e has done it," returned Tom.

But Dan Baxter had not gotten as far as they supposed. He was in
hiding in Oakland, across the bay, having pawned the diamonds at a
pawn-broker's of shady reputation for seventy-five dollars. This gave
him three hundred and fifty dollars in cash, which made him, for the
time being, feel quite rich.

But he was afraid to take a train to some other town, and so remained
in the boarding house for nearly a week, under the assumed name of
Robert Brown.

At the end of the fifth day Dan Baxter became acquainted with a
seafaring man named Jack Lesher. Lesher was a rough fellow, who had
sailed to many ports on the Pacific Ocean. He had now obtained the
position of first mate on a large schooner which was to sail in a
few days from San Francisco to several ports in Australia.

"I'd like to go on that trip to Australia," said Baxter, thinking of
his distant relative. "Do you want a passenger?"

"I'll see about it, my hearty," replied Jack Lesher, and on the
following day said that Captain Blossom would take him for an even
hundred dollars. A bargain was struck at once, and Dan Baxter went
on board of the schooner _Golden Wave_ that afternoon.

"I'm glad I am out of it," he told himself, when snug on board of
the craft. "I'll get to Australia after all, and I'm considerably
richer than I thought I would be. More than that, I've got in on
those Rover boys in a way they won't forget in a hurry."

While the detectives looked for the thief, the boys had small heart
to go sight-seeing. Every time they, went out they looked for Dan Baxter.

"If only I could meet him!" cried Tom. "Oh, but wouldn't I just punch
him good before I passed him over to a policeman."

During those days the lads received several letters from home, and
also three communications from the Stanhopes and the Lanings.

"The Stanhopes have gone to Santa Barbara," announced Dick, after
perusing an epistle from Dora. "And she says her mother is slightly
better."

"Nellie Laning is coming out, and so is Grace," said Tom.

"When?" questioned Dick.

"They have already started, according to the letter I have," put in
Sam. "Boys, I think we can have just the jolliest time ever was when
the girls are all together."

"Right you are," came from Tom. "What a pity we had to have that
robbery to darken our fun."

"I am not going to let it darken my fun," said Dick. "Don't worry
but what some day we'll get the best of Dan Baxter. That