CHAPTER XXXII.
JERRY'S JOURNEY.
The agent was satisfied that a mistake had been made in the name, andJerry was of the same opinion.
While they were discussing what had better be done, Mowry unexpectedlyentered the house. He looked thoroughly fatigued and worn out. In a fewwords he told his story of failure. They had found the cabin deserted.The rest of the party were scouring the neighborhood. Then the trapperhad started back at once.
"Somethin' hes scairt the rascals," he declared, "an' so they pulled outfur a safer hidin'-place. But I reckon the men will find 'em sooner orlater. I thought I'd slip back with the news. How about the lawyer chapin New York? Did you git an answer?"
The telegram was read to him, and he scratched his head in a puzzledway.
"I don't put no faith in these pesky things," he said. "That therefifteen thousand dollars must be kept out of the hands of these dernedrascals. I reckon thar's time enough. It would take about a week fur thelawyer chap to make terms with Raikes, an' get word across the ocean an'back. I'll bet Raikes is down thar in the city waitin'."
"Very likely," assented the agent. "If we had the lawyer's right name wecould soon reach him."
"I don't believe it," exclaimed the trapper, in a scornful tone."Telegraphin' ain't no account. Lad, you must go to New York by the fusttrain. I'll foot the bills."
"Me?" gasped Jerry. He could scarcely believe that he had heard aright.
"Sartin," resumed Mowry. "You're a bright lad, an' I reckon you'll knowwhat to do. Go to this man Larkin's house, or to his place of business.Some one will tell you where to find the lawyer."
"Or you might get a city directory," suggested the agent, who evidentlyfavored the plan, "and look over the names that are like Glenwood."
"Yes; and one of those is a good plan," replied Jerry. "I'm willing togo, and I think I will succeed."
"Thar ain't no doubt about it," declared the trapper. "You're an extrybright lad, from what I've seed of you. An', bein' brought up in Bangor,I reckon New York won't scare you. It's a leetle bigger town, from whatI've heard."
Jerry and the agent smiled at each other.
"You must telegraph back what luck you have," Mowry went on. "An' whenyou've fixed things an' hed Raikes arrested, you an' the lawyer chap hedbetter come up here by the first train."
"Unless the boys are rescued in the meantime," added the agent. "We canlet you know about that by wire. It's barely possible that Raikes is onhis way back, so I will have all the stations in this vicinity watched."
"That's a good idee," approved the trapper. "He'll likely come right toKingman, since this is the nearest point to the cabin. While the lad'sin New York I'll go up country ag'in, an' see how them fellers aremakin' out with their hunt."
After a further discussion of a few minutes, the matter was definitelysettled. The agent brought his knowledge of the different railway linesinto practical use, and the trapper produced the sum of fifty dollarsfrom a dirty buckskin belt.
"That oughter last you, lad," he said. "I reckon the lawyer chap willpay me back one o' these days."
There was a train westward at two o'clock that afternoon, and when itsteamed away from the Kingman station Jerry was among its passengers. Hewaved his hand at Mowry and the agent as long as he could see them.
Then the boy settled down in the seat, and tried to realize thewonderful thing that had happened to him. He was actually on the way toNew York--the great city that Brick had described in such glowing terms.Already the past seemed but a shadowy dream. Had he actually livedthrough those stirring adventures in the Maine woods?
By degrees his mind grew more composed, and he settled his thoughts onthe object of his journey. He was quickly roused by the arrival of thetrain at Mattawamkeag. Here he purchased a ticket to Bangor, and madeconnection with another train on the Maine Central Railway.
Jerry reached Bangor at five o'clock. There was no time to stop and seehis parents, for a southward-bound train was ready.
The long journey came to an end at last. It was nearly midday when thetrain rolled into the Grand Central depot at Forty-second street. Jerrygot out and followed the jostling crowd to the street.
Jerry stood for five minutes, not knowing which way to turn or of whomto ask information. Passersby jostled him roughly, and a policeman madea warning gesture with his club. This frightened Jerry. He was about toretreat to the shelter of the depot, when a tall, well-dressed lad, witha handsome, refined face, suddenly caught him by the arm.
"By Jove! is this really you?" he exclaimed, joyfully.
Jerry looked up.
"Tom Fordham!" he gasped.
The other laughed.
"That's who it is. I'm glad you knew me. I recognized you right away.I'm most awfully glad to see you, Jerry. But what under the sun broughtyou here? Hold on; come into the station. We can talk there."
He led the way to a comparatively quiet spot, and Jerry, nothing loath,poured out the whole story. Never was there a more surprised lad thanTom.
"I can't get over it," he exclaimed. "The idea of Brick getting intosuch a scrape. But we'll get him out, Jerry. It's awfully lucky that Imet you. I was going up to Yonkers to see a fellow, but I'll drop thatnow. You see, it's holiday time, and college don't keep. I thought Brickwould get you fellows to go into the woods with him. He promised towrite to me, but he never did it. His running away made a big sensation.At first his guardian was mad about the money, and then he got worried,and----"
"You don't mean to say that Brick ran away?" asked Jerry.
"Oh! didn't you know it?" exclaimed Tom, in surprise. "I don't suppose Iought to have said anything about it, then. But come on. I'll take youdowntown. Mr. Glendale is at dinner now. We'll go to his office lateron."
So the two lads sallied out from the depot. What followed was like afleeting panorama to Jerry, but it was a very dazzling and fascinatingone.
At length, after a ride on the elevated road, they reached the CityHall. Through narrow Nassau street they walked, and then through toBroadway. Tom led his companion into a great stone building, manystories high.
The rode half-way to the top in an elevator. When it stopped, they gotout and traversed a long corridor. At the further end was a glass door,and on this Jerry read:
"FREDERICK GLENDALE, "Law Offices."
Tom entered boldly, and Jerry followed.
The sole occupant of the front room was a young man who was bending overa typewriter.
"Hullo, Martin," said Tom. "Mr. Glendale here?"
"No; he left town yesterday morning."
"Do you know where he went?"
"Somewhere up north, I think," replied the clerk. "It's privatebusiness. That's all he said to me."
"Can you tell me if there has been a fellow named Raikes here to seehim this week?" Tom went on, eagerly.
"Yes; pretty nearly every day. His last visit was yesterday morning. Ithink he has something to do with Mr. Glendale's journey. Can I doanything for you, Mr. Fordham?"
"Nothing," said Tom. "Much obliged, Martin."
He beckoned to Jerry, and they left the room. They did not speak untilthey were out on Broadway.
"Just a few hours too late," exclaimed Tom. "But we'll save the moneyyet. Now for the telegraph office. You must send a dispatch to Kingman.Then we'll catch the first express train to Bangor. I'm going up therewith you to help get Brick out of the scrape."