CHAPTER V. 

A NIGHT IN NEW YORK. 

"The description certainly does fit these two men," said Earl, with some hesitation. "And it is queer that Roland should be down here, when only a few days ago he was in Basco. Guardley, I know, is not above cheating--he's been up before Squire Dobson several times for it." 

"Let us go and have a talk with them," said Randy, impulsively. "If they stole that money, I want to know it." 

"It's not our business to hunt those swindlers up," answered Earl, hesitatingly; yet he followed Randy to the platform of the smoking-car, and they were soon inside, and making their way to where Roland and Guardley sat, pulling away at two black-looking cigars. 

"How do you do, Earl?" said Tom Roland, familiarly, as soon as the boys appeared. "It's queer we should be on the same train, isn't it?" 

"It is queer," answered Earl, stiffly, taken aback by the greeting. "Where are you bound?" 

"Guardley and I are going to try our luck in the West. Say, I heard you boys were bound for Alaska. Is that true?" 

"Yes." 

"It costs a heap to go there--didn't know you had so much money," put in Guardley, with a smile that neither Earl nor Randy appreciated. 

"And I didn't know you had any money for a Western trip," returned the older brother, rather sharply. 

"Oh, Tom here is seeing me through," answered Guardley; but both Randy and Earl noted that he appeared somewhat confused for the moment. 
Where was Roland a few days ago?
And it is queer that Roland should be down here, when only a few days ago he was in Basco