CHAPTER XVI.

PALMER'S MALICE.

"Indeed!" said Lawrence, in assumed surprise.

"Yes, mine was left with the clerk."

"And mine also."

"And he doubtless made a mistake in delivering them. Upon my word I am
not surprised, as they certainly are very much alike."

"So they are!" said Lawrence, taking the valise from Palmer's hand.
"And here is your name too."

"It is quite a joke, ha, ha!" laughed Palmer, his spirits rising as he
saw that there would be no difficulty in effecting the exchange. "I
suppose I may take mine?"

"You are quite sure it is yours? Pardon my asking, but you are a
stranger to me."

"Oh, it's all right! You see this spot on my valise. Outside of that,
there is really no difference."

"You are willing to swear that valise I brought over from the Clifton
is yours?"

"Why, of course!" returned Palmer in surprise. "How can there be a
doubt after what I have said?"

"You will pardon my caution. It certainly does seem like it, but I
don't want to run any risk of giving it to the wrong party."

"Oh, that's all right!" said Palmer impatiently, setting down Lawrence
in his own mind as a crank.

"Probably you have the key that opens it."

"Certainly."

"Then do you mind opening it, and satisfying yourself and me that it
really belongs to you?"

"Surely not," said Palmer, really glad of an opportunity of satisfying
himself that the bonds were safe.

He drew from his pocket a bunch of keys, and carefully selecting one
inserted it in the lock of the valise. It opened at once, and Palmer
eagerly scanned the contents. The under-clothing had been carefully
replaced, and he did not discover that it had been disturbed, but when
he lifted it to look for the envelopes containing the bonds, his face
underwent a change.

"What is the matter?" inquired Lawrence, calmly.

"That valise has been opened," said Palmer, angrily.

"What makes you think so?"

"The most valuable contents have been removed. I hold you accountable
for this, Mr. Lawrence," continued Palmer, fiercely.

"Please be a little more explicit. What is it that you miss?"

"Two envelopes, containing valuable bonds."

"This is a serious charge. Are you sure they were in the valise?"

"Of course I am. I put them there myself, and when I opened the valise
this morning they were there."

"Wasn't it rash in you to leave articles of such value in your valise?
Can you name any of the bonds?"

"Yes; there were two Erie mor