BROUGHT TO TERMS
"Stop him!"
"He must not get away'"
Such were some of the cries that echoed through the apartment as Jesse
Pelter ran for the rear room.
He knew there was a fire escape there and thought he might reach the
ground from that.
But Dick was at his heels, determined that the broker should not
escape if he could possibly prevent it.
The window to the fire escape was open, for a maid in the kitchen had
just set out some cooked dish to cool.
Pelter made a leap for the window, nearly scaring the maid into a fit.
She screamed loudly, and as she did so Dick made a wild leap and
caught Pelter by the foot.
"Let go, Rover!" yelled the broker, hoarsely.
"I won't! You are not going to get away, Pelter."
There was a struggle, and the broker aimed a blow at Dick's head. Then
the oldest Rover boy suddenly caught the rascal by the neck and banged
his head vigorously against the window casing.
"Ouch! Don't!" groaned the broker. "Oh, my skull is broken!"
"Then keep still," answered Dick, grimly, and he continued to hold the
man. Soon one of the policemen came up, and then, much against his
will, the head of the firm of Pelter, Japson & Company was handcuffed
like his partner in crime.
"You'll suffer for this, Rover; see if you don't!" growled Jesse
Pelter, after the excitement was over. "I have done nothing wrong, and
I can prove it. This is all a plot on the part of you and your family
to get our firm into trouble."
"You can do your talking when you are in jail," answered Dick,
briefly. "I know what I am doing."
"Maybe you got Crabtree to hatch up a story against us," came from
Japson.
"Never mind what Crabtree confessed," said Dick. "You'll get what is
coming to you, never fear."
"I guess I had better send in a call for the patrol wagon," said one
of the policemen. "Can you watch 'em, Jake?"
"Sure," answered the second bluecoat. "I guess the young fellows will
help."
"I will," said Dick.
"So will I," put in Dan. He turned to Dick. "I'm mighty glad to be of
service to you. It kind of helps to--to--pay off old scores, eh?" he
faltered.
"Yes, Dan; you are doing us a great service, and I shan't forget it,"
returned Dick, with warmth.
A number of tenants in the apartment house had been alarmed by what
was going on, and among them were the girl Baxter was engaged to
marry, and her mother. Dan quickly explained matters to them, and
introduced Dick, and the latter told of the service Baxter had done.
Then the police patrol wagon came along, and the prisoners and the
others went below.
"Maybe I had better go to headquarters with you," suggested Dan to
Dick.
"Yes, you'll have to go," put in one of the policemen.
The ride was not a long one, and as soon as the prisoners were brought
in, Dick explained the situation and asked that the authorities in
Brooklyn communicate with those in New York. This was done, and then
Pelter, Japson, and Fogg were held for a further hearing.
"Can't we get bail?" demanded the lawyer.
"Certainly, if you wish," was the reply. And then the amount was
fixed, and the prisoners sent out a messenger, to see if they could
not get somebody to go on their bail bonds.
Dick's parting with Baxter was very cordial. The oldest Rover boy
realized that the former bully of Putnam Hall was greatly changed and
that he had done him a great service.
"I wish you all kinds of luck, Dan," he said. "You've got a nice
position and a fine girl, and you ought to do well."
"Do you like her, Dick?" and Dan blushed a little. "We expect to be
married soon."
"Well, I am going to be married myself before long."
"Is that so? Good enough! I guess I know the girl," and Dan grinned.
"You do, Dan."
"Give her my best regards, and tell her I think she is getting the
best fellow in the world!" said Baxter, and shook Dick's hand. And
thus the two former enemies parted.
Dick had already called up Mr. Powell on the telephone, telling the
lawyer of what had occurred. Now he engaged a taxicab to take him to
the place which he had started out to visit when coming to Brooklyn.
It was rather late, but the lawyer had persuaded the people he had
come to see to wait.
An interview lasting over an hour followed. The lawyer had already
explained many things, and now Dick told of others.
"You have opened our eyes, Mr. Rover," said one of the men present,
when Dick had finished. "We rather suspected Pelter, Japson & Company
and we were bewildered by what your father proposed to do. Now all is
perfectly clear, and, if you wish us to do so, we'll stand by your
father to the end."
"Thank you very much!" cried the youth, in delight.
"Your father is not very well, you say," said another of the men. "In
that case----"
"I am going to transact his business for him, after this," answered
Dick. "He is going to place it in my hands."
"You are rather young, Mr. Rover. But the way you handled those
brokers shows you can do things. I wish you success."
"I shall rely upon Mr. Powell for assistance," said Dick.
"And I'll do what I can," put in the lawyer.
