Mr. Powell’s coming inspired Dick with immediate confidence.  He was a clean-cut man, with a shrewd manner but a look of absolute honesty.

“My nephew has often spoken of you,” he said, shaking hands with Dick.  “I shall be pleased to do what I can for you.”

“It’s a complicated case,” answered Dick.  “My father can tell you about it first, and then I’ll tell you what I know, and show you all our papers.”

A talk lasting over an hour followed.  The lawyer asked many questions, and studied the various documents with interest.

“From what I can make out, Mr. Rover, that concern—­ Pelter, Japson & Company—­ are a set of swindlers,” said he, at last.  “If I were you I’d close down on them at once, and with the heaviest possible hand.  To give them any leeway at all might be fatal to your interests.”

“Do as you think best,—­ with Dick’s advice,” returned Mr. Rover.  “I am going to leave my business affairs in his hands after this,” he added.

“Then we’ll go ahead at once!” cried the lawyer.  “I will draw up the necessary papers and you can sign them.  We’ll get after that whole bunch hot-footed!”

“And don’t spare them,” added Dick, thinking of poor Tom.  “They deserve all that is coming to them.”

“And they’ll get it,” said the lawyer, briefly.

CHAPTER XXVII

 Dan Baxter gives aid

The next morning was a busy one for Dick.  He visited the lawyer’s office at an early hour and then went to the police station.

“We are watching those offices in Wall Street,” said the officer at the desk in the station.  “But so far neither Pelter nor Japson has shown himself.  The clerks say they are out of town one in Boston and the other in Philadelphia, but can’t give any addresses.”

“Well, don’t let up on the watch,” replied Dick.  “We want to get them if it can possibly be done.  I may have another charge to make against them,” and he told of how Tom had been struck with the footstool and was now in the hospital.

“They sure must be rascals,” returned the man at the desk.  “Well, we’d do all we can.  But maybe they’ve cleared out for good.”

Towards noon came a telephone message from Sam to the hotel.  Dick had just come in and he answered it.

“Tom is a little better,” said the youngest Rover.  “He is conscious and has asked about dad and you.  He has taken a little nourishment, too.”

“What does the doctor say about the case?” questioned Dick, anxiously.

“He said it is a strange case and that he will watch it closely.  I heard him say to the nurse to watch Tom very closely.”

“Why, that he was so low?”

“No, that he might go out of his mind.  Oh, Dick, wouldn’t that be awful!” and Sam’s voice showed his distress.

“You mean that he might go—­ go insane, or something like that?”