"Well, of all the things I ever heard of, this takes the cake!" was
Sam's comment.

"If this fellow's story is true, the ring ought to be in the inkwell
yet," said Tom. "That is, unless the well was washed out and put away
for the summer. In that case the person who cleaned the well ought to
have found the ring."

"Sounds almost like a fairy tale," went on Sam. "I don't know whether
to believe it or, not."

"It's the truth!" cried Andy Royce.

"We'll believe it when we see the ring," returned Tom, grimly. "I
guess the best thing you can do, Royce, is to come with us."

"Please don't have me arrested! I've told you the truth, sure!"

"If you'll come with us and behave yourself, we won't have you
arrested," answered Tom. "But we are not going to let you get away
until we have found out if your story is true."

"We might telegraph to the seminary at once," suggested Sam. "Do you
know who is in charge there during the summer?"

"Why, I heard Nellie say that Miss Parsons took charge-- the teacher
who left the ring with Miss Harrow."

"Then why not telegraph to her?"

"We'll do it! But this fellow has got to come with us until we are
sure his story is true."

Andy Royce demurred, but the boys would not listen to him. They
accompanied him to his room upstairs, and made him pack up his
belongings and pay his bill. Then, somewhat sobered by what was taking
place, the gardener accompanied them downstairs and to the street.
Here the boys hailed a passing taxicab that was empty, and ordered the
driver to take them as quickly as possible to the Outlook Hotel.

"It certainly is a queer story," said Dick, who had just arrived from
the office, "but it may be true. People do queer things sometimes,
especially when they are under the influence of liquor. He probably
had a grudge against Miss Harrow, and thought the disappearance of the
ring would get her into trouble, just as he said."

"Oh, I hope they do find the ring!" cried Tom. "It will be great news
for Nellie."

It was arranged that Andy Royce should accompany Dick and Sam to the
smoking room of the hotel, and remain there until Tom had telegraphed
to Hope Seminary and received a reply.

"You had better run upstairs and see Dora first," suggested Dick, "and
make sure as to who is in charge at the seminary. If there are two
persons there, you had better telegraph to both of them so that they
can unite in looking for the ring."

Dora was in a flutter of excitement when told of what had occurred.
She remembered about Miss Parsons, and said that there was also a
housekeeper named Mrs. Lacy in charge. Armed with this information Tom
sent off two telegrams, each reading as follows:

  "Look for missing diamond ring in Miss Harrow's red-ink inkwell. If
  found, answer at once.

                                                        Thomas Rover,
                                                      "Outlook Hotel,
                                                     "New York City."

"They were mighty funny telegrams to send," said Tom, when he rejoined
his brothers in the hotel smoking room. "Perhaps they won't know what
to make of them."

"I am afraid we'll have to wait quite a while for an answer," returned
Dick.

"Oh, I don't know. They can telephone the messages up to the seminary
from the telegraph office."

"They'll find the ring just as I said unless somebuddy cleaned out the
inkwell and took it," declared Andy Royce, who was rapidly sobering up
because of the turn of affairs.

As it was getting late, it was decided that Dick should go to dinner
with Dora as usual, while Tom and Sam took the former gardener to a
corner of the restaurant for something to eat.

"I don't feel much like filling up," said Sam. "I'm on pins and
needles about an answer to those messages you sent, Tom."

"Exactly the way I feel, Sam. But we'll have to have patience, I
suppose."

The meal at an end, Dora went upstairs, and Dick rejoined his brothers
and Andy Royce in the smoking room. Tom had left word at the hotel
telegraph office that any message which might come in for hire must be
delivered at once.

"Here comes a bellboy now!" cried Dick, presently.

"Mr. Rover! Mr. Rover!" cried the boy, walking from one group of
persons to another.

"Here you are! here you are, boy!" cried Tom, leaping up; and in
another moment he had a telegram in his hand and was tearing it open
to see what it contained.

  CHAPTER XXV

 MORE TELEGRAMS

"Who is it from, Tom?"

"Read it out loud!"

Such were the exclamations from Sam and Dick as their brother scanned
the telegram in haste.

"Hurrah! they've found it!" broke out Tom. "This is the best yet!"

"Good!"

"Fine!"

"This is from Miss Clara Parsons," went on Tom, "the teacher who owned
the ring. Here, you can read the telegram if you want to," and he
passed the sheet over. The message ran as follows:

  "Ring found in inkwell. Perfect condition. Did Miss Laning put it
  there?

                                                     "Clara Parsons."

"Short and sweet, but it tells the story," was Dick's comment. "Say,
I'm mighty glad of this," he added, and his face showed his pleasure.
"That clears Nellie, Tom. You'll have to let her know at once."

"I sure will!" exclaimed the brother. "But say, did you notice what
Miss Parsons wants to know-- if Nellie put the ring in the inkwell?
Talk about nerve!"

"You can't exactly blame her, Tom, because she knew nothing of Royce's
visit to the office; and as you sent the message, and you and Nellie
are so intimate

"Oh, I understand, Dick; and I shan't blame her. I'm too happy to
blame anybody," and Tom's face broke into a broad smile. "I'm going to
send a telegram to Cedarville this minute."

"Didn't I tell you gents the ring was there?" broke in Andy Royce. "I
told you the truth, didn't I?"

"You did, Royce," answered Dick.

"A'n' wot about it, are you goin' to lemme go?" questioned the former
gardener, eagerly.

"Not just yet," broke in Tom.

"Why not? You can't hold me for stealin' when there wasn't nuthin'
taken."

