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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:19:09 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:19:09 -0700 |
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diff --git a/25849-h/25849-h.htm b/25849-h/25849-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9bd7106 --- /dev/null +++ b/25849-h/25849-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10874 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern Waters, by Edward S. Ellis. +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em} + .centerbox {width: 20em;margin: 0 auto;text-align: center;padding: 1em;} + .bbox {border: 1px solid black} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + hr.mini {width: 10em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + .caption {font-size:.8em} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .blockquot {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + div.ra p {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.minor {width: 35%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern +Waters, by Edward S. Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern Waters + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Illustrator: Burton Donnel Hughes + +Release Date: June 20, 2008 [EBook #25849] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p>THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE LAUNCH BOYS ADVENTURES</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>IN NORTHERN WATERS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class="centerbox bbox"> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.5em; text-decoration:underline;'>THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES</p> +</div> + +<p>Timely and fascinating stories of adventure on +the water, accurate in detail and intensely +interesting in narration. +</p> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>—BY—</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>EDWARD S. ELLIS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1em; font-variant:small-caps;'>First Volume</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE LAUNCH BOYS’ CRUISE IN THE<br />DEERFOOT</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-top:1em; font-variant:small-caps;'>Second Volume</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE LAUNCH BOYS’ ADVENTURES IN<br />NORTHERN WATERS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<p>The <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Launch Boys Series</span> is bound in uniform +style of cloth with side and back stamped with +new and appropriate design in colors. Illustrated +by Burton Donnel Hughes. +</p> +<table summary="pricelist"> +<tr><td align='left'>Price, single volume</td><td align='right'>$0.60</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Price, per set of two volumes, in attractive box</td><td align='right'>$1.20</td></tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>None Suspected the Meaning of What They Saw</span> +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-top:1.2em;'>The</p> +<p style=' font-size:2em;'>Launch Boys’ Adventures</p> +<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-bottom:2em;'>In Northern Waters</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.3em; margin-bottom:2em;'>EDWARD S. ELLIS</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>Author of “The Flying Boys Series,”<br />“Deerfoot Series,” etc., etc.</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>ILLUSTRATED BY<br />BURTON DONNEL HUGHES</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.3em;'>THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY</p> +<p>PHILADELPHIA</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p>Copyright, 1912, by</p> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The John C. Winston Company</span></p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CONTENTS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<table border='0' width='400' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>I. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Proposal and an Acceptance</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_A_PROPOSAL_AND_AN_ACCEPTANCE'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>II. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Scout of the Kennebec</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_THE_SCOUT_OF_THE_KENNEBEC'>19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>III. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At the Inlet</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_AT_THE_INLET'>29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A STRANGE RACE</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_STRANGE_RACE'>40</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>V. