“But why should he give such an alarm?” asked Gerald puzzled.
“To get a chance to enter our stateroom.”
“I don’t quite understand why he should enter our stateroom rather than any other?”
“Gerald,” said his friend significantly, “he was after your papers. He thought you might keep them in the stateroom.”
“Do you really think that, Mr Brooke?”
“I think it altogether likely, and that he has been engaged for the purpose by your friend, Mr. Bradley Wentworth. Unless I am greatly mistaken, we shall see more of Mr. Standish after we land.”
“I believe you are right, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald thoughtfully. “I shall most certainly adopt your suggestion, and copy the papers as soon as I reach St. Louis.”
The steamer arrived about three o’clock in the afternoon. Noel Brooke and Gerald went to the Lindell House and registered. An hour later, in the lobby of the hotel, looking, it must be confessed, rather out of place in his elegant surroundings, they recognized the familiar figure of Samuel Standish.