"That is true, Royce, but we want you to sign a confession as to just
how that ring got in the inkwell. If you don't do that, the seminary
authorities may still think it was placed there by Miss Laning."

"Oh, I don't want to put nuthin' off on Miss Laning's shoulders,"
answered the former gardener. "If you want a confession from me so as
you can clear her, go ahead!"

"Wait here until I've sent that telegram," Tom said, hastily; and
rushed off once more to the telegraph office, where he sent the
following to Nellie:

  "Ring recovered. Was hidden in inkwell by Royce. We have gardener's
  confession. Hurrah! Will write particulars.

                                                               "Tom."

"I hope she gets that before she goes to bed to-night," mused the
youth. "If she does it will make her sleep so much better."

There was a stenographer's office attached to the Outlook Hotel, and
late as it was, the young lady was found at her typewriter, pounding
out a letter for a commercial traveler. As soon as this was finished,
the stenographer was asked to take down whatever Andy Royce might have
to tell. The former gardener was brought in, and repeated the
confession he had previously made. This was typewritten as speedily as
possible, and then Andy Royce signed the confession in the presence of
one of the hotel clerks and a notary who lived at the hotel.

"Now I think that fixes it," said Tom. "Miss Parsons won't be able to
go behind that confession."

"Are you goin' to let me go now?" asked the former gardener of Hope.

"Yes, you can go, Royce," answered Tom. "But wait a minute. How much
money have you left of that ten dollars my brother's wife let you
have?"

For reply the man dove down in his pocket, and brought out some
change.

"Eighty-five cents."

"That's all?"

"Yes."

"See here, if I stake you with another ten dollars, will you give me
your word not to drink it up?"

"I will, Mr. Rover, I will!" exclaimed Andy Royce, earnestly.

"All right, then, here's the money;" and Tom brought out two
five-dollar bills and placed them in the man's hands. "Now look here,
unless you can find something to do, you come here and see me again in
a few days."

"But see here, Tom," interposed Dick, in a low voice, "I don't think
we can use Royce in anyway. Why not let him go? As a gardener he is
out of place in a big city like New York."

"I want him to stay here for two reasons," answered Tom. "In the first
place I want him on hand in case the authorities at the seminary need
him. In the second place, I am going to put the matter squarely up to
Miss Harrow. She thought Nellie guilty, and she may have thought Royce
worse than he really was. Perhaps I can get her to give Royce another
chance. I think he would be all right if he would only let drink
alone."

"The same old warm-hearted Tom as of old!" responded Dick. "All right,
have your own way about it."

After the former gardener had departed the boys went upstairs to join
Dora, and then Tom and Sam sat down to write letters of explanation to
Nellie and Grace; and these epistles were posted before the youths
retired for the night.

"Oh, how glad Nellie must be to have this weight off her shoulders!"
exclaimed Dora. "It must have been awful to be suspected of taking a
ring."

"I guess Miss Harrow will be relieved, too," answered Tom. "I wonder
where she is stopping in Asbury Park."

"I think I know," returned Dick's wife. "She and some of the other
teachers usually go to the Claravale House."

"I'll take a chance and telegraph to her," went on Tom. "It won't cost
much and it may relieve her mind. Those folks up at the seminary may
wait to send a letter." And going downstairs once more, Tom wrote out
another brief telegram, and asked that it be sent off immediately.

"If only we could clear up this mystery of the missing bonds as easily
as we did this ring business!" came from Sam, when he and Tom had said
good-night to Dick and his wife.

"I'm afraid that's not going to be so easy, Sam. Sometimes I think
that we'll never hear a word more about those bonds;" and Tom heaved a
deep sigh.

"Oh, but, Tom, if we don't get those bonds back we'll be in a hole!"
cried the youngest Rover, in dismay.

"We may not be in a hole exactly, Sam; but we'll have a tough job of
it pulling through," was the grim response.

Tom had worried more about the missing ring than he had been willing
to admit to his brothers, and now that this was off his mind, he, on
the following morning, pitched into business with renewed vigor. He
and Dick had their hands full, going over a great mass of figures and
calculations, and in deciding the important question of how to take
care of certain investments. Sam did what he could to help them,
although, as he frankly admitted, he did not take to bookkeeping or
anything that smacked of high finances.

"I was not cut out for it, and that is all there is to it," he
declared. "But I am willing to help you all I can."

Sam had gone off on an errand, leaving his brothers deep in their
figures, when the office boy announced a visitor.

"Mr. Mallin Aronson," said Dick, glancing at the visitor's card. "Oh,
yes, I've heard of him before. He and father had some stock dealings a
year or so ago. Bring him in."

Mr. Aronson proved to be a small, dark-complexioned man, with heavy
eyebrows and a heavily-bearded face. He bowed profoundly as he
entered.

"Mr. Richard Rover, I believe?" he said, extending his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Aronson. And this is my brother Tom," returned Dick.

"Very glad to know you;" and the visitor bowed again. "I presume you
know what brought me here," he went on, with a bland smile.

"I can't say that I do," returned Dick.

"Your father-- is he not here?"

"No, he is at home sick."

"Is that so? I am very sorry to hear it. Then you are transacting his
business for him?"

"Yes, my brother and I are running this business now."

"And yet you said you did not know why I had called," continued Mr.
Aronson, in apparent astonishment. "That is strange. Did not your
father tell you about his investment in the Sharon Valley Land
Company?"

"I never heard of the company before," returned Dick, promptly.

"I heard my father mention it," put in Tom, "but I never knew that he
had made any investment in it."