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Loser of the Race</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_THE_LOSER_OF_THE_RACE'>51</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Warm Reception</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_A_WARM_RECEPTION'>62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Science versus Strength</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_SCIENCE_VERSUS_STRENGTH'>72</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Lone Guest</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_THE_LONE_GUEST'>83</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Break Down</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_A_BREAK_DOWN'>93</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>X. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At Beartown</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_AT_BEARTOWN'>104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At the Post Office in Beartown</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_AT_THE_POST_OFFICE_IN_BEARTOWN'>115</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Hostesses and Guests</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_HOSTESSES_AND_GUESTS'>126</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Incident on Shipboard</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_AN_INCIDENT_ON_SHIPBOARD'>137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Night Shall be Filled with Music</span>” </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV__THE_NIGHT_SHALL_BE_FILLED_WITH_MUSIC'>147</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Knock at the Door</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_A_KNOCK_AT_THE_DOOR'>155</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Visitors of the Night</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_VISITORS_OF_THE_NIGHT'>166</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow</span>” </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII__TALL_OAKS_FROM_LITTLE_ACORNS_GROW'>177</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Clever Trick</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_A_CLEVER_TRICK'>188</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Nick of Time</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_IN_THE_NICK_OF_TIME'>198</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>I Piped and Ye Danced</span>” </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX__I_PIPED_AND_YE_DANCED'>208</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>How It Was Done</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXI_HOW_IT_WAS_DONE'>219</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Startling Discovery</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'>230</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Through the Fog</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIII_THROUGH_THE_FOG'>242</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bad for Mike Murphy</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIV_BAD_FOR_MIKE_MURPHY'>252</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>What Saved Mike</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXV_WHAT_SAVED_MIKE'>263</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Good Samaritans</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVI_THE_GOOD_SAMARITANS'>273</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Unwelcome Caller</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVII_AN_UNWELCOME_CALLER'>284</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Plucking a Brand From the Burning</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVIII_PLUCKING_A_BRAND_FROM_THE_BURNING'>296</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere</span>” </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIX__THE_BEAUTIFUL_ISLE_OF_SOMEWHERE'>307</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Through Ticket to Home</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXX_A_THROUGH_TICKET_TO_HOME'>318</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXXI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Gathering Up the Ravelled Threads</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXXI_GATHERING_UP_THE_RAVELLED_THREADS'>329</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<table border='0' width='400' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Illustrations' style='margin:1em auto'> +<col style='width:80%;' /> +<col style='width:20%;' /> +<tr> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>None Suspected the Meaning of What They Saw</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_1'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Like a Swallow Skimming Close to the Surface.</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_2'>233</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Give Me Your Hand on That.