out his plans."

"Did he seem specially careful about the casket?"

"Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry up
the gripsack."

"My friend," said the agent in an impressive tone, "I am going to
surprise you."

The country clerk looked all curiosity.

"Is it about Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.

"Yes, the man is a thief. He stole the casket, which contains valuable
jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return of
the property or to arrest him. Is there a policeman within call?"

"I can summon a constable."

"Do so, but don't breathe a word of what I have told you."

The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him instructions in
a low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stout
broad shouldered man made his appearance.

"This gentleman sent for you, Mr. Barlow," said the clerk.

"What can I do for you?" asked the constable.

"Help me to recover stolen property."

"That I will do with pleasure if you will tell me what you want me to
do."

Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable, then he led the
way up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney, while the constable kept
a little behind.

"His room is No. 9," said the bell boy.

The agent paused before the door of No. 9, and knocked.

"Come in!" said a voice.

The agent opened the door, and entered, accompanied by Rodney. A glance
showed that the occupant answered the description given by the lady in
the car.

Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent and
Rodney.

"What is your business?" he asked in a tone which he tried to make
indifferent.

"That," answered Woods, pointing to the jewel casket on the bureau.

It looked to him as if Wheeler, if that was his name, had been trying to
open it.

"I don't understand."

"Then I will try to make things clear to you. You have, doubtless by
accident" he emphasized the last word, "taken from the car a casket
belonging to my young friend here."

"You are mistaken, sir," said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. "That
casket belongs to me."

"Indeed. What does it contain?"

"I fail to see how that is any of your business," returned Wheeler,
determined, if possible, to bluff off his visitors.

"I admire your cheek, sir. I really do. But I am too old a traveler to
be taken in by such tricks. I propose to have that casket."

"Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. You
break into