Two policemen were summoned and soon made their appearance. They went up-stairs, preceded by the clerk. He opened the door of the adventurer's room and entered.
"He isn't here!" he exclaimed in surprise, turning to the two officers.
There was no need to ask how Perkins, or Buffington, whichever name he claimed, had escaped. He had made use of the fire-escape and had disappeared.
"He seems to have slept here," remarked one of the policeman, pointing to the bed.
"He must have escaped early this morning."
"I wonder I did not think of the fire-escape."
"He didn't call at the office and pay his bill, I suppose."
"No. He was probably in too great a hurry."
"If you will give us a description of him we can warn the public against him."
"I didn't notice him particularly. I have to deal with so many that I don't scrutinize any one closely, unless there seems to be especial reason for doing so. This boy," pointing to Mark, "saw him on the car, and can describe him to you."
Mark gave what information he could and then went to breakfast.
"I hope I shan't meet him again," he reflected. "I am not anxious to keep up the acquaintance."
About noon he took a train for Niagara Falls, and didn't leave it till he reached Suspension Bridge. He arrived too late to see the cataract, and proceeded at once to a modest hotel in the village where the price charged was two dollars per day.
He might have gone to the International Hotel, and would have been justified in doing so, but he thought it right to be careful of his employer's money. He looked over the book, half expecting to meet the name of Buffington or Perkins, but found neither.
"I hope I have seen my last of him," he said to himself.
He did not feel obliged to take any extra precautions, but slept peacefully and long. After breakfast he started out to see the Falls. He was resolved to see them thoroughly no matter how much time might be required in the process.
"I wish mother were here," he thought. "Some time if I can afford it I will bring her here."
This resolve gave him satisfaction, though there seemed little prospect of his soon being in a condition to carry out his wish.
Mark had no idea of meeting any one whom he knew. He was but a boy, and his acquaintance was limited. Already, however, it included three persons whom he would have been glad to be assured he would never meet again. One of these was Buffington, the other two were Hamilton Schuyler and Jack Minton, the nephew of old Mrs. Mack, who lived in the same tenement house in New York with his mother.