than a plain country lad, with a father moderately well
off, at once made fast friends with Simon.

Because of the business relations of Dick's and Guy's fathers, the two
lads had been more or less friendly for several years, and, when Guy
took up with Simon, Dick did not hesitate to admit him to his house,
where the boys frequently assembled to play billiards or other games, or
practice in the fine gymnasium Mr. Hamilton had provided for his son.

Thus, though Dick was aware of the rather sporty character of Guy and
Simon, he was frank and pleasant with them, for he was a youth of rather
free and easy ways, in spite of his wealth.

Dick would have been glad to take all his boy friends of Hamilton
Corners with him to New York, but the capacity of the automobile was
limited to seven; so, besides Dick, Simon and Guy, there went along
"Bricktop," Frank Bender and Walter Mead.

Early on the appointed morning the big touring car, in charge of a
skillful driver, drew up in front of Dick's house, where the boys had
assembled.

"Get in!" called Dick, from the window of his room. "I'll be right down
as soon as I can get my valise shut. I've got to say good-bye to Grit.
Poor fellow, he knows something's in the wind and he's trying to break
his chain to come along. But I'm afraid something will happen to him in
New York, so he's got to stay home."

"He thinks as much of that dog as if it was a brother," remarked Guy
with something of a sneer, as the five youths entered the tonneau, for
Dick had elected to ride with the driver.

"I don't blame him," said "Bricktop." "Grit's a dog worth having."

"I hope Dick brings plenty of money along with him," whispered Simon to
Guy, as they followed Frank Bender into the machine.

"Why?" asked Guy, also in a whisper.

"Because I've got everything all planned for a neat trick. I guess he'll
not bring back as much as he takes away. I heard from my friend in New
York. He'll meet us at the hotel, and then--well, we'll see what will
happen."

Dick came running down the steps of the mansion.

"Good-bye!" he called to his father. "Yes, I'll be careful--good-bye!"

There was a tooting of the automobile horn, a throbbing of the powerful
engine, a grinding sound as the gears were thrown into place, and the
boys were off on their trip to New York, Dick with his heart full of
happiness and anticipation, while Simon and Guy were thinking over the
plot they had made to get away from the milli