CHAPTER XVI 

MORE DISCOVERIES 

"You settled up with him in full?" gasped Rick. 

"Yes-- some time ago." 

"Not for that stock in the Sunset Irrigation Company." 

"I was not talking about the Irrigation Company. That is another affair. Your father was to see us about that on the morning when he-- er-- when he failed to come here. I-- er-- I thought he had gone back home to get certain documents which he stated he did not have with him." 

"And you haven't seen or heard of him since?" 

"Not a word, Mr. Rover-- I give you my word." 

"Did he leave any of his papers with you when he was here last?" 

"No." Jesse Pelter took up the telephone on his desk. "Give me 2345 River!" he said to Central. He turned to Dick. "You will have to excuse me, Mr. Rover, I have some important business to transact." 

"It isn't as important as finding my father,". answered Dick, bluntly. 

"I do not know how I can aid you." 

"Perhaps you don't care to try," returned Dick, pointedly, as he arose. 

"What do you mean?" demanded the broker, and hanging up the telephone receiver, he, too, arose. 

"Never mind what I mean, Mr. Pelter. If you will give me no aid, I'll find my father alone," and having thus spoken, Dick marched from the offices, leaving the broker staring after him curiously. 

"Hum! Looks like a smart young man!" murmured Jesse Pelter, to himself. "And I thought Anderson Rover's boys were all school kids! This lad has grown up fast. I wonder what he'll do next? I guess I had better keep my eye on him." 
For what?
Not for that stock in the Sunset Irrigation Company