Part 25 (2/2)
”We might as well give it up, Fusty!” cried one of the rascals, and took to his heels, and then there was nothing to do for the other man but to follow him.
”Are you hurt?” asked d.i.c.k as he helped the man who had been a.s.saulted to his feet.
”Not much,” was the slow reply. ”Young man, you came in time and no more.”
”Do you know those fellows who just ran away?”
”I met them at the circus this afternoon. We had several drinks and they became very friendly. I believe they were after my money.”
”I think so too, Mr.”
”My name is George Castor. And who are you?”
”I am d.i.c.k Rover, sir.”
”Rover, I must thank you for your services. I shan't forget you, not me!” and George Castor held out his hand cordially. ”I think I made a mistake by drinking with those fellows.”
”I haven't any doubt of it, Mr. Castor.”
”Do you reside in town?”
”No, sir; I am stopping at the hotel with my brothers. We just came into town tonight on rather a curious errand.”
”Indeed, and what was that?”
In a few words d.i.c.k explained the situation. He had not yet finished when George Castor interrupted him.
”My boy, you have done me a good turn, and now I think I can return the compliment.”
”Do you mean to say you know something of this case?” demanded d.i.c.k eagerly.
”Perhaps I do. Describe this Dan Baxter as well as you can, will you?”
”Certainly.” And d.i.c.k did so.
”It is the same fellow. I met him last night, down near the lumber wharves. You see, I am a lumber merchant from Brooklyn, and I have an interest in a lumber company up here.”
”You saw Baxter? Was he alone?”
”No, there was another man with him, a tall, slim fellow, with an unusually sour face.”
”Josiah Crabtree to a T!” burst out d.i.c.k. ”Did you notice where they went?”
”I did not. But I overheard their talk. They spoke about a boat on the Hudson River, the _Flyaway_. They were to join her at Albany.”
”Who was to join her?”
”This Baxter, if it was he, and somebody else--a man called m.u.f.f, or something like that.”
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