"What's de matter?" asked the frightened negro. "Who done sumfin to yo', boss?"
"Matter?" cried the miner. "I've been robbed, that's what's the matter. Did you take my money, you black rascal?" and Mr. Post leaped from his berth and made a jump for the porter.
Just as he grabbed the negro by his kinky wool the conductor, who had been asleep in his berth, emerged. He was struck squarely by the porter, and the two went down in a heap in the aisle, with Mr. Post on top of them.
"What's this all about?" inquired the conductor, as soon as matters had quieted down a bit.
"I've been robbed, that's all," replied Mr. Post, who had partly dressed.
"Tell me about it," demanded the conductor, and then the miner, realizing that he had been a bit foolish, explained the circumstances.
"Serves you right for trusting a stranger," said the conductor.
"But he said he was able to double my cash," protested Mr. Post.
"I've got to have it back. It will ruin me to lose it."
"Here it is," said Nat, who, with the other boys, had donned his clothes. He thought matters had gone far enough. "We had it for safe keeping," he explained.
"Well douse my safety lamp! Where did you get it?" asked Mr. Post, his eyes big with wonder.