Part 5 (1/2)
”Matters down in that South American republic are more and more complicated,” he wrote. ”They are accusing me of all sorts of things, such as stirring up revolutions, and supplying arms to the enemies of the government. I tell you this so you will be able to discount any stories you may read of me.
”I think your plan of going to New York, and trying for work is a good one. Certainly there will be more opportunities than in Ipswhich. But take good care of yourselves. I can do nothing for you, and I can only say, over and over again, how much I regret investing your money as I did, with my own. But at the time, it seemed perfectly safe, and it would have been but for treachery. I was betrayed, and if I could get the evidence I could prove it, and regain our money. But that is too much to hope.”
”Yes, I suppose so,” sighed Frank.
Following the receipt of this letter the two boys sold their motor boat, and with the money thus received, and with a small supply they had on hand, they laid their plans.
The dear old house was closed, save for one room where the legal officer in possession remained, ”camping out,” as he expressed it. He was to stay until the property was sold for the benefit of those who claimed damages from Mr. Arden. But the sale could not take place for some time, as there were law technicalities to be observed.
The servants left, bidding good-bye to the lads. And there were tears in the eyes of good Mrs. Brun, as well as in the eyes of Ned and Frank, as she said farewell.
Their best possessions, which could not legally be included in the seizure, the boys stored with friends in town. Then they selected the most useful of their clothes, and packed them in valises for the trip to New York.
”We've got enough to live on for a few weeks, while looking for work,”
said Frank, as he looked at the roll of bills which meant so much to them now.
”That is if we don't try to live very high,” agreed Ned, with a smile.
”No expensive hotels or taxicab rides for us.”
”Not much!”
So one warm June morning Frank and Ned set out for the station of the Long Island Railroad, and took a train for the metropolis.
”Some change in our prospects from what we looked forward to a couple of weeks ago,” remarked Ned, as he settled in his seat.
”That's right. I'm going to miss that motor boat a whole lot; aren't you?” Frank asked.
”Don't speak of it,” and Ned's voice was a trifle husky. ”Remember how we were out in that storm?”
”I should say so! That's the day uncle got the bad news.”
”Yes. And that's the day we saw the battles.h.i.+p plowing along the big waves, and had an idea we might get on one. Well, I guess that idea has gone overboard and is in Davy Jones' locker by this time.”
”Oh, I don't know,” said Frank, with a somewhat mysterious air.
”What do you mean?” asked Ned, quickly, as the train gathered speed.
”Tell you later,” his brother responded. ”I've got an idea in my head, that isn't altogether worked out.”
”Well, don't crowd yourself too hard,” and Ned laughed.
Really, they were in better spirits than they ever hoped to be after they had heard the bad news. But youthful spirits are very elastic, and easily bound back after being depressed. Which is a very good thing.
Ned and Frank were familiar with New York, as they spent a great part of their time there when college was in session. So it was no novelty to them to enter the metropolis. Their thoughts were busy with various matters as the train speeded along over the flat and not very interesting Long Island plains.
At Jamaica an electric locomotive replaced the steam one, and they were soon shooting along through the East River tunnel, swallowing rapidly to overcome the pressure on the ear drums caused by the low level and the air compression in the big tube.