Tom bolted from the room and went down the stairs three steps at a time. The clerk sat dozing in his chair and was roused up with difficulty. But as soon as he realized that something was wrong he was wide-awake. "A robbery, eh?" he queried. "What have you lost?" "We've got to find that out," answered Tom. In less than a quarter of an hour they knew the extent of their loss--three diamonds and a pair of cuff buttons, in all worth over two hundred dollars, and two hundred and seventy-five dollars in cash--not to mention a ruined valise and one missing, and the loss of a light overcoat, some silk handkerchiefs and some underwear. "A total loss of over five hundred dollars," said Tom. At this the hotel clerk gave a long whistle. "As much as that?" "Yes," said Dick. "We must get on the track of the thief, and without delay." "I reckon I know the thief," said Sam. "You think it was Dan Baxter?" questioned his elder brother. "I do." "Perhaps you are right. But there is no proof that he did it." The hotel clerk found the windows closed and locked. "The thief came in and went out by the door," he said. "The hall boys or somebody else must have seen him. This key is stuck in the lock, which proves that it is not a regular hotel key." Without delay the story of the robbery was telephoned to the nearest police station, and soon two detectives appeared. By this time some of the servants noticed that something was wrong, and the waiter who had seen Dan Baxter come in and go out told his story, to which the boys, the hotel clerk, and the detectives listened with interest. "Tell us just how that fellow looked," said Dick, and the waiter gave a very good description of the person he had seen. "I imagine Sam is right," said Dick. "If it wasn't Dan Baxter it was his double." Upon hearing this the hotel clerk and the detectives insisted upon knowing who Dan Baxter was, and the boys told as much of the bully as they deemed necessary. "Of course, if he is guilty the chances are that he will leave San Francisco as soon as possible," said one of the detectives. "The best we can do is to try to head him off." "And we'll do our best to find him, too," added Tom. "I think the hotel ought to be responsible for this robbery," said Dick. "You didn't leave your key at the desk when you went out," cried the hotel clerk, struck by a sudden idea. "What of that?" asked Tom. "That makes the guest responsible." "What!" cried Tom, aghast. "We are responsible only when the key is left at the desk. And jewels must be left for keeping in one of our safes," went on the clerk. "There are our rules," and he pointed to the printed form tacked on the inside of the door. "Don't let us talk about that just now," said one of the detectives. "I think we can get hold of this thief, and if we are quick about it we'll get everything he took, too."