immediately,
and in some surprise, recognized the boy of Oak Forks. He was glad to find
that Ernest did not recognize him, and he immediately began to consider in
what way he could turn the circumstance to his own advantage.

"I wonder if the boy sleeps there," he said to himself. "If so, I will
make him a visit to-night. Probably the money he has taken during the day
will be in some drawer where I can get hold of it."

As he was leaving the store in the stealthy way habitual to him, he met a
man walking toward the place with a long and careless stride.

He started nervously, for this man was one whom he dreaded, and had reason
to fear.

It was Luke Robbins, who, tired with working the claim, was going to the
store to replenish his stock of tobacco.

Tom Burns pulled his soft hat down over his eyes and pushed swiftly on.

Luke Robbins halted a moment and looked at him. As in Ernest's case, he
seemed to see something familiar in the appearance of the tramp. He
realized, at all events, that he was a stranger in Oreville, for he knew
everyone in the mining settlement.

"Who are you, stranger? Have I seen you before?" asked Luke, hailing him.

Tom Burns did not dare to reply, for he feared that Luke might prove to
have a better memory than Ernest. So he was passing on without a response,
when Luke, who considered his conduct suspicious, demanded, in a
peremptory tone, "Who are you? Do you live here?"

Tom Burns shrugged his shoulders, and said, disguising his voice, "Me no
understand English, boss."

"What countryman are you?" asked Luke suspiciously.

"Italian," answered Tom.

"Humph! you are the first Italian I have seen in Oreville."

"Si, signor," answered Tom, and this comprised all the Italian he knew.

"Well, I don't think you will find any inducement to stay."

"Si, signor," replied Burns meekly.

Without another word Luke entered the store.

"Ernest," he said, "I am out of tobacco, and must have a smoke. Give me
half a pound."

"All right, Luke."

"I ran across an Italian just outside. He seemed to be leaving the
store."

"An Italian?" queried Ernest, his tone betraying surprise.

"Yes. Wasn't he in here?"

"There was a man in here--a stranger, but I don't think he was an
Italian."

"This man answered me in some Italian gibberish. He said he couldn't
understand English."

"What was his appearance?"

Luke described him.

"It's the same man that was in here just now, but he could spe