e that in my unconsciousness, but of course I
should have discovered it tomorrow morning and would have returned it to
you."

"I don't feel by any means sure of that. Look here, Mr. Wheeler, if that
is your name, you can't pull the wool over my eyes. You are a thief,
neither more nor less."

"How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?"

"Because I know something of your past history. It is clear to me now
that you were the person that stole John O'Donnell's money."

"Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew."

"It is useless to protest. How much of it have you left?"

Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and returned one
hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.

"Now," said Jefferson, "I advise you to leave the hotel at once. If
the boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a chance of being
lynched. Get out!"

The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that Louis
Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a week that he
revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler's departure.

CHAPTER XXXII.

RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.

Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the
Miners' Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum
every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined
for a boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his
appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, "Rodney,
you are looking fagged out. You need a change."

"Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?" asked Rodney, with
a smile.

"It means that I am going to give you a vacation."

"But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging
around Oreville with nothing to do."

"Such a vacation would do you no good. I'll tell you the plan I have for
you. I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty miles north of Oreville.
I will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride
on horseback?"

"Yes."

"That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There
are no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except
on foot or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the
open air, will do you good. What do you say to it?"

"I should like nothing better," replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling.
"Only, how will you get along without me?"

"I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work,
and I will have a g