Sam woke up about seven o'clock. He opened his eyes, and looked about him in momentary bewilderment, not immediately remembering where he was. As recollection dawned upon him, he looked for Abner Blodgett, but nothing was to be seen of him. The appearance of the bed, however, showed that he had occupied it. "He has got up," thought Sam. "I wonder if it is very late." A church clock began to strike, and he counted the strokes. "Seven o'clock!" he said. "Well, that isn't very late, but I may as well get up. I've slept like a top all night long. I suppose I was sound asleep when my roommate came to bed. I guess he's gone to take a walk before breakfast." Sam jumped out of bed and began to dress. As he was drawing on his pants, he thrust his hand mechanically into his pocket to feel for his money. He did so without the faintest suspicion of his loss. When he discovered that his pocket-book was not in its usual place he grew anxious and hurriedly examined his other pockets. But in vain! Then he looked on the floor. Possibly it might have slipped out of his pocket and be lying on the carpet. Again his search was vain. Then, for the first time, suspicion of his roommate entered his mind. Sam was no stranger to the tricks and wiles of a large city, and he saw clearly now how he had been cheated. "It's that skunk Abner Blodgett!" he exclaimed, indignantly. "He's regularly done me! I'll bet he's no more a countryman than I am. I just wish I had him here. I'd pound him." Sam was indignant, but not discouraged. He did not give up his money for lost yet. He determined to seek Abner everywhere, and unmask him when found. If he did not recover his money it would not be for want of trying. As he finished dressing the breakfast-bell rang and he went down to the dining-room. Though he had lost his money he had not lost his appetite. When he entered the dining-room he found himself first in the field. "Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the landlady. "You are early, but not so early as Mr. Blodgett. He left the house a little before six." "Did you see him?" asked Sam, eagerly. "Yes, and spoke with him." "What did he say?" "He said he was used to getting up early in the country, and was going out for a walk. Hasn't he returned?" "No," answered Sam, "and I don't believe he will." "What makes you say that?" asked the landlady, noticing a significance in his tone. "I mean that he's gone off with all my money," said Sam, bluntly. "You don't say so!" ejaculated the landlady. "Why, I thought he was more likely to be taken in himself. Wasn't he from the country?" "That's what he said; but I don't believe it. I think he was in disguise." "I thought he was an old friend of yours." "I never saw him before yesterday. He came up to me in the Parker House yesterday morning." "What wickedness there is in the world, I do declare! Did he take all your money?" "Every cent," said Sam. "I'm glad I paid you a week in advance, or I should be badly off."