Bernard Brooks' Adventures: The Experience of a Plucky Boy

“He will very likely question some of the hackmen. I will therefore take you with me to the Charing Cross. Then we will dismiss the hackman, and you can take a cab from there to Arundel Street.” This precaution was well taken. When Professor Puffer reached London he began to interview the hackmen.

“I had two friends arrive by the nine o’clock train,” he said, “a gentleman and a boy of sixteen.” Then he described them.

“They neglected to tell me at what hotel they intended to stop. Do any of you remember seeing them?”

“Yes, sir,” replied one cabby. “I took them to the Charing Cross.”

“Thank you,” said Puffer, in a tone of satisfaction. “That is just what I wanted to find out. Here’s a shilling.”

“Thank you, sir. You are a gentleman.”

“And you may take me to the Charing Cross. I shall probably find them there.”

“I should make a good detective,” thought the professor complacently, as he rolled through the streets. “Master Bernard Brooks will find that he hasn’t made much in his attempt to outwit me. Indeed I am better off for it, as he has been obliged to pay his own fare to London.”

When he reached the hotel, he inquired at the office: “Is there an American gentleman named Sturgis here?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Where is he now?”

“In the dining-room, taking dinner.”

Professor Puffer smiled maliciously.

“Doubtless Bernard will be with him,” He reflected. “They will be rather surprised to see me.”

He walked into the dining-room and looked around.

His search was partially rewarded.

At a table near the window sat Nelson Sturgis with a substantial dinner before him, but Bernard was not with him.

“He is somewhere in the hotel,” thought the professor. “Meanwhile I will pay my respects to Mr. Sturgis.”

“I hope I see you well, Mr. Sturgis,” said the professor, with an ironical smile.

“Thank you, I am quite well,” answered Sturgis composedly.

“You see I have reached London not far behind you.”

“So I see.”

“Did you and my ward have a pleasant journey?”

“Very pleasant.”

“I am indebted to you for paying his traveling expenses.”

“You can reimburse me if you like.”

“You must excuse me. I only pay the boy’s bills when he is traveling with me.”

“Just as you like.”

“I will now relieve you of the charge which, without my permission, you have undertaken. Will you be kind enough to notify Bernard that I have come for him?”

“Why do you give me that commission?” asked Sturgis, arching his brows. “Are you under the impression that Bernard is with me?”

“Certainly. Isn’t he?”

“No.”

“Isn’t he stopping at this hotel?”

“He is not.”

“Where, then, is he? I have positive information that he came here with you.”

“From whom did you obtain the information?”

“From the hackman who drove you here,” answered Professor Puffer triumphantly.

“Then I can’t deny it,” said Sturgis, with affected chagrin.

“Of course you can’t. It wasn’t much trouble to get on your track. I am sharper than you probably anticipated.”

“Very true, Professor Puffer.”

“Now I will thank you to tell me where Bernard is. Of course you know?”

“I can guess.”

“So I supposed.”

“But I don’t propose to tell.”

“That is of very little importance. He is in this hotel. I have traced him here.”

“He is not here now, however. He is in a different part of London.”

“Is this true?” asked Professor Puffer, his jaw dropping.

“Quite true, I assure you. By the way, Professor Puffer, you may be sharp, but I think I am a match for you. And now, if you kindly leave me, I will resume my dinner.”

CHAPTER XXI. A DAY IN LONDON

Bernard found the Arundel Hotel, to which he had been directed, neat and quiet. It was more like a large boarding-house than a hotel. The terms were very reasonable, and that with him was an important consideration.