rtune and get reduced to blacking boots?" asked
Rodney jocosely.

"I got scooped out of it in Wall Street," answered Mike. "Jay Gould
cleaned me out."

"And I suppose now he has added your fortune to his."

"You've hit it boss."

"Well, good day, Mike, I'll see you again some day----"

"All right! I'm in my office all de mornin'."

CHAPTER VI.

AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.

While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of attention
to a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street, and was ostensibly
looking in at the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned away he
recognized him at once as his enterprising fellow traveler who had taken
possession of the casket of jewels.

He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started to
cross the street. But the other came forward smiling, and with a nod
said: "I believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the cars and
afterwards at Kentville?"

"Yes, sir."

"I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the one for
which I mistook yours."

"Indeed!" said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.

"Quite an amusing mistake, I made."

"It might have proved serious to me."

"Very true, as I shouldn't have known where to find you to restore your
property."

"I don't think that would have troubled you much," thought Rodney.
"Where did you find your box?" he asked.

"In the car. That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at the
depot for me. Where are you staying here in the city? At the Astor
House?"

"No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street."

"If it is a good place, I should like to go there. What is the number?"

"I can't recall it, though I could find it," answered Rodney with
reserve, for he had no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in the
house.

"Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?"

"Yes, sir."

"He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. Ha, ha! my
friends will be very much amused when I tell them that I was taken for a
thief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more valuable than yours."

"Very likely," said Rodney coldly. "Good morning."

"Good morning. I hope we may meet again."

Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.

He was now confronted by a serious problem. He had less than ten dollars
in his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed up by the necessary
expenses of life in a large c