"I came to see Mr. Alexander Sloc.u.m," replied our hero.

"I am Mr. Sloc.u.m," put in the other man. "What is it you want?"

"I came to see you on a bit of private business, sir."

"Yes. Well, Mr. Casey here knows all about my affairs; so you need have no hesitation in speaking in front of him," laughed the real estate man somewhat harshly.

"I am Jerry Upton, and I came from Lakeview. My uncle, Charles Upton, who is now dead, was once interested in a colonization land scheme that you started."

Jerry watch Mr. Sloc.u.m narrowly as he spoke, and saw that the man was greatly astonished. He started back, and for an instant the a.s.suring look his face wore faded.

"Jerry Upton from Lakeview," he murmured slowly. Then he cleared his throat. "I--I did not expect to see you."

"I suppose not, sir."

"What is it you want?"

"I want to find out how matters stand in regard to the land in California.

My father heard you had gone to Europe."

"I did go to Europe, but not to escape inquiry," added Sloc.u.m, hastily.

"You see, that scheme failed utterly," he went on slowly. "Why, I lost nearly every dollar I possessed in it. What your uncle lost was nothing in comparison."

"It was to him, Mr. Sloc.u.m. To whom does the land belong?"

"Why, it--er--it reverted to its original owners, some mine speculators of Denver."

"Where is the land located?"

"Not far from the city of Sacramento."

"Can't you give me the precise location?"

At this Alexander Sloc.u.m glared at our hero savagely.

"It would do you no good to spend money on hunting the matter up," he answered. "That affair was settled long ago. The money was lost, and that is all there is to it."

"Not if I know it, Mr. Sloc.u.m. I intend to sift the matter to the bottom.

I am convinced that all was not carried out as it should have been."

"You appear to be a very foolish boy."

"That may be your opinion, but it won't alter my intention. I have my uncle's papers with me, and, unless you will give me some particulars of how the scheme fell through, I shall place the matter in the hands of a lawyer."

Alexander Sloc.u.m winced at this, and Jerry fancied he was hard struck. He made a movement as if to clutch the youth by the arm, then drew back.

"You have your uncle's papers?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes. My father is his sole heir."

"I should like to see them. Perhaps I spoke hastily; but really you are mistaken in thinking it can be of any use to bring that old deal up again.

The money was lost, and there is no chance of getting it back again."

"But, either you are responsible for the amount, or else my uncle's interest in the land still holds good," said Jerry.

"Let me see the papers."

Mr. Sloc.u.m made a movement as if to take them. But Jerry drew back and shook his head.

"I prefer not to let them go out of my possession."

"Do you mean to say you won't trust me?"

"You can put it that way, if you wish, Mr. Sloc.u.m."

The real estate man bit his lip. Then he made a movement to his a.s.sistant, who at once slid behind Jerry, towards the door.

"What are you going to do?" the young oarsman asked, in alarm.

Without replying, the a.s.sistant locked the door and slipped the key into his pocket.

"Don't grow excited," said Alexander Sloc.u.m, coldly. "I want to see those papers, that's all. Show them to me at once!"

Like a flash Jerry realized he was trapped by the enemy.

CHAPTER XXVII.

JERRY'S CLEVER ESCAPE.

Jerry saw at once that things were growing warm. From the look on his face it was plain to see that Alexander Sloc.u.m was in deadly earnest when he said he wanted to see those papers.

His manner made our hero feel that the papers would not be safe in his hands. If he gave them up he might never see them again, and without the doc.u.ments the claim on the land in California would fall flat.

"Did you hear what I said, Upton? I want you to let me see those papers,"

Sloc.u.m went on, after a second of intense silence.

"What do you mean by locking that door?" Jerry demanded of the elderly a.s.sistant, without paying any attention to the real estate dealer's words.

Casey made no response. Instead, he took his stand by his employer's side, as if awaiting further orders.

"You act as if you were afraid of me," sneered Sloc.u.m. "I won't hurt you."

"You won't--not if I can help it," answered Jerry. "But I want you to unlock that door. I am not to be treated as a prisoner."