t it back," suggested Roy.

"No, I'm afraid not. But I say, my dear chap, where are you going?
You don't look as if you had traveled much."

"I haven't. I am going to New York on business for my father."

"To New York? Good! Then I shall have company on the way. That is
unless you don't like to be seen with one who lets himself be robbed so
easily."

"That would not make any difference to me."

"Thank you. Perhaps I may be able to be of some service to you in New
York. I know the town fairly well."

"That will be very kind of you. I know nothing about it, and I'm
afraid I'll be rather green when I get there. I have lived on a ranch
all my life."

"On a ranch? Fancy now! Really, don't you know, I often used to think
I would like to be a cowboy," drawled the dude.

Roy looked at the slim figure, and delicate features of Mr. De Royster,
and thought that he would hardly be strong enough for the rough life on
the plains. But he was too polite to mention this.

"Yes," went on the well-dressed youth, "if I had not gone into the
jewelry business I might now be a 'cow-puncher,'--I believe that is
what you call those gentlemen who take charge of wild steers?" and he
looked at his companion inquiringly.

"Yes, some folks call 'em that."

"It must be a very nice sort of life. Now this sort of thing is rather
tame, don't you know."

"Well, you had it exciting enough a while ago."

"So I did," admitted Mr. De Royster with a smile. "But that doesn't
happen every day. I wish I could do you some favor, in return for what
you did for me."

"I didn't do much. I wish I could have gotten them in time to have
saved your watch and chain. But they stampeded before I could rope
them."

"Stampeded?"

"Yes, I mean they started to run."

"Oh, yes. And--er--rope--"

"Oh, I forgot you didn't understand my lingo. I meant catch them.
Whenever we want to catch anything on the ranch, we rope it. Throw a
lariat over it, you know."

"Oh, yes, a lasso. I should like to have seen you lasso those chaps.
Have you a lasso with you?"

"I have one in my large valise."

"Where are you going to stop in New York?"

"I don't know yet. I'm going to look around for a good place to get my
grub, and a bunk after I get there."

"Your grub and bunk?" Mr. De Royster seemed puzzled.

"Well, I mean my meals and a place to sleep."

"Ah, then perhaps I can be of service to you. I know most of the best
hotels, and I can