"Yes; this young gentleman is a professor of magic, and he will perform some tricks this evening. This afternoon I expect you to be polite to him, and invite him to join your games."
This all were very ready to do, for Robert was good-looking and gentlemanly in appearance, and soon made himself a general favorite.
Supper was served between five and six o'clock, and early in the evening Robert appeared as a magician. He had quite a variety of tricks and illustrations, and this part of the programme gave great satisfaction.
The next morning (for Miss Stafford and Robert also passed the night in the hospitable mansion) when our young hero was ready to start out on his journey, Miss Stafford, put in his hand a sealed envelope.
"Don't open this," she said, "till you have gone at least a mile."
CHAPTER XXIX.
AN UNPLEASANT ACQUAINTANCE.
Robert felt curious to learn what was in the letter, but faithfully carried out the wishes of Miss Stafford, and did not open it till he was more than a mile away.
On opening it, to his surprise he found inclosed two $10 bills, with the following words written in pencil: