leave
us."

"I think I will stay," said Gordon in a submissive tone.

"It is too late. You have discharged yourself. You can't stay here on
any terms."

Gordon left Oreville the next day a sorely disappointed man, for he had
received more liberal pay than he was likely to command elsewhere. The
young landlord had triumphed.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.

At the end of a month Jefferson Pettigrew said: "I've been looking over
the books, Rodney, and I find the business is better than I expected.
How much did I agree to pay you?"

"A hundred and fifty dollars a month, but if you think that it is too
much----"

"Too much? Why I am going to advance you to two hundred and fifty."

"You can't be in earnest, Mr. Pettigrew?"

"I am entirely so."

"That is at the rate of three thousand dollars a year!"

"Yes, but you are earning it."

"You know I am only a boy."

"That doesn't make any difference as long as you understand your
business."

"I am very grateful to you, Mr. Pettigrew. My, I can save two hundred
dollars a month."

"Do so, and I will find you a paying investment for the money."

"What would Jasper say to my luck?" thought Rodney.

Three months passed without any incident worth recording. One afternoon
a tall man wearing a high hat and a Prince Albert coat with a paste
diamond of large size in his shirt bosom entered the public room of the
Miners' Rest and walking up to the bar prepared to register his name.
As he stood with his pen in his hand Rodney recognized him not without
amazement.

It was Louis Wheeler--the railroad thief, whom he had last seen in New
York.

As for Wheeler he had not taken any notice of the young clerk, not
suspecting that it was an old acquaintance who was familiar with his
real character.

"Have you just arrived in Montana, Mr. Wheeler?" asked Rodney quietly.

As Rodney had not had an opportunity to examine his signature in the
register Wheeler looked up in quiet surprise.

"Do you know me?" he asked.

"Yes; don't you know me?"

"I'll be blowed if it isn't the kid," ejaculated Wheeler.

"As I run this hotel, I don't care to be called a kid."

"All right Mr.----"

"Ropes."

"Mr. Ropes, you are the most extraordinary boy I ever met."

"Am I?"

"Who would have thought of your turning up as a Montana landlord."

"I wouldn't have thought of it myself four months ago. But what brings
you out here?"

"Business," answered Wheeler in an i