"I suppose Nat thinks he has the laugh on you," said Roger. "But what of your watch and pin and money? Are you going West without them?" "I suppose I'll have to. But I'll make him give them up in short order. I'll send him a telegram." "Tell him if he doesn't send them on by express at once that you will put the case in the hands of the law," said Phil. "That will scare him." Dave was quickly served with a meal, and he lost no time in eating what he wanted. Then the entire party walked toward the railroad station, to catch the train for Buffalo. "I was a chump to follow that man up into that room," said Dave to his chums. "Next time I'll be more on my guard. But I thought Mr. Dale must be in some dire trouble." "It was a nervy thing to do--to forge his name," was the comment of the senator's son. "It's a pity you didn't keep the note." "I couldn't. After I was tied up they had me at their mercy." "Who was the man?" "I don't know. I never saw him before." "He must have been some friend of Nat's." "I suppose so." Arriving at the station, they found they had several minutes to wait. When the train rolled in all got on board but Roger, who was buying a late newspaper from a boy on the platform. "Hurry up, or you'll get left!" cried Dave. "I'll get on the car behind!" cried the senator's son, and did so. He did not rejoin his companions until the train was on its way towards Buffalo. "What do you think!" he cried. "Nat Poole is on board!" "Nat!" ejaculated Dave. "Is that man with him?" "No, Nat seems to be alone." "Did he see you?" "I don't think so. He was crouched down in a seat, as if in deep thought." "I'll interview him," said Dave, and left the car, followed by Phil, Roger, and his uncle. "Don't quarrel on the train," cautioned Dunston Porter. "But insist upon it that Nat return your belongings." Roger readily led the way to where the son of the Crumville money-lender sat, crouched down, and with his eyes partly closed. When touched on the shoulder Nat sat up, and a look of fright came into his face. "Why--er--why----" he stammered and was unable to proceed. "Didn't expect to see me quite so soon, did you?" returned Dave, pleasantly, and dropped into the seat beside him. "Nat, if it's all the same to you, I'll take my watch, my stickpin, and my money," he added, coldly. "Your what?" exclaimed Nat. Then he stared blankly at Dave. "I--er--I don't understand you." "Yes, you do. I want my things, and I want them at once!" "I haven't got your things, and you needn't say I have!" retorted the money-lender's son. "Oh, I see how it is," he added, struck by a sudden thought. "You want to play another joke on me, don't you? Well, it won't work this time. I didn't touch your things, and you know it." CHAPTER VIII THE YOUTH IN THE BALCONY For a moment Dave stared at Nat Poole in perplexity. He saw that the money-lender's son was in earnest. Like a flash he realized that something was wrong.