He had five other keys and the third fitted the lock, although rather
crudely; so crudely in fact that once the lock bolt was turned the
key could not be withdrawn.

"That's bad," he thought. "But as it cannot be helped I'll have to
make the best of it. I mustn't stay here too long," and going into
the room he closed the door after him.

There was a faint light burning at one of the gas jets and this he
turned up, and pulled down the shades of the windows. Then he gazed
swiftly around the large room, noting the boys' trunks and traveling
bags and several articles of wearing apparel scattered about.

"Oh, if only I can find what I am after," he muttered. "But more than
likely they carry their money with them, or else they left it at the
hotel office."

All of the trunks and traveling bags were locked, and to force the
trunks open seemed at first impossible. One of the traveling bags
was slit open with a sharp pocket-knife the bully carried and the
contents emptied on one of the beds.

"Not much that I want," muttered Dan Baxter, as he gazed at the
collection. Then a jewel case caught his eye and he opened it. "A
diamond stud and a diamond scarf pin! Not so bad, after all!" And he
transferred the jewelry to his pocket.

A second later he came upon a bunch of keys. They proved to belong
to the trunks and bags, and soon he had the trunks open and the