</span>”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_3'>292</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em; margin-top:2em;'>The Launch Boys’ Adventures</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em;'>in Northern Waters</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_A_PROPOSAL_AND_AN_ACCEPTANCE' id='I_A_PROPOSAL_AND_AN_ACCEPTANCE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Proposal and an Acceptance</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Alvin Landon and Chester +Haynes were having a merry time +in the home of Mike Murphy, when +a servant knocked and made known that +a caller was awaiting Alvin in the handsome +bungalow belonging to his father. +I have told you how the boys hurried +thither, wondering who he could be, and +how they were astonished to find him the +“man in gray,” who had become strangely +mixed up in their affairs during the preceding +few days. +</p> +<p>But Alvin was a young gentleman, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +asked the stranger to resume his seat, as +he and Chester set the example. They +noticed that the visitor was without the +handbag which had hitherto seemed a part +of his personality. Self-possessed and +vaguely smiling, he spoke in an easy, +pleasant voice: +</p> +<p>“Of course you are surprised to receive +a call from me.” He addressed Alvin, who +replied: +</p> +<p>“I don’t deny it. Heretofore you have +seemed more anxious to keep out of our +way than to meet us.” +</p> +<p>“I admit that it did have that look, but +the cause exists no longer.” +</p> +<p>This remark did not enlighten the youths. +Chester for a time took no part in the conversation. +He listened and studied the +man while awaiting an explanation of what +certainly had the appearance of a curious +proceeding. +</p> +<p>“I don’t understand what could have +been the cause in the first place,” said +Alvin, “nor why my friend and myself +should have been of any interest at all to +you.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p> +<p>The other laughed lightly, as if the curt +remark pleased him. +</p> +<p>“I have no wish to play the mysterious; +my name is Stockham Calvert.” +</p> +<p>It was Alvin’s turn to smile, while Chester +said meaningly: +</p> +<p>“That tells us mighty little.” +</p> +<p>“I am one of Pinkerton’s detectives.” +</p> +<p>The listeners started. They had never +dreamed of anything of this nature, and +remained silent until he should say more. +</p> +<p>“You are aware,” continued the mild +spoken caller, “that there have been a +number of post office robberies in the southern +part of Maine during the last six +months and even longer ago than that.” +</p> +<p>The boys nodded. +</p> +<p>“A professional detective doesn’t know +his business when he proclaims his purpose +to the world. He does so in the story +books, but would be a fool to be so imprudent +in actual life. Consequently you will +think it strange for me to take you into +my confidence.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t doubt you have an explanation +to give,” suggested Alvin. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p> +<p>“I have and it is this. Without any +purpose or thought on your part you have +become mixed up in the business. The +other night you gave me great help, though +the fact never entered your minds at the +time. You located their boat in a small +inlet at the southern extremity of Barter +Island.” +</p> +<p>At this point Chester Haynes asked his +first question: +</p> +<p>“How do you know we did?” +</p> +<p>Mr. Stockham Calvert indulged in a low +laugh. +</p> +<p>“Surely I did not follow you thither +without learning all you did. Your conversation +on the steamer gave me the information +I wished. I did not expect you +to succeed as well as you did.” +</p> +<p>“Why did you avoid us? Why didn’t +you take us into your confidence from the +first?” asked Chester. +</p> +<p>“I had several reasons, but I see now it +would have been as well had I done so. +However, let that go. My errand here +to-night is to ask you whether you will not +assist me in running down these criminals.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span></p> +<p>The abrupt proposition caused a start on +the part of the youths, who looked wonderingly +into each other’s face. It was Alvin +who replied: +</p> +<p>“Assist you! What help can <i>we</i> give?” +</p> +<p>“You have the fleetest motor boat on +the Maine coast. It must be capable of +twenty miles an hour.” +</p> +<p>“It is guaranteed to make twenty-four.” +</p> +<p>“Better yet. These men have a boat +which closely resembles yours.” +</p> +<p>“And its name is the <i>Water Witch</i>,” +said Chester. “I wish Captain Landon +could run a race with it.” +</p> +<p>“He can have the chance if he will agree.” +</p> +<p>“I fail to see how. Those men after +committing their crimes are not going to +spend their time in running up and down +the Sheepscot or Kennebec.” +</p> +<p>“Not wholly, but I don’t see any particular +risk they incur in doing so. If +they are pressed hard they can put into +some bay or branch or inlet and take to +the woods.” +</p> +<p>“Still I do not understand how we can +help you, Mr. Calvert,” said Alvin. