, that's one comfort, thanks to his spinal complaint."

"That is a very clever fellow," reflected the old man when Burns had
started on his errand. "A bit too religious to suit my taste. Still he
seemed grateful for the little I did for him. If he had a little more
push and get-up-and-get about him he would succeed better. Why, he
isn't more than forty, and he confesses himself a failure. Why, at
forty I considered myself a young man, and was full of dash and
enterprise. Now I am sixty and tied to my seat by this spinal trouble.
However, I've got something laid by, and, old as I am, I feel
independent, as far as money goes."

Half an hour--an hour--passed, and still the old man found himself
alone. His messenger had not come back.

But there came up the path a tall, muscular figure, who greeted the
old man in a bluff, off hand way.

"How are you, Luke?" said the old man. "I was feeling lonely. I am
glad to see you."

"Have you been alone since morning?"

"Not quite all the time. I had quite a long call from a stranger."

"A stranger!" repeated Luke, suspiciously.

"What was his appearance?"

The old man described Burns, and Luke knew him at once.

"What did he say to you?"

"That reminds me--he said he knew the boy whom Horace has put in the
store--young Ray."

"Did he?"

"Yes, and he doesn't speak well of him."

"What does he say about him?"

"I don't like to tell you, Luke, for I believe he is a protege of
yours."

"Don't mind that. If there is anything to be said unfavorable of
Ernest I ought to know it."

"He says the boy robbed a store in which he was employed, and then
pretended it was entered by thieves. It was on that account, he says,
that the boy was compelled to leave the town where he lived and come
to California."

"Really, that is very interesting. To my own personal knowledge the
boy was never before employed in a store, and he came out to
California with me."

"Then what could the man mean?"

"I can't say. I can only tell you that he is a professional thief."

"Look quick, Luke, and see if my gold watch is hanging on a nail near
the cupboard."

"No, it is not there."

"Then the rascal must have stolen it. I gave him, besides, a Mexican
dollar to buy some eggs at the store."

"I don't think you will ever see it again, unless I catch the thief,
as I may to-night."

CHAPTER XXX.

A BURGLAR'S FAILURE.

If Tom Burns had been more prudent he would have made good his