He was much upset because of Nat's unexpected appearance, and the fact that his satchel¹ and belongings² were still at the hotel did not tend to add to his good humor.

 

"I can't go for those things, or send for them," he reasoned. "Confound that boy! Who would ever have dreamed that he would make such trouble for me? I took him for a regular country greeny. But he's as sharp as a razor!"

 

For a long time matters had been going illy with Nicholas Smithers, alias³ Hamilton Dart⁴, alias half a dozen other names. He had tried to work one of his swindling schemes in Springfield, but nobody had taken his bait, and his ready funds were consequently running low. When he had money he lived extravagantly⁵, so that his ill-gotten gains never lasted him any great length of time.

 

"Something must be done, and that pretty soon," he reasoned. "Wonder where I had best go next?"

 

Before going to Springfield he had had in mind to try Albany, and now he resolved to go to the latter-named city by the first train. This train was the very one upon which Nat was riding, but the swindler did not immediately discover this.

 

Some miles out of Springfield the train stopped at a small station. The only person in waiting was a young lady handsomely dressed, who did not appear to have any baggage. She got in, and as chance would have it, took a seat close to the swindler.

 

Nick Smithers had always interested himself in those around him, and he looked the young lady over carefully. She was certainly beautiful, and she appeared to be rich.

 

"Traveling all alone, eh?" mused⁶ the swindler. "And no doubt she has money. Wonder if I could get anything out of her?"

 

He watched his chance, and when she happened to drop her handkerchief, he

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