It was a happy gathering, and for the time being the Rover boys did their best to forget their troubles.  They had a somewhat elaborate dinner, and then Tom and Sam took the newcomers out for a walk up “The Great White Way.”  Dick said he would remain at the hotel with his wife, as he wanted to write some letters.

“Might as well let them have their fling,” he said, after the others had departed.  “That’s the way we wanted it before we were married;” and he gave his wife a hug and a kiss.

Of course the girls from Cedarville had a great deal to tell, and Tom and Sam had a great deal to relate in return.  The two couples strolled on and on, and it was near eleven o’clock before they returned to the Outlook Hotel.

“And so you are going to be a real business man, are you, Tom?” said Nellie, during the course of the walk.

“I am going to try to be, Nellie,” he answered.  “Of course it is something of a job for a fellow who is full of fun to settle down.  I need help.”  And he looked at her wistfully.

“Oh, Tom, if you would only settle your mind——­”

“There’s no use in talking, Nellie, I won’t be able to settle down in the really-and-truly fashion until I am married,” retorted the fun-loving Rover.  “You have got to be the one to settle me.”

“Tom Rover, if you talk like that I’ll box your ears!”

“All right, anything you say goes, Nellie.  Only tell me, aren’t we going to be married some time this Fall or Winter?”

“Tom!”

“Well, aren’t we?”

“Oh, maybe.  But you come on!  We are out for a walk, and here we are standing stock-still in the middle of the sidewalk with folks all around us.  Come on!  If you don’t come I will leave you;” and Nellie started on, dragging Tom with her.

CHAPTER XXVII

 The mystery of the safe

Dick was at his desk sorting out his morning mail.  He was rather downcast, for the past two days had brought no news regarding the missing bonds.  On the other hand, he had received word from his uncle that the investment in the Sharon Valley Land Company was a perfectly legitimate one, and that Mr. Aronson’s claim would have to be met.

“And how we are going to meet it, I don’t know,” said Dick, in speaking of the matter to his brothers.  “It certainly is tough luck to have these obligations pouring in on us at just this time.”

“Well, there is one bright spot in uncle’s letter,” returned Sam.  “He says dad is feeling somewhat better.  I am mighty glad of that.”

“I guess we all are,” broke in Tom.  “Just the same, I agree with Dick.  The financial outlook is mighty gloomy.”

There were other letters besides business communications for the boys.  Songbird had written, and so had Spud; and Dick had likewise a long epistle from Bart Conners, who in years gone by had been the young major of the Putnam Hall cadets.  But just now Dick had no heart to read these communications.  He felt that he must give his entire attention to the business in hand.  One letter in a plain envelope was in a handwriting entirely unfamiliar to him.  He cut open the envelope hastily to see what it might contain.  A glance at the single sheet inside, and his face showed his interest.