CHAPTER IV.
IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.
"Were the contents of the casket valuable?" asked the land agent.
"Yes; it contained my mother's jewels, all the more valuable because sheis dead," replied Rodney.
"Were they of much intrinsic worth?"
"They must be worth several hundred dollars at least."
"Then they must be found," said Adin Woods energetically. "They haveevidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we wereaway from our seat."
"Were you inquiring about the casket?" asked a lady sitting opposite.
"Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?"
"Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose andreaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out."
"I wish you had stopped him, madam."
"He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of theyoung gentleman."
"I didn't know him. He must have been a thief."
"What was his appearance, madam?" asked the lot agent.
"He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming halfway down his cheeks."
"And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?"
"Yes, sir."
"He won't get on the train again," said the agent turning to Rodney. "Hethinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the interruption of hisjourney."
"What shall I do then?" asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a losswhich way to turn.
"Follow him," said the agent briefly. "He will probably stop over in thevillage a day and resume his journey tomorrow."
"Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn't know how to deal with him."
"Then I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll stop over with you and help youmake it hot for him. I've had a spite against thieves ever since I had avaluable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys."
"I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won't itinterfere with your business?"
"Not materially. If we succeed in overhauling the rascal I shall feelsufficiently repaid for the small interruption. But come on, we can'tafford to linger here while he is carrying off the plunder."
"I don't know how I can repay you, Mr. Woods," said Rodney gratefully.
"You can buy a lot of me when you get rich enough."
"I will certainly do so, though I am afraid it will be a long timefirst."
"You don't know what good fortune may be in store for you. Did younotice, madam, in which direction the thief went?"
"Yes, I was looking out of the window. He went over the road to theleft."
"That leads to the village. You will see, Mr. Ropes, that I was rightabout his plans."
"Don't call me Mr. Ropes. Call me Rodney."
"I will. It don't seem natural to dub a boy Mr. Now, Rodney, follow me."
The two passengers set out on the road that led to the village. Theycould see the latter easily, for it was not more than a mile away.
"He will be surprised to think we have 'struck his trail' so quick,"said the agent.
"Where shall we go first?"
"To the hotel if there is one."
"The village seems small."
"Yes, there are only a few hundred inhabitant probably. It is not aplace where a traveler would be likely to interrupt his journey unlesshe had a special object in doing so, like our dishonest friend. However,I think we shall be able to balk his little game."
Ten minutes' walk brought them to the village. Looking about they saw asmall hotel just across the way from a neat white chapel.
"Follow me," said the agent.
They went into the public room in which there was a small office.
The book of arrivals was open, and Adin Woods went forward and examinedit. Silently he pointed to a name evidently just written, for the inkwas scarcely dry. This was the name: Louis Wheeler, Philadelphia.
"This may or may not be his real name," said Mr. Woods in a low voice.
"Do you wish to register, gentlemen?" asked the clerk.
"We will take dinner, and if we decide to stay will register later. Bythe way, I recognize this name, but it may not be the man I suppose."
"Yes, the gentleman just registered."
"Would you mind describing him?"
"He was a tall, dark man as near as I can remember."
"And he carried a small casket in his hand?"
"Yes, and a gripsack."
"Oh yes," said the agent his face lighting up with satisfaction. "It isthe man I mean--where is he now?"
"In his room."
"Did he say how long he intended to stay?"
"No, sir. He said nothing about his plans."
"Did he seem specially careful about the casket?"
"Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry upthe gripsack."
"My friend," said the agent in an impressive tone, "I am going tosurprise 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 valuablejewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return ofthe 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 ina low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stoutbroad 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 todo."
Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable, then he led theway up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney, while the constable kepta 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 glanceshowed that the occupant answered the description given by the lady inthe car.
Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent andRodney.
"What is your business?" he asked in a tone which he tried to makeindifferent.
"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 toopen it.
"I don't understand."
"Then I will try to make things clear to you. You have, doubtless byaccident" he emphasized the last word, "taken from the car a casketbelonging to my young friend here."
"You are mistaken, sir," said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. "Thatcasket 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 tobe taken in by such tricks. I propose to have that casket."
"Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. Youbreak into a gentleman's room, and undertake to carry off his privateproperty. 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 wasgetting 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 tomy young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go.Otherwise--" and he glanced at Wheeler significan
tly.
"Perhaps I have made a mistake," admitted the thief. "I had a casketexactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one."
"I have the key to the casket here," said Rodney, "and I can tell youwithout 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 heleft it."
No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey tomortification and disappointment.
Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy officialreceived with thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by anafternoon train. They saw nothing further of Louis Wheeler who sent fordinner to be served in his room.