I can prove to you that I am telling the
truth. I stopped at the office, and the bookkeeper sent a servant to
show me up here."
"If this is true," said Mr. Piper, "why, when you found yourself locked
in, didn't you ring the bell, instead of making such a confounded
racket? My nerves won't get over it for a week."
"I didn't think of the bell," said Paul; "I am not much used to hotels."
"What will we do with him?" asked James, looking to Mr. Piper for
counsel.
"You'd better take him downstairs, and see if his story is correct,"
said the nervous gentleman, with returning good sense.
"I'll do it," said James, to whom the very obvious suggestion seemed
marked by extraordinary wisdom, and he grasped Paul roughly by the arm.
"You needn't hold me," said our hero, shaking off the grasp. "I haven't
any intention of running away. I want to find out, if I can, what has
become of the man that swindled me."
James looked doubtfully at Mr. Piper.
"I don't think he means to run away," said that gentleman. "I begin to
think his story is correct. And hark you, my young friend, if you ever
get locked up in a hotel room again, just see if there is a bell before
you make such a confounded racket."
"Yes, sir, I will," said Paul, half-smiling; "but I'll take care not to
get locked up again. It won't be easy for anybody to play that trick on
me again.
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