“This is very important,” said Hector, gravely. “Are you ready to accompany me to New York and swear to this?”
“Yes, if you will pay my expenses.”
By the next steamer Hector, Gregory and the stranger, who called himself Reuben Pearce, sailed for New York.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. CONCLUSION.
Allan Roscoe sat at the breakfast table with Guy opposite him. Though Mr. Roscoe was not altogether free from anxiety since he had learned of Hector’s expedition to California, he had taught himself to believe that there was little chance of the boy’s ferreting out the imposition he had practiced upon him. He had been a poor and struggling man most of his life, having, when quite a young man, squandered his inheritance, and his present taste of affluence was most agreeable. He felt that he could not part with Castle Roscoe.
“But I am safe enough,” he said to himself; “even if Hector discovered anything, something might happen to him, so that he might be unable to return.”
“Father,” said Guy, who had just dispatched an egg, “I want ten dollars this morning.”
“Ten dollars!” said his father, frowning. “How is this? Did I not give you your week’s allowance two days since?”
“Well, I’ve spent it,” answered Guy, “and I need some more.”