"Here, Number twenty-six, take the gentleman's grip. Any friend of yours, Mr. De Royster, is doubly welcome here. We can give you a fine room, Mr. Bradner." "All right," replied Roy, good naturedly. "I'll take one." "I'll select it for you," put in Mr. De Royster, as he was in some doubt as to Roy's finances, and he did not want to take too extravagant an apartment. Roy was soon shown to a pleasant room, Mortimer accompanying him. Every one connected with the hotel seemed anxious to aid the boy from the ranch, now that it was shown he had wealthy friends. Roy thought De Royster must be a person of some influence. He was partly right, though the influence came more from the rich and respected relatives of the young jewelry salesman, than from himself. However, it answered the same purpose. "I am sorry you were annoyed by that clerk, my dear chap," said De Royster, when he was seated in the room he had selected for Roy. "I was unavoidably detained, speaking to a friend I met, don't you know." "It's all right," replied Roy. "It all adds to my experience, and I expect to get a lot of it while I'm in the East." "What are your next plans?" "Well, I hardly know. I have certain business to do for my father, but I hardly know how to set about it." "Perhaps I can tell you." "I wish you could." "If it is a secret don't tell me," said De Royster, noting that Roy hesitated. "It is a sort of a secret mission. I'm here to round up a man, and see what sort of branding marks he has on him--that is, whether he's honest or not." "That is a queer mission for a boy like you to be sent on." "Perhaps, but my father had no one else. I will tell you as much as I can, and see what you have to say." Thereupon Roy told his friend about the real estate matter, and Mr. Annister's connection with it, though he mentioned no names. "Let me consider it a bit," said the dude, when Roy had finished. The latter began to think his friend was more capable than had at first appeared, and, in spite of his rather affected talk, could be relied upon for good advice. "Here is what I would do, in your place," said De Royster, at length. "I would get my hair cut, order a new suit of clothes or perhaps two and appear as much as possible like a New Yorker, don't you know. You say you don't want that man to know you are here from the ranch. Well, he certainly would if you appeared before him as you are now. But, if you--er--well, we'll say 'spruce up' a bit, you can be sure he'll never connect you with the West. Then you can make whatever inquiries you like." "That's good advice. I'll follow it. I'm much obliged to you." "Don't mention it, my dear chap. Now, old man"--(Roy thought it was strange to be addressed as "old man")--"I've got to go. I'll leave you my card, and address, and, if you get into trouble, why, telephone or call on me. Now, good luck."