"Yes, mine was left with the clerk."

 

"And mine also."

 

"And he doubtless made a mistake in delivering them. Upon my word I am not surprised, as they certainly are very much alike."

 

"So they are!" said Lawrence, taking the valise from Palmer's hand. "And here is your name too."

 

"It is quite a joke, ha, ha!" laughed Palmer, his spirits rising as he saw that there would be no difficulty in effecting the exchange. "I suppose I may take mine?"

 

"You are quite sure it is yours? Pardon my asking, but you are a stranger to me."

 

"Oh, it's all right! You see this spot on my valise. Outside of that, there is really no difference."

 

"You are willing to swear that valise I brought over from the Clifton is yours?"

 

"Why, of course!" returned Palmer in surprise. "How can there be a doubt after what I have said?"

 

"You will pardon my caution. It certainly does seem like it, but I don't want to run any risk of giving it to the wrong party."

 

"Oh, that's all right!" said Palmer impatiently, setting down Lawrence in his own mind as a crank.

 

"Probably you have the key that opens it."

 

"Certainly."

 

"Then do you mind opening it, and satisfying yourself and me that it really belongs to you?"

 

"Surely not," said Palmer, really glad of an opportunity of satisfying himself that the bonds were safe.

 

He drew from his pocket a bunch of keys, and carefully selecting one inserted it in the lock of the valise. It opened at once, and Palmer eagerly scanned the contents. The under-clothing had been carefully replaced, and he did not discover that it had been disturbed, but when he lifted it to look for the envelopes containing the bonds, his face underwent a change.

 

"What is the matter?" inquired Lawrence, calmly.

 

"That valise has been opened," said Palmer, angrily.

 

"What makes you think so?"

 

"The most valuable contents have been removed. I hold you accountable for this, Mr. Lawrence," continued Palmer, fiercely.

 

"Please be a little more explicit. What is it that you miss?"

 

"Two envelopes, containing valuable bonds."

 

"This is a serious charge. Are you sure they were in the valise?"

 

"Of course I am. I put them there myself, and when I opened the valise this morning they were there."

 

"Wasn't it rash in you to leave articles of such value in your valise? Can you name any of the bonds?"

 

"Yes; there were two Erie mortgage bonds of a thousand dollars each, two government bonds of five hundred dollars each, some bank bills, and miscellaneous securities."

 

"You don't mean it? And you placed them there?"

 

"I did, and I am willing to swear to the statement. I demand of you, sir, where they are."

 

Mr. Lawrence rose from his seat, and on pretense of examining the contents of the open valise, managed to get in between Palmer and the door.

 

"A man in my employ had charge of the valise for a short time," he said. "He may have opened it."

 

"Where is he? He must be arrested before he can get away," said Palmer in excitement.

 

"Ferguson!" called Mr. Lawrence.

 

The detective, who had of course heard all that had passed, stepped out from the inner room. He assumed the tone of a servant.

 

"Did you call, sir?" he asked.

 

"Yes."

 

"I am at your service."

 

"This gentleman here claims the valise as his property. He says that some bonds have been abstracted from it. Am I right?"

 

"Yes," assented Palmer, with a fierce glance at the detective.

 

"He charges me with having opened the valise, and taken them."