Part 5 (1/2)
”Yes Randy, do you think it is possible that Toet that ht be--and yes, Mr Stone's description of the tindlers fits Roland and Guardley exactly!”
CHAPTER V
A NIGHT IN NEW YORK
”The description certainly does fit these two men,” said Earl, with some hesitation ”And it is queer that Roland should be down here, when only a few days ago he was in Basco Guardley, I know, is not above cheating--he's been up before Squire Dobson several tio and have a talk with them,” said Randy, impulsively ”If they stole that money, I want to know it”
”It's not our business to hunt those swindlers up,” answered Earl, hesitatingly; yet he followed Randy to the platfor their way to where Roland and Guardley sat, pulling away at two black-looking cigars
”How do you do, Earl?” said Tom Roland, familiarly, as soon as the boys appeared ”It's queer we should be on the same train, isn't it?”
”It is queer,” answered Earl, stiffly, taken aback by the greeting
”Where are you bound?”
”Guardley and I are going to try our luck in the West Say, I heard you boys were bound for Alaska Is that true?”
”Yes”
”It costs a heap to go there--didn't know you had so much money,” put in Guardley, with a smile that neither Earl nor Randy appreciated
”And I didn't know you had any money for a Western trip,” returned the older brother, rather sharply
”Oh, Toh,” answered Guardley; but both Randy and Earl noted that he appeared somewhat confused for the ood turns, and it wouldn't be fair forright through to San Francisco How about yourselves?”
”We stop off at New York,” said Randy
”It's a pity we can't travel together--” began Roland, when Earl cut hi to me?” asked the boy
The man's eyes dropped, but only for the fraction of a second ”A letter belonging to you?” he repeated ”No Where did you lose it?”
”Somewhere around Basco Did you see it, Guardley?”
The second man shook his head ”Was it important?” he asked
”Very,” said Earl, laconically, and then, as the train began to ain he motioned to Randy, and the two started back for their seat in the last car
”What do you think?” questioned Randy, when they were seated
”I don't knohat to think It's hty queer the pair should leave Basco in such a hurry”
”We left in a hurry But we had a good reason”