"What? How surprising!" ejaculated the visitor. "He has something like
fifteen thousand dollars invested in that concern, for which I have
the honor to be the agent. He has another payment to make on the
investment, and that payment falls due just a week from to-day. Some
time ago he asked me if that payment might not be deferred. I put it
up to the managers of the company, and they have now sent me word that
the payment will have to be made on the day that it falls due."

"And how much is that payment?" faltered Dick.

"Twenty thousand dollars."

  CHAPTER XXVI

 IN WHICH THE GIRLS ARRIVE

Both of the Rover boys stared blankly at the visitor. His announcement
had come very much like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky. For the
moment neither of them knew what to say.

"I am sorry you did not know about this," pursued Mallin Aronson, when
he saw by their looks how much they were disturbed. "Perhaps your dear
father was taken sick so quickly that he did not have a chance to
explain the situation."

"He hasn't been well for a long while, but I thought he had turned
over all his business affairs to us," answered Dick. "It is queer that
we have no record of this Sharon Valley Land Company investment," he
added, turning to Tom.

"Have you gone over all the papers, Dick?" questioned the brother,
quickly.

"The most of them. That is, all that I thought were of any importance.
There are a great number that I haven't had time to look at yet. You
know how numerous father's investments are."

"If you have no record of the transaction here, can you not ask your
father about it?" questioned Mr. Aronson, smoothly.

"He is too sick to be disturbed, Mr. Aronson," answered Dick.

"Well, if you care to do so, you can stop at my office and look over
the account there," went on the visitor.

"And you say this twenty thousand dollars has got to be paid a week
from to-day?" asked Tom.

"Yes, Mr. Rover. The management will grant no extension of time."

"Supposing it isn't paid?" questioned Dick.

At this suggestion Mallin Aronson shrugged his shoulders and put up
his hands.

"I am sorry, but you know how some of these land company people are,"
he returned. "This money must be paid in order to clear the land. If
it is not cleared the company has the right to sell your father's
interest to others. As I said before, he has paid fifteen thousand
dollars. What his interest would bring if sold to somebody else, I do
not know."

"Probably not very much," returned Dick, quickly. "Probably some of
the land company people would buy it in for a song," he added,
bitterly.

"Well, Mr. Rover, that is not my affair," and Mr. Aronson shrugged his
shoulders. "I came in only to serve you notice that the twenty
thousand dollars will have to be paid one week from to-day."

"Where are your offices, Mr. Aronson?"

"You will find my address on the card," was the answer. "If you wish
any more information, I shall be pleased to give it to you;" and then
the visitor bowed himself out.

It was a great blow, and the two youths felt it keenly. Ever since the
loss of the sixty-four thousand dollars in bonds they had been
struggling with might and main to cover one obligation after another.
To do this had taxed about every resource that Dick could think of
aside from borrowing from friends without putting up any security--
something the youth shrank from doing.

"Say, Dick, this is fierce!" exclaimed Tom. "What are we going to do
about it?"

"I don't know yet," was the slow reply. can't understand why father
didn't mention this investment to me."

"He must have felt so sick that he forgot all about it. You don't
imagine that there is anything wrong about it?"

"Oh, no! I guess it is all straight enough. Aronson must know that he
couldn't get any such money out of us unless everything was as
straight as a string."

"Perhaps Mr. Powell could get the twenty thousand dollars for us."

"Maybe he could. But that isn't the point, Tom. I told you before that
we want to 'stand on our own bottom.' Besides, it isn't a fair thing
to ask any one to put up money like that without offering good
security."

"But we don't want to lose the fifteen thousand dollars that father
has already invested."

"I know that, too. It's a miserable affair all around, isn't it?" And
Dick sighed deeply.

When Sam came back from his errand he brought news that under ordinary
circumstances would have interested his brothers very much.

"I was coming through Union Square Park when whom should I see on one
of the benches but Josiah Crabtree!" he exclaimed.

"Crabtree!" cried Tom. "Then he must be out of the hospital at last!
How did he look?"

"He looked very pale and thin, and he had a pair of crutches with
him," answered Sam. "I didn't see him walk, but I suppose he must limp
pretty badly, or he wouldn't have had the crutches."

"Did you speak to him?" questioned Dick.

"No. At first I thought I would do so, but he looked so down-and-out
that I didn't have the heart to say anything and perhaps make him feel
worse."

"Do you suppose he has any money?" asked Tom.

"He didn't look as if he had. But you never can tell with such fellows
as Crabtree-- he was a good deal of a miser."

"What a misspent life his has been!" was Dick's comment. "I am mighty
glad that he didn't get the chance to marry Mrs. Stanhope."

"Right you are, Dick!" returned Tom. "He'd make a hard kind of a
father-in-law to swallow!"

It did not take long for Dick and Tom to acquaint Sam with the new
money problem that confronted them, and the youngest Rover became
equally worried over the situation.

"I think we had better write to Uncle Randolph and see if he can find
out a little about this land company affair from father without, of
course, worrying him too much," suggested Dick. "There may be some
loophole out of this trouble-- although I am afraid there isn't."

"All right, we'll do it," said Tom, and the letter was written at
once, and sent to Dexter's Corners with a special delivery stamp
attached.

On the following afternoon when Tom and Sam got back to the hotel, a
surprise awaited them. Going up to the suite occupied by Dick and
Dora, the brothers found themselves confronted by Nellie and Grace.

"Oh, Tom!" was all Nellie could say. And then coming straight forward
she threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

"Now-- now, don't go on this way, Nellie," he stammered, not knowing
what to say. "It's all right. They've got the ring and you are
cleared. What's the use of crying about it now?"

