"What!" said Evan staring.

"He came in and packed his trunk and took it away in a taxi-cab. Said
he was going away for a few days. Wouldn't tell me where he was going.
Seemed funny to me he wanted his trunk if it was only a few days, but
of course I couldn't object for his rent is paid up and he left his
furniture anyway, though that wouldn't bring much. I will say he acted
funny though, to an old friend like me. Wouldn't give me any
information."

Evan stared at the woman as if he thought she had suddenly lost her
mind. Then without a word he ran up the three flights of stairs. A
glance in Charley's room confirmed what she had told him. Things were
thrown about in the wildest confusion. But all Charley's clothes were
gone, as well as all the personal belongings that he treasured.

Evan never gave a thought to the five thousand dollars; what cut him to
the quick was the suggestion that his friend had betrayed him. There
is nothing bitterer.

"I needn't have been so anxious about him," thought grimly. "This is
more like treachery!"

CHAPTER XVII

THE _ERNESTINA_ AGAIN

The next day was Saturday, and whatever had happened to Evan, he did
not forget that this was the day of the _Ernestina's_ excursion, nor
would he relinquish his determination to take it. In his present sore
and bitter state of mind the prospect of a row was rather welcome than
otherwise.

He timed himself to arrive at the East Twentieth street pier at
nine-twenty, that is to say ten minutes before the steamboat was due to
leave. He found Denton taking tickets at the gangway as before, but it
was a very different face that Denton turned to him this morning;
censure, reproach and apprehension all had a part in his expression.
"He's been filled up with great stories about me," thought Evan. There
was a policeman standing near Denton. Evan's eyes glittered at the
sight of him.

Evan made believe not to notice any change in Denton's manner. "Good
morning," he said cheerfully.

Denton made no reply.

"What can I do to-day?" asked Evan.

Denton shook his head.

Evan affected to be greatly surprised. "Why, what's the matter?"

"I guess you know," the other said sorely.

The policeman stepped up. "Is this the guy as made trouble for you
last trip?" he asked hoarsely.

Denton nodded.

The policeman turned self-righteously on Evan. "Say, fella, you'd
ought to be ashamed of yourself! Don't you know no better than t