Part 16 (2/2)
”I don't believe a boomer would rob yer father,” said he, reflectively
”Like as not it war somebody who followed yer from New York--some man as knew the value of theo back to caht you here?”
”I'm lookin' fer my niece, Nellie Winthrop”
And Rasco told of the letter received and of how Nellie wasand no trace of her could be found anywhere dick was almost as much disturbed as Rasco, for he still carried in his irl he had saved from Juan Donomez's insults
”Can the Mexican have waylaid her?” he asked
”Perhaps,” said the h and low”
A short while after the two found themselves in the town once more
Nellie had put up at the Commercial Hotel, and to this hostelry they made their way and entered the office
”No news of the young lady,” said the clerk in charge, who had been interviewed before ”I am quite certain she started for the booh
”Might as well go back,” he said to dick, then as he saw the boy start he continued: ”What's up? Do yer see anything of her?”
”No, Rasco But look at thatdown by the corner table in the reading room, he with the brown hat”
”I see him What of him?”
”He's fro around father's office, trying to gather infor shares”
”Gee shoo, dick! Yer don't mean it!” Jack Rasco was all attention instantly ”Maybe he's the rascal as knocked yer dad over?”
”Perhaps If I--There is ahim”
”I've seen thet chap afore 'Pears ter overnment”
”Do you know his name?”
”No Wot's the other fellow's handle?”
”Dike Powell He is known as a Wall street sharper I wish I could hear what the two have to say to each other Yet I don't want Dike Powell to see h, lad Thar's aclose to the table, an' it's open We'll walk out on the veranda, and get under the opening Co their way across the veranda, which was deserted, they soon found themselves close to the openmentioned
”And so that is settled,” they heard the e”
Vorlange! dick started and so did Jack Rasco The boy was trying to think where he had heard it before Ah, he had it now Many and many a time had he heard his parent murmur that name in his sleep, and the nas, dreadful to remember Surely there was some awful mystery here What made his father mutter that na ofthat he was innocent? A cold chill crept down the boy's backbone Was the heart of that secret to be laid bare at last?