"Oh, but-- but I can't help it!" sobbed the girl. "You don't know how
I have suffered! I couldn't sleep nights, or anything! Oh, Tom! it was
grand-- the way you got that gardener to confess;" and she clung to
him tighter than ever.

"And to think he put the ring in the inkwell!" cried Grace. "What a
ridiculous thing to do!"

"He must have done it on the spur of the moment," said Sam. "But say,
I'm mighty glad that affair is cleared up!" he added, his face
beaming.

Then all of the young folks sat down, and the story had to be told
once more in all of its details.

"I just had to come on! I couldn't stay home after I got the telegram
and the letter," explained Nellie, "so I sent a telegram to Dora."

"We planned to surprise you," put in Grace.

"And it is a surprise, and a nice one," returned Sam. Soon Dick, who
had been somewhat detained, came in, and then there was more
excitement.

"Well, what about accommodations for the girls?" asked Dick, who never
forgot the practical side of matters.

"Oh, that is all arranged, Dick," answered his wife. "I have a room
for them, and as your wife I am to be their chaperon;" and she smiled
brightly as she passed her hand over his forehead. "Poor boy, with so
much to do!" she added, affectionately.

It was a happy gathering, and for the time being the Rover boys did
their best to forget their troubles. They had a somewhat elaborate
dinner, and then Tom and Sam took the newcomers out for a walk up "The
Great White Way." Dick said he would remain at the hotel with his
wife, as he wanted to write some letters.

"Might as well let them have their fling," he said, after the others
had departed. "That's the way we wanted it before we were married;"
and he gave his wife a hug and a kiss.

Of course the girls from Cedarville had a great deal to tell, and Tom
and Sam had a great deal to relate in return. The two couples strolled
on and on, and it was near eleven o'clock before they returned to the
Outlook Hotel.

"And so you are going to be a real business man, are you, Tom?" said
Nellie, during the course of the walk.

"I am going to try to be, Nellie," he answered. "Of course it is
something of a job for a fellow who is full of fun to settle down. I
need help." And he looked at her wistfully.

"Oh, Tom, if you would only settle your mind----"

"There's no use in talking, Nellie, I won't be able to settle down in
the really-and-truly fashion until I am married," retorted the
fun-loving Rover. "You have got to be the one to settle me."

"Tom Rover, if you talk like that I'll box your ears!"

"All right, anything you say goes, Nellie. Only tell me, aren't we
going to be married some time this Fall or Winter?"

"Tom!"

"Well, aren't we?"

"Oh, maybe. But you come on! We are out for a walk, and here we are
standing stock-still in the middle of the sidewalk with folks all
around us. Come on! If you don't come I will leave you;" and Nellie
started on, dragging Tom with her.

  CHAPTER XXVII

 THE MYSTERY OF THE SAFE

Dick was at his desk sorting out his morning mail. He was rather
downcast, for the past two days had brought no news regarding the
missing bonds. On the other hand, he had received word from his uncle
that the investment in the Sharon Valley Land Company was a perfectly
legitimate one, and that Mr. Aronson's claim would have to be met.

"And how we are going to meet it, I don't know," said Dick, in
speaking of the matter to his brothers. "It certainly is tough luck to
have these obligations pouring in on us at just this time."

"Well, there is one bright spot in uncle's letter," returned Sam. "He
says dad is feeling somewhat better. I am mighty glad of that."

"I guess we all are," broke in Tom. "Just the same, I agree with Dick.
The financial outlook is mighty gloomy."

There were other letters besides business communications for the boys.
Songbird had written, and so had Spud; and Dick had likewise a long
epistle from Bart Conners, who in years gone by had been the young
major of the Putnam Hall cadets. But just now Dick had no heart to
read these communications. He felt that he must give his entire
attention to the business in hand. One letter in a plain envelope was
in a handwriting entirely unfamiliar to him. He cut open the envelope
hastily to see what it might contain. A glance at the single sheet
inside, and his face showed his interest.

"Look at this, boys!" he cried; and then read the following:

  "'Look over your safe very carefully. You may discover something to
  your advantage.'"

There was no signature.

"Who sent that?" came from Sam and Tom simultaneously.

"I don't know. It isn't signed."

"'Look over your safe very carefully. You may discover something to
your advantage,'" repeated Tom. "Say! that looks as if somebody knew
something about the robbery!" he went on, excitedly.

"We have looked over the safe a dozen times," returned Sam. "It hasn't
furnished the slightest clew."

"We'll go over it again," broke in Dick, who had already left his desk
and gone to the strong-box. He worked at the combination for a few
moments, and pulled open the safe door.

"Maybe we ought to have a light here," suggested Tom. "It is rather
dark in this corner."

"Wait, I can fix that," said Sam, and reaching for a droplight that
hung over the desk, the youngest Rover commenced to unfasten the wire
by which it was held in position. By this means he was able to shift
the light so that it hung directly over the opening of the strong-box.

"Nothing unusual about the door or the combination that I can see,"
said Tom, after all had made a careful inspection.

"And the sides seem to be all right," added Sam. "Maybe it's the back
or the bottom."

"If it wasn't so heavy we might be able to swing the safe around away
from the wall," said Dick. "But wait, hold that light closer, Tom, and
I'll see if I can find out anything from the inside."

Dick was now on his knees and feeling around the back of the safe with
his hand. Presently he found a crack, and inserting his fingers he
gave a push. Much to his astonishment a portion of the safe back slid
upward.

"Hello, I've found something!" he ejaculated. "There is a hole in the
back of this safe!"

"You don't say so!" cried Sam; and he and Tom peered into the steel
box.

