An hour later they reached New York.

“What are your plans, Rodney?” asked Adin Woods, who by this time had become quite intimate with his young companion.

“I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some advice as to what I do.  Where would you advise me to go—­to a hotel?”

“No; it will be too expensive.  I know of a plain boarding house on West Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with lodging and two meals—­breakfast and supper, or dinner as we call it here—­for a dollar a day.”

“I shall be glad to go there, for the present, at least.  I haven’t much money, and must find something to do as soon as possible.”

“We will both go there, and if you don’t object we will take a room together.  That will give us a larger apartment.  Mrs. Marcy is an old acquaintance of mine, and will give you a welcome.”

Rodney was glad to accept his companion’s proposal.  They proceeded at once to the boarding house, and fortunately found a good room vacant on the third floor.  Mr. Woods went out in the evening to make a call, but Rodney was glad to go to bed at nine o’clock.

The next morning after breakfast Rodney consulted his companion as to what he should do with the casket.

“Do you want to raise money on it?” asked the agent.

“No; I shall not do this unless I am obliged to.”

“Have you any idea as to the value of the jewels?”

“No.”

“Then I will take you first to a jeweler in Maiden Lane, a friend of mine, who will appraise them.  Afterwards I advise you to deposit the casket at a storage warehouse, or get Tiffany to keep it for you.”

“I will do as you suggest.”

Maiden Lane is a street largely devoted to jewelers, wholesale and retail.  Rodney followed Mr. Woods into a store about midway between Broadway and Nassau Street.  A pleasant looking man of middle age greeted the agent cordially.

“What can I do for you?” he asked.  “Do you wish to buy a diamond ring for the future Mrs. Woods?”

“Not much.  I would like to have you appraise some jewelry belonging to my young friend here.”

The casket was opened, and the jeweler examined the contents admiringly.

“This is choice jewelry,” he said.  “Does your friend wish to sell?”

“Not at present,” answered Rodney.

“When you do give me a call.  I will treat you fairly.  You wish me to appraise these articles?”

“Yes, sir, if you will.”

“It will take me perhaps fifteen minutes.”

The jeweler retired to the back part of the store with the casket.

In about a quarter of an hour he returned.

“Of course I can’t give exact figures,” he said, “but I value the jewelry at about twelve hundred dollars.”

Rodney looked surprised.

“I didn’t think it so valuable,” he said.

“I don’t mean that you could sell it for so much, but if you wish to dispose of it I will venture to give you eleven hundred.”