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p> +<p>“It is possible you cannot, but more +probably you can. While cruising in these +waters, we may catch sight of their boat, +and you can see the advantage of being +able to outspeed it. But do not think I +am looking for a battle between you and +me on the one hand, and the criminals on +the other. I wish to employ the <i>Deerfoot</i> +as a scout. I can’t express myself better +than by that word.” +</p> +<p>Whatever the right name of the caller +might be, he was a good judge of human +nature. He saw the sparkle in the eyes +before him. While the lads would not +have been averse to a scrimmage, neither +dared incur such risk without the consent +of his father, and you do not need to be +told that such consent was out of the question. +</p> +<p>“As I understand it, then, our boat +promises to be useful to you solely on account +of its speed?” said Alvin inquiringly +asked the detective. +</p> +<p>“Precisely. What is your answer?” +</p> +<p>The young Captain looked at his second +mate. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p> +<p>“How does it strike you, Chester?” +</p> +<p>“I’m with you if you wish to make the +experiment. If things don’t turn out as +we wish we can withdraw at any time.” +</p> +<p>“Of course I shall expect to pay you for +your services——” +</p> +<p>“Then you will be disappointed,” interrupted +Alvin crisply. “The <i>Deerfoot</i> isn’t +for hire, and if we go into this it will be +for the fun we hope to get out of it.” +</p> +<p>“I think I can guarantee you some entertainment. +I presume you two will be +the only ones on the boat beside myself.” +</p> +<p>“You mustn’t overlook my first mate, +Mike Murphy. It would break his heart +if we should go on a cruise and leave him +behind.” +</p> +<p>“I am afraid he is too impetuous and +too fond of a fight.” +</p> +<p>“He may have a weakness in those directions, +but his good nature, pluck and devotion +to my friend and me more than +make up.” +</p> +<p>“It strikes me——” +</p> +<p>“I can’t help how it strikes you,” broke +in Alvin, who did not intend to accept any +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +commands at this stage of the game. +“Mike goes with us wherever we go.” +</p> +<p>“I feel the same way,” added Chester. +“The <i>Deerfoot</i> can never brave the perils +of the deep short-handed. The first mate +is indispensable.” +</p> +<p>“As you please then. When will you be +ready to start?” +</p> +<p>“When do you wish us to start?” +</p> +<p>“Say to-morrow morning?” +</p> +<p>“This is so sudden,” said Alvin, whose +spirits rose at the prospect of the lively +times ahead. “We ought to have a little +while to think it over. However, if my +second mate, who generally has views of +his own, will agree, we’ll get under way +to-morrow after breakfast.” +</p> +<p>“I’m wid ye, as Mike would say.” +</p> +<p>“Suppose, Mr. Calvert, we leave it this +way: if we decide to go into this business, +we’ll make the venture to-morrow morning.” +</p> +<p>“I shall stay at the Squirrel Inn to-night +and be on the wharf a little before nine, +on the lookout for you. If you do not +show up then or soon after I shall not +expect you. Your boat will be in plain +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +view all the time, so I shall see you when +you start.” +</p> +<p>“Why not stay with us over night? We +shall be glad to have you do so,” was the +hospitable invitation of Alvin Landon. +</p> +<p>“Thank you very much,” replied Stockham +Calvert, rising to his feet; “but I came +over in a rowboat which is waiting to take +me back. I engaged my room at the inn +this afternoon.” +</p> +<p>He bade them good night and walked +briskly down the slope. The boys stood +in front of the bungalow until they heard +the sound of the oars and saw the dim outlines +of the boat and its occupants heading +eastward toward the twinkling lights from +the inn and cottages on Squirrel Island. +</p> +<p>“What do you make of it all?” asked +Alvin of his chum, when after some +minutes they returned to the big sitting +room. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know how to answer you,” +replied Chester. “It looks to me as if we +are bound to have lively times before we +get through with the business. But, Alvin, +all the time that man was talking I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +felt a curious distrust of him. He said he +is a detective, but I’m not sure of it.” +</p> +<p>“Suppose he belongs to the gang that is +playing the mischief with Uncle Sam’s post +offices in this part of the Union?” +</p> +<p>“If that were so, what in the world can +he want of you and your boat?” +</p> +<p>“Because of its fleetness it may serve +him when he needs it. However, I don’t +see that any harm can come to it or to us. +He can’t pick up the launch and run away +with it and he would find it hard to do so +with us.” +</p> +<p>“Not forgetting Mike Murphy.” +</p> +<p>“Then you accept his proposal?” +</p> +<p>“Not I, but we together.” +</p> +<p>“All right; it’s a go.