being himself out at elbows, had entered this shop on an errand
similar to Paul's.

"What can I sell you?" asked the shopkeeper, to his new customer.

"I want a coat," said Marlowe, roughly; "good and cheap. Don't try any
of your swindling tricks on me, for I won't stand them."

With the details of the negotiation that followed we have nothing to
do. It is enough to say that this chance meeting between Paul and
Marlowe was not without its results, though neither knew the other.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SPOT UPON THE COAT.

When Julius went home at six o'clock he found Marlowe and his guardian
(if Jack Morgan deserves the title) sitting over a game of cards. They
looked up as he entered the room.

"Well, Julius, how are you getting on?" asked Jack. "Have you found
out anything more?"

"Not yet, Jack."

"Then it's time you did."

"I'm goin' up to the house to-night."

"Does he know it?"

"Yes; he told me to come."

"What made him do that?"

"I axed him for some old clothes. He told me to come up to-night and
he'd give me some."

"That's good," said Jack, approvingly. "Mind you keep your eyes open
when you're there. Find out where the swag is kept. It'll save me and
Marlowe some trouble."

Julius nodded.

"I'll do my best," he said.

"What time are you going up?"

"In an hour or so."

"I hope we'll make a haul, Marlowe," said Jack. "I haven't been in
luck lately. If I could raise a thousand or so I'd clear out of these
diggings. The cops know me too well."

"Where would you go, supposin' you got the money?" asked his
companion.

"I'd go to California. They don't know me there. Something might turn
up for me."

"I'll go with you, Jack, if you go. I've got tired of New York, and,
as you say, they know me too well hereabouts. Will you take the boy?"

"No," said Jack carelessly. "He knows how to take care of himself.
He'll be better off here."

Julius listened to this conversation, thoughtfully watching the
speaker as he spoke, and it helped him to a decision in a matter that
had troubled him somewhat. He could not help seeing that Jack Morgan
cared nothing for him, except so far as it suited his convenience to
have his companionship. Looking back, he could not see that he owed
him any gratitude. The balance of favors was on the other side. He had
done more for Jack than Jack for him. He asked himself if he wanted to
go with Jack Morgan on this journey, and he answered his own question
in the