Part 24 (1/2)
”I think I heard something drop,” said d.i.c.k, as the boys returned to the rooms, to put on some clothing. ”h.e.l.lo, here they are! A bunch of keys!” And he held them up.
”One of 'em is new,” said Sam, examining the bunch.
”Maybe it was made for the lock of the door to the room father occupied,” suggested Tom.
”It's like the old key,” returned d.i.c.k, comparing the two. ”That rascal, whoever he is, must have had the key made for the sole purpose of getting into this room!”
”But for what reason?” questioned Sam.
”To get at dad's private papers,” answered his big brother. ”Boys, if we catch that man maybe we'll be able to find out what has become of father!”
CHAPTER XIV
d.i.c.k MAKES A DISCOVERY
While the boys were discussing the situation one of the night clerks of the hotel arrived, having been summoned by the hallman. He listened with interest to what the lads had to tell.
”I'll set the house detective on this,” he said. ”We can't allow anybody to prowl around, trying to use false keys.”
”We want to catch that man ourselves,” said d.i.c.k. ”We are going to set a watch for him. No more sleep for us to-night.”
”I don't blame you,” returned the clerk. ”If you spot him, call up the office and we'll give you all the help you want.”
The boys hurried into their clothing, and then, led by d.i.c.k, walked noiselessly through the various hallways of the big hotel in the direction where the oldest Rover boy had heard the door shut. But though they pa.s.sed many doors, d.i.c.k could not determine which was the right one.
”Let us set a regular watch,” suggested Tom ”We can take turns. One can watch while the others sleep.”
”All right, I'll watch first,” answered d.i.c.k.
”Call me in an hour, d.i.c.k,” returned Tom.
”And call me an hour after that--if you want me,” added Sam.
The hallway was long and but dimly lighted. At the end was a sofa, and after walking up and down several times, d.i.c.k sat down on this. The long journey from Valley Brook farm had made him sleepy, but he resolved to keep wide awake, in case the mysterious individual should again show himself.
”He's got to come out of his door some time, unless he tries to get away by a fire escape,” thought the youth. ”And I guess all the fire escapes on this side of the building are at the end of the hall. I hope I've got him trapped, whoever he is.”
Half an hour went by and nothing unusual happened. Then d.i.c.k heard a distant elevator stop, and two men got off and came down the hallway.
They stared rather curiously at the youth.
”What's the matter?” asked one, presently.
”Waiting for a friend,” was the answer.
”Humph! rather late,” remarked the man.
”Better say early, Jack,” laughed the other. ”It's ten after two.”
”Is that so! Great Scott! Time we got to bed!” And the two men pa.s.sed into a nearby room, locking the door after them.