“What made you suspect him? You must have sharp eyes.” “I believe I have,” answered Paul, “but I was watching him closely as I walked behind. I knew him to be a pickpocket.” “How was that?” asked the young man. “I once saw him in the court room at the Tombs, being tried for theft. I have not seen him since, but I recognized him at once. I saw him join you, and I suspected his motive at once.” “You saw my condition?” “Yes, I saw that you were not yourself.” “I had been making a fool of myself by drinking too much. I hope you don’t drink?” “No, sir, never.” “You are wise. Will you walk with me to my hotel?” “Yes, sir, where are you staying?” “At the Albemarle. Do you know where it is?” “O, yes,” answered Paul, smiling. He felt that he would hardly have been fit for a telegraph boy if he had not known the location of a hotel so well known. “I have been spending the evening with a few friends who live in an apartment house near the park. The punch was remarkably good, and I drank more than was good for me. I suppose you wonder why I didn’t ride home, instead of walking?” “It would have been safer, at any rate.” “I had a headache and thought I might walk it off. At any rate, I should feel better for being in the open air. But I found some difficulty in steering straight, as I dare say you noticed.” “Yes, sir, I observed it.” “Then this fellow came along. He offered to accompany me home, and I never suspected that he was a thief. I am afraid you will think me rather green.” “O, no; the man’s appearance might easily deceive you.” “It did not deceive you.” “No, for I had seen him before. But will you pardon me for saying that you were imprudent in carrying around so large a sum of money at this late hour?” “You are quite right. I was a fool, and I am willing to admit it.” It was not long before Paul and his new friend reached the hotel, which is in the block above the Fifth Avenue. “Come upstairs with me,” said the young man. “If you wish it,” answered Paul. “I do; I have some business with you, but I won’t keep you long.” Paul followed his new acquaintance into a handsomely furnished chamber on the third floor. He involuntarily thought of the poor tenement house room in which he and old Jerry made their home, and he wondered whether it would ever be his fortune to be as well lodged as the traveler from Missouri. “Why not?” asked Paul, hopefully. “Sit down,” said the stranger, pointing to a chair. “I won’t keep you long.” CHAPTER XXIV. A ROOM AT THE ALBEMARLE HOTEL. The stranger was tall and well formed. He had certainly showed moral weakness in yielding to the fascinations of drink, but he looked like a smart man of business. “Wait a minute,” he said, “and I will talk to you.” He went to a stationary washtub, and bathed his head freely. “There,” he said, after he had rubbed his face vigorously with a towel. “I feel fifty per cent better. There is nothing like cold water after all.”