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"Do you know anything about the man who got away?" asked Dick, of the clerk.
"Not much. He came here several days ago and registered under the name of Peter Smith, of Pittsburgh. All he had was a small valise, and that is still in his room."
"Anything in it?"
"I don't know. We can go up and take a look."
"It's a pity you didn't catch the rascal, whoever he is," was Tom's comment.
"Wait," whispered Dick, to his brothers. "I've got something to tell you."
All passed upstairs in an elevator, and the clerk led the way to the room which the patron calling himself Peter Smith had occupied. All the apartment contained was a rusty-looking valise.
"Must have picked that up at some second-hand store," was Sam's comment.
The valise was unlocked and the clerk opened it. It contained nothing but a comb and brush and some magazines.
"Humph! A dead beat!" muttered the clerk. "He put the magazines inside to make the valise feel as if it was filled with clothing. It's an old game. Be intended to leave without paying his bill. I wish you had collared him!"
"I wish I had," answered Dick; and then he and his brothers returned to their own rooms.
"What have you got to tell?" demanded Tom, when they were alone.
"I've found out who that man was," answered Dick.
"Who?" questioned Sam.
"Josiah Crabtree."
Chapter XV
At The Brokers' Office
Sam and Tom gazed at their brother in amazement.
"Josiah Crabtree!" exclaimed the youngest Rover.
"How did you find that out?" questioned Tom.
"I suspected Crabtree as soon as I saw the man jump into the taxicab," answered Dick. "There was something about his form, and in the way he ran, that looked familiar. Then the taxi driver told me he had two front teeth filled with gold. That put me on the trail, and from what the man told me I am sure the fellow was old Crabtree."
"But if it was Crabtree, what has he to do with dad's visit to New York?" asked Sam.
"That remains to be found out. But one thing is sure. Crabtree knows that father is missing, -- and he had that extra key made to get into the room during father's absence."
"But where is dad? Do you imagine Crabtree had anything to do with his disappearance?" came from Tom.
"I certainly do. Maybe Crabtree is holding him a prisoner."
"Then Pelter, Japson & Company haven't anything to do with it?"
"I wouldn't say that, Tom. The whole crowd may be working together."
"You think Crabtree knows those other men?"
"It may be so -- I am not sure. But I am sure of one thing," went on Dick, decidedly. "Dad didn't meet with any accident. His disappearance is due to Crabtree, and, likely, to some of his other enemies."
"Well, that clears up one corner of the mystery," said Sam. "But it doesn't get us any nearer to finding dad."
"I think it does, Sam. If we can locate Crabtree, I think we can locate father."
"But how are we going to locate Crabtree?"
"I don't know. But if we keep our eyes and ears open we may learn something. In the morning some of us can call on those brokers and see what they have to say," continued the big brother.
"Some of us? I thought we were all going?" remarked Tom.
"I've got a new plan, Tom; I'll tell you about it in the morning. Now, as there is no use of watching that room any longer, let us try to get a little sleep."
"It will be very little," murmured Sam, consulting his watch. "It is nearly five o'clock already!"
"We'll sleep until eight o'clock. Those brokers don't get to business until nearly ten."
Once more the boys retired, and, after much turning, all dropped into slumber. Dick had made up his mind to awaken at eight o'clock and promptly at that hour he opened his eyes. His brothers were still asleep and he allowed them half an hour longer, for he knew they needed it.
"Now then, Dick, what's your programme?" asked Tom, while he was dressing.
"My programme is this," answered the big brother. "Instead of the three of us calling on Pelter, Japson & Company I think one is enough -- and that ought to be me, for I have already met Mr. Pelter, once, when I came to New York with dad."
"But what do you want to leave us out for?" grumbled Sam.
"I don't want to leave you out -- I want you to be doing something else, for we have no time to lose in this matter. I want you, Sam, to come with me, and when I go into the offices, I want you to hang around outside and watch for old Crabtree. If he is in league with the brokers he may be looking for a chance to interview them, but he will be on his guard, knowing that we are here."
"What am I to do?" asked Tom.
"I think you had better go up to Central Park, Tom, and see if you can find out anything there about Crabtree. Maybe some of the night prowlers around there saw him last night. Anyway, I don't want you to be seen at the offices with me -- for I've got another plan in my head -- if this one fails," went on Dick.
"All right, Dick, we'll do what you say," was Tom's reply.
The boys went below and obtained breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Then they went to the desk, to ask for letters, and then to the telegraph office, to send a brief message to the farm.
"Have you discovered anything?" questioned the hotel manager, as he came up to them.
"Not a great deal," answered Dick. "But we hope to get on the track of something to-day."
"Hope you do. What about those two rooms?"