"Those men didn't look very honest to me," came from Nettie Wenrich, who had taken a strong liking to Robert, and it must be admitted that the feeling was reciprocated. "I could not bear that Englishman." "I cannot blame you for being suspicious," said Robert gravely. "I wish I had been so this morning. I might have saved my watch and some of my money." He did not feel called upon to state that he had lost the amount which was to be paid over to Herman Wenrich for the map. Of course he had to tell his story--or, at least, a part of it. Nettie Wenrich was quite affected. "It was too bad!" she cried. "I hope you get your watch and money back and succeed in sending those bad men to prison." "I will tell you what I will do," said Herman Wenrich, after several minutes of silent thinking. "Let Felix Amberton send me a written order to deliver the map to you and I will do so." "That is fair," said Robert. "No honest person could ask more at your hands. But what of those two men? They are to call again, I believe." "I will put them off, for, say three days. You ought to be able to get your order by that time." "Perhaps I can get it sooner, but I wish you would make it four days. There may be some delay, especially if Mr. Amberton is very ill." "Very well, we will make it four days then," said Herman Wenrich, and thanking him for his kindness Robert withdrew and followed Nettie Wenrich downstairs. "Do your father and you live here alone?" he asked. "Yes." "I hope he gets well soon," said the youth gravely, and his voice was full of a sympathy which went straight to the girl's heart. "I am afraid he will never get well," answered Nettie, and the tears sprang into her eyes. He took her hand and shook it warmly. "You must hope for the best," he said. And then, as she looked straight into his clear, honest eyes, he added, "If I can ever be of service to you don't hesitate to call upon me." And a minute later he was gone. CHAPTER XXII. A CLEVER CAPTURE. As Robert was approaching his boarding house he ran into Livingston Palmer, valise in hand, bound for the theater. "I'm off," said Palmer. "Our company leaves town to-day." "Well, I wish you every success." "Have you struck anything yet?" asked Palmer curiously. "I have and I haven't. I've got a letter from Mr. Marden requesting me to come to Timberville in Michigan." "It wouldn't suit me to bury myself in such a hole." "I don't know that I will stay there any great length of time. I am to go up on a little private business." "I see. Well, I must hurry. What time have you?" "No time at all. My watch is gone." "Hullo! Do you mean to say you've had to pawn it already. I thought you were one of the saving kind, to look out for a rainy day." "The watch was stolen from me." "Indeed!" "Yes, and some of my money went with it." "That's too bad, Robert," and Palmer's face was full of real sympathy. "It is bad."