"
Without delay the story of the robbery was telephoned to the nearest
police station, and soon two detectives appeared. By this time some
of the servants noticed that something was wrong, and the waiter who
had seen Dan Baxter come in and go out told his story, to which the
boys, the hotel clerk, and the detectives listened with interest.
"Tell us just how that fellow looked," said Dick, and the waiter gave
a very good description of the person he had seen.
"I imagine Sam is right," said Dick. "If it wasn't Dan Baxter it was
his double."
Upon hearing this the hotel clerk and the detectives insisted upon
knowing who Dan Baxter was, and the boys told as much of the bully
as they deemed necessary.
"Of course, if he is guilty the chances are that he will leave San
Francisco as soon as possible," said one of the detectives. "The best
we can do is to try to head him off."
"And we'll do our best to find him, too," added Tom.
"I think the hotel ought to be responsible for this robbery," said Dick.
"You didn't leave your key at the desk when you went out," cried the
hotel clerk, struck by a sudden idea.
"What of that?" asked Tom.
"That makes the guest responsible."
"What!" cried Tom, aghast.
"We are responsible only when the key is left at the desk. And jewels
must be left for keeping in one of our safes," went on the clerk.
"There are our rules," and he pointed to the printed form tacked on
the inside of the door.
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