Dick Hamilton's Fortune Part 36

"But this--this is quite a sum of money."

"Well, I guess dad would want me to spend it," replied d.i.c.k. "I've got lots more. Anyhow, I couldn't bear to think of Simon suffering, even if he did do me some mean turns. Will you look after him, doctor? I've got to go back East."

"I will, young man, and he can thank you for befriending him. I guess those men won't have anything more to do with him after this, and it's hard for a lad like him to be sick in a wild country like this. I'll see that he has the best of care."

Pondering over the strange events of the last few hours, d.i.c.k went back to his hotel. It was now nearly breakfast-time and he was ready for the meal, especially the hot coffee. Tim and Frank, also, did full justice to it, and then, being very sleepy, they went to bed, as did d.i.c.k.

"We'll start back home to-morrow," the millionaire's son said to his chums as he went to his room.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE PANIC

Although a little apprehensive that Smith and his gang might make trouble for him, d.i.c.k leisurely made his preparations for going back East, when, late in the afternoon, after a long slumber, he awoke much refreshed. But the miner and his men did not appear in Yazoo City. d.i.c.k called on the government a.s.sayer and told him what he and his chums had seen.

"That's a new way of 'salting' a mine," the official said. "A very good one, too, from a swindler's standpoint. Now, if you want to, you can make a complaint against those men and have them arrested."

"I'm afraid it wouldn't make the mines any good, or save the money dad and I put into them," said d.i.c.k.

"No, I don't believe it would. Besides, they are a slick crowd, I suppose, and you'd have trouble convicting them. Perhaps it is better to let it drop. I'll be on the watch, however, and if I hear of anyone about to invest in the stock of any mines Smith and his men are interested in I'll warn him."

d.i.c.k called to say good-bye to Simon. He found the bad boy a little improved, and when informed that he would be well taken care of the tears came into the eyes of the youth who had done so much to injure d.i.c.k.

"You--you're a brick!" he stammered. "I don't deserve it, but if--if I ever get well maybe I can do something for you."

"Oh, that's all right," replied d.i.c.k, somewhat affected by Simon's misery. "You'll soon be as well as ever, and when you do get around again, you'd better steer clear of such men as Colonel Dendon."

"I will," promised Simon, and he tried to return the pressure of d.i.c.k's hand, but it was hard work, for he was very weak.

Early the next morning d.i.c.k and his friends started for home. d.i.c.k was a little thoughtful, and Frank asked:

"Worrying about your lost money, d.i.c.k?"

"Well, not so much about the money as I am over the consequences. I counted on this mine investment being a good one. But, I have another. I guess my stock in the milk concern will pan out pretty well."

"If it don't youse had better come to N' York wid me, an' sell papes,"

advised Tim.

"I'll think of it," promised d.i.c.k, with a smile.

The ride back home was uneventful. Tim decided he would not go back to Hamilton Corners, as he was anxious to get to New York.

"Got to look after me paper business," he said, with a laugh. "I left me pardner in charge an' he's a little chap. Some of de big guys might drive him offen de swell corner we has. It's de best corner in N' York fer doin' business," he explained. "I stands in wid de cop on de beat an' he sees I ain't bothered. But I'm gittin' worried. I see some of de yellow journals is predictin' bad times an' I wants to be prepared for 'em. Besides, I've got some customers what owe me--one man run up a bill of a quarter jest 'fore I went on dat fresh-air racket, an' I want to collect it. So I t'ink I'll git back to little old N' York."

The boys parted from Tim with regret, for they liked his sterling character, which shone out through a coat of rough manners. He changed at a junction point for a train that went direct to the big city, and gaily waved his hand to them as it departed. He had profited much by coming to Hamilton Corners, for d.i.c.k had fitted him up with some good clothes, and, at parting, had slipped a bank bill into his hand.

Mr. Hamilton was glad to see his son back, and listened with interest to the account of the western trip.

"And so our money is gone," finished d.i.c.k.

"Well, there's no use crying over spilled milk, as the farmer's wife used to say," remarked the millionaire, with a calmness that d.i.c.k could not help envying. "It isn't the first time I've lost money by unwise speculation, but it's all in the game. I'm sorry for you, though, d.i.c.k."

"I'm sorry for myself. It looks as if I had a poor head for business."

"Oh, you'll learn," consoled his father. "It takes time."

"Yes, and there's Uncle Ezra waiting for me," went on d.i.c.k, as though he could see the harsh old man outside in a carriage, waiting to carry him off to the gloomy Firs. "When he hears of this he'll think sure I'm doomed to go and board with him."

"The year is quite a way from being completed," said Mr. Hamilton. "Lots of things may happen before your next birthday."

"I hope they do," said d.i.c.k, rather ruefully. "Anyway, I have my milk stock. They didn't send for another a.s.sessment while I was away, did they?"

"No, and I see the stock has advanced in value a point or two."

"Then I may be all right, after all. But I think I'll be on the lookout for another investment, and it's not going to be a gold mine, either,"

finished d.i.c.k.

It was about a week after this that, coming down to breakfast one morning, d.i.c.k was met by the butler.

"There's a gentleman waiting to see you, Master d.i.c.k," said the servant.

"To see me, Gibbs? Who is it?"

"I don't know, but he came very early and he says he has something to show you. He says he wants you to help him with it."

"Maybe it's another of those reporters," said d.i.c.k. "I will see him right after breakfast."

"I'd rather you see me now," interrupted a voice, and to d.i.c.k's astonishment there walked into the dining-room, from the library where he had been waiting, a little man, whose hair seemed to stick out at every point of the compa.s.s. His clothes were rather ragged, and, as he advanced, he kept running his hands through his hair. To do this he had to transfer, first from one arm to the other, a large box he carried.

"I'll not take much of your time," said the little man. "All I want is your a.s.sistance in having a lot of these machines made. You see how this one works," and, stooping over, he placed the box on the floor. From it came a clicking sound, as the little man, with his head tilted to one side, waited with watch in hand.

"It will go off in three minutes," he said.

Following the startling announcement of the little man d.i.c.k and Gibbs, the butler, seemed paralyzed. The room was so still that the ticking of the machine on the floor sounded like an immense alarm clock. Then, as the seconds pa.s.sed and the stranger stood calmly looking alternately at d.i.c.k, Gibbs, and the box, the butler, with a sudden start back to life, exclaimed:

"Jump out of the window, Master d.i.c.k! I'll attend to this lunatic!"

"I'm not a lunatic!" shouted the little man. "I'm Professor Messapatomia!"

"Jump!" shouted Gibbs to d.i.c.k. "It isn't far to the ground. This thing will go off in a minute!"

"Half a minute," calmly corrected the stranger, as he snapped his watch shut. At that instant Mary, the waitress, came into the room with a large pitcher of water. As d.i.c.k turned to flee, for he realized that he might be courting death to remain, should the lunatic's infernal apparatus go off, Gibbs grabbed the pitcher.

"I'll fix it!" the butler cried, throwing the water at the ticking machine. "But jump, all the same, Master d.i.c.k!"