he house," and he smiled at Dick.

"I'm much obliged to you," answered Dick heartily. "You've saved me a
considerable sum."

"That's what I'm here for," returned the detective cheerfully. "Don't go
buying any gold bricks, now," and, with a nod at the boys, he was gone.

"Well, wouldn't that rattle your teeth!" exclaimed "Bricktop." "I've
read about those confidence men and green-goods swindlers, but I never
saw one before."

"Me, either," remarked Frank Bender. "Say, this will be something to
tell the folks back home," and, in the excitement of his spirits he
tried to stand on his head in a washbowl on the stand. It was full of
water, and his acrobatic feat was brought to an abrupt end as he lifted
his head, dripping wet.

"That's a new way to do it!" exclaimed Walter Mead, with a laugh.

"Ugh! Burrrr! Wow! Whew! Give me a towel, quick!" yelled Frank. "The
water had soap in it, and it's got in my eyes!"

He groped around with outstretched hands, seeking a towel, which, after
he was able to stop laughing, Dick handed him.

"Did you know that Colonel Dendon was a swindler?" asked Walter of
Simon, when the excitement had somewhat subsided.

"Me? No, of course not!" exclaimed Simon hastily. "All I knew was that
he sold bonds, and I thought it would be a good chance for Dick to make
money. He said he wanted to learn business and make money. I--I was as
much surprised as any of you," concluded Simon, with an injured air. "I
hope you don't think, Dick, that I would have had anything to do with
that man if I had known what he was?"

"I'm not blaming you any," replied Dick. "Mistakes will happen in the
best of regulated financial affairs. Glad that detective happened to
come in when he did or I might have been badly stung."

It was now too late to go out to any amusement and the boys, after
discussing the recent happenings, went to bed, planning to visit many
points of interest the next day.

"Well, your scheme didn't work out, did it?" said Guy to Simon, as they
went to their rooms.

"Not exactly," was the answer. "But I give you my word I didn't know the
colonel was such a swindler as that. Never mind, though, I'll make money
out of Dick--somehow."

Dick and his chums had scarcely finished their breakfast the next
morning, and were preparing to go out, when the bell boy brought up a
card reading:

+------------------------+
| LAWRENCE DEXTER |
| |
| _New York