to face with
Hal. He started back, and gave the youth a keen look.

"Where have I met that fellow before?" he muttered to himself.

He had not recognized Hal with the false mustache.

The game went on, but Allen took no more interest, and soon disappeared
from the room.

Hal was about to follow, when a tall man stepped up to him, and tapped
him on the shoulder.

"I want to have a talk with you, my friend," he said, in a low tone.
"Come this way, please."

Somewhat astonished, the youth followed the man into a side apartment.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I want to know what your game is," was the cool response. "You haven't
put up a cent, and that mustache of yours is false. I have an idea you
are a spy."

CHAPTER XXII.

HAL MEETS LAURA SUMNER.

Hal was somewhat taken aback by the statement made to him by one of the
proprietors of the resort he had entered, but he quickly recovered.

"It is true the mustache is false, but it is not true that I am spying
upon you," he said.

And this was true, for he cared nothing as to what took place in the
resort so long as it did not appertain to Mr. Allen or Hardwick.

"That's easy enough to say, but how can you prove it?" was the short
reply.

"Is it necessary to prove it?" returned Hal, just as quickly.

"Well, the case is just here, we don't want spies around here."

Hal could not help but smile.

"Do you know how I learned of this resort?" he asked.

"One of the dudes who didn't know how to keep his mouth shut told you, I
suppose."

"No. An old apple-stand fellow told me."

"Is that true?"

"It is. So if the police wanted to stop you they could easily do so."

The proprietor muttered something under his breath.

"Well, you are sure you don't intend to give us away, then?"

"I do not."

"What brought you?"

"Curiosity concerning a fellow who played here."

"What fellow?"

"Mr. Caleb Allen."

"What! the man who just left?"

"Yes."

"Are you spotting him?"

"Excuse me, but that's my business. He has gone, and with your
permission I will follow him."

The man looked at Hal for a second in silence.

"I'll trust you, for you have the right kind of eyes. You are following
Allen for a purpose, but that's none of my affair. When you go just
forget all about this place, unless you want to come in some time and
try a hand."

"Thank you, I don't gamble," and without another word Hal left the room
and hurried down stairs.

A hasty loo