Then Dick continued to work around with his hand, and presently was
able to slide another section of the safe back upward. He now found
that he could touch a piece of board which evidently took the place of
some plaster that had formed part of the office wall.

"There must be a small trap door there, leading to some place
outside," said the oldest Rover boy. "We'll go into the hall and have
a look."

It did not take the eager youths long to reach the hallway of the
building, and once there, all three hurried to the spot where they
thought the opening might be located. Soon they came to the little
closet which the janitor had once mentioned to them-- a small place in
which was located a sink, and also a number of brooms, brushes, and
cleaning cloths.

The closet was dark, but Dick had brought along a box of matches, and
a light was quickly made. A corner containing some brooms and cloths
was cleaned out, and the boys soon located a piece of board about
eight inches square, covered with a sheet of tin painted the same
color as the wall.

"It's as plain as daylight!" cried Tom. "The thief didn't have to open
the safe door at all. He simply came in here, removed that board, slid
up the back section of the safe, and took out what he wanted."

"And the fellow who did it----" broke in Sam.

"Was either Pelter or Japson," finished Dick.

"Then you think this letter came from----" Tom started to say.

"That young fellow whose life you saved-- Barton Pelter," answered
Dick.

"By the rudder to Noah's Ark, I think you are right!" burst out Tom.
"Why, it's as plain as the nose on your face! Don't you remember how
worried Barton Pelter looked when we told him the bonds were missing,
and how he asked us at the moving picture show if we had gotten them
back yet? More than likely he knew how this safe was fixed-- he used
to come here, you know, to see his uncle----"

"I believe you're right, Tom," came from Sam, "because if he didn't do
it, who did?"

"I think I can make sure of this," returned Tom. "Let us go back to
the offices."

Tom had taken possession of one of the desks in the place, and in one
of the pigeonholes he had placed a number of letters, including the
one received while at college from Jesse Pelter's nephew. This he now
brought forth, and compared the handwriting with that of the letter
just received.

"It's the same hand," he affirmed. And after an examination the
brothers agreed with him.

"If Barton Pelter wrote that letter we ought to locate him without
delay," was Sam's comment. "He may know just where the missing bonds
are."

"Or else where we can locate his uncle and Japson."

"Wait a minute!" cried Dick. "You forget that Japson has been away
from New York for some time. The detective told me that, and said it
was positive. So that would seem to put the thing off on Pelter's
shoulders; and I think Pelter is just the man to do such a thing.
You'll remember how bitter he was against us when we exposed him."

"Then let us locate Jesse Pelter without delay," broke in Tom. "It
ought to be easy, unless he is in hiding."

"If he's got our bonds he'll certainly do his best to keep out of our
way," returned Dick, grimly. "I think the best we can do first of all
is to locate Barton Pelter and make him tell us all he knows."

"He said he had a chance of a position as a traveling salesman."

"Did he say for whom?"

"He mentioned 'The Consolidated Cream Cracker Company,' whatever that
is."

"Let us call them up and find out," said Dick.

By consulting the telephone directory, the boys were soon in
communication with the cracker company in question. They were informed
that Barton Pelter had been taken on as a salesman the day before, and
had left that evening for a trip through the Middle West. It was not
known on what train he had departed.

"Nothing doing here," said Tom. "They don't even seem to know what
town he is going to stop at first."

"I think we had better call up Mr. Bronson, and tell him about this
and put him on the trail of the Pelters," answered Dick.

The detective was as astonished as the boys had been when he saw the
hole in the back of the safe.

"This is certainly one on me," he confessed, frankly. "I looked that
safe over very carefully, too. I should have discovered that;" and his
face showed his chagrin.

Then he was told about the Pelters and about Japson, and he agreed
with the Rovers that he had best try to locate Barton Pelter and his
uncle without delay.

"I'll put a man on the trail of the young fellow who went West," he
said, "and as soon as he sends me any word regarding Jesse Pelter I'll
go after that fellow, and I'll also let you know what I'm doing;" and
so it was arranged.

  CHAPTER XXVIII

 JOSIAH CRABTREE ONCE MORE

When the boys arrived at the hotel that evening the girls had much to
tell them. Nellie had received a letter from Miss Harrow, in which the
teacher had frankly begged her pardon for having suspected the girl of
taking the diamond ring.

"It is a lovely letter," said Nellie. "I never thought that she could
humble herself in that fashion."

"I've got an idea; in fact, I've had it for some time," came from Tom.
"I had Royce in this afternoon to see me. He is very anxious to get
work. I've half a notion to ask you to write to Miss Harrow and see if
they won't take the fellow back at the seminary."

"I am willing to write such a letter, Tom," answered the girl. "And if
they won't take Royce back, perhaps I can get my father to give him
work at our farm; although I know he is more of a gardener than he is
a farmer."

But the most important news the two girls and Dick's wife had to tell
was that on a shopping tour after lunch they had walked into Josiah
Crabtree.

"We came face to face with him in front of a show window," explained
Dick's wife. "I was so startled for the minute that I did not know
what to say. Oh, Dick! he was on crutches, and he did look so pale and
thin I couldn't help but feel sorry for him!"

"He has evidently suffered a great deal," put in Grace. "In fact, he
said as much. He seemed to be utterly downcast. He didn't look like
the dictatorial teacher he used to be at all."

"What did he have to say?" questioned Sam.

"Oh, he was quite confused at first, but he did ask about Dora's
mother-- if she was well-- and then he said he understood that you
three were going into business together. He said he hoped you would be
successful."

"The idea of old Crabtree saying that!" burst out Tom. "It's enough to
make a fellow think the end of the world is coming."

