ble clothes, arguing (not always rightly) that a person who
paid so much attention to dress could not amount to a great deal.

The young man stood leaning against the side of the depot, carelessly
swinging his cane. Roy could see he had a valuable watch chain across
his vest, and, in his tie there sparkled what was presumably a diamond.

As Roy watched he saw Baker and his three cronies approach the "dude."
A moment later they had engaged him in conversation.

"I'll bet they're up to some game," mused Roy. "I wonder if I can find
out what it is, and spoil it? I believe they will try to get the best
of that 'tenderfoot.' Guess I'll see what's up."

CHAPTER IX

THE DUDE IS SWINDLED

Carelessly, so as not to attract the attention of the four men, Roy
strolled to the depot platform, taking care to get on the side opposite
that on which was the elaborately-dressed youth. The sharpers did not
see Roy, who kept in the shadow, and the attention of the other
passengers from the train was taken up with what the engineer and
firemen were doing, to get the locomotive ready for the repair crew.

"How do you do?" asked Mr. Baker, of the "tenderfoot," as he approached
with his three cronies. "Haven't I met you somewhere before?"

"Well, really, I couldn't say; don't you know," replied the
well-dressed youth, with an affected drawl.

"I am sure I have," went on Mr. Baker. "So are my three friends. As
soon as we saw you standing here, my friend, Mr. Sutton, said to me,
'Where have I seen that distinguished looking gentleman before?'
Didn't you, Sutton?"

"Indeed I did, Mr. Baker. And Mr. Hynard said the same thing."

"Sure I did," replied Mr. Hynard. "I know I've met you before
Mr.--er--Ah, I didn't quite catch the name."

"My name is De Royster--Mortimer De Royster, of New York," replied the
dude, seemingly much flattered at the attention he had attracted. "I'm
sure I can't recall where I met you gentlemen before, but, don't you
know, your faces are very familiar to me."

"Of course," went on Mr. Baker. "I remember you very well now. You
are a son of Van Dyke De Royster, the great New York banker; are you
not?"

"No," replied Mr. De Royster, "he is only a distant relative of mine,
but I belong to the same family. It is very distinguished."

"Indeed it is," said Mr. Baker. "I have often read in history of the
great doings of the De Roysters. Gentlemen, shake hands with Mr. De
Royster. I know his