CHAPTER IV.--DICK HAS AN ADVENTURE.

The two days spent in New York City were days of wonder to Shirley, Mabel and Dick. They were on the go every minute of the time, sightseeing. From one end of the city to the other they travelled with wide-open eyes.

The great skyscrapers impressed them, perhaps, more than any one other thing, though they saw much to amaze them; and next to the great buildings they were impressed by the crowds.

Crowds they had seen in some of the other large cities, but never anything like this.

They took a trip to Coney Island on the second day, and the girls were for going back again that night. Mr. Willing agreed, and they were about to fare forth from the hotel, when young Bristow was announced.

"I've come to take you for that promised stroll," he told Dick.

Dick looked at the others inquiringly.

"You go with him," nodded Colonel Ashton, "the rest of us can get along without you for one evening."

"If I'm breaking up a party--" began Bristow.

"Never mind," said the colonel with a wave of his hand. "You two young fellows run along. We don't need you."

"All right, sir," agreed Dick.

Personally he was glad to have a chance to look about the town a little with one of his own age. The others took their departure, and soon Bristow and Dick also left the hotel.

"I would have looked you up sooner but I have been terribly busy," explained Bristow. "I have had important matters to attend to, and this is the first time I have been at liberty. Where would you like to go?"

"Any place you say," said Dick with a smile. "You know more about this place than I do."

"I guess you're right," was the smiling response, "we'll wander up Broadway aways and watch the theater crowds."

They did so, and continued to stroll about for an hour.

Gradually the crowd thinned out, although there were many pedestrians on the street. As they stood for a moment in front of the Herald building on Herald square, Dick, chancing to turn suddenly, became conscious of a pair of eyes looking steadily at his companion. He called the other's attention to it, and as the latter glanced about the man turned and moved off.

Dick thought no more of the matter until several blocks further along he perceived the same figure slinking furtively after them.

"That man is following us," he said to Bristow.

The face of the latter grew hard.

"We'll see," he said.

At that moment they were passing Forty-second Street, and Bristow swung sharply around the corner. Dick followed him. They walked several blocks, until they stood beneath the tracks of the Sixth Avenue elevated. Here Bristow again turned sharply, and drew up in a doorway. He stopped as Dick came up beside him.

A moment later the figure of the man Dick believed was following them came around the corner. The man's hat was pulled over his eyes, and he did not glance up as he passed the doorway. Bristow and Dick turned and doubled back around the corner.

"He was after us, all right," said Bristow with a laugh, "but I guess we have given him the slip."

But in this he was mistaken.

"I wonder what on earth we are being followed for?" muttered Dick to himself, as they turned down Broadway. "Something queer about this fellow Bristow. That man is not following us for nothing."

Several hours later they stopped in a little restaurant for a bite to eat, "after which I'll take you home," said Bristow.

The restaurant was crowded, and a little while later the waiter seated another man at their table. Dick gave him a quick glance and then stifled an exclamation of surprise.

The newcomer was the same man who had followed them so recently.

Dick leaned over and whispered to Bristow.

"So?" said Bristow. "We'll see what he wants."

He looked the man squarely in the eyes and demanded:

"What are you following me for?"

The man looked at him and smiled pleasantly.

"I just want to keep you in sight," he replied.

"Why?"

"You know, I guess. You don't want me to speak right out, do you?"

"Well, no," replied Bristow, "but I'll thank you to follow me no longer."

"Sorry," was the reply, "but I am afraid I shall have to."

"I warn you," said Bristow quietly, "to let me alone. Is that plain enough?"

"Perfectly plain," was the reply. "I'm sorry I can't accommodate you."

He resumed his eating.

Dick and Bristow finished their meal first and rose to go. The other man waited until they were at the door, then picked up his check and followed them. And so when they passed out, he was right behind them once more.

"I don't like this idea of being followed," said Dick. "What's he want, anyhow?"

"We'll get rid of him," replied Bristow, absolutely ignoring Dick's second question.

He turned down a side street, and they walked for three or four blocks, at length coming to a rather darker street. Here Bristow slipped around the corner and motioned Dick to silence.

The footsteps of their pursuer came to their ears. He drew nearer. Bristow advanced close to the edge of the building.

"What are you going to do?" asked Dick.

"You'll see," was the brief response.

As the man came into view, Bristow suddenly struck out with his right fist, and the man toppled over.

Bristow turned to Dick.

"Come!" he said quietly.

With one look at the fallen man Dick obeyed, and they were soon beyond pursuit.

Dick had been taken by surprise by the suddenness of Bristow's attack. Try as he would he could see no reason for it. He, as well as Bristow, objected to being followed, but Dick would not have taken such measures to elude his pursuer.

He followed his companion without a word, however, and soon they were back at the hotel.

The others had not returned, but Bristow sat down, announcing that he had something important to say to Mr. Willing when the latter did get back.

Half an hour later, Colonel Ashton, Mr. Willing and the two girls came in.

"Well, I see you beat us," exclaimed Mr. Willing. "Have a good time?"

"Yes, sir," replied Dick.

"Mr. Willing," said Bristow, "I have something of importance to say to you."

"All right, sir," came the answer, "out with it."

"Will you all promise to repeat nothing of what I may say?"

"Why all this air of secrecy?" demanded Mr. Willing.

"That I cannot tell you, sir."

"Of course we'll promise, Mr. Bristow," declared Shirley. "Surely, Dad, there is no reason why we should tell any one anything."

Mr. Willing nodded.

"I will promise for myself and the others," he said.

"Very well, sir. What I would say is this: Take my advice, and under no circumstances sail on the _Yucatan_ to-morrow!"

Mr. Willing gazed at the young man in perfect amazement, as did the others in the room. Mr. Willing was the first to regain his composure.

"Why?" he asked quietly.

"I can't go into explanations," replied the young man hurriedly; "all I can do is warn you that it is not safe."

"And why isn't it safe?" asked Shirley, now taking a hand in the conversation.

"That I cannot tell you, either. But you all know that a state of war exists between the countries of Europe."

"What has that to do with us?" asked Shirley.

"You are asking me hard questions," said Bristow, "and I cannot answer as I would like to. Let it be enough that there is danger because of it. And if there should even be no danger aboard the _Yucatan_, it will exist in Colon."

"In Colon?"

"Yes. One week from to-day Colon will no longer be safe!"

"It is my belief you are out of your head, young man," declared Mr. Willing grimly.

Bristow shook his head positively.

"I am telling you facts," he declared. "I can't say any more."

"And why won't we be safe aboard the _Yucatan_?" demanded Shirley. "The ship isn't going to sink, is it?"

"No, but--"

"No European country will dare to molest it," declared Dick, "and I can see no reason why there should be danger at Colon."

"I was afraid I couldn't convince you," said Bristow. "However, I have done my best. Good night."

He bowed and left the room.

"What do you suppose he is talking about, Dad?" asked Shirley.

"I don't know," was the reply, "and I don't care."

"All buncombe," agreed Colonel Ashton.

"Well, I don't care what it is," exclaimed Shirley. "We have set our hearts on this trip, and we are going to take it. That's all there is about that."

"Good for you, Shirley," agreed Mabel.

Dick Stanley was the only member of the party who did not speak. He sat quietly in his chair, thinking.