Part 18 (2/2)
”I know what is in your mind,” he said, smiling. ”You think I am crazy.”
”I don't understand how you can take your loss so coolly, sir.”
”Then I will explain. That wallet was a dummy.”
”A what, sir?”
”A sham--a pretense. My pocketbook and money are safe under my pillow.
The wallet taken by your friend was filled with imitation greenbacks; in reality, business circulars of a firm in Marietta.”
Tom saw it all now.
”It's a capital joke,” he said, laughing. ”I'd like to see how Graham looks when he discovers the value of his prize.”
”He will look green, and feel greener, I suspect,” chuckled Mr.
Waterbury. ”You are certain you have lost nothing, Tom?”
”Perfectly certain, sir.”
”Then we won't trouble ourselves about what has happened. I fancy, however, it will be best to keep our own door locked for the remainder of the night, even at the risk of suffocation.”
”That's a capital trick of yours, Mr. Waterbury,” said Tom admiringly.
”It has more than once saved me from robbery. I have occasion to travel considerably, and so am more or less exposed.”
”I wonder if Graham will discover the cheat before morning.”
”I doubt it. The staterooms are dark, and the imitation is so good that on casual inspection the strips of paper will appear to be genuine greenbacks.”
Mr. Waterbury retired to his berth, and was soon asleep again. Tom, as he lay awake, from time to time laughed to himself, as he thought of Graham's coming disappointment, and congratulated himself that he and that young man were no longer roommates.
When Graham returned to his stateroom Vincent, who was a light sleeper, was aroused by the slight noise he made.
”Are you up, Graham?” he asked.
”Yes; I got up a minute.”
”Have you been out of the stateroom?”
”Yes.”
”What for?”
”To get a gla.s.s of water.”
There was a vessel of water in the cabin, and this seemed plausible enough.
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