Part 20 (2/2)

”That's an idea!” returned Tom. ”Let us go in, Uncle Randolph.”

Mr. Rover was willing, and they entered the low and dingy-looking establishment, which was filled with boxes, barrels, and bags of goods.

They found the proprietor sitting in an easy chair, his feet on a desk, and a pipe in his mouth.

”Is this Mr. Hook?” asked Randolph Rover.

”That's me,” was the answer; but Mr. Hook did not offer to rise, nor indeed to even s.h.i.+ft his position.

”We saw your sign and as we are Americans we thought we would drop in,” went on Mr. Rover.

”That's right; glad to see you,” came from the man in the chair; but still he did not offer to s.h.i.+ft his position.

”Been here many years?” asked d.i.c.k.

”About twenty.”

”How is business?” put in Tom, bound to say something.

”Aint none, sonny.”

”You don't look very busy.”

”It's a fool's place to come to, sonny. When these goods are sold I'm going to quit.” Mr. Simon Hook paused long enough to take an extra whiff from his pipe. ”What brought you here?”

”We are on a hunt for a missing man,” answered Randolph Rover.

”Did you ever meet him? His name is Anderson Rover, and he is my brother.”

”Anderson Rover?” Simon Hook thought for a moment. ”I remember him. He was a gold hunter from Californy, or somethin' like that.”

”Yes; he was a mine owner.”

”Went up the Congo four or five years ago--maybe longer?”

”Yes.”

”I remember him. He had lots of money, and took several guides and a number of other, natives along.”

”Have you seen or heard of him since?” questioned d.i.c.k eagerly.

Simon Hook shook his head. ”No, sonny. 'Twasn't to be expected.”

”And why not?” put in Tom.

”Because them as goes up the Congo never, comes back. It's a fool's trip among those wild people of the interior. Stanley went up, but look at the big party he took with him and the many fights he had to get back alive.”

At this announcement the hearts of the Rover boys fell.

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