It was dark by the time Hopperville was reached and all of the boys were glad enough to jump out of the sleigh and go into the hotel to warm up before sitting down to supper. The horses and the turnout were taken around to the stables.
The hotel was located on a corner, and across the side street was another hotel—a resort that did not bear a particularly good reputation. It had a bar attached to it, and it was whispered that sporty men often went to the resort to gamble.
The reading-room of one hotel faced the other, and as Dave, Roger, and Phil entered one apartment they noticed that the one across the way was lit up, and that the window curtains had not been lowered. Then Dave gave a sudden cry of surprise.
"Look at that man over there, Phil!"
"Why, it is Doctor Montgomery!" answered the shipowner's son.
"Montgomery!" cried Roger. "I thought he had cleared out from these parts."
"I am going over to talk to him," said Dave.
"Want us to go along?" came from both of the others.
"You might as well."
"Say, why don't you scare him?" suggested Phil. "If you do that, you may get him to tell all about the plot against you."
"Oh, I'll do that—don't fear," answered Dave.
