't you hear the fellow that's making the racket?"

Paul, tired with thumping, had desisted for a moment, but now had
recommenced with increased energy. The sounds could be distinctly heard
on the floor below.

"Excuse me, sir. I made a mistake," said the first speaker, releasing
his hold. "We'll go up and see what's the matter."

So the party went upstairs, followed at a distance by Bridget, who,
influenced alike by fear and curiosity, did not know whether to go up or
retreat.

The sounds were easily traced to room No. 237. In front of this,
therefore, the party congregated.

"What's the matter in there?" asked James, the first servant, putting
his lips to the keyhole.

"Yes," chimed in Mr. Piper, irritably; "what do you mean by such an
infernal hubbub?"

"Open the door, and let me out," returned Paul, eagerly.

The party looked at each other in surprise. They did not expect to find
the desperate maniac a boy.

"Perhaps there's more than one of them," suggested the second servant,
prudently.

"Why don't you come out yourself?" asked James. "I am locked in."

The door was opened with a passkey and Paul confronted the party.

"Now, young man, what do you mean by making such a disturbance?"
demanded Mr. Piper, excitably. "My room is just below, and I expected
every minute you would come through."

"I am sorry if I disturbed you, sir," said Paul, politely; "but it was
the only way I could attract attention."

"How came you locked up here?"

"Yes," chimed in James, suspiciously, "how came you locked up here?"

"I was drugged with chloroform, and locked in," said Paul.

"Who did it?"

"Mr. Felix Montgomery; or that's what he called himself. I came here by
appointment to meet him."

"What did he do that for?"

"He has carried off a diamond ring which I came up here to sell him."

"A very improbable story," said Mr. Piper, suspiciously. "What should
such a boy have to do with a diamond ring?"

Nothing is easier than to impart suspicion. Men are prone to believe
evil of each other; and Paul was destined to realize this. The hotel
servants, ignorant and suspicious, caught the suggestion.

"It's likely he's a' thafe," said Bridget, from a safe distance.

"If I were," said Paul, coolly, "I shouldn't be apt to call your
attention by such a noise. I can prove to you that I am telling the
truth. I stopped at the office, and the bookkeeper sent a servant to
show me up here."

"If this is true," said Mr.