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II_THE_SCOUT_OF_THE_KENNEBEC' id='II_THE_SCOUT_OF_THE_KENNEBEC'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Scout of the Kennebec</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>AT nine o’clock on a bright sunshiny +morning in August the usual +group were gathered on the dock +at Squirrel Island. Some were watching +the arrival and departure of the different +steamers, not forgetting the little <i>Nellie G.</i>, +plying between that summer resort and +Boothbay Harbor, some three miles distant, +with calls at other islands as the +passengers wished. Sailboats were getting +ready to take parties out, some to fish, +while others sought only the pleasure of +the cruise itself. Small launches came up +to the low-lying float for men and women +to get on board, while others were rowed +out in small boats to the anchored craft. +</p> +<p>By and by the attention of most of the +spectators was fixed upon the beautiful +<i>Deerfoot</i>, which, putting out from the lower +end of Southport Island opposite, was heading +toward Squirrel. The picture had become +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +familiar to all and they admired the +grace and symmetry of the launch which +had won the reputation of being the swiftest +of its kind in those waters. It was known +that she was owned by Alvin Landon, the +son of a millionaire who had built a handsome +bungalow on Southport, where he was +expected to spend his vacation days, though, +as we know, he passed precious few of +them there. Alvin was holding the wheel +of his boat, while directly behind him sat +his chum, Chester Haynes, calmly watching +their approach to the floating dock. +</p> +<p>The third member of the crew was our +old friend Mike Murphy, whose official +rank was first mate. Instead of sitting +among his companions, the Irish lad had +gone to the stern, where he sat with his +legs curled up under him tailor fashion. +He could not get much farther in that +direction without slipping overboard. The +figure of Mike was so striking that he drew +more attention than did his comrades or +the boat itself. His yachting cap was +cocked at a saucy angle, revealing his fiery +red hair, while underneath it was his broad, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +crimson face, sprinkled with freckles, and +his vast grin revealed his big white teeth. +It will be remembered that the remainder +of his costume was his ordinary civilian +attire, though Captain Alvin Landon had +promised him a fine suit for the following +season. The time was too short to secure +one for the present occasion. +</p> +<p>Mike’s good-natured grin awoke more +than one responsive smile among the crowd +on the dock. The universal opinion was +that the youth from the Emerald Isle was +so homely of countenance that he couldn’t +be any homelier, but at the same time none +could be more popular. He knew that the +eyes of nearly every one were fixed upon +him and he in turn scanned the different +faces, all of which were strange to him. +</p> +<p>Alvin Landon slowed down as he approached +and guided his boat among the +others with the skill of a professional chauffeur +weaving in and out of a procession of +carriages. He gave his whole attention to +this task, Chester watching the performance +with the admiration he had felt many +times before. But it was the people who +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +interested Mike. Before the boat rounded +to, Stockham Calvert, the detective, accompanied +by Lawyer Westerfield, of New +York, walked down the inclined steps to +the float. Westerfield was a gentleman of +culture, an authority on many questions +and one of the greatest baseball fans in +the country. Having secured a liberal +money contribution from Calvert the night +before at the Inn, he invited him to stay +and witness the great struggle between the +Boothbay nine and the Squirrel Islanders. +Westerfield was to act as umpire, his impartiality +and quickness of perception +having won the confidence of all parties; +but of course Calvert had to decline under +the pressure of a previous engagement. +</p> +<p>“It does a fellow good to look at that +broth of a boy squatting on the stern,” +remarked Westerfield, while the <i>Deerfoot</i> +was still a short distance away. +</p> +<p>“His name is Mike and he is a great +favorite with every one. As yet I have +not met him, but he has all the wit and +humor of his people. Suppose you test +him.