"He went in de Sunrise Hotel, down dare. I watched him run in." "What kind of a hat did he have on?" "A soft hat wid a big knock in one side." "And you are sure he went in that hotel?" "Cross me heart, mister. I watched him, cos he was out o' breath, an' I knowed he was up to som't'in'." "Here is your money," answered Dick, and passed the nickel over. Then he walked to the hotel and paused on the sidewalk to look the place over before entering. CHAPTER X DICK BECOMES A PRISONER The Sunrise Hotel had seen better days. It was a five-story brick building, blackened by age and had numerous small windows, down in front of which ran an iron fire escape. The lower floor was used as a drinking place, to one side of which ran a narrow stairs, leading to an office and a parlor above. Looking in over the short doors of the drinking place, Dick saw that Cuffer was not there. He rightly surmised that the fellow had gone upstairs, to a room he was occupying. "Perhaps that fellow Shelley is with him," mused Dick. "If so, I'd like to collar them both." Several men were coming and going and nobody paid particular attention to the youth until he gained the dingy office, where two men were smoking and talking over the merits of some race horses. "What can I do for you?" asked one of the men abruptly, as Dick looked around. "Is a man named Cuffer stopping here?" The hotel clerk shook his head. "Perhaps I have the name wrong. I mean a man who came in a minute or two ago--fellow with a soft hat, knocked in on the side." "Oh, that chap! Yes, he's here--room eighteen, next floor," and the clerk pointed up the stairs, for the hotel had no elevator. Dick walked up the stairs slowly, revolving in his mind what he should do if he met Cuffer face to face. If he had the man arrested it might lead to legal complications, and the voyage in search of Treasure Isle might be delayed. It would be hard to prove that the rascal had done any actual wrong. Reaching the upper hallway, Dick looked at the dingy numbers on the still more dingy doors. Eighteen proved to be at the rear, where it was so dark he could scarcely see. As the youth approached the door he heard a murmur of voices in the room beyond. He listened, and made out Cuffer speaking, and then he recognized the voice of Shelley. "And so I dusted out before I had a chance to get any money from Sobber," Cuffer was saying. "Well, did the Rovers catch the young fellow?" questioned Shelley. "That I don't know. If he didn't know enough to run away he is a fool." "You say one of the Rovers followed you from the train?" "Yes, but I gave him the slip as soon as I reached the Bowery," answered Cuffer with a chuckle. "Well, what are we to do next?" asked Shelley, after a pause. "There is nothing to do but to wait until to-morrow, when Merrick arrives." "Have you any faith in this treasure hunt of his?" "I have so long as he pays the bills. I wouldn't put a cent of my own money in it."