"Might have known it," remarked Frank. "Of course," put in Fenn. "What else could he do? He wouldn't stay in New York, where he doesn't know a soul, after his aunt and uncle left." "Then I s'pose the only thing for us to do is to follow Ned back to Darewell," suggested Bart. "Here's an end to our holiday. Too bad!" "Why need we go back?" asked Frank. "We're here in New York. It may be many years before we have another chance like this. We have enough money to last us a week or more, even if we have to stay at a hotel." "What do you mean?" asked Fenn. "Why not spend a week in New York anyhow?" Frank went on. "It's too bad Ned has gone home. He'd stay with us if he was here. We can go to a cheap hotel and have almost as much fun as if we were at Ned's uncle's house. What's the use going right back home?" "I believe you're right," came from Bart. "We'll stay a while and see what New York looks like. Might as well spend some of that money for hotel bills as anything else. I've heard they rob you in New York, but I guess we can look out for ourselves." "Let's telegraph back to Darewell," suggested Fenn. "What for?" asked Bart. "To see if Ned got there safely. If he did maybe he'll come here and join us." "Good idea," commented Frank. "Write out another message. Send it to Ned's father. He'll get it quicker at the bank than Ned would at the house." A little later this message, signed by Bart, went clicking over the wires to Darewell. "Is Ned home? His uncle and aunt called away unexpectedly and he started back for Darewell. Answer." The boys said they would call in an hour for a reply. They spent the time wandering about the streets. Now, as it was approaching evening, the thoroughfares were filled with hurrying throngs. They found the telegram from Darewell waiting for them when they went back to the office. It was from Mr. Wilding and read: "Ned not home. What is the trouble? Can't you locate him in New York? Try. Will come on in the morning." "Ned has disappeared," said Bart in strange tones, as he let the telegram fall to the floor. CHAPTER XIX DOWN THE ROPE When Ned started on a run up the street, after seeing in the station the man he believed was seeking to arrest him, he had no definite idea where he was going. All he cared about was to get out of the inspector's sight. "I can't go back home," he reasoned as he hurried on, seeking to lose himself in the crowd. "If I do they'll arrest me as soon as I leave the train. I can't bring disgrace on my father that way, though I am innocent of any intentional wrong-doing. Besides if it was known that I bought this stock it might injure his reputation at the bank. They might think he advised me to do it, and the bank doesn't allow its officials to do that sort of business." Ned slowed his pace down from a run to a rapid walk, as he noticed that several persons were looking curiously at him. He did not want to attract attention.