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Rob had really been on the point of summoning the officer standing there; but since the rascals had chosen to run and mingle with the out-pouring crowd, and Rob did not wish to have attention called to himself and chums, he wisely held his tongue.
Hiram was laughing to himself as though it struck him in the light of a good joke.
What ails you, Hiram? asked Andy, not yet able to grasp the situation sufficiently to see the humorous side of it.
Im only wondering what theyll say when they come to find out how theyve been so badly sold, thats all, replied the inventor, again indulging in one of his laughing fits.
Did they get it? demanded Rob, instantly, guessing that there was a reason for all this hilarity on the part of the other chum.
Oh! he slicked it out of my pocket the cutest way you ever saw, replied Hiram. I felt his hand going in, so I held my breath to give him all the chance I could; and he did it, too, sure he did!
Got the papers, you mean, dont you, Hiram? asked Rob.
The dummy you made up for me, Rob.
Then both the others had occasion to smile broadly.
Hope theyll enjoy reading those letters the boys wrote me while we were over in Europe last fall, Rob remarked.
Id give a heap to see them when they find what a wonderful windfall theyve struck to pay them for all their trouble, said Andy.
Well, lets get a conveyance and start for the Alexandria without any more delay, advised the scout leader.
Me for a comfy bed to-night, Hiram laughed; better get a room with plenty of space for all of us, Rob. After this excitement to greet us on reaching California, I think it would be as well to stick together till weve unloaded our cargo, and have our time to ourselves.
They were soon at the hotel. They were taken up to the fifth floor, on which were three connecting rooms.
High enough up so we neednt be afraid of any one climbing in at the window, Hiram remarked, after he had first of all taken in the view, with the late moon just peeping above the mountains in the east.
Oh! no danger of those two fellows chasing after us any longer, laughed Andy. They got their fill of it, and will pick out somebody besides scouts for their next victims. Who got bit, I want to know?
As everybody laughed and seemed satisfied, it could be set down as positive that the three scouts were not feeling badly over the adventure that had marked their introduction to the Coast.
The night passed without any incident worthy of recording. Hiram declared that he never knew a single thing after his head touched the pillow; he was so much in need of a good nights sleep that he must have dropped off instantly, to be finally aroused by hearing Rob announce it was time for breakfast.
They determined to put their valuables in the hotel safe, and spend several days in and around Los Angeles, though they would not have time to run down to San Diego and visit the other big exposition which was in full blast there.
This they did, and enjoyed every minute of the time, though they were never long in one place, so many things did they have to see.
It being Hirams first chance to look upon tropical vegetation, he was highly delighted with what he saw in the streets and public gardens of the bustling city.
Then they went out to visit an orange grove, and besides that, inspected numerous enterprises connected with the great fruit-growing belt around Riverside. This place the boys were ready to declare with its groves covering the broad valley, and with the mountains, their tops snow-covered, looming up beyond to be the most delightful town on the face of the earth.
But the boys came
to the conclusion that while all these things were truly wonderful and especially delightful, they had not come out to the coast on a pleasure jaunt; and hence no further time should be spent in this way until they had accomplished the several duties that awaited their attention.
Ive made arrangements for seats in the parlor-car with the train leaving to-morrow morning, Rob announced on the second evening, as they discussed supper and the many things they had seen since early morning.
When will we get to San Francisco then? asked Hiram.
After dark, Rob informed him. Its more than three hundred miles away, you know, for California is a big State, especially from north to south.
According to that, then, Rob, continued the other, on the day after to-morrow we ought to be taking in some of the sights of the Worlds Fair.
Thats our programme, admitted the leader and guide of the expedition, as he threw down his napkin, and pushed his chair away, in which he was copied a little reluctantly, perhaps, by both his companions.
Excuse me for not asking if you were through, Hiram, said Rob in an aside, but honestly I was afraid Andy would founder if he ate any more. Hes developed such an enormous appetite since landing here, theres liable to be an explosion unless we watch him pretty close.
Hell eat up all your spare cash, thats the worst of it, complained Hiram, who was a little inclined to be close with his money as a rule; possibly because he had found a pressing need for every dollar in conducting his numerous experiments, for it costs more or less to potter with schemes along the line of invention.