"Did he say what he was doing, or what he proposes to do?" questioned
Dick.

"He said he had received a tentative offer of a position in a boys'
school in Maine," answered Nellie, "but he did not know whether he was
going to take it or not. My idea is that he is too poor to even go to
Maine. And he had on such an old, rusty, black suit!"

"Say! Did he say where he was stopping?" questioned Dick, eagerly,
struck by a sudden idea.

"No, he did not."

"Too bad! I'd like to see him as soon as possible."

"Why, what's up now, Dick?" questioned Sam.

"I want to ask him if he knows anything about Jesse Pelter-- where the
fellow has gone to."

"It isn't likely. I don't think those two parted the best of friends."

"Most likely not. Still Crabtree may know where Pelter keeps himself."

"I'll tell you what you might do, Dick," suggested Tom. "You might
send Crabtree a couple of letters, one addressed to the General
Delivery here, and another simply addressed to New York City; then
you'll run two chances of striking him."

"I'll do that," answered the older brother; and sent off the
communications without delay. In each of them he asked Josiah Crabtree
to call at his offices as soon as possible.

"Do you think you can make him open up if he comes?" questioned Sam.

"I think so-- that is if I make it worth his while. If Crabtree is
down on his luck he will most likely be willing to do anything for
money."

Two days went by, and the boys waited anxiously for some word from the
detective in regard to the whereabouts of the Pelters. But no word
came in, and they were as downcast as ever. In the meanwhile Dick,
aided by the others, stirred around as best he could in an endeavor to
take care of their finances.

"I've got the small things all taken care of," Dick said to Tom and
Sam, on the evening of the second day. "But what I am going to do
about that twenty thousand dollars we must pay the Sharon Valley Land
Company, and that other claim Mr. Powell spoke about, I don't know. It
looks to me as if we were going to get into a hole, unless I'm able to
get some of our friends to help us out."

The one bright spot on the horizon was the news received from home,
which was to the effect that their father's health was improving. He
had gone downstairs and walked around the garden, and also taken a
short ride in the automobile. Moreover, his mind seemed to be much
brighter than it had been for a long while past.

On the following morning, when the three youths were at the offices
discussing the situation, Bob Marsh came in.

"A man to see you," announced the office boy. "A man on crutches named
Crabtree."

"Show him in!" exclaimed Dick. And then he added hastily to his
brothers in a lower tone: "Now let me engineer this, please. I think I
know how to handle him."

"Go ahead, Dick," responded Tom; and Sam nodded.

Josiah Crabtree hobbled in on his crutches, with his hat in his hand.
Evidently he was weak and nervous. His thin face had lost much of its
former shrewdness and cunning, and he looked quite downcast.

"Good morning, young gentlemen," he said, in a somewhat cracked voice.
"You sent me a letter. I just got it at the post-office."

"Sit down, Mr. Crabtree," returned Dick, and offered the former
teacher of Putnam Hall a chair.

"Thank you." Josiah Crabtree sank down on the seat, resting his
crutches against his knee. "You have the same offices that Pelter,
Japson & Company had, I perceive," he continued, allowing his eyes to
rove around.

"Yes, Mr. Crabtree," answered Dick. "By the way, do you know where Mr.
Pelter is just now?"

"You said you wanted to see me about some particular business," said
the former teacher. "perhaps we had better get at that first."

"Well, I might as well admit, Mr. Crabtree, that what I wanted to see
you about is this. I want to know if you can tell me where Mr. Jesse
Pelter is just now."

"Oh, is that all!" And Josiah Crabtree's face showed his
disappointment.

"That is all at present."

"Humph! Supposing I don't care to tell you where he is?"

"Now see here!" pursued Dick, earnestly. "If I understand matters
aright, Mr. Crabtree, Jesse Pelter is no longer a friend of yours.
When you went to the hospital he practically deserted you, isn't that
right?"

"If is!" exclaimed the former teacher, bitterly. "He left me in the
lurch, and not only that, he didn't give me the money that was
rightfully coming to me."

"Exactly so! Now then, why shouldn't you help us to locate him?"

"Well-- er-- well-- er-- supposing I did help you?" returned Josiah
Crabtree, hesitatingly.

"If you will do that, Mr. Crabtree, I'll make it well worth your
while," responded Dick, quickly. "I may as well admit to you that we
wish to get hold of Mr. Pelter as soon as possible. We want him to
clear up a certain transaction. If you can put me into communication
with him to-day, I'll give you fifty dollars."

At the mention of fifty dollars Josiah Crabtree's eyes lit up.
Evidently he had not seen that amount of money for some time.

"You'll give me fifty dollars?" he repeated.

"I will."

"There is no fooling about this, Rover?"

"Mr. Crabtree, did I ever deceive you?" And Dick looked the former
teacher squarely in the eyes.

"I don't think you did, Rover. So you want to find Jesse Pelter, and
you'll give me fifty dollars if I'll help you do it? All right, I'll
take you up. I don't think Pelter is aware that I know where he is,
but I do;" and Josiah Crabtree smiled grimly.

"Where is he?"

"He told Japson that he was going down East, most likely to Boston.
But he didn't do any such thing; he hung around New York for awhile
and then he went to Philadelphia, and he's down there now, I am
thinking, unless he took a boat for Europe."

"What? Was he going from Philadelphia to Europe?" broke in Tom.

"So I understood. Although why he didn't go from New York is a
mystery-- the service is so much better."

"Have you any idea where he is stopping in Philadelphia?" questioned
Dick.

"He usually stopped with a distant relative of his-- a man named
Crowley Pelter."

