“That is just what I think, boys,” put in their uncle.  “Maybe I had better go with you,” he added, nervously.

“No, no, Randolph.  You stay here with me,” pleaded his wife.  “The boys can attend to the New York matters better than you can.”  She knew her husband well, and realized that he was decidedly backward when it came to the transaction of business matters of importance.  He was wrapped up in his books and his theories about scientific farming and was a dreamer in the largest sense of that word.

“Very well, my dear, just as you say,” answered the uncle, meekly.

“Boys, you won’t disturb your father, will you?” continued their Aunt Martha, anxiously.  “You know the doctor said he must not be disturbed under any circumstances.”

“Have you told him about this telegram?” questioned Sam.

“Not a word.”

“Then we had better keep still.  We can tell him that we want to go to New York just to see Dick and Dora,” put in Tom.  And so it was arranged.

By consulting a new timetable, the boys found they could make a good railroad connection for the metropolis by taking a train that left Oak Run at three-thirty o’clock.  This would give them about three hours in which to get lunch, pack their suitcases, and bid good-bye to their father.

Mr. Rover was somewhat surprised when his sons told him that they were going to New York to see Dick and his newly-made wife, but they smoothed matters over by stating that they found it rather dull on the farm.

“We’d like to go if you can spare us,” said Sam.

“Oh, yes, boys, go by all means if you would like to,” returned Mr. Rover, quickly.  “I can get along very well.  Your Aunt Martha is a splendid nurse—­ and you mustn’t forget that I have Aleck.”

“An’ you can depend upon Aleck, ebery time, sah,” put in the colored man, with a broad grin that showed all of his ivories.

“We are going to try to surprise Dick,” said Tom.  “We are going to take the afternoon train.”  And then, after a few more words with their father, and without letting him suspect in the least why they were going to New York, the two lads bade him an affectionate farewell and left the room.

“Better take a good supply of clothing along, Sam,” remarked Tom, when they were packing up.  “There is no telling how long we’ll have to remain in the city.”

“What do you suppose it is all about, Tom?” questioned the younger brother, anxiously.

“It’s about business, that’s certain.  More than likely Dick has run into more trouble.”  But how great that trouble was, neither of the boys realized.

CHAPTER XVI

 The moving picture

When the two Rover boys arrived at the railroad station at Oak Run, they were a little surprised to find themselves once more confronted by the moving picture people they had met on the river.