“He lives up in the Bronx,” said Dick, taking down the street and number.  “We can find out up at the hotel how to reach the place.  Let us go back to the Outlook and see if there is any letter from home.  Maybe we’ll get more news about that financial loss mentioned in that telegram.”

CHAPTER XVIII

 On the Hudson river

When the boys returned to the Outlook Hotel they found several letters awaiting them.  There was one each from the girls and also a communication from Songbird, written partly in verse, and telling of matters at Brill.

But the letter that interested them most just then was one from their Uncle Randolph, in which he explained something of the financial matters mentioned in the telegram.  Their uncle was not a good business man, and often got his statements mixed, but from the communication the boys learned the truth.

There were two matters of importance—­ the irrigation scheme and the purchase of a large tract of land which would be benefited by the flow of water, when the irrigation plant was put into operation.  In both of the schemes the Rovers held large interests—­ that is, they held what were called options, for which Anderson Rover had put up large sums of money, and he had likewise induced some friends to let him put up money for them.  In order to clinch their hold on the two business propositions Anderson Rover must sign certain papers and have them delivered to the right parties inside of the next three days.  Should he fail to do this, then his options on the property would terminate, and Pelter, Japson & Company would be able to step in and gain control.  The brokers had at first tried to gain control by getting Anderson Rover to assign his interest in the options, but this the boys’ father had refused to do.

“And now that father wouldn’t turn the control over to them, they have had him kidnapped, so that he can’t sign those papers and serve them,” said Dick.  “The case is as plain as day.”

“And they got old Crabtree to manage the kidnapping,” put in Tom.

“But how did they know about Crabtree?” asked Sam.

“Most likely he has been mixed up in some of their shady transactions of the past,” replied Dick.  “When he got in jail, he sent for Japson and made him fix it up so he could escape.  That fire helped the rascals.  Then both came down to New York, and all hands hatched the plot to put dad out of the way.”

“Poor dad!  If only we knew he was safe!” murmured Tom.

“That’s just it—­ he may be suffering terribly!” added Sam.

“I think we’ll find out something definite to-morrow—­ when we follow Pelter,” said Dick.  He, too, was greatly worried.

The evening proved a long one to the boys, even though they spent some time in penning letters to the girls and to the folks at home.  Dick had received a most sympathetic letter from Dora, in which the girl stated that she wished she was with him to help him.