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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/21794-h.zip b/21794-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..43ddec7 --- /dev/null +++ b/21794-h.zip diff --git a/21794-h/21794-h.htm b/21794-h/21794-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e415be --- /dev/null +++ b/21794-h/21794-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9063 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Boy from the Ranch, by Frank V. Webster</title> +<style type="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 5%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: medium; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.letter {font-size: small ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.salutation {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.closing {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.footnote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.transnote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.index {font-size: small ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.intro {font-size: medium ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.dedication {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 15%; + text-align: justify } + +P.published {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 15% } + +P.quote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.report {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.report2 {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.finis { text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +H3.h3left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H3.h3right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H3.h3center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgleft { float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: 1%; + padding: 0; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgright {float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1%; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: auto; } + +.pagenum { position: absolute; + left: 1%; + font-size: 95%; + text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; } + + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link { color:blue; + text-decoration:none; } + link { color:blue; + text-decoration:none; } + a:visited { color:blue; + text-decoration:none; } + a:hover { color:red; + text-decoration: underline; } + pre { font-size: 75%; } + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 align="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Boy from the Ranch, by Frank V. Webster</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Boy from the Ranch</p> +<p> Or Roy Bradner's City Experiences</p> +<p>Author: Frank V. Webster</p> +<p>Release Date: June 10, 2007 [eBook #21794]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY FROM THE RANCH***</p> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p> </p> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT=""Some fired their revolvers"" BORDER="2" WIDTH="408" HEIGHT="623"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 408px"> +"Some fired their revolvers" +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +The Boy from the Ranch +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Or +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +Roy Bradner's City Experiences +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK V. WEBSTER +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AUTHOR OF "ONLY A FARM BOY," "THE NEWSBOY<BR> +PARTNERS," "BOB THE CASTAWAY," "THE<BR> +YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER," ETC.<BR> +</H4> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ILLUSTRATED +</H4> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +NEW YORK +<BR> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY +<BR> +PUBLISHERS +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +Copyright, 1909, by +<BR> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY +<BR> +THE BOY FROM THE RANCH +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<CENTER> + +<TABLE WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">ROY RECEIVES A MESSAGE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">MR. BRADNER IS SUSPICIOUS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">A FAREWELL RIDE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">ROY IS PUZZLED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">A QUEER BED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">A SUDDEN AWAKENING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">A GAME ON THE TRAIN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">A STOP FOR REPAIRS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE DUDE IS SWINDLED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">ROY GAINS A FRIEND</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">ROY STOPS A RUNAWAY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">AT THE HOTEL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">A VISIT TO MR. ANNISTER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">ROY'S TRICK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">CALEB ANNISTER IS SURPRISED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">SOME NEW EXPERIENCES</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">CALEB ANNISTER MAKES PLANS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">ROY IN DANGER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">ROY IS MISSING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">IN THE TENEMENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">A DANGEROUS DESCENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">GETTING A CLUE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">A LAWYER'S ADVICE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">ANOTHER RASCALLY ATTEMPT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">THE ROUND-UP—CONCLUSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3> +<A HREF="#img-front"> +"Some fired their revolvers" . . . . . . <I>Frontispiece</I> +</A> +</H3> + +<H3> +<A HREF="#img-076"> +"Look out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!" +</A> +</H3> + +<H3> +<A HREF="#img-126"> +"Get out of my office!" +</A> +</H3> + +<H3> +<A HREF="#img-156"> +"I think you'll stay there for a while," said Wakely. +</A> +</H3> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +THE BOY FROM THE RANCH +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY RECEIVES A MESSAGE +</H3> + +<P> +"Hi there, Low Bull, ruste [Transcriber's note: rustle?] around the +other way and round up them steers! Hustle now! What's the matter +with you? Want to go to sleep on the trail?" +</P> + +<P> +Billy Carew, foreman of the Triple O ranch, addressed these remarks to +a rather ugly-looking Indian, who was riding a pony that seemed much +too small for him. The Indian, who was employed as a cowboy, was +letting his steed amble slowly along, paying little attention to the +work of rounding up the cattle. +</P> + +<P> +"Come now, Low Bull, get a move on," advised the foreman. "Make +believe you're hunting palefaces," he added, and then, speaking in a +lower tone he said: "this is the last time I'll ever hire a lazy Indian +to help round-up." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Billy?" asked a tall, well-built lad, riding up to +the foreman. +</P> + +<P> +"Matter? Everything's the matter. Here I foolishly go and give Low +Bull charge of the left wing of rounding up these steers, and he's so +lazy and good-for-nothing that he'll let half of 'em get away 'fore we +get back to the ranch. Get a move on you now!" he called to the +Indian, and, seeing that the foreman was very much in earnest, Low Bull +urged his pony to a gallop, and began to get the straggling steers into +some kind of shape. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't I help you, Billy?" asked the boy. +</P> + +<P> +Since he is to figure largely in this story I shall give you a brief +description of him. Roy Bradner was the only son of James Bradner, who +owned a large ranch, near the town of Painted Stone, in Colorado. The +boy's mother was dead, and he had lived with his father on the ranch +ever since he was a baby. +</P> + +<P> +Spending much of his time in the open air, Roy had become almost as +strong and sturdy as a man, and in some respects he could do the work +of one. +</P> + +<P> +He was quite expert in managing horses, even steeds that had never +known a saddle, and at throwing the lariat, or lasso, few on the ranch +could beat him. He was a good shot with the revolver and rifle, and, +in short, was a typical western boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't I help you, Billy?" the lad asked again, as he saw the foreman +had not appeared to hear his question. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I wish you would, Roy. Ride up there alongside of Low Bull, and +sort of keep him up to the mark. It sure looks as if he was going to +sleep in the saddle." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll do it, Billy. Where are we going to camp to-night?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I guess if we make a few miles more I'll call it a day's work +and quit. We've done pretty well, and if Low Bull would have done his +share, we'd be nearer the ranch than we are now. I don't want any +better round-up men than Nesting Henderson and the rest, but we need +another man, and that's why I had to take Low Bull along. But I'll +know better next time." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind, Billy. I'll see if I can't keep him on the go," said Roy, +and, with a ringing shout, to hurry up some lagging steers, he touched +his horse lightly with the spurs, and dashed toward where the Indian +was making a half-hearted effort to keep his division of the drive from +straggling. +</P> + +<P> +"I've come to help you, Low Bull," announced Roy, as he reached the +side of the Indian. +</P> + +<P> +"Hu! Boy heap smart!" grunted the redman. "Steers like boy—go fast +now." +</P> + +<P> +In fact it seemed as if the cattle knew some one was now behind them +who would keep them on the move, for they quickened their pace. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know whether they like me or not," remarked Roy, with a laugh +that showed his white teeth in contrast to his bronzed skin, "for I +reckon if I happened to fall off my horse they'd trample over me mighty +quick; they sure would." +</P> + +<P> +"Hu! Mebby so. Steers no like men not on hoss," spoke Low Bull, +stating a fact well known among cattlemen, for the steers of the plains +are so used to seeing a man on a horse, that once a cowboy is +dismounted the cattle become frightened, and are liable to stampede, +and trample the unfortunate man to death. +</P> + +<P> +"Billy says we must hurry the steers along," went on Roy. "We're going +to camp pretty soon, and he wants to get to the ranch as soon as +possible, though I guess it will take us two days more." +</P> + +<P> +"No need so much rush," said Low Bull. "Go slow be better. Boy drive +steers now, Low Bull take smoke and think. Low Bull much tired." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess he was born that way," thought Roy, as he saw the redman start +to make a cigarette, a habit he had learned from the white cowboys. +Low Bull was soon smoking in peace and comfort, while he let his pony +amble along at its own sweet will. The Indian gave no further thought +to the cattle, leaving the management of the stragglers to Roy, and the +lad had to dash here and there on his nimble pony, shouting and waving +his lariat, to keep the lagging steers up with the rest of the herd. +However, Roy was so full of life, and took so much interest in his +work, that he did not mind doing Low Bull's share, as well as his own. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just like that lazy Indian," remarked Billy Carew, as he +observed, from a distance, what Roy was doing. "He'll let the boy do +all the work. I'll discharge him after this round-up, that's what I'll +do. Might have known better than to hire one of them copper-skins!" +</P> + +<P> +Roy, whose father owned the Triple O ranch, had come out on this +round-up about a week previously. On all big ranches it is the custom, +at stated intervals to send out a party of men to round-up, or gather +together, in herds, the cattle or horses that may have strayed to +distant pastures. +</P> + +<P> +Sometimes a week or more is spent on this work, the men sleeping out of +doors, and making camp wherever darkness overtakes them. During the +night they take turns riding around the cattle, to keep them from +straying away. +</P> + +<P> +Day by day the herd is driven nearer the ranch, until they are either +placed in corrals, which are big pens, or are counted, brands put on +the new calves, and turned out again, to roam about over the immense +pastures, and fatten up for the market. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Bradner was an extensive ranch owner, and had several herds of +cattle. He was considered quite wealthy, but he had made his money by +hard work, having very little when he first went out west with his wife +and little boy. His wife had died soon after he reached Colorado, and, +after his baby days, Roy had been brought up by his father. +</P> + +<P> +The boy liked the life on the ranch, and was fast becoming an expert +along cattle lines. He was a good judge of steers and horses, and, +while he knew nothing of city ways, never since a mere infant having +been in anything larger than a town, and not having traveled more than +a few miles, there was nothing about life on the plains but what he was +acquainted with. +</P> + +<P> +After much hard riding Roy managed to get that part of the herd +entrusted to the Indian, into compact form. Then he came back to his +companion, who was riding along as if he had nothing more to think +about than keeping his cigarette lighted. +</P> + +<P> +"Hu! Heap smart boy!" grunted Low Bull. "Know how make steers travel." +</P> + +<P> +"I should think you would know how to do it too," said Roy. "You've +always lived on the plains." +</P> + +<P> +"Too much work. Indian no like work. Like sit an' think, an' smoke. +No like work." +</P> + +<P> +"Everybody's got to work in this world, Low Bull." +</P> + +<P> +"Rich man no work. Me like be rich man." +</P> + +<P> +"But the man sure had to work hard to get rich. I s'pose rich men feel +that they can take life easy after they have earned a fortune." +</P> + +<P> +"Indian no like work. Drive cattle too hard. Me quit soon," was all +Low Bull replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and if you don't quit I think Billy will make you vamoose +anyhow," murmured Roy. +</P> + +<P> +Low Bull rolled another cigarette, and seemed to go to sleep under the +influence of it. Roy had to race off after a couple of straying +steers, and had no further time for talking. When he had brought the +cattle back, a long, shrill cry echoed over the plain. At the sound of +it Low Bull seemed to wake up. +</P> + +<P> +"Billy make camp now," he said. "Soon supper—eat—Low Bull hungry." +</P> + +<P> +It was the signal for making camp, and, finding themselves no longer +urged forward, the steers stopped, and began to crop the rich grass. +</P> + +<P> +The cowboys, of whom there were several, with joyful shouts, came +riding up to the cook wagon, which had been pulled along in the rear, +but which now came to a halt on the broad, rolling plain. "Smoke" +Tardell started a fire from grease-wood, and began to prepare the +evening meal. +</P> + +<P> +"Set out plenty of grub, Smoke," called one of the cowboys, riding +close up to Tardell, and playfully snatching his big sombrero off. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! You let that be, Bruce Arkdell!" exclaimed the cook. "That's +my new hat, an' I don't want it spoiled!" +</P> + +<P> +"Give me an extra plate of beans, or I'll shoot a hole in it!" +threatened the cowboy, drawing hit heavy revolver, and aiming it at the +hat, which he held in one hand. +</P> + +<P> +"All right. You can have three platesful, but don't you spoil my hat!" +cried the cook, as he received back his sombrero. "I never see such +crazy chaps as them boys be when they're headed for the ranch," +muttered "Smoke," as he set the coffee pot over the fire. +</P> + +<P> +It did not take long to prepare the meal, and the cowboys crowded +around the "grub wagon" as they called it. Low Bull was among them, +his eyes greedy for food. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Low Bull," exclaimed Billy Carew, "you go out and ride around +them steers awhile. They ain't quieted down yet, and I don't want no +stampede now. Ride around 'em, and make 'em feel easy." +</P> + +<P> +"After supper," said the Indian. +</P> + +<P> +"No, now!" insisted the foreman. +</P> + +<P> +"Low Bull hungry. Like eat." +</P> + +<P> +"Low Bull is going to stay hungry then, until some of the others have +piled in their grub," declared Billy. "I'll send somebody out to take +your place, as soon as they've eaten. Now vamoose!" +</P> + +<P> +"Low Bull like eat." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I know. Low Bull like eat, but no like work. That's what's the +matter with Low Bull," exclaimed Billy with a laugh. "Now git." +</P> + +<P> +The Indian knew there was no use disputing this decision, so, with no +very good grace, he started to ride slowly around the cattle, to keep +them from moving off in a body. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go out and relieve him in a little while," offered Roy. "I'll +soon be through supper." +</P> + +<P> +"You take your time now, son," advised Billy. "It won't hurt that +redskin to go hungry a while. Maybe he'll be a little sprier after +this." +</P> + +<P> +Supper was soon served, and when Roy had eaten his share he prepared to +go out, and relieve Low Bull. He threw the saddle over his pony's +back, and, having tightened the girths, was about to vault into place, +when he and the other cowboys became aware that some one was riding in +great haste toward the temporary camp. +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody's coming," remarked Bruce Arkdell. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you s'pose we know it," said Billy good naturedly. "We've got +our sight yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and it's Porter Simms, from the way he gallops," added the cook, +shading his eyes from the setting sun, and peering across the prairies +at the riding man. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis Porter," confirmed Billy. "Wonder what he wants? Hope nothing's +happened." +</P> + +<P> +Somehow the words sent a slight feeling of fear to Roy's heart. The +man might have bad news for some one in camp. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Roy here?" cried Porter, as soon as he had come within talking +distance. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I'm here," replied the boy. "What's the matter? Is it my +father—?" +</P> + +<P> +"Now don't go gettin' skeered," advised Porter, as he pulled up his +horse sharply. "I sure did ride fast to locate you, but your daddy +wanted me to be sure to tell you, first-off, not to git skeered." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Roy, his heart fluttering. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, your daddy's a little under the weather, and he wants for you to +come back to the ranch right away. That's the message I was to give to +you. Don't wait to come in with the steers, but start right off. I'll +stay here and take your place." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he—was he very bad?" asked Roy, who had left his father, +seemingly, in perfect health. +</P> + +<P> +"No, not so very I guess. The doctor was there, and he didn't seem +much put out. I reckon Mr. Bradner had a sort of a bad turn, that's +all." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll start right away," decided Roy. "If I ride all night I can get +there by morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you want one of us to go with you?" asked Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"No. I'm not afraid. I've done it before. Smoke, will you pack me a +little grub?" +</P> + +<P> +"Surest thing you know!" exclaimed the cook, as he began to do up some +bacon and bread. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MR. BRADNER IS SUSPICIOUS +</H3> + +<P> +Crowding around Roy in ready sympathy, the cowboys questioned Porter as +to the state of affairs at the ranch. The messenger knew very little +about it. He had been to a distant pasture land, when he had been +summoned to the ranch house by another cowboy, who was sent after him. +When he got back he found Mr. Bradner quite ill. +</P> + +<P> +"He said he wanted me to go for Roy," went on Porter, "'cause he knew I +could ride fast. But he particular didn't want Roy to git worried. He +said it was as much a business matter as anything." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe he's goin' to die an' wants to make his will," suggested one of +the cowboys. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! What's the matter with you! Don't you know no better than +that?" demanded Billy in a hoarse whisper. "Want to give Roy a scare? +I'll peg you out if you do that again!" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I didn't think!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I guess you didn't. Lucky he didn't hear you. Now you think +twice before you speak once, after this." +</P> + +<P> +"Here's your grub," announced the cook, holding out a big package to +Roy. It contained enough food for three men, but Roy was a favorite +with "Smoke," as indeed he was with all the men on the ranch, and this +was the only way the genius of the camp-fire could show his affection. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, what do you think he goin' to do? Be three days on the home +trail?" asked Billy. "He don't want no snack like that. He can't +carry it." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought maybe he'd be hungry in the night." +</P> + +<P> +"I expect I will be, but not enough to get away with all that," +remarked Roy with a smile, as he saw the big package. "I just want a +little bread, and some cold bacon." +</P> + +<P> +The cook, with a sigh at the thought of the boy not being able to eat +all the food, made a smaller package. Meanwhile Roy was in the saddle, +ready to travel, wondering what could be the matter with his father, +and why his parent had sent for him in such a hurry. +</P> + +<P> +"Got your gun?" asked Porter. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Roy, tapping the pistol in its holster at his belt. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe you'd better take my pony," suggested Billy. "He can travel +faster than yours." +</P> + +<P> +"No; Jack Rabbit's good enough for me," replied the boy, patting his +own pony on the neck. "Yours may be a bit faster, but Jack Rabbit will +stick longer. Well, I'm off!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good luck!" called Billy. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't worry!" advised Porter. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll see you in a couple of days," shouted the other cowboys. "Take +care of yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"I will," said Roy, as he called to his pony, who started off on a +steady "lope" that rapidly carried him over the ground. +</P> + +<P> +Now that he was away from the confusion of the camp, and had nothing to +distract his mind, Roy gave himself up to thoughts of his father. +</P> + +<P> +"He must be quite sick," he reasoned, "or he never would have sent for +me in such a rush. I wonder if Porter was afraid to tell me the truth?" +</P> + +<P> +For an instant the fear that his father might be dead, and that the +cowboy had not dared to tell him of it, unnerved Roy. Then his natural +braveness came back to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, pshaw! What's the use of thinking such gloomy thoughts," he said +to himself. "Maybe dad only had a little fit of indigestion, like he +had before. I remember then I thought he sure was going to die. But +Porter said it was as much business as anything else. Now what sort of +business could dad have that he would need me in such a hurry?" +</P> + +<P> +Roy did not see any prospect of his questions being answered, at least +until he got to the ranch, and could talk to his father, so he +continued on, urging his pony to a faster gait. +</P> + +<P> +It soon began to get dark, but Roy did not mind this, as he had often +ridden all night when on a round-up. Of course, on such occasions he +had been in company with his father's cowboys. Still, the prospect of +his lonely journey through the darkness did not alarm him. +</P> + +<P> +He knew the trail very well, from having been over it often, and, +though there were occasionally ugly Indians, or unemployed cowboys, to +be met with on the plains, Roy did not imagine he would have any +trouble with them. He was armed, but he hoped he would have no +occasion to draw his revolver. +</P> + +<P> +There were no wild animals, except steers, to be met and these, he +knew, would be in herds under the care of competent men. Besides a +steer rarely attacks a man on a horse. +</P> + +<P> +So Roy rode through the long night. About one o'clock he stopped, +built a little grease-wood fire, and warmed his bacon. Then he munched +that and the bread with a good appetite, drinking some coffee the cook +had given him in a flask. +</P> + +<P> +"I ought to get to the ranch by sun-up," thought the boy, and he was +not mistaken, for, when the golden ball peeped up over the prairies Roy +saw the outbuildings of his father's big cattle farm. A little later +he had ridden up to the ranch house, and dismounted. +</P> + +<P> +"My father! How is he?" he exclaimed, as he saw the cook on the +verandah. +</P> + +<P> +"Better," was the reply, and the boy felt a sense of relief. "Much +better. Come right in and have some hot coffee. I've got it all ready +for you." +</P> + +<P> +"Not until I've seen my father," and Roy hurried into the ranch house. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that you, Roy?" called a voice from a bedroom. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, father! How are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Considerable better. I hope you were not alarmed." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I was—some." +</P> + +<P> +Roy saw that his father was in bed. The man looked quite pale, and on +a stand, near him, were several bottles of medicine. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, father?" asked Roy. "What happened?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, nothing much, though I was afraid it was at the time. I got one +of my bad spells of indigestion, and it affected my heart." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you think you were going to die?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I did, but the doctor only laughed at me. He said I was +needlessly alarmed, and I think, now, that I was. But when I was in +such pain, fearing something would happen, I thought of a business +matter that needed attending to. I decided I had better get my affairs +in shape—in case anything should happen, so I sent for you, to have a +talk." +</P> + +<P> +"What sort of a talk, father?" +</P> + +<P> +"A business talk. I'm going to have you undertake something in an +entirely new line. You're a pretty good cattleman now, and I want to +see how you'll make out on a business deal." +</P> + +<P> +"What kind?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll soon explain. But tell me; how is Billy, and the boys?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well." +</P> + +<P> +"Are they getting the cattle in good shape? Where did Porter find you?" +</P> + +<P> +"The cattle will be here to-morrow, I think. Porter came up just as we +were camping out near the small dried creek in the big swale," replied +Roy, describing the place so that his father would know it. "But now +tell me about this business. I am glad you are better." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I feel much improved. My indigestion is all gone, and I think I +can eat breakfast. I'll tell you then." +</P> + +<P> +Roy could hardly wait for the meal to be finished. After his father +had had his repast in bed, Mr. Bradner told his son to close the door, +and sit down close beside him. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to take you into my confidence," said the ranch owner. +"It's time you knew something of my business affairs, and I am going to +entrust you with a commission. A good deal depends on the success of +it." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope I can do it, father." +</P> + +<P> +"I am pretty sure you can, or I would not let you go. Now I'll tell +you what it is. You do not know it, but I have an interest in some +property, left by your mother's brother, your Uncle Henry Mayfield. +This property was left to your mother, and when she died the property +came to me, and to you. That is, I have a third interest in it, and +you have two-thirds." +</P> + +<P> +"That hardly seems fair. You should have more than I." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind, Roy. In fact I intend that, in time, you shall have the +whole of the property." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is it located?" +</P> + +<P> +"In New York City." +</P> + +<P> +"New York? That is a long way off." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, a good many miles. In fact I have never seen the property. It +is in charge of an agent—a real estate man. Every month he sends me +the money received for rent, and, for several years I have put your +share away, at interest in a bank." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I have some money saved up, and did not know it." +</P> + +<P> +"That is right, and it is quite a sum. But, of late, the rents have +been falling off, until they are only about half what they were when +your mother owned the property." +</P> + +<P> +"Why is this?" +</P> + +<P> +"The agent says it is because the property has gone down in value, but +I can not see how that is, as it is in a good part of New York, and +that city is certainly not getting smaller." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you account for the rents being less, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is just the point. I can't account for it, and, to tell you the +truth, I am suspicious of this real estate man." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is he?" +</P> + +<P> +"His name is Caleb Annister." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you propose doing, dad? Can't you get a lawyer to see him, +and find out if he is cheating you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose I could, but I have thought of a different plan. It came to +me when I was lying sick here, and I decided to put it into operation, +so as to straighten out my affairs as well as your own." +</P> + +<P> +"What's your plan, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am going to send you to New York, to look up this property and the +matter of rents, and see whether or not Caleb Annister is telling the +truth, when he says that the value has gone down. Roy, I want you to +act as my agent, and start for New York at once!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A FAREWELL RIDE +</H3> + +<P> +His father's announcement rather startled Roy. He had never thought +much of business, outside of that connected with the ranch, and now the +idea of endeavoring to ascertain the value of property, and whether the +agent of it was doing his duty, came as a sort of shock. But, more +than this, was the idea of going to a big city. +</P> + +<P> +In all his life, as far as he could remember, Roy had never been in any +town of more than five thousand inhabitants. He had never, so far as +he knew, taken more than a short ride in a railroad train. I say as +far as he knew, for he had been born in Chicago, but when he was an +infant, his parents had gone out west, so while it was true that he had +lived in a big city, and had made quite a railroad journey, he knew +nothing about it, except what his father had told him. +</P> + +<P> +"You want me to go to New York, dad?" he repeated, wondering if he had +heard aright. +</P> + +<P> +"That's it. I want you to find out just exactly what Caleb Annister is +doing." +</P> + +<P> +"But, I have had no experience in those lines." +</P> + +<P> +"I know you have not, but I think you can do what I want. All it needs +is brains and common sense, and you have both." +</P> + +<P> +"But I have never been in a big city." +</P> + +<P> +"No, not since you were old enough to notice anything, but that need +not worry you. If I told you to go back to where the boys were +rounding-up the cattle, you could do it; couldn't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if you can find your way over the trackless plains I guess you +can manage to get along in a big city, even if it is New York. All you +have to do is to ask when you don't understand. I guess if some of +those city boys came out here, they'd get lost a good deal quicker than +you will in the streets of New York. Now you had better get ready to +start. I'll draw up some papers, and get some instructions ready for +you. I think Annister is trying to swindle you and me out of this +property. If I was well enough I would go myself, but, as it is, I +shall send you." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think you are well enough for me to leave you?" asked Roy +anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, there is nothing serious the matter with me. I shall have to +be careful of what I eat, that's all, and if I went to New York I'd +probably be worse off than I am here, for I would want to try all sorts +of new dishes, and my dyspepsia would be very bad." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, dad. I'll get ready at once. It sure will be a new +experience for me. I'll round-up this Caleb Annister for you, rope him +and put the branding iron on, if I find he's trying to get any of our +mavericks into his herd." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed Mr. Bradner. "You're a regular +westerner, Roy. Don't let the ways of city folks bother you. Do the +best you know how, be polite to the ladies, respectful to the men, and +don't let 'em bluff you! Stick up for your rights, and don't be afraid +of anybody. They may try to stampede you in New York, but you keep +your head, and you'll come out all right." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll try, dad. When do you want me to start?" +</P> + +<P> +"To-morrow, if you can. The boys will be in from the round-up then." +</P> + +<P> +That day Roy spent in getting his clothes packed in a big valise and a +trunk. It was decided he should ride to the nearest railroad station, +and there take a train for Chicago, where he would have to change cars +for New York. +</P> + +<P> +In the meanwhile Mr. Bradner drew up a paper giving his son the right +to act in a certain capacity. This was put into legal form, and +witnessed, a near-by notary being called in to attach his seal. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course I don't know exactly how you will find the lay of the land +there in New York," said Mr. Bradner that night, "as I have never been +there. Nor do I know this Caleb Annister. I have had considerable +correspondence with him, and I take him to be a sharp business man. He +may try to bluff you, but don't you stand for it. It might be a good +plan to size him up first, before you tell him who you are." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I'll do, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll have to make your own plans when you get there," went on his +father. "You may have to spend considerable money, so I'll give you a +good sum in cash, and a draft on my New York bankers. If you get in a +hole do the best you can, and telegraph me if you need help. Just camp +on the trail of this Caleb Annister, and see what his game is. It +doesn't stand to reason that property in New York is shrinking in +value. I think there is something wrong somewhere, and I depend on you +to find it." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope I won't disappoint you, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe you will, Roy. Now you had better get to bed, for +it's quite late, and you'll have a hard journey ahead of you." +</P> + +<P> +Roy did not feel a bit tired, for he was hardy and strong, but he did +as his father suggested. He could not get to sleep at first thinking +of his prospective trip, for he had always wanted to go to a big city, +and now he had the chance. +</P> + +<P> +Billy Carew and the other cowboys came in the next morning with the +steers, which were turned into a corral for branding purposes. Roy +told his friends of his journey. +</P> + +<P> +"Prancing prairie dogs!" exclaimed Billy. "I wish I was going. +Lickity thunder, but that's a great trip, clear to New York!" +</P> + +<P> +"We'll ride to the station with you," proposed Bruce Arkdell. "We'll +give you a good send off!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we will!" chorused the others. +</P> + +<P> +Roy was to start soon after dinner, as the Chicago express would not +stop at the railroad station of Painted Stone unless it was flagged. +</P> + +<P> +A little later a strange procession left the ranch house. Roy and +Billy Carew rode at the head, and all the cowboys who could be spared +followed after. Roy's trunk and valises were strapped on the back of a +pack mule. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Bradner, who was not quite well enough to stand the trip to the +station, bade his son an affectionate good-bye, and wished him all +success. +</P> + +<P> +"Telegraph if you get into trouble," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and we'll all hot-foot it to the burg of New York, and shoot-up +the town!" exclaimed Billy. "We'll show 'em how a boy from the ranch +can be took care of!" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess there'll be no need of that," remarked Roy with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +It was several miles to the railroad station, and, on the way the +cowboys rushed their ponies here and there, indulging in all sorts of +antics, for they regarded it as a sort of a holiday, though they liked +Roy, and were sorry to see him leave. +</P> + +<P> +"Now boys! Give him a grand salute!" proposed Bruce, when they came in +sight of the station. +</P> + +<P> +The cowboys drew their revolvers, aimed them into the air, and fired +them off as fast as they could pull their triggers. It sounded as +though a small battle was in progress. +</P> + +<P> +"Give him a yell!" suggested Smoke Tardell, and the ranchers shouted +like wild Indians. +</P> + +<P> +"Here comes the train!" called Billy Carew, as a whistle was heard, +and, down the long line of glistening rails, the smoke of a locomotive +was seen. The station agent went out to flag the express. +</P> + +<P> +"Take care of yourself," advised Bruce. +</P> + +<P> +"Bring me back a slice of New York," requested Smoke. "I want it well +done." +</P> + +<P> +"Be careful you don't get 'well-done', Roy," advised Billy Carew. +"Don't buy any gold bricks, or Confederate money, and take care, Roy, +that them sharpers don't git ye!" +</P> + +<P> +He waved his big sombrero, an example followed by all the other +cowboys, as Roy climbed aboard the express. His trunk and valises were +tumbled into the baggage car, the engineer blew two short blasts, and +the train was off again, bearing Roy to New York. +</P> + +<P> +His last view was of his father's cowboys, waving a farewell to him +with their big hats, while some fired their revolvers, and others +yelled at the top of their lungs. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder when I'll see them again," thought Roy. "I sort of hate to +leave the old ranch, but I'm glad I'm going to New York." +</P> + +<P> +He did not know all that was before him, nor what was to happen before +he again saw his friends, the cowboys. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY IS PUZZLED +</H3> + +<P> +While Roy's father had given him some instructions as to the best +method of proceeding while in New York, Mr. Bradner had said nothing to +his son about what he might expect on his railroad trip. Therefore the +boy was totally unprepared for the novelties of modern travel. Mr. +Bradner had thought it wise to let his son find out things for himself. +</P> + +<P> +Roy had never been in anything but an ordinary day coach, and those +were of an old-fashioned type. But his father had purchased for him +tickets all the way to New York in the Pullman parlor and sleeping +cars, and it was in a luxurious parlor car, then, that Roy found +himself when he boarded the express. +</P> + +<P> +At first the boy did not know what to make of it. The car had big +chairs instead of the ordinary seats, the windows were nearly twice as +large as those in other coaches, and there were silk and plush curtains +hanging over them. Besides there was a thick, soft velvety carpet on +the floor of the coach, and, what with the inlaid and polished wood, +the hangings, mirrors, brass and nickel-plated fixtures, Roy thought he +had, by mistake, gotten into the private car of some millionaire. +</P> + +<P> +He had occasionally seen the outside of these fine coaches as they +rushed through Painted Stone, but he had never dreamed that he would be +in one. So, as soon as he entered the coach, he started back. +</P> + +<P> +"What's de matter, sah?" inquired a colored porter in polite tones, as +he came from what seemed a little cubby-hole built in the side of the +car. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess I'm in the wrong corral," remarked Roy, who was so used to using +western and cattle terms, that he did not consider how they would sound +to other persons. +</P> + +<P> +"Wrong corral, sah?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I must be mixed in with the wrong brand. Where's the regular +coach?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, dis coach am all reg'lar, sah. Reg'lar as can be. We ain't got +none but reg'lar coaches on dis yeah express. No indeed, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"But I guess my ticket doesn't entitle me to a ride in a private car." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see youh ticket, sah." +</P> + +<P> +Roy passed the negro the bit of pasteboard. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes indeedy, sah. Youh is all right. Dis am de coach youh g'wine +to ride in. We goes all de way to Chicago, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"Is this for regular passengers?" asked Roy, wondering how the railroad +could afford to supply such luxurious cars. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's fo' them as pays fo' it, sah. Youh has got a ticket fo' de +Pullman car, an' dis am it, sah. Let me show yo' to youh seat, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I s'pose it's all right," remarked Roy a little doubtfully. He +saw several passengers smiling, and he wondered if they were laughing +at him, or if he had made a mistake. He resolved to be careful, as he +did not want it known that he was making a long journey for the first +time. +</P> + +<P> +"Heah's youh seat," went on the porter, escorting Roy to a deep, soft +chair. "I'll be right back yeah, an' if youh wants me, all youh has to +do is push this yeah button," and he showed Roy an electric button +fixed near the window. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know what I'll want of you," said the boy, trying to +think what excuse he could have for calling the colored man. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, sah, youh might want to git breshed off, or youh might want a +book, or a cigar—" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't smoke," retorted Roy promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm here to wait on passengers," went on the negro, "and if youh +wants me all youh has to do is push that yeah button." +</P> + +<P> +"All right—er—" he paused, not knowing what to call the porter. +</P> + +<P> +"Mah name's George Washington Thomas Jefferson St. Louis Algernon +Theophilus Brown, but folks dey gen'ally calls me George, sah," and the +porter grinned so that he showed every one of his big white teeth. +</P> + +<P> +"All right—George," said Roy, beginning to understand something of +matters. "I'll call you if I want you." +</P> + +<P> +"Dey calls out when it's meal time." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I say dey calls out when it's meal time. De dining car potah will +call out when it's time fo' dinner." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh," remarked Roy, rather dubiously, for he did not know exactly what +was meant. +</P> + +<P> +The porter left him, laughing to himself at the lack of knowledge shown +by the boy from the ranch, but for all that George Washington St. Louis +Algernon Theophilus Brown resolved to do all he could for Roy. As for +the young traveler he was so interested in the scenery, as it appeared +to fly past the broad windows of the car, that he did not worry about +what he was going to do when it came meal time. +</P> + +<P> +Still, after an hour or so of looking out of the window it became a +little tiresome, and he turned around to observe his fellow passengers. +Seated near him was a well-dressed man, who had quite a large watch +chain strung across his vest. He had a sparkling stone in his necktie, +and another in a ring on his finger. +</P> + +<P> +"Your first trip East?" he asked, nodding in a friendly way to Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"My first trip, of any account, anywhere. I haven't taken a long +railroad journey since I was a baby, and I don't remember that." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you looked as if you hadn't been a very great distance away +from home. Going far?" +</P> + +<P> +"To New York." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah you have business there, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +Now Roy, though he was but a youth, unused to the ways of the world, +had much natural shrewdness. He had been brought up in the breeziness +of the West, where it is not considered good form, to say the least, to +ask too many questions of a man. If a person wanted to tell you his +affairs, that was a different matter. So, as Roy's mission was more or +less of a secret one, he decided it would not be well to talk about it, +especially to strangers. So he answered: +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I have some business there." +</P> + +<P> +His manner was such that the man soon saw the boy did not care to talk +about his affairs, and, being a keen observer, too much so for Roy's +good, as we shall soon see, the man did not pursue his questioning on +those lines. +</P> + +<P> +"Fine scenery," he remarked. "Good, open country around here." +</P> + +<P> +Roy felt that was a safe enough subject to talk about, and he and the +man, who introduced himself as Mr. Phelan Baker, spent some time in +conversation. +</P> + +<P> +Roy, however, was continually wondering what he should do when the +announcement was made that dinner was to be served. He did not want to +make any mistakes, and have the car full of passengers laugh at him, +yet he did not know what was proper to do under the circumstances. +</P> + +<P> +He had neglected to Inquire how they served meals on trains, and, in +fact, had he done so, no one at the ranch could have told him, as not +even Mr. Bradner had traveled enough to make it necessary to eat in a +dining car. +</P> + +<P> +"If I was back at the ranch I'd know what to do when I heard the +grub-call," thought Roy. "But this thing has got me puzzled. It sure +has. I wonder if they bring you in sandwiches and coffee, as they did +to a party I went to? Or do you have to go up and help yourself? I +don't see how they cook anything on a train going as fast as this one. +They must have to eat cold victuals. Well, I guess I can stand it for +a few days, I've eaten cold bacon and bread when on a round-up, and I'm +not going to hold back now. Guess I'll just do as the rest do." +</P> + +<P> +A little while after this a colored man, in a spotless white suit, +passed through the parlor car, calling out: +</P> + +<P> +"Dinner is now being served in the dining car. First call for dinner!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's up to me to go to grub now," thought Roy. "I wonder how +I'll make out?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A QUEER BED +</H3> + +<P> +"Are you going to eat on the first call?" asked Mr. Baker, rising from +his comfortable chair and looking at Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know—I think—Yes, I guess I will." +</P> + +<P> +It suddenly occurred to the boy that he might take advantage of the +acquaintance he had formed with the man, and observe just how he ought +to conduct himself in the dining car. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be glad of your company," spoke Mr. Baker, with a pleasant +smile. "Will you sit at my table?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not so very hungry," remarked Roy, thinking that if he found +things too strange he could call for something simple, though the truth +was he had an excellent appetite. +</P> + +<P> +"I am not either," declared Mr. Baker. "I never eat much while +traveling, but I think it best to have my meals regularly. Now, if +you'll come with me, we'll see what they have at this traveling hotel." +</P> + +<P> +He led the way from the parlor to the dining car. If Roy had been +astonished at the magnificence of the first coach he was doubly so at +the scene which now met his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +Arranged along both sides of the dining car, next to the broad, high +windows, were small tables, sparkling with cut-glass and silver. In +the center of each table was a small pot of graceful ferns, while +throughout the car there were fine hangings, beautifully inlaid wood, +and on the floor a soft carpet. It was, indeed, a fine traveling hotel. +</P> + +<P> +At the tables, not all of which were occupied, were seated beautiful +women, some handsomely gowned, and there were men, attired in the +height of fashion. For the first time Roy felt rather ashamed of his +ordinary "store" clothes, which were neither properly cut, nor of good +material. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is a good table," said Mr. Baker, indicating one about the center +of the car. +</P> + +<P> +Roy took his seat opposite his new acquaintance, a queer feeling of +nervousness overcoming him. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd rather ride a bucking bronco any day, than be here," the boy +thought. But he was not going to back out now. He knew he had the +money to pay for whatever he ordered, and, he reflected that if he was +not as stylishly dressed as the others, he was probably more hungry +than any of them, for he had an early breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as Roy and Mr. Baker were seated, a colored waiter glided +swiftly to their table and filled their glasses from a curiously shaped +vessel, called a "caraffe," which looked something like a bottle or +flask, with a very large body, and a very small neck. Inside was a +solid lump of ice, which made the water cold. Roy looked curiously at +the piece of frozen crystal. Mr. Baker noted his look of astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you like ice water?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but I was wondering how in the world they ever got that big hunk +of ice through the little neck of that bottle." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh," exclaimed Mr. Baker with a laugh, "they first fill the caraffe +with water, and then they freeze it in an ice machine they have on the +train for keeping the other supplies from spoiling. It would be rather +difficult to put that chunk of ice down through that narrow neck." +</P> + +<P> +Roy understood now. He began to think he had lots to learn of the +world, but there was more coming. The waiter placed a menu card in +front of Mr. Baker, and laid one at Roy's plate. He knew what they +were, for he had several times taken dinner at a small hotel at Painted +Stone. +</P> + +<P> +He was not prepared however for the queer language in which the menu +card or bill of fare was printed. It was French, and the names of the +most ordinary dishes were in that foreign tongue. +</P> + +<P> +Roy was puzzled. He wanted a substantial meal, but he did not know how +to order it. He was afraid to try to pronounce the odd looking words, +and I am afraid if he had done so he would have made a mistake, as, +indeed, better educated persons than he would have done. He had a wild +notion of telling the waiter to bring everything on the bill of fare, +but there seemed to be too many dishes. +</P> + +<P> +Finally he decided on a course to pursue. The waiter was standing +there, polite and all attention, for, though Roy's clothes did not +impress him as indicating a lad of wealth, Mr. Baker's attire was showy +enough to allow the colored man to think he might receive a handsome +tip. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I'll have a ham sandwich and a cup of coffee," said Roy in +desperation. He knew he was safe in ordering that, even if it was not +on the card, though it might have been for all he knew, disguised under +some odd name. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Baker looked surprised. +</P> + +<P> +"I should say you hadn't any appetite," he remarked. Then, as he +understood the situation, and Roy's embarrassment, he said: "Suppose I +order for both of us? I am used to this sort of thing." +</P> + +<P> +Roy was grateful for this delicate way of putting it, and, with a sigh +of relief, he replied: +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you would. I guess I've got a good appetite after all." +</P> + +<P> +Thereupon Mr. Baker ordered a simple but substantial meal, including +soup, fish, roast beef, potatoes and side dishes of vegetables, ending +up with coffee and pie. +</P> + +<P> +"This is fine!" exclaimed Roy, when he had finished. "I s'pose they +charge about two dollars for grub like this?" +</P> + +<P> +Several persons in the dining car smiled, for Roy was used to shouting +at cattle, and calling to cowboys, and had acquired a habit of speaking +in rather loud tones. +</P> + +<P> +"No, this 'grub' will cost you one dollar," said Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's worth it," declared the boy, pulling out quite a roll of +bills, for his father had been generous. At the sight of the money a +greedy look came into the eyes of Mr. Baker, a look that would have +warned Roy had he seen it. But he was busy looking for a one-dollar +bill among the fives and tens. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, if you're ready we'll go back to the parlor car, and have a cigar +in the smoking room," suggested Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"No, thank you. Not for mine. I don't smoke." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it is a useless habit I suppose, but I am too old to change now. +I'll join you presently," and the man went into a small compartment at +one end of the parlor car, when they reached it, leaving Roy to go to +his chair alone. +</P> + +<P> +Had the boy seen the three men whom Mr. Baker greeted in the smoking +room, perhaps our hero would not have been quite so ready to continue +his acquaintance with the man. For, in the little apartment were three +individuals whose faces did not indicate any too much honesty, and +whose clothes were on the same "flashy" order as were Mr. Baker's, +though none of the trio had as expensive jewelry as had Roy's new +friend. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, sport, how about you?" asked one of the men. "Did you manage to +pick up anything?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not so loud, Ike," cautioned Mr. Baker, addressing the man who had +spoken, and whose name was Isaac Sutton. "I think I can put you on the +track of something." +</P> + +<P> +"Something good?" asked the third man, who was known as Jerome Hynard, +though that was not his real name. +</P> + +<P> +"We want it with plenty of cash," added the last man, who was called +Dennison Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a green kid, right from the ranch, going to New York," said +Phelan Baker. "He's got quite a wad of money, and if you work the game +right you may be able to get the most of it. I'll tell you how." +</P> + +<P> +Then the four began to whisper, for they were laying a plot and were +afraid of being overheard. All unconscious of the danger that +threatened him, Roy was back in the parlor car, enjoying the scenery, +and thinking of the many strange things he would see in New York. +</P> + +<P> +For some reason Mr. Baker did not come back where Roy was. Perhaps he +feared the boy might be suspicious of his sudden friendship, for Mr. +Baker was a good reader of character, and he saw that Roy, in spite of +his lack of experience, was a shrewd lad. +</P> + +<P> +As for the young traveler, he began to get tired. He was unused to +sitting still so long, and riding in a soft chair was very different +from being on the back of the swift pony, galloping over the plains. