“Yes, sir; I will be very careful of it. Thank you for the hint.”
“I once had a watch and chain stolen myself,” continued Mr. Burnett. “It was in the cars, too. A well-dressed person sat down beside me, and engaged me in conversation. I suspected nothing, but shortly after he had left me at a way-station I discovered that my watch and chain were gone.”
“Did you never recover them?” asked Tom, with interest.
“Never. I suppose the fellow pawned or sold them.”
They were nearing St. Joe when a rakish-looking fellow entered the cars, and seemed to recognize Burnett.
“How are you, old fellow?” he said.
Percy Burnett glanced instinctively at Tom, and answered, stiffly:
“Very well, thank you. This is my friend, Mr. Thatcher.”
“How are you, Thatcher?” asked the new-comer, laughing. “I say, Jim, what’s your game?”
“I really don’t understand you,” said Burnett. “Come into the next car with me a moment.”