"He and my father were in business together in Buffalo some years since. They failed, and I have always believed that my father was defrauded. At any rate he lost everything, while his old partner had money enough to start in the dry-goods business in New York." "History repeats itself," said Packard. "Many years ago, when I was twenty-two, I was the partner of Stephen Lorimer." "You!" "Yes. In fact I furnished three-fourths of the capital. At the end of eighteen months we failed. I never could understand why, for our business had been good. Stephen kept the books, and I examined without being able to understand them. The upshot of it was that I was thrown upon the world penniless, while he soon went into business for himself in another place. I have not seen Lorimer for twenty years, till accident brought us together to-night." "I am glad you are prosperous again." "Yes. I have far more money than when I belonged to the firm of Lorimer & Packard." "Perhaps Mr. Lorimer would take you in as partner again." "I have no desire to be associated with him in any way. I believe him to be a thoroughly dishonest man. I am sorry that your father has suffered also at his hands." Rupert accompanied Mr. Packard to the hotel, having agreed to relieve another bell-boy from midnight till six o'clock the next morning. When he reached the hotel he found it a scene of excitement. The bell of No. 61 had been ringing violently for some time. The other bell-boy had come downstairs in a panic. "I can't get into No. 61," he reported. "There is somebody dead or murdered there." CHAPTER XIX. WHAT HAPPENED IN NO. 61. "Come upstairs with me, Rupert," said Mr. Malcolm, the clerk. "You've got a head on your shoulders. We'll soon find out what's the matter." They ascended in the elevator to the third floor, and made their way hurriedly to No. 61. There was a sound of a child crying inside. Mr. Malcolm tried the door but it was locked. "Open the door!" he called out. "I can't," was the answer, in a young child's voice. "It's locked." "Can't you turn the key?" "No; I don't know how." "You will have to get through the transom," said the clerk. "If we only had a step-ladder." "Lift me up and I'll get through," said Rupert. "I have practiced in a gymnasium." "Very well, if you think you can." The clerk bent over, and Rupert, standing on his shoulders, was lifted so that he could reach the transom. Then, by a skillful movement, he raised himself still farther till he could look inside. "What do you see?" asked Malcolm. "There is a man lying on his face on the floor. He must have had a fit or something." "Can you get through and lower yourself to the floor?" "I think so. I will try." "It is the only way to get into the room." In very quick time Rupert accomplished his object. He turned the key and opened the door.