By this time others were coming to the table, consequently the cross-fire of words had to come to an end. Josiah Crabtree finished his repast as speedily as possible and strode out of the dining room in high but suppressed anger. "He's a corker," remarked Tom. "I believe he'd half kill us if he dared." "I guess he hasn't forgotten how I stopped him from maltreating Dora Stanhope," said Dick. "I wish I knew if he had been around their place since he came back from the West." "Of course he has been back," said Tom. "And he'll marry Mrs. Stanhope yet--see if he don't." "Not if I can help Dora prevent it," said his elder brother firmly. Breakfast finished they walked out to learn what had become of Crabtree. They were just in time to see him leaving the hotel, valise in hand. "He's off," said Tom. "I wonder where he is bound?" "Let us follow him and find out," returned Dick, This did not prove to be an easy matter, for at the foot of the hotel grounds Josiah Crabtree jumped into a stage which was in waiting, bound for the depot. "He's off on the train, I guess," said Sam, and the others were inclined to agree with him. Down at the river shore nothing could be seen of the _Falcon_, and they concluded that Mumps had also taken himself off. The morning was spent around the hotel, in reading the newspapers and taking it easy out on the beautiful lawn. "Hullo, here's a novelty!" cried Tom presently, and pointed to an Italian who was coming up to the hotel. The fellow had a small hand organ and a trained bear and two monkeys. The monkeys were dressed in red, white, and blue, and sat on the bear's back as he trotted along. "He's going to give us a performance," said Sam, as the Italian came to a halt in the center of the grounds. "There they go!" The music started, and at once the bear reared himself on his hind legs and began to dance. In the meantime the monkeys climbed to the bear's head and began a little dance of their own. "Now for a little sport," whispered Tom, and started for the hotel. "Be careful of yourself!" warned Dick; "That bear looks as if he wasn't to be trifled with." But Tom did not heed him, his whole mind being bent on having a laugh at the expense of the Italian and his animals. Going around to the kitchen of the hotel, he procured a couple of sugar cakes, pierced them with pinholes, and filled them up with pepper. When he returned he found that a crowd had gathered and the Italian was passing around the hat. While Sam and Dick contributed several cents, Tom gave the bear one bun and divided the other between the two monkeys. "Cheep! cheep!" went the monkeys, as if highly pleased. "You're right, they are cheap," grinned Tom. "Hope you like the flavor."