was nothing in
comparison."

"It was to him, Mr. Slocum. To whom does the land belong?"

"Why, it--er--it reverted to its original owners, some mine speculators of
Denver."

"Where is the land located?"

"Not far from the city of Sacramento."

"Can't you give me the precise location?"

At this Alexander Slocum glared at our hero savagely.

"It would do you no good to spend money on hunting the matter up," he
answered. "That affair was settled long ago. The money was lost, and that
is all there is to it."

"Not if I know it, Mr. Slocum. I intend to sift the matter to the bottom.
I am convinced that all was not carried out as it should have been."

"You appear to be a very foolish boy."

"That may be your opinion, but it won't alter my intention. I have my
uncle's papers with me, and, unless you will give me some particulars of
how the scheme fell through, I shall place the matter in the hands of a
lawyer."

Alexander Slocum winced at this, and Jerry fancied he was hard struck. He
made a movement as if to clutch the youth by the arm, then drew back.

"You have your uncle's papers?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes. My father is his sole heir."

"I should like to see them. Perhaps I spoke hastily; but really you are
mistaken in thinking it can be of any use to bring that old deal up again.
The money was lost, and there is no chance of getting it back again."

"But, either you are responsible for the amount, or else my uncle's
interest in the land still holds good," said Jerry.

"Let me see the papers."

Mr. Slocum made a movement as if to take them. But Jerry drew back and
shook his head.

"I prefer not to let them go out of my possession."

"Do you mean to say you won't trust me?"

"You can put it that way, if you wish, Mr. Slocum."

The real estate man bit his lip. Then he made a movement to his assistant,
who at once slid behind Jerry, towards the door.

"What are you going to do?" the young oarsman asked, in alarm.

Without replying, the assistant locked the door and slipped the key into
his pocket.

"Don't grow excited," said Alexander Slocum, coldly. "I want to see those
papers, that's all. Show them to me at once!"

Like a flash Jerry realized he was trapped by the enemy.

CHAPTER XXVII.

JERRY'S CLEVER ESCAPE.

Jerry saw at once that things were growing warm. From the look on his face
it was plain to see that Alexander Slocum was in deadly earnest when he
said he wanted to se