CHAPTER XV
CALEB ANNISTER IS SURPRISED
Perhaps, if Mr. Bradner had known just the extent of the rascality ofhis agent, he might not have sent Roy to investigate. But, at theworst, he only imagined that perhaps the man might be careless incollecting the rents, which would account for the small income from theproperty.
Roy certainly had a difficult task before him, and he hardly knew howto undertake it. Should he confront Caleb Annister with the evidenceof his dishonesty, or would it be better to wait a while? He had allthe proof he needed; but what would be the outcome? That was whatpuzzled Roy.
Finally, with a decision characteristic of him, and following hisnature, which was influenced by the openness of action associated withthe West, he made up his mind.
"I'll go right back and see him," reasoned the boy, "tell him who I am,show him that I know he's been cheating us, and demand that he makegood the money he has taken. Then I'll see how he acts. If he paysback the rent money he has retained I guess dad will not be hard onhim. If he doesn't--"
Roy knew his father was a man who would have his rights if there wasany way of getting them. He had half a notion to telegraph his fatherfor instructions, but he wanted to do the work all alone, if he could.
When he got back to the office where Mr. Annister had his rooms, theboy in the outer apartment did not stop Roy to ask him his business.He at once announced him to the agent, who told Roy to come in. Theboy from the ranch nerved himself for what was coming. He felt just ashe used to when, for the first time, he mounted a new bucking bronco.There was no telling just what the animal would do. Likewise he didnot know how Caleb Annister would act when he exposed his rascality.
"Well, did you see the offices?" asked the real estate man.
"Yes, sir."
"Did you like them? We think they are the best in New York."
"They are very fine. The rents are higher than I thought to find them."
"Perhaps, but you must know there is a good demand for offices in thatneighborhood. I could have rented them several times, since they werevacant, but I wanted to get good tenants, who would pay."
"You have no cheaper offices you could let Mr. De Royster have?"
"None. In fact I am thinking of raising the rents of those."
Roy wondered if he and his father would get any of the increase.
"That property must be quite valuable," he went on.
"It is."
Roy now felt that the real estate agent had convicted himself. Therewas need of no further evidence. It was time to make the disclosure.
"Mr. Annister," said Roy. "Perhaps I had better introduce myself.Here is my card."
He handed over one on which he had written his name, and the address ofhis father's ranch, as well as that of the hotel where he was stopping.
For a moment the agent did not know what to do, as he looked at the bitof pasteboard. His face became pale, then red, then pale again. Nexthe smiled, in a sickly sort of way.
"So you are Roy Bradner, son of James Bradner, eh?" he asked, slowly.
"Yes, sir."
"Well, that's--that's a pretty good joke," went on the agent. "Apretty good joke."
Roy could not quite see it.
"You come East here, and pretend to want an office in the building yourfather owns, and you take me in completely. That is a good joke. ButI see what you are after."
"That will save a lot of explanation then, Mr. Annister."
"I see what you want," the agent went on. "You wanted to find out in aquiet way, if I was properly looking after your father's property. Soyou come here, and don't let me know who you are. It's a good joke.But I guess you found I was looking after your interests; didn't you?You found me faithful to my trust. Now you can go back and tell yourfather that I am looking well after his affairs. That's what you cando. When are you going back?"
"I don't know!" exclaimed Roy boldly, "but when I do go back I willtell my father that you are a swindler, and that you are cheatinghim--and me also--out of our rent money."
"What's that?" cried Mr. Annister, his face fairly purple with rage."You dare call me a swindler! I'll have you arrested for insulting me!Leave my office at once! How dare you address me in that manner?"
"I dare because I'm right," replied Roy coolly. "You can't bluff me,Mr. Annister. I see through your game. I now demand that you pay backall the money you have retained, or I shall make a complaint againstyou."
The bold and fearless bearing of the boy had its effect on the realestate agent. He saw he had to deal with a lad, who, if he had had noprevious business experience, was capable of looking after his owninterests.
"Perhaps you will kindly explain," said the agent, in a tone he meantto be sarcastic, but which did not deceive Roy.
"Certainly. I accuse you of charging high rents for the offices in theBleecker Building, and with sending my father only about half of whatyou collect!"
