Part 31 (1/2)
”I guess they are both after that fortune,” said Dan, after listening to the recital. ”It seems to me it all fits in. Sobber wanted to get hold of that cash. He couldn't do it by force, so he had to use cunning. He is not an overly-brilliant fellow, I take it, so he had to get somebody to aid him. In some manner he fell in with Josiah Crabtree. He knew that Crabtree was as smart as he was unprincipled. The two fixed up the plot to get the fortune-and got it.”
”I hope they haven't got Mrs. Stanhope, too,” murmured d.i.c.k.
”I think Crabtree would rather have the money than have the lady,” said Dan.
”Well, we'll know all about the case tomorrow,” said Sam. ”I am dead tired now and am going to bed,” he added, looking at his watch.
”What time is it?”
”Quarter to twelve.”
”Gracious, Dan, I didn't think we were keeping you up so late!” cried the eldest Rover boy.
”Oh, that's all right, d.i.c.k. I'm glad you came-it saved me the trouble of sending that letter.”
”You can go to bed,” went on d.i.c.k, to his brothers. ”I'll stay up a bit longer and see if any message comes from dad.”
The Rovers left Dan Baxter's apartment, and Sam and Tom retired, both worn out from their day's exertions. d.i.c.k went below, to interview the hotel clerk.
”No message yet, sir,” said that individual. ”If any comes in I will call you.”
d.i.c.k was about to turn away, when the telephone bell rang. He waited while the clerk listened for a moment.
”Yes, he's here now,” he heard the clerk say. ”Wait a moment.” The clerk turned to d.i.c.k. ”There's your party now. I'll switch you into the booth yonder.”
Trembling with antic.i.p.ation, d.i.c.k hurried to the booth, shut the door and took up the telephone receiver. The wire was buzzing, but presently he made out his father's voice.
”Is that you, d.i.c.k?”
”Yes, Dad. Where are you?”
”At the hotel in Cedarville. I just got here a few minutes ago from a run across the lake.”
”Across the lake? What for? Did you go after the fortune?”
”No, I went after Mrs. Stanhope.”
”Then she is-is gone?” faltered d.i.c.k. He could scarcely speak the words.
”Yes. But how did you guess it?” And Anderson Rover's tones showed his surprise.
”Tell me first where she went, and how?” demanded d.i.c.k, impatiently.
”We don't know how she went, or just when. It is most mysterious all the way through. Dora is nearly frantic, for she did not know her mother was going. We followed her up and learned that she had crossed the lake in company with some man who wore a heavy, black beard and dark goggles.”
”It must have been Josiah Crabtree,” cried d.i.c.k, and then, in as few words as possible, he told of the meeting with Dan Baxter and what the young commercial traveler had revealed.
”Yes! yes! that must be the truth of it!” said Anderson Rover. ”And Crabtree must have been the one who aided in getting the fortune from the bank where it was being kept.”