The Rover Boys Series. Stratemeyer Edward

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      "We must get on the track somehow," said Dick. But how, was the question. He could not sleep, and after the others had retired took a long walk, just to settle his nerves.

      Dick's walk brought him to the lot where the circus had held forth, and for some time he watched the men as they worked under the flaring gasoline torches, packing up what still remained on the grounds. The tent men had to labor like slaves in rolling up the huge stretches of canvas and in hoisting the long poles into the wagons, and he shook his head grimly as he turned away. "No circus life in mine," he mused — "at least, not that part of it."

      Dick had moved away from the grounds but a short distance when his attention was attracted to the strange movements of two rough-looking individuals who were hurrying off with a third man between them.

      "I don't want to go, I tell you," the middle man muttered; "I don't want more to drink."

      "That's all right, Mr. Castor," said one of the other men glibly. " Just have one more glass, that's a good fellow."

      "I won't take it, so there!" cried the man called Castor. "I know when I've had enough."

      "You've got to come along with us," put in the third man savagely. "You owe us some money."

      "I don't owe you a cent, Fusty."

      "Yes, you do — and I'm bound to have it. Hold him, Mike, till I go through him."

      Of a sudden there was a struggle, and the man called Castor found himself helpless, while the fellow called Fusty began to go through his pockets with great rapidity.

      The scene alarmed Dick, and he wondered what he had best do. Then he made up his mind to go to Castor's assistance, and ran forward.

      "Here, let that man alone!" he cried, as he picked up a fence picket which happened to lie handy. "Leave him alone, I say!"

      "The Old Nick take the luck!" muttered one of the other men. "Who's this?"

      "Help! help!" cried Castor.

      "Let him alone, I say!" repeated Dick, and then struck at one of the men and hit him on the arm.

      Seeing himself thus re-enforced, Castor also struck out, and continued to call for help.

      "We might as well give it up, Fusty!" cried one of the rascals, and took to his heels, and then there was nothing to do for the other man but to follow him.

      "Are you hurt?" asked Dick, as he helped the man who had been assaulted to his feet.

      "Not much," was the slow reply. "Young man, you came in time and no more."

      "Do you know those fellows who just ran away?"

      "I met them at the circus this afternoon. We had several drinks and they became very friendly. I believe they were after my money."

      "I think so too, Mr. — "

      "My name is George Castor. And who are you?"

      "I am Dick Rover, sir."

      "Rover, I must thank you for your services. I shan't forget you, not me!" and George Castor held out his hand cordially. "I think I made a mistake by drinking with those fellows."

      "I haven't any doubt of it, Mr. Castor."

      "Do you reside in town?"

      "No, sir; I am stopping at the hotel with my brothers. We just came into town to-night on rather a curious errand."

      "Indeed, and what was that?"

      In a few words Dick explained the situation. He had not yet finished when George Castor interrupted him.

      "My boy, you have done me a good turn, and now I think I can return the compliment."

      "Do you mean to say you know something of this case?" demanded Dick eagerly.

      "Perhaps I do. Describe this Dan Baxter as well as you can, will you?"

      "Certainly." And Dick did so.

      "It is the same fellow. I met him last night, down near the lumber wharves. You see, I am a lumber merchant from Brooklyn, and I have an interest in a lumber company up here."

      "You saw Baxter? Was he alone?"

      "No, there was another man with him, a tall, slim fellow, with an unusually sour face."

      "Josiah Crabtree to a T!" burst out Dick. "Did you notice where they went?"

      "I did not. But I overheard their talk. They spoke about a boat on the Hudson River, the Flyaway. They were to join her at Albany."

      "Who was to join her?"

      "This Baxter, if it was he, and somebody else — a man called Muff, or something like that."

      "Mumps! You struck them, sure enough! But did they say anything about the girl?"

      "The tall man said that he would see to it that she was there — whatever he meant by that."

      "I can't say any more than you, Mr. Castor. But I guess they are going to carry Dora Stanhope through to Albany, from all appearances."

      "Then perhaps you had better follow."

      "I'd go at once if I had the money that I have telegraphed for. You see, my brothers and I came away in a hurry, for the Stanhopes are close friends of ours."

      "Don't let the matter of money worry you. Do you know how much I have with me?"

      "I haven't the slightest idea, sir."

      "Nearly eleven hundred dollars — and if those rascals had had the chance they would have robbed me of every dollar of it."

      "I shouldn't think you would carry so much."

      "I don't usually; but I was paid a large bill to-day, and went to the circus instead of the bank — not having seen such a show in years. But to come back to business. Will a hundred dollars see you through?"

      "You mean to say you will loan me that much?"

      "Perhaps I had better give it to you, as a reward for your services."

      "I won't take it, for I don't want any reward. But I'll accept a loan, if you'll make it, and be very much obliged to you," continued Dick.

      "All right, then, we'll call it a loan," concluded George Castor, and the transfer of the amount was made on the spot. Later on Dick insisted upon returning the money.

      CHAPTER XVI

       THE SEARCH FOR THE "FLYAWAY"

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      "Tom! Sam! Get up at once!"

      "What's the СКАЧАТЬ