Front matter (continued 4)

"What's the row here?" demanded the janitor of the building, as he rushed up.

"We've collared a thief," answered Marden. "Call a policeman."

"What! do you mean to have me arrested?" demanded Jim Huskin, as he got up, to find himself in the grasp of both Robert and his friend.

"That's what," answered the miner coolly.

Jim Huskin began to expostulate, but all to no purpose. Soon an officer came in, followed by another crowd.

"What has he done?" demanded the policeman.

"I charge him with robbing me," answered Robert. "His name is Jim Huskin."

"My name isn't Huskin, it is Williams," put in the confidence man.

"Jim Huskin?" repeated the officer. "I've heard that before."

"He and another man named Andy Cross robbed me in Chicago. Cross was caught, but this fellow came to Muskegon."

"Oh, yes, I remember the case now. So this is Huskin, eh? You were lucky to land on him."

"This is all wrong," persisted Huskin. He turned to the old man in black. "Mr. Price, won't you testify that my name is Williams?"

"I don't know as I will," was the slow answer. "You said it was, but I have no further proof of it."

"He was going to get you to invest in some scheme, wasn't he?" asked Robert.

"Yes, he wanted to sell me some unlisted mining shares. Said they were a good investment."

"What were the shares?" asked Dick Marden. "I am an old miner and I know the mines pretty well."

"They were shares of the Golden Bucket Mine, of California."

"The Golden Bucket! Why, that mine gave out six years ago. It never paid back the money put into it. Why, it's dead, and so are the stocks. You had a lucky escape."

"I believe you," returned the old man, and looked greatly relieved.

Inside of quarter of an hour Jim Huskin was transferred to the local jail and his capture was telegraphed to Chicago. He was searched, and on him were found about forty dollars belonging to Robert and a pawn-ticket for the watch, showing that it had been pawned in Muskegon for six dollars. Before he left the town Robert got the watch back.

Later on Jim Huskin was taken back to Chicago, and he and Andy Cross were tried together, and each received a sentence of two years in State's prison for his misdeeds.

On getting back to Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house Robert found a telegram from his mother awaiting him. It read:

"Come home at once. Your step-father is very ill."

Without delay our hero started for Granville, arriving there late in the evening. His mother met him at the front door, and it was plain to see that she had been weeping.

"Oh, Robert!" she cried, and embraced him. It was several minutes before she could say more.

"Mr. Talbot is very sick then?" asked the boy.

"Yes, very sick, and the doctor is afraid he will never get well," answered Mrs. Talbot.

James Talbot was suffering from a sudden stroke of paralysis, which had affected his stomach and his left side. He was almost unconscious, and remained in that state for several days. During that time Mrs. Talbot was at his bedside constantly, and Robert did all he could for both.

At the end of two weeks the physician pronounced James Talbot out of danger. The paralysis was gradually leaving him, and he could now take a little nourishment.

His sickness seemed to have changed him wonderfully, and his harshness appeared to be a thing of the past.

"I have had my eyes opened," he said to his wife and Robert. "I have done wrong in the past, but from now on you will find me a different man."

These words pleased Mrs. Talbot greatly and removed a heavy load from her heart. Robert, however, said but little on the subject.

"I hope he does turn over a new leaf," he thought. "But I want to test him for a while before I trust him."

"Your step-father will be all right now, Robert," said his mother, hopefully.

"I sincerely trust so," he answered gravely. "For your sake even more than for my own."

Here we will bring to a close the story of Robert Frost's adventures while "Out for Business." He had succeeded in taking several forward steps in life, and had brought to grief the enemies who had tried to drag him down and overcome him.

As soon as Mr. Talbot was on the mend our hero returned to Chicago and called upon Mr. Gray. The cut-rate ticket broker had already opened both his Chicago and his New York offices, and he at once agreed to give the boy his position back, with two dollars per week added to his salary. The next day found Robert again working beside Livingston Palmer.

"Right glad to see you!" cried Palmer. And he shook hands cordially. "I reckon we have both had adventures enough for the present."

"I know I have," answered Robert. "I hope in the future I am left alone to buckle down to business."

For the time being all went well. But there were still many adventures in store for Robert, which will be related in a companion volume to this, entitled: "Falling in with Fortune; or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary." In this book we will meet all of our old friends and some new ones, and also learn something more about James Talbot and his schemes for getting possession of the Frost fortune.

And now, kind reader, good-by, in the hope that some day we will meet again.

The Famous Rover Boys Series

By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD

Each volume is hailed with delight by boys and girls everywhere. 12mo. Cloth. Handsomely printed and illustrated.

Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.

THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune Old enemies try again to injure our friends. THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE Or, The Right Road and the Wrong Brimming over with good nature and excitement. THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht A search for treasure; a particularly fascinating volume. THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM Or, The Last Days at Putnam Hall The boys find a mysterious cave used by freight thieves. THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS Or, The Deserted Steam Yacht A trip to the coast of Florida. THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS Or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch Relates adventures on the mighty Mississippi River. THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat The Ohio River is the theme of this spirited story. THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP Or, The Rivals of Pine Island At the annual school encampment. THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA Or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands Full of strange and surprising adventures. THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS Or, A Hunt for Fame and Fortune The boys in the Adirondacks at a Winter camp. THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES Or, The Secret of the Island Cave A story of a remarkable Summer outing; full of fun. THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST Or, The Search for a Lost Mine A graphic description of the mines of the great Rockies. THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE Or, Stirring Adventures in Africa The boys journey to the Dark Continent in search of their father. THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN Or, A Chase for a Fortune From school to the Atlantic Ocean. THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL Or, The Cadets of Putnam Hall The doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover.

GROSSET & DUNLAP——NEW YORK