Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded to act.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his powerful grasp.

"Where am I?" asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.

"Oh, it's you, Mr. Wheeler?" said Jefferson. "Don't you know where you are?"

"Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew. Is it possible I am in your room?"

"It is very possible. Now tell me why you are here?"

"I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. It is not the first time that I have got into trouble from walking in my sleep."

"Oh, you were walking in your sleep!"

"Yes, friend Petttigrew. It has been a habit of mine since I was a boy.

But it seems very strange that I should have been led to your room. How could I get in? Wasn't the door locked?"

"It is locked now?"

"It is strange! I don't understand it," said Wheeler, pa.s.sing his hand over his forehead.

"Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand."

"Can it be possible?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Wheeler in well counterfeited surprise.

"I don't know how to account for it."

"I think I can. Rodney, unlock the door and come in."

The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a lighted candle in his hand.

"You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor. You will notice also that my bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him."

"I am ashamed. I don't really know how to explain it except in this way.

When you displayed the gold last night it drew my attention and I must have dreamed of it. It was this which drew me unconsciously to your door. It is certainly an interesting fact in mental science."

"It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had carried off the gold."

"I might even have done that in my unconsciousness, but of course I should have discovered it tomorrow morning and would have returned it to you."

"I don't feel by any means sure of that. Look here, Mr. Wheeler, if that is your name, you can't pull the wool over my eyes. You are a thief, neither more nor less."

"How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?"

"Because I know something of your past history. It is clear to me now that you were the person that stole John O'Donnell's money."

"Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew."

"It is useless to protest. How much of it have you left?"

Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and returned one hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.

"Now," said Jefferson, "I advise you to leave the hotel at once. If the boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a chance of being lynched. Get out!"

The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that Louis Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a week that he revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler's departure.

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.

Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the Miners' Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined for a boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, "Rodney, you are looking f.a.gged out. You need a change."

"Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?" asked Rodney, with a smile.

"It means that I am going to give you a vacation."

"But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging around Oreville with nothing to do."

"Such a vacation would do you no good. I'll tell you the plan I have for you. I own a small mine in Babc.o.c.k, about fifty miles north of Oreville.

I will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride on horseback?"

"Yes."

"That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There are no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except on foot or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the open air, will do you good. What do you say to it?"

"I should like nothing better," replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling.

"Only, how will you get along without me?"

"I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work, and I will have a general oversight of things. So you need not borrow any trouble on that account. Do you think you can find your way?"

"Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. When shall I start?"

"Day after tomorrow. That will give me one day for making arrangements."

At nine the appointed morning Mr. Pettigrew's own horse stood saddled at the door, and Rodney in traveling costume with a small satchel in his hand, mounted and rode away, waving a smiling farewell to his friend and employer.

Rodney did not hurry, and so consumed two days and a half in reaching Babc.o.c.k. Here he was cordially received by the superintendent whom Jefferson Pettigrew had placed in charge of the mine. Every facility was afforded him to examine into the management of things and he found all satisfactory.

This part of his journey, therefore, may be pa.s.sed over. But his return trip was destined to be more exciting.

Riding at an easy jog Rodney had got within fifteen miles of Oreville, when there was an unexpected interruption. Two men started out from the roadside, or rather from one side of the bridle path for there was no road, and advanced to meet him with drawn revolvers.

"Halt there!" one of them exclaimed in a commanding tone.

Rodney drew bridle, and gazed at the two men in surprise.