Boy from the Ranch; Or, Roy Bradner's City Experiences

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER IX

  THE DUDE IS SWINDLED

  Carelessly, so as not to attract the attention of the four men, Roystrolled to the depot platform, taking care to get on the side oppositethat on which was the elaborately-dressed youth. The sharpers did notsee Roy, who kept in the shadow, and the attention of the otherpassengers from the train was taken up with what the engineer andfiremen were doing, to get the locomotive ready for the repair crew.

  "How do you do?" asked Mr. Baker, of the "tenderfoot," as he approachedwith his three cronies. "Haven't I met you somewhere before?"

  "Well, really, I couldn't say; don't you know," replied thewell-dressed youth, with an affected drawl.

  "I am sure I have," went on Mr. Baker. "So are my three friends. Assoon as we saw you standing here, my friend, Mr. Sutton, said to me,'Where have I seen that distinguished looking gentleman before?'Didn't you, Sutton?"

  "Indeed I did, Mr. Baker. And Mr. Hynard said the same thing."

  "Sure I did," replied Mr. Hynard. "I know I've met you beforeMr.--er--Ah, I didn't quite catch the name."

  "My name is De Royster--Mortimer De Royster, of New York," replied thedude, seemingly much flattered at the attention he had attracted. "I'msure I can't recall where I met you gentlemen before, but, don't youknow, your faces are very familiar to me."

  "Of course," went on Mr. Baker. "I remember you very well now. Youare a son of Van Dyke De Royster, the great New York banker; are younot?"

  "No," replied Mr. De Royster, "he is only a distant relative of mine,but I belong to the same family. It is very distinguished."

  "Indeed it is," said Mr. Baker. "I have often read in history of thegreat doings of the De Roysters. Gentlemen, shake hands with Mr. DeRoyster. I know his relative, the great banker, Van Dyke De Royster,very well."

  Now this was true, to a certain extent, but all the acquaintance Mr.Baker had with the well known banker, was when the latter had himarrested for trying to cash a forged check. But Mr. Baker did notmention this.

  "I am very glad to meet you," said Mortimer De Royster, as he shookhands with the four swindlers, thinking them delightful gentlemenindeed.

  "Are you going far?" asked Hynard.

  "To New York. You see I am--er--that is--er--I have been doing alittle business--I am selling jewelry for a relative of mine in NewYork. It is not exactly work, for I am traveling for my health, and Ido a little trade on the side."

  "Guess he's ashamed to let it be known that he works for a living,"thought Roy, but later he found he had misjudged De Royster.

  "Ah, in the jewelry line, eh?" asked Mr. Baker. "I used to be in thatmyself."

  He did not mention that the way he was "in it" was to try to swindle adiamond merchant out of some precious stones, in which he was partlysuccessful.

  "Did you do any business in this section?" asked Tupper.

  "Not much. I stopped off to see some friends, and I did not try tosell them anything. I don't do business with my friends--I don't thinkit dignified, don't you know," and Mortimer De Royster swung his canewith a jaunty air, and tried to twirl the ends of a very short mustache.

  "That's right; I can see you're the right stuff," remarked Mr. Baker,with a wink at his companions. "Did you come down here to take thetrain?"

  "Yes, I am on my way to New York."

  "How do you find trade?" asked Mr. Baker.

  "Well, really, it is not very good, but that does not annoy me, as I amonly doing this as a side line. I don't worry, don't you know."

  "I see. You're a sport!" exclaimed Tupper, with easy familiarity. "Isized you up for a sport as soon as I saw you. I must have met you inNew York."

  "Yes, I make my headquarters there," said the salesman. "I seem toremember you. Sporting life is very attractive to me, I assure you,really it is."

  "That's the way to talk!" put in Hynard. "Be a sport!"

  "They're flattering him for some purpose," thought Roy. "I wonder whattheir object is."

  He was hidden around the corner of the depot, where he could hearwithout being seen.

  "That's a very fine watch chain you have on," said Mr. Baker. "It ismuch better than mine."

  "And I guess he has a better watch than yours, too, Baker," spoke upSutton, with a wink, which Mr. De Royster did not see.

  "No, he hasn't. My watch cost five hundred dollars."

  "I have a very fine timepiece, I don't mind admitting," spoke thewell-dressed youth. "It was given to me by my father, who is quitewealthy."

  "I'd like to see it," said Mr. Baker.

  By this time an engine, with some parts to repair the brokenlocomotive, had arrived from a near-by freight yard. The train crewhad made the adjustments, and the express was almost ready to proceed.Nearly all the passengers, who had alighted, had again boarded theircars.

  "I shall be pleased to show you my watch," said Mr. De Royster, drawingout a heavy gold affair. "I think you will readily agree with me, thatit is a valuable one."

  He passed it to Mr. Baker, and, from where he stood Roy could see theswindler slip it into his pocket and substitute for it one somewhatlike it, but, probably made of brass instead of gold. Mr. Baker turnedhis back, pretending to be trying to get a good light, while hecompared his watch with that of Mr. De Royster.

  "That's a fine diamond pin in your tie," said Tupper, indicating thestone in the salesman's tie.

  "Yes. Would you like to look at it? It is of very pure color."

  He drew out the gem, and, unsuspectingly passed it to Tupper.

  At that instant the locomotive engineer blew two warning whistles, sothat the lagging passengers might get on the train, which was about tostart.

  "Hurry up! All aboard!" exclaimed Hynard, and, as Roy watched, he sawTupper thrust Mr. De Royster's diamond into his own pocket.

  "They're robbing him!" thought the boy from the ranch. "I must warnhim!"

  He started forward. Mortimer De Royster grabbed up his suit-case andstarted for the train. Then he became aware that Mr. Baker had nothanded him back his watch, while the other man had his pin.

  "My timepiece!" he exclaimed. "I'll show it to you when we get in thetrain. I assure you it's a very fine one. And my pin--I would notlike to lose it! Give them back!"

  Hardly had he spoken when Hynard thrust his hand down into the insidepocket of Mr. De Royster's coat. His object was to grab hispocketbook, the bulging outline of which he had seen.

  "Look out!" cried Roy in a loud voice, springing from his hiding place."Look out! They're swindlers! They've got your watch and pin, andthey're trying to get your money!"

  "Look out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!"]

  "There's that boy!" exclaimed Hynard, as he drew out his hand.

  But Mr. De Royster had felt the sneaking fingers, and had made a grabfor them. He was too late, however, and, in attempting to catch Hynardhe stumbled and fell.

  "Come on!" cried Baker to his companions. "Let him go! We've got thestuff."

  "Grab them!" cried Roy to De Royster. "I'll help you."

  He rushed forward. No sooner did the swindlers see him coming, thanthey changed their plans. They had intended jumping on the train,which was already in motion, and leaving Mr. De Royster behind, afterthey had his watch and diamond.

  But Roy's quickness prevented this. Baker signalled to his companions,and they ran off down the track.

  "Come on!" cried Roy. "We'll catch them!"

  "No! I must go to New York," replied the salesman as he arose, andbrushed off his clothes. "The train is going."

  "But they've got your valuables!"

  "I know it. I was a fool, but it's too late now. Help me aboard."

  The train was gathering headway. Roy ceased his pursuit of the robbersand helped De Royster aboard, the young man carrying his dress-suitcase. Then Roy followed, while the four swindlers kept on down therailroad tracks.