“That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call.”

Louis Wheeler changed color. He began to see that the situation was getting serious.

“There is a great mistake here,” he said.

“I agree with you.”

The agent went to the door, and called “Constable Barlow.”

The constable promptly presented himself.

“Do you want me, sir?” he asked.

“That depends on this gentleman here. If he will peacefully restore to my young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go. Otherwise—” and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.

“Perhaps I have made a mistake,” admitted the thief. “I had a casket exactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one.”

“I have the key to the casket here,” said Rodney, “and I can tell you without opening it what it contains.”