When Dick got back to the Outlook Hotel it was quite late. But he had
telephoned to his father, so Mr. Rover was not alarmed. The youth
found his parent smiling pleasantly.
"Good news all around!" cried Anderson Rover.
"Then you've heard from Sam?" asked Dick, quickly.
"Yes, he sent in word about an hour ago. Tom is doing very well, and
the specialist says he will soon be himself again."
"That's the best news yet!" cried Dick, and his face showed his
relief.
"Yes, it is even better than this news you sent me--that Pelter and
Japson have been captured."
"Well, I am mighty glad we rounded up those rascals," said the son.
"So am I."
"Did Sam say anything about Crabtree?"
"He said Crabtree was about the same. The doctors are doing what they
can for him. But he will most likely be a cripple for life."
"That's bad. But he has nobody to blame but himself."
After that Dick had to sit down and tell his father the details of all
that had occurred. Then he got a late supper, and some time after that
he and his parent retired. The youth was thoroughly tired out, but
happy.
The next few days were as busy as those just past had been. Dick and
his father ran up to where Tom lay in the hospital. They found the
sufferer had come to his senses. Sam and a nurse were with him.
"Oh, I'll be all right again, in a few days!" cried Tom, with a brave
attempt at a smile. "I guess I fared better than old Crabtree. They
tell me he'll limp for life."
"Limp for life!" cried Dick.
"That is what they say."
"What a terrible affliction!" murmured the oldest Rover boy. "But he
has nobody to blame but himself."
"Tom, are you quite comfortable here?" asked Mr. Rover, anxiously.
"Oh, yes, they do all they can for me, Dad," was the answer.
"We must send you home as soon as we can."
"Well, I'll be willing to go," returned Tom. He thought of the quiet
farm, and of his Aunt Martha's motherly care, and gave a deep sigh.
"He can be moved in four or five days--the doctor said so," put in
Sam. "I've figured it all out. We can take him to the train in an
auto, and I'll see that he gets to Oak Run all right. There Jack can
meet us with our own machine, and the rest will be easy."
"I can go along," said Dick.
"It won't be necessary, Dick," said Tom "You stay in New York and get
Dad's affairs straightened out."
The matter was talked over, and it was at length decided that Sam
should remain with Tom and take him home, while Mr. Rover and Dick
returned to the city.
Four days later the youngest Rover got permission from the specialist
who had attended Tom to take him home. An easy-riding automobile was
procured, and in this the two brothers drove to the nearest railroad
station. A compartment in a parlor car had already been engaged, and
Tom was placed in this and made as comfortable as circumstances
permitted. The ride was a long and tedious one for the youth, and by
the time he had made the necessary changes to get to Oak Run he was
pretty well exhausted, and had a severe headache.
"Poor boy!" murmured the hired man, who had brought the family touring
car to the station.
"Dis am de wust yet, de werry wust!" came from Aleck Pop, who had come
along. Both men aided Sam in getting Tom into the car, and then Jack
started for Valley Brook farm, running the machine with the greatest
possible care.
Aunt Martha stood on the piazza ready to receive the boys, and when
she beheld Tom's pale face the tears streamed down her cheeks.
"My boy! My poor boy!" she cried. "Oh, what a terrible happening!" And
she bent over and kissed him.
"Oh, don't worry, Aunt Martha; I'll soon be myself again," answered
Tom, as cheerfully as his spirits permitted.
"I've got the front room all ready for you," went on the aunt. And she
led the way into the house and to the apartment in question. Here the
sufferer was put to bed, and his aunt did all in her power to make him
comfortable. The local doctor had already been notified, and soon he
appeared, to read a note written by the city specialist and listen to
what Sam had to tell him. Then he took charge and said Tom must be
kept very quiet.
"It shall be as you say, Doctor," said Mrs. Rover. And after that, for
a number of days, nobody but the members of the family was allowed to
go in and talk to the youth.
In the meantime, Dick and his father had several interviews with their
lawyer, and also with a lawyer who represented Pelter, Japson, and
Belright Fogg. The brokers and Fogg were anxious to hush matters up,
and promised to do whatever was wanted by the Rovers if they would
drop the case against them.
"I think we had better arrange matters, Dick," said Mr. Rover, with a
sigh. "I am tired of fighting. If they will do the fair thing all
around, let them go."
"Just as you say, Father," replied Dick. "But they must give up
everything that belongs to us."
"Well, you can see to it that they do--you and Mr. Powell," answered
Anderson Rover. "I am going back to the farm to rest, and after that I
think I'll travel a little for my health."
"All right, Dad. But--but----" Dick stammered and grew red. "You--er--you
won't go away until after my wedding, will you?"
"No, Dick, I'll stay home until after you and Dora are married,"
answered Mr. Rover, with a quiet smile.