"It may have fallen to the floor."

Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search was vain.
THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!



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 she
is 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 have
evidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we were
away from our seat."

"Were you inquiring about the casket?" asked a lady sitting opposite.

"Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?"