nds to the
metropolis, which could easily be reached in a day by using a swift
touring car.

"Besides," added Dick, as an added reason for the permission being
given, "I may hear of some investment there."

"What's the matter with the land you bought?" asked Mr. Hamilton.

"Oh, that failed," and Dick told the story of the fertilizer factory.

"Well, it's a good lesson to you, my son," was all Mr. Hamilton said by
way of reproof. "No, I've no objection to you going to New York. Hire
the car you wish, and be sure they supply a good driver. You're not
quite capable of managing one of those ponderous machines yet. But be
careful. Don't go to buying any gold bricks," and he laughed.

"No danger," replied Dick. "I've cut my eye teeth."

It was arranged that they should start in three days. Dick engaged the
largest and finest car in the garage of a neighboring city, and told
his friends to get ready.

"Are you going?" asked Guy of Simon, the day before that set for the
trip.

"Am I? Well, you can make up your mind to that. I can see something good
in this for us."

"Good? What do you mean?"

"Money, of course."

"Don't get the idea that Dick is going to distribute five-dollar gold
pieces along the route, Simon."

"I'm not; but I've got a plan of my own. If this wealthy young greenhorn
doesn't drop a few hundreds in New York, and if I don't get my share,
I'm very much mistaken. You can just as well have some as not."

"How you going to do it?"

"That's my secret," replied Simon, with a wink. "I didn't live five
years in New York for nothing. I've got some friends there who will help
me. Just you wait."

"But you want to be careful. Dick is no fool, even if he is wealthy."

"Don't you worry. I know what I'm about."

The pair, who were well matched, whispered for some time together, and
when they separated, Simon, with many winks, gave his companion renewed
assurances that Dick's trip to New York would prove financially
beneficial to both of them.

Guy knew little of Simon, who had come to Hamilton Corners about six
months before this story opens. He had met him in the billiard room,
where several youths of the town, who might better have been at
something else, frequently gathered. Simon never appeared to work, but
generally had plenty of money.

He dressed flashily, and his conversation was filled with allusions to
this or that "sport." Guy, who aspired to be thought a gilded youth of
the city, rather