ook out," cried Roy, "they are swindlers!"]

"There's that boy!" exclaimed Hynard, as he drew out his hand.

But Mr. De Royster had felt the sneaking fingers, and had made a grab
for them. He was too late, however, and, in attempting to catch Hynard
he stumbled and fell.

"Come on!" cried Baker to his companions. "Let him go! We've got the
stuff."

"Grab them!" cried Roy to De Royster. "I'll help you."

He rushed forward. No sooner did the swindlers see him coming, than
they changed their plans. They had intended jumping on the train,
which was already in motion, and leaving Mr. De Royster behind, after
they had his watch and diamond.

But Roy's quickness prevented this. Baker signalled to his companions,
and they ran off down the track.

"Come on!" cried Roy. "We'll catch them!"

"No! I must go to New York," replied the salesman as he arose, and
brushed off his clothes. "The train is going."

"But they've got your valuables!"

"I know it. I was a fool, but it's too late now. Help me aboard."

The train was gathering headway. Roy ceased his pursuit of the robbers
and helped De Royster aboard, the young man carrying his dress-suit
case. Then Roy followed, while the four swindlers kept on down the
railroad tracks.

CHAPTER X

ROY GAINS A FRIEND

"Come neah gettin' left, sah!" exclaimed the colored porter of Roy's
car, as our hero, followed by Mortimer De Royster, entered the coach.
"Dat were a close call, sah."

"Yes, but I wish I had had a chance to round-up those swindlers. I'd
shown them how we handle such chaps out on the ranch!" exclaimed Roy.

"Swindlers? Was dem nicely dressed gen'men swindlers?" inquired the
porter.

"Swindlers, upon my word, they are the very worst kind," put in De
Royster. "The idea of tricking me into letting them see my watch, and
then keeping it, don't you know! I shall report them to the
authorities."

"I'm afraid it will not do much good," remarked Roy. "They are far
enough away by now, and we're getting farther off from them every
minute."

"That's so. Well, then, my watch and diamond pin are gone," and the
dude seemed to accept the loss quite calmly.

"Excuse me, sah," broke in the colored man, addressing De Royster, "but
has youh a ticket for dis parlor car?"

"Not yet. I could not buy one at the little station back there, but
you may get me one, from the conductor, don't you know," spoke the
well-dressed youth, taking a roll of bil