r guests, remember."

Smith did not whimper. He took the paper and in a few minutes added
$1,391.78, making the total $11,582.68.

I was astounded beyond measure. Flanagan's eyes bulged. Captain Martin
was unruffled. He dealt with that sort of deviltry every day, and read
the mind of Smith as if it were a child's primer. He gave the impression
of knowing all about the mysterious Stuffer feature of the case. If the
hotel proprietor had robbed Mr. Tescheron, I was surprised he had not
mentioned the matter to me. He said nothing of birds. He couldn't have
eaten them, thought I. My curiosity was greatly aroused.

"Mr. Smith, alias Mr. Van Riper, alias Mr. Stewart, what name have you
your bank account under, these days?" asked Captain Martin.

"Under the name of William P. Smith, at the Lincoln Bank." He answered
without hesitating, being duly impressed by the official atmosphere of
the place, whereas I wouldn't have had the thing made public by a
regular complaint for all the world.

"Got no blank checks with you, I suppose?" asked the captain.

"No, sir."

"How much of a balance have you there?"

"About fifteen thousand dollars."

"It's past banking hours now, Smithy, so I tell you what you'll have to
do. Take these blank checks here and make out one to--"

"Albert Tescheron," said I.

"One to Albert Tescheron for--let me see--for $10,572.68, and one to
Benjamin Hopkins for $1,010. You will then have to bunk in here to-night
with me until I learn that these parties have collected the money. Then
you can go, but you'll have to pack out of town and stay out."

"How would the cash do, captain?" eagerly asked Smith.

"Got it with you?"

"I can telephone for it and have it here in twenty minutes."

"Take this 'phone and do it. We'll wait."

Enough greenbacks and change to make $10,572.68 fell into Mr.
Tescheron's hands with a long letter of explanation from me, as he
entered his home that night, and I grasped $1,010.

As to Flanagan and Tom Martin--did I treat? Well, I guess so! Do you
blame me?

CHAPTER XXVI

The address on my card brought Gabrielle directly to my rooms, and when
I returned I found the lovers blissfully united, after only one day of
direst wretchedness. They rushed toward me as I entered and doubly
embraced me. I was the crowned hero--crowned with more praise than I
could well carry.

"How happy you have made us!" cried Gabrielle. "You cruel joker; but we
forgive you. Oh, you