"What are you doing
here?" demanded Barnes, staring. He seized the man's arm and inquired
eagerly: "Have you got the jewels?"
"No; but I will have them before morning," replied Sprouse coolly. He
shot a furtive glance around the deserted lobby. "Better not act as
though you knew me. That bull is no fool. He doesn't know me, but by
this time he knows who you are."
"He is trailing Peter Ames."
"Ship Peter to-morrow," advised Sprouse promptly.
"I had already thought of doing so," said Barnes, surprised by the
uncanny promptness of the man in hitting upon the strategy he had
worked out for himself after many harassing hours. "He goes to my
sister's place to-morrow morning."
"Send him by train. He will be easier to follow. There is a train
leaving for the south at 9:15."
"You were saying that before morning you would--"
"Be careful! Don't whisper. People don't whisper to utter strangers.
Step over here by the front door. Would you be surprised if I were to
tell you that his royal nibs is hiding in this town? Well, he
certainly is. He bought a railway ticket for Albany at Hornville the
day he beat it, but he got off at the second station,--which happens
to be this one.
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