we are very much
mistaken, you have been tricked, swindled! They have robbed you of the
ten thousand dollars worth of bonds!"

CHAPTER VI

WAITING FOR NEWS

It took Randolph Rover several minutes to comprehend the various
statements made by the boys. That he had really been swindled by such
nicely-spoken men as he had met at the Carwell hotel seemed
extraordinary to him.

"I understand the bonds were not registered," said Dick.

"That is true," groaned his uncle.

"Then anybody could use them."

"Yes, although I have the numbers,--on a sheet in my desk at home."

"Well, that will make it more difficult for the rascals to dispose of
them," said Sam.

"I'd like to catch that Merrick and that Pike, and punch their heads for
them," commented Tom. It angered him exceedingly to see how readily his
open-minded relative had fallen into the swindlers' trap.

"But there may be some mistake," said Randolph Rover, in a forlorn tone.
"Would that Merrick dare to impersonate Mr. Jardell?"

"Swindlers will do anything," answered Sam.

"We can make sure of that point by sending word to the traction company
offices," answered Dick. "You are sure Mr. Jardell is the treasurer?"

"Yes--Mr. Andrew D. Jardell."

"Let us go back to town and see if we can catch him by long distance
'phone or by telegraph."

Shaking his head sadly, Randolph Rover turned his buggy around and
followed the boys to the central office of the telephone company. Here
all was activity on account of the broken-down wires, but communications
were being gradually resumed. They looked into the telephone book, and
at last got a connection which, a few minutes later, put them into
communication with Andrew D. Jardell's private residence in the city.

"Is Mr. Jardell at home?" asked Dick, who was doing the telephoning.

"Mr. Jardell is away," was the answer.

"Is he at or near Carwell, New York state?"

"No, he is in Paris, and has been for two weeks."

"You are sure of this?"

"Yes."

"Who are you?"

"I am Mrs. Jardell. Who are you?"

"My name is Richard Rover. My uncle, Randolph Rover, has been swindled
out of some traction company bonds by a man who said he was Mr.
Jardell."

"Mercy me! You don't say so! Well, my husband had nothing to do with it,
you may be sure. He went to London first and then to Paris, and in a day
or two he is to start for Switzerland. His health is very poor and the
doctor said he needed the trip."

Some mor