"Then that's all I want to know for the present, Mr. Crabtree,"
announced Dick. "If we can locate him I'll let you know and then the
fifty dollars will be yours."

"How soon are you going to look for the man?" asked the former
teacher, curiously.

"At once," was Dick's quick reply. "Leave me your address, and as soon
as we hear anything I'll let you know." And a few minutes later the
boys brought the interview to an end.

  CHAPTER XXIX

 THE JAPANNED BOX

"Now to find out where Crowley Pelter lives!" said Dick.

The train carrying the three Rover boys from New York to Philadelphia
was rolling into the big, smoky station. It was about two o'clock in
the afternoon, and the youths had dined on the train while making the
journey. They had left the offices in charge of Bob Marsh, stating
that they would most likely be away for the rest of the day. At first
Dick and Tom had thought to leave Sam behind, but the latter had
insisted on going along. It had been a two hours' run to the Quaker
City.

"Let's look at a telephone directory," suggested Tom.

"Oh, you don't want to telephone to him, do you?" queried Sam. "That
might put Jesse Pelter on his guard."

"We won't telephone, we'll simply look for the address," answered his
brother.

But there proved to be no Crowley Pelter in the telephone directory,
so the boys had to consult a regular directory. They found that the
man lived quite a distance out, in the Germantown section.

"Let's hire a taxi, and get out there as fast as we can," suggested
Dick. Now that they were actually on the trail of the missing broker
he was anxious to bring the pursuit to an end.

Outside the railroad station taxicabs were numerous, and the boys
quickly hired one of the best of the machines and gave the driver
directions where to go.

"And don't lose any time," ordered Dick.

"I'll run as fast as I dare," returned the chauffeur.

The ride to Crowley Pelter's residence took a good three-quarters of
an hour. The place was a small but well-kept one on a corner.

"I guess I had better go in alone," suggested Dick. "If I need you
I'll whistle or wave my handkerchief;" and then he ran up the front
steps and rang the bell. A tall, angular woman, wearing large
spectacles, soon answered his summons.

"Good afternoon," said Dick, politely. "Is this Mr. Crowley Pelter's
residence?"

"Yes, sir."

"I believe Mr. Jesse Pelter is staying here. Can I see him?" went on
Dick.

"Mr. Jesse Pelter was staying here, but he has just gone-- he went
about an hour ago."

"Is that so!" cried Dick. "Can you tell me where he went to?"

"Well, I-- er-- I don't know," faltered the woman, and eyed Dick
sharply.

"I have a very important message for him," Dick hastened to say. "I
must see him at once."

"Oh, in that case you'll find him down at the docks. He has engaged
passage on the Princess Lenida bound for Liverpool."

"And when does the Princess Lenida sail?" asked Dick, quickly.

"I don't know exactly. Either this afternoon or to-morrow morning."

"And you are sure he has gone to the steamer?"

"Oh, yes. He sent his baggage off this morning, and he said he would
not be back."

"Thank you, Madam." And without another word Dick turned and left the
residence.

As he did this he saw a man he knew hurrying along the street. The man
stopped when he caught sight of Dick and the two boys in the taxicab.

"Why, you here, Mr. Bronson?" cried Dick.

"Hello! how in the world did you fellows get here!" exclaimed the
detective the Rovers had hired but a short time before. "Are you on
the trail of Pelter, too?"

"We are," answered Dick. "How did you learn he had been here?"

"Had been! Do you mean to say he has left?"

"Yes. The woman who came to the door told me he had left about an hour
ago. He is going to sail on the Princess Lenida for Liverpool either
this afternoon or to-morrow morning."

"Say, then we want to get after him at once!" cried the detective.

"I agree on that," answered Dick. He turned to the chauffeur. "Do you
know the dock from which the Princess Lenida sails?" he questioned.

"Sure I do! I've been there many a time," answered the taxicab driver.

"Then take us there just as quickly as you can," said Dick. "Never
mind the speed laws. If you are held up we will pay the fine."

"We won't be held up-- not if I show this," said the detective, and
exhibited the badge pinned to his vest. Then Dick and Mr. Bronson
jumped into the taxicab, and away the turnout went at top speed back
to the heart of the city.

"How did you get here?" questioned Tom, of the detective while riding
along.

"As I said I would, I got into communication with one of our men out
West, and he went after that Barton Pelter. He got him in Dayton, and
made him confess that he had sent that note to you. Then he told our
man that his uncle was most likely here in Philadelphia; so I came on
at once to see if I could locate the man."

"If only we can catch him before he sails!" cried Sam.

"Oh, we've got to do it!" put in Tom.

Soon the taxicab reached the crowded thoroughfares of Philadelphia.
They made several turns, crossing the track of the street cars, and
finally came to a halt near the river front.

"There's the dock you want," said the chauffeur, pointing with his
hand.

"Is that the Princess Lenida?" questioned Dick, quickly, indicating
the upper works of a steamer, which could be seen over the dock
buildings.

"I think so, sir."

"Come on, then!" cried Tom. "Sam, you pay the fellow, will you?"

"All right!" was the quick reply. And then Tom and Dick hurried after
Mr. Bronson, who was already entering the dock building.

Had they been alone the Rovers might have had some difficulty in
gaining entrance to the dock; but the detective led the way, showing
his badge; and soon the party found themselves at the gang-plank of
the steamer. Here Sam rejoined them.

From the purser they learned that Jesse Pelter had engaged stateroom
Number 148.

"But I can't say if he is aboard or not," said the steamer official.
"You see, we are not to sail until nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
There was some talk of sailing this afternoon, but we have been
delayed. Do you want me to send to the stateroom for you?"

