“Maybe they ought to shadow some of the hired help, or something like that.”

“They may be doing that, Tom.  They certainly won’t let a four-hundred-dollar ring get away from them without making the biggest kind of an effort to find out where it went.  But open that letter from Dick, and see what he has to say.”

The communication was torn open, and Tom glanced over it hastily.

“Here’s a surprise, Sam,” he cried.  “Well, what do you know about this!” And he read as follows: 

“I have something of a surprise for you.  In coming to a settlement with Pelter, Japson & Company, they notified me that they were going out of business in New York City.  Pelter claims that our exposing the firm practically ruined them, and at the present time there is still due father a matter of about fifteen hundred dollars, which they seem unable to pay.  Both Pelter and Japson have offered to turn over to us the entire contents of their offices in Wall Street, along with their lease.  I don’t think the outfit is worth the fifteen hundred dollars, but when you can’t get all that is coming to you, the next best thing is to take what you can get.  I am writing to father about this, and if he agrees with me, I shall take the lease of the offices, and also the outfit, which includes several desks, chairs, a safe and a filing cabinet.  Pelter says the outfit was new two years ago, so that it is in quite good condition.

“Dora sends her best regards.  As you know, we are now installed in our suite at the Outlook Hotel, and she spends quite some of her time shopping and looking around the city.  I have gone out with her a few times, but spend most of my time in straightening out these financial matters, and in taking care of father’s other investments.  Mr. Powell, the lawyer, is assisting me to unravel the tangle, but it is hard work, and I often wish that one or both of you were here to help me.  Remember me to all the boys and likewise to Grace and Nellie.

“By the way, I understand that Josiah Crabtree is soon to leave the hospital.  His leg was so badly broken that he will have to walk with either a crutch or a couple of canes.  In one way, I feel sorry for the old fellow, but he brought the accident on himself.  What a shame that a man with his education couldn’t have remained honest and straightforward.

“As I said above, Pelter, Japson & Company, are going to give up business here.  Just the same, I don’t like Pelter’s actions at all.  I think he is a bad one through and through—­ much worse than Japson—­ who is more weak than wicked.  I am going to keep my eyes open whenever Pelter is around.”

Both boys read this communication from Dick with deep interest.  Then Sam read the letter a second time and looked thoughtfully at Tom.

“I don’t think Dick is having any easy time of it,” was his sober comment.

“Just what I have been thinking all along, Sam.  When Dick says he wishes he had one or both of us with him, he means it.  Just as soon as the college term comes to a close, I am going to New York.”