"No—no. I want to leave town this afternoon."
"Then I am afraid we shall have to let him go. The three dollars you have lost you must consider paid for experience. If it makes you more cautious in future it will be well expended."
"So 'twill, so 'twill," said the farmer. "Much obleeged to ye, squire, for gettin' me out of a scrape."
"You are still more indebted to the young bell-boy," indicating Rupert. "Let me suggest that you can't do better than to offer him the money you have saved from our sharp friend here."
"I'll do better than that," said the farmer. "I will give him ten dollars. He has saved me from making a fool of myself."
"You see, Clayton," said the detective, "that it is better to be honest than a knave. The bell-boy has made more in this affair than you."
"Can I go?" asked Clayton, crestfallen.
"Yes, and don't let me see you here again. I shall have my eye on you, and the next time you won't get off so easily."
Clayton lost no time in availing himself of this permission. In sadness and disappointment he left the hotel, inwardly resolving never to enter it again.