The two days spent in New York City were days of wonder to Shirley,
Mabel and Dick. They were on the go every minute of the time,
sightseeing. From one end of the city to the other they travelled with
wide-open eyes.
The great skyscrapers impressed them, perhaps, more than any one other
thing, though they saw much to amaze them; and next to the great
buildings they were impressed by the crowds.
Crowds they had seen in some of the other large cities, but never
anything like this.
They took a trip to Coney Island on the second day, and the girls were
for going back again that night. Mr. Willing agreed, and they were about
to fare forth from the hotel, when young Bristow was announced.
"I've come to take you for that promised stroll," he told Dick.
Dick looked at the others inquiringly.
"You go with him," nodded Colonel Ashton, "the rest of us can get along
without you for one evening."
"If I'm breaking up a party--" began Bristow.
"Never mind," said the colonel with a wave of his hand. "You two young
fellows run along. We don't need you."
"All right, sir," agreed Dick.
Personally he was glad to have a chance to look about the town a little
with one of his own age. The others took their departure, and soon
Bristow and Dick also left the hotel.
"I would have looked you up sooner but I have been terribly busy,"
explained Bristow. "I have had important matters to attend to, and this
is the first time I have been at liberty. Where would you like to go?"
"Any place you say," said Dick with a smile. "You know more about this
place than I do."
"I guess you're right," was the smiling response, "we'll wander up
Broadway aways and watch the theater crowds."
They did so, and continued to stroll about for an hour.
Gradually the crowd thinned out, although there were many pedestrians on
the street. As they stood for a moment in front of the Herald building
on Herald square, Dick, chancing to turn suddenly, became conscious of a
pair of eyes looking steadily at his companion. He called the other's
attention to it, and as the latter glanced about the man turned and
moved off.
Dick thought no more of the matter until several blocks further along he
perceived the same figure slinking furtively after them.
"That man is following us," he said to Bristow.
The face of the latter grew hard.
"We'll see," he said.
At that moment they were passing Forty-second Street, and Bristow swung
sharply around the corner. Dick followed him. They walked several
blocks, until they stood beneath the tracks of the Sixth Avenue
elevated. Here Bristow again turned sharply, and drew up in a doorway.
He stopped as Dick came up beside him.
A moment later the figure of the man Dick believed was following them
came around the corner. The man's hat was pulled over his eyes, and he
did not glance up as he passed the doorway. Bristow and Dick turned and
doubled back around the corner.
"He was after us, all right," said Bristow with a laugh, "but I guess we
have given him the slip."
But in this he was mistaken.
"I wonder what on earth we are being followed for?" muttered Dick to
himself, as they turned down Broadway. "Something queer about this
fellow Bristow. That man is not following us for nothing."
Several hours later they stopped in a little restaurant for a bite to
eat, "after which I'll take you home," said Bristow.
The restaurant was crowded, and a little while later the waiter seated
another man at their table. Dick gave him a quick glance and then
stifled an exclamation of surprise.
The newcomer was the same man who had followed them so recently.
Dick leaned over and whispered to Bristow.
"So?" said Bristow. "We'll see what he wants."
He looked the man squarely in the eyes and demanded:
"What are you following me for?"
The man looked at him and smiled pleasantly.
"I just want to keep you in sight," he replied.
"Why?"
"You know, I guess. You don't want me to speak right out, do you?"
"Well, no," replied Bristow, "but I'll thank you to follow me no
longer."
"Sorry," was the reply, "but I am afraid I shall have to."
"I warn you," said Bristow quietly, "to let me alone. Is that plain
enough?"
"Perfectly plain," was the reply. "I'm sorry I can't accommodate you."
He resumed his eating.
Dick and Bristow finished their meal first and rose to go. The other man
waited until they were at the door, then picked up his check and
followed them. And so when they passed out, he was right behind them
once more.
"I don't like this idea of being followed," said Dick. "What's he want,
anyhow?"
"We'll get rid of him," replied Bristow, absolutely ignoring Dick's
second question.
He turned down a side street, and they walked for three or four blocks,
at length coming to a rather darker street. Here Bristow slipped around
the corner and motioned Dick to silence.
The footsteps of their pursuer came to their ears. He drew nearer.
Bristow advanced close to the edge of the building.
"What are you going to do?" asked Dick.
"You'll see," was the brief response.
As the man came into view, Bristow suddenly struck out with his right
fist, and the man toppled over.
Bristow turned to Dick.
"Come!" he said quietly.
With one look at the fallen man Dick obeyed, and they were soon beyond
pursuit.
Dick had been taken by surprise by the suddenness of Bristow's attack.
Try as he would he could see no reason for it. He, as well as Bristow,
objected to being followed, but Dick would not have taken such measures
to elude his pursuer.
He followed his companion without a word, however, and soon they were
back at the hotel.
The others had not returned, but Bristow sat down, announcing that he
had something important to say to Mr. Willing when the latter did get
back.
Half an hour later, Colonel Ashton, Mr. Willing and the two girls came
in.
"Well, I see you beat us," exclaimed Mr. Willing. "Have a good time?"
"Yes, sir," replied Dick.
"Mr. Willing," said Bristow, "I have something of importance to say to
you."
"All right, sir," came the answer, "out with it."
"Will you all promise to repeat nothing of what I may say?"
"Why all this air of secrecy?" demanded Mr. Willing.
"That I cannot tell you, sir."
"Of course we'll promise, Mr. Bristow," declared Shirley. "Surely, Dad,
there is no reason why we should tell any one anything."
Mr. Willing nodded.
"I will promise for myself and the others," he said.
"Very well, sir. What I would say is this: Take my advice, and under no
circumstances sail on the _Yucatan_ to-morrow!"
Mr. Willing gazed at the young man in perfect amazement, as did the
others in the room. Mr. Willing was the first to regain his composure.
"Why?" he asked quietly.
"I can't go into explanations," replied the young man hurriedly; "all I
can do is warn you that it is not safe."
"And why isn't it safe?" asked Shirley, now taking a hand in the
conversation.
"That I cannot tell you, either. But you all know that a state of war
exists between the countries of Europe."
"What has that to do with us?" asked Shirley.
"You are asking me hard questions," said Bristow, "and I cannot answer
as I would like to. Let it be enough that there is danger because of it.
And if there should even be no danger aboard the _Yucatan_, it will
exist in Colon."
"In Colon?"
"Yes. One week from to-day Colon will no longer be safe!"
"It is my belief you are out of your head, young man," declared Mr.
Willing grimly.
Bristow shook his head positively.
"I am telling you facts," he declared. "I can't say any more."
"And why won't we be safe aboard the _Yucatan_?" demanded Shirley. "The
ship isn't going to sink, is it?"
"No, but--"
"No European country will dare to molest it," declared Dick, "and I can
see no reason why there should be danger at Colon."
"I was afraid I couldn't convince you," said Bristow. "However, I have
done my best. Good night."
He bowed and left the room.
"What do you suppose he is talking about, Dad?" asked Shirley.
"I don't know," was the reply, "and I don't care."
"All buncombe," agreed Colonel Ashton.
"Well, I don't care what it is," exclaimed Shirley. "We have set our
hearts on this trip, and we are going to take it. That's all there is
about that."
"Good for you, Shirley," agreed Mabel.
Dick Stanley was the only member of the party who did not speak. He sat
quietly in his chair, thinking.