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what they're going to do about bunks?" thought Roy, as he +looked about the car. "I don't fancy sleeping on these chairs, and +I've heard they made the seats in the coaches up into bunks." +</P> + +<P> +Roy had never seen a sleeping car, and imagined the coach he was in was +one. He decided he would ask the porter about it soon, if he saw no +signs of the beds being made up. He had his supper alone at a table in +the dining car, Mr. Baker remaining with his three cronies, and out of +Roy's sight. Profiting by his experience at dinner, the boy knew how +to order a good meal. +</P> + +<P> +To his relief, soon after he got back to the parlor car, the porter who +had first spoken to him, came up and announced: +</P> + +<P> +"Youh berth will be ready any time youh want it, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"Berth?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yais, sah." +</P> + +<P> +Roy did not know exactly what was meant. At the ranch that word was +never used, a bed being a "bunk." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think I care for any," said Roy, deciding that was the safest +way. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that, sah? Youh ain't goin to sit up all night, be youh? +Mighty uncomfortable, sah. Better take a bed. Youh ticket calls fo' +one, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you mean a bunk?" +</P> + +<P> +"Bunk! Ha! Ha! Youh western gen'men gwine to hab youh joke, I see. +We calls 'em berths, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"Is mine ready?" +</P> + +<P> +"Jest as soon as youh want it. Youh can go back in de sleeping car." +</P> + +<P> +This Roy understood. He went back two coaches toward the rear, as +directed by the porter, and found himself in still another kind of car. +This had big plush seats, like small couches, facing each other, while, +overhead, was a sort of sloping ceiling. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see where there are many bunks here," the boy remarked to +himself. He saw persons sitting in the seats, talking, and, finding +one unoccupied, he took possession of it. Soon a porter came in to +him, examined his ticket, and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"Do youh wish youh berth made up now, sah?" +</P> + +<P> +"Guess I might as well," replied Roy, wondering where the porter was +going to get the bed from, and whether he was going to produce it from +some unseen source, as a conjurer pulls rabbits out of tall hats. +</P> + +<P> +"Ef youh jest kindly take the next seat, I'll make up your berth," said +the porter, and Roy moved back one place, but where he could still +watch the colored man. +</P> + +<P> +That individual then proceeded to make up the berth. While the process +is familiar to many of my young readers, it was a novelty to Roy. With +much wonder he watched the man lift up the cushions of the seats, take +out blankets and pillows from the hollow places, and then slide the two +bottoms of the seats together until they made a level place. +</P> + +<P> +Then what Roy had thought to be merely a slanting part of the ceiling +was pulled down, revealing a broad shelf, that formed the upper berth +or bed. On this shelf were sheets, blankets and other things needed +for the beds. In a short time Roy saw made before his eyes, where +there had been only seats before, a comfortable "bunk" with pillows, +white sheets, blankets, curtains hanging down in front and all complete. +</P> + +<P> +"Now youh can turn in," said the porter with a smile, as he began to +make up another berth. Roy decided to wait a while, until he saw how +other men travelers undressed, and when he saw one man retire behind +the curtains, and, sitting on the edge of his berth, take off his +shoes, and the heavier parts of his clothing, Roy did likewise. Thus +the difficult problem of getting to bed was solved. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A SUDDEN AWAKENING +</H3> + +<P> +Stretching out in the comfortable berth Roy thought he would soon fall +asleep, as he was quite tired. But the novelty of his ride, the +strange sensation of being whirled along many miles an hour while lying +in bed, proved too much for him, and he found himself still wide-awake, +though he had been in the berth an hour or more. +</P> + +<P> +The noise of the wheels, the rumble of the train, the click-clack as +the wheels passed over rail joints or switches, the bumping and swaying +motion, all served to drive sleep away from Roy's eyes. +</P> + +<P> +He thought of many things, of what he would do when he got to New York, +of his father, of Caleb Annister, and what he should say to the New +Yorker. Finally, however, the very monotony of the noises began to +make him feel drowsy. In a little while he found his eyes closing, and +then, almost before he knew it, he was asleep. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, back in the smoking room, the three men and Mr. Baker were +talking over their cigars. One of them produced a pack of cards, and +they began to play. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe if Isaac's game doesn't work, we can get him with these," +suggested Mr. Baker, as he dealt the pasteboards to his companions. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe," agreed Hynard. "What time is Ike going to try it?" +</P> + +<P> +"About two o'clock. He'll be sure to be asleep then." +</P> + +<P> +Back in his berth, some hours after this, Roy was dreaming that he was +being shaken in his bunk at the ranch house. He thought Billy Carew +was urging him to get up early to go off on a round-up, and Roy was +trying to drive the sleep away from his eyes, and comply. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly he knew it was not a dream, but that some one was moving him, +though very gently. Then he became aware that a hand was being +cautiously thrust under his pillow. +</P> + +<P> +Roy did not stop to think—he acted. His instant impression was of +thieves, and he did the most natural thing under the circumstances. He +grabbed the hand that was being gently shoved under his pillow. +</P> + +<P> +Instantly the wrist, which his fingers clasped, was snatched away, +withdrawn from the curtains, and a voice exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Beg pardon. I was looking for your ticket. I'm the conductor. It's +all right." +</P> + +<P> +Roy thought the voice did not sound a bit like the voice of the +conductor, who had spoken to him some time before. Nor could the boy +understand why a conductor should be feeling under his pillow for his +ticket, when Roy had, as was the custom, given him the bits of +pasteboard, including his berth check, earlier in the evening. The +conductor had said he would keep them until morning, to avoid the +necessity of waking Roy up to look at them during the night. +</P> + +<P> +"That's queer," thought the boy. +</P> + +<P> +He sat up in bed, and thrust his head through the curtains that hung +down in front of his berth. Down the aisle, which was dimly lighted, +he saw a man hurrying toward the end of the car—the end where the +smoking apartment was. +</P> + +<P> +"That wasn't the conductor," said Roy to himself. "He has two brass +buttons on the back of coat, and this chap hasn't any. I believe he +was a thief, after my money. Lucky I didn't put it under my pillow, or +he'd have it now. I must be on the watch. No wonder Billy Carew +warned me to be careful. I wonder who that fellow was?" +</P> + +<P> +Roy had half a notion to get up and inform a porter or the conductor +what had happened, but he did not like to dress in the middle of the +night, and go hunting through the sleeping car for someone to speak to +about the matter. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll just be on the watch," thought Roy, "and if he comes back I'll be +ready for him." +</P> + +<P> +However, he was not further disturbed that night, and soon fell asleep +again, not forgetting, however, the precaution of hiding his pocketbook +in the middle of his bed, under the blankets, where, if thieves tried +to take it, they would first have to get him out of the berth. +</P> + +<P> +Roy awakened shortly after sunrise the next morning. He was accustomed +to early rising at the ranch, and this habit still clung to him. He +managed to dress, while sitting on the edge of his berth, and then he +reached down under the edge of it on the floor of the car, where, the +night before, he had left his shoes. To his surprise they were gone. +</P> + +<P> +"That's funny," he thought. "I wonder if the fellow who didn't get my +money, took my shoes for spite?" +</P> + +<P> +To make sure he stepped out into the aisle in his stocking feet, and +looked under his berth. His shoes were not to be seen. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I am in a pickle," thought the boy. "How am I going all the way +to New York without shoes? I can't go out in my stocking feet to get a +new pair, and I don't suppose there are any stores near the stations, +where I could buy new ones. But that's the only thing I can do. I +wonder if the train would wait long enough until I could send one of +the porters to a store for a pair of shoes? It would be a funny thing +to do, I guess, and, besides, he wouldn't know what size to get. I +certainly am up against it!" +</P> + +<P> +As Roy stood in the curtained aisle of the car, all alone, for none of +the other travelers were up yet, he saw a colored porter approaching. +Something in the boy's manner prompted the man to ask: +</P> + +<P> +"Can I do anything fo' youh, sah? You'se up early, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"I am looking for my shoes." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, youh shoes. I took 'em, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"You took 'em? What right have you taking my shoes? Haven't you got +any of your own?" and Roy spoke sternly, for he thought this was too +much; first an attempt made to rob him of his money, and then some one +stealing his shoes. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are they?" he went on. "I want 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"Yais, sah. Right away, sah. I jest took 'em a little while ago to +blacken 'em, sah. I allers does that to the gen'men's shoes. I'll +have 'em right back. Did youh think I done stole 'em, sah?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I did," replied Roy with a smile. "I thought I'd have to +go to New York in my stocking feet." +</P> + +<P> +"Ob, no indeedy, sah. I allers goes around and collects the gen'men's +shoes early, 'fore they gits up. I takes 'em back to my place and I +blacks 'em. Den I brings 'em back." +</P> + +<P> +"That's quite an idea," said Roy, now noticing that from under the +berths of his fellow travelers the shoes were all missing. +</P> + +<P> +"Yais, sah," went on the colored man. "And sometimes, sah, sometimes, +youh know, de gen'men's gives me a little remembrance, sah, for +blackenin' their shoes." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'll do the same," spoke Roy, remembering what Billy Carew had +told him of the necessity for "tipping" the car porters. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank youh, sah. I'll have youh shoes back d'rectly, sah." +</P> + +<P> +The porter was as good as his word, and soon Roy was able to put on his +shoes, which he hardly recognized. The dust that had accumulated from +his ride across the plains to the railroad depot had all been removed, +and the leather shone brightly. He gave the porter a quarter of a +dollar, for which the colored man returned profuse thanks. Soon the +other travelers began to get up. Roy watched them go to the washroom +and did likewise. He met Mr. Baker in there, and accepted an +invitation to go to breakfast with him in the dining car. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you sleep well last night?" asked the man with the big watch chain. +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty well," replied Roy, deciding to say nothing of the hand that +was thrust under his pillow. He first wanted to make a few +observations of his fellow passengers. +</P> + +<P> +After breakfast, when Roy was sitting in his chair in the parlor car, +Mr. Baker approached. +</P> + +<P> +"There are some friends of mine in the smoking room," he said to the +boy. "I would like to introduce you to them." +</P> + +<P> +"That is very kind of you," replied the young traveler. "I shall be +glad to meet them," for Roy considered it nice on the part of Mr. Baker +to take so much interest in him. +</P> + +<P> +"We can have a pleasant chat together," went on the man as he led the +way to a private room or "section" as they are called. This was near +the smoking room end of the car. "My friends are much interested in +ranch life, and perhaps you will give them some information." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A GAME ON THE TRAIN +</H3> + +<P> +The three men in the compartment looked up as Phelan Baker and Roy +entered. They exchanged significant glances, but the boy from the +ranch did not notice them. Then the men made room for the new-comers +on the richly upholstered couches. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, how are you, Baker?" said Isaac Sutton. "Glad to see you." +</P> + +<P> +"Allow me to introduce a friend of mine," said Mr. Baker presenting Roy +to the three men in turn. "He can tell you all you want to know about +ranch life," for, by skillful questioning Mr. Baker had learned more +about Roy than the lad was aware he had told. +</P> + +<P> +"That's good," remarked Jerome Hynard. "I may decide to buy a ranch, +some day." +</P> + +<P> +"Would you say it was a healthy sort of life?" asked Dennison Tupper, +who was quite pale, and looked as if he had some illness. +</P> + +<P> +"It was very healthy out where I was," answered Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess one look at you proves that," put in Mr. Baker, in an admiring +tone. "You seem as strong and hardy as a young ox." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and I eat like one, when I'm on a round-up," said the boy. +</P> + +<P> +There was considerable more conversation, the men asking Roy many +questions about western life, and showing an interest in the affairs of +the ranch. Roy answered them to the best of his ability, and naturally +was pleased that the men should think him capable of giving them +information. +</P> + +<P> +Finally, when the conversation began to lag a bit, Dennison Tupper +remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps our young friend would have no objections if we gentlemen +played a game of cards to pass away the time." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly I have no objections to your playing," said Roy, who had +often watched the cowboys at the ranch play various games. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the four men exchanged glances. Mr. Baker produced a pack of +cards and soon the travelers were deep in the game. They did not seem +to be gambling, only playing for "fun" as they called it. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I believe I'm tired. I'm going to drop out," suddenly remarked +Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't do that," expostulated Sutton. +</P> + +<P> +"No, you'll break up the game," remonstrated Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. Three can't play whist very well," added Hynard in rather +ungracious tones. "Be a good fellow and stay in the game, Baker." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm tired." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps our young friend from the ranch will take your place," +suggested Sutton. "Will you—er—Mr. Bradner? We'll play for love or +money, just as you like. You must be a sport—all the western chaps +are. Come on, sit in the game, take Mr. Baker's place and don't let it +break up." +</P> + +<P> +It was a cunning appeal, addressed both to Roy's desire to be of +service to his new friends, and also to his vanity. Fortunately he was +proof against both. Roy had watched the men playing cards, and, to his +mind they showed altogether too much skill. They acted more like +regular gamblers than like persons playing to pass away an idle hour. +He was at once suspicious. +</P> + +<P> +"No, thank you," he said. "I never play cards, for love or money." +</P> + +<P> +Something seemed to annoy at least three of the men, and they looked at +Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"Why I thought you said—" began Tupper, winking at the man who had +first made Roy's acquaintance. +</P> + +<P> +"Dry up!" exclaimed Hynard. "That's all right," he added quickly to +the boy. "We don't want any one to play against his will. It's all +right. We only thought maybe you'd like to pass away the time. I dare +say Baker will stick in the game now." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, I'll stay to oblige you, but I don't care for it," and +pretending to suppress a yawn, Mr. Baker again took his seat at the +small card table. A little later Roy left the apartment, going back to +his place in the parlor car. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't like those three men," he said to himself. "I believe they +are professional gamblers. Mr. Baker seems nice, but I wouldn't trust +the others." +</P> + +<P> +As for the four men whom Roy had left, they seemed to lose all interest +in their game, after the boy from the ranch was out of sight. +</P> + +<P> +"Humph!" exclaimed Hynard. "That didn't work, did it?" +</P> + +<P> +"No more than Isaac's attempt last night to get—" began Tupper, but +Sutton silenced him with a gesture. +</P> + +<P> +"Hush! Not so loud!" he said. "Some one may hear you." +</P> + +<P> +"Leave it to me," said Mr. Baker. "I think I can get him into +something else soon. You fellows lay low until I give you the tip." +</P> + +<P> +The rest of that morning Roy saw nothing of the men whose acquaintance +he had made. He got into conversation with several other passengers, +some of whom were interesting characters. One man, who had traveled +extensively, pointed out, along the way, the various scenes of note, +telling Roy something about them. +</P> + +<P> +It was after dinner when Mr. Phelan Baker, followed by his three +friends, entered the parlor car. They took seats near where Roy had +chanced to rest. +</P> + +<P> +"Traveling is rather dull, isn't it?' began Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't find it so," replied Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"No, that's because it's your first journey. Wait until you have +crossed the continent a dozen times, and you'll begin to wish you'd +never seen it." +</P> + +<P> +"It seems to me there is always something of interest," said the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Probably there is, if your eyesight is good, and you can see it. I'm +getting along in years, and I can't see objects as well as I once +could." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you must have pretty good eyesight, haven't you?" asked +Sutton, abruptly taking part in the conversation. Roy and the four men +were all alone in one end of the car, the other passengers, with but +few exceptions, having gotten off at various stations. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I reckon I don't need glasses to see the brand on a steer," +replied Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, and I guess you have to be pretty quick to distinguish the +different branding marks, don't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"You do when you're cutting out a bunch of cattle after a round-up. +They keep moving around so it's hard to tell which are yours, and which +belong to another ranch." +</P> + +<P> +"What did I tell you?" asked Sutton in triumph of Hynard, who sat next +to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you're right," admitted the other. +</P> + +<P> +Roy looked a little surprised at this conversation. Mr. Baker +explained. +</P> + +<P> +"My two friends here were having a little dispute about eyesight," he +said. "Mr. Sutton said you had the best eyesight of any one he ever +saw, and were quick to notice anything. He said you had to be to work +on a cattle range." +</P> + +<P> +"And Mr. Hynard said he believed he had as good eyesight as you," put +in Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +"I told him he hadn't, and we agreed to ask you," went on Sutton. +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right. His saying so doesn't prove it," remarked Hynard, +in a somewhat surly tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course not, but it doesn't take much to see that he has better +eyesight than you, and is quicker with it. He has to be to use a +lasso, don't you, Mr. Bradner?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it does take a pretty quick eye and hand to get a steer when +he's on the run," admitted Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"And you can do it, I'll bet. Hynard, you're not in it with this lad." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe I am!" +</P> + +<P> +"Now don't get excited," advised Mr. Baker, in soothing tones. "We can +easily settle this matter." +</P> + +<P> +"How? We haven't got a lasso here, nor a wild steer," said Hynard. +"Anyhow I don't claim I can throw a lariat as well as he can. I only +said I had as quick eyesight." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we can prove that," went on Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"Easy money. Let's see. This windowsill will do." +</P> + +<P> +From his pocket Mr. Baker produced three halves of English walnut +shells, and a small black ball, about the size of a buck shot. It +seemed to be made of rubber. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's a little trick that will prove any one's eyesight," he said. +"The eye doctors in New York use it to test any person who needs +glasses. A doctor friend of mine gave me this." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you work it?" asked Hynard, seemingly much interested. +</P> + +<P> +"This way. I place these three shells on the windowsill, so. Then I +put the little ball under one. Watch me closely. I move it quite +fast, first putting it under one shell, then the other. Now, I stop +and, Hynard, tell me which shell it's under! I don't believe you can, +I think my young friend can do so." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed Hynard. +</P> + +<P> +"Which shell is the ball under?" asked Mr. Baker, drawing back, and +leaving the three shells in a row; they all looked alike, yet Roy was +sure the ball was under the middle one. +</P> + +<P> +"It's under there!" exclaimed Hynard, putting his finger on the end +shell nearest Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it?" asked Mr. Baker with a laugh, as he raised it up, and showed +nothing beneath. "Now let Mr. Bradner try." +</P> + +<P> +"I think it's there," spoke the boy, indicating the middle shell. +</P> + +<P> +"Right you are," came from Mr. Baker, as he lifted the shell, and +disclosed the ball. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's easier to pick the right one out of two, than out of +three," remonstrated Hynard. +</P> + +<P> +"All right. I'll give him first pick this time," and once more Mr. +Baker manipulated the shells and ball. +</P> + +<P> +"Now where is it?" he asked Roy quickly. The boy, who was quite taken +with the new trick, was eagerly leaning forward, watching with eyes +that little escaped, the movements of Mr. Baker's fingers. +</P> + +<P> +"It's there," he said quietly, indicating the shell farthest away from +him. +</P> + +<P> +"What did I tell you?" asked Mr. Baker, lifting the shell and showing +that Roy was right. +</P> + +<P> +"He's got you beat, Hynard," said Sutton. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'll bet he can't do it again." +</P> + +<P> +Roy did, much to his own amusement. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Hynard suddenly. "I'll bet you five +dollars I can do it this time, Baker." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, I'll go you." +</P> + +<P> +The money was put up, the shells shifted, and Hynard made his choice. +He got the right shell. +</P> + +<P> +"There's where I lose five dollars," said Mr. Baker, with regret, +passing the bill to Hynard. +</P> + +<P> +"You try him," whispered Tupper to Roy. "You can guess right every +time. Bet him ten dollars. You can't make money easier." +</P> + +<P> +All at once the real meaning of what had just taken place was revealed +to Roy. The men wanted him to gamble, under the guise of a trick. And +he was sharp enough to know that once he bet any money, the shell he +would pick out would have no ball under it. In fact, had he taken the +bait and bet, Mr. Baker, by a sleight-of-hand trick, would not have put +the ball under any shell so that, no matter which one Roy selected, he +would have been wrong, and would have lost, though they might have let +him win once or twice, just to urge him on. Understanding what the +trick was, he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think I care to bet any money. I have proved that I have +quick eyesight, and I think that's all you wanted to know," and, +turning away he went back to his chair, at the farther end of the car. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A STOP FOR REPAIRS +</H3> + +<P> +For a few seconds the four men were too surprised to say anything. +They stood looking at each other and, when they had gone to the smoking +room, with an angry glance at Mr. Baker, Sutton remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you said the kid would bite at this game?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought he would." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you've got another 'think' coming." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you've bungled this thing all the way through," added Hynard. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't blunder any more than you did. I'd like to know who first +made his acquaintance, and found out he had money." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you did that part of it, but he's got his money yet, and we +haven't," said Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +"And we're not likely to get it," went on Hynard. "I think he'll be +suspicious of us after this." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe not," remarked Sutton, hopefully. "We may be able to get him +into some other kind of a game. If we can't—" +</P> + +<P> +He did not finish, but the other men knew what he meant. Roy had +incurred the enmity of some dangerous characters, and it behooved him +to be on the lookout. +</P> + +<P> +The boy had not been in his seat many minutes before an elderly +gentleman, the one who had been describing the various scenes of +interest, came up to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Did I see you playing some game with those men just now?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"They were showing me a game," answered Roy. "They said they wanted to +test my quick eyesight." +</P> + +<P> +"What was it?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was a game with three shells and a small ball." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so. My boy, do you know what that game is called?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir, but I didn't care to play it the way they wanted me to. They +wanted me to bet money." +</P> + +<P> +"And you refused?" +</P> + +<P> +"I sure did." +</P> + +<P> +"That is where you were right. That is an old swindling trick, called +the 'shell game'. If you had bet any money you would have lost." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought as much," said Roy. "I'm not so green as I look, even if I +spent all my life on a ranch." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed you are not, I am glad to see. I would advise you not to have +anything more to do with those men." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know them?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but they have the ways and airs of professional gamblers." +</P> + +<P> +"They tried to rope me up, I guess," said Roy. "But they didn't have +rope enough to tie me. Now I know their brand I'll sure be careful not +to mix in with 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't exactly understand your terms. I—" +</P> + +<P> +"I beg your pardon," said Roy. "I suppose I talk, more or less, as I +do on the ranch. I meant they tried to get me into one of their +corrals and take my hide off. Hold me up, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid I don't exactly know," went on the gentleman with a smile, +"but I gather that you mean they would have robbed you, after getting +you into their power." +</P> + +<P> +"That's it," said Roy. "I'm on another trail now, and they want to be +careful," and he looked as though he could take care of himself, a fact +that the gentleman noticed. +</P> + +<P> +"I felt like warning you, my boy," he said, "as I saw it was your first +long journey." +</P> + +<P> +"And I'm much obliged to you," said Roy. "I wonder how everyone knows +I'm a tenderfoot when it comes to traveling on railroad trains?" +</P> + +<P> +"A tenderfoot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's what we call persons who don't know much about western +life. I suppose their feet get tender from taking such long walks on +the plains. Anyhow that means a sort of 'greenhorn' I suppose. +Everyone on the train spots me for that." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it is easy to see you are not used to traveling, for you take so +much interest in everything, and you show that it is new to you. But +you are learning fast. Even an experienced traveler might have been +taken in by those gamblers." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess they'll not bother me any more," said Roy. +</P> + +<P> +And he was right, but only to a certain extent, for, though the +gamblers did not "bother" him again, he had not seen the last of them, +as you shall see. +</P> + +<P> +The tricksters were in a bad mood, and, soon after that they left the +smoking room, and remained in another car, so Roy did not see them +again that day. +</P> + +<P> +The express continued on, bringing the boy nearer and nearer to +Chicago. He wished he might have a little time to spend there, as he +had heard much of it, especially the stock yards, where his father sent +many head of cattle in the course of a year. But Roy knew he must +hurry on to New York, to attend to the business on which he had been +sent. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning, soon after breakfast, the train came to a sudden +stop, near a small railroad station. As the express did not stop, +except at the large cities, Roy wondered if some one like himself, had +flagged the engineer. Soon he was aware, however, that something +unusual had occurred. Passengers began leaving their seats, and went +out of the cars. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what's the matter?" Roy said aloud. He was overheard by the +gentleman who had talked to him about the gamblers, and who had given +his name, as John Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"I think we've had an accident," said Mr. Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"An accident? Is anybody killed?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I do not think so. Suppose we get out and see what the trouble +is?" +</P> + +<P> +They left their seats, and joined the other passengers who were walking +toward the head of the train, which was a long one. It did not take +many seconds to ascertain that an accident had occurred to the engine +of the express, and that it would be necessary to send to the next +station to get materials to make repairs. +</P> + +<P> +"That means we'll be held here for some time," observed Mr. Armstrong. +"Well, if the delay is not too long, it will give you a chance to walk +about and stretch your muscles." +</P> + +<P> +"And I'll be glad enough to do it," replied Roy. "I'm not used to +sitting still, and it sure is very tiresome to me. I'd like to have my +pony, Jack Rabbit, here now. I'd take a fine gallop." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I think a walk will have to answer in place of it now. There +does not seem to be much in the way of amusements at this station." +</P> + +<P> +The depot was a mere shanty, with a small telegraph and ticket office +in it. A few houses and a store made up the "town," which was located +on the plains. +</P> + +<P> +As Roy started toward the depot many of the passengers got back in +their cars, as the sun was hot. Roy, however, rather enjoyed it. +Among those who had alighted were Mr. Baker and his three cronies. +They stood on the depot platform, talking together. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe they're trying to get up some new scheme to get me to gamble," +thought Roy. As he neared the station his attention was attracted by a +rather curious figure. +</P> + +<P> +This was a young man whom Roy at once characterized as a "dude," for he +and the cowboys had been in the habit of so calling any one who was as +well dressed as was the stranger. And Roy at once knew that the man +had not been on the train before, as the boy from the ranch had seen +all the passengers during his journey. +</P> + +<P> +The "tenderfoot", as Roy also characterized him, was attired in a light +suit, the trousers very much creased. He had on a purple necktie, +rather a high collar, and patent leather shoes. In his hand he carried +a light cane, and in one eye was a glass, called a monocle. Beside him +was a dress-suit case, and he looked as if he was ready to travel. +</P> + +<P> +Roy glanced at him, and was inclined to smile at the elaborate costume +of the youth, for the western lad had the usual cattleman's contempt +for fashionable clothes, arguing (not always rightly) that a person who +paid so much attention to dress could not amount to a great deal. +</P> + +<P> +The young man stood leaning against the side of the depot, carelessly +swinging his cane. Roy could see he had a valuable watch chain across +his vest, and, in his tie there sparkled what was presumably a diamond. +</P> + +<P> +As Roy watched he saw Baker and his three cronies approach the "dude." +A moment later they had engaged him in conversation. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll bet they're up to some game," mused Roy. "I wonder if I can find +out what it is, and spoil it? I believe they will try to get the best +of that 'tenderfoot.' Guess I'll see what's up." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE DUDE IS SWINDLED +</H3> + +<P> +Carelessly, so as not to attract the attention of the four men, Roy +strolled to the depot platform, taking care to get on the side opposite +that on which was the elaborately-dressed youth. The sharpers did not +see Roy, who kept in the shadow, and the attention of the other +passengers from the train was taken up with what the engineer and +firemen were doing, to get the locomotive ready for the repair crew. +</P> + +<P> +"How do you do?" asked Mr. Baker, of the "tenderfoot," as he approached +with his three cronies. "Haven't I met you somewhere before?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, really, I couldn't say; don't you know," replied the +well-dressed youth, with an affected drawl. +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure I have," went on Mr. Baker. "So are my three friends. As +soon as we saw you standing here, my friend, Mr. Sutton, said to me, +'Where have I seen that distinguished looking gentleman before?' +Didn't you, Sutton?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I did, Mr. Baker. And Mr. Hynard said the same thing." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I did," replied Mr. Hynard. "I know I've met you before +Mr.—er—Ah, I didn't quite catch the name." +</P> + +<P> +"My name is De Royster—Mortimer De Royster, of New York," replied the +dude, seemingly much flattered at the attention he had attracted. "I'm +sure I can't recall where I met you gentlemen before, but, don't you +know, your faces are very familiar to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," went on Mr. Baker. "I remember you very well now. You +are a son of Van Dyke De Royster, the great New York banker; are you +not?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Mr. De Royster, "he is only a distant relative of mine, +but I belong to the same family. It is very distinguished." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed it is," said Mr. Baker. "I have often read in history of the +great doings of the De Roysters. Gentlemen, shake hands with Mr. De +Royster. I know his relative, the great banker, Van Dyke De Royster, +very well." +</P> + +<P> +Now this was true, to a certain extent, but all the acquaintance Mr. +Baker had with the well known banker, was when the latter had him +arrested for trying to cash a forged check. But Mr. Baker did not +mention this. +</P> + +<P> +"I am very glad to meet you," said Mortimer De Royster, as he shook +hands with the four swindlers, thinking them delightful gentlemen +indeed. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you going far?" asked Hynard. +</P> + +<P> +"To New York. You see I am—er—that is—er—I have been doing a +little business—I am selling jewelry for a relative of mine in New +York. It is not exactly work, for I am traveling for my health, and I +do a little trade on the side." +</P> + +<P> +"Guess he's ashamed to let it be known that he works for a living," +thought Roy, but later he found he had misjudged De Royster. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, in the jewelry line, eh?" asked Mr. Baker. "I used to be in that +myself." +</P> + +<P> +He did not mention that the way he was "in it" was to try to swindle a +diamond merchant out of some precious stones, in which he was partly +successful. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you do any business in this section?" asked Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much. I stopped off to see some friends, and I did not try to +sell them anything. I don't do business with my friends—I don't think +it dignified, don't you know," and Mortimer De Royster swung his cane +with a jaunty air, and tried to twirl the ends of a very short mustache. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right; I can see you're the right stuff," remarked Mr. Baker, +with a wink at his companions. "Did you come down here to take the +train?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I am on my way to New York." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you find trade?" asked Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, really, it is not very good, but that does not annoy me, as I am +only doing this as a side line. I don't worry, don't you know." +</P> + +<P> +"I see. You're a sport!" exclaimed Tupper, with easy familiarity. "I +sized you up for a sport as soon as I saw you. I must have met you in +New York." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I make my headquarters there," said the salesman. "I seem to +remember you. Sporting life is very attractive to me, I assure you, +really it is." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way to talk!" put in Hynard. "Be a sport!" +</P> + +<P> +"They're flattering him for some purpose," thought Roy. "I wonder what +their object is." +</P> + +<P> +He was hidden around the corner of the depot, where he could hear +without being seen. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a very fine watch chain you have on," said Mr. Baker. "It is +much better than mine." +</P> + +<P> +"And I guess he has a better watch than yours, too, Baker," spoke up +Sutton, with a wink, which Mr. De Royster did not see. +</P> + +<P> +"No, he hasn't. My watch cost five hundred dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"I have a very fine timepiece, I don't mind admitting," spoke the +well-dressed youth. "It was given to me by my father, who is quite +wealthy." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to see it," said Mr. Baker. +</P> + +<P> +By this time an engine, with some parts to repair the broken +locomotive, had arrived from a near-by freight yard. The train crew +had made the adjustments, and the express was almost ready to proceed. +Nearly all the passengers, who had alighted, had again boarded their +cars. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be pleased to show you my watch," said Mr. De Royster, drawing +out a heavy gold affair. "I think you will readily agree with me, that +it is a valuable one." +</P> + +<P> +He passed it to Mr. Baker, and, from where he stood Roy could see the +swindler slip it into his pocket and substitute for it one somewhat +like it, but, probably made of brass instead of gold. Mr. Baker turned +his back, pretending to be trying to get a good light, while he +compared his watch with that of Mr. De Royster. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a fine diamond pin in your tie," said Tupper, indicating the +stone in the salesman's tie. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Would you like to look at it? It is of very pure color." +</P> + +<P> +He drew out the gem, and, unsuspectingly passed it to Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +At that instant the locomotive engineer blew two warning whistles, so +that the lagging passengers might get on the train, which was about to +start. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurry up! All aboard!" exclaimed Hynard, and, as Roy watched, he saw +Tupper thrust Mr. De Royster's diamond into his own pocket. +</P> + +<P> +"They're robbing him!" thought the boy from the ranch. "I must warn +him!" +</P> + +<P> +He started forward. Mortimer De Royster grabbed up his suit-case and +started for the train. Then he became aware that Mr. Baker had not +handed him back his watch, while the other man had his pin. +</P> + +<P> +"My timepiece!" he exclaimed. "I'll show it to you when we get in the +train. I assure you it's a very fine one. And my pin—I would not +like to lose it! Give them back!" +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had he spoken when Hynard thrust his hand down into the inside +pocket of Mr. De Royster's coat. His object was to grab his +pocketbook, the bulging outline of which he had seen. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out!" cried Roy in a loud voice, springing from his hiding place. +"Look out! They're swindlers! They've got your watch and pin, and +they're trying to get your money!" +</P> + +<A NAME="img-076"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-076.jpg" ALT=""Look out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!"" BORDER="2" WIDTH="410" HEIGHT="626"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 410px"> +"Look out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!" +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"There's that boy!" exclaimed Hynard, as he drew out his hand. +</P> + +<P> +But Mr. De Royster had felt the sneaking fingers, and had made a grab +for them. He was too late, however, and, in attempting to catch Hynard +he stumbled and fell. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" cried Baker to his companions. "Let him go! We've got the +stuff." +</P> + +<P> +"Grab them!" cried Roy to De Royster. "I'll help you." +</P> + +<P> +He rushed forward. No sooner did the swindlers see him coming, than +they changed their plans. They had intended jumping on the train, +which was already in motion, and leaving Mr. De Royster behind, after +they had his watch and diamond. +</P> + +<P> +But Roy's quickness prevented this. Baker signalled to his companions, +and they ran off down the track. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" cried Roy. "We'll catch them!" +</P> + +<P> +"No! I must go to New York," replied the salesman as he arose, and +brushed off his clothes. "The train is going." +</P> + +<P> +"But they've got your valuables!" +</P> + +<P> +"I know it. I was a fool, but it's too late now. Help me aboard." +</P> + +<P> +The train was gathering headway. Roy ceased his pursuit of the robbers +and helped De Royster aboard, the young man carrying his dress-suit +case. Then Roy followed, while the four swindlers kept on down the +railroad tracks. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY GAINS A FRIEND +</H3> + +<P> +"Come neah gettin' left, sah!" exclaimed the colored porter of Roy's +car, as our hero, followed by Mortimer De Royster, entered the coach. +"Dat were a close call, sah." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but I wish I had had a chance to round-up those swindlers. I'd +shown them how we handle such chaps out on the ranch!" exclaimed Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Swindlers? Was dem nicely dressed gen'men swindlers?" inquired the +porter. +</P> + +<P> +"Swindlers, upon my word, they are the very worst kind," put in De +Royster. "The idea of tricking me into letting them see my watch, and +then keeping it, don't you know! I shall report them to the +authorities." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid it will not do much good," remarked Roy. "They are far +enough away by now, and we're getting farther off from them every +minute." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. Well, then, my watch and diamond pin are gone," and the +dude seemed to accept the loss quite calmly. +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me, sah," broke in the colored man, addressing De Royster, "but +has youh a ticket for dis parlor car?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not yet. I could not buy one at the little station back there, but +you may get me one, from the conductor, don't you know," spoke the +well-dressed youth, taking a roll of bills from his pocket. At the +sight of the money the eyes of the colored man shone in anticipation of +a tip he might receive. His opinion of the stranger went up several +points. Such is the effect of money, and it is not always the right +one. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you going to travel in this car?" asked Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it looks like a fairly decent coach. I am really quite +particular how I ride." +</P> + +<P> +Roy was rather amused at the airs Mortimer De Royster assumed, and he +did not quite know whether to like him or not. The youth had an +affected manner of speaking, and some oddities, but, in spite of these +Roy thought he might be all right at heart. +</P> + +<P> +The boy from the ranch had learned, from his life in the west, not to +judge persons by outward appearances, though they often give an +indication of character. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe I thanked you for what you did for me," went on De +Royster to Roy, when the porter returned with his ticket and the +change. The colored man's heart was made happy by a generous tip. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know that I did anything in particular. I didn't think they +were going to take your hide off, or I would have warned you sooner." +</P> + +<P> +"My hide off? I don't quite catch your meaning, my dear chap—Oh, yes, +I see. You mean they were going to skin me. Oh, yes. That's a good +joke. Ha! Ha! Well, thanks to you, they didn't." +</P> + +<P> +"Still they got something." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that watch was a valuable one, and one my father gave me as a +present. The diamond was worth considerable, too. But I am glad they +did not get my money. Only for your timely warning they might have. +Some of it is mine, but the most of it belongs to the firm I work for." +</P> + +<P> +"They tried to get me into some swindling games, but I refused to have +anything to do with them," and Roy told of the efforts of Baker and his +cronies. +</P> + +<P> +"I was easily taken in," admitted Mortimer De Royster. "I am ashamed +of myself." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you carry a valuable stock?" asked Roy, wondering if it were not +dangerous to have so much jewelry about one. +</P> + +<P> +"Quite valuable, yes, but all traveling jewelry salesmen belong to a +league, and if thieves get away with anything belonging to any member, +we have the services of a good detective agency to run the criminals +down. The professional thieves know this, and, as capture is almost +certain in the end, we have little fear of being robbed. These +swindlers took my personal property, and nothing belonging to the firm, +I'm glad to say." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you will get it back," suggested Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm afraid not. But I say, my dear chap, where are you going? +You don't look as if you had traveled much." +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't. I am going to New York on business for my father." +</P> + +<P> +"To New York? Good! Then I shall have company on the way. That is +unless you don't like to be seen with one who lets himself be robbed so +easily." +</P> + +<P> +"That would not make any difference to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you. Perhaps I may be able to be of some service to you in New +York. I know the town fairly well." +</P> + +<P> +"That will be very kind of you. I know nothing about it, and I'm +afraid I'll be rather green when I get there. I have lived on a ranch +all my life." +</P> + +<P> +"On a ranch? Fancy now! Really, don't you know, I often used to think +I would like to be a cowboy," drawled the dude. +</P> + +<P> +Roy looked at the slim figure, and delicate features of Mr. De Royster, +and thought that he would hardly be strong enough for the rough life on +the plains. But he was too polite to mention this. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," went on the well-dressed youth, "if I had not gone into the +jewelry business I might now be a 'cow-puncher,'—I believe that is +what you call those gentlemen who take charge of wild steers?" and he +looked at his companion inquiringly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, some folks call 'em that." +</P> + +<P> +"It must be a very nice sort of life. Now this sort of thing is rather +tame, don't you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you had it exciting enough a while ago." +</P> + +<P> +"So I did," admitted Mr. De Royster with a smile. "But that doesn't +happen every day. I wish I could do you some favor, in return for what +you did for me." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't do much. I wish I could have gotten them in time to have +saved your watch and chain. But they stampeded before I could rope +them." +</P> + +<P> +"Stampeded?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I mean they started to run." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes. And—er—rope—" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I forgot you didn't understand my lingo. I meant catch them. +Whenever we want to catch anything on the ranch, we rope it. Throw a +lariat over it, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, a lasso. I should like to have seen you lasso those chaps. +Have you a lasso with you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have one in my large valise." +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going to stop in New York?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know yet. I'm going to look around for a good place to get my +grub, and a bunk after I get there." +</P> + +<P> +"Your grub and bunk?" Mr. De Royster seemed puzzled. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I mean my meals and a place to sleep." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, then perhaps I can be of service to you. I know most of the best +hotels, and I can introduce you to the managers of some of them. Do +you intend to remain in the city long?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't tell. I don't just know how long my father's business will +keep me. Probably I shall be there several weeks." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'll tell you what I'll do," said De Royster, in a friendly tone. +"I'll get you fixed up at a good hotel, and then I'll show you the +sights." +</P> + +<P> +"But how can you spare the time from your business?" asked Roy, who was +beginning to think he had found a real friend in the rather eccentric +person of Mortimer De Royster. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, my work is nearly done now for the season. I shall not start out +on the road again until fall, when I shall take goods for the spring +trade. I was selling Christmas stock this trip." +</P> + +<P> +"Christmas stock, and it is only June," exclaimed Roy. "My, but they +hustle things in the East!" +</P> + +<P> +"They have to. That's why I'll have some spare time now. I can show +you various sights of interest, and, in turn, you must promise to +protect me from robbers. I think I'll have to get a guardian if this +keeps on," and the dude laughed at his joke. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll do my best," replied Roy. "If I see those fellows again, they'll +not get off so easily." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll consider ourselves friends!" exclaimed De Royster, +extending his hand, which Roy shook warmly. +</P> + +<P> +The boy was quite attracted to the young man, whom he began to like +more and more, as he saw that, under his queer ways, he hid a heart of +real worth and kindness. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY STOPS A RUNAWAY +</H3> + +<P> +With a companion who proved himself as interesting as did Mortimer De +Royster, the time passed very quickly for Roy. Almost before he knew +it the train was pulling into Chicago, where they changed cars. +</P> + +<P> +He wanted to stop off and view the stock yards, but there was not time +for this. However he saw much of interest from the car windows, and De +Royster pointed out various objects, explaining them as the express +passed by. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll soon be in New York now," said the well-dressed youth, as the +train passed beyond the confines of the "Windy City." +</P> + +<P> +"Is New York larger than Chicago?" asked Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Larger? Well, I guess, and it beats it every way." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that you said, young man?" inquired an individual, seated back +of Roy and his new friend. +</P> + +<P> +"I said New York was larger and better in every way than Chicago, don't +you know," replied De Royster, looking at the man through his single +eyeglass. +</P> + +<P> +"You must hail from New York then?" +</P> + +<P> +"I do." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so. You don't know Chicago, or you wouldn't say that. +Chicago has New York beaten any way you look at it." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I reckon you're from Chicago, stranger," put in Roy, who had the +easy and familiar manners which life in the west breeds. +</P> + +<P> +"I am, and I don't believe I'm far wrong when I say you're from off a +ranch." +</P> + +<P> +"I am," admitted Roy, wondering how the stranger had guessed so soon. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there's no use getting into a dispute over our respective +cities," went on the stranger. "Everyone thinks his home town is the +best. Are you two traveling far?" +</P> + +<P> +Thus the conversation opened, and the three were soon chatting +pleasantly together. +</P> + +<P> +In due time the train arrived at Jersey City, just across the Hudson +River from New York. +</P> + +<P> +"Here we are!" exclaimed Mr. De Royster. "A short trip across the +ferry now, and we'll be in the biggest city in the Western hemisphere." +</P> + +<P> +Roy followed his friend from the train, mingling with the crowd on the +platform under the big shed. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to see about my baggage. It's checked. I wonder if I can +hire a pack mule, or get a stage driver to bring it up?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pack mule?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure. That's how I got it from the ranch to the depot." +</P> + +<P> +Mortimer De Royster laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess there isn't a pack mule within two thousand miles of here," he +said. "Nor a stage either, unless it's the automobile ones on Fifth +avenue. But I'll show you what to do. Wait a minute though. You +don't know where you're going to stop, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not exactly." +</P> + +<P> +"Then if you'll allow me, I'll pick out a good hotel for you." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll leave it to you, pardner," said Roy, with a helpless feeling +that, however much he might know about ranch life, he was all at sea in +a big city. +</P> + +<P> +"All right. Then I'll give your checks to an expressman, and he'll +bring the trunks to the hotel. Right over this way." +</P> + +<P> +Mortimer De Royster led Roy through the crowd, to the express office. +The matter of the baggage was soon attended to, and the agent promised +to have the trunk and large valise at the hotel before night. It was +now four o'clock. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" cried De Royster again, pushing his way through the crowd, +with Roy who carried a small valise, containing a few clothes, +following close after him. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait a minute!" again called the boy from the ranch. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter now?" +</P> + +<P> +"I want to sort of get my bearings. This is a new trail to me, and I'd +like to get the lay of the land. Say, what's all the stampede about? +These folks are milling, ain't they?" +</P> + +<P> +"Stampede? This isn't a stampede. They're in a rush to get the ferry +boat. What do you mean by milling?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why they're like cattle going around and around, and they don't seem +to be getting anywhere." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's it, eh, my dear chap. Well, they're all anxious to get to +New York, that's why they're rushing so. Come on or we'll miss the +boat." +</P> + +<P> +Mortimer De Royster led the way through the ferry house, and out on the +boat. He took a seat in the ladies' cabin, and Roy sat down beside +him. The dude had bought a paper, which he was glancing over, +momentarily paying no attention to Roy. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the boy from the ranch, who was looking about him with curious +eyes, jumped up and exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Something's the matter. The depot has been cut loose!" +</P> + +<P> +"Cut loose? What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, we're afloat! There's water outside." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, my dear fellow. We're on the ferry boat, crossing to New +York. What did yew think?" +</P> + +<P> +"Are we on a boat?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. Where did you think you were?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought we were in the depot room, waiting for the boat to come in." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, no. This is the boat. But of course the approach to it is +through the depot, and it is hard to tell exactly where the dock leaves +off and the boat begins. I should have told you, but I got interested +in the paper." +</P> + +<P> +"I was a little startled at first," admitted Roy with a smile. "I +thought something had happened." +</P> + +<P> +Several passengers who had heard this exclamation, were also smiling, +but Roy did not mind this. Everything was so strange and novel that he +wanted to see it all at once. It was no wonder that he mistook the +boat for the waiting room of the station, as the ferry boat was so +broad, and the cabin so large, that often strangers are deceived that +way. +</P> + +<P> +De Royster soon took Roy out on the lower deck, and showed him New +York, lying across the Hudson river, the sky-scrapers towering above +the water line, the various boats plying to and fro, and the great +harbor. +</P> + +<P> +"It's wonderful! Wonderful!" exclaimed the boy from the ranch. "It's +different from what I expected. I never even dreamed New York was like +this." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait; you haven't begun to see it." +</P> + +<P> +And, a little later, when they landed, and were crossing West street, +with its congested traffic, Roy began to think his companion was right. +</P> + +<P> +For a moment the noise and excitement confused the boy. There were two +long lines of vehicles, mostly great trucks and drays, going up and +down, for West street is on the water front, adjoining the docks where +the steamships come in, and the wagons cart goods to and from them. +</P> + +<P> +Then there was a big throng of people, hurrying to and from the +ferries, several of which came in close together. The people all +seemed in a rush, a trait, which Roy was soon to discover, affected +nearly every one in New York. He saw policemen standing on the +crossings, and, whenever the officer held up his hand, the travel of +the vehicles stopped as if by magic, leaving a lane for pedestrians to +cross. +</P> + +<P> +"He's got them pretty well trained," observed Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he belongs to the traffic squad. Any driver who refused to do as +the officer says, will be arrested. But come on. I want to take you +to your hotel." +</P> + +<P> +Trying to see everything at once, Roy followed his new friend. +Suddenly, as he was in the midst of a press of wagons, men and women, +in the middle of the street, he heard a cry: +</P> + +<P> +"Runaway! Runaway! Horse is coming! Look out!" +</P> + +<P> +Instantly the policeman began shoving people to one side, to get them +out of the path of the runaway. Truck drivers began pulling their +steeds to either curb. Roy looked down the street and saw a horse, +attached to a cab, coming on at a gallop. Thanks to the prompt action +of other drivers the runaway had a clear field. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out!" shouted the officer. "Hey there, young man!" to Roy. "Git +out of the street!" +</P> + +<P> +But Roy had other intentions. He handed his valise to De Royster, who +was vainly pulling him by the arm. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on out of here!" cried De Royster. "You'll get run over." +</P> + +<P> +"Take my satchel," said Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to stop that horse!" +</P> + +<P> +"You'll be killed!" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, I guess I know how to handle horses. It won't be the first one +I've caught!" +</P> + +<P> +Mortimer De Royster, giving one more look at the maddened animal, which +was now close at hand, made a leap for the sidewalk. Roy looked up, +gauged the distance, and, to his horror saw that the cab contained a +lady and a little girl. There was no driver on the seat. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out! You'll be killed!" shouted several in the crowd. +</P> + +<P> +"The boy's crazy!" muttered the policeman He took a step forward, as if +to drag Roy out of the way. +</P> + +<P> +The next instant the boy had made a leap, just as the horse reached +him. It was a leap to one side, but not to get out of the way. It was +only to escape the flying hoofs, for, an instant later, Roy had the +plunging horse by the bridle, and was hanging on for dear life. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AT THE HOTEL +</H3> + +<P> +There were confused shouts from the crowd. Several men rushed forward, +in spite of the efforts of the officer to hold them back. Women +screamed, and several fainted. +</P> + +<P> +The horse was rearing and kicking, but Roy, plucky lad that he was, +held on like grim death. +</P> + +<P> +With one hand firmly grasping the bridle, he reached up with the other, +and clasped the nostrils of the horse in a tight grip. This served to +prevent the horse from breathing well, and, as his lungs needed plenty +of air, on account of his fast run, the animal probably concluded he +had met his master. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right! Hold him!" called a man. "I'll help you in a minute!" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess I can manage him now," said Roy calmly. "There now, old +fellow," he went on, speaking soothingly to the horse. The animal was +having hard work to breathe. Roy saw this and loosened his hold +slightly. Then he began to pat the horse, continuing to speak to it. +The animal, which was more frightened than vicious, began to calm down. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got him!" exclaimed the policeman, coming up and taking hold of +the bridle. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he's all right now; aren't you, old fellow?" spoke Roy, as he +rubbed the horse's muzzle. +</P> + +<P> +Indeed the animal did seem to be. His dangerous hoofs were still, and, +though he trembled a bit, he was quieting down. +</P> + +<P> +"That was a fine catch, my lad," remarked one man. "Where did you +learn to stop runaway horses?" +</P> + +<P> +"Out on my father's ranch in Colorado. This is nothing. We have a +runaway every day out there. I've often caught 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the city ought to hire a few lads like you to give some of our +policemen lessons," went on the man, with a meaning glance at the +officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Come now, move on. Don't collect a crowd," spoke the bluecoat +gruffly. He was a little bit ashamed that he had not made an attempt +to stop the horse, but it was due more to thoughtlessness than to +actual fear. Besides, he first considered getting the women out of +harm's way. +</P> + +<P> +"It was a brave act," went on the man. "I'd like to shake hands with +you, young man." +</P> + +<P> +He extended his hand which Roy, blushing at the praise, accepted. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, I want to get in on that," exclaimed another man, and soon as +many as could crowd around Roy were shaking hands with him, while +murmurs of admiration were heard on all sides. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the lady in the cab was being assisted out by a gentleman. +Then she took her little girl in her arms. The child spoke, in a high +clear voice, that could be heard above the noise of traffic, which had +started up again, when it was seen that the runaway was stopped. +</P> + +<P> +"Mother, is that the boy who caught the naughty horsie?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dear, mother wants to thank him." +</P> + +<P> +"So do I, mother. And I want to kiss him for stopping the bad horsie +that scared Mary." +</P> + +<P> +There was a laugh at this, and Roy blushed deeper than ever. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on," he said to Mortimer De Royster, who had made his way to his +side. "Let's get out of this. Anybody would think I was giving a +Wild-West exhibition." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's pretty near what it was. I never saw a runaway better +stopped, and I've seen some of our best policemen try it. You +certainly know how to manage horses." +</P> + +<P> +"Even if I don't know when I'm on a ferry boat," added Roy with a +laugh. "But it would be a wonder if I didn't know something about +cattle. I've been among 'em all my life." +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me, sir," spoke the lady who had been in the cab. "I want to +thank you for what you did," and she extended her hand, encased in a +neat glove. +</P> + +<P> +Roy instinctively held out his hand, and then he drew it back. He +noted that it was covered with foam and mud, where the horse had +splashed it up on the bridle which he grasped. He had not noticed this +when the men congratulated him. The lady saw his hesitation and +exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"What? You hesitate on account of not wanting to soil my gloves? +There!" and before Roy could stop her she had grasped both his hands in +her own, practically ruining her new gloves, for his left hand was more +dirty than was his right. "What do I care for my gloves?" she +exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't I kiss the nice boy, mother?" pleaded the little girl, whom her +parent had placed on the crosswalk, close beside her. +</P> + +<P> +There was another laugh, but Roy was not going to mind that. Though he +had no brothers or sisters, he was very fond of children. The next +instant he had stooped over and kissed the little girl. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the crowd laughed, but in a friendly way, for Roy was a lad +after the heart of every New Yorker—brave, fearless, yet kind. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't begin to thank you," went on the lady. "But for you, Mary and +I might have been killed." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I guess the horse would have slowed up pretty soon, ma'am," +replied Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Now don't make light of it," urged the lady. "I wish you would call +at my home, and see us. My husband will want to add his thanks to +mine. Here is our address." +</P> + +<P> +She gave Roy a card on which was engraved the name, "Mrs. Jonathan +Rynear," and the address was uptown in New York. +</P> + +<P> +"The horse took fright when the cabman got down to get something for me +in a store," she said, "and ran away before any one could stop him. I +can drive horses, but I could not reach the reins of this one, and I +dared not let go of my little girl. Now I want you to be sure and +come. Will you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, ma'am," spoke Roy, and then, when Mrs. Rynear had shaken hands +with him again, Roy managed to make his way through the crowd, and, +accompanied by De Royster, he started up the street. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, your entrance to New York is rather theatrical," observed +Mortimer De Royster. "You'll get into the papers, first thing you +know, really you will, my dear fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just where I don't want to get," said Roy quickly, as he +thought that his mission might not be so well accomplished, if Mr. +Annister read of the arrival in New York, of the son of the man whose +agent he was. "How can it get in the papers?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the reporters are all over New York. They'll hear of this in +some way, or the policeman will tell them. Besides, the policeman has +to report all such happenings on his post, and the reporters to go to +the police station in search of news." +</P> + +<P> +"But how will they know I did it?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. I don't believe they will, old chap. You didn't give the +lady your name." +</P> + +<P> +"No, and I'm glad of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Why; don't you want any one to know you're in New York?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, not right away. I have certain reasons for it. Later it may +make no difference. But I guess the reporters are not liable to know +it was me." +</P> + +<P> +"No, perhaps not. The policeman may claim the credit of stopping the +runaway. Some of 'em do, so as to get promotion more quickly." +</P> + +<P> +"It wasn't much of a job to stop that runaway." +</P> + +<P> +"Wasn't it? Well, it looked so to me, and I guess it did to the rest +of the crowd. But you're all mud. The horse must have splashed you. +However you'll soon be at your hotel. We'll take a train." +</P> + +<P> +Still quite bewildered by the noise and confusion Roy followed De +Royster up a flight of steps, not knowing where he was going. The next +he knew was that his friend had dropped two tickets into the box of the +elevated station, and they were waiting for an uptown train. Presently +it came along, making the station and track rock and sway with the +vibration. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on," cried De Royster. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going?" asked Roy, hanging back. +</P> + +<P> +"On the elevated train, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't safe!" exclaimed the boy from the ranch. "It is shaking now. +It'll topple down! It needs bracing! Do you mean to tell me they run +trains up in the air, on a track, and they don't fall off?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. Come on. It's safe, even if it does shake a bit. It +always does. There's no danger of it falling off. Next time we'll +take the subway." +</P> + +<P> +"All aboard! Step lively!" cried the guard at the gate, and Roy, with +some misgivings, followed his friend. +</P> + +<P> +The ride, on a level with the second-story windows of the buildings, +was a great novelty to the boy from the ranch and he soon got over his +feeling of nervousness in looking out at the strange sights on every +hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Here we are!" exclaimed De Royster at length. "I'll take you to the +hotel." +</P> + +<P> +They got out, walked down a flight of steps, and soon were in front of +a good, though not showy hotel. In spite of the fact that it was not +one of the most fashionable in New York, the magnificence of the +entrance, with its rich hangings, the marble ornamentation, the +electric lights and the stained glass, made Roy wonder if his friend +had not made some mistake. It seemed more like the home of some +millionaire, than a public hotel. +</P> + +<P> +"Go ahead; I'll be right with you," called De Royster, as he showed Roy +into the lobby. "I want to speak to a gentleman a moment." +</P> + +<P> +Somewhat bewildered, Roy advanced into the middle of the lobby, with +its marble floor. Though he was not aware of it, he made rather a +queer figure, with his clothes of unstylish cut, his travel-stained +appearance, the mud on his hands and garments, and his general air of +being a stranger, totally unused to New York ways. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what do you want?" suddenly exclaimed the voice of a boy in a +uniform that seemed to consist of nothing but brass buttons. "We don't +allow peddlers in here!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A VISIT TO MR. ANNISTER +</H3> + +<P> +Roy turned and looked at the boy who had made the somewhat insulting +remark. +</P> + +<P> +"I beg your pardon, stranger," he replied in his western drawl. "I +didn't quite catch your remark." +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, come off!" slangily replied the brass-buttoned boy, one of many in +the hotel employed to show guests to their rooms whenever summoned by a +bell rung by the clerk. "What are you, anyhow? Selling patent +medicine or some Indian cure?" For Roy plainly showed the effect of +his western life, his hair being a little longer than it is worn in the +east, his clothes rather too large for him, and his broad-brimmed hat +quite conspicuous. +</P> + +<P> +"So you think I'm rustling medicine, eh?" he asked the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know what you're 'rustling' but I know if you try to sell +anything in this joint, you'll get the poke, see!" +</P> + +<P> +Roy began to think the language of the East was almost as effective as +that of the West in expressing ideas. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not selling medicine, stranger," Roy went on, using the term he +had picked up among the cowboys when they meet one whom they do not +know. "I'm going to put up at this bunk-house, I reckon." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a good one!" exclaimed the boy with a laugh. "What Wild West +show are you from? This is no theatrical boarding house. Better beat +it out of here before the clerk sees you." +</P> + +<P> +But the talk between the two boys had been overheard by the clerk, who, +in a hotel, holds authority next to the owner. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the trouble there, Number twenty-six?" he asked, addressing the +bell boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, here's a guy what t'inks he's goin' to stay here an' sell patent +medicines," replied the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that? Of course we don't allow any peddling schemes in the +hotel. Send him out." +</P> + +<P> +"I did, but he won't go." +</P> + +<P> +"Your boy is mistaken, stranger," replied Roy, walking up to the desk, +and looking around for Mortimer De Royster, who, it seemed, had been +delayed in speaking to a friend. Several men in the hotel lobby drew +near and listened with interest to what was going on. "I came here to +put up at this hotel," went on Roy. "I was sent here by a friend of +mine." +</P> + +<P> +"We don't take theatrical people," said the clerk, stiffly. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not from a theatre. I tell you my friend sent me here. He'll be +here himself in a minute." +</P> + +<P> +The clerk did not look very much impressed, and Roy feared he was going +to order him out of the hotel. The boy did not want to be thus +publicly put to shame. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's your friend?" asked the clerk. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Mortimer De Royster." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's all right!" exclaimed the clerk with a great change of +manner. "Any friend of Mr. De Royster is welcome. Boy, take the +gentleman's grip. What sort of a room would you like?" +</P> + +<P> +The bell boy, who had thought to put Roy out of the place, was obliged +much against his will to take his valise. +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right," said Roy good-naturedly to the boy. "I can carry +my baggage. It isn't heavy. I don't know that I'm going to stop here +after all. I think—" +</P> + +<P> +Just then De Royster came pushing his way through the little crowd +about the desk. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Charlie!" he exclaimed, addressing the clerk. "How are you, +old chap? Looking fine, upon my word!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good afternoon, Mr. De Royster," replied the clerk cordially, +extending his hand. "Glad to see you. So you're back from your trip?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but I came pretty near not coming. Might not be alive if it +wasn't for my friend, Mr. Bradner, here. By the way, I want you to +give him the best in the house. He's a great friend of mine. Treat +him well." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course we shall. We were just going to give him a good +room—er—ahem, Mr. Bradner, will you please register?" and he swung +the book around on the desk, dipping a pen in an ink bottle at the same +time. +</P> + +<P> +Roy hesitated, and smiled just a little. He was contrasting the +treatment he might have received if Mr. De Royster had not been there. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked the jewelry salesman, seeing that something +unusual had taken place. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, nothing much," replied Roy. "They took me for a member of a Wild +West show, I guess, and they were a little doubtful whether they'd let +me bunk here or not." +</P> + +<P> +"Ahem! All a mistake! It was the bell boy's fault," said the clerk, +somewhat embarrassed. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Number twenty-six, take the gentleman's grip. Any friend of +yours, Mr. De Royster, is doubly welcome here. We can give you a fine +room, Mr. Bradner." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," replied Roy, good naturedly. "I'll take one." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll select it for you," put in Mr. De Royster, as he was in some +doubt as to Roy's finances, and he did not want to take too extravagant +an apartment. +</P> + +<P> +Roy was soon shown to a pleasant room, Mortimer accompanying him. +Every one connected with the hotel seemed anxious to aid the boy from +the ranch, now that it was shown he had wealthy friends. Roy thought +De Royster must be a person of some influence. He was partly right, +though the influence came more from the rich and respected relatives of +the young jewelry salesman, than from himself. However, it answered +the same purpose. +</P> + +<P> +"I am sorry you were annoyed by that clerk, my dear chap," said De +Royster, when he was seated in the room he had selected for Roy. "I +was unavoidably detained, speaking to a friend I met, don't you know." +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right," replied Roy. "It all adds to my experience, and I +expect to get a lot of it while I'm in the East." +</P> + +<P> +"What are your next plans?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hardly know. I have certain business to do for my father, but +I hardly know how to set about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I can tell you." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you could." +</P> + +<P> +"If it is a secret don't tell me," said De Royster, noting that Roy +hesitated. +</P> + +<P> +"It is a sort of a secret mission. I'm here to round up a man, and see +what sort of branding marks he has on him—that is, whether he's honest +or not." +</P> + +<P> +"That is a queer mission for a boy like you to be sent on." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps, but my father had no one else. I will tell you as much as I +can, and see what you have to say." +</P> + +<P> +Thereupon Roy told his friend about the real estate matter, and Mr. +Annister's connection with it, though he mentioned no names. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me consider it a bit," said the dude, when Roy had finished. The +latter began to think his friend was more capable than had at first +appeared, and, in spite of his rather affected talk, could be relied +upon for good advice. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is what I would do, in your place," said De Royster, at length. +"I would get my hair cut, order a new suit of clothes or perhaps two +and appear as much as possible like a New Yorker, don't you know. You +say you don't want that man to know you are here from the ranch. Well, +he certainly would if you appeared before him as you are now. But, if +you—er—well, we'll say 'spruce up' a bit, you can be sure he'll never +connect you with the West. Then you can make whatever inquiries you +like." +</P> + +<P> +"That's good advice. I'll follow it. I'm much obliged to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't mention it, my dear chap. Now, old man"—(Roy thought it was +strange to be addressed as "old man")—"I've got to go. I'll leave you +my card, and address, and, if you get into trouble, why, telephone or +call on me. Now, good luck." +</P> + +<P> +He shook hands with Roy and left. The boy from the ranch was a little +lonesome after De Royster had gone, but he knew he would from now on, +very probably have to rely on himself, and he decided to start in at +once. +</P> + +<P> +After supper he went to the hotel barber shop, and had his hair cut to +the length it was worn by New Yorkers. He wanted to go out and get a +new suit, but he knew the clothing stores would not be open at night. +</P> + +<P> +His trunk arrived the next morning, and, having arranged his things in +his room, the boy from the ranch set out to buy some new garments, +following De Royster's advice. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I certainly don't look like a cowboy now," thought Roy, as he +surveyed himself in the glass, after the change. "Now to call on Mr. +Annister. I don't believe he'll suspect me of being on his trail." +</P> + +<P> +A little later Roy was on his way down-town, having inquired from the +clerk how to get to the office of the real estate agent. He was soon +at the place, a big office building, in which several firms had their +quarters. +</P> + +<P> +He got in the express elevator, which went up at a speed that took away +his breath, and was let out at the twentieth floor, where the real +estate agent had his rooms. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Mr. Annister in?" Roy asked the office boy. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. What's your business?" +</P> + +<P> +"My business is with Mr. Annister." +</P> + +<P> +"What's your name?" +</P> + +<P> +"That doesn't matter. Tell Mr. Annister I called to see him regarding +the renting of some property on Bleecker street," for that was where +the building was located in which Roy and his father were interested. +</P> + +<P> +"All right. I'll tell him, but I don't believe he'll see you," replied +the office boy, not very good-naturedly, as he went into an inner room. +In a little while he returned and said: +</P> + +<P> +"Walk in. He'll see you a few minutes, but he's very busy." +</P> + +<P> +A few seconds later Roy stood in the presence of Caleb Annister. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY'S TRICK +</H3> + +<P> +"What can I do for you, sir?" asked the real estate agent as Roy +entered. "Take a chair." +</P> + +<P> +Caleb Annister had been a little curious to see the young man whom his +office boy described. He could not imagine what was wanted, but he +scented a possible customer to engage some of the offices in the +structure, for which he collected the rents. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to make some inquiries regarding an office in your Bleeker +street building," said Roy, for such was the designation of the +property in question. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes. You are going to open an office, perhaps?" +</P> + +<P> +"I may." This was the truth as Roy's father had said, if the agent was +found to be dishonest, a new one, with an office in the Bleecker street +building might be engaged. +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't you rather young to go in business?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps, but I am representing other persons. Have you any offices to +rent in that building?" +</P> + +<P> +"A few." +</P> + +<P> +"What do they rent for?" +</P> + +<P> +It was Roy's idea to make inquiries in the guise of a possible tenant, +and, see what prices Mr. Annister was charging. What his next move was +you shall very soon see. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, young man, rents are very high in that building. It is in a +good neighborhood, where property is increasing in value all the while, +and we have to charge high rents. Besides there is a good demand for +offices there." +</P> + +<P> +This, Roy thought, was not the sort of information Mr. Annister had +sent to Mr. Bradner at the ranch. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you own the building?" asked the western lad, wanting to see what +the agent would say. +</P> + +<P> +"No, but I am in full charge. It would be no use for you to see the +owner, as he leaves everything to me. He would not give you any lower +rent rate than I would. Besides, he lives away out West, and never +comes to New York." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you give me an idea of what the rents are for such offices as are +vacant?" asked Roy, trying not to let any Western expressions slip into +his talk, as he wanted to pose as a New Yorker. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it for yourself?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, for parties I represent." +</P> + +<P> +"I can give you a list of such offices as are vacant, with the prices, +and you can go and see them. The janitor will show them to you, if I +send him a note." +</P> + +<P> +"That will do very well." +</P> + +<P> +Caleb Annister went over some books, and soon handed Roy a list of room +numbers, with the prices at which they rented by the month. It needed +but a glance at the list, and a rapid calculation on the part of Roy, +who was quick at figures, to see that if the entire building rented in +the same proportion, the income from it was much larger than what his +father was receiving. Clearly there was something wrong, and he must +find out where it was. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall look at these offices," he said, "and let you know whether or +not they will suit my friend." +</P> + +<P> +"What is the name?" asked Mr. Annister, preparing to write a note to +the janitor. +</P> + +<P> +Now Roy was "up against it" as he put it. He did not want to give his +name, or Mr. Annister would suspect something at once, and, possibly, +put some obstacles in his way. Nor did he want to tell an untruth, and +give a false name. Finally he saw a way out of the difficulty. +</P> + +<P> +He decided to give De Royster's name, as he had an idea that if Mr. +Annister proved to be dishonest, as it seemed he was, the young jewelry +salesman could be induced to take the agency of the building, at least +until he had to begin his travels again. To do this De Royster would +need an office in the building, so it would be no untruth for Roy to +give his name, and say he was looking for apartments for him. He knew +his friend would consent. So he said: +</P> + +<P> +"You may make out the note in the name of Mortimer De Royster." +</P> + +<P> +"De Royster? That is a good name. I know some of the family." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Annister wrote the note, and gave it to Roy, not asking his name. +In fact, the real estate man took his caller to be an office boy for +Mr. De Royster, for business men in New York frequently send their +office helpers on errands of importance, and this was no more than the +average office boy could do. +</P> + +<P> +With the note Roy went to the Bleecker Building, as it was called. He +found the janitor, who readily showed him the vacant offices. +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't rents rather high here?" asked Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what they are. But this is a good location for business men, +and they're willing to pay for it," answered the man. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you no cheaper offices than these?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. In fact all the others cost more. Some men have several rooms, +and they pay a good price." +</P> + +<P> +"How many offices, or sets of offices, have you in this building? I +should think it would keep you busy looking after them." +</P> + +<P> +"It does," replied the janitor, who, like others of his class, liked a +chance to complain of how hard they worked. "There are more than a +hundred offices in this building." +</P> + +<P> +"And are most of them rented?" +</P> + +<P> +"All but the five I showed you. I tell you the man who owns this +building has a fine thing out of it. He must make a lot over his +expenses." +</P> + +<P> +"Who owns it?" asked Roy, wanting to see how much the janitor knew. +</P> + +<P> +"I couldn't tell you. Mr. Annister never told me. He hires me. I +guess he must have an interest in the property." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, entirely too much of an interest in it," thought Roy. "He has +some of my interest, and I'm going to get it back." +</P> + +<P> +There was one thing more he wanted to know. +</P> + +<P> +"Are the tenants good pay?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"They have to be, young man. If they get behind a month Mr. Annister +puts them out. That's why those five offices are vacant. But they'll +soon be rented. You'd better hurry if you want one." +</P> + +<P> +"My friend will think it over," answered the boy from the ranch. +</P> + +<P> +He had found out what he wanted to know. The property, instead of +decreasing in value as Mr. Annister had said, was increasing. Nearly +every office was rented at a good price, and the tenants were prompt +pay, save in a few instances. It did not require much calculation to +see that the income from the property was nearly double what Mr. +Annister reported it to be to Mr. Bradner. That meant but one thing. +The dishonest agent was keeping part of the rent for himself, and +sending false reports to Roy's father. +</P> + +<P> +But it was one thing to know this, and another to prove it. Roy left +the building, thanking the janitor for his trouble, and started back +toward Mr. Annister's office. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what I had better do?" he thought. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CALEB ANNISTER IS SURPRISED +</H3> + +<P> +Perhaps, if Mr. Bradner had known just the extent of the rascality of +his agent, he might not have sent Roy to investigate. But, at the +worst, he only imagined that perhaps the man might be careless in +collecting the rents, which would account for the small income from the +property. +</P> + +<P> +Roy certainly had a difficult task before him, and he hardly knew how +to undertake it. Should he confront Caleb Annister with the evidence +of his dishonesty, or would it be better to wait a while? He had all +the proof he needed; but what would be the outcome? That was what +puzzled Roy. +</P> + +<P> +Finally, with a decision characteristic of him, and following his +nature, which was influenced by the openness of action associated with +the West, he made up his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go right back and see him," reasoned the boy, "tell him who I am, +show him that I know he's been cheating us, and demand that he make +good the money he has taken. Then I'll see how he acts. If he pays +back the rent money he has retained I guess dad will not be hard on +him. If he doesn't—" +</P> + +<P> +Roy knew his father was a man who would have his rights if there was +any way of getting them. He had half a notion to telegraph his father +for instructions, but he wanted to do the work all alone, if he could. +</P> + +<P> +When he got back to the office where Mr. Annister had his rooms, the +boy in the outer apartment did not stop Roy to ask him his business. +He at once announced him to the agent, who told Roy to come in. The +boy from the ranch nerved himself for what was coming. He felt just as +he used to when, for the first time, he mounted a new bucking bronco. +There was no telling just what the animal would do. Likewise he did +not know how Caleb Annister would act when he exposed his rascality. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, did you see the offices?" asked the real estate man. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you like them? We think they are the best in New York." +</P> + +<P> +"They are very fine. The rents are higher than I thought to find them." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps, but you must know there is a good demand for offices in that +neighborhood. I could have rented them several times, since they were +vacant, but I wanted to get good tenants, who would pay." +</P> + +<P> +"You have no cheaper offices you could let Mr. De Royster have?" +</P> + +<P> +"None. In fact I am thinking of raising the rents of those." +</P> + +<P> +Roy wondered if he and his father would get any of the increase. +</P> + +<P> +"That property must be quite valuable," he went on. +</P> + +<P> +"It is." +</P> + +<P> +Roy now felt that the real estate agent had convicted himself. There +was need of no further evidence. It was time to make the disclosure. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Annister," said Roy. "Perhaps I had better introduce myself. +Here is my card." +</P> + +<P> +He handed over one on which he had written his name, and the address of +his father's ranch, as well as that of the hotel where he was stopping. +</P> + +<P> +For a moment the agent did not know what to do, as he looked at the bit +of pasteboard. His face became pale, then red, then pale again. Next +he smiled, in a sickly sort of way. +</P> + +<P> +"So you are Roy Bradner, son of James Bradner, eh?" he asked, slowly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's—that's a pretty good joke," went on the agent. "A +pretty good joke." +</P> + +<P> +Roy could not quite see it. +</P> + +<P> +"You come East here, and pretend to want an office in the building your +father owns, and you take me in completely. That is a good joke. But +I see what you are after." +</P> + +<P> +"That will save a lot of explanation then, Mr. Annister." +</P> + +<P> +"I see what you want," the agent went on. "You wanted to find out in a +quiet way, if I was properly looking after your father's property. So +you come here, and don't let me know who you are. It's a good joke. +But I guess you found I was looking after your interests; didn't you? +You found me faithful to my trust. Now you can go back and tell your +father that I am looking well after his affairs. That's what you can +do. When are you going back?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know!" exclaimed Roy boldly, "but when I do go back I will +tell my father that you are a swindler, and that you are cheating +him—and me also—out of our rent money." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" cried Mr. Annister, his face fairly purple with rage. +"You dare call me a swindler! I'll have you arrested for insulting me! +Leave my office at once! How dare you address me in that manner?" +</P> + +<P> +"I dare because I'm right," replied Roy coolly. "You can't bluff me, +Mr. Annister. I see through your game. I now demand that you pay back +all the money you have retained, or I shall make a complaint against +you." +</P> + +<P> +The bold and fearless bearing of the boy had its effect on the real +estate agent. He saw he had to deal with a lad, who, if he had had no +previous business experience, was capable of looking after his own +interests. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you will kindly explain," said the agent, in a tone he meant +to be sarcastic, but which did not deceive Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. I accuse you of charging high rents for the offices in the +Bleecker Building, and with sending my father only about half of what +you collect!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! So that's the game; is it?" asked the agent, with a sneer. +"Perhaps you know how much I take in as rent for the offices in that +building?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can pretty nearly figure it out," and Roy mentioned a sum that was +so near the mark that Mr. Annister was startled. +</P> + +<P> +"And perhaps you know what the expenses are, the taxes, the water rent, +the insurance and so forth?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but I know what you charged my father for those items, and, taking +them out, at your figures, and also your commission, it would leave a +larger sum than we ever received." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Annister saw that he was dealing with no novice, even if the lad +was from the western ranch. He resolved to proceed on a different plan. +</P> + +<P> +"You may think yourself very smart," he said to Roy, "but you do not +understand New York real estate." +</P> + +<P> +"I understand enough for this case, I think." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid not," and the agent smiled. He was beginning to get +command of his nerves. "You see there are many expenses you do not +know of." +</P> + +<P> +"You never mentioned them to my father." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I could not. Besides, how do I know that your father sent you to +make these inquiries? I do not even know you are Roy Bradner. You may +be an impostor." +</P> + +<P> +"I think I can soon prove to you who I am. As for my authority, there +is a letter from my father to you, instructing you to turn this +business over to me at my demand." +</P> + +<P> +He handed Mr. Annister a letter to this effect written by Mr. Bradner, +and properly executed before a notary public. The rascally agent knew +the signature of Mr. Bradner only too well. +</P> + +<P> +But he was not going to give up so easily. +</P> + +<P> +"Any one can write a letter, and forge a signature," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you think I forged my father's name?" and a dangerous look came +into Roy's eyes. It was a look such as that when he stopped the +runaway horse. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care to have any further conversation with you," said Mr. +Annister, sneeringly. "I do not recognize your authority. How do I +know you are Roy Bradner? You will have to bring me better proof than +this. Besides, even if you are who you say you are, that does not say +you understand this renting business. It is very complicated. There +are many charges I have to meet which makes the amounts received for +rent much less than you have figured. Besides, the property is in bad +shape, it needs repairs, and it is going down in value." +</P> + +<P> +"You said a little while ago that it was increasing." +</P> + +<P> +The agent started. He saw he had made a mistake. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well," he said impatiently. "You are only a boy; you can't +understand it." +</P> + +<P> +"I may be only a boy, but I think I understand what is going on, and +that is that you are cheating my father and me. I was in the building +to-day. It is in excellent repair." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you dare accuse me of cheating!" exclaimed Mr. Annister, but his +tone was not as blustering as it had been. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe that is the truth." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you intend to do?" inquired the agent, as he saw that Roy was +firm. "Not that it makes any difference to me, for I shall communicate +with your father, but I do not want you to come here and annoy me." +</P> + +<P> +He was beginning to be afraid of what Roy might disclose. +</P> + +<P> +"I intend to make you return the money you have unlawfully retained. I +believe it is called embezzling, and is a criminal offense. But I will +give you a little time. I shall call here a week from to-day. If, by +that time, you do not have what I consider a proper sum ready to send +to my father I shall consult with the police." +</P> + +<P> +"Pooh! The police will never interfere. This is a civil matter—not +criminal." +</P> + +<P> +"I think it is criminal. But I will wait one week. In the meanwhile I +shall write to my father and see what he advises me to do. But I shall +report all the facts in the case." +</P> + +<P> +"Get out of my office!" exclaimed the now angry and frightened real +estate agent. "I believe you are an impostor. If you annoy me again I +shall have you arrested!" +</P> + +<A NAME="img-126"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-126.jpg" ALT=""Get out of my office!"" BORDER="2" WIDTH="414" HEIGHT="620"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 414px"> +"Get out of my office!" +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"I'll leave your office, because I have finished my business with you, +and not because I am afraid of arrest," answered Roy coolly. "You know +I am not an impostor. I can prove who I am. I shall call on you again +in a week," and he went out in time to surprise the office boy with his +ear at the key hole, listening to what was going on. +</P> + +<P> +"Cracky!" exclaimed the little lad, when Roy had gone out. "He +certainly talked to the boss like a Dutch Uncle." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Mr. Annister sat in his office chair, much disturbed in his +mind. He was in great alarm, for he knew Roy was no impostor. +</P> + +<P> +"What am I going to do?" he asked himself. "He has found me out!" +</P> + +<P> +He sat biting his nails nervously, his eyes roving about his office, as +if seeking some way of escape from the trouble he was in. Suddenly an +idea came to him. +</P> + +<P> +"I must get that boy out of the way," he said in a low whisper, which +even the office lad could not hear. "He knows too much. He is too +smart. And I must act promptly. If I can get him out of the way for +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SOME NEW EXPERIENCES +</H3> + +<P> +Roy passed out through the outer rooms of Caleb Annister's suite of +offices. He noted the eavesdropping act of the boy, but said nothing +to the small chap, who seemed much embarrassed. Then Roy, with his +head somewhat in a whirl over what he had just gone through, went into +the tiled corridor. +</P> + +<P> +He got into an elevator, but, no sooner had the attendant closed the +iron-grilled door than the car seemed to fall to the bottom of the +elevator well with a sickening suddenness. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out!" cried the boy from the ranch, startled out of his reverie +concerning Mr. Annister, by the fear that the car had broken from the +cable. "She's going to smash!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +Down, down, down fell the car, but, to Roy's surprise no one seemed to +mind it. To him it felt, as he expressed it, "as if the bottom had +dropped out of his stomach." +</P> + +<P> +Roy clung to one side of the iron grating which formed the car. Every +moment he expected the cage to be dashed to pieces. Then some one +laughed. Roy knew something was going on that he didn't understand. +</P> + +<P> +A moment later the car came to a gradual stop, amid a hissing of air. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, stranger, does it often break loose and go on a stampede that +way?" asked Roy of the attendant who opened the door at the ground +floor. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter? Did it scare you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it was a pretty good imitation of it," replied Roy, while the +other passengers broke into laughter. "I sure thought I was going to +China. What was the matter?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing. This is an express elevator, and it drops from the twentieth +story to the ground in about fifteen seconds. It lands into an air +chamber, as soft as a piece of rubber. There's no danger. I do it a +hundred times a day." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll have to excuse me the next time," said Roy, with a smile as he +got out. "I don't exactly cotton to elevators anyhow, but when they +drop you like a steer falling over a cliff, why it'll be walk the +stairs for mine, after this. It sure will." +</P> + +<P> +"Guess you're from out West, ain't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I am, and it's a mighty good place. Say, that trip sure +made me dizzy." +</P> + +<P> +Indeed there is a curious feeling about being dropped twenty stories in +a swift elevator, and Roy might well be excused for his sensation. +</P> + +<P> +However, he soon recovered himself, and, as it was noon time, and he +had a good appetite, he looked about for a place to get something to +eat. +</P> + +<P> +He noticed a small restaurant nearby, and went in. +</P> + +<P> +Instead of seeing tables set out in the place, he beheld rows of +chairs, with one arm made very large, so that it served as a shelf on +which to place plates, cups and saucers. In fact it was a chair and +table combined. +</P> + +<P> +He saw men eating, and others hurrying to and fro, so he took a vacant +place, and sat there, expecting a waiter to come to him and take his +order. He remained there for some time, noting that the men seated in +a row on either side of him, were busy with their food, but no +attendant came to him. +</P> + +<P> +"This is queer," thought the boy. "The waiters must be terribly busy. +They don't keep you waiting like this at my hotel." +</P> + +<P> +Finally a man, seeing that Roy was a stranger, spoke to him, saying: +</P> + +<P> +"You have to wait on yourself here." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait on yourself?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. You go up to that counter over there," pointing to it, "and take +whatever you want. You'll find plates, knives, forks and so on. Then, +if you want coffee, you take a cup, go to that counter, where the man +stands, and he'll draw a cup for you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks," replied Roy, proceeding to put these directions into use. +Then for the first time he noticed that the other patrons of the +restaurant were doing the same thing. +</P> + +<P> +Roy helped himself to some sandwiches, crullers, a piece of cheese and +some pie. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder who I pay?" he thought, as he saw no one behind the food +counter to take any money. "Guess it must be the man at the coffee +urn." +</P> + +<P> +He carried his food to a chair, placing it on the broad arm. Then he +went back for a cup of coffee. +</P> + +<P> +"I got some grub back there," he said to the man. "What's the damage?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pay the girl at the desk when you go out," replied the man shortly +without looking around. "Tell her what you had, and she'll tell you +how much it is." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, isn't that the limit," exclaimed Roy, half to himself, as he got +his coffee. "This is certainly a new-fangled way of getting your grub." +</P> + +<P> +Still he rather liked the novelty of it. Certainly it was quick, once +one learned how to go about it. Roy made a good though not very fancy +meal, and then walked up to the desk, where he observed other men +paying. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," asked the young lady, who seemed to have a very large amount of +light hair, piled up on top of her head in all sorts of waves and +frizzes. +</P> + +<P> +"What'd you have?" +</P> + +<P> +She spoke briskly, making change for one man, and handing another one a +box of cigars, that he might take one, and, all the while she never +stopped chewing gum. +</P> + +<P> +Roy named over the articles. +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty cents!" exclaimed the girl. "Here, that's a lead nickel!" she +added quickly, to the customer just ahead of Roy. "Don't try any of +them tricks on me." +</P> + +<P> +Roy laid down two dimes, wondering at the cheapness of the meal, and +feeling quite confused by the rush and excitement about him. +</P> + +<P> +He walked out, wondering what his next move should be. He had not gone +a dozen steps up the street, before he suddenly remembered that he had +forgotten to mention to the young lady at the desk that he had a piece +of pie. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to go right back and pay her for that pie!" thought the lad. +"She'll think I'm trying to cheat her. Lucky I thought of it when I +did, or they might have sent a policeman after me." +</P> + +<P> +He hurried back, and made his way to the desk through a crowd of men +coming out. +</P> + +<P> +"Say," he began to the cashier, "I'm awfully sorry, but I made a +mistake." +</P> + +<P> +"No mistakes corrected after you leave the desk. See that sign?" and +the girl pointed to one to that effect. "You should count your change +while you're here. You can't work that game on me." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not trying to work any game," and Roy felt a little hurt that his +good motive should thus be mistaken. "I had a piece of pie and I +forgot to tell you of it. I came back to pay the five cents." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" +</P> + +<P> +The girl's manner changed, and she looked a little embarrassed. +"That's all right. You could have paid me to-morrow. +</P> + +<P> +"But I might not be here to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +Roy laid down a five-cent piece. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, but you're honest!" exclaimed the cashier, as she put back a +straggling lock of her yellow hair. "You can't live in New York." +</P> + +<P> +"Now I wonder why she said that?" reasoned Roy, as he walked along the +street. "Can it be that every one in New York is dishonest? Well, I +certainly think Mr. Annister is. I must write to father, and tell him +what took place. Then I wander what I had better do next." +</P> + +<P> +Roy was quite perplexed. He would have been more worried had he known +what was passing through the mind of Caleb Annister at that moment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CALEB ANNISTER MAKES PLANS +</H3> + +<P> +The rascally real estate agent was more worried over the visit of Roy +than he cared to acknowledge, even to himself. The truth was that +Caleb Annister was planning a bold stroke, which was nothing less than +to obtain title of the building belonging to Mr. Bradner and his son. +</P> + +<P> +For a long time, as Mr. Bradner had suspected, the agent had been +cheating him, retaining part of the rents. But this did not satisfy +Mr. Annister. He had begun to steal, and he liked that easy way of +getting money so well that he determined on operations on a larger +scale. Now Roy's coming was likely to interfere with this. +</P> + +<P> +It was Caleb Annister's plan to obtain ownership of the building in +this way. Though he had reported to Mr. Bradner that the taxes had +been always paid promptly, they were, in fact, very much behind, and +had not been paid for two years. +</P> + +<P> +Consequently the city had put the property up for sale for unpaid +taxes. A certain length of time must elapse before a title could be +taken from the former owner, and given to any one who would pay the +taxes and other city charges. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Annister planned to pay these back taxes without Mr. Bradner's +knowledge and so become the owner of the building, which was quite +valuable. But it needed about two weeks before his trick could be +consummated, and with Roy on hand in New York it might not go through +at all. +</P> + +<P> +For the real estate agent realized, that as Roy had already begun to +investigate the property, he might not stop there, but go further +discover that the taxes were unpaid, and have his father pay them in +the two weeks that remained, thus keeping the title of the building and +land in Mr. Bradner's name. +</P> + +<P> +"I must prevent that at all costs!" exclaimed the agent, as he sat in +his office, when Roy had gone. "I have gone too far to back out now. +And I will not be thwarted by a mere boy. Bah! Why should I be afraid +of him? If I can get him out of the way—if I can have him disappear +for two weeks, I can snap my fingers at him and his father too. Then +I'll no longer be the agent for the Bleecker Building—I'll be the +owner, and a wealthy man!" +</P> + +<P> +He gave himself up to day-dreams of what this would mean. He was +brought back from it, however, by the necessity of getting Roy out of +the way. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder how I can do it?" he murmured. +</P> + +<P> +At present Caleb Annister could see no way of bringing this about. He +decided to go out for dinner, thinking, perhaps, some plan might occur +to him. +</P> + +<P> +As he was walking along the street he almost collided with a man who +was hurrying along in the opposite direction. +</P> + +<P> +"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Mr. Annister. +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. My fault entirely," replied the other. "I—why, if it +isn't Caleb Annister," he went on. "How are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Phelan Baker!" cried Mr. Annister, in a tone of surprise. "I thought +you were out West." +</P> + +<P> +"I was, but I arrived in New York this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"And how are Sutton and Hynard?" went on Mr. Annister. "I haven't seen +them since that affair of—" +</P> + +<P> +"Hush! Don't mention such things in public," cautioned Mr. Baker, for +what Mr. Annister referred to was a swindling game in which Baker and +his cronies had been involved, and the discovery of which had made it +necessary for them to leave the city awhile. +</P> + +<P> +"The boys are all right," went on Mr. Baker. "Tupper is with them. In +fact they came on to New York with me. We were delayed on the road." +He did not say this was caused by the necessity for fleeing after +robbing Mortimer De Royster. "We're at the same hotel. By the way," +he went on, "you couldn't lend me fifty dollars; could you? I'm short, +and the boys have very little. We haven't had any luck lately. I'd +like fifty dollars for a few days. Can you let me have it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sorry," began Mr. Annister. "I'd like to, but the truth is I have +some heavy bills to meet, and people who owe me money, have not paid +me. Otherwise—" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, perhaps I can get it somewhere else," said Mr. Baker. In fact +he had very little hope, when he made the request of Mr. Annister, that +he would get the loan. The real estate agent was known to be very +"close", seldom lending money, though he was quite well off. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to accommodate you," went on Caleb Annister, brightening up, +when he saw that Mr. Baker was not going to press the matter, "but you +see how it is." +</P> + +<P> +"You haven't any work that you want done; have you?" asked the man who +had helped to rob Mortimer De Royster, and who had tried unsuccessfully +to rob and swindle Roy. "We could do almost anything you wanted done, +if you paid us for it. None of us have anything in view to get a few +dollars at." +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly a thought came into the wicked brain of Caleb Annister. This +might be the very chance he was looking for! Baker and his men could +get Roy out of the way for him. He would try it. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you might do me a service," he said. "It is very simple, and +does not amount to a great deal." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Baker knew the real estate agent well enough to feel that whenever +he wanted anything done, it was no small matter. But he merely said: +</P> + +<P> +"Tell me what it is. If it's possible we'll do it—for money, of +course." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's very possible, and I will be willing to pay you and your +friends well. Come and have lunch with me, and we will talk it over." +</P> + +<P> +Caleb Annister had intended going to an expensive restaurant and +ordering a fine meal, for he was fond of good living, but, when he +found he would have to take Baker, and pay for his dinner, he changed +his plans, and went to a cheap eating place. +</P> + +<P> +There, sitting in a secluded corner, Mr. Annister unfolded a plot to +the swindler. +</P> + +<P> +"There is a certain young man, lately arrived in New York," said the +real estate agent, "who is bothering me. Nothing serious, you +understand, but I have a certain deal to put through and he might spoil +it. I want him kept out of the way for two weeks. By that time my +plans will be finished, and I don't care what he does. Do you think +you can get him, and take him, say to some nearby town, or even some +place in New York and keep him there for two weeks? But I must insist +that no harm comes to him." +</P> + +<P> +With all his swindling schemes, Mr. Annister would not go too far. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure we can do it," replied Phelan Baker. "That's easy. What do we +get for it?" +</P> + +<P> +"If you get him away, and keep him out of sight for two weeks all will +be well, and I will pay you a thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Good enough! We'll do it. Now who is this boy you want taken away?" +</P> + +<P> +"Roy Bradner." +</P> + +<P> +"What? Roy Bradner, the boy from Triple O ranch?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's the one. But what do you know of him?" and Mr. Annister was +very much astonished. +</P> + +<P> +"This is curious," murmured Baker. "Very curious. I'll tell you about +it, Annister." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY IN DANGER +</H3> + +<P> +When Roy got out into the street again, after paying for the pie he had +forgotten about, he was quite puzzled as to which direction to take to +get back to his hotel. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess I'm off the trail," he told himself. "I'd ought to have brought +a compass along. Let's see, which way is North?" +</P> + +<P> +He looked about for a sight of the sun, but, though it was shining, the +tall buildings hid it from view. +</P> + +<P> +"Might as well be down in the grand canyon of the Colorado, as here in +New York for all you can see of the sun," he murmured. +</P> + +<P> +"I ought to have taken more notice of the way I came, but what with +going in so many buildings, and that express elevator, I'm all turned +around." +</P> + +<P> +He tried to think which way to take, and then, getting over a little +natural embarrassment about asking a stranger the road, he inquired of +a well-dressed man the way to get to his hotel, the name of which, +fortunately, Roy remembered. +</P> + +<P> +"Go right down those stairs," said the man, pointing to a flight which +started in a little shelter built on the sidewalk. "Take an uptown +express, and you'll land right at your hotel. There's a station there." +</P> + +<P> +"Station?" thought Roy. "That's a queer place for a station. Didn't +have room for it above ground, I reckon." +</P> + +<P> +He walked down the flight of steps, finding himself in a brilliantly +lighted place. Doing as he saw the crowd do he bought a ticket at a +little window and then, seeing a sign "Uptown Express Trains," he +followed the throng going in that direction. +</P> + +<P> +A moment later a string of cars came rumbling up along-side of the +platform. +</P> + +<P> +"All aboard!" called the guard. +</P> + +<P> +The boy from the ranch got in and took a seat. The next moment the +train started off at great speed, for it was an express, and made but +few stops. Leaving the brilliantly-lighted station the cars plunged +into darkness, relieved by an occasional electric lamp. +</P> + +<P> +"Must be a tunnel," thought Roy. "We'll come out on top of the ground +in a minute, and I can see what New York looks like. Space is so +crowded down town, I s'pose they have to tunnel for a few blocks." +</P> + +<P> +But the tunnel did not come to an end. In vain Roy waited for the +train to emerge into daylight. Past station after station it rushed, +the lights there showing for an instant, and then the darkness closing +in again. +</P> + +<P> +Finally the express stopped. Several passengers got off, and more got +on. Then it started up again, still whizzing through the dark. +</P> + +<P> +Roy could stand it no longer. Perhaps he had made a mistake and gotten +into the wrong train This one might be destined for China, or some +other under-ground port. Roy made his way to where a guard was +standing. +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me, stranger," he began, in his broad western tones. "But how +long is this tunnel, anyhow?" +</P> + +<P> +"Tunnel? This ain't no tunnel!" +</P> + +<P> +"No? what is it then? It's a pretty good imitation. Looks like an +underground river that has gone dry." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, this is the subway." +</P> + +<P> +"The subway?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure. It goes right under the streets, all the way along New York." +</P> + +<P> +Then Roy understood. Mortimer De Royster had told him something of +this underground railroad, through the heart of New York, but thinking +of other things had put it out of Roy's mind. A little later he +alighted and walked to his hotel. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Caleb Annister and Mr. Baker had been plotting together. +They discussed many schemes, and at last hit on one they thought would +answer. +</P> + +<P> +"I think we'll let Tupper do the trick," said Baker. "Young Bradner +saw less of him than he did of the rest of us, and if Tupper shaves off +his moustache, and changes his voice a bit, as he can do, the boy will +never recognize him," for Baker had told Mr. Annister of the encounter +of himself and his cronies with the boy from the ranch. +</P> + +<P> +"Anything so as to get him away for two weeks," said the agent. "Don't +tell him too much about it, and then—if anything happens, you +understand—I can't be called to testify." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, nothing will happen, in the way you mean. We'll be careful. Now +where is he stopping?" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Annister mentioned the name of the hotel, which Roy had written on +the card he had left with the agent. +</P> + +<P> +"All right. I'll see Tupper, and have him fix up to do the job. It +ought to be easy. You'll have the money, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +"As soon as he is out of the way—safely—you get the thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +There was some more talk, and the two plotters separated. +</P> + +<P> +It was three days after this, during which time Roy had enjoyed himself +going about New York alone, (for he had not seen De Royster) that, as +he was sitting in the hotel lobby one afternoon, a well-dressed man +approached him. +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't you from out Painted Stone way, in Colorado?" asked the man +pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +"That's where I'm from, the Triple O ranch," replied Roy, who was frank +by nature, and unsuspicious. He wondered who the man could be, and how +he knew where he was from in the west. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so," went on the stranger. "I was out on a ranch near there +about a week ago and I happened to be at the railroad station when you +got aboard." +</P> + +<P> +"What ranch were you on?" asked Roy, for he knew them all within a +radius of a hundred miles of his father's. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it was—er—let's see—seems to me it was the Double X." +</P> + +<P> +"There's no such ranch near Painted Stone." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, maybe I'm wrong. I just stopped there, but I have a poor memory +for names," said the stranger quickly. "But permit me to introduce +myself. I'm John Wakely, of Buffalo. I'm a stranger in New York, and, +as you are also, I thought we might go about a bit together." +</P> + +<P> +"That would suit me," replied Roy, who was beginning to feel a bit +lonely in the big city, without the company of a friend. He thought +this was a good opportunity to go around and see the sights. He told +the man his name. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we go in and have some ice cream soda," went on Mr. Wakely. +"Or, better, still, have it in my room. I'm stopping at this hotel. +Then we can go out a bit." +</P> + +<P> +The idea appealed to Roy, who had a liking for the ice cream sodas he +had only lately become familiar with. The day was hot, and the +stranger seemed very cordial. Roy had a dim suspicion that he had +heard his voice somewhere before, but he could not place it. Certainly +the face was not one he could recall. +</P> + +<P> +They went to Mr. Wakely's room, and soon a bell boy brought two large +glasses of the cool beverage. +</P> + +<P> +He set them down on the table between Mr. Wakely and Roy, and then +withdrew. Had Roy known now of the dangers of the city he never would +have trusted a stranger as he did this one. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that your handkerchief on the floor behind you?" asked Mr. Wakely +suddenly, pointing at something on the carpet. +</P> + +<P> +Roy turned. At the same instant Mr. Wakely extended his hand over the +glass of soda in front of the boy. Something like a white powder +sifted down into it. +</P> + +<P> +A moment later Roy turned back. +</P> + +<P> +"It's not my handkerchief," he said. "Must be a piece of dust rag, the +work-girl dropped." +</P> + +<P> +"Very likely. But drink your soda and we'll go out." The boy put to +his lips the glass, into which Mr. Wakely had sifted the white powder. +He was in great danger, but he did not realize nor suspect it. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ROY IS MISSING +</H3> + +<P> +Shortly after this incident, approaching the clerk at the hotel desk +where he had engaged a room near Roy's, Mr. Wakely, seeming much +concerned, said: +</P> + +<P> +"My friend, Mr. Bradner, has been taken suddenly ill. I think I shall +take him to my doctor's. Will you call me a cab?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you have the hotel doctor look at him?" suggested the clerk, +who had taken a liking to the boy from the ranch. The clerk did not +exactly like the ways of Mr. Wakely, who had only taken a room at the +hotel a day or so before. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't like to trust a strange doctor. I think my physician can +fix him up. He is in need of rest, more than anything else. The +strenuous life of the city, after his quiet days on the ranch has been +too much for him." +</P> + +<P> +"He looked strong and hearty," replied the clerk. "He told me he used +to rope wild steers. I should think he could stand it here. He hasn't +been going around much." +</P> + +<P> +"Still I think I shall take him away," went on Mr. Wakely. "Please +call me a cab. I believe I'll take his baggage with me. I'll settle +for his bill." +</P> + +<P> +"There's nothing to settle. Mr. Bradner paid me this morning for his +board up to the end of the week." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Wakely looked relieved at this, but said nothing. +</P> + +<P> +The clerk, not exactly liking what was going on, but being unable to +interpose any objections, rung for a cab. Then, under orders from Mr. +Wakely, Roy's baggage was brought down and put into the vehicle. +</P> + +<P> +A little later Roy's new acquaintance came down in the elevator, +supporting the lad with an arm around his shoulders. Roy could hardly +walk, for his legs were trembling, and there was a curious white, dazed +look on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, old chap?" asked the hotel clerk, with ready +sympathy. "Can I do anything for you?" +</P> + +<P> +It seemed as if Roy tried to speak, but only a murmur came from his +lips. +</P> + +<P> +"He'll be all right in a little while," said Mr. Wakely quickly. "He's +a little faint; that's all. I'll look after him." +</P> + +<P> +Somehow the clerk thought Mr. Wakely acted as if he did not want any +one to come too near Roy, or lend any aid. A little later, leading the +boy, who seemed to become weaker, Mr. Wakely got into the cab with him, +and drove on. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor fellow," said the clerk sympathetically. "I hope he gets better. +He certainly is a nice chap, and I wonder what could have made him ill +so suddenly? I don't like that Wakely fellow." +</P> + +<P> +That evening it occurred to Mortimer De Royster that he had not seen +his friend Roy for some time. Not, in fact, since he had parted with +him at the hotel. +</P> + +<P> +"That's beastly impolite on my part, don't you know," said De Royster +to himself. "I must run around and see him. I've been so busy +straightening out my accounts since I came back from my western trip, +that I have neglected all my friends. However, I'll make up for it. +I'll take him to some theatre and give him a good time." +</P> + +<P> +Thus musing, Mortimer De Royster adjusted his one eye glass, selected a +delicately-colored necktie from his rather large stock, and attired +himself to go out and call at Roy's hotel, which he soon reached. +</P> + +<P> +"Good evening, Mortimer," greeted the clerk, who knew De Royster quite +well. "How are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Feeling very fit, old chap, don't you know," replied De Royster. "How +are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"So-so." +</P> + +<P> +"That's good. Charming evening, isn't it? Charming. I—er—I called +to see my friend, Mr. Bradner. Going to take him out and show him a +bit of New York after dark, don't you know. I have tickets to a very +nice show, and I think he'll like it. I owe a good deal to him, old +man. He's a clever chap. I want to repay him in some way. I'll go up +to his room." +</P> + +<P> +"It's no use." +</P> + +<P> +"No use. Why, my dear fellow, what do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"I mean he was taken away—ill—in a cab by a friend of his." +</P> + +<P> +"Who was the friend?" +</P> + +<P> +Mortimer De Royster lost his rather careless manner, and was all +attention. +</P> + +<P> +"A fellow named Wakely. He took rooms here a day or so ago. Made +friends with Mr. Bradner—Roy, I call him, for I feel quite friendly +toward him. Late this afternoon Wakely came to me and said Roy was +sick, and he was going to take him to a doctor." +</P> + +<P> +"And did he?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what he did. Took his baggage too," and the clerk related what +had taken place. +</P> + +<P> +"What sort of a fellow was this Wakely?" asked De Royster, with +increasing interest. +</P> + +<P> +The clerk described him. The dudish jewelry salesman shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't recognize him," he said. "What do you think about it? You +saw him." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what I think," went on the clerk. "I think that fellow +Wakely is up to some game, and I wish Roy had not made his +acquaintance." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what I believe," exclaimed De Royster. "It seems a queer +thing that Roy should be taken sick so suddenly. Why, he was as +healthy as a young ox. I'll wager there's something wrong. He came +here to New York to expose a man he thought was a swindler, and I +believe the man has him in his power now. I must do something to aid +him." +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do?" asked the clerk, as De Royster started out +of the hotel. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to try to find the cab driver who took them away, and +perhaps I can trace Roy. If I can't do it that way I'll notify the +police. Roy has been taken away against his will, and maybe they are +keeping him in hiding. I'm going to find him!" +</P> + +<P> +Roused into sudden action by the thought of danger to the lad who had +aided him, Mortimer De Royster hurried out, a look of determination on +his face. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE TENEMENT +</H3> + +<P> +When Roy awakened, after what seemed like a very long sleep, he found +himself in a poorly furnished room. At first he could not understand +it—everything was so different from his pleasant apartment at the +hotel. +</P> + +<P> +He thought it must be a dream, but when he saw his trunk and valises +near the bed, he knew he was not asleep. +</P> + +<P> +He sat up and looked about him. The room he was in contained, besides +the bed, a table, a few chairs and a small cupboard. As Roy roused a +man, seated in one of the chairs, approached the bed. +</P> + +<P> +"So, you're awake, are you?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter—what has happened, Mr. Wakely?" asked Roy, +recognizing the man who had treated him to ice cream soda. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're all right. You're just staying here for a few days." +</P> + +<P> +"But what happened? Did the hotel catch fire? Did I get hurt? Did +they bring me here?" +</P> + +<P> +"I brought you here, but the hotel did not catch fire." +</P> + +<P> +"Then why am I not there—in my own room?" +</P> + +<P> +"This is your room for a while." +</P> + +<P> +Something in the man's smile roused Roy's suspicions. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" he asked quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Now keep quiet and you'll be all right," spoke Mr. Wakely, in what he +meant to be a soothing tone. "You can't help yourself. You're here, +and you're going to stay." +</P> + +<P> +All of Roy's energies were aroused. He believed he had been brought to +the place for the purposes of robbery. But how had it been done +without his knowledge? He started to leave the bed. +</P> + +<P> +"No you don't!" exclaimed Mr. Wakely. "You stay right there." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" cried Roy, a sudden fire coming into his eyes, and his +hands clenching themselves ready for a fray. "I must say you've got +nerve to do this. I'm going to get up, and you and I are going to have +a tussel! I guess I haven't roped wild steers, and ridden bucking +broncos, for nothing!" +</P> + +<P> +He threw off the covers, noting for the first time that he was fully +dressed. But, as he attempted to approach Mr. Wakely a dizziness +overcame him, and he sank back, trembling on the bed. +</P> + +<P> +"You see I am right," went on the plotter with an evil smile. "You had +better stay where you are." +</P> + +<P> +It seemed to Roy as if all his strength had left him. He had never +felt so weak before, save once, when he was recovering from a severe +fever. +</P> + +<P> +"Where am I; and what do you want?" he managed to ask. +</P> + +<P> +"Now if you'll promise to lie quietly, I'll tell you," went on the man. +"I guess I'll not take any chances though. I'll tie you in bed, and +you can listen then." +</P> + +<P> +It did not take him long, in Roy's weakened condition, to fasten the +boy securely in the bed, by means of ropes which he took from the +cupboard. +</P> + +<P> +"There," remarked Mr. Wakely when he had finished. "I think you'll +stay there for a while. Now listen. You have been brought here for a +certain purpose. I can't tell you just what it is, but, if you behave +yourself, no harm will come to you." +</P> + +<A NAME="img-156"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-156.jpg" ALT=""I think you'll stay there for a while," said Wakely" BORDER="2" WIDTH="408" HEIGHT="626"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 408px"> +"I think you'll stay there for a while," said Wakely +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"But what right have you got to bring me here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind about that. You're here, and you're going to stay." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll call for help, as soon as I'm able." +</P> + +<P> +"And a lot of good it will do you. You are on the top floor of a +tenement house, and there are no tenants except on the first floor. +You can yell until you are hoarse, for there is a big electric light +plant near here. It runs night and day and it makes so much noise +constantly that all the yelling you can do won't be heard above it. +Besides, if the tenants should happen to hear you yelling, they'll pay +no attention to you, for you are supposed to be crazy. I told 'em so. +Now you see how helpless you are." +</P> + +<P> +Roy felt stunned. Why had this man gotten him in his power? +</P> + +<P> +"But I can't see what you want of me," went on Roy weakly. "If it's +money, why take what I have, if you mean to rob me." +</P> + +<P> +"No. I'm not going to rob you." +</P> + +<P> +"Then are you kidnapping me, and holding me for a ransom?" Roy had +read of such things. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much! Kidnapping isn't in my line. I am acting under orders for +a friend of mine. He wants you kept out of the way for a while, and +I'm going to do it. +</P> + +<P> +"Now understand. I'm on guard here, or in the next room all the while. +If I'm not there some one else will be. If you try to escape it will +go hard with you. If you behave you'll be well taken care of, and fed. +In a short time—that is, in a week or so—you will be allowed to go. +Now, if you'll promise to lie quietly, I'll take off the ropes." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll not promise you anything!" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, then you stay tied up. I'm going out for a few minutes, +but you needn't think you can escape." +</P> + +<P> +The man left, locking the door. As soon as he was gone Roy tried to +loosen the bonds, but they were tied too tightly, and he was too weak +to accomplish anything. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what his object is?" thought the boy from the ranch. "He +must have put some drug in that soda to make me partly unconscious. I +remember now it had tasted queer. Then he brought me here. But what +for? I can't understand it. I wonder if I can escape?" +</P> + +<P> +Once more Roy tried to loosen the ropes, but the effort was too much, +and his head, which was not tied down, fell back. He was unconscious. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A DANGEROUS DESCENT +</H3> + +<P> +When Roy regained his senses again, he felt much better. He was still +tied down on the bed, and Wakely was sitting near him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you were quiet enough," remarked the man with a sneer. "I've +got something here to eat. You can take it, if you don't raise a row." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'll take it," said Roy. He knew if he was to make an effort to +escape, which he fully intended to do, he would need all his strength, +and food was necessary. +</P> + +<P> +"Then, I'll loosen the ropes a bit. But, mind now, no funny work, or +I'll tackle you." +</P> + +<P> +Roy had his own opinion as to how he would fare in a tussel with +Wakely, but he said nothing. The ropes were loosened and the boy +partook of the food. He felt better after it. +</P> + +<P> +It was now dark, and Wakely lighted the gas in the room. Roy wondered +whether it was the same day he had been taken from the hotel, or +whether several had elapsed. It was the same day, as he learned later. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, I'm going to sleep in the next room," went on the man, "and I +warn you I'll awaken at the slightest sound. If you try any +tricks—well, it will be better if you don't. As I said, no harm will +come to you—if you're quiet." +</P> + +<P> +Roy did not answer. He wanted to think out a plan of action. He was +puzzled over the queer situation, and wondering who could have any +object in keeping him a prisoner. He did not associate Caleb Annister +with it. +</P> + +<P> +After the meal Wakely again adjusted the ropes about the boy on the +bed, and Roy offered no objections. He was sure when the time came he +could undo the bonds. For what Roy did not know about tying ropes, to +hold anything from a bucking bronco to a wild steer, was not worth +knowing. He was in a situation now where his life on the ranch was +likely to stand him in good stead. +</P> + +<P> +"You can go to sleep whenever you want to," said Wakely. "But +remember—no tricks!" +</P> + +<P> +Roy did not answer. He wanted to think, and he knew he could do it +best in the dark. Presently Wakely turned off the gas, and withdrew, +again locking the door. +</P> + +<P> +It did not need much listening on Roy's part to show that the man had +spoken the truth about the noises near the tenement. There sounded the +whirr of dynamos, the puffing of steam, the rattle of coal and ashes +down chutes—in short it would have taken a loud voice to make itself +heard above the racket. A better place to keep a prisoner, in the +midst of a great city, could not have been devised. +</P> + +<P> +Nevertheless Roy did not give up hope. He resolved to attempt nothing +that night. He wanted daylight to work by, and he felt that Wakely +could not be with him all the while. +</P> + +<P> +"But if I stay here more than a day or so there's going to be trouble," +thought the boy. "Dad will write or telegraph me, in answer to my +letter telling about Annister's game, and, if I can't answer him, he'll +get worried. I wish I could understand what this is all about. Maybe +they take me for another person. Well, I can't do anything now. I +must try to sleep. That stuff he gave me makes my head ache. This +shows how foolish I was to trust too much to strangers. When he got me +to look around at that handkerchief he must have put something into my +soda." +</P> + +<P> +Thus musing, Roy fell into a doze. From that he passed into a heavy +sleep, and Wakely, peering in the door a little later, noted with +satisfaction that his prisoner was deep in slumber. +</P> + +<P> +"That's good," he whispered. "I can get some rest myself now. It's no +joke—being on guard all the while. Some of the others of the gang +have got to help out. I must send word to Baker. He's got to take his +share." +</P> + +<P> +Roy felt better the next morning, and ate with relish the breakfast +Wakely brought in, though the meal was not a very good one. +</P> + +<P> +A little while after this his captor went out, and Roy resolved to +attempt to loosen his bonds. It was a hard task, for he could not work +to advantage, but to his delight he found he could gradually undo some +of the knots. +</P> + +<P> +But he did not cast off the ropes. That was not his plan. As long as +he knew he could loosen them at will, he decided to remain as though +bound. This would make Wakely think he was in no position to escape, +and the man would not keep such close watch. +</P> + +<P> +Soon after this voices were heard in the outer room, and Roy knew some +one was with his guard. They did not come into the apartment, and the +boy saw nothing of any one until, at noon, more food was brought to +him. He deemed it inadvisable to attempt to escape now, and resolved +to wait another day. +</P> + +<P> +Night came, supper was brought, and again Roy was locked in. He was +beginning to be very uncomfortable, lying in bed so long. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll slip out the first chance I get to-morrow," he thought. "Right +after breakfast will be a good time." +</P> + +<P> +Fortune favored him. Soon after Wakely had brought in the morning +meal, he went out, locking the door after him. Roy heard another door +close, and guessed rightly that his captor had left the building. +</P> + +<P> +"Now's my chance!" thought the boy. +</P> + +<P> +Putting into operation his knowledge of ropes and knots, and, by using +his strength, which was not small, he managed to loosen his bonds. In +a few minutes he was standing in the middle of the room free. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for the door!" Roy murmured. "I wonder if I can break it open, or +work the lock?" +</P> + +<P> +A moment's inspection served to show him that to open the portal was +out of the question. The lock was a heavy one. The door itself was +solid, not one with panels, and, after trying it cautiously, for Roy +did not want to make a noise, he decided he could not escape that way. +</P> + +<P> +There was only one other means,—the window. He went to it and looked +out. It was fully sixty feet from the ground, and there was nothing, +in the shape of a lightning rod, or a rain-pipe leader to cling to. +Nothing but the bare tenement house wall, broken here and there with +other windows. +</P> + +<P> +Roy leaned far out. He knew it was useless to shout, as the noise from +the electric shop drowned all other sound. Nor could he see any one +whose attention he might attract. +</P> + +<P> +It was necessary for him that he work quickly, for Wakely, or one of +his friends, might return any moment. Yet how could Roy get out of the +window and to the ground? +</P> + +<P> +He looked about the room for something to aid him. His first thought +was of the bed clothes. He had read of persons tying sheets together, +after tearing them into strips, and so making a rope. But there were +no sheets on his bed, merely a small blanket, for it was warm weather. +There was nothing in the shape of a rope in the room. It looked as if +Roy would have to remain a prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly an idea came to him as he looked at his large valise which, +with his trunk, had been brought to his room. +</P> + +<P> +"I have it!" he exclaimed. "My lasso! It's long enough!" +</P> + +<P> +It did not take a minute to get it from the valise. It was a long thin +lariat, strong enough to support several pounds, and he knew it would +reach over a hundred feet. +</P> + +<P> +"Lucky I thought to bring that with me," he said, "though Billy Carew +laughed at me, and asked if I expected to rope any steers in the +streets of New York. I guess he didn't figure on this." +</P> + +<P> +It did not take Roy two minutes to fasten one end of the lariat to the +bed, which was the heaviest article in the room. Then he tossed the +other end out of the window, noting that it touched the ground, with +several feet to spare. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for it!" murmured the boy. "It's a dangerous climb, to go down +hand over hand, but I think I can slide it!" +</P> + +<P> +Testing the lasso to make sure it was securely fastened, he put one leg +over the window sill, grasped the lariat with both hands, and swung +himself off. +</P> + +<P> +As he did so he heard the door of his room open, and some one rushed +in. There was a cry of alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"That's Wakely," reasoned Roy. "He's discovered that I'm gone." +</P> + +<P> +An instant later the face of Wakely appeared at the window. He shouted +to Roy: +</P> + +<P> +"Come back here!" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'll cut the rope!" +</P> + +<P> +Wakely drew out his knife, but, before he had a chance to use it he was +pulled back, and the face of Mortimer De Royster replaced that of Roy's +late captor. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +GETTING A CLUE +</H3> + +<P> +Roy was so astonished at the sight of his friend, the jewelry salesman, +peering out of the window that he nearly let go his hold of the rope. +He recovered himself quickly, however, and slid on toward the ground. +As he looked up at the casement he could see that De Royster and Wakely +were having some kind of a struggle. +</P> + +<P> +"I must go back and help him," thought Roy. "Mr. De Royster is no +match for that fellow. I'd like to tackle him on my own account, +though he was not cruel to me while he had me a prisoner." +</P> + +<P> +His determination to do this was increased when his friend leaned out +of the window, and called: +</P> + +<P> +"Come on up, Roy! Help me!" +</P> + +<P> +"He's plucky to tackle that fellow alone," thought the boy from the +ranch. +</P> + +<P> +But now he had no time for musings. He must act. As he let go the +rope, his feet having touched the ground, he found himself in the not +very clean yard of the tenement. +</P> + +<P> +About him were boxes and barrels of rubbish, decaying vegetables were +on all sides, besides tin cans and heaps of refuse. Clearly the +tenants in the house were not particular. +</P> + +<P> +Roy looked about him. The yard was surrounded by a high fence, and +there were no persons in sight. To the rear was the electric light +plant, and on either side, the yards of other tenement houses. Then +Roy saw an alley, which, he thought, would lead to the street. +</P> + +<P> +Leaving his lariat dangling, he made a dash for the alley and soon +found himself in front of the tenement house, where he had so recently +been a prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +Up the stairs he went on the jump, and, as he came near the room where +he had been held, he could hear the sound of a struggle. +</P> + +<P> +"They're fighting!" he thought. "I must help De Royster!" +</P> + +<P> +As he entered the apartment he saw the jewelry salesman holding Wakely +by the wrists, while the man was endeavoring to get away. +</P> + +<P> +"Quiet now, my dear fellow!" exclaimed Mortimer De Royster. "I say, +old chap, you can't get away, don't you know. I've got you, and I'm +going to have you arrested." +</P> + +<P> +"You are, eh? I'll see about that!" exclaimed Wakely. "Let go of me!" +</P> + +<P> +At the same time he gave a violent wrench. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on, my dear fellow," remonstrated De Royster. "You mustn't do +that, don't you know." +</P> + +<P> +In spite of his rather slight built De Royster was proving himself +almost a match for Wakely. But his strength was not of the lasting +kind, while the other's was. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me go!" fiercely demanded Wakely. "If you don't it will be the +worst for you!" +</P> + +<P> +At the same time he gave such a yank that he succeeded in freeing one +arm. But De Royster was not going to give up so easily. He grabbed +Wakely around the waist. +</P> + +<P> +At that moment Roy made a rush for Wakely. Just as he was about to +grab him, he was thrust aside by some one from behind. Wakely turned, +gave one look at the newcomer, and cried: +</P> + +<P> +"Quick! Tell Annister he's escaped!" +</P> + +<P> +Wakely had not yet observed Roy, as the boy from the ranch was back of +him. Then the man who had taken Roy from the hotel succeeded in +breaking the hold De Royster and Roy had on him. He dashed from the +room, just as the other man, to whom he had called the warning, also +ran out. Both seemed much frightened. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on!" cried De Royster, as if either of the men would stop for +that. "Hold on! I know you." +</P> + +<P> +"Come on! We'll get 'em!" shouted Roy, turning quickly and starting +after his captor and the confederate. +</P> + +<P> +But he was too late. +</P> + +<P> +Wakely slammed the door of the room shut, and locked it, and Roy knew +it would be useless to try and open it. +</P> + +<P> +"Break the door down!" exclaimed Mortimer De Royster. "We can catch +them!" +</P> + +<P> +"The door's too strong," replied Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Then we're caught!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but don't worry. I can go down the lariat the same as I did +before." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you can, but I can't my dear fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'll come up the stairs and open the door for you, if the key's +there. Say, but how did you get here, anyhow?" +</P> + +<P> +"I came after you. I've been tracing you for hours. What does it all +mean, Roy? Why did they take you a prisoner?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Wait until I get my breath and I'll talk." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. I'm a little troubled that way myself, don't you know. If +I could have held that chap a little longer I would have had him." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but he had help at hand." +</P> + +<P> +"Right again, old chap. The other man came in at the wrong time. You +know who he was, don't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. I didn't get a good look at his face. Who was he?" +</P> + +<P> +"One of the four swindlers from out West who got my watch and diamond +pin!" +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean it;" cried Roy, much excited. He began to understand +part of the plot now. +</P> + +<P> +"That's who he was," declared the dudish salesman. "I knew him at +once, but I couldn't warn you. I needed all my breath to hold that +other man. What was his name? I've forgotten." +</P> + +<P> +"He called himself Wakely. I met him at my hotel." +</P> + +<P> +The exciting incidents of the last few minutes, and the surprise +created by De Royster's announcement that one of the train swindlers +was a friend of Wakely, set Roy to thinking. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you hear what the fellow, whom I was holding, said just before he +got away?" asked Mr. De Royster, after a pause. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he said 'Quick! Tell Annister he's escaped!'" +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what he meant?" +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon I can explain. I might as well tell you the whole story of +why I came to New York, and you will understand. Caleb Annister is the +name of the man who is agent for some property my father and I own. It +was this man whose actions I came to investigate. I found him to be a +swindler, and I gave him a short time in which to pay back the money he +had wrongfully retained." +</P> + +<P> +"What did he say?" +</P> + +<P> +"He tried to explain, but it was a pretty poor explanation. I caught +him 'with the goods on him', as we say out West." +</P> + +<P> +"But why should this man whom I held—this Wakely—want the other to +warn Annister about some one escaping?" +</P> + +<P> +"That 'some one' was me. I believe Annister got these fellows to get +me out of the way for a time, until he could work some of his schemes. +Perhaps he thought I would be frightened, and go back West, where I +could not bother him any more. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you going?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit. I'm going to keep right after him. I begin to see through +his plot. This man Wakely came to my hotel purposely to get acquainted +with me. Then he drugged me, and got me out to this place, where he +kept me a prisoner. What was to be the outcome I don't know. But I am +surprised to hear you say that the other man who came into the room was +one of the swindlers who robbed you." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure of it. I would never forget his face. Wakely, too, seems +familiar, but I can't place him." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe Wakely is a member of their gang, and perhaps Annister, too, is +in with them." +</P> + +<P> +"I shouldn't be surprised. What do you think we had better do?" +</P> + +<P> +Neither of them yet recognized Wakely as Tupper. +</P> + +<P> +"I think we'd better get out of this place before they come back with +reinforcements," said Roy with a laugh. He was cool, despite what he +had gone through, for he was somewhat used to meeting danger and doing +his best to escape. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll slide down my rope again," he went on, "come up the stairs, and +open the door. Then we can talk it over. I must get my baggage away +from here." +</P> + +<P> +It did not take the boy long to repeat his feat with the lariat, and +soon, having found a key, he opened the door from without, releasing +Mortimer De Royster. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A LAWYER'S ADVICE +</H3> + +<P> +"Now, what's the first thing to be done, my dear chap?" asked De +Royster, as Roy loosed the lasso from the bed and coiled it up. +</P> + +<P> +"Arrange to get my stuff away from here. I reckon, and back to my +hotel. Then I want to hear how you traced me." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you. But I agree with you that we had better leave this +place. Let's go down to the street and engage an expressman." +</P> + +<P> +They found one who agreed to take Roy's baggage back to the hotel. +After seeing it safely in the wagon, during which time a few of the +tenants in the house looked on curiously, but said nothing, the two +friends started for the hotel, where Roy had been stopping. +</P> + +<P> +"As soon as I called at your hotel that night, and found you had been +taken away, sick, by a man who had only recently come to the place, I +suspected something was wrong," explained Mr. De Royster, on the way. +"The clerk told me about you going away in a cab, and gave me a fairly +good description of the driver, whom he had a glimpse of. It was a cab +seldom seen in this part of the city. +</P> + +<P> +"I knew my best plan, don't you know, would be to find that driver, and +learn where he had taken you and your baggage. My idea was that some +sharpers had gotten you into their power to rob you. I never suspected +there was such a deep plot." +</P> + +<P> +"Neither did I," replied Roy, "and I don't believe we have seen the +last of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," went on De Royster, "I had quite a time tracing that cabman. I +must have interviewed nearly fifty drivers before I found one who knew +a fellow that answered the description of the one who had taken you +away. But at last I located him, and, though he was reluctant at +first, to tell me what I wanted to know, he did, after I threatened to +call in the police." +</P> + +<P> +"Would you have done so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. I felt that you were in danger, for you know little of New +York." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, and I'm afraid it will take me a long time to learn. I'm +pretty green." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you may be in some things, but you can go ahead of New Yorkers +in lots of ways. That was a great trick, sliding down that lasso." +</P> + +<P> +"It was lucky I had it with me." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed it was, and it was a good thing those scoundrels took your +baggage as well as you, or you might have been there yet." +</P> + +<P> +"No, for you would have helped me, I reckon. You arrived just a few +minutes after I had started to escape. How did you manage it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, as I said, my dear chap," replied De Royster, adjusting his one +eye glass, which had fallen out during the struggle with Wakely, "I +made the cabman tell me where he took you, and, after that it was an +easy matter to locate you. I got to the tenement right behind Wakely +and I followed him up the stairs, though, then, I didn't know who he +was, and I rushed into the room as soon as he opened the door, for he +forgot to close it when he looked at the bed and saw it empty. I +suspected you had been in here, when I saw what a lonesome sort of +place it was. I pulled him back, just as he had his knife out, ready +to cut the lasso." +</P> + +<P> +"I hardly believe he would have dared to cut it," said Roy. "He only +wanted to scare me into coming back." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he did. But I was not going to take any chances; I just +grabbed him." +</P> + +<P> +"That was fine on your part." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's nothing. Look what you did for me. I only paid you back a +little." +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense. As if I wanted pay." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course you didn't, but I was glad of the chance. I only wish I +could have held Wakely. Now, I suppose he'll go and tell Annister, and +they'll keep right after you." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think so?" +</P> + +<P> +"I believe so, from what you tell me of the men." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what would you advise me to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Let me think it over a bit. Suppose we go to your room?" +</P> + +<P> +"All right." +</P> + +<P> +There was considerable surprise on the part of the clerk at the hotel +when Roy came back. On the way he and Mortimer De Royster had agreed +it would be better not to say anything about the reason for the taking +away of the boy from the ranch—a veritable kidnapping in fact. So it +was explained that Roy had recovered from his temporary illness, and +had simply been away on business, which was true enough in its +way,—though it was not very pleasant business. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," said De Royster, when he and Roy were once more back in the +former's room. "This is what I would do. I would consult a good +lawyer, and let him advise me. I think this is too much for you to +handle alone." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you are right. Do you know a good lawyer?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can introduce you to the one who does business for our firm. He is +very reliable, and his charges are reasonable." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we will go see him, after I have changed my clothes. Sleeping in +them hasn't made them look exactly as new as they were." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a good idea. Have you heard from your father since writing to +him about Annister?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Perhaps a letter came while I was away. I wonder where +they would send it?" +</P> + +<P> +"They would keep it here until you gave them some instructions for +forwarding it. I'll inquire at the desk for you while you are changing +your clothes." +</P> + +<P> +As Roy had purchased two suits on coming to New York, he had a new one +to put on, while the other was sent to be pressed. He had not finished +dressing when De Royster came back. +</P> + +<P> +"No letters, but there's a telegram," he said, handing Roy the yellow +envelope. +</P> + +<P> +The boy tore it open and read: +</P> + +<P> +"Letter received. No doubt Annister is swindler. You are doing right. +Keep after him. Don't spare expense. Take property from his control, +and give to some good man. I leave it to you. Answer when you get +this." +</P> + +<P> +"Why this came yesterday," said Roy. "Dad will be wondering why he +doesn't hear from me." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you had better answer at once. There is a branch telegraph +office in the hotel lobby. Write an answer and I'll take it down while +you finish dressing." +</P> + +<P> +A reply was soon prepared and sent. Meanwhile Roy got ready for the +street and, accompanied by De Royster, he went to the lawyer's office. +</P> + +<P> +The legal gentleman greeted Mortimer De Royster cordially. Roy was +quite surprised to find out how many friends the jewelry salesman had. +Everyone seemed to like him in spite of his odd ways. +</P> + +<P> +Roy's story was soon told. The lawyer took off his gold spectacles, +wiped them carefully with a silk handkerchief, replaced them, looked at +Roy over the tops of them, and remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"Hum!" +</P> + +<P> +It was not very encouraging, nor did it tell very much. Roy began to +fear he had not made himself clear. +</P> + +<P> +"I would like—" he began. +</P> + +<P> +"What you want is my advice as to how next to proceed; isn't it?" asked +the lawyer, as though he had come to some decision, as indeed he had. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I shall have to look into this matter of the property. +Evidently Mr. Annister has some reason for wanting you out of the way. +What it is we shall have to discover. Meanwhile you had better do +nothing." +</P> + +<P> +"But suppose they kidnap him again?" asked De Royster. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe they'll dare do that. Perhaps you had better take +care where you go, however. In the meanwhile I will make some +inquiries about this property. I will communicate with you as soon as +I have anything to report." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think you can make Mr. Annister give back the money he has +wrongfully kept?" asked Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid I can't give you an opinion until I have looked further +into the case," said the lawyer with a smile. "It may be necessary to +take civil action, and we might have to make a criminal complaint. Now +don't worry about it. I'll look after it. Just you keep out of the +way of those men." +</P> + +<P> +"I will," agreed Roy with a laugh. "I'm not afraid of them, however. +I'll be ready for them next time." +</P> + +<P> +"Another thing," went on the lawyer, "don't drink ice cream sodas, or +anything else, with strangers." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll stick to Mr. De Royster," said the boy. "I reckon if I trail +along with him they'll not be able to rope me." +</P> + +<P> +"Rope you? Oh, yes, I understand," replied the lawyer with a smile. +"Yes, that's right. Good morning." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ANOTHER RASCALLY ATTEMPT +</H3> + +<P> +"What next?" asked Roy of Mortimer De Royster, as they emerged from the +lawyer's office. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, as it's getting near dinner time, suppose we go back to the +hotel." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a good idea. Will you stay and have grub with me—I mean +lunch. I must get used to calling it that while I'm in New York." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, thank you. I've got a good appetite since that tussel with +Wakely." +</P> + +<P> +"You had nerve to tackle him." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought he was going to cut the rope and let you drop." +</P> + +<P> +"If he had, that would have been the end of me. I'd have 'passed in my +chips,' as the card players say." +</P> + +<P> +"Those card players! I'd like to meet them. I'd get even with them +for stealing my watch and diamond!" +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe you'll have a chance, when we round up Annister." +</P> + +<P> +"If we ever do. But I imagine he's too slick a criminal to be caught." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll see," said Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"What would you like to do this afternoon?" asked De Royster, when the +meal was finished. "I can show you some sights if you'd like to see +them." +</P> + +<P> +"I sure would. I haven't had much time so far. There wasn't a great +deal to see in that tenement." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll go up to Bronx Park. We can make a quick trip in the +subway." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the place I thought was a tunnel, and I was wondering when we +would come to the end," and Roy laughed at the memory of his natural +mistake. +</P> + +<P> +The two friends had a good time in the Park, looking at the animals. +The herd of buffalo interested Roy very much, as did the elephants, +tigers, and other beasts from tropical countries, for he had never seen +any before, since no circuses ever came to Painted Stone, nor anywhere +in that vicinity. +</P> + +<P> +"You haven't got any of these out West; have you?" asked Mortimer De +Royster, with a New Yorker's usual pride in the big Zoo. +</P> + +<P> +"No, and we don't want 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"They'd stampede the cattle in seven counties. What would a drove of +steers or a band of horses do if they saw one of them elephants coming +at 'em, so's they couldn't tell which end was the tail? Or one of them +long-necked giraffes? Why, those giraffes would starve out our way. +There's no trees tall enough for 'em to eat their breakfast from." +</P> + +<P> +They went into the reptile house, and the snakes fascinated Roy. He +paused before a glass box of rattlers. +</P> + +<P> +"There's something we've got out West," he said, "and we'd give a good +deal not to have 'em. We lose lots of cattle from snake-bites—those +ugly rattlers! I don't like to look at 'em! I nearly stepped on one +once, and he stuck his fangs in my boot." +</P> + +<P> +"What did you do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Stepped on it and killed it. Come on; let's look at something more +pleasant." +</P> + +<P> +They spent the rest of the day in the Park, and returned to the hotel +that evening. +</P> + +<P> +For about a week nothing occurred. Mortimer De Royster took Roy for +occasional pleasure trips, including one jaunt to Coney Island, where +the boy from the ranch had his first glimpse of the ocean. The big +waves, and the immense expanse of water, astonished him more than +anything he had seen in New York. +</P> + +<P> +"I never knew there was so much water in the world," he said. "This +would be fine out our way in time of drouth, when all the pastures dry +up." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid it would be worse than none at all," said Mr. De Royster. +"It's salt, and it would kill the grass." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. I didn't think about that." +</P> + +<P> +They went in bathing, and took in many amusements at the pleasure +resort. It was quite late when they got back to the hotel, and De +Royster did not go all the way with Roy, turning off to go to his own +boarding house, which was about a mile from where Roy was stopping. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see you to-morrow," called the jewelry salesman, as the two +parted. "I guess the lawyer will have some word for us then." +</P> + +<P> +"There's a note for you," said the hotel clerk to Roy as the boy +entered, and he handed over a sealed envelope. In the upper left hand +corner was the printed name and address of the lawyer to whom De +Royster had taken him. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Felix Ketchum must have some news for me," thought Roy, as he +opened the note. It was a written request for him to call at a certain +address that night, where he would receive some information that would +be of service to him, and the communication was signed with Mr. +Ketchum's name. A postscript stated that the lawyer would be there. +</P> + +<P> +"That's queer," thought the boy. "I wonder why he didn't have me call +at his office? But perhaps he has to work secretly against Annister. +I guess that's it." +</P> + +<P> +"When did this note come?" he asked the clerk. +</P> + +<P> +"Right after dinner." +</P> + +<P> +"Dinner?" +</P> + +<P> +"I mean the evening dinner—I suppose you call it supper out West," and +the clerk smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we do. Who brought this?" +</P> + +<P> +"A boy. He said there was no answer. Hope it isn't bad news." +</P> + +<P> +"No; only a business matter. Can you tell me where the Bowery is?" +</P> + +<P> +"The Bowery. You're not going there; are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I have an appointment to meet a man there," and Roy mentioned the +number. +</P> + +<P> +"You want to be careful," cautioned the clerk. "It's not the best +place in the world after dark. Don't take much money with you, for you +might be robbed." +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't there policemen there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but they can't be all over. That address is not far from the +Chinese district, and it's a hanging-out place for thieves and +criminals." +</P> + +<P> +"Funny that Mr. Ketchum should want me to go there," thought Roy, "but +perhaps he has to get evidence against Mr. Annister from a man who +doesn't care to be seen during the day. I guess I'll chance it. There +can't be much danger in the midst of a big city, with policemen around. +Besides I'll be on my guard. I wish I could tell Mr. De Royster. But, +no, I'll not bother him. He'll think I'm a regular baby, not able to +take care of myself." +</P> + +<P> +This thought decided Roy to go alone. He suspected nothing, but, had +he known more about New York, he would have considered twice before +venturing into one of the worst parts of that great city. +</P> + +<P> +The clerk once more cautioned the boy, gave him directions how to get +to the address on the Bowery, and in due time Roy arrived there. Part +of the street was brilliantly lighted, but the building where he was +directed to call, was in a dark location, and did not look very +inviting. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if this is it?" thought Roy. "Guess I'll ask." +</P> + +<P> +He saw a door opening into a dim hallway. A man was standing there. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Mr. Ketchum in this building?" asked Roy, for the note had +instructed him to ask for the lawyer. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, come on in," said the man gruffly. +</P> + +<P> +Roy advanced. The door shut after him with a click, and he was left in +almost total darkness. At the same time he felt some one grab him. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you got him?" cried a voice. "Don't hurt him, but hold him +tight." +</P> + +<P> +Roy recognized the voice as that of Caleb Annister! +</P> + +<P> +As he felt arms closing around him he kicked out vigorously. There was +a howl of pain, but Roy was not released. He knew that once more he +was in the hands of Annister's accomplices. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE ROUND-UP—CONCLUSION +</H3> + +<P> +Across Roy's mind it flashed in an instant that he had been deceived by +the note—it was a forgery. He had been tricked into coming to the +Bowery. He dwelt but momentarily on this, however, for he needed to +devote all his attention to escaping from the grip of the man who held +him. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately Roy was of exceptional strength for so young a lad. His +training on the ranch, roping steers, training wild horses, and his +life in the open, made him more than a match for the average man. +</P> + +<P> +He kicked out vigorously, right and left, and squirmed like an eel. He +felt the grip of the man relaxing, and heard him call for aid. Then +another came. +</P> + +<P> +But Roy was fighting desperately. He made up his mind not only not to +let the men take him away again, but to hold them until help came. +With this in view he set up a loud shout. +</P> + +<P> +"Police! Police! Police!" he cried, remembering what the hotel clerk +had said about the bluecoats being on the Bowery. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop his mouth or we'll all be arrested!" exclaimed some one. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Can't you manage him?" asked Annister desperately. +</P> + +<P> +"He's as strong as a horse!" Roy heard one man grunt, and this caused +the boy to smile grimly. +</P> + +<P> +The struggle in the dark continued. The boy had a good grip on two +men, and was preventing them from dragging him down the dark hallway. +</P> + +<P> +But help was at hand. His cries had been heard in the street, and, a +moment later the door leading to the thoroughfare opened, and a little +light came in. +</P> + +<P> +At the same time Roy heard the sound of a club striking on the pavement. +</P> + +<P> +"The cops are coming!" cried a voice. +</P> + +<P> +A few seconds later a burly bluecoat entered the door. +</P> + +<P> +"What's going on?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing but a drunken row," quickly replied one of the men who had +attacked Roy, at the same time trying to loosen the grip of the lad. +"I'm putting the fellow out." +</P> + +<P> +The plotter would have been glad to drop the matter now and escape, but +Roy had no intention of letting him go. +</P> + +<P> +"Officer!" exclaimed Roy quickly, "they're trying to get me away! I've +got hold of two of 'em. Give us a hand and we'll throw and tie 'em +both." +</P> + +<P> +He talked as though he was on the ranch, handling a pair of refractory +calves. +</P> + +<P> +Somehow the officer recognized the honesty in Roy's voice. He knew it +was not uncommon for thieves and pickpockets to attack persons in dark +hallways. He supposed it was one of those cases. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll help you!" he exclaimed, quickly advancing. Some one in the rear +of the hall had opened a door, and the place was lighter. The +policeman saw two men whom Roy had gripped, holding them by twisting +his hands in their coats. The men tried to escape. +</P> + +<P> +"No, you don't!" exclaimed the officer, grabbing one. "I've got you." +</P> + +<P> +At the same time a second policeman appeared, and took charge of the +other. The rest of the men escaped. +</P> + +<P> +"Now let's see who we've got," said the first bluecoat, as he led his +prisoner to the light in the rear. His brother officer did likewise. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know either of 'em," announced the first policeman. +</P> + +<P> +"Me either," admitted his colleague. "They must belong to a new +pickpocket gang." +</P> + +<P> +But Roy knew them both. One was Caleb Annister, and the other John +Wakely, alias Dennison Tupper, though Roy did not learn that until +later. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you want to make a charge against these two?" asked the first +officer. "A charge of attempted pocket picking?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's worse than that," replied Roy. "They tried to kidnap me." +</P> + +<P> +"Kidnap you? Then you'd better come to the station, and tell the +sergeant all about it. I'll ring for the wagon." +</P> + +<P> +In a little while the patrol vehicle dashed up with a clanging of the +gong, and, through the great crowd that almost instantly gathered, Roy +followed the two officers and their prisoners into the wagon. They +were soon at the station house. +</P> + +<P> +"How do I know but what you're all of one gang?" asked the sergeant, +when Roy had told his story, while the other two remained obstinately +silent. +</P> + +<P> +"If you will telephone for Mr. Ketchum he will identify me." +</P> + +<P> +The name produced an instant effect, for Mr. Ketchum was a lawyer well +known in police circles, as he prosecuted many criminals. +</P> + +<P> +The sergeant telephoned, and, in a short time, came the answer from Mr. +Ketchum's home that he would come to the station and identify Roy. +</P> + +<P> +He did so, and the sergeant admitted his mistake. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll just lock these two up," he said, indicating Mr. Annister and +Wakely. +</P> + +<P> +"You're not going to lock me up, are you?" asked Caleb Annister, who +seemed to lose all courage as he saw the way matters were going. +"You're not going to prosecute me, are you, Roy Bradner? I'll make +restitution! I'll pay it all back!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then you confess you swindled this boy, and his father?" asked Mr. +Ketchum quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"I—er—I won't say anything," replied the other sullenly, as he saw +the mistake he had made. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't have to. I have evidence enough to convict you without any +admissions on your part. I discovered your scheme in time. A few days +more and it would have been too late to pay the taxes, and save the +property for Mr. Bradner and his son." +</P> + +<P> +"Was he going to take the property?" asked Roy, amazed at the duplicity +of the agent his father had trusted. +</P> + +<P> +"He was. That is why he tried to have you put out of the way. He was +afraid you would interfere with his plan before the two weeks expired. +Fortunately I discovered it in time. To-morrow I will pay the taxes in +your father's name, and the building will remain the property of him +and yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the charge against these two, then?" asked the sergeant. +</P> + +<P> +"Attempted kidnapping and embezzlement against him," replied Mr. +Ketchum, indicating Annister, "and against Wakely, a charge of actual +kidnapping. I think we shall be able to arrest the others in the gang, +also." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on!" exclaimed a voice, and Roy turned around to behold Mortimer +De Royster. "There's another charge to be made." +</P> + +<P> +"Who against?" asked the sergeant, impressed by the apparently wealthy +air of the jewelry salesman. +</P> + +<P> +"Against him," pointing to Wakely. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the charge?" +</P> + +<P> +"Robbery. He and three others stole my gold watch and diamond pin." +</P> + +<P> +Wakely uttered an exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"I now recognize him as one of the robbers, even though he has shaved +his moustache off," went on De Royster, and Roy, now, also knew where +it was he had heard Wakely's voice before. +</P> + +<P> +"Lock 'em up!" called the sergeant to the doorman, as he made an entry +on the blotter, against the prisoners' names. "You can see the Judge +in the morning," he went on. "I suppose you will be here, Mr. Ketchum?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes. I will prosecute this case to a finish. It was a wicked and +bold attempt at swindling." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you seem to turn up every time I need you," remarked Roy to +Mortimer De Royster. "How did you know I was here?" +</P> + +<P> +"I called at your hotel shortly after you left. I had forgotten to +tell you, when we parted, that I would call for you early to-morrow +morning. The clerk said you had gone to the Bowery, after receiving a +note. +</P> + +<P> +"I was suspicious, and I followed. I got there just as the patrol +wagon left, and I came on to the station house. Well, I guess you +'rounded them up' as you call it, Roy." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, they're roped and in the corral now, all right. That is, part of +them are." +</P> + +<P> +"The police will get the others. They'll make Annister and Wakely tell +who their confederates are." +</P> + +<P> +Mortimer De Royster's surmise proved correct. Later that night Hynard, +Baker and Sutton were arrested, just as they were about to leave the +city. On Sutton were found pawn tickets representing De Royster's +watch and diamond, and he got them back in due time. There were also +some envelopes and letter heads secured in some criminal way from Mr. +Ketchum's office. On one of them the note to Roy had been written. +</P> + +<P> +After a hearing the swindlers and Annister, the rascally real estate +agent, were sent to jail, in default of bail, there to await trial on +several charges. +</P> + +<P> +Eventually they were sent to prison for long terms. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you saved your father's building for him," remarked Mr. Ketchum +to Roy, a few days later. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you really think Annister could have gotten it into his possession?" +</P> + +<P> +"He could, under the law. Of course we might have contested it, but it +would have been a long and expensive proceeding. He would have had a +tax deed to it, and that is considered pretty good. Your father can be +proud of you. What are you going to do now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Go back to the ranch, I guess. I've done all dad told me to, except +get a good man to look after the property. Perhaps you can suggest +some one?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think I can arrange that without difficulty." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I wish you would. I know my father would be glad to have you." +</P> + +<P> +This was done a few days later, and Mr. Bradner was informed, by +telegraph, of what had transpired. He could now be sure of getting all +the rent money from the Bleeker Building. Little was ever recovered of +the money that Mr. Annister had unlawfully retained, for his property +was so tied up that the law could not touch it. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, since your business is all attended to, why can't you stay in New +York a few weeks longer, and see more of the sights?" proposed Mortimer +De Royster to the boy from the ranch. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I will," decided Roy. +</P> + +<P> +"Besides, you have still a visit to make." +</P> + +<P> +"A visit?" +</P> + +<P> +"Exactly. You must call on that lady of the runaway." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I reckon she has forgotten me," answered the boy from the ranch. +</P> + +<P> +But he had not been forgotten, as a visit to the lady's home quickly +proved. He was royally entertained, and the lady's husband insisted +upon presenting him with a ruby scarf pin, doing so in the names of +both his wife and his little daughter. +</P> + +<P> +"And now you've got to make me a promise," said Roy to Mortimer De +Royster, when the boy from the ranch was ready to go home. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Roy, anything you say goes." +</P> + +<P> +"You must visit our ranch soon. I'll show you the best time possible." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know what sort of a figure I'd cut on a ranch," answered the +jewelry salesman, with a faint smile. "Don't forget how I got mixed up +with those sharpers when I was out in your neighborhood." +</P> + +<P> +"We haven't any sharpers at our ranch. If they came around where we +were our cowboys would treat them pretty rough, I can tell you that. +I'd like to get you on one of our ponies and ride you across the +ranges. You'd find it the best kind of outdoor exercise." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you there, Roy." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you will come? I want you to meet my father. You'll soon get +used to our style of living—just as I got used to city ways." And the +boy from the ranch grinned as he thought of the experiences he had +undergone. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll come if I possibly can," answered Mortimer De Royster. Let me +add here that he did come, during the following July, and he and Roy +had many a good time together, hunting, fishing, and rounding-up cattle. +</P> + +<P> +It must be admitted that Roy was anxious to get home, to see his father +and tell his parent the details of what had transpired. He found his +father much improved, for which he was thankful. +</P> + +<P> +"Roy, you did well—as well as any man could have done," said Mr. +Bradner. "I am proud of you." And his beaming face showed he meant +what he said. +</P> + +<P> +It was a happy reunion. The cowboys were also glad to have the boy +among them again, and that night they held a sort of jollification, +lighting a big bonfire and shooting off their firearms as if it was the +Fourth of July. And here let us take our leave of The Boy from the +Ranch. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" noshade> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY FROM THE RANCH***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 21794-h.txt or 21794-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/7/9/21794">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/7/9/21794</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Webster + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Boy from the Ranch + Or Roy Bradner's City Experiences + + +Author: Frank V. Webster + + + +Release Date: June 10, 2007 [eBook #21794] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY FROM THE RANCH*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 21794-h.htm or 21794-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/7/9/21794/21794-h/21794-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/7/9/21794/21794-h.zip) + + + + + +THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + +Or + +Roy Bradner's City Experiences + +by + +FRANK V. WEBSTER + +Author of "Only a Farm Boy," "The Newsboy +Partners," "Bob the Castaway," "The +Young Treasure Hunter," Etc. + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "Some fired their revolvers"] + + + + +New York +Cupples & Leon Company +Publishers +Copyright, 1909, by +Cupples & Leon Company +THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I. ROY RECEIVES A MESSAGE + II. MR. BRADNER IS SUSPICIOUS + III. A FAREWELL RIDE + IV. ROY IS PUZZLED + V. A QUEER BED + VI. A SUDDEN AWAKENING + VII. A GAME ON THE TRAIN + VIII. A STOP FOR REPAIRS + IX. THE DUDE IS SWINDLED + X. ROY GAINS A FRIEND + XI. ROY STOPS A RUNAWAY + XII. AT THE HOTEL + XIII. A VISIT TO MR. ANNISTER + XIV. ROY'S TRICK + XV. CALEB ANNISTER IS SURPRISED + XVI. SOME NEW EXPERIENCES + XVII. CALEB ANNISTER MAKES PLANS + XVIII. ROY IN DANGER + XIX. ROY IS MISSING + XX. IN THE TENEMENT + XXI. A DANGEROUS DESCENT + XXII. GETTING A CLUE + XXIII. A LAWYER'S ADVICE + XXIV. ANOTHER RASCALLY ATTEMPT + XXV. THE ROUND-UP--CONCLUSION + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + "Some fired their revolvers" . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + + "Look out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!" + + "Get out of my office!" + + "I think you'll stay there for a while," said Wakely. + + + + +THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + + +CHAPTER I + +ROY RECEIVES A MESSAGE + +"Hi there, Low Bull, ruste [Transcriber's note: rustle?] around the +other way and round up them steers! Hustle now! What's the matter +with you? Want to go to sleep on the trail?" + +Billy Carew, foreman of the Triple O ranch, addressed these remarks to +a rather ugly-looking Indian, who was riding a pony that seemed much +too small for him. The Indian, who was employed as a cowboy, was +letting his steed amble slowly along, paying little attention to the +work of rounding up the cattle. + +"Come now, Low Bull, get a move on," advised the foreman. "Make +believe you're hunting palefaces," he added, and then, speaking in a +lower tone he said: "this is the last time I'll ever hire a lazy Indian +to help round-up." + +"What's the matter, Billy?" asked a tall, well-built lad, riding up to +the foreman. + +"Matter? Everything's the matter. Here I foolishly go and give Low +Bull charge of the left wing of rounding up these steers, and he's so +lazy and good-for-nothing that he'll let half of 'em get away 'fore we +get back to the ranch. Get a move on you now!" he called to the +Indian, and, seeing that the foreman was very much in earnest, Low Bull +urged his pony to a gallop, and began to get the straggling steers into +some kind of shape. + +"Can't I help you, Billy?" asked the boy. + +Since he is to figure largely in this story I shall give you a brief +description of him. Roy Bradner was the only son of James Bradner, who +owned a large ranch, near the town of Painted Stone, in Colorado. The +boy's mother was dead, and he had lived with his father on the ranch +ever since he was a baby. + +Spending much of his time in the open air, Roy had become almost as +strong and sturdy as a man, and in some respects he could do the work +of one. + +He was quite expert in managing horses, even steeds that had never +known a saddle, and at throwing the lariat, or lasso, few on the ranch +could beat him. He was a good shot with the revolver and rifle, and, +in short, was a typical western boy. + +"Can't I help you, Billy?" the lad asked again, as he saw the foreman +had not appeared to hear his question. + +"Yes, I wish you would, Roy. Ride up there alongside of Low Bull, and +sort of keep him up to the mark. It sure looks as if he was going to +sleep in the saddle." + +"I'll do it, Billy. Where are we going to camp to-night?" + +"Well, I guess if we make a few miles more I'll call it a day's work +and quit. We've done pretty well, and if Low Bull would have done his +share, we'd be nearer the ranch than we are now. I don't want any +better round-up men than Nesting Henderson and the rest, but we need +another man, and that's why I had to take Low Bull along. But I'll +know better next time." + +"Never mind, Billy. I'll see if I can't keep him on the go," said Roy, +and, with a ringing shout, to hurry up some lagging steers, he touched +his horse lightly with the spurs, and dashed toward where the Indian +was making a half-hearted effort to keep his division of the drive from +straggling. + +"I've come to help you, Low Bull," announced Roy, as he reached the +side of the Indian. + +"Hu! Boy heap smart!" grunted the redman. "Steers like boy--go fast +now." + +In fact it seemed as if the cattle knew some one was now behind them +who would keep them on the move, for they quickened their pace. + +"I don't know whether they like me or not," remarked Roy, with a laugh +that showed his white teeth in contrast to his bronzed skin, "for I +reckon if I happened to fall off my horse they'd trample over me mighty +quick; they sure would." + +"Hu! Mebby so. Steers no like men not on hoss," spoke Low Bull, +stating a fact well known among cattlemen, for the steers of the plains +are so used to seeing a man on a horse, that once a cowboy is +dismounted the cattle become frightened, and are liable to stampede, +and trample the unfortunate man to death. + +"Billy says we must hurry the steers along," went on Roy. "We're going +to camp pretty soon, and he wants to get to the ranch as soon as +possible, though I guess it will take us two days more." + +"No need so much rush," said Low Bull. "Go slow be better. Boy drive +steers now, Low Bull take smoke and think. Low Bull much tired." + +"I guess he was born that way," thought Roy, as he saw the redman start +to make a cigarette, a habit he had learned from the white cowboys. +Low Bull was soon smoking in peace and comfort, while he let his pony +amble along at its own sweet will. The Indian gave no further thought +to the cattle, leaving the management of the stragglers to Roy, and the +lad had to dash here and there on his nimble pony, shouting and waving +his lariat, to keep the lagging steers up with the rest of the herd. +However, Roy was so full of life, and took so much interest in his +work, that he did not mind doing Low Bull's share, as well as his own. + +"That's just like that lazy Indian," remarked Billy Carew, as he +observed, from a distance, what Roy was doing. "He'll let the boy do +all the work. I'll discharge him after this round-up, that's what I'll +do. Might have known better than to hire one of them copper-skins!" + +Roy, whose father owned the Triple O ranch, had come out on this +round-up about a week previously. On all big ranches it is the custom, +at stated intervals to send out a party of men to round-up, or gather +together, in herds, the cattle or horses that may have strayed to +distant pastures. + +Sometimes a week or more is spent on this work, the men sleeping out of +doors, and making camp wherever darkness overtakes them. During the +night they take turns riding around the cattle, to keep them from +straying away. + +Day by day the herd is driven nearer the ranch, until they are either +placed in corrals, which are big pens, or are counted, brands put on +the new calves, and turned out again, to roam about over the immense +pastures, and fatten up for the market. + +Mr. Bradner was an extensive ranch owner, and had several herds of +cattle. He was considered quite wealthy, but he had made his money by +hard work, having very little when he first went out west with his wife +and little boy. His wife had died soon after he reached Colorado, and, +after his baby days, Roy had been brought up by his father. + +The boy liked the life on the ranch, and was fast becoming an expert +along cattle lines. He was a good judge of steers and horses, and, +while he knew nothing of city ways, never since a mere infant having +been in anything larger than a town, and not having traveled more than +a few miles, there was nothing about life on the plains but what he was +acquainted with. + +After much hard riding Roy managed to get that part of the herd +entrusted to the Indian, into compact form. Then he came back to his +companion, who was riding along as if he had nothing more to think +about than keeping his cigarette lighted. + +"Hu! Heap smart boy!" grunted Low Bull. "Know how make steers travel." + +"I should think you would know how to do it too," said Roy. "You've +always lived on the plains." + +"Too much work. Indian no like work. Like sit an' think, an' smoke. +No like work." + +"Everybody's got to work in this world, Low Bull." + +"Rich man no work. Me like be rich man." + +"But the man sure had to work hard to get rich. I s'pose rich men feel +that they can take life easy after they have earned a fortune." + +"Indian no like work. Drive cattle too hard. Me quit soon," was all +Low Bull replied. + +"Yes, and if you don't quit I think Billy will make you vamoose +anyhow," murmured Roy. + +Low Bull rolled another cigarette, and seemed to go to sleep under the +influence of it. Roy had to race off after a couple of straying +steers, and had no further time for talking. When he had brought the +cattle back, a long, shrill cry echoed over the plain. At the sound of +it Low Bull seemed to wake up. + +"Billy make camp now," he said. "Soon supper--eat--Low Bull hungry." + +It was the signal for making camp, and, finding themselves no longer +urged forward, the steers stopped, and began to crop the rich grass. + +The cowboys, of whom there were several, with joyful shouts, came +riding up to the cook wagon, which had been pulled along in the rear, +but which now came to a halt on the broad, rolling plain. "Smoke" +Tardell started a fire from grease-wood, and began to prepare the +evening meal. + +"Set out plenty of grub, Smoke," called one of the cowboys, riding +close up to Tardell, and playfully snatching his big sombrero off. + +"Here! You let that be, Bruce Arkdell!" exclaimed the cook. "That's +my new hat, an' I don't want it spoiled!" + +"Give me an extra plate of beans, or I'll shoot a hole in it!" +threatened the cowboy, drawing hit heavy revolver, and aiming it at the +hat, which he held in one hand. + +"All right. You can have three platesful, but don't you spoil my hat!" +cried the cook, as he received back his sombrero. "I never see such +crazy chaps as them boys be when they're headed for the ranch," +muttered "Smoke," as he set the coffee pot over the fire. + +It did not take long to prepare the meal, and the cowboys crowded +around the "grub wagon" as they called it. Low Bull was among them, +his eyes greedy for food. + +"Here, Low Bull," exclaimed Billy Carew, "you go out and ride around +them steers awhile. They ain't quieted down yet, and I don't want no +stampede now. Ride around 'em, and make 'em feel easy." + +"After supper," said the Indian. + +"No, now!" insisted the foreman. + +"Low Bull hungry. Like eat." + +"Low Bull is going to stay hungry then, until some of the others have +piled in their grub," declared Billy. "I'll send somebody out to take +your place, as soon as they've eaten. Now vamoose!" + +"Low Bull like eat." + +"Yes, I know. Low Bull like eat, but no like work. That's what's the +matter with Low Bull," exclaimed Billy with a laugh. "Now git." + +The Indian knew there was no use disputing this decision, so, with no +very good grace, he started to ride slowly around the cattle, to keep +them from moving off in a body. + +"I'll go out and relieve him in a little while," offered Roy. "I'll +soon be through supper." + +"You take your time now, son," advised Billy. "It won't hurt that +redskin to go hungry a while. Maybe he'll be a little sprier after +this." + +Supper was soon served, and when Roy had eaten his share he prepared to +go out, and relieve Low Bull. He threw the saddle over his pony's +back, and, having tightened the girths, was about to vault into place, +when he and the other cowboys became aware that some one was riding in +great haste toward the temporary camp. + +"Somebody's coming," remarked Bruce Arkdell. + +"Don't you s'pose we know it," said Billy good naturedly. "We've got +our sight yet." + +"Yes, and it's Porter Simms, from the way he gallops," added the cook, +shading his eyes from the setting sun, and peering across the prairies +at the riding man. + +"'Tis Porter," confirmed Billy. "Wonder what he wants? Hope nothing's +happened." + +Somehow the words sent a slight feeling of fear to Roy's heart. The +man might have bad news for some one in camp. + +"Is Roy here?" cried Porter, as soon as he had come within talking +distance. + +"Yes, I'm here," replied the boy. "What's the matter? Is it my +father--?" + +"Now don't go gettin' skeered," advised Porter, as he pulled up his +horse sharply. "I sure did ride fast to locate you, but your daddy +wanted me to be sure to tell you, first-off, not to git skeered." + +"What's the matter?" asked Roy, his heart fluttering. + +"Well, your daddy's a little under the weather, and he wants for you to +come back to the ranch right away. That's the message I was to give to +you. Don't wait to come in with the steers, but start right off. I'll +stay here and take your place." + +"Is he--was he very bad?" asked Roy, who had left his father, +seemingly, in perfect health. + +"No, not so very I guess. The doctor was there, and he didn't seem +much put out. I reckon Mr. Bradner had a sort of a bad turn, that's +all." + +"I'll start right away," decided Roy. "If I ride all night I can get +there by morning." + +"Don't you want one of us to go with you?" asked Billy. + +"No. I'm not afraid. I've done it before. Smoke, will you pack me a +little grub?" + +"Surest thing you know!" exclaimed the cook, as he began to do up some +bacon and bread. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MR. BRADNER IS SUSPICIOUS + +Crowding around Roy in ready sympathy, the cowboys questioned Porter as +to the state of affairs at the ranch. The messenger knew very little +about it. He had been to a distant pasture land, when he had been +summoned to the ranch house by another cowboy, who was sent after him. +When he got back he found Mr. Bradner quite ill. + +"He said he wanted me to go for Roy," went on Porter, "'cause he knew I +could ride fast. But he particular didn't want Roy to git worried. He +said it was as much a business matter as anything." + +"Maybe he's goin' to die an' wants to make his will," suggested one of +the cowboys. + +"Here! What's the matter with you! Don't you know no better than +that?" demanded Billy in a hoarse whisper. "Want to give Roy a scare? +I'll peg you out if you do that again!" + +"I--I didn't think!" + +"No, I guess you didn't. Lucky he didn't hear you. Now you think +twice before you speak once, after this." + +"Here's your grub," announced the cook, holding out a big package to +Roy. It contained enough food for three men, but Roy was a favorite +with "Smoke," as indeed he was with all the men on the ranch, and this +was the only way the genius of the camp-fire could show his affection. + +"Say, what do you think he goin' to do? Be three days on the home +trail?" asked Billy. "He don't want no snack like that. He can't +carry it." + +"I thought maybe he'd be hungry in the night." + +"I expect I will be, but not enough to get away with all that," +remarked Roy with a smile, as he saw the big package. "I just want a +little bread, and some cold bacon." + +The cook, with a sigh at the thought of the boy not being able to eat +all the food, made a smaller package. Meanwhile Roy was in the saddle, +ready to travel, wondering what could be the matter with his father, +and why his parent had sent for him in such a hurry. + +"Got your gun?" asked Porter. + +"Yes," answered Roy, tapping the pistol in its holster at his belt. + +"Maybe you'd better take my pony," suggested Billy. "He can travel +faster than yours." + +"No; Jack Rabbit's good enough for me," replied the boy, patting his +own pony on the neck. "Yours may be a bit faster, but Jack Rabbit will +stick longer. Well, I'm off!" + +"Good luck!" called Billy. + +"Don't worry!" advised Porter. + +"We'll see you in a couple of days," shouted the other cowboys. "Take +care of yourself." + +"I will," said Roy, as he called to his pony, who started off on a +steady "lope" that rapidly carried him over the ground. + +Now that he was away from the confusion of the camp, and had nothing to +distract his mind, Roy gave himself up to thoughts of his father. + +"He must be quite sick," he reasoned, "or he never would have sent for +me in such a rush. I wonder if Porter was afraid to tell me the truth?" + +For an instant the fear that his father might be dead, and that the +cowboy had not dared to tell him of it, unnerved Roy. Then his natural +braveness came back to him. + +"Oh, pshaw! What's the use of thinking such gloomy thoughts," he said +to himself. "Maybe dad only had a little fit of indigestion, like he +had before. I remember then I thought he sure was going to die. But +Porter said it was as much business as anything else. Now what sort of +business could dad have that he would need me in such a hurry?" + +Roy did not see any prospect of his questions being answered, at least +until he got to the ranch, and could talk to his father, so he +continued on, urging his pony to a faster gait. + +It soon began to get dark, but Roy did not mind this, as he had often +ridden all night when on a round-up. Of course, on such occasions he +had been in company with his father's cowboys. Still, the prospect of +his lonely journey through the darkness did not alarm him. + +He knew the trail very well, from having been over it often, and, +though there were occasionally ugly Indians, or unemployed cowboys, to +be met with on the plains, Roy did not imagine he would have any +trouble with them. He was armed, but he hoped he would have no +occasion to draw his revolver. + +There were no wild animals, except steers, to be met and these, he +knew, would be in herds under the care of competent men. Besides a +steer rarely attacks a man on a horse. + +So Roy rode through the long night. About one o'clock he stopped, +built a little grease-wood fire, and warmed his bacon. Then he munched +that and the bread with a good appetite, drinking some coffee the cook +had given him in a flask. + +"I ought to get to the ranch by sun-up," thought the boy, and he was +not mistaken, for, when the golden ball peeped up over the prairies Roy +saw the outbuildings of his father's big cattle farm. A little later +he had ridden up to the ranch house, and dismounted. + +"My father! How is he?" he exclaimed, as he saw the cook on the +verandah. + +"Better," was the reply, and the boy felt a sense of relief. "Much +better. Come right in and have some hot coffee. I've got it all ready +for you." + +"Not until I've seen my father," and Roy hurried into the ranch house. + +"Is that you, Roy?" called a voice from a bedroom. + +"Yes, father! How are you?" + +"Considerable better. I hope you were not alarmed." + +"Well, I was--some." + +Roy saw that his father was in bed. The man looked quite pale, and on +a stand, near him, were several bottles of medicine. + +"What is it, father?" asked Roy. "What happened?" + +"Well, nothing much, though I was afraid it was at the time. I got one +of my bad spells of indigestion, and it affected my heart." + +"Did you think you were going to die?" + +"Well, I did, but the doctor only laughed at me. He said I was +needlessly alarmed, and I think, now, that I was. But when I was in +such pain, fearing something would happen, I thought of a business +matter that needed attending to. I decided I had better get my affairs +in shape--in case anything should happen, so I sent for you, to have a +talk." + +"What sort of a talk, father?" + +"A business talk. I'm going to have you undertake something in an +entirely new line. You're a pretty good cattleman now, and I want to +see how you'll make out on a business deal." + +"What kind?" + +"I'll soon explain. But tell me; how is Billy, and the boys?" + +"Very well." + +"Are they getting the cattle in good shape? Where did Porter find you?" + +"The cattle will be here to-morrow, I think. Porter came up just as we +were camping out near the small dried creek in the big swale," replied +Roy, describing the place so that his father would know it. "But now +tell me about this business. I am glad you are better." + +"Yes, I feel much improved. My indigestion is all gone, and I think I +can eat breakfast. I'll tell you then." + +Roy could hardly wait for the meal to be finished. After his father +had had his repast in bed, Mr. Bradner told his son to close the door, +and sit down close beside him. + +"I'm going to take you into my confidence," said the ranch owner. +"It's time you knew something of my business affairs, and I am going to +entrust you with a commission. A good deal depends on the success of +it." + +"I hope I can do it, father." + +"I am pretty sure you can, or I would not let you go. Now I'll tell +you what it is. You do not know it, but I have an interest in some +property, left by your mother's brother, your Uncle Henry Mayfield. +This property was left to your mother, and when she died the property +came to me, and to you. That is, I have a third interest in it, and +you have two-thirds." + +"That hardly seems fair. You should have more than I." + +"Never mind, Roy. In fact I intend that, in time, you shall have the +whole of the property." + +"Where is it located?" + +"In New York City." + +"New York? That is a long way off." + +"Yes, a good many miles. In fact I have never seen the property. It +is in charge of an agent--a real estate man. Every month he sends me +the money received for rent, and, for several years I have put your +share away, at interest in a bank." + +"Then I have some money saved up, and did not know it." + +"That is right, and it is quite a sum. But, of late, the rents have +been falling off, until they are only about half what they were when +your mother owned the property." + +"Why is this?" + +"The agent says it is because the property has gone down in value, but +I can not see how that is, as it is in a good part of New York, and +that city is certainly not getting smaller." + +"How do you account for the rents being less, then?" + +"That is just the point. I can't account for it, and, to tell you the +truth, I am suspicious of this real estate man." + +"Who is he?" + +"His name is Caleb Annister." + +"What do you propose doing, dad? Can't you get a lawyer to see him, +and find out if he is cheating you?" + +"I suppose I could, but I have thought of a different plan. It came to +me when I was lying sick here, and I decided to put it into operation, +so as to straighten out my affairs as well as your own." + +"What's your plan, dad?" + +"I am going to send you to New York, to look up this property and the +matter of rents, and see whether or not Caleb Annister is telling the +truth, when he says that the value has gone down. Roy, I want you to +act as my agent, and start for New York at once!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FAREWELL RIDE + +His father's announcement rather startled Roy. He had never thought +much of business, outside of that connected with the ranch, and now the +idea of endeavoring to ascertain the value of property, and whether the +agent of it was doing his duty, came as a sort of shock. But, more +than this, was the idea of going to a big city. + +In all his life, as far as he could remember, Roy had never been in any +town of more than five thousand inhabitants. He had never, so far as +he knew, taken more than a short ride in a railroad train. I say as +far as he knew, for he had been born in Chicago, but when he was an +infant, his parents had gone out west, so while it was true that he had +lived in a big city, and had made quite a railroad journey, he knew +nothing about it, except what his father had told him. + +"You want me to go to New York, dad?" he repeated, wondering if he had +heard aright. + +"That's it. I want you to find out just exactly what Caleb Annister is +doing." + +"But, I have had no experience in those lines." + +"I know you have not, but I think you can do what I want. All it needs +is brains and common sense, and you have both." + +"But I have never been in a big city." + +"No, not since you were old enough to notice anything, but that need +not worry you. If I told you to go back to where the boys were +rounding-up the cattle, you could do it; couldn't you?" + +"Sure." + +"Well, if you can find your way over the trackless plains I guess you +can manage to get along in a big city, even if it is New York. All you +have to do is to ask when you don't understand. I guess if some of +those city boys came out here, they'd get lost a good deal quicker than +you will in the streets of New York. Now you had better get ready to +start. I'll draw up some papers, and get some instructions ready for +you. I think Annister is trying to swindle you and me out of this +property. If I was well enough I would go myself, but, as it is, I +shall send you." + +"Do you think you are well enough for me to leave you?" asked Roy +anxiously. + +"Oh, yes, there is nothing serious the matter with me. I shall have to +be careful of what I eat, that's all, and if I went to New York I'd +probably be worse off than I am here, for I would want to try all sorts +of new dishes, and my dyspepsia would be very bad." + +"Very well, dad. I'll get ready at once. It sure will be a new +experience for me. I'll round-up this Caleb Annister for you, rope him +and put the branding iron on, if I find he's trying to get any of our +mavericks into his herd." + +"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed Mr. Bradner. "You're a regular +westerner, Roy. Don't let the ways of city folks bother you. Do the +best you know how, be polite to the ladies, respectful to the men, and +don't let 'em bluff you! Stick up for your rights, and don't be afraid +of anybody. They may try to stampede you in New York, but you keep +your head, and you'll come out all right." + +"I'll try, dad. When do you want me to start?" + +"To-morrow, if you can. The boys will be in from the round-up then." + +That day Roy spent in getting his clothes packed in a big valise and a +trunk. It was decided he should ride to the nearest railroad station, +and there take a train for Chicago, where he would have to change cars +for New York. + +In the meanwhile Mr. Bradner drew up a paper giving his son the right +to act in a certain capacity. This was put into legal form, and +witnessed, a near-by notary being called in to attach his seal. + +"Of course I don't know exactly how you will find the lay of the land +there in New York," said Mr. Bradner that night, "as I have never been +there. Nor do I know this Caleb Annister. I have had considerable +correspondence with him, and I take him to be a sharp business man. He +may try to bluff you, but don't you stand for it. It might be a good +plan to size him up first, before you tell him who you are." + +"That's what I'll do, dad." + +"You'll have to make your own plans when you get there," went on his +father. "You may have to spend considerable money, so I'll give you a +good sum in cash, and a draft on my New York bankers. If you get in a +hole do the best you can, and telegraph me if you need help. Just camp +on the trail of this Caleb Annister, and see what his game is. It +doesn't stand to reason that property in New York is shrinking in +value. I think there is something wrong somewhere, and I depend on you +to find it." + +"I hope I won't disappoint you, dad." + +"I don't believe you will, Roy. Now you had better get to bed, for +it's quite late, and you'll have a hard journey ahead of you." + +Roy did not feel a bit tired, for he was hardy and strong, but he did +as his father suggested. He could not get to sleep at first thinking +of his prospective trip, for he had always wanted to go to a big city, +and now he had the chance. + +Billy Carew and the other cowboys came in the next morning with the +steers, which were turned into a corral for branding purposes. Roy +told his friends of his journey. + +"Prancing prairie dogs!" exclaimed Billy. "I wish I was going. +Lickity thunder, but that's a great trip, clear to New York!" + +"We'll ride to the station with you," proposed Bruce Arkdell. "We'll +give you a good send off!" + +"That's what we will!" chorused the others. + +Roy was to start soon after dinner, as the Chicago express would not +stop at the railroad station of Painted Stone unless it was flagged. + +A little later a strange procession left the ranch house. Roy and +Billy Carew rode at the head, and all the cowboys who could be spared +followed after. Roy's trunk and valises were strapped on the back of a +pack mule. + +Mr. Bradner, who was not quite well enough to stand the trip to the +station, bade his son an affectionate good-bye, and wished him all +success. + +"Telegraph if you get into trouble," he said. + +"Yes, and we'll all hot-foot it to the burg of New York, and shoot-up +the town!" exclaimed Billy. "We'll show 'em how a boy from the ranch +can be took care of!" + +"I guess there'll be no need of that," remarked Roy with a smile. + +It was several miles to the railroad station, and, on the way the +cowboys rushed their ponies here and there, indulging in all sorts of +antics, for they regarded it as a sort of a holiday, though they liked +Roy, and were sorry to see him leave. + +"Now boys! Give him a grand salute!" proposed Bruce, when they came in +sight of the station. + +The cowboys drew their revolvers, aimed them into the air, and fired +them off as fast as they could pull their triggers. It sounded as +though a small battle was in progress. + +"Give him a yell!" suggested Smoke Tardell, and the ranchers shouted +like wild Indians. + +"Here comes the train!" called Billy Carew, as a whistle was heard, +and, down the long line of glistening rails, the smoke of a locomotive +was seen. The station agent went out to flag the express. + +"Take care of yourself," advised Bruce. + +"Bring me back a slice of New York," requested Smoke. "I want it well +done." + +"Be careful you don't get 'well-done', Roy," advised Billy Carew. +"Don't buy any gold bricks, or Confederate money, and take care, Roy, +that them sharpers don't git ye!" + +He waved his big sombrero, an example followed by all the other +cowboys, as Roy climbed aboard the express. His trunk and valises were +tumbled into the baggage car, the engineer blew two short blasts, and +the train was off again, bearing Roy to New York. + +His last view was of his father's cowboys, waving a farewell to him +with their big hats, while some fired their revolvers, and others +yelled at the top of their lungs. + +"I wonder when I'll see them again," thought Roy. "I sort of hate to +leave the old ranch, but I'm glad I'm going to New York." + +He did not know all that was before him, nor what was to happen before +he again saw his friends, the cowboys. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +ROY IS PUZZLED + +While Roy's father had given him some instructions as to the best +method of proceeding while in New York, Mr. Bradner had said nothing to +his son about what he might expect on his railroad trip. Therefore the +boy was totally unprepared for the novelties of modern travel. Mr. +Bradner had thought it wise to let his son find out things for himself. + +Roy had never been in anything but an ordinary day coach, and those +were of an old-fashioned type. But his father had purchased for him +tickets all the way to New York in the Pullman parlor and sleeping +cars, and it was in a luxurious parlor car, then, that Roy found +himself when he boarded the express. + +At first the boy did not know what to make of it. The car had big +chairs instead of the ordinary seats, the windows were nearly twice as +large as those in other coaches, and there were silk and plush curtains +hanging over them. Besides there was a thick, soft velvety carpet on +the floor of the coach, and, what with the inlaid and polished wood, +the hangings, mirrors, brass and nickel-plated fixtures, Roy thought he +had, by mistake, gotten into the private car of some millionaire. + +He had occasionally seen the outside of these fine coaches as they +rushed through Painted Stone, but he had never dreamed that he would be +in one. So, as soon as he entered the coach, he started back. + +"What's de matter, sah?" inquired a colored porter in polite tones, as +he came from what seemed a little cubby-hole built in the side of the +car. + +"Guess I'm in the wrong corral," remarked Roy, who was so used to using +western and cattle terms, that he did not consider how they would sound +to other persons. + +"Wrong corral, sah?" + +"Yes; I must be mixed in with the wrong brand. Where's the regular +coach?" + +"Oh, dis coach am all reg'lar, sah. Reg'lar as can be. We ain't got +none but reg'lar coaches on dis yeah express. No indeed, sah." + +"But I guess my ticket doesn't entitle me to a ride in a private car." + +"Let me see youh ticket, sah." + +Roy passed the negro the bit of pasteboard. + +"Oh, yes indeedy, sah. Youh is all right. Dis am de coach youh g'wine +to ride in. We goes all de way to Chicago, sah." + +"Is this for regular passengers?" asked Roy, wondering how the railroad +could afford to supply such luxurious cars. + +"Well, it's fo' them as pays fo' it, sah. Youh has got a ticket fo' de +Pullman car, an' dis am it, sah. Let me show yo' to youh seat, sah." + +"Well, I s'pose it's all right," remarked Roy a little doubtfully. He +saw several passengers smiling, and he wondered if they were laughing +at him, or if he had made a mistake. He resolved to be careful, as he +did not want it known that he was making a long journey for the first +time. + +"Heah's youh seat," went on the porter, escorting Roy to a deep, soft +chair. "I'll be right back yeah, an' if youh wants me, all youh has to +do is push this yeah button," and he showed Roy an electric button +fixed near the window. + +"Well, I don't know what I'll want of you," said the boy, trying to +think what excuse he could have for calling the colored man. + +"Why, sah, youh might want to git breshed off, or youh might want a +book, or a cigar--" + +"I don't smoke," retorted Roy promptly. + +"Well, I'm here to wait on passengers," went on the negro, "and if youh +wants me all youh has to do is push that yeah button." + +"All right--er--" he paused, not knowing what to call the porter. + +"Mah name's George Washington Thomas Jefferson St. Louis Algernon +Theophilus Brown, but folks dey gen'ally calls me George, sah," and the +porter grinned so that he showed every one of his big white teeth. + +"All right--George," said Roy, beginning to understand something of +matters. "I'll call you if I want you." + +"Dey calls out when it's meal time." + +"What's that?" + +"I say dey calls out when it's meal time. De dining car potah will +call out when it's time fo' dinner." + +"Oh," remarked Roy, rather dubiously, for he did not know exactly what +was meant. + +The porter left him, laughing to himself at the lack of knowledge shown +by the boy from the ranch, but for all that George Washington St. Louis +Algernon Theophilus Brown resolved to do all he could for Roy. As for +the young traveler he was so interested in the scenery, as it appeared +to fly past the broad windows of the car, that he did not worry about +what he was going to do when it came meal time. + +Still, after an hour or so of looking out of the window it became a +little tiresome, and he turned around to observe his fellow passengers. +Seated near him was a well-dressed man, who had quite a large watch +chain strung across his vest. He had a sparkling stone in his necktie, +and another in a ring on his finger. + +"Your first trip East?" he asked, nodding in a friendly way to Roy. + +"My first trip, of any account, anywhere. I haven't taken a long +railroad journey since I was a baby, and I don't remember that." + +"I thought you looked as if you hadn't been a very great distance away +from home. Going far?" + +"To New York." + +"Ah you have business there, I suppose?" + +Now Roy, though he was but a youth, unused to the ways of the world, +had much natural shrewdness. He had been brought up in the breeziness +of the West, where it is not considered good form, to say the least, to +ask too many questions of a man. If a person wanted to tell you his +affairs, that was a different matter. So, as Roy's mission was more or +less of a secret one, he decided it would not be well to talk about it, +especially to strangers. So he answered: + +"Yes, I have some business there." + +His manner was such that the man soon saw the boy did not care to talk +about his affairs, and, being a keen observer, too much so for Roy's +good, as we shall soon see, the man did not pursue his questioning on +those lines. + +"Fine scenery," he remarked. "Good, open country around here." + +Roy felt that was a safe enough subject to talk about, and he and the +man, who introduced himself as Mr. Phelan Baker, spent some time in +conversation. + +Roy, however, was continually wondering what he should do when the +announcement was made that dinner was to be served. He did not want to +make any mistakes, and have the car full of passengers laugh at him, +yet he did not know what was proper to do under the circumstances. + +He had neglected to Inquire how they served meals on trains, and, in +fact, had he done so, no one at the ranch could have told him, as not +even Mr. Bradner had traveled enough to make it necessary to eat in a +dining car. + +"If I was back at the ranch I'd know what to do when I heard the +grub-call," thought Roy. "But this thing has got me puzzled. It sure +has. I wonder if they bring you in sandwiches and coffee, as they did +to a party I went to? Or do you have to go up and help yourself? I +don't see how they cook anything on a train going as fast as this one. +They must have to eat cold victuals. Well, I guess I can stand it for +a few days, I've eaten cold bacon and bread when on a round-up, and I'm +not going to hold back now. Guess I'll just do as the rest do." + +A little while after this a colored man, in a spotless white suit, +passed through the parlor car, calling out: + +"Dinner is now being served in the dining car. First call for dinner!" + +"Well, it's up to me to go to grub now," thought Roy. "I wonder how +I'll make out?" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A QUEER BED + +"Are you going to eat on the first call?" asked Mr. Baker, rising from +his comfortable chair and looking at Roy. + +"I don't know--I think--Yes, I guess I will." + +It suddenly occurred to the boy that he might take advantage of the +acquaintance he had formed with the man, and observe just how he ought +to conduct himself in the dining car. + +"I shall be glad of your company," spoke Mr. Baker, with a pleasant +smile. "Will you sit at my table?" + +"I'm not so very hungry," remarked Roy, thinking that if he found +things too strange he could call for something simple, though the truth +was he had an excellent appetite. + +"I am not either," declared Mr. Baker. "I never eat much while +traveling, but I think it best to have my meals regularly. Now, if +you'll come with me, we'll see what they have at this traveling hotel." + +He led the way from the parlor to the dining car. If Roy had been +astonished at the magnificence of the first coach he was doubly so at +the scene which now met his eyes. + +Arranged along both sides of the dining car, next to the broad, high +windows, were small tables, sparkling with cut-glass and silver. In +the center of each table was a small pot of graceful ferns, while +throughout the car there were fine hangings, beautifully inlaid wood, +and on the floor a soft carpet. It was, indeed, a fine traveling hotel. + +At the tables, not all of which were occupied, were seated beautiful +women, some handsomely gowned, and there were men, attired in the +height of fashion. For the first time Roy felt rather ashamed of his +ordinary "store" clothes, which were neither properly cut, nor of good +material. + +"Here is a good table," said Mr. Baker, indicating one about the center +of the car. + +Roy took his seat opposite his new acquaintance, a queer feeling of +nervousness overcoming him. + +"I'd rather ride a bucking bronco any day, than be here," the boy +thought. But he was not going to back out now. He knew he had the +money to pay for whatever he ordered, and, he reflected that if he was +not as stylishly dressed as the others, he was probably more hungry +than any of them, for he had an early breakfast. + +As soon as Roy and Mr. Baker were seated, a colored waiter glided +swiftly to their table and filled their glasses from a curiously shaped +vessel, called a "caraffe," which looked something like a bottle or +flask, with a very large body, and a very small neck. Inside was a +solid lump of ice, which made the water cold. Roy looked curiously at +the piece of frozen crystal. Mr. Baker noted his look of astonishment. + +"Don't you like ice water?" he asked. + +"Yes, but I was wondering how in the world they ever got that big hunk +of ice through the little neck of that bottle." + +"Oh," exclaimed Mr. Baker with a laugh, "they first fill the caraffe +with water, and then they freeze it in an ice machine they have on the +train for keeping the other supplies from spoiling. It would be rather +difficult to put that chunk of ice down through that narrow neck." + +Roy understood now. He began to think he had lots to learn of the +world, but there was more coming. The waiter placed a menu card in +front of Mr. Baker, and laid one at Roy's plate. He knew what they +were, for he had several times taken dinner at a small hotel at Painted +Stone. + +He was not prepared however for the queer language in which the menu +card or bill of fare was printed. It was French, and the names of the +most ordinary dishes were in that foreign tongue. + +Roy was puzzled. He wanted a substantial meal, but he did not know how +to order it. He was afraid to try to pronounce the odd looking words, +and I am afraid if he had done so he would have made a mistake, as, +indeed, better educated persons than he would have done. He had a wild +notion of telling the waiter to bring everything on the bill of fare, +but there seemed to be too many dishes. + +Finally he decided on a course to pursue. The waiter was standing +there, polite and all attention, for, though Roy's clothes did not +impress him as indicating a lad of wealth, Mr. Baker's attire was showy +enough to allow the colored man to think he might receive a handsome +tip. + +"I think I'll have a ham sandwich and a cup of coffee," said Roy in +desperation. He knew he was safe in ordering that, even if it was not +on the card, though it might have been for all he knew, disguised under +some odd name. + +Mr. Baker looked surprised. + +"I should say you hadn't any appetite," he remarked. Then, as he +understood the situation, and Roy's embarrassment, he said: "Suppose I +order for both of us? I am used to this sort of thing." + +Roy was grateful for this delicate way of putting it, and, with a sigh +of relief, he replied: + +"I wish you would. I guess I've got a good appetite after all." + +Thereupon Mr. Baker ordered a simple but substantial meal, including +soup, fish, roast beef, potatoes and side dishes of vegetables, ending +up with coffee and pie. + +"This is fine!" exclaimed Roy, when he had finished. "I s'pose they +charge about two dollars for grub like this?" + +Several persons in the dining car smiled, for Roy was used to shouting +at cattle, and calling to cowboys, and had acquired a habit of speaking +in rather loud tones. + +"No, this 'grub' will cost you one dollar," said Mr. Baker. + +"Well, it's worth it," declared the boy, pulling out quite a roll of +bills, for his father had been generous. At the sight of the money a +greedy look came into the eyes of Mr. Baker, a look that would have +warned Roy had he seen it. But he was busy looking for a one-dollar +bill among the fives and tens. + +"Now, if you're ready we'll go back to the parlor car, and have a cigar +in the smoking room," suggested Mr. Baker. + +"No, thank you. Not for mine. I don't smoke." + +"Well, it is a useless habit I suppose, but I am too old to change now. +I'll join you presently," and the man went into a small compartment at +one end of the parlor car, when they reached it, leaving Roy to go to +his chair alone. + +Had the boy seen the three men whom Mr. Baker greeted in the smoking +room, perhaps our hero would not have been quite so ready to continue +his acquaintance with the man. For, in the little apartment were three +individuals whose faces did not indicate any too much honesty, and +whose clothes were on the same "flashy" order as were Mr. Baker's, +though none of the trio had as expensive jewelry as had Roy's new +friend. + +"Well, sport, how about you?" asked one of the men. "Did you manage to +pick up anything?" + +"Not so loud, Ike," cautioned Mr. Baker, addressing the man who had +spoken, and whose name was Isaac Sutton. "I think I can put you on the +track of something." + +"Something good?" asked the third man, who was known as Jerome Hynard, +though that was not his real name. + +"We want it with plenty of cash," added the last man, who was called +Dennison Tupper. + +"This is a green kid, right from the ranch, going to New York," said +Phelan Baker. "He's got quite a wad of money, and if you work the game +right you may be able to get the most of it. I'll tell you how." + +Then the four began to whisper, for they were laying a plot and were +afraid of being overheard. All unconscious of the danger that +threatened him, Roy was back in the parlor car, enjoying the scenery, +and thinking of the many strange things he would see in New York. + +For some reason Mr. Baker did not come back where Roy was. Perhaps he +feared the boy might be suspicious of his sudden friendship, for Mr. +Baker was a good reader of character, and he saw that Roy, in spite of +his lack of experience, was a shrewd lad. + +As for the young traveler, he began to get tired. He was unused to +sitting still so long, and riding in a soft chair was very different +from being on the back of the swift pony, galloping over the plains. + +"I wonder what they're going to do about bunks?" thought Roy, as he +looked about the car. "I don't fancy sleeping on these chairs, and +I've heard they made the seats in the coaches up into bunks." + +Roy had never seen a sleeping car, and imagined the coach he was in was +one. He decided he would ask the porter about it soon, if he saw no +signs of the beds being made up. He had his supper alone at a table in +the dining car, Mr. Baker remaining with his three cronies, and out of +Roy's sight. Profiting by his experience at dinner, the boy knew how +to order a good meal. + +To his relief, soon after he got back to the parlor car, the porter who +had first spoken to him, came up and announced: + +"Youh berth will be ready any time youh want it, sah." + +"Berth?" + +"Yais, sah." + +Roy did not know exactly what was meant. At the ranch that word was +never used, a bed being a "bunk." + +"I don't think I care for any," said Roy, deciding that was the safest +way. + +"What's that, sah? Youh ain't goin to sit up all night, be youh? +Mighty uncomfortable, sah. Better take a bed. Youh ticket calls fo' +one, sah." + +"Oh, you mean a bunk?" + +"Bunk! Ha! Ha! Youh western gen'men gwine to hab youh joke, I see. +We calls 'em berths, sah." + +"Is mine ready?" + +"Jest as soon as youh want it. Youh can go back in de sleeping car." + +This Roy understood. He went back two coaches toward the rear, as +directed by the porter, and found himself in still another kind of car. +This had big plush seats, like small couches, facing each other, while, +overhead, was a sort of sloping ceiling. + +"I don't see where there are many bunks here," the boy remarked to +himself. He saw persons sitting in the seats, talking, and, finding +one unoccupied, he took possession of it. Soon a porter came in to +him, examined his ticket, and asked: + +"Do youh wish youh berth made up now, sah?" + +"Guess I might as well," replied Roy, wondering where the porter was +going to get the bed from, and whether he was going to produce it from +some unseen source, as a conjurer pulls rabbits out of tall hats. + +"Ef youh jest kindly take the next seat, I'll make up your berth," said +the porter, and Roy moved back one place, but where he could still +watch the colored man. + +That individual then proceeded to make up the berth. While the process +is familiar to many of my young readers, it was a novelty to Roy. With +much wonder he watched the man lift up the cushions of the seats, take +out blankets and pillows from the hollow places, and then slide the two +bottoms of the seats together until they made a level place. + +Then what Roy had thought to be merely a slanting part of the ceiling +was pulled down, revealing a broad shelf, that formed the upper berth +or bed. On this shelf were sheets, blankets and other things needed +for the beds. In a short time Roy saw made before his eyes, where +there had been only seats before, a comfortable "bunk" with pillows, +white sheets, blankets, curtains hanging down in front and all complete. + +"Now youh can turn in," said the porter with a smile, as he began to +make up another berth. Roy decided to wait a while, until he saw how +other men travelers undressed, and when he saw one man retire behind +the curtains, and, sitting on the edge of his berth, take off his +shoes, and the heavier parts of his clothing, Roy did likewise. Thus +the difficult problem of getting to bed was solved. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A SUDDEN AWAKENING + +Stretching out in the comfortable berth Roy thought he would soon fall +asleep, as he was quite tired. But the novelty of his ride, the +strange sensation of being whirled along many miles an hour while lying +in bed, proved too much for him, and he found himself still wide-awake, +though he had been in the berth an hour or more. + +The noise of the wheels, the rumble of the train, the click-clack as +the wheels passed over rail joints or switches, the bumping and swaying +motion, all served to drive sleep away from Roy's eyes. + +He thought of many things, of what he would do when he got to New York, +of his father, of Caleb Annister, and what he should say to the New +Yorker. Finally, however, the very monotony of the noises began to +make him feel drowsy. In a little while he found his eyes closing, and +then, almost before he knew it, he was asleep. + +Meanwhile, back in the smoking room, the three men and Mr. Baker were +talking over their cigars. One of them produced a pack of cards, and +they began to play. + +"Maybe if Isaac's game doesn't work, we can get him with these," +suggested Mr. Baker, as he dealt the pasteboards to his companions. + +"Maybe," agreed Hynard. "What time is Ike going to try it?" + +"About two o'clock. He'll be sure to be asleep then." + +Back in his berth, some hours after this, Roy was dreaming that he was +being shaken in his bunk at the ranch house. He thought Billy Carew +was urging him to get up early to go off on a round-up, and Roy was +trying to drive the sleep away from his eyes, and comply. + +Suddenly he knew it was not a dream, but that some one was moving him, +though very gently. Then he became aware that a hand was being +cautiously thrust under his pillow. + +Roy did not stop to think--he acted. His instant impression was of +thieves, and he did the most natural thing under the circumstances. He +grabbed the hand that was being gently shoved under his pillow. + +Instantly the wrist, which his fingers clasped, was snatched away, +withdrawn from the curtains, and a voice exclaimed: + +"Beg pardon. I was looking for your ticket. I'm the conductor. It's +all right." + +Roy thought the voice did not sound a bit like the voice of the +conductor, who had spoken to him some time before. Nor could the boy +understand why a conductor should be feeling under his pillow for his +ticket, when Roy had, as was the custom, given him the bits of +pasteboard, including his berth check, earlier in the evening. The +conductor had said he would keep them until morning, to avoid the +necessity of waking Roy up to look at them during the night. + +"That's queer," thought the boy. + +He sat up in bed, and thrust his head through the curtains that hung +down in front of his berth. Down the aisle, which was dimly lighted, +he saw a man hurrying toward the end of the car--the end where the +smoking apartment was. + +"That wasn't the conductor," said Roy to himself. "He has two brass +buttons on the back of coat, and this chap hasn't any. I believe he +was a thief, after my money. Lucky I didn't put it under my pillow, or +he'd have it now. I must be on the watch. No wonder Billy Carew +warned me to be careful. I wonder who that fellow was?" + +Roy had half a notion to get up and inform a porter or the conductor +what had happened, but he did not like to dress in the middle of the +night, and go hunting through the sleeping car for someone to speak to +about the matter. + +"I'll just be on the watch," thought Roy, "and if he comes back I'll be +ready for him." + +However, he was not further disturbed that night, and soon fell asleep +again, not forgetting, however, the precaution of hiding his pocketbook +in the middle of his bed, under the blankets, where, if thieves tried +to take it, they would first have to get him out of the berth. + +Roy awakened shortly after sunrise the next morning. He was accustomed +to early rising at the ranch, and this habit still clung to him. He +managed to dress, while sitting on the edge of his berth, and then he +reached down under the edge of it on the floor of the car, where, the +night before, he had left his shoes. To his surprise they were gone. + +"That's funny," he thought. "I wonder if the fellow who didn't get my +money, took my shoes for spite?" + +To make sure he stepped out into the aisle in his stocking feet, and +looked under his berth. His shoes were not to be seen. + +"Now I am in a pickle," thought the boy. "How am I going all the way +to New York without shoes? I can't go out in my stocking feet to get a +new pair, and I don't suppose there are any stores near the stations, +where I could buy new ones. But that's the only thing I can do. I +wonder if the train would wait long enough until I could send one of +the porters to a store for a pair of shoes? It would be a funny thing +to do, I guess, and, besides, he wouldn't know what size to get. I +certainly am up against it!" + +As Roy stood in the curtained aisle of the car, all alone, for none of +the other travelers were up yet, he saw a colored porter approaching. +Something in the boy's manner prompted the man to ask: + +"Can I do anything fo' youh, sah? You'se up early, sah." + +"I am looking for my shoes." + +"Oh, youh shoes. I took 'em, sah." + +"You took 'em? What right have you taking my shoes? Haven't you got +any of your own?" and Roy spoke sternly, for he thought this was too +much; first an attempt made to rob him of his money, and then some one +stealing his shoes. + +"Where are they?" he went on. "I want 'em." + +"Yais, sah. Right away, sah. I jest took 'em a little while ago to +blacken 'em, sah. I allers does that to the gen'men's shoes. I'll +have 'em right back. Did youh think I done stole 'em, sah?" + +"That's what I did," replied Roy with a smile. "I thought I'd have to +go to New York in my stocking feet." + +"Ob, no indeedy, sah. I allers goes around and collects the gen'men's +shoes early, 'fore they gits up. I takes 'em back to my place and I +blacks 'em. Den I brings 'em back." + +"That's quite an idea," said Roy, now noticing that from under the +berths of his fellow travelers the shoes were all missing. + +"Yais, sah," went on the colored man. "And sometimes, sah, sometimes, +youh know, de gen'men's gives me a little remembrance, sah, for +blackenin' their shoes." + +"Then I'll do the same," spoke Roy, remembering what Billy Carew had +told him of the necessity for "tipping" the car porters. + +"Thank youh, sah. I'll have youh shoes back d'rectly, sah." + +The porter was as good as his word, and soon Roy was able to put on his +shoes, which he hardly recognized. The dust that had accumulated from +his ride across the plains to the railroad depot had all been removed, +and the leather shone brightly. He gave the porter a quarter of a +dollar, for which the colored man returned profuse thanks. Soon the +other travelers began to get up. Roy watched them go to the washroom +and did likewise. He met Mr. Baker in there, and accepted an +invitation to go to breakfast with him in the dining car. + +"Did you sleep well last night?" asked the man with the big watch chain. + +"Pretty well," replied Roy, deciding to say nothing of the hand that +was thrust under his pillow. He first wanted to make a few +observations of his fellow passengers. + +After breakfast, when Roy was sitting in his chair in the parlor car, +Mr. Baker approached. + +"There are some friends of mine in the smoking room," he said to the +boy. "I would like to introduce you to them." + +"That is very kind of you," replied the young traveler. "I shall be +glad to meet them," for Roy considered it nice on the part of Mr. Baker +to take so much interest in him. + +"We can have a pleasant chat together," went on the man as he led the +way to a private room or "section" as they are called. This was near +the smoking room end of the car. "My friends are much interested in +ranch life, and perhaps you will give them some information." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A GAME ON THE TRAIN + +The three men in the compartment looked up as Phelan Baker and Roy +entered. They exchanged significant glances, but the boy from the +ranch did not notice them. Then the men made room for the new-comers +on the richly upholstered couches. + +"Ah, how are you, Baker?" said Isaac Sutton. "Glad to see you." + +"Allow me to introduce a friend of mine," said Mr. Baker presenting Roy +to the three men in turn. "He can tell you all you want to know about +ranch life," for, by skillful questioning Mr. Baker had learned more +about Roy than the lad was aware he had told. + +"That's good," remarked Jerome Hynard. "I may decide to buy a ranch, +some day." + +"Would you say it was a healthy sort of life?" asked Dennison Tupper, +who was quite pale, and looked as if he had some illness. + +"It was very healthy out where I was," answered Roy. + +"I guess one look at you proves that," put in Mr. Baker, in an admiring +tone. "You seem as strong and hardy as a young ox." + +"Yes, and I eat like one, when I'm on a round-up," said the boy. + +There was considerable more conversation, the men asking Roy many +questions about western life, and showing an interest in the affairs of +the ranch. Roy answered them to the best of his ability, and naturally +was pleased that the men should think him capable of giving them +information. + +Finally, when the conversation began to lag a bit, Dennison Tupper +remarked: + +"Perhaps our young friend would have no objections if we gentlemen +played a game of cards to pass away the time." + +"Certainly I have no objections to your playing," said Roy, who had +often watched the cowboys at the ranch play various games. + +Once more the four men exchanged glances. Mr. Baker produced a pack of +cards and soon the travelers were deep in the game. They did not seem +to be gambling, only playing for "fun" as they called it. + +"Oh, I believe I'm tired. I'm going to drop out," suddenly remarked +Mr. Baker. + +"Oh, don't do that," expostulated Sutton. + +"No, you'll break up the game," remonstrated Tupper. + +"Of course. Three can't play whist very well," added Hynard in rather +ungracious tones. "Be a good fellow and stay in the game, Baker." + +"No, I'm tired." + +"Perhaps our young friend from the ranch will take your place," +suggested Sutton. "Will you--er--Mr. Bradner? We'll play for love or +money, just as you like. You must be a sport--all the western chaps +are. Come on, sit in the game, take Mr. Baker's place and don't let it +break up." + +It was a cunning appeal, addressed both to Roy's desire to be of +service to his new friends, and also to his vanity. Fortunately he was +proof against both. Roy had watched the men playing cards, and, to his +mind they showed altogether too much skill. They acted more like +regular gamblers than like persons playing to pass away an idle hour. +He was at once suspicious. + +"No, thank you," he said. "I never play cards, for love or money." + +Something seemed to annoy at least three of the men, and they looked at +Mr. Baker. + +"Why I thought you said--" began Tupper, winking at the man who had +first made Roy's acquaintance. + +"Dry up!" exclaimed Hynard. "That's all right," he added quickly to +the boy. "We don't want any one to play against his will. It's all +right. We only thought maybe you'd like to pass away the time. I dare +say Baker will stick in the game now." + +"Oh, yes, I'll stay to oblige you, but I don't care for it," and +pretending to suppress a yawn, Mr. Baker again took his seat at the +small card table. A little later Roy left the apartment, going back to +his place in the parlor car. + +"I don't like those three men," he said to himself. "I believe they +are professional gamblers. Mr. Baker seems nice, but I wouldn't trust +the others." + +As for the four men whom Roy had left, they seemed to lose all interest +in their game, after the boy from the ranch was out of sight. + +"Humph!" exclaimed Hynard. "That didn't work, did it?" + +"No more than Isaac's attempt last night to get--" began Tupper, but +Sutton silenced him with a gesture. + +"Hush! Not so loud!" he said. "Some one may hear you." + +"Leave it to me," said Mr. Baker. "I think I can get him into +something else soon. You fellows lay low until I give you the tip." + +The rest of that morning Roy saw nothing of the men whose acquaintance +he had made. He got into conversation with several other passengers, +some of whom were interesting characters. One man, who had traveled +extensively, pointed out, along the way, the various scenes of note, +telling Roy something about them. + +It was after dinner when Mr. Phelan Baker, followed by his three +friends, entered the parlor car. They took seats near where Roy had +chanced to rest. + +"Traveling is rather dull, isn't it?' began Mr. Baker. + +"I don't find it so," replied Roy. + +"No, that's because it's your first journey. Wait until you have +crossed the continent a dozen times, and you'll begin to wish you'd +never seen it." + +"It seems to me there is always something of interest," said the boy. + +"Probably there is, if your eyesight is good, and you can see it. I'm +getting along in years, and I can't see objects as well as I once +could." + +"I suppose you must have pretty good eyesight, haven't you?" asked +Sutton, abruptly taking part in the conversation. Roy and the four men +were all alone in one end of the car, the other passengers, with but +few exceptions, having gotten off at various stations. + +"Well, I reckon I don't need glasses to see the brand on a steer," +replied Roy. + +"That's so, and I guess you have to be pretty quick to distinguish the +different branding marks, don't you?" + +"You do when you're cutting out a bunch of cattle after a round-up. +They keep moving around so it's hard to tell which are yours, and which +belong to another ranch." + +"What did I tell you?" asked Sutton in triumph of Hynard, who sat next +to him. + +"Well, you're right," admitted the other. + +Roy looked a little surprised at this conversation. Mr. Baker +explained. + +"My two friends here were having a little dispute about eyesight," he +said. "Mr. Sutton said you had the best eyesight of any one he ever +saw, and were quick to notice anything. He said you had to be to work +on a cattle range." + +"And Mr. Hynard said he believed he had as good eyesight as you," put +in Tupper. + +"I told him he hadn't, and we agreed to ask you," went on Sutton. + +"That's all right. His saying so doesn't prove it," remarked Hynard, +in a somewhat surly tone. + +"Of course not, but it doesn't take much to see that he has better +eyesight than you, and is quicker with it. He has to be to use a +lasso, don't you, Mr. Bradner?" + +"Well, it does take a pretty quick eye and hand to get a steer when +he's on the run," admitted Roy. + +"And you can do it, I'll bet. Hynard, you're not in it with this lad." + +"I believe I am!" + +"Now don't get excited," advised Mr. Baker, in soothing tones. "We can +easily settle this matter." + +"How? We haven't got a lasso here, nor a wild steer," said Hynard. +"Anyhow I don't claim I can throw a lariat as well as he can. I only +said I had as quick eyesight." + +"Well, we can prove that," went on Mr. Baker. + +"How?" + +"Easy money. Let's see. This windowsill will do." + +From his pocket Mr. Baker produced three halves of English walnut +shells, and a small black ball, about the size of a buck shot. It +seemed to be made of rubber. + +"Here's a little trick that will prove any one's eyesight," he said. +"The eye doctors in New York use it to test any person who needs +glasses. A doctor friend of mine gave me this." + +"How do you work it?" asked Hynard, seemingly much interested. + +"This way. I place these three shells on the windowsill, so. Then I +put the little ball under one. Watch me closely. I move it quite +fast, first putting it under one shell, then the other. Now, I stop +and, Hynard, tell me which shell it's under! I don't believe you can, +I think my young friend can do so." + +"All right," agreed Hynard. + +"Which shell is the ball under?" asked Mr. Baker, drawing back, and +leaving the three shells in a row; they all looked alike, yet Roy was +sure the ball was under the middle one. + +"It's under there!" exclaimed Hynard, putting his finger on the end +shell nearest Roy. + +"Is it?" asked Mr. Baker with a laugh, as he raised it up, and showed +nothing beneath. "Now let Mr. Bradner try." + +"I think it's there," spoke the boy, indicating the middle shell. + +"Right you are," came from Mr. Baker, as he lifted the shell, and +disclosed the ball. + +"Well, it's easier to pick the right one out of two, than out of +three," remonstrated Hynard. + +"All right. I'll give him first pick this time," and once more Mr. +Baker manipulated the shells and ball. + +"Now where is it?" he asked Roy quickly. The boy, who was quite taken +with the new trick, was eagerly leaning forward, watching with eyes +that little escaped, the movements of Mr. Baker's fingers. + +"It's there," he said quietly, indicating the shell farthest away from +him. + +"What did I tell you?" asked Mr. Baker, lifting the shell and showing +that Roy was right. + +"He's got you beat, Hynard," said Sutton. + +"Well, I'll bet he can't do it again." + +Roy did, much to his own amusement. + +"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Hynard suddenly. "I'll bet you five +dollars I can do it this time, Baker." + +"Very well, I'll go you." + +The money was put up, the shells shifted, and Hynard made his choice. +He got the right shell. + +"There's where I lose five dollars," said Mr. Baker, with regret, +passing the bill to Hynard. + +"You try him," whispered Tupper to Roy. "You can guess right every +time. Bet him ten dollars. You can't make money easier." + +All at once the real meaning of what had just taken place was revealed +to Roy. The men wanted him to gamble, under the guise of a trick. And +he was sharp enough to know that once he bet any money, the shell he +would pick out would have no ball under it. In fact, had he taken the +bait and bet, Mr. Baker, by a sleight-of-hand trick, would not have put +the ball under any shell so that, no matter which one Roy selected, he +would have been wrong, and would have lost, though they might have let +him win once or twice, just to urge him on. Understanding what the +trick was, he exclaimed: + +"I don't think I care to bet any money. I have proved that I have +quick eyesight, and I think that's all you wanted to know," and, +turning away he went back to his chair, at the farther end of the car. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A STOP FOR REPAIRS + +For a few seconds the four men were too surprised to say anything. +They stood looking at each other and, when they had gone to the smoking +room, with an angry glance at Mr. Baker, Sutton remarked: + +"I thought you said the kid would bite at this game?" + +"I thought he would." + +"Well, you've got another 'think' coming." + +"Yes, you've bungled this thing all the way through," added Hynard. + +"I didn't blunder any more than you did. I'd like to know who first +made his acquaintance, and found out he had money." + +"Well, you did that part of it, but he's got his money yet, and we +haven't," said Tupper. + +"And we're not likely to get it," went on Hynard. "I think he'll be +suspicious of us after this." + +"Maybe not," remarked Sutton, hopefully. "We may be able to get him +into some other kind of a game. If we can't--" + +He did not finish, but the other men knew what he meant. Roy had +incurred the enmity of some dangerous characters, and it behooved him +to be on the lookout. + +The boy had not been in his seat many minutes before an elderly +gentleman, the one who had been describing the various scenes of +interest, came up to him. + +"Did I see you playing some game with those men just now?" he asked. + +"They were showing me a game," answered Roy. "They said they wanted to +test my quick eyesight." + +"What was it?" + +"It was a game with three shells and a small ball." + +"I thought so. My boy, do you know what that game is called?" + +"No, sir, but I didn't care to play it the way they wanted me to. They +wanted me to bet money." + +"And you refused?" + +"I sure did." + +"That is where you were right. That is an old swindling trick, called +the 'shell game'. If you had bet any money you would have lost." + +"I thought as much," said Roy. "I'm not so green as I look, even if I +spent all my life on a ranch." + +"Indeed you are not, I am glad to see. I would advise you not to have +anything more to do with those men." + +"Do you know them?" + +"No, but they have the ways and airs of professional gamblers." + +"They tried to rope me up, I guess," said Roy. "But they didn't have +rope enough to tie me. Now I know their brand I'll sure be careful not +to mix in with 'em." + +"I don't exactly understand your terms. I--" + +"I beg your pardon," said Roy. "I suppose I talk, more or less, as I +do on the ranch. I meant they tried to get me into one of their +corrals and take my hide off. Hold me up, you know." + +"I'm afraid I don't exactly know," went on the gentleman with a smile, +"but I gather that you mean they would have robbed you, after getting +you into their power." + +"That's it," said Roy. "I'm on another trail now, and they want to be +careful," and he looked as though he could take care of himself, a fact +that the gentleman noticed. + +"I felt like warning you, my boy," he said, "as I saw it was your first +long journey." + +"And I'm much obliged to you," said Roy. "I wonder how everyone knows +I'm a tenderfoot when it comes to traveling on railroad trains?" + +"A tenderfoot?" + +"Yes, that's what we call persons who don't know much about western +life. I suppose their feet get tender from taking such long walks on +the plains. Anyhow that means a sort of 'greenhorn' I suppose. +Everyone on the train spots me for that." + +"Well, it is easy to see you are not used to traveling, for you take so +much interest in everything, and you show that it is new to you. But +you are learning fast. Even an experienced traveler might have been +taken in by those gamblers." + +"I guess they'll not bother me any more," said Roy. + +And he was right, but only to a certain extent, for, though the +gamblers did not "bother" him again, he had not seen the last of them, +as you shall see. + +The tricksters were in a bad mood, and, soon after that they left the +smoking room, and remained in another car, so Roy did not see them +again that day. + +The express continued on, bringing the boy nearer and nearer to +Chicago. He wished he might have a little time to spend there, as he +had heard much of it, especially the stock yards, where his father sent +many head of cattle in the course of a year. But Roy knew he must +hurry on to New York, to attend to the business on which he had been +sent. + +The next morning, soon after breakfast, the train came to a sudden +stop, near a small railroad station. As the express did not stop, +except at the large cities, Roy wondered if some one like himself, had +flagged the engineer. Soon he was aware, however, that something +unusual had occurred. Passengers began leaving their seats, and went +out of the cars. + +"I wonder what's the matter?" Roy said aloud. He was overheard by the +gentleman who had talked to him about the gamblers, and who had given +his name, as John Armstrong. + +"I think we've had an accident," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"An accident? Is anybody killed?" + +"No, I do not think so. Suppose we get out and see what the trouble +is?" + +They left their seats, and joined the other passengers who were walking +toward the head of the train, which was a long one. It did not take +many seconds to ascertain that an accident had occurred to the engine +of the express, and that it would be necessary to send to the next +station to get materials to make repairs. + +"That means we'll be held here for some time," observed Mr. Armstrong. +"Well, if the delay is not too long, it will give you a chance to walk +about and stretch your muscles." + +"And I'll be glad enough to do it," replied Roy. "I'm not used to +sitting still, and it sure is very tiresome to me. I'd like to have my +pony, Jack Rabbit, here now. I'd take a fine gallop." + +"Well, I think a walk will have to answer in place of it now. There +does not seem to be much in the way of amusements at this station." + +The depot was a mere shanty, with a small telegraph and ticket office +in it. A few houses and a store made up the "town," which was located +on the plains. + +As Roy started toward the depot many of the passengers got back in +their cars, as the sun was hot. Roy, however, rather enjoyed it. +Among those who had alighted were Mr. Baker and his three cronies. +They stood on the depot platform, talking together. + +"Maybe they're trying to get up some new scheme to get me to gamble," +thought Roy. As he neared the station his attention was attracted by a +rather curious figure. + +This was a young man whom Roy at once characterized as a "dude," for he +and the cowboys had been in the habit of so calling any one who was as +well dressed as was the stranger. And Roy at once knew that the man +had not been on the train before, as the boy from the ranch had seen +all the passengers during his journey. + +The "tenderfoot", as Roy also characterized him, was attired in a light +suit, the trousers very much creased. He had on a purple necktie, +rather a high collar, and patent leather shoes. In his hand he carried +a light cane, and in one eye was a glass, called a monocle. Beside him +was a dress-suit case, and he looked as if he was ready to travel. + +Roy glanced at him, and was inclined to smile at the elaborate costume +of the youth, for the western lad had the usual cattleman's contempt +for fashionable clothes, arguing (not always rightly) that a person who +paid so much attention to dress could not amount to a great deal. + +The young man stood leaning against the side of the depot, carelessly +swinging his cane. Roy could see he had a valuable watch chain across +his vest, and, in his tie there sparkled what was presumably a diamond. + +As Roy watched he saw Baker and his three cronies approach the "dude." +A moment later they had engaged him in conversation. + +"I'll bet they're up to some game," mused Roy. "I wonder if I can find +out what it is, and spoil it? I believe they will try to get the best +of that 'tenderfoot.' Guess I'll see what's up." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE DUDE IS SWINDLED + +Carelessly, so as not to attract the attention of the four men, Roy +strolled to the depot platform, taking care to get on the side opposite +that on which was the elaborately-dressed youth. The sharpers did not +see Roy, who kept in the shadow, and the attention of the other +passengers from the train was taken up with what the engineer and +firemen were doing, to get the locomotive ready for the repair crew. + +"How do you do?" asked Mr. Baker, of the "tenderfoot," as he approached +with his three cronies. "Haven't I met you somewhere before?" + +"Well, really, I couldn't say; don't you know," replied the +well-dressed youth, with an affected drawl. + +"I am sure I have," went on Mr. Baker. "So are my three friends. As +soon as we saw you standing here, my friend, Mr. Sutton, said to me, +'Where have I seen that distinguished looking gentleman before?' +Didn't you, Sutton?" + +"Indeed I did, Mr. Baker. And Mr. Hynard said the same thing." + +"Sure I did," replied Mr. Hynard. "I know I've met you before +Mr.--er--Ah, I didn't quite catch the name." + +"My name is De Royster--Mortimer De Royster, of New York," replied the +dude, seemingly much flattered at the attention he had attracted. "I'm +sure I can't recall where I met you gentlemen before, but, don't you +know, your faces are very familiar to me." + +"Of course," went on Mr. Baker. "I remember you very well now. You +are a son of Van Dyke De Royster, the great New York banker; are you +not?" + +"No," replied Mr. De Royster, "he is only a distant relative of mine, +but I belong to the same family. It is very distinguished." + +"Indeed it is," said Mr. Baker. "I have often read in history of the +great doings of the De Roysters. Gentlemen, shake hands with Mr. De +Royster. I know his relative, the great banker, Van Dyke De Royster, +very well." + +Now this was true, to a certain extent, but all the acquaintance Mr. +Baker had with the well known banker, was when the latter had him +arrested for trying to cash a forged check. But Mr. Baker did not +mention this. + +"I am very glad to meet you," said Mortimer De Royster, as he shook +hands with the four swindlers, thinking them delightful gentlemen +indeed. + +"Are you going far?" asked Hynard. + +"To New York. You see I am--er--that is--er--I have been doing a +little business--I am selling jewelry for a relative of mine in New +York. It is not exactly work, for I am traveling for my health, and I +do a little trade on the side." + +"Guess he's ashamed to let it be known that he works for a living," +thought Roy, but later he found he had misjudged De Royster. + +"Ah, in the jewelry line, eh?" asked Mr. Baker. "I used to be in that +myself." + +He did not mention that the way he was "in it" was to try to swindle a +diamond merchant out of some precious stones, in which he was partly +successful. + +"Did you do any business in this section?" asked Tupper. + +"Not much. I stopped off to see some friends, and I did not try to +sell them anything. I don't do business with my friends--I don't think +it dignified, don't you know," and Mortimer De Royster swung his cane +with a jaunty air, and tried to twirl the ends of a very short mustache. + +"That's right; I can see you're the right stuff," remarked Mr. Baker, +with a wink at his companions. "Did you come down here to take the +train?" + +"Yes, I am on my way to New York." + +"How do you find trade?" asked Mr. Baker. + +"Well, really, it is not very good, but that does not annoy me, as I am +only doing this as a side line. I don't worry, don't you know." + +"I see. You're a sport!" exclaimed Tupper, with easy familiarity. "I +sized you up for a sport as soon as I saw you. I must have met you in +New York." + +"Yes, I make my headquarters there," said the salesman. "I seem to +remember you. Sporting life is very attractive to me, I assure you, +really it is." + +"That's the way to talk!" put in Hynard. "Be a sport!" + +"They're flattering him for some purpose," thought Roy. "I wonder what +their object is." + +He was hidden around the corner of the depot, where he could hear +without being seen. + +"That's a very fine watch chain you have on," said Mr. Baker. "It is +much better than mine." + +"And I guess he has a better watch than yours, too, Baker," spoke up +Sutton, with a wink, which Mr. De Royster did not see. + +"No, he hasn't. My watch cost five hundred dollars." + +"I have a very fine timepiece, I don't mind admitting," spoke the +well-dressed youth. "It was given to me by my father, who is quite +wealthy." + +"I'd like to see it," said Mr. Baker. + +By this time an engine, with some parts to repair the broken +locomotive, had arrived from a near-by freight yard. The train crew +had made the adjustments, and the express was almost ready to proceed. +Nearly all the passengers, who had alighted, had again boarded their +cars. + +"I shall be pleased to show you my watch," said Mr. De Royster, drawing +out a heavy gold affair. "I think you will readily agree with me, that +it is a valuable one." + +He passed it to Mr. Baker, and, from where he stood Roy could see the +swindler slip it into his pocket and substitute for it one somewhat +like it, but, probably made of brass instead of gold. Mr. Baker turned +his back, pretending to be trying to get a good light, while he +compared his watch with that of Mr. De Royster. + +"That's a fine diamond pin in your tie," said Tupper, indicating the +stone in the salesman's tie. + +"Yes. Would you like to look at it? It is of very pure color." + +He drew out the gem, and, unsuspectingly passed it to Tupper. + +At that instant the locomotive engineer blew two warning whistles, so +that the lagging passengers might get on the train, which was about to +start. + +"Hurry up! All aboard!" exclaimed Hynard, and, as Roy watched, he saw +Tupper thrust Mr. De Royster's diamond into his own pocket. + +"They're robbing him!" thought the boy from the ranch. "I must warn +him!" + +He started forward. Mortimer De Royster grabbed up his suit-case and +started for the train. Then he became aware that Mr. Baker had not +handed him back his watch, while the other man had his pin. + +"My timepiece!" he exclaimed. "I'll show it to you when we get in the +train. I assure you it's a very fine one. And my pin--I would not +like to lose it! Give them back!" + +Hardly had he spoken when Hynard thrust his hand down into the inside +pocket of Mr. De Royster's coat. His object was to grab his +pocketbook, the bulging outline of which he had seen. + +"Look out!" cried Roy in a loud voice, springing from his hiding place. +"Look out! They're swindlers! They've got your watch and pin, and +they're trying to get your money!" + +[Illustration: "Look out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!"] + +"There's that boy!" exclaimed Hynard, as he drew out his hand. + +But Mr. De Royster had felt the sneaking fingers, and had made a grab +for them. He was too late, however, and, in attempting to catch Hynard +he stumbled and fell. + +"Come on!" cried Baker to his companions. "Let him go! We've got the +stuff." + +"Grab them!" cried Roy to De Royster. "I'll help you." + +He rushed forward. No sooner did the swindlers see him coming, than +they changed their plans. They had intended jumping on the train, +which was already in motion, and leaving Mr. De Royster behind, after +they had his watch and diamond. + +But Roy's quickness prevented this. Baker signalled to his companions, +and they ran off down the track. + +"Come on!" cried Roy. "We'll catch them!" + +"No! I must go to New York," replied the salesman as he arose, and +brushed off his clothes. "The train is going." + +"But they've got your valuables!" + +"I know it. I was a fool, but it's too late now. Help me aboard." + +The train was gathering headway. Roy ceased his pursuit of the robbers +and helped De Royster aboard, the young man carrying his dress-suit +case. Then Roy followed, while the four swindlers kept on down the +railroad tracks. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ROY GAINS A FRIEND + +"Come neah gettin' left, sah!" exclaimed the colored porter of Roy's +car, as our hero, followed by Mortimer De Royster, entered the coach. +"Dat were a close call, sah." + +"Yes, but I wish I had had a chance to round-up those swindlers. I'd +shown them how we handle such chaps out on the ranch!" exclaimed Roy. + +"Swindlers? Was dem nicely dressed gen'men swindlers?" inquired the +porter. + +"Swindlers, upon my word, they are the very worst kind," put in De +Royster. "The idea of tricking me into letting them see my watch, and +then keeping it, don't you know! I shall report them to the +authorities." + +"I'm afraid it will not do much good," remarked Roy. "They are far +enough away by now, and we're getting farther off from them every +minute." + +"That's so. Well, then, my watch and diamond pin are gone," and the +dude seemed to accept the loss quite calmly. + +"Excuse me, sah," broke in the colored man, addressing De Royster, "but +has youh a ticket for dis parlor car?" + +"Not yet. I could not buy one at the little station back there, but +you may get me one, from the conductor, don't you know," spoke the +well-dressed youth, taking a roll of bills from his pocket. At the +sight of the money the eyes of the colored man shone in anticipation of +a tip he might receive. His opinion of the stranger went up several +points. Such is the effect of money, and it is not always the right +one. + +"Are you going to travel in this car?" asked Roy. + +"Yes, it looks like a fairly decent coach. I am really quite +particular how I ride." + +Roy was rather amused at the airs Mortimer De Royster assumed, and he +did not quite know whether to like him or not. The youth had an +affected manner of speaking, and some oddities, but, in spite of these +Roy thought he might be all right at heart. + +The boy from the ranch had learned, from his life in the west, not to +judge persons by outward appearances, though they often give an +indication of character. + +"I don't believe I thanked you for what you did for me," went on De +Royster to Roy, when the porter returned with his ticket and the +change. The colored man's heart was made happy by a generous tip. + +"I don't know that I did anything in particular. I didn't think they +were going to take your hide off, or I would have warned you sooner." + +"My hide off? I don't quite catch your meaning, my dear chap--Oh, yes, +I see. You mean they were going to skin me. Oh, yes. That's a good +joke. Ha! Ha! Well, thanks to you, they didn't." + +"Still they got something." + +"Yes, that watch was a valuable one, and one my father gave me as a +present. The diamond was worth considerable, too. But I am glad they +did not get my money. Only for your timely warning they might have. +Some of it is mine, but the most of it belongs to the firm I work for." + +"They tried to get me into some swindling games, but I refused to have +anything to do with them," and Roy told of the efforts of Baker and his +cronies. + +"I was easily taken in," admitted Mortimer De Royster. "I am ashamed +of myself." + +"Do you carry a valuable stock?" asked Roy, wondering if it were not +dangerous to have so much jewelry about one. + +"Quite valuable, yes, but all traveling jewelry salesmen belong to a +league, and if thieves get away with anything belonging to any member, +we have the services of a good detective agency to run the criminals +down. The professional thieves know this, and, as capture is almost +certain in the end, we have little fear of being robbed. These +swindlers took my personal property, and nothing belonging to the firm, +I'm glad to say." + +"Perhaps you will get it back," suggested Roy. + +"No, I'm afraid not. But I say, my dear chap, where are you going? +You don't look as if you had traveled much." + +"I haven't. I am going to New York on business for my father." + +"To New York? Good! Then I shall have company on the way. That is +unless you don't like to be seen with one who lets himself be robbed so +easily." + +"That would not make any difference to me." + +"Thank you. Perhaps I may be able to be of some service to you in New +York. I know the town fairly well." + +"That will be very kind of you. I know nothing about it, and I'm +afraid I'll be rather green when I get there. I have lived on a ranch +all my life." + +"On a ranch? Fancy now! Really, don't you know, I often used to think +I would like to be a cowboy," drawled the dude. + +Roy looked at the slim figure, and delicate features of Mr. De Royster, +and thought that he would hardly be strong enough for the rough life on +the plains. But he was too polite to mention this. + +"Yes," went on the well-dressed youth, "if I had not gone into the +jewelry business I might now be a 'cow-puncher,'--I believe that is +what you call those gentlemen who take charge of wild steers?" and he +looked at his companion inquiringly. + +"Yes, some folks call 'em that." + +"It must be a very nice sort of life. Now this sort of thing is rather +tame, don't you know." + +"Well, you had it exciting enough a while ago." + +"So I did," admitted Mr. De Royster with a smile. "But that doesn't +happen every day. I wish I could do you some favor, in return for what +you did for me." + +"I didn't do much. I wish I could have gotten them in time to have +saved your watch and chain. But they stampeded before I could rope +them." + +"Stampeded?" + +"Yes, I mean they started to run." + +"Oh, yes. And--er--rope--" + +"Oh, I forgot you didn't understand my lingo. I meant catch them. +Whenever we want to catch anything on the ranch, we rope it. Throw a +lariat over it, you know." + +"Oh, yes, a lasso. I should like to have seen you lasso those chaps. +Have you a lasso with you?" + +"I have one in my large valise." + +"Where are you going to stop in New York?" + +"I don't know yet. I'm going to look around for a good place to get my +grub, and a bunk after I get there." + +"Your grub and bunk?" Mr. De Royster seemed puzzled. + +"Well, I mean my meals and a place to sleep." + +"Ah, then perhaps I can be of service to you. I know most of the best +hotels, and I can introduce you to the managers of some of them. Do +you intend to remain in the city long?" + +"I can't tell. I don't just know how long my father's business will +keep me. Probably I shall be there several weeks." + +"Then I'll tell you what I'll do," said De Royster, in a friendly tone. +"I'll get you fixed up at a good hotel, and then I'll show you the +sights." + +"But how can you spare the time from your business?" asked Roy, who was +beginning to think he had found a real friend in the rather eccentric +person of Mortimer De Royster. + +"Oh, my work is nearly done now for the season. I shall not start out +on the road again until fall, when I shall take goods for the spring +trade. I was selling Christmas stock this trip." + +"Christmas stock, and it is only June," exclaimed Roy. "My, but they +hustle things in the East!" + +"They have to. That's why I'll have some spare time now. I can show +you various sights of interest, and, in turn, you must promise to +protect me from robbers. I think I'll have to get a guardian if this +keeps on," and the dude laughed at his joke. + +"I'll do my best," replied Roy. "If I see those fellows again, they'll +not get off so easily." + +"Then we'll consider ourselves friends!" exclaimed De Royster, +extending his hand, which Roy shook warmly. + +The boy was quite attracted to the young man, whom he began to like +more and more, as he saw that, under his queer ways, he hid a heart of +real worth and kindness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +ROY STOPS A RUNAWAY + +With a companion who proved himself as interesting as did Mortimer De +Royster, the time passed very quickly for Roy. Almost before he knew +it the train was pulling into Chicago, where they changed cars. + +He wanted to stop off and view the stock yards, but there was not time +for this. However he saw much of interest from the car windows, and De +Royster pointed out various objects, explaining them as the express +passed by. + +"We'll soon be in New York now," said the well-dressed youth, as the +train passed beyond the confines of the "Windy City." + +"Is New York larger than Chicago?" asked Roy. + +"Larger? Well, I guess, and it beats it every way." + +"What's that you said, young man?" inquired an individual, seated back +of Roy and his new friend. + +"I said New York was larger and better in every way than Chicago, don't +you know," replied De Royster, looking at the man through his single +eyeglass. + +"You must hail from New York then?" + +"I do." + +"I thought so. You don't know Chicago, or you wouldn't say that. +Chicago has New York beaten any way you look at it." + +"Then I reckon you're from Chicago, stranger," put in Roy, who had the +easy and familiar manners which life in the west breeds. + +"I am, and I don't believe I'm far wrong when I say you're from off a +ranch." + +"I am," admitted Roy, wondering how the stranger had guessed so soon. + +"Well, there's no use getting into a dispute over our respective +cities," went on the stranger. "Everyone thinks his home town is the +best. Are you two traveling far?" + +Thus the conversation opened, and the three were soon chatting +pleasantly together. + +In due time the train arrived at Jersey City, just across the Hudson +River from New York. + +"Here we are!" exclaimed Mr. De Royster. "A short trip across the +ferry now, and we'll be in the biggest city in the Western hemisphere." + +Roy followed his friend from the train, mingling with the crowd on the +platform under the big shed. + +"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Roy. + +"What for?" + +"I've got to see about my baggage. It's checked. I wonder if I can +hire a pack mule, or get a stage driver to bring it up?" + +"Pack mule?" + +"Sure. That's how I got it from the ranch to the depot." + +Mortimer De Royster laughed. + +"I guess there isn't a pack mule within two thousand miles of here," he +said. "Nor a stage either, unless it's the automobile ones on Fifth +avenue. But I'll show you what to do. Wait a minute though. You +don't know where you're going to stop, do you?" + +"Not exactly." + +"Then if you'll allow me, I'll pick out a good hotel for you." + +"I'll leave it to you, pardner," said Roy, with a helpless feeling +that, however much he might know about ranch life, he was all at sea in +a big city. + +"All right. Then I'll give your checks to an expressman, and he'll +bring the trunks to the hotel. Right over this way." + +Mortimer De Royster led Roy through the crowd, to the express office. +The matter of the baggage was soon attended to, and the agent promised +to have the trunk and large valise at the hotel before night. It was +now four o'clock. + +"Come on!" cried De Royster again, pushing his way through the crowd, +with Roy who carried a small valise, containing a few clothes, +following close after him. + +"Wait a minute!" again called the boy from the ranch. + +"What's the matter now?" + +"I want to sort of get my bearings. This is a new trail to me, and I'd +like to get the lay of the land. Say, what's all the stampede about? +These folks are milling, ain't they?" + +"Stampede? This isn't a stampede. They're in a rush to get the ferry +boat. What do you mean by milling?" + +"Why they're like cattle going around and around, and they don't seem +to be getting anywhere." + +"Oh, that's it, eh, my dear chap. Well, they're all anxious to get to +New York, that's why they're rushing so. Come on or we'll miss the +boat." + +Mortimer De Royster led the way through the ferry house, and out on the +boat. He took a seat in the ladies' cabin, and Roy sat down beside +him. The dude had bought a paper, which he was glancing over, +momentarily paying no attention to Roy. + +Suddenly the boy from the ranch, who was looking about him with curious +eyes, jumped up and exclaimed: + +"Something's the matter. The depot has been cut loose!" + +"Cut loose? What do you mean?" + +"Why, we're afloat! There's water outside." + +"Of course, my dear fellow. We're on the ferry boat, crossing to New +York. What did yew think?" + +"Are we on a boat?" + +"Certainly. Where did you think you were?" + +"I thought we were in the depot room, waiting for the boat to come in." + +"Why, no. This is the boat. But of course the approach to it is +through the depot, and it is hard to tell exactly where the dock leaves +off and the boat begins. I should have told you, but I got interested +in the paper." + +"I was a little startled at first," admitted Roy with a smile. "I +thought something had happened." + +Several passengers who had heard this exclamation, were also smiling, +but Roy did not mind this. Everything was so strange and novel that he +wanted to see it all at once. It was no wonder that he mistook the +boat for the waiting room of the station, as the ferry boat was so +broad, and the cabin so large, that often strangers are deceived that +way. + +De Royster soon took Roy out on the lower deck, and showed him New +York, lying across the Hudson river, the sky-scrapers towering above +the water line, the various boats plying to and fro, and the great +harbor. + +"It's wonderful! Wonderful!" exclaimed the boy from the ranch. "It's +different from what I expected. I never even dreamed New York was like +this." + +"Wait; you haven't begun to see it." + +And, a little later, when they landed, and were crossing West street, +with its congested traffic, Roy began to think his companion was right. + +For a moment the noise and excitement confused the boy. There were two +long lines of vehicles, mostly great trucks and drays, going up and +down, for West street is on the water front, adjoining the docks where +the steamships come in, and the wagons cart goods to and from them. + +Then there was a big throng of people, hurrying to and from the +ferries, several of which came in close together. The people all +seemed in a rush, a trait, which Roy was soon to discover, affected +nearly every one in New York. He saw policemen standing on the +crossings, and, whenever the officer held up his hand, the travel of +the vehicles stopped as if by magic, leaving a lane for pedestrians to +cross. + +"He's got them pretty well trained," observed Roy. + +"Yes, he belongs to the traffic squad. Any driver who refused to do as +the officer says, will be arrested. But come on. I want to take you +to your hotel." + +Trying to see everything at once, Roy followed his new friend. +Suddenly, as he was in the midst of a press of wagons, men and women, +in the middle of the street, he heard a cry: + +"Runaway! Runaway! Horse is coming! Look out!" + +Instantly the policeman began shoving people to one side, to get them +out of the path of the runaway. Truck drivers began pulling their +steeds to either curb. Roy looked down the street and saw a horse, +attached to a cab, coming on at a gallop. Thanks to the prompt action +of other drivers the runaway had a clear field. + +"Look out!" shouted the officer. "Hey there, young man!" to Roy. "Git +out of the street!" + +But Roy had other intentions. He handed his valise to De Royster, who +was vainly pulling him by the arm. + +"Come on out of here!" cried De Royster. "You'll get run over." + +"Take my satchel," said Roy. + +"What are you going to do?" + +"I'm going to stop that horse!" + +"You'll be killed!" + +"Say, I guess I know how to handle horses. It won't be the first one +I've caught!" + +Mortimer De Royster, giving one more look at the maddened animal, which +was now close at hand, made a leap for the sidewalk. Roy looked up, +gauged the distance, and, to his horror saw that the cab contained a +lady and a little girl. There was no driver on the seat. + +"Look out! You'll be killed!" shouted several in the crowd. + +"The boy's crazy!" muttered the policeman He took a step forward, as if +to drag Roy out of the way. + +The next instant the boy had made a leap, just as the horse reached +him. It was a leap to one side, but not to get out of the way. It was +only to escape the flying hoofs, for, an instant later, Roy had the +plunging horse by the bridle, and was hanging on for dear life. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +AT THE HOTEL + +There were confused shouts from the crowd. Several men rushed forward, +in spite of the efforts of the officer to hold them back. Women +screamed, and several fainted. + +The horse was rearing and kicking, but Roy, plucky lad that he was, +held on like grim death. + +With one hand firmly grasping the bridle, he reached up with the other, +and clasped the nostrils of the horse in a tight grip. This served to +prevent the horse from breathing well, and, as his lungs needed plenty +of air, on account of his fast run, the animal probably concluded he +had met his master. + +"That's right! Hold him!" called a man. "I'll help you in a minute!" + +"I guess I can manage him now," said Roy calmly. "There now, old +fellow," he went on, speaking soothingly to the horse. The animal was +having hard work to breathe. Roy saw this and loosened his hold +slightly. Then he began to pat the horse, continuing to speak to it. +The animal, which was more frightened than vicious, began to calm down. + +"I've got him!" exclaimed the policeman, coming up and taking hold of +the bridle. + +"Oh, he's all right now; aren't you, old fellow?" spoke Roy, as he +rubbed the horse's muzzle. + +Indeed the animal did seem to be. His dangerous hoofs were still, and, +though he trembled a bit, he was quieting down. + +"That was a fine catch, my lad," remarked one man. "Where did you +learn to stop runaway horses?" + +"Out on my father's ranch in Colorado. This is nothing. We have a +runaway every day out there. I've often caught 'em." + +"Then the city ought to hire a few lads like you to give some of our +policemen lessons," went on the man, with a meaning glance at the +officer. + +"Come now, move on. Don't collect a crowd," spoke the bluecoat +gruffly. He was a little bit ashamed that he had not made an attempt +to stop the horse, but it was due more to thoughtlessness than to +actual fear. Besides, he first considered getting the women out of +harm's way. + +"It was a brave act," went on the man. "I'd like to shake hands with +you, young man." + +He extended his hand which Roy, blushing at the praise, accepted. + +"Here, I want to get in on that," exclaimed another man, and soon as +many as could crowd around Roy were shaking hands with him, while +murmurs of admiration were heard on all sides. + +Meanwhile the lady in the cab was being assisted out by a gentleman. +Then she took her little girl in her arms. The child spoke, in a high +clear voice, that could be heard above the noise of traffic, which had +started up again, when it was seen that the runaway was stopped. + +"Mother, is that the boy who caught the naughty horsie?" + +"Yes, dear, mother wants to thank him." + +"So do I, mother. And I want to kiss him for stopping the bad horsie +that scared Mary." + +There was a laugh at this, and Roy blushed deeper than ever. + +"Come on," he said to Mortimer De Royster, who had made his way to his +side. "Let's get out of this. Anybody would think I was giving a +Wild-West exhibition." + +"Well, that's pretty near what it was. I never saw a runaway better +stopped, and I've seen some of our best policemen try it. You +certainly know how to manage horses." + +"Even if I don't know when I'm on a ferry boat," added Roy with a +laugh. "But it would be a wonder if I didn't know something about +cattle. I've been among 'em all my life." + +"Excuse me, sir," spoke the lady who had been in the cab. "I want to +thank you for what you did," and she extended her hand, encased in a +neat glove. + +Roy instinctively held out his hand, and then he drew it back. He +noted that it was covered with foam and mud, where the horse had +splashed it up on the bridle which he grasped. He had not noticed this +when the men congratulated him. The lady saw his hesitation and +exclaimed: + +"What? You hesitate on account of not wanting to soil my gloves? +There!" and before Roy could stop her she had grasped both his hands in +her own, practically ruining her new gloves, for his left hand was more +dirty than was his right. "What do I care for my gloves?" she +exclaimed. + +"Can't I kiss the nice boy, mother?" pleaded the little girl, whom her +parent had placed on the crosswalk, close beside her. + +There was another laugh, but Roy was not going to mind that. Though he +had no brothers or sisters, he was very fond of children. The next +instant he had stooped over and kissed the little girl. + +Once more the crowd laughed, but in a friendly way, for Roy was a lad +after the heart of every New Yorker--brave, fearless, yet kind. + +"I can't begin to thank you," went on the lady. "But for you, Mary and +I might have been killed." + +"Oh, I guess the horse would have slowed up pretty soon, ma'am," +replied Roy. + +"Now don't make light of it," urged the lady. "I wish you would call +at my home, and see us. My husband will want to add his thanks to +mine. Here is our address." + +She gave Roy a card on which was engraved the name, "Mrs. Jonathan +Rynear," and the address was uptown in New York. + +"The horse took fright when the cabman got down to get something for me +in a store," she said, "and ran away before any one could stop him. I +can drive horses, but I could not reach the reins of this one, and I +dared not let go of my little girl. Now I want you to be sure and +come. Will you?" + +"Yes, ma'am," spoke Roy, and then, when Mrs. Rynear had shaken hands +with him again, Roy managed to make his way through the crowd, and, +accompanied by De Royster, he started up the street. + +"Well, your entrance to New York is rather theatrical," observed +Mortimer De Royster. "You'll get into the papers, first thing you +know, really you will, my dear fellow." + +"That's just where I don't want to get," said Roy quickly, as he +thought that his mission might not be so well accomplished, if Mr. +Annister read of the arrival in New York, of the son of the man whose +agent he was. "How can it get in the papers?" + +"Why, the reporters are all over New York. They'll hear of this in +some way, or the policeman will tell them. Besides, the policeman has +to report all such happenings on his post, and the reporters to go to +the police station in search of news." + +"But how will they know I did it?" + +"That's so. I don't believe they will, old chap. You didn't give the +lady your name." + +"No, and I'm glad of it." + +"Why; don't you want any one to know you're in New York?" + +"Well, not right away. I have certain reasons for it. Later it may +make no difference. But I guess the reporters are not liable to know +it was me." + +"No, perhaps not. The policeman may claim the credit of stopping the +runaway. Some of 'em do, so as to get promotion more quickly." + +"It wasn't much of a job to stop that runaway." + +"Wasn't it? Well, it looked so to me, and I guess it did to the rest +of the crowd. But you're all mud. The horse must have splashed you. +However you'll soon be at your hotel. We'll take a train." + +Still quite bewildered by the noise and confusion Roy followed De +Royster up a flight of steps, not knowing where he was going. The next +he knew was that his friend had dropped two tickets into the box of the +elevated station, and they were waiting for an uptown train. Presently +it came along, making the station and track rock and sway with the +vibration. + +"Come on," cried De Royster. + +"Where are you going?" asked Roy, hanging back. + +"On the elevated train, of course." + +"It isn't safe!" exclaimed the boy from the ranch. "It is shaking now. +It'll topple down! It needs bracing! Do you mean to tell me they run +trains up in the air, on a track, and they don't fall off?" + +"Of course. Come on. It's safe, even if it does shake a bit. It +always does. There's no danger of it falling off. Next time we'll +take the subway." + +"All aboard! Step lively!" cried the guard at the gate, and Roy, with +some misgivings, followed his friend. + +The ride, on a level with the second-story windows of the buildings, +was a great novelty to the boy from the ranch and he soon got over his +feeling of nervousness in looking out at the strange sights on every +hand. + +"Here we are!" exclaimed De Royster at length. "I'll take you to the +hotel." + +They got out, walked down a flight of steps, and soon were in front of +a good, though not showy hotel. In spite of the fact that it was not +one of the most fashionable in New York, the magnificence of the +entrance, with its rich hangings, the marble ornamentation, the +electric lights and the stained glass, made Roy wonder if his friend +had not made some mistake. It seemed more like the home of some +millionaire, than a public hotel. + +"Go ahead; I'll be right with you," called De Royster, as he showed Roy +into the lobby. "I want to speak to a gentleman a moment." + +Somewhat bewildered, Roy advanced into the middle of the lobby, with +its marble floor. Though he was not aware of it, he made rather a +queer figure, with his clothes of unstylish cut, his travel-stained +appearance, the mud on his hands and garments, and his general air of +being a stranger, totally unused to New York ways. + +"Well, what do you want?" suddenly exclaimed the voice of a boy in a +uniform that seemed to consist of nothing but brass buttons. "We don't +allow peddlers in here!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A VISIT TO MR. ANNISTER + +Roy turned and looked at the boy who had made the somewhat insulting +remark. + +"I beg your pardon, stranger," he replied in his western drawl. "I +didn't quite catch your remark." + +"Aw, come off!" slangily replied the brass-buttoned boy, one of many in +the hotel employed to show guests to their rooms whenever summoned by a +bell rung by the clerk. "What are you, anyhow? Selling patent +medicine or some Indian cure?" For Roy plainly showed the effect of +his western life, his hair being a little longer than it is worn in the +east, his clothes rather too large for him, and his broad-brimmed hat +quite conspicuous. + +"So you think I'm rustling medicine, eh?" he asked the boy. + +"I don't know what you're 'rustling' but I know if you try to sell +anything in this joint, you'll get the poke, see!" + +Roy began to think the language of the East was almost as effective as +that of the West in expressing ideas. + +"I'm not selling medicine, stranger," Roy went on, using the term he +had picked up among the cowboys when they meet one whom they do not +know. "I'm going to put up at this bunk-house, I reckon." + +"That's a good one!" exclaimed the boy with a laugh. "What Wild West +show are you from? This is no theatrical boarding house. Better beat +it out of here before the clerk sees you." + +But the talk between the two boys had been overheard by the clerk, who, +in a hotel, holds authority next to the owner. + +"What's the trouble there, Number twenty-six?" he asked, addressing the +bell boy. + +"Aw, here's a guy what t'inks he's goin' to stay here an' sell patent +medicines," replied the boy. + +"What's that? Of course we don't allow any peddling schemes in the +hotel. Send him out." + +"I did, but he won't go." + +"Your boy is mistaken, stranger," replied Roy, walking up to the desk, +and looking around for Mortimer De Royster, who, it seemed, had been +delayed in speaking to a friend. Several men in the hotel lobby drew +near and listened with interest to what was going on. "I came here to +put up at this hotel," went on Roy. "I was sent here by a friend of +mine." + +"We don't take theatrical people," said the clerk, stiffly. + +"I'm not from a theatre. I tell you my friend sent me here. He'll be +here himself in a minute." + +The clerk did not look very much impressed, and Roy feared he was going +to order him out of the hotel. The boy did not want to be thus +publicly put to shame. + +"Who's your friend?" asked the clerk. + +"Mr. Mortimer De Royster." + +"Oh, that's all right!" exclaimed the clerk with a great change of +manner. "Any friend of Mr. De Royster is welcome. Boy, take the +gentleman's grip. What sort of a room would you like?" + +The bell boy, who had thought to put Roy out of the place, was obliged +much against his will to take his valise. + +"That's all right," said Roy good-naturedly to the boy. "I can carry +my baggage. It isn't heavy. I don't know that I'm going to stop here +after all. I think--" + +Just then De Royster came pushing his way through the little crowd +about the desk. + +"Hello, Charlie!" he exclaimed, addressing the clerk. "How are you, +old chap? Looking fine, upon my word!" + +"Good afternoon, Mr. De Royster," replied the clerk cordially, +extending his hand. "Glad to see you. So you're back from your trip?" + +"Yes, but I came pretty near not coming. Might not be alive if it +wasn't for my friend, Mr. Bradner, here. By the way, I want you to +give him the best in the house. He's a great friend of mine. Treat +him well." + +"Of course we shall. We were just going to give him a good +room--er--ahem, Mr. Bradner, will you please register?" and he swung +the book around on the desk, dipping a pen in an ink bottle at the same +time. + +Roy hesitated, and smiled just a little. He was contrasting the +treatment he might have received if Mr. De Royster had not been there. + +"What's the matter?" asked the jewelry salesman, seeing that something +unusual had taken place. + +"Oh, nothing much," replied Roy. "They took me for a member of a Wild +West show, I guess, and they were a little doubtful whether they'd let +me bunk here or not." + +"Ahem! All a mistake! It was the bell boy's fault," said the clerk, +somewhat embarrassed. + +"Here, Number twenty-six, take the gentleman's grip. Any friend of +yours, Mr. De Royster, is doubly welcome here. We can give you a fine +room, Mr. Bradner." + +"All right," replied Roy, good naturedly. "I'll take one." + +"I'll select it for you," put in Mr. De Royster, as he was in some +doubt as to Roy's finances, and he did not want to take too extravagant +an apartment. + +Roy was soon shown to a pleasant room, Mortimer accompanying him. +Every one connected with the hotel seemed anxious to aid the boy from +the ranch, now that it was shown he had wealthy friends. Roy thought +De Royster must be a person of some influence. He was partly right, +though the influence came more from the rich and respected relatives of +the young jewelry salesman, than from himself. However, it answered +the same purpose. + +"I am sorry you were annoyed by that clerk, my dear chap," said De +Royster, when he was seated in the room he had selected for Roy. "I +was unavoidably detained, speaking to a friend I met, don't you know." + +"It's all right," replied Roy. "It all adds to my experience, and I +expect to get a lot of it while I'm in the East." + +"What are your next plans?" + +"Well, I hardly know. I have certain business to do for my father, but +I hardly know how to set about it." + +"Perhaps I can tell you." + +"I wish you could." + +"If it is a secret don't tell me," said De Royster, noting that Roy +hesitated. + +"It is a sort of a secret mission. I'm here to round up a man, and see +what sort of branding marks he has on him--that is, whether he's honest +or not." + +"That is a queer mission for a boy like you to be sent on." + +"Perhaps, but my father had no one else. I will tell you as much as I +can, and see what you have to say." + +Thereupon Roy told his friend about the real estate matter, and Mr. +Annister's connection with it, though he mentioned no names. + +"Let me consider it a bit," said the dude, when Roy had finished. The +latter began to think his friend was more capable than had at first +appeared, and, in spite of his rather affected talk, could be relied +upon for good advice. + +"Here is what I would do, in your place," said De Royster, at length. +"I would get my hair cut, order a new suit of clothes or perhaps two +and appear as much as possible like a New Yorker, don't you know. You +say you don't want that man to know you are here from the ranch. Well, +he certainly would if you appeared before him as you are now. But, if +you--er--well, we'll say 'spruce up' a bit, you can be sure he'll never +connect you with the West. Then you can make whatever inquiries you +like." + +"That's good advice. I'll follow it. I'm much obliged to you." + +"Don't mention it, my dear chap. Now, old man"--(Roy thought it was +strange to be addressed as "old man")--"I've got to go. I'll leave you +my card, and address, and, if you get into trouble, why, telephone or +call on me. Now, good luck." + +He shook hands with Roy and left. The boy from the ranch was a little +lonesome after De Royster had gone, but he knew he would from now on, +very probably have to rely on himself, and he decided to start in at +once. + +After supper he went to the hotel barber shop, and had his hair cut to +the length it was worn by New Yorkers. He wanted to go out and get a +new suit, but he knew the clothing stores would not be open at night. + +His trunk arrived the next morning, and, having arranged his things in +his room, the boy from the ranch set out to buy some new garments, +following De Royster's advice. + +"Well, I certainly don't look like a cowboy now," thought Roy, as he +surveyed himself in the glass, after the change. "Now to call on Mr. +Annister. I don't believe he'll suspect me of being on his trail." + +A little later Roy was on his way down-town, having inquired from the +clerk how to get to the office of the real estate agent. He was soon +at the place, a big office building, in which several firms had their +quarters. + +He got in the express elevator, which went up at a speed that took away +his breath, and was let out at the twentieth floor, where the real +estate agent had his rooms. + +"Is Mr. Annister in?" Roy asked the office boy. + +"I don't know. What's your business?" + +"My business is with Mr. Annister." + +"What's your name?" + +"That doesn't matter. Tell Mr. Annister I called to see him regarding +the renting of some property on Bleecker street," for that was where +the building was located in which Roy and his father were interested. + +"All right. I'll tell him, but I don't believe he'll see you," replied +the office boy, not very good-naturedly, as he went into an inner room. +In a little while he returned and said: + +"Walk in. He'll see you a few minutes, but he's very busy." + +A few seconds later Roy stood in the presence of Caleb Annister. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +ROY'S TRICK + +"What can I do for you, sir?" asked the real estate agent as Roy +entered. "Take a chair." + +Caleb Annister had been a little curious to see the young man whom his +office boy described. He could not imagine what was wanted, but he +scented a possible customer to engage some of the offices in the +structure, for which he collected the rents. + +"I want to make some inquiries regarding an office in your Bleeker +street building," said Roy, for such was the designation of the +property in question. + +"Ah, yes. You are going to open an office, perhaps?" + +"I may." This was the truth as Roy's father had said, if the agent was +found to be dishonest, a new one, with an office in the Bleecker street +building might be engaged. + +"Aren't you rather young to go in business?" + +"Perhaps, but I am representing other persons. Have you any offices to +rent in that building?" + +"A few." + +"What do they rent for?" + +It was Roy's idea to make inquiries in the guise of a possible tenant, +and, see what prices Mr. Annister was charging. What his next move was +you shall very soon see. + +"Well, young man, rents are very high in that building. It is in a +good neighborhood, where property is increasing in value all the while, +and we have to charge high rents. Besides there is a good demand for +offices there." + +This, Roy thought, was not the sort of information Mr. Annister had +sent to Mr. Bradner at the ranch. + +"Do you own the building?" asked the western lad, wanting to see what +the agent would say. + +"No, but I am in full charge. It would be no use for you to see the +owner, as he leaves everything to me. He would not give you any lower +rent rate than I would. Besides, he lives away out West, and never +comes to New York." + +"Can you give me an idea of what the rents are for such offices as are +vacant?" asked Roy, trying not to let any Western expressions slip into +his talk, as he wanted to pose as a New Yorker. + +"Is it for yourself?" + +"No, for parties I represent." + +"I can give you a list of such offices as are vacant, with the prices, +and you can go and see them. The janitor will show them to you, if I +send him a note." + +"That will do very well." + +Caleb Annister went over some books, and soon handed Roy a list of room +numbers, with the prices at which they rented by the month. It needed +but a glance at the list, and a rapid calculation on the part of Roy, +who was quick at figures, to see that if the entire building rented in +the same proportion, the income from it was much larger than what his +father was receiving. Clearly there was something wrong, and he must +find out where it was. + +"I shall look at these offices," he said, "and let you know whether or +not they will suit my friend." + +"What is the name?" asked Mr. Annister, preparing to write a note to +the janitor. + +Now Roy was "up against it" as he put it. He did not want to give his +name, or Mr. Annister would suspect something at once, and, possibly, +put some obstacles in his way. Nor did he want to tell an untruth, and +give a false name. Finally he saw a way out of the difficulty. + +He decided to give De Royster's name, as he had an idea that if Mr. +Annister proved to be dishonest, as it seemed he was, the young jewelry +salesman could be induced to take the agency of the building, at least +until he had to begin his travels again. To do this De Royster would +need an office in the building, so it would be no untruth for Roy to +give his name, and say he was looking for apartments for him. He knew +his friend would consent. So he said: + +"You may make out the note in the name of Mortimer De Royster." + +"De Royster? That is a good name. I know some of the family." + +Mr. Annister wrote the note, and gave it to Roy, not asking his name. +In fact, the real estate man took his caller to be an office boy for +Mr. De Royster, for business men in New York frequently send their +office helpers on errands of importance, and this was no more than the +average office boy could do. + +With the note Roy went to the Bleecker Building, as it was called. He +found the janitor, who readily showed him the vacant offices. + +"Aren't rents rather high here?" asked Roy. + +"That's what they are. But this is a good location for business men, +and they're willing to pay for it," answered the man. + +"Have you no cheaper offices than these?" + +"No. In fact all the others cost more. Some men have several rooms, +and they pay a good price." + +"How many offices, or sets of offices, have you in this building? I +should think it would keep you busy looking after them." + +"It does," replied the janitor, who, like others of his class, liked a +chance to complain of how hard they worked. "There are more than a +hundred offices in this building." + +"And are most of them rented?" + +"All but the five I showed you. I tell you the man who owns this +building has a fine thing out of it. He must make a lot over his +expenses." + +"Who owns it?" asked Roy, wanting to see how much the janitor knew. + +"I couldn't tell you. Mr. Annister never told me. He hires me. I +guess he must have an interest in the property." + +"Yes, entirely too much of an interest in it," thought Roy. "He has +some of my interest, and I'm going to get it back." + +There was one thing more he wanted to know. + +"Are the tenants good pay?" he asked. + +"They have to be, young man. If they get behind a month Mr. Annister +puts them out. That's why those five offices are vacant. But they'll +soon be rented. You'd better hurry if you want one." + +"My friend will think it over," answered the boy from the ranch. + +He had found out what he wanted to know. The property, instead of +decreasing in value as Mr. Annister had said, was increasing. Nearly +every office was rented at a good price, and the tenants were prompt +pay, save in a few instances. It did not require much calculation to +see that the income from the property was nearly double what Mr. +Annister reported it to be to Mr. Bradner. That meant but one thing. +The dishonest agent was keeping part of the rent for himself, and +sending false reports to Roy's father. + +But it was one thing to know this, and another to prove it. Roy left +the building, thanking the janitor for his trouble, and started back +toward Mr. Annister's office. + +"I wonder what I had better do?" he thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +CALEB ANNISTER IS SURPRISED + +Perhaps, if Mr. Bradner had known just the extent of the rascality of +his agent, he might not have sent Roy to investigate. But, at the +worst, he only imagined that perhaps the man might be careless in +collecting the rents, which would account for the small income from the +property. + +Roy certainly had a difficult task before him, and he hardly knew how +to undertake it. Should he confront Caleb Annister with the evidence +of his dishonesty, or would it be better to wait a while? He had all +the proof he needed; but what would be the outcome? That was what +puzzled Roy. + +Finally, with a decision characteristic of him, and following his +nature, which was influenced by the openness of action associated with +the West, he made up his mind. + +"I'll go right back and see him," reasoned the boy, "tell him who I am, +show him that I know he's been cheating us, and demand that he make +good the money he has taken. Then I'll see how he acts. If he pays +back the rent money he has retained I guess dad will not be hard on +him. If he doesn't--" + +Roy knew his father was a man who would have his rights if there was +any way of getting them. He had half a notion to telegraph his father +for instructions, but he wanted to do the work all alone, if he could. + +When he got back to the office where Mr. Annister had his rooms, the +boy in the outer apartment did not stop Roy to ask him his business. +He at once announced him to the agent, who told Roy to come in. The +boy from the ranch nerved himself for what was coming. He felt just as +he used to when, for the first time, he mounted a new bucking bronco. +There was no telling just what the animal would do. Likewise he did +not know how Caleb Annister would act when he exposed his rascality. + +"Well, did you see the offices?" asked the real estate man. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Did you like them? We think they are the best in New York." + +"They are very fine. The rents are higher than I thought to find them." + +"Perhaps, but you must know there is a good demand for offices in that +neighborhood. I could have rented them several times, since they were +vacant, but I wanted to get good tenants, who would pay." + +"You have no cheaper offices you could let Mr. De Royster have?" + +"None. In fact I am thinking of raising the rents of those." + +Roy wondered if he and his father would get any of the increase. + +"That property must be quite valuable," he went on. + +"It is." + +Roy now felt that the real estate agent had convicted himself. There +was need of no further evidence. It was time to make the disclosure. + +"Mr. Annister," said Roy. "Perhaps I had better introduce myself. +Here is my card." + +He handed over one on which he had written his name, and the address of +his father's ranch, as well as that of the hotel where he was stopping. + +For a moment the agent did not know what to do, as he looked at the bit +of pasteboard. His face became pale, then red, then pale again. Next +he smiled, in a sickly sort of way. + +"So you are Roy Bradner, son of James Bradner, eh?" he asked, slowly. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Well, that's--that's a pretty good joke," went on the agent. "A +pretty good joke." + +Roy could not quite see it. + +"You come East here, and pretend to want an office in the building your +father owns, and you take me in completely. That is a good joke. But +I see what you are after." + +"That will save a lot of explanation then, Mr. Annister." + +"I see what you want," the agent went on. "You wanted to find out in a +quiet way, if I was properly looking after your father's property. So +you come here, and don't let me know who you are. It's a good joke. +But I guess you found I was looking after your interests; didn't you? +You found me faithful to my trust. Now you can go back and tell your +father that I am looking well after his affairs. That's what you can +do. When are you going back?" + +"I don't know!" exclaimed Roy boldly, "but when I do go back I will +tell my father that you are a swindler, and that you are cheating +him--and me also--out of our rent money." + +"What's that?" cried Mr. Annister, his face fairly purple with rage. +"You dare call me a swindler! I'll have you arrested for insulting me! +Leave my office at once! How dare you address me in that manner?" + +"I dare because I'm right," replied Roy coolly. "You can't bluff me, +Mr. Annister. I see through your game. I now demand that you pay back +all the money you have retained, or I shall make a complaint against +you." + +The bold and fearless bearing of the boy had its effect on the real +estate agent. He saw he had to deal with a lad, who, if he had had no +previous business experience, was capable of looking after his own +interests. + +"Perhaps you will kindly explain," said the agent, in a tone he meant +to be sarcastic, but which did not deceive Roy. + +"Certainly. I accuse you of charging high rents for the offices in the +Bleecker Building, and with sending my father only about half of what +you collect!" + +"Oh! So that's the game; is it?" asked the agent, with a sneer. +"Perhaps you know how much I take in as rent for the offices in that +building?" + +"I can pretty nearly figure it out," and Roy mentioned a sum that was +so near the mark that Mr. Annister was startled. + +"And perhaps you know what the expenses are, the taxes, the water rent, +the insurance and so forth?" + +"No, but I know what you charged my father for those items, and, taking +them out, at your figures, and also your commission, it would leave a +larger sum than we ever received." + +Mr. Annister saw that he was dealing with no novice, even if the lad +was from the western ranch. He resolved to proceed on a different plan. + +"You may think yourself very smart," he said to Roy, "but you do not +understand New York real estate." + +"I understand enough for this case, I think." + +"I'm afraid not," and the agent smiled. He was beginning to get +command of his nerves. "You see there are many expenses you do not +know of." + +"You never mentioned them to my father." + +"No, I could not. Besides, how do I know that your father sent you to +make these inquiries? I do not even know you are Roy Bradner. You may +be an impostor." + +"I think I can soon prove to you who I am. As for my authority, there +is a letter from my father to you, instructing you to turn this +business over to me at my demand." + +He handed Mr. Annister a letter to this effect written by Mr. Bradner, +and properly executed before a notary public. The rascally agent knew +the signature of Mr. Bradner only too well. + +But he was not going to give up so easily. + +"Any one can write a letter, and forge a signature," he said. + +"Then you think I forged my father's name?" and a dangerous look came +into Roy's eyes. It was a look such as that when he stopped the +runaway horse. + +"I don't care to have any further conversation with you," said Mr. +Annister, sneeringly. "I do not recognize your authority. How do I +know you are Roy Bradner? You will have to bring me better proof than +this. Besides, even if you are who you say you are, that does not say +you understand this renting business. It is very complicated. There +are many charges I have to meet which makes the amounts received for +rent much less than you have figured. Besides, the property is in bad +shape, it needs repairs, and it is going down in value." + +"You said a little while ago that it was increasing." + +The agent started. He saw he had made a mistake. + +"Oh, well," he said impatiently. "You are only a boy; you can't +understand it." + +"I may be only a boy, but I think I understand what is going on, and +that is that you are cheating my father and me. I was in the building +to-day. It is in excellent repair." + +"Don't you dare accuse me of cheating!" exclaimed Mr. Annister, but his +tone was not as blustering as it had been. + +"I believe that is the truth." + +"What do you intend to do?" inquired the agent, as he saw that Roy was +firm. "Not that it makes any difference to me, for I shall communicate +with your father, but I do not want you to come here and annoy me." + +He was beginning to be afraid of what Roy might disclose. + +"I intend to make you return the money you have unlawfully retained. I +believe it is called embezzling, and is a criminal offense. But I will +give you a little time. I shall call here a week from to-day. If, by +that time, you do not have what I consider a proper sum ready to send +to my father I shall consult with the police." + +"Pooh! The police will never interfere. This is a civil matter--not +criminal." + +"I think it is criminal. But I will wait one week. In the meanwhile I +shall write to my father and see what he advises me to do. But I shall +report all the facts in the case." + +"Get out of my office!" exclaimed the now angry and frightened real +estate agent. "I believe you are an impostor. If you annoy me again I +shall have you arrested!" + +[Illustration: "Get out of my office!"] + +"I'll leave your office, because I have finished my business with you, +and not because I am afraid of arrest," answered Roy coolly. "You know +I am not an impostor. I can prove who I am. I shall call on you again +in a week," and he went out in time to surprise the office boy with his +ear at the key hole, listening to what was going on. + +"Cracky!" exclaimed the little lad, when Roy had gone out. "He +certainly talked to the boss like a Dutch Uncle." + +Meanwhile Mr. Annister sat in his office chair, much disturbed in his +mind. He was in great alarm, for he knew Roy was no impostor. + +"What am I going to do?" he asked himself. "He has found me out!" + +He sat biting his nails nervously, his eyes roving about his office, as +if seeking some way of escape from the trouble he was in. Suddenly an +idea came to him. + +"I must get that boy out of the way," he said in a low whisper, which +even the office lad could not hear. "He knows too much. He is too +smart. And I must act promptly. If I can get him out of the way for +two weeks, and before he has a chance to hear from his father, the +property will be mine, and I can defy them all. That's what I'll do. +I'll get him out of the way!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SOME NEW EXPERIENCES + +Roy passed out through the outer rooms of Caleb Annister's suite of +offices. He noted the eavesdropping act of the boy, but said nothing +to the small chap, who seemed much embarrassed. Then Roy, with his +head somewhat in a whirl over what he had just gone through, went into +the tiled corridor. + +He got into an elevator, but, no sooner had the attendant closed the +iron-grilled door than the car seemed to fall to the bottom of the +elevator well with a sickening suddenness. + +"Look out!" cried the boy from the ranch, startled out of his reverie +concerning Mr. Annister, by the fear that the car had broken from the +cable. "She's going to smash!" he cried. + +Down, down, down fell the car, but, to Roy's surprise no one seemed to +mind it. To him it felt, as he expressed it, "as if the bottom had +dropped out of his stomach." + +Roy clung to one side of the iron grating which formed the car. Every +moment he expected the cage to be dashed to pieces. Then some one +laughed. Roy knew something was going on that he didn't understand. + +A moment later the car came to a gradual stop, amid a hissing of air. + +"Say, stranger, does it often break loose and go on a stampede that +way?" asked Roy of the attendant who opened the door at the ground +floor. + +"What's the matter? Did it scare you?" + +"Well, it was a pretty good imitation of it," replied Roy, while the +other passengers broke into laughter. "I sure thought I was going to +China. What was the matter?" + +"Nothing. This is an express elevator, and it drops from the twentieth +story to the ground in about fifteen seconds. It lands into an air +chamber, as soft as a piece of rubber. There's no danger. I do it a +hundred times a day." + +"You'll have to excuse me the next time," said Roy, with a smile as he +got out. "I don't exactly cotton to elevators anyhow, but when they +drop you like a steer falling over a cliff, why it'll be walk the +stairs for mine, after this. It sure will." + +"Guess you're from out West, ain't you?" + +"That's what I am, and it's a mighty good place. Say, that trip sure +made me dizzy." + +Indeed there is a curious feeling about being dropped twenty stories in +a swift elevator, and Roy might well be excused for his sensation. + +However, he soon recovered himself, and, as it was noon time, and he +had a good appetite, he looked about for a place to get something to +eat. + +He noticed a small restaurant nearby, and went in. + +Instead of seeing tables set out in the place, he beheld rows of +chairs, with one arm made very large, so that it served as a shelf on +which to place plates, cups and saucers. In fact it was a chair and +table combined. + +He saw men eating, and others hurrying to and fro, so he took a vacant +place, and sat there, expecting a waiter to come to him and take his +order. He remained there for some time, noting that the men seated in +a row on either side of him, were busy with their food, but no +attendant came to him. + +"This is queer," thought the boy. "The waiters must be terribly busy. +They don't keep you waiting like this at my hotel." + +Finally a man, seeing that Roy was a stranger, spoke to him, saying: + +"You have to wait on yourself here." + +"Wait on yourself?" + +"Yes. You go up to that counter over there," pointing to it, "and take +whatever you want. You'll find plates, knives, forks and so on. Then, +if you want coffee, you take a cup, go to that counter, where the man +stands, and he'll draw a cup for you." + +"Thanks," replied Roy, proceeding to put these directions into use. +Then for the first time he noticed that the other patrons of the +restaurant were doing the same thing. + +Roy helped himself to some sandwiches, crullers, a piece of cheese and +some pie. + +"I wonder who I pay?" he thought, as he saw no one behind the food +counter to take any money. "Guess it must be the man at the coffee +urn." + +He carried his food to a chair, placing it on the broad arm. Then he +went back for a cup of coffee. + +"I got some grub back there," he said to the man. "What's the damage?" + +"Pay the girl at the desk when you go out," replied the man shortly +without looking around. "Tell her what you had, and she'll tell you +how much it is." + +"Well, isn't that the limit," exclaimed Roy, half to himself, as he got +his coffee. "This is certainly a new-fangled way of getting your grub." + +Still he rather liked the novelty of it. Certainly it was quick, once +one learned how to go about it. Roy made a good though not very fancy +meal, and then walked up to the desk, where he observed other men +paying. + +"Well," asked the young lady, who seemed to have a very large amount of +light hair, piled up on top of her head in all sorts of waves and +frizzes. + +"What'd you have?" + +She spoke briskly, making change for one man, and handing another one a +box of cigars, that he might take one, and, all the while she never +stopped chewing gum. + +Roy named over the articles. + +"Twenty cents!" exclaimed the girl. "Here, that's a lead nickel!" she +added quickly, to the customer just ahead of Roy. "Don't try any of +them tricks on me." + +Roy laid down two dimes, wondering at the cheapness of the meal, and +feeling quite confused by the rush and excitement about him. + +He walked out, wondering what his next move should be. He had not gone +a dozen steps up the street, before he suddenly remembered that he had +forgotten to mention to the young lady at the desk that he had a piece +of pie. + +"I've got to go right back and pay her for that pie!" thought the lad. +"She'll think I'm trying to cheat her. Lucky I thought of it when I +did, or they might have sent a policeman after me." + +He hurried back, and made his way to the desk through a crowd of men +coming out. + +"Say," he began to the cashier, "I'm awfully sorry, but I made a +mistake." + +"No mistakes corrected after you leave the desk. See that sign?" and +the girl pointed to one to that effect. "You should count your change +while you're here. You can't work that game on me." + +"I'm not trying to work any game," and Roy felt a little hurt that his +good motive should thus be mistaken. "I had a piece of pie and I +forgot to tell you of it. I came back to pay the five cents." + +"Oh!" + +The girl's manner changed, and she looked a little embarrassed. +"That's all right. You could have paid me to-morrow. + +"But I might not be here to-morrow." + +Roy laid down a five-cent piece. + +"Say, but you're honest!" exclaimed the cashier, as she put back a +straggling lock of her yellow hair. "You can't live in New York." + +"Now I wonder why she said that?" reasoned Roy, as he walked along the +street. "Can it be that every one in New York is dishonest? Well, I +certainly think Mr. Annister is. I must write to father, and tell him +what took place. Then I wander what I had better do next." + +Roy was quite perplexed. He would have been more worried had he known +what was passing through the mind of Caleb Annister at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +CALEB ANNISTER MAKES PLANS + +The rascally real estate agent was more worried over the visit of Roy +than he cared to acknowledge, even to himself. The truth was that +Caleb Annister was planning a bold stroke, which was nothing less than +to obtain title of the building belonging to Mr. Bradner and his son. + +For a long time, as Mr. Bradner had suspected, the agent had been +cheating him, retaining part of the rents. But this did not satisfy +Mr. Annister. He had begun to steal, and he liked that easy way of +getting money so well that he determined on operations on a larger +scale. Now Roy's coming was likely to interfere with this. + +It was Caleb Annister's plan to obtain ownership of the building in +this way. Though he had reported to Mr. Bradner that the taxes had +been always paid promptly, they were, in fact, very much behind, and +had not been paid for two years. + +Consequently the city had put the property up for sale for unpaid +taxes. A certain length of time must elapse before a title could be +taken from the former owner, and given to any one who would pay the +taxes and other city charges. + +Mr. Annister planned to pay these back taxes without Mr. Bradner's +knowledge and so become the owner of the building, which was quite +valuable. But it needed about two weeks before his trick could be +consummated, and with Roy on hand in New York it might not go through +at all. + +For the real estate agent realized, that as Roy had already begun to +investigate the property, he might not stop there, but go further +discover that the taxes were unpaid, and have his father pay them in +the two weeks that remained, thus keeping the title of the building and +land in Mr. Bradner's name. + +"I must prevent that at all costs!" exclaimed the agent, as he sat in +his office, when Roy had gone. "I have gone too far to back out now. +And I will not be thwarted by a mere boy. Bah! Why should I be afraid +of him? If I can get him out of the way--if I can have him disappear +for two weeks, I can snap my fingers at him and his father too. Then +I'll no longer be the agent for the Bleecker Building--I'll be the +owner, and a wealthy man!" + +He gave himself up to day-dreams of what this would mean. He was +brought back from it, however, by the necessity of getting Roy out of +the way. + +"I wonder how I can do it?" he murmured. + +At present Caleb Annister could see no way of bringing this about. He +decided to go out for dinner, thinking, perhaps, some plan might occur +to him. + +As he was walking along the street he almost collided with a man who +was hurrying along in the opposite direction. + +"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Mr. Annister. + +"Certainly. My fault entirely," replied the other. "I--why, if it +isn't Caleb Annister," he went on. "How are you?" + +"Phelan Baker!" cried Mr. Annister, in a tone of surprise. "I thought +you were out West." + +"I was, but I arrived in New York this morning." + +"And how are Sutton and Hynard?" went on Mr. Annister. "I haven't seen +them since that affair of--" + +"Hush! Don't mention such things in public," cautioned Mr. Baker, for +what Mr. Annister referred to was a swindling game in which Baker and +his cronies had been involved, and the discovery of which had made it +necessary for them to leave the city awhile. + +"The boys are all right," went on Mr. Baker. "Tupper is with them. In +fact they came on to New York with me. We were delayed on the road." +He did not say this was caused by the necessity for fleeing after +robbing Mortimer De Royster. "We're at the same hotel. By the way," +he went on, "you couldn't lend me fifty dollars; could you? I'm short, +and the boys have very little. We haven't had any luck lately. I'd +like fifty dollars for a few days. Can you let me have it?" + +"I'm sorry," began Mr. Annister. "I'd like to, but the truth is I have +some heavy bills to meet, and people who owe me money, have not paid +me. Otherwise--" + +"Well, perhaps I can get it somewhere else," said Mr. Baker. In fact +he had very little hope, when he made the request of Mr. Annister, that +he would get the loan. The real estate agent was known to be very +"close", seldom lending money, though he was quite well off. + +"I'd like to accommodate you," went on Caleb Annister, brightening up, +when he saw that Mr. Baker was not going to press the matter, "but you +see how it is." + +"You haven't any work that you want done; have you?" asked the man who +had helped to rob Mortimer De Royster, and who had tried unsuccessfully +to rob and swindle Roy. "We could do almost anything you wanted done, +if you paid us for it. None of us have anything in view to get a few +dollars at." + +Suddenly a thought came into the wicked brain of Caleb Annister. This +might be the very chance he was looking for! Baker and his men could +get Roy out of the way for him. He would try it. + +"Perhaps you might do me a service," he said. "It is very simple, and +does not amount to a great deal." + +Mr. Baker knew the real estate agent well enough to feel that whenever +he wanted anything done, it was no small matter. But he merely said: + +"Tell me what it is. If it's possible we'll do it--for money, of +course." + +"Oh, it's very possible, and I will be willing to pay you and your +friends well. Come and have lunch with me, and we will talk it over." + +Caleb Annister had intended going to an expensive restaurant and +ordering a fine meal, for he was fond of good living, but, when he +found he would have to take Baker, and pay for his dinner, he changed +his plans, and went to a cheap eating place. + +There, sitting in a secluded corner, Mr. Annister unfolded a plot to +the swindler. + +"There is a certain young man, lately arrived in New York," said the +real estate agent, "who is bothering me. Nothing serious, you +understand, but I have a certain deal to put through and he might spoil +it. I want him kept out of the way for two weeks. By that time my +plans will be finished, and I don't care what he does. Do you think +you can get him, and take him, say to some nearby town, or even some +place in New York and keep him there for two weeks? But I must insist +that no harm comes to him." + +With all his swindling schemes, Mr. Annister would not go too far. + +"Sure we can do it," replied Phelan Baker. "That's easy. What do we +get for it?" + +"If you get him away, and keep him out of sight for two weeks all will +be well, and I will pay you a thousand dollars." + +"Good enough! We'll do it. Now who is this boy you want taken away?" + +"Roy Bradner." + +"What? Roy Bradner, the boy from Triple O ranch?" + +"That's the one. But what do you know of him?" and Mr. Annister was +very much astonished. + +"This is curious," murmured Baker. "Very curious. I'll tell you about +it, Annister." