He moved about a good deal, and muttered frequently, but I
could not make out any words."

"Perhaps he has run away from home," suggested the clerk.

The stranger shrugged his shoulders.

"He may have had good reasons for running away," he said. "However,
that is none of my business. I suppose you missed nothing during the
night."

"No. Good morning."

The stranger went out, directing his steps toward the Falls.

An hour later a quiet-looking man entered the office.

"Good morning, Mr. Ferguson," said the clerk. "What brings you here so
early?"

"Business," answered the other briefly. "Did you have any late arrivals
last evening?"

"Yes; two."

"Who were they?"

"A man and boy."

"Are they here still?"

"The boy is up-stairs. The man left at six o'clock. He wanted to see
the Falls before taking an early train. He said the boy seemed very
nervous, and had a troubled sleep."

The detective nodded. "I think he must be the party I want."

"Why, what has happened?"

"The house of a wealthy old gentleman in Elmira was entered yesterday
afternoon, and articles of value taken. I received a telegram this
morning which should have reached me last night, asking me to be on the
watch for any suspicious parties."

"And you think the boy committed the burglary?" asked the clerk in
excitement.

"It looks like it. With your permission I will go up-stairs and take a
look at him."

CHAPTER XI.

FRED FALLS UNDER A TERRIBLE SUSPICION.

About ten minutes before the arrival of the detective Fred woke up. He
generally awoke earlier, but his long ride of the day before had
fatigued him more than usual. It was natural for him to glance over to
the opposite bed, occupied by his traveling companion. He was surprised
to find it empty.

"He must have got up early," thought Fred. "I wonder if he has gone for
good."

This seemed likely, for the stranger's valise had disappeared also.

"I wonder he didn't wake me up and bid me good-by," thought the train
boy.

Then a momentary suspicion led him to search for the hundred dollars in
gold which he had carefully concealed in his inside vest pocket. If
that were taken, he would be in a quandary, for there would be little
chance of his being able to make up the loss to his friend, the Western
miner.

He found, to his relief, that the gold had not been touched, and he
reproached himself for the injustice he had in his thoughts, done his
late room-mate.

"Well,"