"What do you want now?" asked Dave. "I want to show you that I--er--that is, I am not the enemy you think, Dave," was the low answer. "I am going to give you a warning. I wasn't going to say anything, at first. It's about a letter I got from Link Merwell." "Merwell?" And now Dave was all attention. "Yes, he sent it to me from Chicago, where he is stopping on his way to his father's ranch. He said he had heard that you were going to the Endicott ranch, and he added that if you came out West he would see to it that you got all that was coming to you--those are his very words." "When did you get this letter?" "A couple of days ago. Take my advice and beware of him, for he means business. When he left Oak Hall he was the maddest boy I ever saw. He will do something awful to you if he gets the chance." "I'll be on my guard--and I am much obliged for telling me," said Dave; and then he and Nat separated, not to meet again for many weeks. The train for Chicago was already standing in the station, and the Porters and their friends were soon on board. The two girls had a private compartment and the others several sections, and all proceeded to make themselves at home. "I never get into a sleeping car without thinking of old Billy Dill, the sailor who went with me to the South Seas," said Dave to Laura and Jessie. "He thought we'd have to sleep in the seats, and when the porter came and made up the berths he was the most surprised man you ever saw." "And where is he now?" asked Jessie. "In a home for aged sailors. Father and Uncle Dunston have seen to it that he is comfortably cared for." "I must visit him some day," said Laura. "Just think! if it hadn't been for him we might never have met, Dave!" And she gave her brother a tight hug. The train was a comfortable one, and all of the party slept well. When they arose, they found themselves crossing the level stretches of Indiana. The boys and Mr. Porter took a good wash-up and were presently joined on the observation end of the car by Laura and Jessie. "What a beautiful morning!" cried Jessie. "I feel just as if I'd like to get out and walk," added Laura, and this caused the others to laugh. They had an appetizing breakfast of fruit, fish, eggs, and rolls, with coffee, and took their time over the repast. Then Dunston Porter pointed out to them various points of interest. Before long, they reached a small town and then came to the suburbs of the great city by the lakes. "Here we are!" cried Roger, at last, as they ran into the immense train shed. Here all was bustle and seeming confusion, and they picked their way through the crowd with difficulty. The boys rather enjoyed this, but it made Laura and Jessie shrink back. "Why, it's as bad as New York!" said Jessie. "Almost," answered Dunston Porter. "Come, we'll soon find a couple of carriages to take us to the hotel."