"
"I presume your story is correct. In fact, I detected him in a
misstatement as to the time of giving you the money. But I don't
want to get into trouble."
"Ask him how much money I deposited with you," suggested Luke.
"He has no idea, and will have to guess."
"I have asked him the question once, but will do so again."
The clerk returned to the office with Luke. Coleman eyed them
uneasily, as if he suspected them of having been engaged in a
conspiracy against him.
"Well," he said, "are you going to give me my money?"
"State the amount," said the clerk, in a businesslike manner.
"I have already told you that I can't state exactly. I handed
the money to Luke without counting it."
"You must have some idea, at any rate," said the clerk.
"Of course I have. There was somewhere around seventy-five dollars."
This he said with a confidence which he did not feel, for it
was, of course, a mere guess.
"You are quite out in your estimate, Mr. Coleman. It is
evident to me that you have made a false claim. You will oblige
me by settling your bill and leaving the hotel."
"Do you think I will submit to such treatment?" demanded
Coleman, furiously.
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