The Rover Boys on Land and Sea | Page 7

too."
The matter was talked over for a quarter of an hour longer and then the
detectives went off to make their report and to follow on the trail of
Dan Baxter, if such a thing was possible.
It must be confessed that the three Rover boys slept but little that night.
The loss of the cash was something of a serious matter to them, even
though they still possessed a hundred odd dollars in cash between them,
and could easily telegraph home for more. More than this, the
diamonds and cuff buttons had been gifts of which they were very
proud.
"And to think that Dan Baxter should get them," said Tom. "I wouldn't
feel half so bitter if it had been just some ordinary sneak thief." And the
others said the same.
Two days went by and nothing was learned concerning Dan Baxter
further than that he had put up at the Montgomery Hotel for one night
and had left early in the morning.

"He is hundreds of miles away from here by this time," said Dick sadly.
"He said he would get square, and I guess he has done it," returned
Tom.
But Dan Baxter had not gotten as far as they supposed. He was in
hiding in Oakland, across the bay, having pawned the diamonds at a
pawn-broker's of shady reputation for seventy-five dollars. This gave
him three hundred and fifty dollars in cash, which made him, for the
time being, feel quite rich.
But he was afraid to take a train to some other town, and so remained in
the boarding house for nearly a week, under the assumed name of
Robert Brown.
At the end of the fifth day Dan Baxter became acquainted with a
seafaring man named Jack Lesher. Lesher was a rough fellow, who had
sailed to many ports on the Pacific Ocean. He had now obtained the
position of first mate on a large schooner which was to sail in a few
days from San Francisco to several ports in Australia.
"I'd like to go on that trip to Australia," said Baxter, thinking of his
distant relative. "Do you want a passenger?"
"I'll see about it, my hearty," replied Jack Lesher, and on the following
day said that Captain Blossom would take him for an even hundred
dollars. A bargain was struck at once, and Dan Baxter went on board of
the schooner Golden Wave that afternoon.
"I'm glad I am out of it," he told himself, when snug on board of the
craft. "I'll get to Australia after all, and I'm considerably richer than I
thought I would be. More than that, I've got in on those Rover boys in a
way they won't forget in a hurry."
While the detectives looked for the thief, the boys had small heart to go
sight-seeing. Every time they, went out they looked for Dan Baxter.
"If only I could meet him!" cried Tom. "Oh, but wouldn't I just punch

him good before I passed him over to a policeman."
During those days the lads received several letters from home, and also
three communications from the Stanhopes and the Lanings.
"The Stanhopes have gone to Santa Barbara," announced Dick, after
perusing an epistle from Dora. "And she says her mother is slightly
better."
"Nellie Laning is coming out, and so is Grace," said Tom.
"When?" questioned Dick.
"They have already started, according to the letter I have," put in Sam.
"Boys, I think we can have just the jolliest time ever was when the girls
are all together."
"Right you are," came from Tom. "What a pity we had to have that
robbery to darken our fun."
"I am not going to let it darken my fun," said Dick. "Don't worry but
what some day we'll get the best of Dan Baxter. That stolen stuff will
never do him much good."
The very next morning came word from the detectives. One of them
called at the hotel.
"I am afraid the case is queered," said he. "We tracked the rascal to
Oakland, and now it looks as if he had given us the slip for good."
"Can't you find any trace of him?" questioned Sam.
"Oh, yes! but he has shipped on a vessel which is bound for Australia,
and as she is already two days out of port he is out of our reach."
"You are certain he went on that vessel?" cried Tom.
"Yes. He went as a passenger, under the name of Robert Brown."

"And did he take the jewels and money with him?"
"More than likely. At any rate, we can find no trace of the jewels."
"Then that chase is done for," said Dick, "and we shall have to pocket
our loss."
The detective was chagrined to think that he had