"Oh! So that's the game; is it?" asked the agent, with a sneer."Perhaps you know how much I take in as rent for the offices in thatbuilding?"
"I can pretty nearly figure it out," and Roy mentioned a sum that wasso near the mark that Mr. Annister was startled.
"And perhaps you know what the expenses are, the taxes, the water rent,the insurance and so forth?"
"No, but I know what you charged my father for those items, and, takingthem out, at your figures, and also your commission, it would leave alarger sum than we ever received."
Mr. Annister saw that he was dealing with no novice, even if the ladwas from the western ranch. He resolved to proceed on a different plan.
"You may think yourself very smart," he said to Roy, "but you do notunderstand New York real estate."
"I understand enough for this case, I think."
"I'm afraid not," and the agent smiled. He was beginning to getcommand of his nerves. "You see there are many expenses you do notknow of."
"You never mentioned them to my father."
"No, I could not. Besides, how do I know that your father sent you tomake these inquiries? I do not even know you are Roy Bradner. You maybe an impostor."
"I think I can soon prove to you who I am. As for my authority, thereis a letter from my father to you, instructing you to turn thisbusiness over to me at my demand."
He handed Mr. Annister a letter to this effect written by Mr. Bradner,and properly executed before a notary public. The rascally agent knewthe signature of Mr. Bradner only too well.
But he was not going to give up so easily.
"Any one can write a letter, and forge a signature," he said.
"Then you think I forged my father's name?" and a dangerous look cameinto Roy's eyes. It was a look such as that when he stopped therunaway horse.
"I don't care to have any further conversation with you," said Mr.Annister, sneeringly. "I do not recognize your authority. How do Iknow you are Roy Bradner? You will have to bring me better proof thanthis. Besides, even if you are who you say you are, that does not sayyou understand this renting business. It is very complicated. Thereare many charges I have to meet which makes the amounts received forrent much less than you have figured. Besides, the property is in badshape, it needs repairs, and it is going down in value."
"You said a little while ago that it was increasing."
The agent started. He saw he had made a mistake.
"Oh, well," he said impatiently. "You are only a boy; you can'tunderstand it."
"I may be only a boy, but I think I understand what is going on, andthat is that you are cheating my father and me. I was in the buildingto-day. It is in excellent repair."
"Don't you dare accuse me of cheating!" exclaimed Mr. Annister, but histone was not as blustering as it had been.
"I believe that is the truth."
"What do you intend to do?" inquired the agent, as he saw that Roy wasfirm. "Not that it makes any difference to me, for I shall communicatewith your father, but I do not want you
to come here and annoy me."
He was beginning to be afraid of what Roy might disclose.
"I intend to make you return the money you have unlawfully retained. Ibelieve it is called embezzling, and is a criminal offense. But I willgive you a little time. I shall call here a week from to-day. If, bythat time, you do not have what I consider a proper sum ready to sendto my father I shall consult with the police."
"Pooh! The police will never interfere. This is a civil matter--notcriminal."
"I think it is criminal. But I will wait one week. In the meanwhile Ishall write to my father and see what he advises me to do. But I shallreport all the facts in the case."
"Get out of my office!" exclaimed the now angry and frightened realestate agent. "I believe you are an impostor. If you annoy me again Ishall have you arrested!"
"Get out of my office!"]
"I'll leave your office, because I have finished my business with you,and not because I am afraid of arrest," answered Roy coolly. "You knowI am not an impostor. I can prove who I am. I shall call on you againin a week," and he went out in time to surprise the office boy with hisear at the key hole, listening to what was going on.
"Cracky!" exclaimed the little lad, when Roy had gone out. "Hecertainly talked to the boss like a Dutch Uncle."
Meanwhile Mr. Annister sat in his office chair, much disturbed in hismind. He was in great alarm, for he knew Roy was no impostor.
"What am I going to do?" he asked himself. "He has found me out!"
He sat biting his nails nervously, his eyes roving about his office, asif seeking some way of escape from the trouble he was in. Suddenly anidea came to him.
"I must get that boy out of the way," he said in a low whisper, whicheven the office lad could not hear. "He knows too much. He is toosmart. And I must act promptly. If I can get him out of the way fortwo weeks, and before he has a chance to hear from his father, theproperty will be mine, and I can defy them all. That's what I'll do.I'll get him out of the way!"