relative, the great banker, Van Dyke De Royster,
very well."

Now this was true, to a certain extent, but all the acquaintance Mr.
Baker had with the well known banker, was when the latter had him
arrested for trying to cash a forged check. But Mr. Baker did not
mention this.

"I am very glad to meet you," said Mortimer De Royster, as he shook
hands with the four swindlers, thinking them delightful gentlemen
indeed.

"Are you going far?" asked Hynard.

"To New York. You see I am--er--that is--er--I have been doing a
little business--I am selling jewelry for a relative of mine in New
York. It is not exactly work, for I am traveling for my health, and I
do a little trade on the side."

"Guess he's ashamed to let it be known that he works for a living,"
thought Roy, but later he found he had misjudged De Royster.

"Ah, in the jewelry line, eh?" asked Mr. Baker. "I used to be in that
myself."

He did not mention that the way he was "in it" was to try to swindle a
diamond merchant out of some precious stones, in which he was partly
successful.

"Did you do any business in this section?" asked Tupper.

"Not much. I stopped off to see some friends, and I did not try to
sell them anything. I don't do business with my friends--I don't think
it dignified, don't you know," and Mortimer De Royster swung his cane
with a jaunty air, and tried to twirl the ends of a very short mustache.

"That's right; I can see you're the right stuff," remarked Mr. Baker,
with a wink at his companions. "Did you come down here to take the
train?"

"Yes, I am on my way to New York."

"How do you find trade?" asked Mr. Baker.

"Well, really, it is not very good, but that does not annoy me, as I am
only doing this as a side line. I don't worry, don't you know."

"I see. You're a sport!" exclaimed Tupper, with easy familiarity. "I
sized you up for a sport as soon as I saw you. I must have met you in
New York."

"Yes, I make my headquarters there," said the salesman. "I seem to
remember you. Sporting life is very attractive to me, I assure you,
really it is."

"That's the way to talk!" put in Hynard. "Be a sport!"

"They're flattering him for some purpose," thought Roy. "I wonder what
their object is."

He was hidden around the corner of the depot, where he could hear
without being seen.

"That's a very fine watch chain you have on," said Mr. Baker. "It is
much better than mine."

"And I guess he has a better w