a gentleman's room, and undertake to carry off his private
property. Unless you go out at once, I will have you arrested."

"That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call."

Louis Wheeler changed color. He began to see that the situation was
getting serious.

"There is a great mistake here," he said.

"I agree with you."

The agent went to the door, and called "Constable Barlow."

The constable promptly presented himself.

"Do you want me, sir?" he asked.

"That depends on this gentleman here. If he will peacefully restore to
my young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go.
Otherwise--" and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.

"Perhaps I have made a mistake," admitted the thief. "I had a casket
exactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one."

"I have the key to the casket here," said Rodney, "and I can tell you
without opening it what it contains."

"What did yours contain?" asked the agent.

"Jewelry," answered Wheeler shortly.

"What articles?"

"Never mind. I am inclined to think this casket belongs to the boy."

"Rodney, you can take it and Mr. Wheeler will probably find his where he
left it."

No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey to
mortification and disappointment.

Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy official
received with thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by an
afternoon train. They saw nothing further of Louis Wheeler who sent for
dinner to be served in his room.

CHAPTER V.

A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK.

"You have been very fortunate in recovering your jewels," said the
agent.

"I owe it to you," replied Rodney gratefully.

"Well, perhaps so. If I have rendered you a service I am very glad."

"And I am very glad to have found so good a friend. I hope you will let
me pay for your ticket to New York."

"It won't be necessary. The interruption of our journey won't invalidate
the ticket we have."

An hour later they reached New York.

"What are your plans, Rodney?" asked Adin Woods, who by this time had
become quite intimate with his young companion.

"I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some advice as
to what I do. Where would you advise me to go--to a hotel?"

"No; it will be too expensive. I know of a plain boarding house on West
Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with lodging and two
meals--breakfast and supper, or dinner as