DEAN BECOMES SUSPICIOUS.
Of course great excitement followed among the passengers. The two
gentlemen went below, and soon returned with a quiet-looking man, not
particularly noticeable except for a pair of keen, sharp eyes.
"That's the detective," whispered a traveling man whose business
required him to make the journey between New York and Boston twice a
week.
The two gentlemen and the detective went outside, and made an
examination of the stateroom, but didn't find any traces of the lost
watch.
"I'd like to be sure the article is really lost," said the detective.
"On several occasions I have found that it was only mislaid. In the
present instance there seems really to have been a robbery."
"There is no doubt of that," said Margrave ruefully.
"Did you notice any one loitering near the stateroom when you left it?"
"Yes, sir; I observed that a man was leaning over the rail."
"Ha! we are coming to something. Can you describe him?"
"I am afraid I cannot. You see I had no suspicion that any one was
likely to rob me."
"Very natural, but rather disappointing! You didn't casually notice
whether the man was short or tall, or how he was dressed?"
"I think he was tall, and dressed in dark clothing."
"I fear this is too general to afford much satisfaction. You see most
of the men on board wear dark clothes."
"I see, Mr. Lynx, that I am not likely to recover the watch."
"Well, it is doubtful. Still, if you will give me a description of it I
can quietly put it into the hands of the Boston police."
Mr. Margrave, at the suggestion of the detective, wrote out a
description before he left the boat, and put it into his hands.
"I will keep my eyes open, Mr. Margrave," continued the detective, "and
notice whether I recognize any professional thief among the passengers.
I know many of those who operate in New York and Boston, and if I meet
one of my old acquaintances shall take the liberty of examining him."
Fortunately for Peter Kirby the scene of his operations had been at the
West, and though the detective regarded him with some suspicion, for
criminals carry about with them a certain tell-tale look, he did not
feel justified in arresting him. If Margrave had been able to identify
him as the man who had been loitering near the stateroom, of course
that would have simplified matters.
It was not for some time that Dean heard what had happened. On
re-entering the saloon, Dan, the young news agent, said to him:
"Where have you been?"
"Outside."
"Very suspicious. A gentleman occupying an outside stateroom has had
his room entered and robbed."
"Is that true?" asked Dean in excitement.
"Yes, he made a great fuss about it I saw him going out with the boat
detective, but I don't think they found out anything."
Instantly Dean's mind reverted to the scene at the theater, and the
loss of a pocket-book by one of the patrons of Niblo's. Was it possible
that Mr. Kirby could be connected with both robberies? It really seemed
that thefts took place wherever he went.
"What was taken?" he asked earnestly.
"A gold watch. The gentleman meant it for his daughter. I think it was
bought at Tiffany's in New York."
"I was at a theater last evening," said Dean, "and as we were coming
out a man ahead of us called out that he had been robbed of his
pocket-book."
"Who do you mean by _us_—yourself and your employer?"
"No. A boy was with me—Guy Gladstone."
"Is he with you here?"
"No, he has gone out West to hunt Indians."
Dan, the news-agent, laughed.
"He'll be coming back soon without having seen an Indian, I have no
doubt. I say, Dean, isn't it rather remarkable that there are robberies
wherever you go?"
"Yes, it is singular," said Dean in a musing tone.
"It really looks suspicious," continued Dan. "However, you are my
friend and I won't give you away."
"No, don't!" said Dean, accepting the joke in good humor.
Dean walked away, plunged in thought. Again he went outside, and walked
round to an unfrequented part of the steamer. Suddenly he saw a man in
front of him draw something from his pocket, and with a quick movement
throw it far out upon the water. It was light enough to see that it was
a white pasteboard box of small size.
Rather surprised, Dean scanned the person who had done this, and to his
further astonishment recognized him as Mr. Kirby, his employer.
Turning quickly, Peter Kirby in his turn saw Dean's eyes fixed upon
him, and he became irritated and alarmed.
"What are you out here for?" he demanded harshly.
"Why, is there any harm in being out here?" asked Dean surprised.
Kirby saw that he had made a false move, and that this unreasonable
taking to task of Dean was likely to excite the boy's suspicions.
"No," he answered, calming down, "I don't know that there is any harm
in being out here, but you might be imprudent and endanger your safety."
"How, Mr. Kirby?"
"I was once on board a steamer like this, when a boy about your age
came out, got up on the rail, and by a sudden movement of the steamer
was thrown into the water. The poor fellow was drowned."
"I shan't imitate his example," said Dean. "I think he was very
foolish."
"Well, I haven't found out yet whether you are prudent or imprudent. I
haven't known you long enough. I thought it best to warn you, however."
"Thank you, sir."
"I am going into the saloon, but if you care to remain outside I
have no objection as long as you are careful. I feel a certain
responsibility about you, as you are not used to traveling."
"Thank you, sir."
Dean would have been more grateful if he had believed what Mr. Kirby
was saying, but, young and inexperienced though he was, he did not take
much stock in the sudden interest shown in him. He had not noticed that
Mr. Kirby felt any particular solicitude about him in New York, though
there were plenty of scrapes that he might have got into there.
Peter Kirby went back into the saloon, and soon after Dean followed.
He again sought the book table.
"Well," said Dan, pleasantly, "have you found out the robber?"
Dean shook his head.
"Do you know, or did you hear, whether the stolen watch was in a box?"
he asked.
"Yes, I heard Mr. Margrave say that it was in a white pasteboard box.
Have you found the box?"
"No," answered Dean. He did not feel at liberty to tell what he had
seen, but it confirmed him in the idea that his employer, Peter Kirby,
was the robber of the stateroom.
At ten o'clock Mr. Kirby came up to him.
"It is ten o'clock," he said. "I think you had better go to bed."
"All right, sir."
Kirby led the way into the stateroom.
"I shall give you the top berth," he said. "You are younger, and can
climb up there more easily than I."
"I shall be satisfied with either," said Dean.
Both went to bed and Dean was soon asleep.
Towards morning he thought it must be when he woke up. The light was
burning, and peeping out from behind the curtains he saw that Kirby
was standing in the stateroom with something in his hand which he
was examining with evident satisfaction. Dean's heart gave a sudden
bound, when he recognized this object as a beautiful gold watch of
small pattern. He laid back his head on the pillow, but the slight
noise attracted the attention of Kirby, who looked up to where his boy
companion was lying.
"Pshaw! he's fast asleep!" he heard Kirby mutter, "but I must be
cautious, as, if he saw this watch, he might suspect something."