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span></p> +<p>Nothing loath, Westerfield, who was a +bit of a wag himself, called so that all +heard him: +</p> +<p>“You don’t need to show a red signal +light, my friend; you ought to wait until +night.” +</p> +<p>Cocking his head a little more to one +side, and with a slight extent of increase +in the width of his grin—admitting that +to be possible—Mike called back: +</p> +<p>“Thin why have ye the <i>graan</i> light +standing there on the wharf?” +</p> +<p>Westerfield joined in the general laugh, +but came back: +</p> +<p>“That face of yours will keep off all +danger by daylight.” +</p> +<p>“And it’s yer own phiz that will sarve +the same purpose at night.” +</p> +<p>The laughter was louder than ever, and +the pleased Calvert said to the lawyer: +</p> +<p>“Better let him alone; he will down you +every time.” +</p> +<p>But Westerfield could not refuse to make +another venture. Stepping back as if in +alarm from the launch, which was now +within arm’s reach, he feigned to be scared. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p> +<p>“Please don’t bite me with those dreadful +teeth.” +</p> +<p>Mike, who was now close to the wharf, +leaped lightly upon it. +</p> +<p>“Have no fear; the sight of yersilf has +made a Joo of me.” +</p> +<p>Then as if afraid that the listeners would +not catch the force of his words, he added: +</p> +<p>“A Joo, as ye may know, doesn’t ate +pork.” +</p> +<p>Detective Calvert slapped the lawyer on +the shoulder. +</p> +<p>“Try him again.” +</p> +<p>“No; I have had enough.” Then raising +his hat and bowing in salutation, Westerfield +offered his hand to the lad, who shook +it warmly. +</p> +<p>“You’re too much for me, Mike. I’m +proud to take off my hat to you.” +</p> +<p>“And it’s me dooty to be equally respictful, +as me dad said whin the bull pitched +him over the fence and stood scraping one +hoof and bowing from t’other side.” +</p> +<p>While still in the boat, Alvin and Chester +had returned the salutation of Calvert. +The Captain remained seated at the wheel, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +but the second mate stepped out on the +float and a general introduction followed. +The detective and he went aboard and sat +down on one of the seats. Mike kept +them company, and throwing in the clutch, +Alvin guided the launch into the spacious +waters outside, all three waving a salute +to Westerfield, who stood on the float and +watched them for some minutes. +</p> +<p>Detective Calvert had the good sense +fully to admit Mike Murphy to his confidence, +though he had hoped at first he +would not be a member of the party. Alvin +Landon gave the man to understand that +he was not hiring out his boat, but was +conferring a favor upon the officer, who +had the choice of rejecting or accepting it +on the terms offered. While Calvert could +not doubt the loyalty of the young Hibernian, +he distrusted his impulsiveness. But +as I have said, having decided upon his +line of conduct, he did not allow himself +to show the slightest degree of distrust. +</p> +<p>Mike on his part was tactful enough to +act as listener while the man made clear +his plans. He did not ask a question or +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +speak until addressed. The launch moved +so quietly that Alvin, with his hands upon +the wheel and scanning the water in front, +heard all that was said by the others, and +when he thought it fitting took part in the +conversation. +</p> +<p>Instead of returning to Southport, the +Deerfoot circled Cape Newagen, which you +know is the southern extremity of that +island, and entering the broad bay, headed +up the Sheepscot River, over the same +course it had followed before. +</p> +<p>“Mike was not with you,” said Detective +Calvert, “when you traced the other +launch into that little inlet at the lower +end of Barter Island. That boat stayed +there overnight and may still be there, +but probably is not.” +</p> +<p>“Suppose it isn’t there?” said Chester. +</p> +<p>“We must find out where she is. That +is the chief reason for my presuming upon +the kindness of the Captain to lend me the +help of his launch. In other words, it is +my wish that the <i>Deerfoot</i> shall serve as +the Scout of the Kennebec.” +</p> +<p>“A romantic title,” remarked Alvin, over +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +his shoulder, “though we are not cruising +on the Kennebec, but up the Sheepscot.” +</p> +<p>“No doubt we shall have to visit the +larger river. And then, you know,” added +Calvert, with a smile, “the name I suggest +sounds better than the other.” +</p> +<p>The launch required no special attention +just then, and, with one hand on the steering +wheel, Captain Alvin looked around: +</p> +<p>“Mike, what do you think of it?” +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now, what’s the difference what +ye call the boat? At home, I was sometimes +referred to as the Queen of the May, +and again as the big toad that St. Patrick +forgot to drive out of Ireland, but all agraad +that I was as swate under one title as the +ither.” +</p> +<p>“Suppose the <i>Water Witch</i> happens to +be where Chester and I saw her at night?” +asked Alvin of their director. +</p> +<p>“We shall have to decide our course of +action by what develops.” +</p> +<p>Neither