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ROY IN DANGER + +When Roy got out into the street again, after paying for the pie he had +forgotten about, he was quite puzzled as to which direction to take to +get back to his hotel. + +"Guess I'm off the trail," he told himself. "I'd ought to have brought +a compass along. Let's see, which way is North?" + +He looked about for a sight of the sun, but, though it was shining, the +tall buildings hid it from view. + +"Might as well be down in the grand canyon of the Colorado, as here in +New York for all you can see of the sun," he murmured. + +"I ought to have taken more notice of the way I came, but what with +going in so many buildings, and that express elevator, I'm all turned +around." + +He tried to think which way to take, and then, getting over a little +natural embarrassment about asking a stranger the road, he inquired of +a well-dressed man the way to get to his hotel, the name of which, +fortunately, Roy remembered. + +"Go right down those stairs," said the man, pointing to a flight which +started in a little shelter built on the sidewalk. "Take an uptown +express, and you'll land right at your hotel. There's a station there." + +"Station?" thought Roy. "That's a queer place for a station. Didn't +have room for it above ground, I reckon." + +He walked down the flight of steps, finding himself in a brilliantly +lighted place. Doing as he saw the crowd do he bought a ticket at a +little window and then, seeing a sign "Uptown Express Trains," he +followed the throng going in that direction. + +A moment later a string of cars came rumbling up along-side of the +platform. + +"All aboard!" called the guard. + +The boy from the ranch got in and took a seat. The next moment the +train started off at great speed, for it was an express, and made but +few stops. Leaving the brilliantly-lighted station the cars plunged +into darkness, relieved by an occasional electric lamp. + +"Must be a tunnel," thought Roy. "We'll come out on top of the ground +in a minute, and I can see what New York looks like. Space is so +crowded down town, I s'pose they have to tunnel for a few blocks." + +But the tunnel did not come to an end. In vain Roy waited for the +train to emerge into daylight. Past station after station it rushed, +the lights there showing for an instant, and then the darkness closing +in again. + +Finally the express stopped. Several passengers got off, and more got +on. Then it started up again, still whizzing through the dark. + +Roy could stand it no longer. Perhaps he had made a mistake and gotten +into the wrong train This one might be destined for China, or some +other under-ground port. Roy made his way to where a guard was +standing. + +"Excuse me, stranger," he began, in his broad western tones. "But how +long is this tunnel, anyhow?" + +"Tunnel? This ain't no tunnel!" + +"No? what is it then? It's a pretty good imitation. Looks like an +underground river that has gone dry." + +"Why, this is the subway." + +"The subway?" + +"Sure. It goes right under the streets, all the way along New York." + +Then Roy understood. Mortimer De Royster had told him something of +this underground railroad, through the heart of New York, but thinking +of other things had put it out of Roy's mind. A little later he +alighted and walked to his hotel. + +Meanwhile Caleb Annister and Mr. Baker had been plotting together. +They discussed many schemes, and at last hit on one they thought would +answer. + +"I think we'll let Tupper do the trick," said Baker. "Young Bradner +saw less of him than he did of the rest of us, and if Tupper shaves off +his moustache, and changes his voice a bit, as he can do, the boy will +never recognize him," for Baker had told Mr. Annister of the encounter +of himself and his cronies with the boy from the ranch. + +"Anything so as to get him away for two weeks," said the agent. "Don't +tell him too much about it, and then--if anything happens, you +understand--I can't be called to testify." + +"Oh, nothing will happen, in the way you mean. We'll be careful. Now +where is he stopping?" + +Mr. Annister mentioned the name of the hotel, which Roy had written on +the card he had left with the agent. + +"All right. I'll see Tupper, and have him fix up to do the job. It +ought to be easy. You'll have the money, I suppose?" + +"As soon as he is out of the way--safely--you get the thousand dollars." + +There was some more talk, and the two plotters separated. + +It was three days after this, during which time Roy had enjoyed himself +going about New York alone, (for he had not seen De Royster) that, as +he was sitting in the hotel lobby one afternoon, a well-dressed man +approached him. + +"Aren't you from out Painted Stone way, in Colorado?" asked the man +pleasantly. + +"That's where I'm from, the Triple O ranch," replied Roy, who was frank +by nature, and unsuspicious. He wondered who the man could be, and how +he knew where he was from in the west. + +"I thought so," went on the stranger. "I was out on a ranch near there +about a week ago and I happened to be at the railroad station when you +got aboard." + +"What ranch were you on?" asked Roy, for he knew them all within a +radius of a hundred miles of his father's. + +"Why, it was--er--let's see--seems to me it was the Double X." + +"There's no such ranch near Painted Stone." + +"Well, maybe I'm wrong. I just stopped there, but I have a poor memory +for names," said the stranger quickly. "But permit me to introduce +myself. I'm John Wakely, of Buffalo. I'm a stranger in New York, and, +as you are also, I thought we might go about a bit together." + +"That would suit me," replied Roy, who was beginning to feel a bit +lonely in the big city, without the company of a friend. He thought +this was a good opportunity to go around and see the sights. He told +the man his name. + +"Suppose we go in and have some ice cream soda," went on Mr. Wakely. +"Or, better, still, have it in my room. I'm stopping at this hotel. +Then we can go out a bit." + +The idea appealed to Roy, who had a liking for the ice cream sodas he +had only lately become familiar with. The day was hot, and the +stranger seemed very cordial. Roy had a dim suspicion that he had +heard his voice somewhere before, but he could not place it. Certainly +the face was not one he could recall. + +They went to Mr. Wakely's room, and soon a bell boy brought two large +glasses of the cool beverage. + +He set them down on the table between Mr. Wakely and Roy, and then +withdrew. Had Roy known now of the dangers of the city he never would +have trusted a stranger as he did this one. + +"Is that your handkerchief on the floor behind you?" asked Mr. Wakely +suddenly, pointing at something on the carpet. + +Roy turned. At the same instant Mr. Wakely extended his hand over the +glass of soda in front of the boy. Something like a white powder +sifted down into it. + +A moment later Roy turned back. + +"It's not my handkerchief," he said. "Must be a piece of dust rag, the +work-girl dropped." + +"Very likely. But drink your soda and we'll go out." The boy put to +his lips the glass, into which Mr. Wakely had sifted the white powder. +He was in great danger, but he did not realize nor suspect it. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +ROY IS MISSING + +Shortly after this incident, approaching the clerk at the hotel desk +where he had engaged a room near Roy's, Mr. Wakely, seeming much +concerned, said: + +"My friend, Mr. Bradner, has been taken suddenly ill. I think I shall +take him to my doctor's. Will you call me a cab?" + +"Why don't you have the hotel doctor look at him?" suggested the clerk, +who had taken a liking to the boy from the ranch. The clerk did not +exactly like the ways of Mr. Wakely, who had only taken a room at the +hotel a day or so before. + +"Oh, I don't like to trust a strange doctor. I think my physician can +fix him up. He is in need of rest, more than anything else. The +strenuous life of the city, after his quiet days on the ranch has been +too much for him." + +"He looked strong and hearty," replied the clerk. "He told me he used +to rope wild steers. I should think he could stand it here. He hasn't +been going around much." + +"Still I think I shall take him away," went on Mr. Wakely. "Please +call me a cab. I believe I'll take his baggage with me. I'll settle +for his bill." + +"There's nothing to settle. Mr. Bradner paid me this morning for his +board up to the end of the week." + +Mr. Wakely looked relieved at this, but said nothing. + +The clerk, not exactly liking what was going on, but being unable to +interpose any objections, rung for a cab. Then, under orders from Mr. +Wakely, Roy's baggage was brought down and put into the vehicle. + +A little later Roy's new acquaintance came down in the elevator, +supporting the lad with an arm around his shoulders. Roy could hardly +walk, for his legs were trembling, and there was a curious white, dazed +look on his face. + +"What's the matter, old chap?" asked the hotel clerk, with ready +sympathy. "Can I do anything for you?" + +It seemed as if Roy tried to speak, but only a murmur came from his +lips. + +"He'll be all right in a little while," said Mr. Wakely quickly. "He's +a little faint; that's all. I'll look after him." + +Somehow the clerk thought Mr. Wakely acted as if he did not want any +one to come too near Roy, or lend any aid. A little later, leading the +boy, who seemed to become weaker, Mr. Wakely got into the cab with him, +and drove on. + +"Poor fellow," said the clerk sympathetically. "I hope he gets better. +He certainly is a nice chap, and I wonder what could have made him ill +so suddenly? I don't like that Wakely fellow." + +That evening it occurred to Mortimer De Royster that he had not seen +his friend Roy for some time. Not, in fact, since he had parted with +him at the hotel. + +"That's beastly impolite on my part, don't you know," said De Royster +to himself. "I must run around and see him. I've been so busy +straightening out my accounts since I came back from my western trip, +that I have neglected all my friends. However, I'll make up for it. +I'll take him to some theatre and give him a good time." + +Thus musing, Mortimer De Royster adjusted his one eye glass, selected a +delicately-colored necktie from his rather large stock, and attired +himself to go out and call at Roy's hotel, which he soon reached. + +"Good evening, Mortimer," greeted the clerk, who knew De Royster quite +well. "How are you?" + +"Feeling very fit, old chap, don't you know," replied De Royster. "How +are you?" + +"So-so." + +"That's good. Charming evening, isn't it? Charming. I--er--I called +to see my friend, Mr. Bradner. Going to take him out and show him a +bit of New York after dark, don't you know. I have tickets to a very +nice show, and I think he'll like it. I owe a good deal to him, old +man. He's a clever chap. I want to repay him in some way. I'll go up +to his room." + +"It's no use." + +"No use. Why, my dear fellow, what do you mean?" + +"I mean he was taken away--ill--in a cab by a friend of his." + +"Who was the friend?" + +Mortimer De Royster lost his rather careless manner, and was all +attention. + +"A fellow named Wakely. He took rooms here a day or so ago. Made +friends with Mr. Bradner--Roy, I call him, for I feel quite friendly +toward him. Late this afternoon Wakely came to me and said Roy was +sick, and he was going to take him to a doctor." + +"And did he?" + +"That's what he did. Took his baggage too," and the clerk related what +had taken place. + +"What sort of a fellow was this Wakely?" asked De Royster, with +increasing interest. + +The clerk described him. The dudish jewelry salesman shook his head. + +"I don't recognize him," he said. "What do you think about it? You +saw him." + +"I'll tell you what I think," went on the clerk. "I think that fellow +Wakely is up to some game, and I wish Roy had not made his +acquaintance." + +"That's just what I believe," exclaimed De Royster. "It seems a queer +thing that Roy should be taken sick so suddenly. Why, he was as +healthy as a young ox. I'll wager there's something wrong. He came +here to New York to expose a man he thought was a swindler, and I +believe the man has him in his power now. I must do something to aid +him." + +"What are you going to do?" asked the clerk, as De Royster started out +of the hotel. + +"I'm going to try to find the cab driver who took them away, and +perhaps I can trace Roy. If I can't do it that way I'll notify the +police. Roy has been taken away against his will, and maybe they are +keeping him in hiding. I'm going to find him!" + +Roused into sudden action by the thought of danger to the lad who had +aided him, Mortimer De Royster hurried out, a look of determination on +his face. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +IN THE TENEMENT + +When Roy awakened, after what seemed like a very long sleep, he found +himself in a poorly furnished room. At first he could not understand +it--everything was so different from his pleasant apartment at the +hotel. + +He thought it must be a dream, but when he saw his trunk and valises +near the bed, he knew he was not asleep. + +He sat up and looked about him. The room he was in contained, besides +the bed, a table, a few chairs and a small cupboard. As Roy roused a +man, seated in one of the chairs, approached the bed. + +"So, you're awake, are you?" he asked. + +"What's the matter--what has happened, Mr. Wakely?" asked Roy, +recognizing the man who had treated him to ice cream soda. + +"Oh, you're all right. You're just staying here for a few days." + +"But what happened? Did the hotel catch fire? Did I get hurt? Did +they bring me here?" + +"I brought you here, but the hotel did not catch fire." + +"Then why am I not there--in my own room?" + +"This is your room for a while." + +Something in the man's smile roused Roy's suspicions. + +"What do you mean?" he asked quickly. + +"Now keep quiet and you'll be all right," spoke Mr. Wakely, in what he +meant to be a soothing tone. "You can't help yourself. You're here, +and you're going to stay." + +All of Roy's energies were aroused. He believed he had been brought to +the place for the purposes of robbery. But how had it been done +without his knowledge? He started to leave the bed. + +"No you don't!" exclaimed Mr. Wakely. "You stay right there." + +"What's that?" cried Roy, a sudden fire coming into his eyes, and his +hands clenching themselves ready for a fray. "I must say you've got +nerve to do this. I'm going to get up, and you and I are going to have +a tussel! I guess I haven't roped wild steers, and ridden bucking +broncos, for nothing!" + +He threw off the covers, noting for the first time that he was fully +dressed. But, as he attempted to approach Mr. Wakely a dizziness +overcame him, and he sank back, trembling on the bed. + +"You see I am right," went on the plotter with an evil smile. "You had +better stay where you are." + +It seemed to Roy as if all his strength had left him. He had never +felt so weak before, save once, when he was recovering from a severe +fever. + +"Where am I; and what do you want?" he managed to ask. + +"Now if you'll promise to lie quietly, I'll tell you," went on the man. +"I guess I'll not take any chances though. I'll tie you in bed, and +you can listen then." + +It did not take him long, in Roy's weakened condition, to fasten the +boy securely in the bed, by means of ropes which he took from the +cupboard. + +"There," remarked Mr. Wakely when he had finished. "I think you'll +stay there for a while. Now listen. You have been brought here for a +certain purpose. I can't tell you just what it is, but, if you behave +yourself, no harm will come to you." + +[Illustration: "I think you'll stay there for a while," said Wakely] + +"But what right have you got to bring me here?" + +"Never mind about that. You're here, and you're going to stay." + +"I'll call for help, as soon as I'm able." + +"And a lot of good it will do you. You are on the top floor of a +tenement house, and there are no tenants except on the first floor. +You can yell until you are hoarse, for there is a big electric light +plant near here. It runs night and day and it makes so much noise +constantly that all the yelling you can do won't be heard above it. +Besides, if the tenants should happen to hear you yelling, they'll pay +no attention to you, for you are supposed to be crazy. I told 'em so. +Now you see how helpless you are." + +Roy felt stunned. Why had this man gotten him in his power? + +"But I can't see what you want of me," went on Roy weakly. "If it's +money, why take what I have, if you mean to rob me." + +"No. I'm not going to rob you." + +"Then are you kidnapping me, and holding me for a ransom?" Roy had +read of such things. + +"Not much! Kidnapping isn't in my line. I am acting under orders for +a friend of mine. He wants you kept out of the way for a while, and +I'm going to do it. + +"Now understand. I'm on guard here, or in the next room all the while. +If I'm not there some one else will be. If you try to escape it will +go hard with you. If you behave you'll be well taken care of, and fed. +In a short time--that is, in a week or so--you will be allowed to go. +Now, if you'll promise to lie quietly, I'll take off the ropes." + +"I'll not promise you anything!" + +"Very well, then you stay tied up. I'm going out for a few minutes, +but you needn't think you can escape." + +The man left, locking the door. As soon as he was gone Roy tried to +loosen the bonds, but they were tied too tightly, and he was too weak +to accomplish anything. + +"I wonder what his object is?" thought the boy from the ranch. "He +must have put some drug in that soda to make me partly unconscious. I +remember now it had tasted queer. Then he brought me here. But what +for? I can't understand it. I wonder if I can escape?" + +Once more Roy tried to loosen the ropes, but the effort was too much, +and his head, which was not tied down, fell back. He was unconscious. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A DANGEROUS DESCENT + +When Roy regained his senses again, he felt much better. He was still +tied down on the bed, and Wakely was sitting near him. + +"Well, you were quiet enough," remarked the man with a sneer. "I've +got something here to eat. You can take it, if you don't raise a row." + +"Oh, I'll take it," said Roy. He knew if he was to make an effort to +escape, which he fully intended to do, he would need all his strength, +and food was necessary. + +"Then, I'll loosen the ropes a bit. But, mind now, no funny work, or +I'll tackle you." + +Roy had his own opinion as to how he would fare in a tussel with +Wakely, but he said nothing. The ropes were loosened and the boy +partook of the food. He felt better after it. + +It was now dark, and Wakely lighted the gas in the room. Roy wondered +whether it was the same day he had been taken from the hotel, or +whether several had elapsed. It was the same day, as he learned later. + +"Now, I'm going to sleep in the next room," went on the man, "and I +warn you I'll awaken at the slightest sound. If you try any +tricks--well, it will be better if you don't. As I said, no harm will +come to you--if you're quiet." + +Roy did not answer. He wanted to think out a plan of action. He was +puzzled over the queer situation, and wondering who could have any +object in keeping him a prisoner. He did not associate Caleb Annister +with it. + +After the meal Wakely again adjusted the ropes about the boy on the +bed, and Roy offered no objections. He was sure when the time came he +could undo the bonds. For what Roy did not know about tying ropes, to +hold anything from a bucking bronco to a wild steer, was not worth +knowing. He was in a situation now where his life on the ranch was +likely to stand him in good stead. + +"You can go to sleep whenever you want to," said Wakely. "But +remember--no tricks!" + +Roy did not answer. He wanted to think, and he knew he could do it +best in the dark. Presently Wakely turned off the gas, and withdrew, +again locking the door. + +It did not need much listening on Roy's part to show that the man had +spoken the truth about the noises near the tenement. There sounded the +whirr of dynamos, the puffing of steam, the rattle of coal and ashes +down chutes--in short it would have taken a loud voice to make itself +heard above the racket. A better place to keep a prisoner, in the +midst of a great city, could not have been devised. + +Nevertheless Roy did not give up hope. He resolved to attempt nothing +that night. He wanted daylight to work by, and he felt that Wakely +could not be with him all the while. + +"But if I stay here more than a day or so there's going to be trouble," +thought the boy. "Dad will write or telegraph me, in answer to my +letter telling about Annister's game, and, if I can't answer him, he'll +get worried. I wish I could understand what this is all about. Maybe +they take me for another person. Well, I can't do anything now. I +must try to sleep. That stuff he gave me makes my head ache. This +shows how foolish I was to trust too much to strangers. When he got me +to look around at that handkerchief he must have put something into my +soda." + +Thus musing, Roy fell into a doze. From that he passed into a heavy +sleep, and Wakely, peering in the door a little later, noted with +satisfaction that his prisoner was deep in slumber. + +"That's good," he whispered. "I can get some rest myself now. It's no +joke--being on guard all the while. Some of the others of the gang +have got to help out. I must send word to Baker. He's got to take his +share." + +Roy felt better the next morning, and ate with relish the breakfast +Wakely brought in, though the meal was not a very good one. + +A little while after this his captor went out, and Roy resolved to +attempt to loosen his bonds. It was a hard task, for he could not work +to advantage, but to his delight he found he could gradually undo some +of the knots. + +But he did not cast off the ropes. That was not his plan. As long as +he knew he could loosen them at will, he decided to remain as though +bound. This would make Wakely think he was in no position to escape, +and the man would not keep such close watch. + +Soon after this voices were heard in the outer room, and Roy knew some +one was with his guard. They did not come into the apartment, and the +boy saw nothing of any one until, at noon, more food was brought to +him. He deemed it inadvisable to attempt to escape now, and resolved +to wait another day. + +Night came, supper was brought, and again Roy was locked in. He was +beginning to be very uncomfortable, lying in bed so long. + +"I'll slip out the first chance I get to-morrow," he thought. "Right +after breakfast will be a good time." + +Fortune favored him. Soon after Wakely had brought in the morning +meal, he went out, locking the door after him. Roy heard another door +close, and guessed rightly that his captor had left the building. + +"Now's my chance!" thought the boy. + +Putting into operation his knowledge of ropes and knots, and, by using +his strength, which was not small, he managed to loosen his bonds. In +a few minutes he was standing in the middle of the room free. + +"Now for the door!" Roy murmured. "I wonder if I can break it open, or +work the lock?" + +A moment's inspection served to show him that to open the portal was +out of the question. The lock was a heavy one. The door itself was +solid, not one with panels, and, after trying it cautiously, for Roy +did not want to make a noise, he decided he could not escape that way. + +There was only one other means,--the window. He went to it and looked +out. It was fully sixty feet from the ground, and there was nothing, +in the shape of a lightning rod, or a rain-pipe leader to cling to. +Nothing but the bare tenement house wall, broken here and there with +other windows. + +Roy leaned far out. He knew it was useless to shout, as the noise from +the electric shop drowned all other sound. Nor could he see any one +whose attention he might attract. + +It was necessary for him that he work quickly, for Wakely, or one of +his friends, might return any moment. Yet how could Roy get out of the +window and to the ground? + +He looked about the room for something to aid him. His first thought +was of the bed clothes. He had read of persons tying sheets together, +after tearing them into strips, and so making a rope. But there were +no sheets on his bed, merely a small blanket, for it was warm weather. +There was nothing in the shape of a rope in the room. It looked as if +Roy would have to remain a prisoner. + +Suddenly an idea came to him as he looked at his large valise which, +with his trunk, had been brought to his room. + +"I have it!" he exclaimed. "My lasso! It's long enough!" + +It did not take a minute to get it from the valise. It was a long thin +lariat, strong enough to support several pounds, and he knew it would +reach over a hundred feet. + +"Lucky I thought to bring that with me," he said, "though Billy Carew +laughed at me, and asked if I expected to rope any steers in the +streets of New York. I guess he didn't figure on this." + +It did not take Roy two minutes to fasten one end of the lariat to the +bed, which was the heaviest article in the room. Then he tossed the +other end out of the window, noting that it touched the ground, with +several feet to spare. + +"Now for it!" murmured the boy. "It's a dangerous climb, to go down +hand over hand, but I think I can slide it!" + +Testing the lasso to make sure it was securely fastened, he put one leg +over the window sill, grasped the lariat with both hands, and swung +himself off. + +As he did so he heard the door of his room open, and some one rushed +in. There was a cry of alarm. + +"That's Wakely," reasoned Roy. "He's discovered that I'm gone." + +An instant later the face of Wakely appeared at the window. He shouted +to Roy: + +"Come back here!" + +"Not much!" + +"Then I'll cut the rope!" + +Wakely drew out his knife, but, before he had a chance to use it he was +pulled back, and the face of Mortimer De Royster replaced that of Roy's +late captor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +GETTING A CLUE + +Roy was so astonished at the sight of his friend, the jewelry salesman, +peering out of the window that he nearly let go his hold of the rope. +He recovered himself quickly, however, and slid on toward the ground. +As he looked up at the casement he could see that De Royster and Wakely +were having some kind of a struggle. + +"I must go back and help him," thought Roy. "Mr. De Royster is no +match for that fellow. I'd like to tackle him on my own account, +though he was not cruel to me while he had me a prisoner." + +His determination to do this was increased when his friend leaned out +of the window, and called: + +"Come on up, Roy! Help me!" + +"He's plucky to tackle that fellow alone," thought the boy from the +ranch. + +But now he had no time for musings. He must act. As he let go the +rope, his feet having touched the ground, he found himself in the not +very clean yard of the tenement. + +About him were boxes and barrels of rubbish, decaying vegetables were +on all sides, besides tin cans and heaps of refuse. Clearly the +tenants in the house were not particular. + +Roy looked about him. The yard was surrounded by a high fence, and +there were no persons in sight. To the rear was the electric light +plant, and on either side, the yards of other tenement houses. Then +Roy saw an alley, which, he thought, would lead to the street. + +Leaving his lariat dangling, he made a dash for the alley and soon +found himself in front of the tenement house, where he had so recently +been a prisoner. + +Up the stairs he went on the jump, and, as he came near the room where +he had been held, he could hear the sound of a struggle. + +"They're fighting!" he thought. "I must help De Royster!" + +As he entered the apartment he saw the jewelry salesman holding Wakely +by the wrists, while the man was endeavoring to get away. + +"Quiet now, my dear fellow!" exclaimed Mortimer De Royster. "I say, +old chap, you can't get away, don't you know. I've got you, and I'm +going to have you arrested." + +"You are, eh? I'll see about that!" exclaimed Wakely. "Let go of me!" + +At the same time he gave a violent wrench. + +"Hold on, my dear fellow," remonstrated De Royster. "You mustn't do +that, don't you know." + +In spite of his rather slight built De Royster was proving himself +almost a match for Wakely. But his strength was not of the lasting +kind, while the other's was. + +"Let me go!" fiercely demanded Wakely. "If you don't it will be the +worst for you!" + +At the same time he gave such a yank that he succeeded in freeing one +arm. But De Royster was not going to give up so easily. He grabbed +Wakely around the waist. + +At that moment Roy made a rush for Wakely. Just as he was about to +grab him, he was thrust aside by some one from behind. Wakely turned, +gave one look at the newcomer, and cried: + +"Quick! Tell Annister he's escaped!" + +Wakely had not yet observed Roy, as the boy from the ranch was back of +him. Then the man who had taken Roy from the hotel succeeded in +breaking the hold De Royster and Roy had on him. He dashed from the +room, just as the other man, to whom he had called the warning, also +ran out. Both seemed much frightened. + +"Hold on!" cried De Royster, as if either of the men would stop for +that. "Hold on! I know you." + +"Come on! We'll get 'em!" shouted Roy, turning quickly and starting +after his captor and the confederate. + +But he was too late. + +Wakely slammed the door of the room shut, and locked it, and Roy knew +it would be useless to try and open it. + +"Break the door down!" exclaimed Mortimer De Royster. "We can catch +them!" + +"The door's too strong," replied Roy. + +"Then we're caught!" + +"Yes, but don't worry. I can go down the lariat the same as I did +before." + +"Perhaps you can, but I can't my dear fellow." + +"Oh, I'll come up the stairs and open the door for you, if the key's +there. Say, but how did you get here, anyhow?" + +"I came after you. I've been tracing you for hours. What does it all +mean, Roy? Why did they take you a prisoner?" + +"I don't know. Wait until I get my breath and I'll talk." + +"That's so. I'm a little troubled that way myself, don't you know. If +I could have held that chap a little longer I would have had him." + +"Yes, but he had help at hand." + +"Right again, old chap. The other man came in at the wrong time. You +know who he was, don't you?" + +"No. I didn't get a good look at his face. Who was he?" + +"One of the four swindlers from out West who got my watch and diamond +pin!" + +"You don't mean it;" cried Roy, much excited. He began to understand +part of the plot now. + +"That's who he was," declared the dudish salesman. "I knew him at +once, but I couldn't warn you. I needed all my breath to hold that +other man. What was his name? I've forgotten." + +"He called himself Wakely. I met him at my hotel." + +The exciting incidents of the last few minutes, and the surprise +created by De Royster's announcement that one of the train swindlers +was a friend of Wakely, set Roy to thinking. + +"Did you hear what the fellow, whom I was holding, said just before he +got away?" asked Mr. De Royster, after a pause. + +"Yes, he said 'Quick! Tell Annister he's escaped!'" + +"I wonder what he meant?" + +"I reckon I can explain. I might as well tell you the whole story of +why I came to New York, and you will understand. Caleb Annister is the +name of the man who is agent for some property my father and I own. It +was this man whose actions I came to investigate. I found him to be a +swindler, and I gave him a short time in which to pay back the money he +had wrongfully retained." + +"What did he say?" + +"He tried to explain, but it was a pretty poor explanation. I caught +him 'with the goods on him', as we say out West." + +"But why should this man whom I held--this Wakely--want the other to +warn Annister about some one escaping?" + +"That 'some one' was me. I believe Annister got these fellows to get +me out of the way for a time, until he could work some of his schemes. +Perhaps he thought I would be frightened, and go back West, where I +could not bother him any more. + +"Are you going?" + +"Not a bit. I'm going to keep right after him. I begin to see through +his plot. This man Wakely came to my hotel purposely to get acquainted +with me. Then he drugged me, and got me out to this place, where he +kept me a prisoner. What was to be the outcome I don't know. But I am +surprised to hear you say that the other man who came into the room was +one of the swindlers who robbed you." + +"I am sure of it. I would never forget his face. Wakely, too, seems +familiar, but I can't place him." + +"Maybe Wakely is a member of their gang, and perhaps Annister, too, is +in with them." + +"I shouldn't be surprised. What do you think we had better do?" + +Neither of them yet recognized Wakely as Tupper. + +"I think we'd better get out of this place before they come back with +reinforcements," said Roy with a laugh. He was cool, despite what he +had gone through, for he was somewhat used to meeting danger and doing +his best to escape. + +"I'll slide down my rope again," he went on, "come up the stairs, and +open the door. Then we can talk it over. I must get my baggage away +from here." + +It did not take the boy long to repeat his feat with the lariat, and +soon, having found a key, he opened the door from without, releasing +Mortimer De Royster. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A LAWYER'S ADVICE + +"Now, what's the first thing to be done, my dear chap?" asked De +Royster, as Roy loosed the lasso from the bed and coiled it up. + +"Arrange to get my stuff away from here. I reckon, and back to my +hotel. Then I want to hear how you traced me." + +"I'll tell you. But I agree with you that we had better leave this +place. Let's go down to the street and engage an expressman." + +They found one who agreed to take Roy's baggage back to the hotel. +After seeing it safely in the wagon, during which time a few of the +tenants in the house looked on curiously, but said nothing, the two +friends started for the hotel, where Roy had been stopping. + +"As soon as I called at your hotel that night, and found you had been +taken away, sick, by a man who had only recently come to the place, I +suspected something was wrong," explained Mr. De Royster, on the way. +"The clerk told me about you going away in a cab, and gave me a fairly +good description of the driver, whom he had a glimpse of. It was a cab +seldom seen in this part of the city. + +"I knew my best plan, don't you know, would be to find that driver, and +learn where he had taken you and your baggage. My idea was that some +sharpers had gotten you into their power to rob you. I never suspected +there was such a deep plot." + +"Neither did I," replied Roy, "and I don't believe we have seen the +last of it." + +"Well," went on De Royster, "I had quite a time tracing that cabman. I +must have interviewed nearly fifty drivers before I found one who knew +a fellow that answered the description of the one who had taken you +away. But at last I located him, and, though he was reluctant at +first, to tell me what I wanted to know, he did, after I threatened to +call in the police." + +"Would you have done so?" + +"Certainly. I felt that you were in danger, for you know little of New +York." + +"That's so, and I'm afraid it will take me a long time to learn. I'm +pretty green." + +"Well, you may be in some things, but you can go ahead of New Yorkers +in lots of ways. That was a great trick, sliding down that lasso." + +"It was lucky I had it with me." + +"Indeed it was, and it was a good thing those scoundrels took your +baggage as well as you, or you might have been there yet." + +"No, for you would have helped me, I reckon. You arrived just a few +minutes after I had started to escape. How did you manage it?" + +"Well, as I said, my dear chap," replied De Royster, adjusting his one +eye glass, which had fallen out during the struggle with Wakely, "I +made the cabman tell me where he took you, and, after that it was an +easy matter to locate you. I got to the tenement right behind Wakely +and I followed him up the stairs, though, then, I didn't know who he +was, and I rushed into the room as soon as he opened the door, for he +forgot to close it when he looked at the bed and saw it empty. I +suspected you had been in here, when I saw what a lonesome sort of +place it was. I pulled him back, just as he had his knife out, ready +to cut the lasso." + +"I hardly believe he would have dared to cut it," said Roy. "He only +wanted to scare me into coming back." + +"Perhaps he did. But I was not going to take any chances; I just +grabbed him." + +"That was fine on your part." + +"Oh, that's nothing. Look what you did for me. I only paid you back a +little." + +"Nonsense. As if I wanted pay." + +"Of course you didn't, but I was glad of the chance. I only wish I +could have held Wakely. Now, I suppose he'll go and tell Annister, and +they'll keep right after you." + +"Do you think so?" + +"I believe so, from what you tell me of the men." + +"Then what would you advise me to do?" + +"Let me think it over a bit. Suppose we go to your room?" + +"All right." + +There was considerable surprise on the part of the clerk at the hotel +when Roy came back. On the way he and Mortimer De Royster had agreed +it would be better not to say anything about the reason for the taking +away of the boy from the ranch--a veritable kidnapping in fact. So it +was explained that Roy had recovered from his temporary illness, and +had simply been away on business, which was true enough in its +way,--though it was not very pleasant business. + +"Now," said De Royster, when he and Roy were once more back in the +former's room. "This is what I would do. I would consult a good +lawyer, and let him advise me. I think this is too much for you to +handle alone." + +"I believe you are right. Do you know a good lawyer?" + +"I can introduce you to the one who does business for our firm. He is +very reliable, and his charges are reasonable." + +"Then we will go see him, after I have changed my clothes. Sleeping in +them hasn't made them look exactly as new as they were." + +"That's a good idea. Have you heard from your father since writing to +him about Annister?" + +"I don't know. Perhaps a letter came while I was away. I wonder where +they would send it?" + +"They would keep it here until you gave them some instructions for +forwarding it. I'll inquire at the desk for you while you are changing +your clothes." + +As Roy had purchased two suits on coming to New York, he had a new one +to put on, while the other was sent to be pressed. He had not finished +dressing when De Royster came back. + +"No letters, but there's a telegram," he said, handing Roy the yellow +envelope. + +The boy tore it open and read: + +"Letter received. No doubt Annister is swindler. You are doing right. +Keep after him. Don't spare expense. Take property from his control, +and give to some good man. I leave it to you. Answer when you get +this." + +"Why this came yesterday," said Roy. "Dad will be wondering why he +doesn't hear from me." + +"Then you had better answer at once. There is a branch telegraph +office in the hotel lobby. Write an answer and I'll take it down while +you finish dressing." + +A reply was soon prepared and sent. Meanwhile Roy got ready for the +street and, accompanied by De Royster, he went to the lawyer's office. + +The legal gentleman greeted Mortimer De Royster cordially. Roy was +quite surprised to find out how many friends the jewelry salesman had. +Everyone seemed to like him in spite of his odd ways. + +Roy's story was soon told. The lawyer took off his gold spectacles, +wiped them carefully with a silk handkerchief, replaced them, looked at +Roy over the tops of them, and remarked: + +"Hum!" + +It was not very encouraging, nor did it tell very much. Roy began to +fear he had not made himself clear. + +"I would like--" he began. + +"What you want is my advice as to how next to proceed; isn't it?" asked +the lawyer, as though he had come to some decision, as indeed he had. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Well, I shall have to look into this matter of the property. +Evidently Mr. Annister has some reason for wanting you out of the way. +What it is we shall have to discover. Meanwhile you had better do +nothing." + +"But suppose they kidnap him again?" asked De Royster. + +"I don't believe they'll dare do that. Perhaps you had better take +care where you go, however. In the meanwhile I will make some +inquiries about this property. I will communicate with you as soon as +I have anything to report." + +"Do you think you can make Mr. Annister give back the money he has +wrongfully kept?" asked Roy. + +"I'm afraid I can't give you an opinion until I have looked further +into the case," said the lawyer with a smile. "It may be necessary to +take civil action, and we might have to make a criminal complaint. Now +don't worry about it. I'll look after it. Just you keep out of the +way of those men." + +"I will," agreed Roy with a laugh. "I'm not afraid of them, however. +I'll be ready for them next time." + +"Another thing," went on the lawyer, "don't drink ice cream sodas, or +anything else, with strangers." + +"I'll stick to Mr. De Royster," said the boy. "I reckon if I trail +along with him they'll not be able to rope me." + +"Rope you? Oh, yes, I understand," replied the lawyer with a smile. +"Yes, that's right. Good morning." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +ANOTHER RASCALLY ATTEMPT + +"What next?" asked Roy of Mortimer De Royster, as they emerged from the +lawyer's office. + +"Well, as it's getting near dinner time, suppose we go back to the +hotel." + +"That's a good idea. Will you stay and have grub with me--I mean +lunch. I must get used to calling it that while I'm in New York." + +"Yes, thank you. I've got a good appetite since that tussel with +Wakely." + +"You had nerve to tackle him." + +"I thought he was going to cut the rope and let you drop." + +"If he had, that would have been the end of me. I'd have 'passed in my +chips,' as the card players say." + +"Those card players! I'd like to meet them. I'd get even with them +for stealing my watch and diamond!" + +"Maybe you'll have a chance, when we round up Annister." + +"If we ever do. But I imagine he's too slick a criminal to be caught." + +"We'll see," said Roy. + +"What would you like to do this afternoon?" asked De Royster, when the +meal was finished. "I can show you some sights if you'd like to see +them." + +"I sure would. I haven't had much time so far. There wasn't a great +deal to see in that tenement." + +"Then we'll go up to Bronx Park. We can make a quick trip in the +subway." + +"That's the place I thought was a tunnel, and I was wondering when we +would come to the end," and Roy laughed at the memory of his natural +mistake. + +The two friends had a good time in the Park, looking at the animals. +The herd of buffalo interested Roy very much, as did the elephants, +tigers, and other beasts from tropical countries, for he had never seen +any before, since no circuses ever came to Painted Stone, nor anywhere +in that vicinity. + +"You haven't got any of these out West; have you?" asked Mortimer De +Royster, with a New Yorker's usual pride in the big Zoo. + +"No, and we don't want 'em." + +"Why not?" + +"They'd stampede the cattle in seven counties. What would a drove of +steers or a band of horses do if they saw one of them elephants coming +at 'em, so's they couldn't tell which end was the tail? Or one of them +long-necked giraffes? Why, those giraffes would starve out our way. +There's no trees tall enough for 'em to eat their breakfast from." + +They went into the reptile house, and the snakes fascinated Roy. He +paused before a glass box of rattlers. + +"There's something we've got out West," he said, "and we'd give a good +deal not to have 'em. We lose lots of cattle from snake-bites--those +ugly rattlers! I don't like to look at 'em! I nearly stepped on one +once, and he stuck his fangs in my boot." + +"What did you do?" + +"Stepped on it and killed it. Come on; let's look at something more +pleasant." + +They spent the rest of the day in the Park, and returned to the hotel +that evening. + +For about a week nothing occurred. Mortimer De Royster took Roy for +occasional pleasure trips, including one jaunt to Coney Island, where +the boy from the ranch had his first glimpse of the ocean. The big +waves, and the immense expanse of water, astonished him more than +anything he had seen in New York. + +"I never knew there was so much water in the world," he said. "This +would be fine out our way in time of drouth, when all the pastures dry +up." + +"I'm afraid it would be worse than none at all," said Mr. De Royster. +"It's salt, and it would kill the grass." + +"That's so. I didn't think about that." + +They went in bathing, and took in many amusements at the pleasure +resort. It was quite late when they got back to the hotel, and De +Royster did not go all the way with Roy, turning off to go to his own +boarding house, which was about a mile from where Roy was stopping. + +"I'll see you to-morrow," called the jewelry salesman, as the two +parted. "I guess the lawyer will have some word for us then." + +"There's a note for you," said the hotel clerk to Roy as the boy +entered, and he handed over a sealed envelope. In the upper left hand +corner was the printed name and address of the lawyer to whom De +Royster had taken him. + +"Mr. Felix Ketchum must have some news for me," thought Roy, as he +opened the note. It was a written request for him to call at a certain +address that night, where he would receive some information that would +be of service to him, and the communication was signed with Mr. +Ketchum's name. A postscript stated that the lawyer would be there. + +"That's queer," thought the boy. "I wonder why he didn't have me call +at his office? But perhaps he has to work secretly against Annister. +I guess that's it." + +"When did this note come?" he asked the clerk. + +"Right after dinner." + +"Dinner?" + +"I mean the evening dinner--I suppose you call it supper out West," and +the clerk smiled. + +"That's what we do. Who brought this?" + +"A boy. He said there was no answer. Hope it isn't bad news." + +"No; only a business matter. Can you tell me where the Bowery is?" + +"The Bowery. You're not going there; are you?" + +"Yes, I have an appointment to meet a man there," and Roy mentioned the +number. + +"You want to be careful," cautioned the clerk. "It's not the best +place in the world after dark. Don't take much money with you, for you +might be robbed." + +"Aren't there policemen there?" + +"Yes, but they can't be all over. That address is not far from the +Chinese district, and it's a hanging-out place for thieves and +criminals." + +"Funny that Mr. Ketchum should want me to go there," thought Roy, "but +perhaps he has to get evidence against Mr. Annister from a man who +doesn't care to be seen during the day. I guess I'll chance it. There +can't be much danger in the midst of a big city, with policemen around. +Besides I'll be on my guard. I wish I could tell Mr. De Royster. But, +no, I'll not bother him. He'll think I'm a regular baby, not able to +take care of myself." + +This thought decided Roy to go alone. He suspected nothing, but, had +he known more about New York, he would have considered twice before +venturing into one of the worst parts of that great city. + +The clerk once more cautioned the boy, gave him directions how to get +to the address on the Bowery, and in due time Roy arrived there. Part +of the street was brilliantly lighted, but the building where he was +directed to call, was in a dark location, and did not look very +inviting. + +"I wonder if this is it?" thought Roy. "Guess I'll ask." + +He saw a door opening into a dim hallway. A man was standing there. + +"Is Mr. Ketchum in this building?" asked Roy, for the note had +instructed him to ask for the lawyer. + +"Yes, come on in," said the man gruffly. + +Roy advanced. The door shut after him with a click, and he was left in +almost total darkness. At the same time he felt some one grab him. + +"Have you got him?" cried a voice. "Don't hurt him, but hold him +tight." + +Roy recognized the voice as that of Caleb Annister! + +As he felt arms closing around him he kicked out vigorously. There was +a howl of pain, but Roy was not released. He knew that once more he +was in the hands of Annister's accomplices. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE ROUND-UP--CONCLUSION + +Across Roy's mind it flashed in an instant that he had been deceived by +the note--it was a forgery. He had been tricked into coming to the +Bowery. He dwelt but momentarily on this, however, for he needed to +devote all his attention to escaping from the grip of the man who held +him. + +Fortunately Roy was of exceptional strength for so young a lad. His +training on the ranch, roping steers, training wild horses, and his +life in the open, made him more than a match for the average man. + +He kicked out vigorously, right and left, and squirmed like an eel. He +felt the grip of the man relaxing, and heard him call for aid. Then +another came. + +But Roy was fighting desperately. He made up his mind not only not to +let the men take him away again, but to hold them until help came. +With this in view he set up a loud shout. + +"Police! Police! Police!" he cried, remembering what the hotel clerk +had said about the bluecoats being on the Bowery. + +"Stop his mouth or we'll all be arrested!" exclaimed some one. + +"Yes. Can't you manage him?" asked Annister desperately. + +"He's as strong as a horse!" Roy heard one man grunt, and this caused +the boy to smile grimly. + +The struggle in the dark continued. The boy had a good grip on two +men, and was preventing them from dragging him down the dark hallway. + +But help was at hand. His cries had been heard in the street, and, a +moment later the door leading to the thoroughfare opened, and a little +light came in. + +At the same time Roy heard the sound of a club striking on the pavement. + +"The cops are coming!" cried a voice. + +A few seconds later a burly bluecoat entered the door. + +"What's going on?" he asked. + +"Nothing but a drunken row," quickly replied one of the men who had +attacked Roy, at the same time trying to loosen the grip of the lad. +"I'm putting the fellow out." + +The plotter would have been glad to drop the matter now and escape, but +Roy had no intention of letting him go. + +"Officer!" exclaimed Roy quickly, "they're trying to get me away! I've +got hold of two of 'em. Give us a hand and we'll throw and tie 'em +both." + +He talked as though he was on the ranch, handling a pair of refractory +calves. + +Somehow the officer recognized the honesty in Roy's voice. He knew it +was not uncommon for thieves and pickpockets to attack persons in dark +hallways. He supposed it was one of those cases. + +"I'll help you!" he exclaimed, quickly advancing. Some one in the rear +of the hall had opened a door, and the place was lighter. The +policeman saw two men whom Roy had gripped, holding them by twisting +his hands in their coats. The men tried to escape. + +"No, you don't!" exclaimed the officer, grabbing one. "I've got you." + +At the same time a second policeman appeared, and took charge of the +other. The rest of the men escaped. + +"Now let's see who we've got," said the first bluecoat, as he led his +prisoner to the light in the rear. His brother officer did likewise. + +"I don't know either of 'em," announced the first policeman. + +"Me either," admitted his colleague. "They must belong to a new +pickpocket gang." + +But Roy knew them both. One was Caleb Annister, and the other John +Wakely, alias Dennison Tupper, though Roy did not learn that until +later. + +"Do you want to make a charge against these two?" asked the first +officer. "A charge of attempted pocket picking?" + +"It's worse than that," replied Roy. "They tried to kidnap me." + +"Kidnap you? Then you'd better come to the station, and tell the +sergeant all about it. I'll ring for the wagon." + +In a little while the patrol vehicle dashed up with a clanging of the +gong, and, through the great crowd that almost instantly gathered, Roy +followed the two officers and their prisoners into the wagon. They +were soon at the station house. + +"How do I know but what you're all of one gang?" asked the sergeant, +when Roy had told his story, while the other two remained obstinately +silent. + +"If you will telephone for Mr. Ketchum he will identify me." + +The name produced an instant effect, for Mr. Ketchum was a lawyer well +known in police circles, as he prosecuted many criminals. + +The sergeant telephoned, and, in a short time, came the answer from Mr. +Ketchum's home that he would come to the station and identify Roy. + +He did so, and the sergeant admitted his mistake. + +"I'll just lock these two up," he said, indicating Mr. Annister and +Wakely. + +"You're not going to lock me up, are you?" asked Caleb Annister, who +seemed to lose all courage as he saw the way matters were going. +"You're not going to prosecute me, are you, Roy Bradner? I'll make +restitution! I'll pay it all back!" + +"Then you confess you swindled this boy, and his father?" asked Mr. +Ketchum quickly. + +"I--er--I won't say anything," replied the other sullenly, as he saw +the mistake he had made. + +"You don't have to. I have evidence enough to convict you without any +admissions on your part. I discovered your scheme in time. A few days +more and it would have been too late to pay the taxes, and save the +property for Mr. Bradner and his son." + +"Was he going to take the property?" asked Roy, amazed at the duplicity +of the agent his father had trusted. + +"He was. That is why he tried to have you put out of the way. He was +afraid you would interfere with his plan before the two weeks expired. +Fortunately I discovered it in time. To-morrow I will pay the taxes in +your father's name, and the building will remain the property of him +and yourself." + +"What's the charge against these two, then?" asked the sergeant. + +"Attempted kidnapping and embezzlement against him," replied Mr. +Ketchum, indicating Annister, "and against Wakely, a charge of actual +kidnapping. I think we shall be able to arrest the others in the gang, +also." + +"Hold on!" exclaimed a voice, and Roy turned around to behold Mortimer +De Royster. "There's another charge to be made." + +"Who against?" asked the sergeant, impressed by the apparently wealthy +air of the jewelry salesman. + +"Against him," pointing to Wakely. + +"What is the charge?" + +"Robbery. He and three others stole my gold watch and diamond pin." + +Wakely uttered an exclamation. + +"I now recognize him as one of the robbers, even though he has shaved +his moustache off," went on De Royster, and Roy, now, also knew where +it was he had heard Wakely's voice before. + +"Lock 'em up!" called the sergeant to the doorman, as he made an entry +on the blotter, against the prisoners' names. "You can see the Judge +in the morning," he went on. "I suppose you will be here, Mr. Ketchum?" + +"Oh, yes. I will prosecute this case to a finish. It was a wicked and +bold attempt at swindling." + +"Well, you seem to turn up every time I need you," remarked Roy to +Mortimer De Royster. "How did you know I was here?" + +"I called at your hotel shortly after you left. I had forgotten to +tell you, when we parted, that I would call for you early to-morrow +morning. The clerk said you had gone to the Bowery, after receiving a +note. + +"I was suspicious, and I followed. I got there just as the patrol +wagon left, and I came on to the station house. Well, I guess you +'rounded them up' as you call it, Roy." + +"Yes, they're roped and in the corral now, all right. That is, part of +them are." + +"The police will get the others. They'll make Annister and Wakely tell +who their confederates are." + +Mortimer De Royster's surmise proved correct. Later that night Hynard, +Baker and Sutton were arrested, just as they were about to leave the +city. On Sutton were found pawn tickets representing De Royster's +watch and diamond, and he got them back in due time. There were also +some envelopes and letter heads secured in some criminal way from Mr. +Ketchum's office. On one of them the note to Roy had been written. + +After a hearing the swindlers and Annister, the rascally real estate +agent, were sent to jail, in default of bail, there to await trial on +several charges. + +Eventually they were sent to prison for long terms. + +"Well, you saved your father's building for him," remarked Mr. Ketchum +to Roy, a few days later. + +"Do you really think Annister could have gotten it into his possession?" + +"He could, under the law. Of course we might have contested it, but it +would have been a long and expensive proceeding. He would have had a +tax deed to it, and that is considered pretty good. Your father can be +proud of you. What are you going to do now?" + +"Go back to the ranch, I guess. I've done all dad told me to, except +get a good man to look after the property. Perhaps you can suggest +some one?" + +"I think I can arrange that without difficulty." + +"Then I wish you would. I know my father would be glad to have you." + +This was done a few days later, and Mr. Bradner was informed, by +telegraph, of what had transpired. He could now be sure of getting all +the rent money from the Bleeker Building. Little was ever recovered of +the money that Mr. Annister had unlawfully retained, for his property +was so tied up that the law could not touch it. + +"Now, since your business is all attended to, why can't you stay in New +York a few weeks longer, and see more of the sights?" proposed Mortimer +De Royster to the boy from the ranch. + +"I think I will," decided Roy. + +"Besides, you have still a visit to make." + +"A visit?" + +"Exactly. You must call on that lady of the runaway." + +"Oh! I reckon she has forgotten me," answered the boy from the ranch. + +But he had not been forgotten, as a visit to the lady's home quickly +proved. He was royally entertained, and the lady's husband insisted +upon presenting him with a ruby scarf pin, doing so in the names of +both his wife and his little daughter. + +"And now you've got to make me a promise," said Roy to Mortimer De +Royster, when the boy from the ranch was ready to go home. + +"All right, Roy, anything you say goes." + +"You must visit our ranch soon. I'll show you the best time possible." + +"I don't know what sort of a figure I'd cut on a ranch," answered the +jewelry salesman, with a faint smile. "Don't forget how I got mixed up +with those sharpers when I was out in your neighborhood." + +"We haven't any sharpers at our ranch. If they came around where we +were our cowboys would treat them pretty rough, I can tell you that. +I'd like to get you on one of our ponies and ride you across the +ranges. You'd find it the best kind of outdoor exercise." + +"I believe you there, Roy." + +"Then you will come? I want you to meet my father. You'll soon get +used to our style of living--just as I got used to city ways." And the +boy from the ranch grinned as he thought of the experiences he had +undergone. + +"I'll come if I possibly can," answered Mortimer De Royster. Let me +add here that he did come, during the following July, and he and Roy +had many a good time together, hunting, fishing, and rounding-up cattle. + +It must be admitted that Roy was anxious to get home, to see his father +and tell his parent the details of what had transpired. He found his +father much improved, for which he was thankful. + +"Roy, you did well--as well as any man could have done," said Mr. +Bradner. "I am proud of you." And his beaming face showed he meant +what he said. + +It was a happy reunion. The cowboys were also glad to have the boy +among them again, and that night they held a sort of jollification, +lighting a big bonfire and shooting off their firearms as if it was the +Fourth of July. And here let us take our leave of The Boy from the +Ranch. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY FROM THE RANCH*** + + +******* This file should be named 21794.txt or 21794.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/7/9/21794 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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