day for his eating, and that would be a decided saving.

He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in hand, when
on the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance of the train.

"Where are you going?" asked Wheeler.

"I am leaving this house. I have hired a room elsewhere."

Wheeler's countenance fell, and he looked dismayed.

"Why, I have just taken a room here for a week," he said.

"You will find it a good place."

"But--I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't thought I should have
company."

"I ought to feel complimented."

Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of stealing
the casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused at the fellow's
discomfiture.

"You haven't got your jewel box with you?"

"No, I can take that another time."

"Then it's still in the house," thought Wheeler with satisfaction. "It
won't be my fault if I don't get it in my hands. Well, good morning," he