"I imagine Sam is right," said Dick. "If it wasn't Dan Baxter it was his double."
Upon hearing this the hotel clerk and the detectives insisted upon knowing who Dan Baxter was, and the boys told as much of the bully as they deemed necessary.
"Of course, if he is guilty the chances are that he will leave San Francisco as soon as possible," said one of the detectives. "The best we can do is to try to head him off."
"And we'll do our best to find him, too," added Tom.
"I think the hotel ought to be responsible for this robbery," said Dick.
"You didn't leave your key at the desk when you went out," cried the hotel clerk, struck by a sudden idea.
"What of that?" asked Tom.
"That makes the guest responsible."
"What!" cried Tom, aghast.
"We are responsible only when the key is left at the desk. And jewels must be left for keeping in one of our safes," went on the clerk. "There are our rules," and he pointed to the printed form tacked on the inside of the door.