He could not see a great deal, but he saw enough to convince him that the man was rummaging through a bureau. He had all the drawers open, and was going through them with a dexterity that showed he was no novice at this work.
“A hotel sneak-thief,” thought Bob. “Gracious! what a lot of robbing there is going on!”
He scanned the face of the man carefully. The fellow was a stranger and where he had come from the youth could not conjecture.
Bob concluded that the best thing he could do would be to call up the landlord, and place the case in his charge. Yet he was afraid to leave the corridor for fear the man would get away before he could return.
At that moment the man left the bureau, and walked to one of the windows.
“Hullo! she is coming back,” Bob heard him mutter.
Then, stuffing a number of articles into his coat-pockets, the man rushed to the door and flung it open.
He was astonished to come face to face with Bob.
“Who—what—” he stammered, and tried to pass the youth. But Bob blocked his way.
“What were you doing in that room?” demanded the youth.