I N due time, Nicholas Bundy and Oliver arrived at Chicago. They took up their residence at a small hotel, and Mr. Bundy prepared to search for some trace of Rupert Jones. He couldn\'t find the name in the directory, but after diligent search ascertained that such a man had been in business in Chicago ten years before. Where he went or what became of him could not immediately be learned. Time was required, and it became necessary to prolong their stay in the city.

Mr. Bundy did not care to make acquaintances. With Oliver he was not lonely. But one evening, while sitting in the public room, a stranger entered into conversation with him.

"My dear sir," he said to Mr. Bundy, "I perceive that you smoke. Won\'t you oblige me by accepting one of my cigars? I flatter myself that you will find it superior to the one you are smoking."

If there was one thing that Nicholas Bundy enjoyed it was a good cigar.

"Thank you, sir," he said. "You are very obliging."

"Oh, don\'t mention it," said the other. "The fact is I am rather an enthusiast on the subject of cigars. I would like your opinion of this one."

Nicholas took the proffered cigar and lighted it. He was sufficient of a judge to see that it was really superior, and his manner became almost genial toward the stranger who had procured him this pleasure.

"It is capital," he said. "Where can I get more like it?"

"Oh, I\'ll undertake that," said the other. "How many would you like?"

"A hundred to begin with."

"You shall have them. By the way, do you remain long in the city?"

"I can\'t tell. It depends upon my business."

"Why do you stay at a hotel? You would find a boarding-house more comfortable and cheaper."

"Do you know of a good one?"

"I can recommend the one where I am myself living. There is a chamber next to my own that is vacant, if you would like to look at it."

The proposal struck Nicholas favorably and he agreed to accompany his new acquaintance the next morning to look at it.

The house was one of fair appearance, with a tolerably good location. The chamber referred to by Denton (this was the stranger\'s name) was superior to the room in the hotel, while the terms were more reasonable.

"What do you say, Oliver?" asked Mr. Bundy. "Shall we remove here?"

"Just as you like, sir. It seems a very pleasant room."

The landlady was seen, and the arrangement was made for an immediate removal. She was a woman of middle age, bland in her manners, but there was something shifty and evasive in her eyes not calculated to inspire confidence. Neither Nicholas nor Oliver thought much of this at the time, though it occurred to them afterward.

"You\'ll find her a good landlady," said Denton, who seemed pleased at the success of the negotiations. "I have been here over a year, and I have never had anything to complain of. The table is excellent."

"I am not likely to find fault with it," said Nicholas. "I\'ve roughed it a good deal in my time, and I aint much used to luxury. If I get a comfortable bed, and good plain victuals, it\'s enough for me."

"So you\'ve been a rolling stone, Mr. Bundy," said the stranger enquiringly.

"Yes, I have wandered about the world more or less."

"They say \'a rolling stone gathers no moss,\'" continued Mr. Denton. "I hope you have gathered enough to retire upon."

"I have got enough to see me through," said Nicholas quietly.

"So have I," said Denton. "Queer coincidence, isn\'t it? When I was fifteen years old I hadn\'t a cent, and being without shoes I had to go barefoot. Now I\'ve got enough to see me through. Do you see that ring?" displaying at the same time a ring with an immense colorless stone. "It\'s worth a cool thousand,—genuine diamond, in fact,—and I am able to wear it. Whenever I get hard up—though there\'s no fear of that—I have that to fall back upon."

Nicholas examined the ............