The Essential Edward Stratemeyer Collection. Stratemeyer Edward

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СКАЧАТЬ and I against Dave and Phil."

      "Very well, Bert, suit yourself," answered the mother. "But if you wish to dance, perhaps I can introduce your friends to some of the young ladies."

      But the boys preferred to bowl and so went to the basement of the big hotel, where there were some fine alleys. They bowled five games, Dave and Phil taking three and Roger and Bert two. In one game Dave turned a wide "break" into a "spare," and for this the others applauded him not a little.

      The games over, the boys washed and then went upstairs to watch the dancing. Bert and Phil danced a two-step with some young ladies that Bert knew. Just as they started off, Dave caught Roger by the arm.

      "What is it, Dave?" asked the senator's son, quickly.

      "Maybe I'm mistaken, but I just thought I saw Job Haskers!"

      "Where?" and now Roger was all attention.

      "Going into the reading-room with another man."

      "Humph! Say, let us find out if he is really here."

      "He isn't staying here, I know that."

      "How do you know?"

      "I asked the clerk."

      While speaking the two youths had walked away from the ballroom of the hotel. Now they found themselves at the entrance to a long, narrow apartment that was used as a writing and smoking room for men. Half a dozen persons were present, several writing letters and the others talking in low tones and smoking.

      In an alcove two men had just seated themselves, one an elderly person who seemed somewhat feeble, and the other a tall, sharp-faced individual who eyed his companion in a shrewd, speculative manner.

      "That's Job Haskers, sure enough," murmured Roger, as Dave pointed to the sharp-faced man. "Wonder what he is doing here?"

      "Well, he has a right to be here, if he wishes," returned Dave.

      The two former students of Oak Hall stood at one side and watched the man who had been their teacher for so long and who had proved himself dishonorable in more ways than one.

      "Unless I am mistaken, he is trying to work some sort of a game on that old gentleman," whispered Dave, a few minutes later. "See how earnestly he is talking, and see, he is bringing some papers out of his pocket."

      "Oh, it may be all right, Dave," replied the senator's son. "Not that I would trust Job Haskers too far," he added, hastily.

      The two lads continued to watch the former teacher of Oak Hall. He was still arguing with the old gentleman and acted as if he wanted to get the stranger to sign a paper he held in his hand. He had a fountain pen ready to be used.

      "I'm going a little closer and look into this," said Dave, firmly. "Perhaps it's all right, but that old man may not know Haskers as we do."

      "We can go around to the back door; that is close to the alcove," suggested Roger, who was now as interested as Dave in what was taking place.

      By walking through a narrow hallway the boys reached the door the senator's son had mentioned. This was within a few feet of the alcove, and by standing behind the door Dave and Roger could hear all the former teacher and the elderly gentleman were saying.

      "It's really the chance of a lifetime," urged Job Haskers, with great earnestness. "I never knew of a better opportunity to make money. The consolidation of the five mills has placed the entire business in the hands of the Sunset Company. If you sign for that stock you'll be doing the best business stroke you've done in a lifetime, Mr. Fordham."

      "Maybe, maybe," answered the old gentleman, hesitatingly. "Yet I really ought to consult my son before I do it. But he is in Philadelphia. I might write----"

      "Then it may be too late," interposed Job Haskers. "As I told you before, this stock is going like wildfire. And at thirty-five it's a bargain. I think it will be up to sixty or seventy inside of a month--or two months at the latest. You'd better sign for the hundred shares right now and make sure of them." And Job Haskers held out one of the papers in his hand and also the fountain pen.

      Roger and Dave looked at each other and probably the same thought flashed through the minds of both. Should they show themselves and let the elderly gentleman know just what sort of a man Job Haskers was?

      "I guess we'd better take a hand----" commenced Dave, when he paused as he saw the old gentleman shake his head.

      "I--I don't think I'll do it to-night, Mr. Haskers," he said, slowly. "I--I want to sleep on it. Come and see me again in the morning."

      "The stock may go up by morning," interposed the former teacher of Oak Hall. "It went up day before yesterday, two points. Better bind the bargain right now."

      "No, I'll wait until morning."

      "Well, when can I see you, Mr. Fordham?" asked the other, trying to conceal his disappointment.

      "I'll be around about ten o'clock--I don't get up very early."

      "Very well, I'll call at that time then," said Job Haskers. "But you might as well sign for it now," and again he held out the paper and the pen.

      "No, I'll wait until to-morrow morning," answered Mr. Fordham, as he arose. "It's time I retired now. I--I'm not as strong as I once was."

      "I am sorry to hear that. Well, I'll be around in the morning, and I am sure you will realize that this is a good thing, after you have thought it over," said Job Haskers, with calm assurance, and then he and the elderly man left the room. Dave and Roger saw them separate in the main hall of the hotel, the old gentleman going upstairs, and Job Haskers out into the storm.

      CHAPTER V

      A TRAP FOR JOB HASKERS

      "What do you think of it, Dave?"

      "I think Job Haskers is up to some game, Roger."

      "Selling worthless stocks?"

      "Yes, or else stocks that are next door to worthless."

      "I wonder who the old gentleman can be? He looks as if he might have money. That diamond ring he wears must be worth several hundred dollars."

      "Supposing we ask Mr. Passmore about him?" suggested Dave.

      "That's the idea."

      The youths found Mr. Passmore in a protected corner of a side porch, smoking. Most of the storm was now over, but it still rained.

      "Tired of bowling, eh?" said Bert's father, who was a wholesale dealer in rugs.

      "Mr. Passmore, we want to ask you some questions," said Roger. "Do you know an elderly gentleman here by the name of Fordham?"

      "Fordham? Yes, I've met him. Nice man, too, but СКАЧАТЬ