"Rather."
And Al proceeded to inform the man of his loss.
His companion uttered a low whistle.
"Well, he did soak it to you, for fair," he said. "He don't generally play that game; as a rule he works the thing in a more artistic way than that. Well, he got the money, all the same. It was a pretty good haul, too."
"I don't see how he got that ring off my finger without waking me up," said Al, ruefully.
"Oh, he can do more than that," grinned the brakeman. "He'd manage to rob you of your eyeteeth if he happened to take a fancy to them. He's a daisy!"
"I wish you had warned me when you saw him talking to me on the train."
"I couldn't very well do that; but I kept an eye on you both, and if I had seen him up to any funny business, I should have spoken. Hasn't he left you any money at all?"
"Not a cent."
"Well, see here, I'll let you have a few dollars if you'll promise to return 'em as soon as you get funds."