“I believe you’re right,” came from Bart. “We’ll stay a while and see what New York looks like. Might as well spend some of that money for hotel bills as anything else. I’ve heard they rob you in New York, but I guess we can look out for ourselves.”
“Let’s telegraph back to Darewell,” suggested Fenn.
“What for?” asked Bart.
“To see if Ned got there safely. If he did maybe he’ll come here and join us.”
“Good idea,” commented Frank. “Write out another message. Send it to Ned’s father. He’ll get it quicker at the bank than Ned would at the house.”
A little later this message, signed by Bart, went clicking over the wires to Darewell.
“Is Ned home? His uncle and aunt called away unexpectedly and he started back for Darewell. Answer.”
The boys said they would call in an hour for a reply. They spent the time wandering about the streets. Now, as it was approaching evening, the thoroughfares were filled with hurrying throngs. They found the telegram from Darewell waiting for them when they went back to the office. It was from Mr. Wilding and read:
“Ned not home. What is the trouble? Can’t you locate him in New York? Try. Will come on in the morning.”
“Ned has disappeared,” said Bart in strange tones, as he let the telegram fall to the floor.