"Doesn't make much difference which one I go in, I s'pose," was a whispered comment from the man, who was the same that had ridden up with the boys in the elevator.
There was a slight clicking about the lock. Then something snapped.
"No go that time," whispered the man. "Try another key."
He selected one from among a bunch he held in his hand, and inserted it in the lock of the door leading to Jack's room. This time there was a different sort of click,
"That's the time I did it," the intruder remarked softly. "Now to see if I can't get some of the money they made me lose on that other deal."
Cautiously the man pushed open the door a few inches. It did not squeak, but, even when he had ascertained this, the thief did not enter at once. He paused, listening to the breathing of the three boys.
"Sound asleep," he muttered. "No trouble. This is easy."
On tiptoes he entered the room. The lights were all out but enough illumination came in from the street lights through the windows, to enable the intruder to see dimly. He noted that the connecting doors were open.
"Easier than I thought," he muttered. "Now if they're like other travelers they have everything under their pillows. If they only knew that is the easiest place to get anything from! Pillows are so soft, and you can get your hand under one without waking up the slightest sleeper, if you go slow and careful."
Up to the bedside of Jack the man stole. At every other step he stopped to listen. He moved as silently as a cat.