ume I shall
within twenty minutes. I hope I don't inconvenience you by sitting up."

"No," answered Fred slowly.

"I've got my book nearly finished--I began to read it on the train.
When do you expect to go back?"

"Monday morning," Fred answered.

"That's good! We will go and see the Falls together to-morrow. Ever
seen them?"

"No, sir; this is my first visit to Niagara."

"I have been here several times, so I know the ropes. I shall be glad
to show you just where to go. But pardon me. I see you are sleepy. I
won't say another word. Good night, and pleasant dreams!"

"Good night."

The stranger continued to read for twenty minutes. At any rate he
appeared to do so. Occasionally he glanced over toward Fred's bed. The
train boy meant to keep awake till his companion got ready to go to
bed, but he was naturally a good sleeper, and his eyes would close in
spite of him; and finally he gave up all hope of resistance, and
yielded to the inevitable.

Soon his deep, regular breathing showed that he was unconscious of what
was passing around him.

The stranger rose, walked cautiously to the bed, and surveyed the
sleeping boy.

"How peacefully he sleeps!" he said. "He has nothing on his conscience.
At his age it was the same with me. I started right, but--circumstances
have been too much for me. There won't be much sleep for me to-night,
for the detectives are doubtless on my track. I must get rid of one
damaging piece of evidence."

He opened his valise, and, after searching a little, drew therefrom a
massive gold watch rather old-fashioned in appearance, attached to a
solid gold chain. Neither was new, and both had evidently been used for
a considerable number of years.

"I was a fool to take these," said the stranger. "They are more likely
to fasten suspicion on me than anything else. However, I have a good
chance now to get rid of them."

Fred had laid his newspaper parcel on a small table near his bed. The
other carefully untied the twine with which he had fastened it, and,
putting the watch and chain inside the shirt, he carefully wrapped it
up again, and tied it with the same cord.

"The boy will be considerably surprised he opens his bundle and
discovers these," he reflected, with a smile. "He will be a little
puzzled to know how they came there. Well, that is none of my business.
Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and it is important I
should get rid of such tell-tale clews."

This piece