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Updated: May 7, 2025
You fellows are in league with Sid Merrick, and you know what sort he is." "See here," interrupted Shelley. "Now we have him in here, what are we going to do with him?" "You are going to let me out," said Dick. "Perhaps we are," said Cuffer, and gave Shelley a significant look. "Let us see if he's got any papers with him," suggested Shelley, and returned the look given to him by his companion.
Yes, he's here room eighteen, next floor," and the clerk pointed up the stairs, for the hotel had no elevator. Dick walked up the stairs slowly, revolving in his mind what he should do if he met Cuffer face to face. If he had the man arrested it might lead to legal complications, and the voyage in search of Treasure Isle might be delayed.
It was a disheartening discovery, but the three Rover boys did not stop to think it over. Throwing open the bolted door, Tom and Dick joined Sam, and in the darkness made their way to the rear of the room in which they had held Cuffer and Shelley prisoners. In a minute more they were outside, under the trees at the rear of the old mill. "Which way did they go?"
It was a five story brick building, blackened by age and had numerous small windows, down in front of which ran an iron fire escape. The lower floor was used as a drinking place, to one side of which ran a narrow stairs, leading to an office and a parlor above. Looking in over the short doors of the drinking place, Dick saw that Cuffer was not there.
Losing no time, the three Rover boys stepped into the bushes beside the trail. As they did so the other party came closer, and the lads saw that they carried not only an acetylene gas lamp, but also a ship's lantern and several other things. The party was made up of Sid Merrick, Tad Sobber, Cuffer and Shelley. "It's mighty rough walking here," they heard Tad Sobber complain.
But the delay had cost him dear, for in the meanwhile Tad Sobber had made good his escape by running back to the next street. Tom looked around for over quarter of an hour and then gave up the chase. "It's too bad, but it can't be helped," he mused. "I may as well go back to the park and wait for Dick and Sam. I hope they caught that Cuffer."
"What do you know about Cuffer?" "I know your uncle hired him and a man named Shelley to visit our farm and get some things belonging to my father." "Why, you're crazy! My uncle hardly knows Cuffer and I never heard of a man named Shelley." "I am not crazy, and you know I am speaking the truth," answered Tom, calmly. "Now you tell me where your uncle is or I'll have you arrested."
"The only beasts here are human beasts," said Tom, "and their names are Merrick, Sobber, Cuffer and Shelley," and he said this so dryly his brothers had to laugh. Slowly the night wore away, each hour dragging more than that which preceded it.
They Listen!" Shelley and Cuffer had begun to talk again. They mentioned a tramp steamer called the Josephine, and Shelley said she was now in port being repaired. Then the conversation drifted to sporting matters, and Cuffer told how he had lost a hundred dollars on a prize fight. "That's why I'm here," he added. "And I want some money the next time I see Sid Merrick."
When Dick gained the street once more the train bearing Sam was again on its way downtown. Cuffer was about a block away, running past Cooper Institute in the direction of the Bowery. "I may as well keep up the chase and try to run him down," thought Dick, but he wished his brother was with him.
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