CHAPTER VI
WAITING FOR NEWS
It took Randolph Rover several minutes to comprehend the variousstatements made by the boys. That he had really been swindled by suchnicely-spoken men as he had met at the Carwell hotel seemedextraordinary to him.
"I understand the bonds were not registered," said Dick.
"That is true," groaned his uncle.
"Then anybody could use them."
"Yes, although I have the numbers,--on a sheet in my desk at home."
"Well, that will make it more difficult for the rascals to dispose ofthem," said Sam.
"I'd like to catch that Merrick and that Pike, and punch their heads forthem," commented Tom. It angered him exceedingly to see how readily hisopen-minded relative had fallen into the swindlers' trap.
"But there may be some mistake," said Randolph Rover, in a forlorn tone."Would that Merrick dare to impersonate Mr. Jardell?"
"Swindlers will do anything," answered Sam.
"We can make sure of that point by sending word to the traction companyoffices," answered Dick. "You are sure Mr. Jardell is the treasurer?"
"Yes--Mr. Andrew D. Jardell."
"Let us go back to town and see if we can catch him by long distance'phone or by telegraph."
Shaking his head sadly, Randolph Rover turned his buggy around andfollowed the boys to the central office of the telephone company. Hereall was activity on account of the broken-down wires, but communicationswere being gradually resumed. They looked into the telephone book, andat last got a connection which, a few minutes later, put them intocommunication with Andrew D. Jardell's private residence in the city.
"Is Mr. Jardell at home?" asked Dick, who was doing the telephoning.
"Mr. Jardell is away," was the answer.
"Is he at or near Carwell, New York state?"
"No, he is in Paris, and has been for two weeks."
"You are sure of this?"
"Yes."
"Who are you?"
"I am Mrs. Jardell. Who are you?"
"My name is Richard Rover. My uncle, Randolph Rover, has been swindledout of some traction company bonds by a man who said he was Mr.Jardell."
"Mercy me! You don't say so! Well, my husband had nothing to do with it,you may be sure. He went to London first and then to Paris, and in a dayor two he is to start for Switzerland. His health is very poor and thedoctor said he needed the trip."
Some more talk followed, and Mrs. Jardell advised Dick to communicatewith the traction company at once, and he said he would do so.
"It wasn't Mr. Jardell at all, Uncle Randolph," said the youth, as hehung up the receiver. "The whole thing was a cleverly-planned swindle,and unless you can get the bonds back you'll be out the money."
At this announcement Mr. Rover nearly collapsed--for he was rather aretired man, and had had little to do in a business way since his tripto Africa with the boys, as related in "The Rover Boys in the Jungle."He did not know what to do, and stood rubbing his hands nervously.
"The swindlers!" he murmured. "Really, it is getting so that nobody canbe trusted!"
"The best thing we can do is to send word to the various towns to stopthe runabout with the two men in it on sight and have the rascals heldby the authorities," said Dick, who felt he must take charge of affairs.
"That's the talk!" cried Tom, "and the sooner we get at it the better."
"Let us find out where that side road leads to," added Sam, "I mean theroad on which we heard the auto."
Inside of an hour various messages had been sent by telephone andtelegraph. It was now growing late and the Rovers hardly knew what to donext. From their uncle the boys got the whole tale concerning the bonds,but the new light shed on the subject did not help matters.
They also told the authorities about the cave and the boxes storedthere, and some men were at once sent off to investigate and takepossession of whatever could be found.
"I think some of us ought to go home," said Sam. "Aunt Martha won't goto bed until we get back, and she will be greatly worried."
It was finally decided that Tom and Dick should remain at the Carwellhotel over night and Sam and his uncle should go home in the buggy. Theteam was put up at the hotel barn, and then all hands went to the diningroom for a late supper.
"I'm as hungry as two bears," announced Tom.
"Well, I shan't say no to a good feed," answered Sam.
Randolph Rover could eat but little. Now that he realized what hadoccurred, he upbraided himself bitterly for having been so deluded.
"They talked about scientific farming just to get me into good humor,"he said, bitterly. "I see it all! Oh, if I can only get my hands onthem!"
After Mr. Rover and Sam had departed, Dick and Tom wandered around thehotel and the vicinity for three hours. They anxiously awaited somemessage regarding the two swindlers, but nothing came. Then, worn out bythe strenuous day they had put in, they went to bed and slept soundlyuntil morning.
Before having breakfast they asked for messages. There was one from avillage called Bahan, saying a green runabout with two men had passedthrough there about midnight. But the men had not been captured, and itwas not known what had become of them.
At noon the telephone line between Oak Run and Carwell was in workingorder once more, and the boys sent word home. Then they left directionsat the hotel, so that any messages coming in might be transmitted to theRover farm.
"Well, I never!" cried Dick, suddenly.
"What now?" asked his brother.
"That freight thief, and that stuff in the cave----"
"Humph! it slipped my mind entirely. I was thinking only of UncleRandolph's bonds."
"Let us find out if anything has been done."
At the local police headquarters they found that a wagon had just comein, loaded with the three full boxes of goods located at the cave. Asearch was still in progress for Dangler, but so far he had not beenlocated.
"This clears up the mystery of the freight thefts," said an officer tothe boys. "I only hope we can get our hands on Bill Dangler."
"You know him?" asked Dick.
"Oh, yes. Years ago he used to work for the freight division of therailroad."
"Do you know anything of this Merrick and the fellow called Pike?"
"No, but our idea is that the three men were in the deal together.Probably this Merrick and this Pike pulled off this affair of thetraction company bonds as a side issue."
"Have the freight robberies been large?" asked Sam.
"Not so large at one time, but they have been going on for months, andthe total from four different stations along the line foots up to a goodmany thousand dollars."
"Well, I hope we catch all three of the men--and any others who may bein league with them," said Dick, and then he and Tom walked off. Alittle later they were on the buckboard and bound for home.
When they arrived at the farm they found that their uncle had sent along letter to the officers of the traction company, relating in fullwhat had occurred. In return the officials of the concern said theywould put a private detective on the case, and this was done. But weekswent by and nothing was seen or heard of Merrick and Pike, and what hadbecome of the missing bonds remained a mystery.
"I am anxious to take a look at that cave where the stolen freight wasstored," said Sam one day. "Supposing we drive to it?"
"That will suit me," answered Dick. "I want to learn about somethingelse--that red tin box I saw hanging from a tree."
"Oh, yes, I had forgotten about that," put in Tom. "Well, shall we walkor drive over?"
It was decided to drive as far as the cave, and not knowing how longthey would be gone, the boys took a lunch along.
"Now, take care of yourselves," warned Randolph Rover. "Don't fall intoany more holes."
"We'll try to watch out!" sang out Tom.
Then Dick cracked the whip, and off the team started at a good pace, theeldest Rover, however, holding them well under control. It was a clearand beautiful day. The
boys did not dream of the odd adventure in storefor them.