t be for want
of trying.

As he finished dressing the breakfast-bell rang and he went down to
the dining-room.

Though he had lost his money he had not lost his appetite.

When he entered the dining-room he found himself first in the field.

"Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the landlady. "You are early, but not
so early as Mr. Blodgett. He left the house a little before six."

"Did you see him?" asked Sam, eagerly.

"Yes, and spoke with him."

"What did he say?"

"He said he was used to getting up early in the country, and was going
out for a walk. Hasn't he returned?"

"No," answered Sam, "and I don't believe he will."

"What makes you say that?" asked the landlady, noticing a significance
in his tone.

"I mean that he's gone off with all my money," said Sam, bluntly.

"You don't say so!" ejaculated the landlady. "Why, I thought he was
more likely to be taken in himself. Wasn't he from the country?"

"That's what he said; but I don't believe it. I think he was in
disguise."

"I thought he was an old friend of yours."

"I never saw him before yesterday. He came up to me in the Parker
House yesterday morning."

"What wickedness there is in the world, I do declare! Did he take all
your money?"

"Every cent," said Sam. "I'm glad I paid you a week in advance, or I
should be badly off."

"I wouldn't have turned you out, Mr. Barker," said the landlady,
kindly. "I have a hard time to get along myself, and it makes me
sympathize with them that has had ill luck."

Good Mrs. Campbell was not quite grammatical, but she was
kind-hearted, and that is better.

"Thank you," said Sam; "but all the same I'm glad you've got the seven
dollars instead of Blodgett. I'm going to try to find him, and if I do
I'll have the money back, unless he has spent it all."

"Be careful, Mr. Barker. He's stronger than you are, and he might do
you some harm."

"I'll risk it," said Sam, who, with all his defects, was not wanting
in courage. "I want nothing better than to come across him."

CHAPTER XXV.

IN PURSUIT OP A PLACE.

Sam was more angry than discouraged when he reflected upon the
imposition which had been practiced upon him. His indignation was
excited when he considered how his confidence had been betrayed.
Presently it occurred to him that Abner had served him no worse than
he intended to serve his roommate in New York. The thought made him
ashamed.

"I didn't think I was acting so mean," he said to him