him of his watch and chain, and twenty four dollars
and a quarter in money. They also took a small diamond scarf pin and a
ring set with a valuable ruby. In one pocket Cuffer found several
letters and he likewise appropriated these.

"Not such a bad haul," was the thief's comment.

Of course, Dick did not submit willingly, but with a gag in his mouth,
and his hands and feet tied tightly, he could do but little. As soon
as the men had taken his things from him, they shut the closet door
upon him and locked it. A few minutes later all became quiet, showing
that they had left the room.

The closet was small and stuffy and in this warm weather made Dick
perspire freely. But without waiting to make certain that the men were
really gone, he commenced to work upon his bonds and the gag in his
mouth.

It was no light task and it was a good quarter of an hour before he
got one hand loose.

Then he freed his other hand and undid the troublesome gag, which had
all but smothered him, and then unfastened his feet.

He was still a prisoner in the closet, the door of which was an old
fashioned one and thick. But by bracing his feet against the back
wall, Dick got a firm hold and soon his shoulder on the barrier caused
it to bend and creak. Then the lock gave way and the door flew open
with a bang.

A glance around the room showed that the men had flown, and for good,
for two valises which had stood in a corner were missing.

Dick leaped to the hall door, only to find it locked from the outside.

"They must have gone that way," he reasoned, after a look out of the
window, and then he rapped on the door loudly.

It was several minutes before anybody answered his summons. Then an
ignorant looking chambermaid appeared.

"Phot does yez want?" she demanded, in a strong Irish brogue.

"I am locked in. Let me out," answered Dick.

After some fumbling, the chambermaid found her key and unlocked the
door. She gazed at Dick in some surprise, for she saw that he was
excited.

"Sure, I didn't know yez had that room," she said.

"Did you see the two men who had this room?" demanded the youth.

"I did not."

"They robbed me and ran away."

"Saints preserve us! Robbed ye? Of phat?"

"Of everything I had. Sure you didn't see 'em?"

"Not since this marnin'."

"Well, they must have just gone out," said Dick, and ran down the
stairs and to the office. Here he found the place deserted, the clerk
having gone down to the dining r