From Brooklyn the colonel, Nellie, and Jerry returned to New York. Nellie left the party to go home, and Jerry and the colonel continued on to Slocum’s office with an officer.
The book-keeper, Casey, was found and arrested, and the office was placed in care of the authorities. The next day Jerry recovered his father’s papers and also those belonging to Nellie Ardell.
The young oarsman lost no time in sending word home how matters had turned, stating that the claim was probably worth a good deal of money. He added that if his father was not well enough to come to the metropolis, Colonel Dartwell stood ready to take entire charge of the case and see that they got their rights.
An answer soon came back, written by Mrs. Upton. Mr. Upton was well enough to sit up, but that was all, and he would be glad enough to do as his son had suggested. So the necessary papers were made out, and a suit instituted against Alexander Slocum.
In the meantime, Mr. Islen sold out his bindery, and by this turn of affairs our hero found himself out of employment. But he had had enough of the great metropolis for the present, and was glad enough to go back to Lakeview while awaiting the time when Slocum should be brought to trial.
The news of what he had accomplished had leaked out, and when he arrived he found Harry and Blumpo awaiting him at the depot.
“You’re a clever one, Jerry!” cried Harry, shaking his hand warmly. “To run off on the quiet and come back with a fortune for your family.”
“We haven’t got the fortune yet,” laughed the young oarsman. “But we hope to have it before long.”
“I always said Jerry was de greatest boy dat eber was born,” ejaculated Blumpo, with his face on a broad grin.
“How is your father? Blumpo,” asked Jerry, to change the subject.