word where to forward his trunk. Did you want to see him about
anything important?"

"It was, but I guess it will keep," replied Dick, trying not to show any
alarm.

His worst fears were realized. Vanderhoof, _alias_ Bond Broker Bill, had
been warned by some confederates, perhaps, and had fled, after securing
large sums of money from Dick and his father.

"And maybe we're not the only victims," thought Dick, as he left the
hotel and turned the auto toward the bank.

"Well, what luck?" asked Mr. Hamilton, as his son entered.

"He's skipped out, dad!"

"He has, eh? Now to find out how badly we have been bitten. Dick, my
boy, it looks as though there was a hoodoo hanging over your
investments. Still, this mine stock may be all right. I'll wire to a
lawyer in Yazoo City."

"Oh, he's a foxy guy, is Bond Broker Bill," said Tim, when Dick told him
what had taken place. "I wish I'd a spotted him before. Maybe he seen me
an' flew de coop."

"No, I don't believe he would have known you were on his trail," replied
Dick, with an uneasy laugh. "I think he left on general principles."

It was several hours before Mr. Hamilton received a reply from the
lawyer in Yazoo City, Nevada. When it came the telegram stated that the
Hop Toad and Dolphin mines were producing a quantity of ore, and were
generally believed to be good mines.

"Not much known about them here, though," the telegram went on. "Would
advise a personal inspection. Believed that some promotor has a lot of
stock and is trying to sell it in the East. Better look into it."

"Well, there's a chance yet," said Mr. Hamilton. "As I said, Vanderhoof
may be a swindler, but the mines seem to be good. I'll have someone
right on the ground look them up. We must make our plans carefully."

"Whom will you get, dad?"

"I don't know yet. I must write to this lawyer."

"Dad!" exclaimed Dick, suddenly. "Let me take a trip out West! Let me
look up those mines! If they're no good I want to know it soon, so I can
make some other investment. Can't I go to Nevada?"

CHAPTER XXII

OFF FOR THE WEST

Mr. Hamilton glanced at his son. Dick was all excited over the events of
the last hour and by the sudden desire that had come to him.

"You go to Nevada?" repeated the millionaire.

"Yes, dad, and look up this mining business. I could see the lawyer and
find out whether we have been swindled. The trip would do me good," he
added, with a smile.

"I haven't any doubt of