The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 5

"At the McAlpin," was the reply. "We shall spend the two days looking about the city, going aboard the _Yucatan_ a couple of hours before time for her departure."

Bristow turned to d.i.c.k.

"I shall look you up either this afternoon or to-morrow, and we'll take a stroll," he said.

"I'll be glad to walk with you," d.i.c.k replied.

Breakfast over, they returned to the Pullman, where they began to get their things together, for they were close to New York.

Half an hour later the train plunged into the tunnel under the Hudson river. Mr. Willing, who had been to New York before, explained how the tunnel had been constructed and gave other interesting information.

"You wouldn't think we were in a tunnel," exclaimed Shirley. "There is no smoke."

"Electric engine," replied Mr. Willing.

"And we go right under the river?"

"Yes."

"My goodness!" exclaimed Mabel. "Just to think that there is a river running right over the top of us. Suppose it would come through."

Mr. Willing smiled.

"It won't," he said quietly.

And now the porter came for their baggage, and carried it to the vestibule. The conductor poked his head in the door and called out:

"New York!"

"Here we are," exclaimed Shirley eagerly. "The city I have always wanted to see. The greatest city in the world!"

CHAPTER IV.-d.i.c.k HAS AN ADVENTURE.

The two days spent in New York City were days of wonder to Shirley, Mabel and d.i.c.k. 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 skysc.r.a.pers 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 d.i.c.k.

d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k.

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 d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k 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, d.i.c.k, 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.

d.i.c.k 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 pa.s.sing Forty-second Street, and Bristow swung sharply around the corner. d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k came up beside him.

A moment later the figure of the man d.i.c.k 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 pa.s.sed the doorway. Bristow and d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k 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. d.i.c.k gave him a quick glance and then stifled an exclamation of surprise.

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

d.i.c.k leaned over and whispered to Bristow.

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