“You have been an angel, James,” said Nora, “and have proved yourself worthy of a little recreation.  Don’t forget to be on hand when the train stops, however.  I never saw your equal as a luggage carrier.”

One by one the five girls leaned against the comfortable backs of their seats and closed their eyes.  Mrs. Gibson became absorbed in the pages of a new book.

Grace dozed for a brief space and then opening her eyes gazed idly about her.  The seat on which she sat had been reversed in order that she and Nora might face Mrs. Gibson and Miriam.  Their seats being near to the middle of the car, she could obtain a good view of a number of the other passengers.  She noticed that the car was very full, every seat being occupied.

Her eye rested for a second upon a portly, well-dressed old gentleman in the last seat of the car, who was leaning back with closed eyes, then traveled on to the man who shared the seat.

“What a remarkable face that man has,” she thought.  “He looks like a combination of a snake and a fox.  I never before saw such tricky eyes.  He is rather good looking, but there is something about him that frightens one.”

Grace found herself watching, with a kind of fascination, every move that the stranger made.  Once her eyes met his and she shuddered slightly, there was a world of refined cruelty in their depths.  She looked out of the window as the train rushed on through the darkness, then almost against her will turned her eyes again in the direction of the repellent stranger.

But what she saw this time caused her to stare in amazement.  The stranger under cover of a newspaper was bent on extracting the handsome watch and chain that the elderly gentleman’s open coat displayed.  Although the paper hid the movement of his hands, Grace divined by the expression of the man’s face what was taking place behind the paper screen.

Like a flash she was out of her seat and down the aisle.  But quick as had been her movement, the thief was quicker.  He straightened up, coolly turned to his paper, looking up at her with an air of bored inquiry as she paused before him.

Ignoring him completely, she touched the old man on the shoulder and said in a low tone, “Please pardon me, but if you value your watch you had better look to it.  I just saw this man attempting to steal it.”

The old gentleman bounded up like a rubber ball, saying excitedly, “What do you mean, young woman?”

“Just what I say,” replied Grace.

The thief gave Grace a contemptuous look, then without stirring, said lazily, “The young lady is entirely mistaken.  She must have been dreaming.”

“I repeat my accusation,” said Grace firmly.  “I have been watching you for some time, and I saw you attempt it.”

The old gentleman put his hand to his vest and drew out a particularly fine old-fashioned gold watch.

“My watch is safe enough,” he growled testily, “and so is my chain.  Any one who steals from me will have to be pretty smart.  I guess if this man had laid hands on my watch I’d have known it.  Can’t fool me.”