“At any rate, he has paid his bill,” said the landlord, complacently.

“Bother his hotel bill!” muttered Robinson, roughly.  “I meant to have a good deal more than that.”

“Have you any idea where he has gone?”

“I think he may have gone to the Sherman House.  I’ll go there after supper and see if I can find him.”

CHAPTER XXXII.

A CRITICAL MOMENT.

Guided by his boy companion, Andy found the Sherman House and registered there.  The change was a very satisfactory one, and he enjoyed the comfortable room to which he was assigned.

After a hearty supper he took a seat in the office and watched with interest the crowds that surged in and out of the hotel.  Presently he saw a familiar figure entering.

It was his late companion, Percival Robinson.  The latter was not long in recognizing the boy.

He walked up to the chair on which Andy was seated and addressed him with a look of anger.

“So I have found you, have I?” he said, roughly.

Andy knew that this man had no right to interfere with him, and answered, coolly: 

“So it seems.”

“Why did you play me such a mean trick, boy?”

“My name is Andrew,” said Andy, with dignity.  “What right have you to speak to me in this manner?”

“I’ll tell you presently.  You have made a nice return for my kindness.”

“I know of no kindness.  You got acquainted with me on the train, and took me to a house where I didn’t care to stop.”

“Why didn’t you care to stop there?”

“Because I found that it didn’t have a good reputation.  My employer wouldn’t care to have me stay at such a house.”

“You are mighty independent for a young boy.  I want you to return the pocketbook of which you relieved me.”

Andy was startled at this reckless charge.

“What do you mean?” he demanded, hotly.  “You know that this is a falsehood.”

“We’ll see if you will brazen it out.  If you don’t give me back the pocketbook, which I have no doubt you have in your pocket at this moment, I will have you arrested.”

Andy began to feel nervous.  He was a stranger in Chicago.  There was no one to identify him or vouch for his honesty.  What if this man should carry out his threat and have him arrested?

However, Andy had pluck, and didn’t intend to surrender at discretion.

This conversation had attracted the attention of two or three guests of the hotel, who were disposed to look with suspicion upon Andy.  His accuser appeared like a man of good position, being well dressed and with an air of assurance.

One old gentleman, who was fond of giving advice, said, reprovingly: 

“My boy, you will find it best to hand the gentleman his pocketbook.  It is sad to see one so young guilty of theft.”

“Perhaps the boy is not guilty,” suggested another guest.