Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?"

"Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose and
reaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out."

"I wish you had stopped him, madam."

"He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of the
young gentleman."

"I didn't know him. He must have been a thief."

"What was his appearance, madam?" asked the lot agent.

"He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming half
way down his cheeks."

"And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?"

"Yes, sir."

"He won't get on the train again," said the agent turning to Rodney. "He
thinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the interruption of his
journey."

"What shall I do then?" asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a loss
which way to turn.

"Follow him," said the agent briefly. "He will probably stop over in the
village a day and resume his journey tomorrow."

"Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn't know how to deal with him."

"Then I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll stop over with you and help you
make it hot for him. I've had a spite against thieves ever since I had a
valuable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys."

"I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won't it
interfere with your business?"

"Not materially. If we succeed in overhauling the rascal