“My young friend,” said Fairfax, “I am shocked at what you tell me. I do not blame you for accusing me. If I were in your place and you in mine, I should no doubt act in the same way. Yet I am entirely innocent, I can assure you.” “It don’t look much like it,” Robert said, rather astonished at the man’s effrontery. “When I find you examining my pockets and taking out my pocketbook, it looks very much as if you were trying to rob me.” “True, it does. I admit it all. But if you knew me, you would see how groundless, nay, how absurd such suspicions are. Why, I am a rich man. I am worth fifty thousand dollars.” “Then why did you try to rob me?” “I did not. It was only in appearance. Did you ever hear of a somnambulist?” “No.” “It is one who gets up in his sleep and is entirely unconscious of what he does. From early youth--from the days of my innocent boyhood--I have been a victim of this unfortunate malady.” “Do you often steal in your sleep?” inquired Robert sarcastically. “Not often, but I have done it before. Once, when a boy, I got up and took a purse from the pocket of my uncle, who occupied the same room with me.” “What did your uncle say?” Robert asked with some curiosity. “He was angry till my mother assured him that I was a somnambulist and not responsible for what I did at such a time. Then we had a good laugh, over it.” “Do you mean to say, Mr. Fairfax, that when you had your hand in my pocket just now you were asleep?” “Sound asleep. I had no idea that I was out of my berth.” “You seemed to wake up pretty quick afterward!” “To be sure I did! I rather think you would wake up, too, if I should jump upon your back from the top berth! But I forgive you--don’t apologize, I beg. I should have been misled, as you were, if our situations had been changed.” Certainly Mr. Mortimer Fairfax was cool. In his limited acquaintance with the world Robert had never dreamed of the existence of such a character, but he was gifted with shrewd common sense, and he did not for an instant believe the story which the other palmed off upon him. “Mr. Fairfax,” he said, “shall I tell you what I think of your story?” “Yes, if you please.” “I don’t believe it.” “What!” exclaimed Fairfax sadly. “Is it possible you believe that I would rob you, my kind benefactor?” “I don’t pretend to be your benefactor, but I haven’t a doubt about it.” “My dear young friend,” said Fairfax, putting his handkerchief to his eyes, “you grieve me deeply--indeed you do! I had thought you would understand me better. You do not consider that I am a rich man and can have no object in depriving you of your little store of money. Let us go to bed and forget this unpleasant little circumstance.” “No, Mr. Fairfax, you cannot stay here any longer. I insist upon your dressing yourself and leaving the stateroom!” “But, my young friend. It is the middle of the night!” “I can’t help it!” said Robert resolutely. “And, in my delicate health, it would be dangerous.”