"Oh, no, we'll go there ourselves," returned the detective, quickly.
"I don't want to alarm him if I can help it."

"I guess you are after him," said the purser, grimly.

"We certainly are!" answered Tom.

It was an easy matter to locate stateroom Number 148, which was on the
main deck forward. The entrance was in a narrow passageway, and close
at hand was a door opening on a narrow walkway between the staterooms
and the ship's rail.

"Wait a moment," whispered the detective, and stepped outside. He was
now close to a shuttered window of the stateroom engaged by Jesse
Pelter.

From the room came a murmur of voices, and without speaking further
the detective motioned for the Rover boys to join him beside the
window. Although the slatted shutter was up, evidently the glass of
the window had been let down its full length, for those outside could
hear what was said within with ease.

"That proposition is all right as far as it goes," they heard, in
Jesse Pelter's voice. "But I can't see, Haywood, where you ought to
have fifty per cent. of the returns."

"I do!" answered somebody else-- evidently the man called Haywood.
"I'm running all the risk, it seems to me."

"Not so very much of a risk," went on Jesse Pelter. "Sixty thousand
dollars' worth of those bonds are unregistered."

"All very true. But for all you know the numbers may be advertised as
stolen. If so, I may get pinched when I offer them."

"Not if you are careful and work the thing in the right kind of a
way," pursued the former broker.

"Well, I'll tell you what I'll do," returned Haywood. "I'll take a
third and not a dollar less. Now let us go over the bonds and check
them up," he continued. And then followed a rustling of numerous
papers.

"Don't you think we have heard enough?" whispered Dick, to the
detective.

"All that is necessary, Mr. Rover," was the answer. "Stand close by
me," the detective continued, "and be prepared to rush them the
instant the door is opened."

Having thus spoken, Mr. Bronson stepped back through the passageway,
and knocked sharply on the stateroom door.

"Who's there?" came in nervous tones from Jesse Pelter.

"A telegram for Mr. Pelter!" cried the detective, in a high-pitched,
boyish voice.

"Oh!" came from within; and then the key was turned in the lock, and
the door was opened several inches.

The next instant the detective threw his weight against the barrier,
and forced it back. He leaped into the stateroom, and the three Rover
boys followed him.

"Hi, what does this mean?" cried Jesse Pelter, as he was forced
backward against a washstand.

"It means that your game is up, Pelter!" cried Tom.

"We've caught you just as we wanted to!" added Dick.

"And you're not going to get away either," came from Sam, as he
managed to close the stateroom door and put his back against it.

Mr. Bronson had said nothing. He held the former broker with one hand,
and produced a pair of handcuffs with the other. Then came a double
click, and Jesse Pelter found himself handcuffed.

"See here, you let me out of this!" stormed the man named Haywood. "I
haven't done anything wrong. You let me go!" And he started for the
door.

"Not much! You stay where you are!" cried Tom, and gave the fellow a
shove which sent him sprawling backward over a berth.

In the meanwhile Dick's quick eyes had located the japanned box partly
filled with the missing bonds. Other bonds lay on the berth and on the
floor. The oldest Rover boy lost no time in gathering up the precious
documents, and placed them in the box.

"I tell you I want you to let me go!" spluttered Haywood. "I haven't
done anything wrong!"

"See here, Grimes," broke in the detective, sternly, "you sit right
where you are. I know you, and you ought to know me;" and the
detective took a step forward and looked the man full in the face.

"Oliver Bronson!" murmured the man who had agreed to dispose of the
stolen bonds. "How did you get onto this game?"

"You'll find out about that later, Grimes."

"Is his name Grimes?" questioned Tom.

"That's one of his names. He is also known as Haywood, and likewise
Slippery Peter. He used to work in Pittsburgh and Washington; but I
heard some time ago that he was trying his games on in Philadelphia."

"See here, Rover, can't we-- er-- fix this little matter up somehow?"
faltered Jesse Pelter.

"We can, and we will-- in court," answered Dick, coldly.

"Oh, but see here----"

"Don't waste your breath, Pelter. We let you go on those other
charges, but we are not going to let you go on this one," interrupted
Dick. "This was a downright steal, and you have got to take the
consequences. Mr. Bronson, what do you want to do with them?"

"One of you had better call in a policeman," returned the detective.
"Then we'll take them to headquarters. I think this is quite a catch,"
he continued. "The authorities have been trying to fasten something on
Grimes for a long while."

"Humph! You haven't fastened this on me yet," growled the sharper
mentioned.

"Don't worry. You'll get what's coming to you," returned the
detective.

Sam slipped out, and in a few minutes returned with a policeman. Then
a call was sent in for a patrol wagon, and in this the entire party
was taken to the police station. A formal charge was entered against
the two criminals, and they were led away to separate cells. Then came
several formalities before Dick and his brothers were allowed to take
possession of the japanned box with its precious contents. The bonds
were gone over with care, and it was ascertained that not one was
missing.

"Oh, this is great!" cried Tom, his face beaming. "I feel like dancing
a jig."

"So do I," returned Sam. "Dick, don't you think we had better send
word to New York?"

"Oh, we'll take the next train back, Sam, and surprise the girls,"
answered the oldest brother.

"I'll remain behind in Philadelphia, and take charge of this case,"
said Mr. Bronson. "Now that you have your bonds back, I suppose you'll
want to fix up some of those financial matters that you mentioned."

"We certainly do," answered Dick.

And after a few words more, the boys bade the detective good-bye, and
hurried to take a train back to the metropolis.

  CHAPTER XXX