"Well, perhaps I can get it somewhere else," said Mr. Baker. In fact he had very little hope, when he made the request of Mr. Annister, that he would get the loan. The real estate agent was known to be very "close", seldom lending money, though he was quite well off. "I'd like to accommodate you," went on Caleb Annister, brightening up, when he saw that Mr. Baker was not going to press the matter, "but you see how it is." "You haven't any work that you want done; have you?" asked the man who had helped to rob Mortimer De Royster, and who had tried unsuccessfully to rob and swindle Roy. "We could do almost anything you wanted done, if you paid us for it. None of us have anything in view to get a few dollars at." Suddenly a thought came into the wicked brain of Caleb Annister. This might be the very chance he was looking for! Baker and his men could get Roy out of the way for him. He would try it. "Perhaps you might do me a service," he said. "It is very simple, and does not amount to a great deal." Mr. Baker knew the real estate agent well enough to feel that whenever he wanted anything done, it was no small matter. But he merely said: "Tell me what it is. If it's possible we'll do it--for money, of course." "Oh, it's very possible, and I will be willing to pay you and your friends well. Come and have lunch with me, and we will talk it over." Caleb Annister had intended going to an expensive restaurant and ordering a fine meal, for he was fond of good living, but, when he found he would have to take Baker, and pay for his dinner, he changed his plans, and went to a cheap eating place. There, sitting in a secluded corner, Mr. Annister unfolded a plot to the swindler. "There is a certain young man, lately arrived in New York," said the real estate agent, "who is bothering me. Nothing serious, you understand, but I have a certain deal to put through and he might spoil it. I want him kept out of the way for two weeks. By that time my plans will be finished, and I don't care what he does. Do you think you can get him, and take him, say to some nearby town, or even some place in New York and keep him there for two weeks? But I must insist that no harm comes to him." With all his swindling schemes, Mr. Annister would not go too far. "Sure we can do it," replied Phelan Baker. "That's easy. What do we get for it?" "If you get him away, and keep him out of sight for two weeks all will be well, and I will pay you a thousand dollars." "Good enough! We'll do it. Now who is this boy you want taken away?" "Roy Bradner." "What? Roy Bradner, the boy from Triple O ranch?" "That's the one. But what do you know of him?" and Mr. Annister was very much astonished. "This is curious," murmured Baker. "Very curious. I'll tell you about it, Annister." CHAPTER XVIII ROY IN DANGER