"This is where that fellow roped me in," he thought. "I wish I could get hold of him."

 

After sitting for quarter of an hour, he strolled downstairs into the billiard room. He stood on the threshold for a moment, when a familiar voice struck his ear. His heart beat rapidly with excitement, for he recognized it as the voice of Abner Blodgett. He glanced eagerly about to find him, but he could see no one resembling the young man from the country who had victimized him.

 

"I don't believe two voices can be so much alike," he said to himself. "I must look more carefully."

 

The voice was heard again, and this time Sam perceived that the speaker was playing billiards¹ on the second table to the right. But it did not appear to be Abner. His personal appearance was very different, and he had a black mustache. But when Sam scanned the upper part of the face, he saw a strong resemblance. He suspected the truth at once, Abner was disguised.

 

"He's spending my money," said Sam to himself, indignantly. "No wonder he can afford to play billiards when he gets his money so easy. I won't lose sight of him."

 

By this time Abner—for it was he—had finished his game, and laid down his cue. He had no money to pay, for he had beaten his adversary². He sauntered up to the door, and was about to pass Sam, whom he had not noticed, when our hero laid his hand upon his arm.

 

"I want to speak to you, Mr. Blodgett," he said, "on very particular business."

 

Abner started when he recognized Sam, and changed color slightly, but immediately his disguise occurred to him, and he decided³ to brazen⁴ it out.

 

"Excuse me, sir," he answered, coolly. "Did you address me?"

 

He changed his voice as well as he could in uttering these words, and this confirmed Sam's previous suspicion.

 

"I said I should like to speak to you on business, Mr. Blodgett," Sam repeated, in an

分享到：