Part 5 (2/2)
”And they may have--a reason most folks don't look for”
”Do you think they left on account of some crooked work?” cried Randy
”That would probably be Jasper Guardley's reason for getting away But it's not our affair, and we have enough other matters to think of,”
concluded Earl, after a pause ”When we get to New York we'll be like stray cattle in a hundred-acre lot We s not to lose our e to San Francisco,” said Randy ”Let us look over those folders before it gets too late It's too dark to see hted in the car, and they lost no further ti the contents of the folders of the railroad co over the maps of the various routes to the Golden Gate
”One looks about as good as another on paper,” remarked Earl, at last
”I think we had best take the New York Central Railroad to Chicago, then the Rock Island & Chicago to Rock Island, and then the Southern Pacific
We'll find out about that route e reach New York”
It was exactly ten o'clock in the evening that the train rolled into the Grand Central Depot at Forty-second Street and Randy and Earl alighted
The croas very thick, and though both looked for Roland and Guardley, the twoof so reeted theed on the street did not tend to set them at ease
”Cab, sir? Coupe? This way for the Broadway Central Hotel! Evening papers, _Post_ or _Telegram_! _Mail and Express_!”
Several ca them cab rides and the like, but both Randy and Earl shook their heads Then Earl remembered that the ticket office was close at hand, and he and his brother went inside again A long talk with the ticket clerk followed, and they concluded to take the New York Central road to Chicago, and from there as previously intended The train would start at ten in thean aht their cash balance down quite low once more
”Never mind; that pays for about all we'll need,” said Randy ”Let us leave the tickets to be called for, and then they'll be safe”
”No indeed!” said Earl ”Some one may call for them just as the money was called for I'll carry my ticket in an inside pocket, and you had best do the same”
This settled, the brothers strolled out once more It was rather late, but they could not resist the temptation to a walk down Broadway, of which they had heard so often They trudged as far as the Post-office, took a look at Park Row and the nue all lit up in a blaze of electric lights, and then Earl happened to glance at the clock on St Paul's Church
”Half-past twelve, Randy!” he ejaculated ”Gracious! we'll never find a hotel open as late as this! Let us get back to the vicinity of the depot again!”
”I guess the hotels are open all night here,” answered the younger brother ”Let us ride up Broadway on that street car” And they boarded a cable car, which speedily took them back to Forty-second Street A convenient hotel was found close to the railroad station, and they lost no ti The constant rumble and roar of the elevated trains disturbed the hours before both dropped off into dreamland, not to awaken until a bell boy aroused them at seven o'clock
After a hasty breakfast another look was taken around the city Finding they had the time, they took an elevated train to the Battery and back, staying long enough at the lower end of the city to catch a glimpse of Castle Garden with its aquarium, and the statue of Liberty out in the bay
”One could spend a hed Randy ”I e had had the tihly”
Ten o'clock found theo without change of cars The cars were coain they looked for Roland and Guardley, but without success
”I guess they re felloasthe vicinity of thejourney up the beautiful Hudson But the journey northward did not last long
Soon the train branched to the ard and plunged into the hills and rolling lands of the Mohawk Valley City after city were left behind with a whir and a rush that almost took Randy's breath froain Supper was served in a dining-car, and both boys voted it about the best meal they had ever tasted
After the laan to think of going to bed Both Randy and Earl watched the porter closely as he drew out the beds fro roof of the car, set up the little wooden partitions, and otherwise arranged the sleeping-apartments The boys had a section to theether in the lower berth, so the upper berth was left out