"An' youse is takin' me an' dese (indicating some of the other youngsters) out fer a ride in dis gasolene gig? Us what ain't got a cent?" "Yes; why not?" asked Dick, with a smile. "Well, all I've got t' say is dat dis is as near bein' rich as I ever expects t' be, an' say, it's dead white of youse; dat's what it is. Why, dem rich guys in N' York would no more t'ink of treatin' us dis way dan dey would jump off de dock. Dat's straight!" "Oh, I guess they would if they thought about it, but they probably don't know how many boys and girls would like to get out and see the country," said Dick, not wanting to take too much credit to himself. "Like pie!" was Tim's contemptuous rejoinder. Then, as he was gazing rapturously at the entrance to the bank, he suddenly started as he saw a man coming down the steps. "Say," he whispered to Dick, grabbing his arm, "is dat guy in your governor's bank?" "Which man? What do you mean?" "I mean dat one wid de black moustache, jest comin' down de steps. Is he in de bank?" "Oh, that's Mr. Vanderhoof," replied Dick, recognizing the mining promoter. "Mr. who?" asked Tim. "Vanderhoof. Why, do you know him?" "Not by dat name. But say, if he's got anyt'ing to do wit de bank it'll soon be on de blink." "What do you mean?" "I mean put out of business. On de blink, excuse my slang. But youse had better tell your governor to keep his peepers open." "Why?" inquired Dick, a vague suspicion coming into his mind. "Because," replied Tim, earnestly. "Dat man's name ain't Vanderhoof any more dan mine is." "Who is he?" "Why, he's William Jackson, or Bond Broker Bill. I seen him in de police court in N' York. I sells papers, an' I knows lots of de cops an' detectives. I saw 'em arrest dat man once, only he had a white beard an' moustache den. Now he's shaved off de whiskers an' colored his moustache, but I knowed him de minute I set me peepers on him. I seen his mug in de papers lots of times. Youse wants to be on lookout fer him or he'll put de bank on de blink. He's a gold-brick swindler, an' I guess up to any other woozy game he can make pay!" "Bond Broker Bill! William Jackson! Colonel Dendon!" murmured Dick, in a daze. "No wonder I thought I had seen Mr. Vanderhoof before. It was in the New York hotel, where he tried to swindle me! And he sold dad and me some gold mining stock! I must tell dad right away!" Dick looked after the retreating form of Mr. Vanderhoof. Then turning to Tim, who had made the startling disclosure, he said: "Wait here for me! I must see my father at once," and getting out of the auto he hurried into the bank. CHAPTER XXI IN WHICH MR. VANDERHOOF VANISHES Dick found his father busy, looking over some books and papers. He waited until the millionaire had finished and looked up, remarking: "Well, Dick, what is it now? Some more of the fresh-air kids outside?" "Yes, dad, but I've got something more important to tell you than about them. Was Mr. Vanderhoof just in here?"