them there," said Frank, pale, but resolute; "some wicked
person, who wanted to get me into trouble."

"What do you mean by that, you young vagabond?" demanded John Wade,
suspiciously.

"I mean what I say," he asserted. "I am away all day, and nothing is
easier than to open my trunk and put articles in, in order to throw
suspicion on me."

"Look here, you rascal!" said John Wade, roughly. "I shall treat you
better than you deserve. I won't give you over to the police out of
regard for my uncle, but you must leave this house and never set foot in
it again. It will be the worse for you if you do."

John Wade and the housekeeper left the room, and our hero was left to
realize the misfortune which had overwhelmed him.

Frank arose at an early hour the next morning and left the house. It was
necessary for him to find a new home at once in order to be at the
store in time. He bought a copy of the Sun and turned to the advertising
columns. He saw a cheap room advertised near the one he had formerly
occupied. Finding his way there he rang the bell.

The door was opened by a slatternly-looking woman, who looked as if she
had just got up.

"I see by the Sun you have a room to let," said Frank.

"Yes; do you want to see it now?"

"I should like to."

"Come upstairs and I will show you the room."

The room proved to be small, and by no means neat in appearance, but
the rent was only a dollar and a quarter a week, and Frank felt that he
could not afford to be particular, so he quickly closed the bargain.

The next day, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, he was surprised at
seeing Mrs. Bradley enter the store and thread her way to that part of
the counter where her nephew was stationed. She darted one quick look at
him, but gave him no sign of recognition. His heart sank within him, for
he had a presentiment that her visit boded fresh evil for him.

CHAPTER XV

FROM BAD TO WORSE

Frank's misgivings were not without good cause. The housekeeper's call
at the store was connected with him. How, will be understood from a
conversation which took place that morning between her and John Wade.

"It's a relief to get that boy out of the house, Mrs. Bradley," he said
at the breakfast table.

"That it is, Mr. John," she replied. "But he'll be trying to get back,
take my word for it."

"He won't dare to," said John Wade, incredulously. "I told him if he
came near the house I would give him up to the police."

"I