The Rover Boys Down East Part 31

"I guess they are both after that fortune," said Dan, after listening to the recital. "It seems to me it all fits in. Sobber wanted to get hold of that cash. He couldn't do it by force, so he had to use cunning. He is not an overly-brilliant fellow, I take it, so he had to get somebody to aid him. In some manner he fell in with Josiah Crabtree. He knew that Crabtree was as smart as he was unprincipled. The two fixed up the plot to get the fortune-and got it."

"I hope they haven't got Mrs. Stanhope, too," murmured d.i.c.k.

"I think Crabtree would rather have the money than have the lady," said Dan.

"Well, we'll know all about the case tomorrow," said Sam. "I am dead tired now and am going to bed," he added, looking at his watch.

"What time is it?"

"Quarter to twelve."

"Gracious, Dan, I didn't think we were keeping you up so late!" cried the eldest Rover boy.

"Oh, that's all right, d.i.c.k. I'm glad you came-it saved me the trouble of sending that letter."

"You can go to bed," went on d.i.c.k, to his brothers. "I'll stay up a bit longer and see if any message comes from dad."

The Rovers left Dan Baxter's apartment, and Sam and Tom retired, both worn out from their day's exertions. d.i.c.k went below, to interview the hotel clerk.

"No message yet, sir," said that individual. "If any comes in I will call you."

d.i.c.k was about to turn away, when the telephone bell rang. He waited while the clerk listened for a moment.

"Yes, he's here now," he heard the clerk say. "Wait a moment." The clerk turned to d.i.c.k. "There's your party now. I'll switch you into the booth yonder."

Trembling with antic.i.p.ation, d.i.c.k hurried to the booth, shut the door and took up the telephone receiver. The wire was buzzing, but presently he made out his father's voice.

"Is that you, d.i.c.k?"

"Yes, Dad. Where are you?"

"At the hotel in Cedarville. I just got here a few minutes ago from a run across the lake."

"Across the lake? What for? Did you go after the fortune?"

"No, I went after Mrs. Stanhope."

"Then she is-is gone?" faltered d.i.c.k. He could scarcely speak the words.

"Yes. But how did you guess it?" And Anderson Rover's tones showed his surprise.

"Tell me first where she went, and how?" demanded d.i.c.k, impatiently.

"We don't know how she went, or just when. It is most mysterious all the way through. Dora is nearly frantic, for she did not know her mother was going. We followed her up and learned that she had crossed the lake in company with some man who wore a heavy, black beard and dark goggles."

"It must have been Josiah Crabtree," cried d.i.c.k, and then, in as few words as possible, he told of the meeting with Dan Baxter and what the young commercial traveler had revealed.

"Yes! yes! that must be the truth of it!" said Anderson Rover. "And Crabtree must have been the one who aided in getting the fortune from the bank where it was being kept."

"Never mind the money, dad, just now. Tell me about Mrs. Stanhope."

"I can't tell you any more, d.i.c.k. I went across the lake in a launch, but I could get no trace of her on the other side. Now I am going back to the Stanhope house, and send Dora over to the Lanings. I want you to come up here the first thing in the morning," added Mr. Rover.

"I'll be up, and so will Sam and Tom," answered d.i.c.k, and then after a few words more the telephone talk came to an end.

d.i.c.k slept but little that night. His one thought was of Mrs. Stanhope.

What had become of her? Was it possible that Josiah Crabtree had in some way used his sinister influence to get her to leave her home, and would he be able to hypnotize her into marrying him?

"If he does that it will break Dora's heart!" he groaned. "Oh, it's an outrage! We don't want such a scoundrel in the family!" And he grated his teeth in just indignation.

The first boat for Cedarville left directly after the breakfast hour. The Rovers dined with Dan Baxter and then bade the young commercial traveler good-bye.

"I'll keep my eyes open for Crabtree and Sobber," said Dan. "And if I see either of 'em I'll let you know at once."

"Do," said d.i.c.k. "Send word instantly-at my expense."

The boys boarded the same little steamer, the Golden Star, which had first taken them up Cayuga Lake, when on their way to become pupils at Putnam Hall. The captain remembered them and spoke to them cordially. But none of the lads was in the humor of talking to outsiders.

As soon as Cedarville was reached they rushed ash.o.r.e at the well-known dock. They were going to look around for a public carriage to take them to the Stanhope residence, some distance away, when a voice hailed them.

"Why, boys, I am glad to see you!" came in hearty tones, and the next instant they were shaking hands with Captain Putnam, the owner of the school which they had attended so many years.

"We are sorry, Captain, that we can't stop to talk," said d.i.c.k, "but we are in a tremendous hurry."

"Yes, and I know why," answered the owner of the school. "I met your father yesterday. Want to go to the Stanhope place?"

"Yes."

"Then come with me. I have my carriage here, and my best team, and I'll take pleasure in driving you there."

"You are very kind," answered Tom. "My! I almost feel as if I was going back to the school!"

"I'd be glad to have you back, Thomas."

"In spite of my pranks, Captain?" and Tom grinned.

"Yes, in spite of your pranks," answered Captain Putnam, promptly.

"And to think we are after Josiah Crabtree!" murmured Sam. "How time changes things!"

"I trust you catch him, and catch that Tad Sobber, too," answered Captain Putnam, gravely.

The team was a spirited one, and the captain knew well how to handle them. Away they flew, through the village and then out on the smooth road leading to the Stanhope place. d.i.c.k relapsed into silence. He was thinking of Dora and of the girl's missing mother.

CHAPTER XVIII A FORTUNE AND A LADY DISAPPEAR