Part 28 (1/2)
”Then you had better answer at once. There is a branch telegraph office in the hotel lobby. Write an answer and I'll take it down while you finish dressing.”
A reply was soon prepared and sent. Meanwhile Roy got ready for the street and, accompanied by De Royster, he went to the lawyer's office.
The legal gentleman greeted Mortimer De Royster cordially. Roy was quite surprised to find out how many friends the jewelry salesman had.
Everyone seemed to like him in spite of his odd ways.
Roy's story was soon told. The lawyer took off his gold spectacles, wiped them carefully with a silk handkerchief, replaced them, looked at Roy over the tops of them, and remarked:
”Hum!”
It was not very encouraging, nor did it tell very much. Roy began to fear he had not made himself clear.
”I would like--” he began.
”What you want is my advice as to how next to proceed; isn't it?” asked the lawyer, as though he had come to some decision, as indeed he had.
”Yes, sir.”
”Well, I shall have to look into this matter of the property.
Evidently Mr. Annister has some reason for wanting you out of the way.
What it is we shall have to discover. Meanwhile you had better do nothing.”
”But suppose they kidnap him again?” asked De Royster.
”I don't believe they'll dare do that. Perhaps you had better take care where you go, however. In the meanwhile I will make some inquiries about this property. I will communicate with you as soon as I have anything to report.”
”Do you think you can make Mr. Annister give back the money he has wrongfully kept?” asked Roy.
”I'm afraid I can't give you an opinion until I have looked further into the case,” said the lawyer with a smile. ”It may be necessary to take civil action, and we might have to make a criminal complaint. Now don't worry about it. I'll look after it. Just you keep out of the way of those men.”
”I will,” agreed Roy with a laugh. ”I'm not afraid of them, however.
I'll be ready for them next time.”
”Another thing,” went on the lawyer, ”don't drink ice cream sodas, or anything else, with strangers.”
”I'll stick to Mr. De Royster,” said the boy. ”I reckon if I trail along with him they'll not be able to rope me.”
”Rope you? Oh, yes, I understand,” replied the lawyer with a smile.
”Yes, that's right. Good morning.”
CHAPTER XXIV
ANOTHER RASCALLY ATTEMPT
”What next?” asked Roy of Mortimer De Royster, as they emerged from the lawyer's office.
”Well, as it's getting near dinner time, suppose we go back to the hotel.”