so I guess they're people who
are pretty well to do."

They had not long to wait at the hotel before they were asked to go up
to the suite of rooms occupied by Mr. Burton and his daughter.

The girl, who looked much better, naturally, since she had had a good
rest, and a change of clothing, greeted them with a good deal of
friendly interest, but her father, who walked with a stick, seemed to
be querulous and inclined to distrust them.

"A fine lot of people we've run into since we've come here!" he said.
"Molly, who are these people?"

"Mr. Crawford warned me against Broom and his wife, father," she said.
"I told you of that. And this is Jack Danby, who helped to save us all
from the launch."

"Well, what do you want? What do you want?" asked Mr. Burton,
peevishly. "Money? I'll give you some--but don't come bothering me!"

"I don't want any of your money, sir, and neither does Danby," said
Dick, indignant and surprised by this reception. He looked at the
girl. She seemed to be as angry as he was himself, and had flushed
until her face was a bright pink. He thought she looked even prettier
than before, but she also looked frightened, as if, while angry, she
dared not provoke her father further by seeming to resent what he said.

"We came here," said Dick, facing the old man, "because we have an idea
that we can help you in your search. You are looking for a boy, are
you not?"

"Yes, yes!" said the old man. "It's a wild goose chase--we'll never
find him! It's a cousin of Molly's--my daughter--and my nephew. A
worthless young scamp, probably, even if he's alive. No use looking
for him--let him stay lost, I say! He's less trouble that way."

"The reason I say that I think we may be able to help you, sir, is that
we think the gang that had your daughter with them yesterday are on the
trail of the boy you are looking for. Can you not tell us what you
know of his movements?"

"I don't see why I should! You're probably just another of the
blackmailing crowd that's been after my money since I was fool enough
to allow myself to be persuaded to look for the boy. He was stolen
from my brother's house when he was a very small boy. We had reason to
suspect a man who had a grudge against my brother. That's the only
clue we have."

"That's not worth very much by itself, sir. But it happens that I know
of a boy who was mysteriously brought up by an old man. He knows
nothing of his parentage. But he doe