is soul. It was the sound of a key being
turned in the lock.

Nervously Wheeler hastened to the door and tried it. It would not open.
Evidently it had been locked from the outside. What could it mean?

At the same time there was a series of knocks on the outside of the
door. It was the signal that had been agreed upon between Mr. Pettigrew
and Rodney. Jefferson had given his key to Rodney, who had remained up
and on the watch for Mr. Wheeler's expected visit. He, too, was in his
stocking feet.

As soon as he saw Wheeler enter his friend's chamber he stole up and
locked the door on the outide. Then when he heard the thief trying to
open the door he rained a shower of knocks on the panel.

Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded to act.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his powerful
grasp.

"Where am I?" asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.

"Oh, it's you, Mr. Wheeler?" said Jefferson. "Don't you know where you
are?"

"Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew. Is it possible I am in your room?"

"It is very possible. Now tell me why you are here?"

"I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. It is not
the first time that I have got into trouble from walking in my sleep."

"Oh, you were walking in your sleep!"

"Yes, friend Petttigrew. It has been a habit of mine since I was a boy.
But it seems very strange that I should have been led to your room. How
could I get in? Wasn't the door locked?"

"It is locked now?"

"It is strange! I don't understand it," said Wheeler, passing his hand
over his forehead.

"Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand."

"Can it be possible?" ejaculated Wheeler in well counterfeited surprise.
"I don't know how to account for it."

"I think I can. Rodney, unlock the door and come in."

The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a lighted candle
in his hand.

"You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor. You will notice also that
my bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him."

"I am ashamed. I don't really know how to explain it except in this way.
When you displayed the gold last night it drew my attention and I must
have dreamed of it. It was this which drew me unconsciously to your
door. It is certainly an interesting fact in mental science."

"It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had carried off
the gold."

"I might even have don