"You have had lots of adventures since last we met in Chicago," remarked Dick Marden, while he and Robert were making the trip from Timberville to Muskegon.

"That is true, and some adventures that I didn't care much about," returned our hero.

"It's the way of the world, lad—you can't get through without some pretty hard knocks and dangerous brushes. But tell me frankly, what would you like to do next?"

"I would like to obtain some good office situation. I like to keep books, write business letters, and handle money—especially if the business done is on a large scale."

"I understand." Dick Marden mused for a moment. "I was thinking of offering you a place at Timberville, or in my mine in California; but I reckon you had best remain in Chicago. But I shan't forget to keep my eye on you, and[Pg 280] you can be sure that my uncle won't forget you if he comes out on top, as that lawyer says."

The run to Muskegon was without special incident, and once in the town bordering the lake they found they had several hours to wait until a steamer would leave for Chicago.

"The wait will just suit me," said the miner. "I want to call on a man who deals in lumber and make an arrangement with him to handle some of my uncle's output."

The office building in which the wholesale lumber dealer did business was situated several blocks from the depot and thither the pair made their way.

As they entered the wide hallway Robert suddenly clutched Dick Marden by the arm.

"There he is at last!" he whispered.

"He? Who?"

"That rascal who robbed me—Jim Huskin!"

And our hero pointed to where Huskin stood, in conversation with an old gentleman in black.

"You are certain he is the man?" asked the miner.

"Yes; I would never forget that smooth face and those wicked eyes."

"He seems to be playing some confidence game now," went on Dick Marden.

[Pg 281]

The miner was right. Jim Huskin had the old man in black in an out of the way corner and was conversing with him in great earnestness.

"You cannot lose on the venture, Mr. Price," he said, as our hero and Marden drew closer. "The shares will always be worth the money you put into them. Better let me have the check now, and I will buy them inside of the next hour."

"Yes, yes, but are you quite sure it is safe?" asked the old man, in a trembling voice. "You see, I cannot afford to lose four hundred dollars."

"You will not lose—I will guarantee the shares myself," answered the confidence man earnestly.

"Very well, if you will guarantee them," said the old man, and drew out his pocketbook, which held several bankbills, and a filled in check for the amount Huskin desired.

At that moment Robert placed his hand upon the confidence man's shoulder.

"So we meet again, Jim Huskin," he said coldly.

The rascal turned in amazement, and then his face fell.

"Why—er—what—who are you?" he stammered, hardly being able to speak.

"You know very well who I am," answered[Pg 282] our hero. "I am the boy you robbed in Chicago."

"Robbed!" gasped the old man in black. "Did you say robbed?"

"I did, sir. This man is a rascal and a thief."

"You are mistaken——" began Jim Huskin, but his manner showed how uncomfortable he felt.

"A rascal and a thief!" murmured the old man, and looked as if he would faint. It did not take him long to place his pocketbook in his pocket again.

Jim Huskin was a man who made up his mind quickly. He saw that Robert had the best of him, and that his only chance for safety lay in flight. Turning swiftly, he started to run from the building.

But he had reckoned without Dick Marden, and he had scarcely taken two steps when the miner put out his foot and sent him sprawling in the hallway. At once a crowd began to collect.

"What's the row here?" demanded the janitor of the building, as he rushed up.

"We've collared a thief," answered Marden. "Call a policeman."

"What! do you mean to have me arrested?"[Pg 283] demanded Jim Huskin, as he got up, to find himself in the grasp of both Robert and his friend.

"That's what," answered the miner coolly.

Jim Huskin began to expostulate, but all to no purpose. Soon an officer came in, followed by another crowd.

"What has he done?" demanded the policeman.

"I charge him with robbing me," answered Robert. "His name is Jim Huskin."

"My name isn't Huskin, it is Williams," put in the confidence man.

"Jim Huskin?" repeated the officer.............