“You won’t have any trouble in doing that.  You are one of the fellows that find it easy to be good.”

“I am not sure of that, Gregory.  Still, I mean to do my best.”

In the evening the two boys attended a theatrical performance.  It was not till after eleven o’clock that they emerged from the theatre, and slowly, not by the most direct way, sauntered home.

There was no thought of danger in the mind of either, yet, as a fact, Hector had never in his life been exposed to peril so serious as that evening.  Lurking behind in the shadow a shabby-looking man followed the two boys, keeping his eyes steadily on Hector.  At a place specially favorable, our hero was startled by hearing a bullet whiz by his ear.  He turned instantly, and so did Gregory.  They saw a man running, and they pursued him.  They might not have caught up with him, but that he stumbled and fell.  Instantly they were upon him.

“Well,” he said, sullenly, “you’ve caught me after all.”

“Were you the man who fired at me?” asked Hector, “or was it my friend here you sought to kill?”

“I was firing at you,” answered their captive, coolly.  “Now, what are you going to do with me?”

“Was this forced upon you by want?  Did you wish to rob me?”

“No; I had another motive.”

“What was it?”

“If I tell you, will you let me go free?”

Hector hesitated.

The man proceeded, speaking with emphasis.

“If I tell you who put me up to this, and furnish you proofs so that you can bring it to him, will you let me go?”

“You will not renew the attempt?” asked Hector.

“No,” answered the man; “it isn’t likely; I shall have no further motive.”

“Yes, I agree.”

“Read that letter, then.”

“There isn’t light enough.  Will you accompany me to the hotel, where I can read it?”

“I will.”

The three walked together to the hotel, where Hector and Gregory were staying.  There Hector read the letter.  He was astonished and horrified when he discovered that it was from his uncle to this man, with whom he seemed to have an acquaintance, describing Hector, and promising him a thousand dollars if he would put him out of the way.

“This is very important,” said Hector, gravely.  “Are you ready to accompany me to New York and swear to this?”

“Yes, if you will pay my expenses.”

By the next steamer Hector, Gregory and the stranger, who called himself Reuben Pearce, sailed for New York.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Conclusion.

Allan Roscoe sat at the breakfast table with Guy opposite him.  Though Mr. Roscoe was not altogether free from anxiety since he had learned of Hector’s expedition to California, he had taught himself to believe that there was little chance of the boy’s ferreting out the imposition he had practiced upon him.  He had been a poor and struggling man most of his life, having, when quite a young man, squandered his inheritance, and his present taste of affluence was most agreeable.  He felt that he could not part with Castle Roscoe.