we'll be pinched."
"That's my motion, Bob," said Burton. "Hanged if this Hill businesshasn't got me on the run."
"Don't fret," continued Gerald reassuringly. "I've hatched a plot thatwill take care of Hill, all right."
"Plot?" said Burton. "What sort of a plot?"
"Listen, Hank. You know about this Hill. I've told you and Bob how he'sgot a fool bee in his bonnet, and is running around the Southwestlooking for his father. The old man--judging from his photograph, whichHill totes around in his pocket--is a bigger freak than Hiram is. He'sgot a beak like a pelican, and is homely enough to stop a clock."
"You know plenty about Hill and his hunt for his dad," returned Burton."You flimflammed Hill out of five hundred by offering to take him acrossthe Mexican boundary and showing him where his father could be found,"said Burton, with a laugh. "But you got the money, and Hill got theexperience," he added.
"Which," said Gerald calmly, "is mainly the reason why Hill is trying toget even with me. I know enough about Hill's father, though, to put overa scheme that will get this cross-eyed buttinsky off our track."
"What's the scheme?" inquired Katz.
"It hinges on this point, that Hiram Hill would rather find his fatherthan get even with me for that 'con' game I worked on him. I'm going towrite Hiram a letter, Bob, and send it to him at the Renfrew House."
"What sort of a letter?" put in Burton.
"I'm going to sign the name of his father, Upton Hill, to the thing, andplay up that incident at Sixth and Main pretty strong. Where's that penand ink, Hank? And give me a sheet of paper and envelope."
While his companions got the writing materials, Gerald seated himself ata table and began getting his thoughts busy. By the time pen, ink, andpaper were put in front of him, he had his letter mapped out in hismind, and had only to put it upon paper.
"Won't Hiram know that the letter isn't in his dad's handwritin'?"suggested Katz.
"I reckon he won't," answered Gerald craftily, leaning back in his chairwith the letter in his hand. "It's been some sort of a while, Bob, sincethe first Klondike rush, when old 'Up' Hill disappeared. It isn't likelythat Hiram remembers anything about his father's handwriting. Here'swhat the letter says:
"DEAR SON: Was it really you who jumped aboard my automobile at thecorner of Sixth and Main this morning? My conscience has been troublingme ever since. I have hunted up the policeman and secured from him yourname and address, but am in a hurry to get back to San Diego, where Ilive, and cannot remain in Los Angeles to prosecute a personal searchfor you. If you are really my son, come to San Diego, make my house ateighteen-twenty Q Street your home, and I will ask you certain questionswhose answers will prove indisputably whether or not you are my son. Imust have the proof, you know, because I am a very rich man, and you, asmy sole relative, will inherit everything I leave. Hoping to see you inSan Diego at your earliest convenience, I remain, yours expectantly, 'UPTON HILL.'"
Gerald dropped the letter on the table, and looked up at his friendswith a guileful smile.
"How's that for a bait?" he asked.
"Bully!" declared Katz. "Hiram Hill will tumble all over himself to goto San Diego."
"What'll happen when he can't find any Upton Hill in San Diego?" saidBurton.
"We don't care what happens--then," answered Gerald. "By that time, youknow, we ought to have finished our deal with Jack Lopez, and to be awayfrom Catalina, and where Hill will never be able to find us."
"How do you know he gave his name and address to a policeman?" continuedBurton.
"That's what people always do when they get into trouble on the street,or meet with an accident, isn't it?"
"Maybe it is, but if it happens that Hill didn't give his name andaddress to the cop, the fact will queer that whole letter."
"I allow Hank is right, Gerald," chimed in Katz, "This here is one ofthem cases where you can't be too careful. Reckon I'd write anotherletter and change that."
"It's not necessary," insisted Gerald. "Hill was stunned. If he can'tremember giving his name and address to the policeman, he'll think hedid it at a time when he didn't know what he was doing. The letter goesas I have written it."
Gerald began addressing the envelope. Both the sheet of paper and theenvelope were plain, and bore no clew of the hotel in which they hadbeen written.
The letter was folded, thrust into the envelope, and the envelope sealedand stamped.
"It's dinner time, fellows," announced Gerald, "and we'll post this onour way to the noon eats. Come on."
They all got up and left the room.
"When do we hike for the island, Gerald?" asked Katz, as they wentdownstairs.
"We'll pull out for San Pedro to-morrow, and catch the morning boat,"was the reply. "We want to wind up our business with Lopez and clear outbefore Hill discovers that letter is a fake and gets back from SanDiego. We can turn the trick with ground to spare--don't fret aboutthat."
CHAPTER IV.
CLANCY REACHES LOS ANGELES.
The Renfrew House was a very modest hostelry in South Hill Street. Hiramstopped there because the establishment was in Hill Street, and hebelieved in omens. Incidentally, too, he preferred the Renfrew to theAlexandria or the Hayward because the rates on the American plan weretwo dollars a day.
It was about eleven o'clock Monday morning when Clancy entered the lobbyof the Renfrew House. The lobby was crowded, bell hops were hustlingback and forth, and the place was as busy as a high-class establishment.
Clancy stood at the counter, caught the clerk's eye, and asked for HiramHill. The clerk, who had curly hair, and parted it squarely in themiddle, forthwith gave the newcomer his full and complete attention.
"You a friend of that guy's?" the clerk asked.
"Yes," acknowledged Clancy.
"Then I'm mighty glad you showed up."
"Why?"
"Well, I think he's locoed and needs a keeper. About every day he doessome fool thing."
Clancy grinned.
"What has he done to-day?"
"Nothing yet, but he's due to break out 'most any minute. You waitaround a spell and you'll---"
The clerk was interrupted by a wild whoop of "Dad! here's Hiram!" Clancylooked in the direction from which the yell came and saw a little groupof people heaving around the lobby in excitement.
"That's him, now!" cried the clerk. "What did I tell you?"
The motor wizard hurried toward the scene of the commotion. He found afat man pounding a dent out of the crown of a shabby silk hat, andmumbling wrathfully.
"Get an officer!" shouted the fat man. "I don't know but I'm robbed!"
Hiram Hill stood in front of the aggrieved gentleman, stood and staredat him blankly.
"I--I thought you was my dad," murmured Hiram.
"Your dad?" repeated the fat man, glaring. "You ought to be arrested forthat, anyhow. I refuse to be insulted, by gorry! What's your name,anyhow?"
The fat man was feeling about his person, making sure that his watch,pocketbook, and other person property were safe.
"That mole on the back of your neck," explained Hiram, "was what causedme to make the bobble."
"Well," snorted the fat man, walking off, "don't make any more bobblesaround me, or there'll be trouble. It's my opinion that you're crazy."
The crowd set up a laugh. Clancy elbowed his way to Hill's side and tookhim by the hand.
"Howdy, Hiram?" said he.
"Clancy!" exclaimed Hill. "Say, the sight of you is good for sore eyes!I just been hankerin' for a friend."
"You need a guardeen more'n a friend," remarked some one.
Hill began to bristle and to look around in search of the one who hadspoken. Clancy grabbed his arm, and drew him away down the lobby to acouple of leather chairs.
"What's the matter with you, Hiram?" the motor wizard asked.
"I reckon my nerves have got twisted, Clancy," Hill answered. "I'm allin a twitter, seems like. Ever since I piped off dad in that automobilelast Saturday mornin' I
haven't been able to look around without seein'some un I think's him. Queer, ain't it? I'm all flustered."
"Better put the clamps on your nerves, Hiram, or you'll be in jail thefirst thing you know."
"How's the shoulder?"
"Coming along in fine shape."
"I