CHAPTER XIX
ROY IS MISSING
Shortly after this incident, approaching the clerk at the hotel deskwhere he had engaged a room near Roy's, Mr. Wakely, seeming muchconcerned, said:
"My friend, Mr. Bradner, has been taken suddenly ill. I think I shalltake him to my doctor's. Will you call me a cab?"
"Why don't you have the hotel doctor look at him?" suggested the clerk,who had taken a liking to the boy from the ranch. The clerk did notexactly like the ways of Mr. Wakely, who had only taken a room at thehotel a day or so before.
"Oh, I don't like to trust a strange doctor. I think my physician canfix him up. He is in need of rest, more than anything else. Thestrenuous life of the city, after his quiet days on the ranch has beentoo much for him."
"He looked strong and hearty," replied the clerk. "He told me he usedto rope wild steers. I should think he could stand it here. He hasn'tbeen going around much."
"Still I think I shall take him away," went on Mr. Wakely. "Pleasecall me a cab. I believe I'll take his baggage with me. I'll settlefor his bill."
"There's nothing to settle. Mr. Bradner paid me this morning for hisboard up to the end of the week."
Mr. Wakely looked relieved at this, but said nothing.
The clerk, not exactly liking what was going on, but being unable tointerpose any objections, rung for a cab. Then, under orders from Mr.Wakely, Roy's baggage was brought down and put into the vehicle.
A little later Roy's new acquaintance came down in the elevator,supporting the lad with an arm around his shoulders. Roy could hardlywalk, for his legs were trembling, and there was a curious white, dazedlook on his face.
"What's the matter, old chap?" asked the hotel clerk, with readysympathy. "Can I do anything for you?"
It seemed as if Roy tried to speak, but only a murmur came from hislips.
"He'll be all right in a little while," said Mr. Wakely quickly. "He'sa little faint; that's all. I'll look after him."
Somehow the clerk thought Mr. Wakely acted as if he did not want anyone to come too near Roy, or lend any aid. A little later, leading theboy, who seemed to become weaker, Mr. Wakely got into the cab with him,and drove on.
"Poor fellow," said the clerk sympathetically. "I hope he gets better.He certainly is a nice chap, and I wonder what could have made him illso suddenly? I don't like that Wakely fellow."
That evening it occurred to Mortimer De Royster that he had not seenhis friend Roy for some time. Not, in fact, since he had parted withhim at the hotel.
"That's beastly impolite on my part, don't you know," said De Roysterto himself. "I must run around and see him. I've been so busystraightening out my accounts since I came back from my western trip,that I have neglected all my friends. However, I'll make up for it.I'll take him to some theatre and give him a good time."
Thus musing, Mortimer De Royster adjusted his one eye glass, selected adelicately-colored necktie from his rather large stock, and attiredhimself to go out and call at Roy's hotel, which he soon reached.
"Good evening, Mortimer," greeted the clerk, who knew De Royster quitewell. "How are you?"
"Feeling very fit, old chap, don't you know," replied De Royster. "Howare you?"
"So-so."
"That's good. Charming evening, isn't it? Charming. I--er--I calledto see my friend, Mr. Bradner. Going to take him out and show him abit of New York after dark, don't you know. I have tickets to a verynice show, and I think he'll like it. I owe a good deal to him, oldman. He's a clever chap. I want to repay him in some way. I'll go upto his room."
"It's no use."
"No use. Why, my dear fellow, what do you mean?"
"I mean he was taken away--ill--in a cab by a friend of his."
"Who was the friend?"
Mortimer De Royster lost his rather careless manner, and was allattention.
"A fellow named Wakely. He took rooms here a day or so ago. Madefriends with Mr. Bradner--Roy, I call him, for I feel quite friendlytoward him. Late this afternoon Wakely came to me and said Roy wassick, and he was going to take him to a doctor."
"And did he?"
"That's what he did. Took his baggage too," and the clerk related whathad taken place.
"What sort of a fellow was this Wakely?" asked De Royster, withincreasing interest.
The clerk described him. The dudish jewelry salesman shook his head.
"I don't recognize him," he said. "What do you think about it? Yousaw him."
"I'll tell you what I think," went on the clerk. "I think that fellowWakely is up to some game, and I wish Roy had not made hisacquaintance."
"That's just what I believe," exclaimed De Royster. "It seems a queerthing that Roy should be taken sick so suddenly. Why, he was ashealthy as a young ox. I'll wager there's something wrong. He camehere to New York to expose a man he thought was a swindler, and Ibelieve the man has him in his power now. I must do something to aidhim."
"What are you going to do?" asked the clerk, as De Royster started outof the hotel.
"I'm going to try to find the cab driver who took them away, andperhaps I can trace Roy. If I can't do it that way I'll notify thepolice. Roy has been taken away against his will, and maybe they arekeeping him in hiding. I'm going to find him!"
Roused into sudden action by the thought of danger to the lad who hadaided him, Mortimer De Royster hurried out, a look of determination onhis face.