of the youths was fully satisfied +with this reply. They could not believe +that a professional detective would come +this far upon so peculiar an enterprise +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +without having a pretty clear line laid out +to follow. It may have been as he said, +however, and he was not questioned further. +</p> +<p>The day could not have been finer. The +threatening skies of a short time before had +cleared and the sun was not obscured by a +single cloud. Though warm, the motion +of the launch made the situation of all +pleasant. Since there was no call for haste, +Calvert suggested to the Captain that he +should not strain the engine, and Alvin +was quite willing to spare it. The time +might soon come when it would be necessary +to call upon the boat to do her best, +and he meant she should be ready to +respond. +</p> +<p>Past the Cat Ledges, Jo and Cedarbrush +Islands moved the <i>Deerfoot</i> like a swan +skimming over the placid waters. Then +came Hendrick Light, Dog Fish Head, +Green Islands and Boston Island. Powderhorn +was passed, and then they glided by +Isle of Springs, which brought them in +sight of Sawyer. A little beyond was the +inlet where they had seen the <i>Water Witch</i> +reposing in the darkness of night. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_AT_THE_INLET' id='III_AT_THE_INLET'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At the Inlet</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>“SLOW down,” said Detective Calvert +as the launch drew near the +southern end of Barter Island. +Captain Alvin did as requested and all +eyes were fixed upon the inlet. +</p> +<p>“If that boat should happen to come +out while we are in sight,” added Calvert, +“pass up the river, as if you had no interest +in it.” +</p> +<p>“But if it should happen to be there?” +said Alvin, repeating the question he had +asked before. +</p> +<p>“We can’t know until we have turned +in, and then it would not do to withdraw, +for that would be the most suspicious +course of all. You have as much right to +go thither as anyone. Act as if you were +merely looking in out of curiosity; make a +circuit of the islet and then come back +and go on up the Sheepscot toward Wiscasset.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span></p> +<p>It was at this moment that Mike Murphy +asked a question whose point the others +were quick to perceive. +</p> +<p>“If the spalpeens are there, will ye let +’em have a sight of yersilf?” +</p> +<p>“No; I shall drop down and hide, for +if they noted that you had me for a passenger +they might smell a rat, but would +think nothing of seeing you three, for they +know you travel together.” +</p> +<p>As the launch drew near the opening, +Alvin slackened her speed still more until +she was not going faster than five or six +miles an hour. There was an abundance +of sea room and he curved into the passage +with his usual skill. The four peered intently +forward and had to wait only a +minute or two when the boat had progressed +far enough to give them a full +view of the crescent-like cove, which extended +backward for several hundred yards +and had an expansion of perhaps four hundred +feet. In the very middle was the islet, +in the form of an irregular oval, containing +altogether barely an acre. As has +been said, it was made up of clay and sand +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +with not a tree or shrub growing, and only +a few scattered leaves of grass, but there +was no sign of life on or about it. +</p> +<p>Alvin sheered the boat close to the shore, +and continued slowly moving. A glance +downward into the crystal current showed +that the depth was fully twenty feet, so +that it was safe for the largest craft to +moor against the bank. +</p> +<p>“Here’s where the <i>Water Witch</i> lay,” +said Alvin. “Do you wish to land, Mr. +Calvert?” +</p> +<p>He was standing up and scrutinizing the +little plot as they glided along the shore, +but discovered nothing of interest. +</p> +<p>“No; there’s no call to stop; we may as +well go back.” +</p> +<p>“Do ye obsarve that six-masted schooner +wid its nose poked under the bushes in the +hope of escaping notice?” +</p> +<p>As Mike Murphy asked the question he +pointed to the southern shore of the inlet, +where all saw the little rowboat in +which Detective Calvert had visited the +spot and which had been used later for a +similar purpose by Alvin and Chester. It +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +was drawn up so far under the overhanging +limbs that only the stern was in sight. +It seemed to be exactly where it had been +placed by the boys after they were through +with it. +</p> +<p>It was on the tip of Alvin’s tongue to +refer to the incident and to ask something +in the way of explanation from their companion. +Instead of doing so, the latter +surprised both by saying: +</p> +<p>“That must belong to somebody who +lives in the neighborhood.” +</p> +<p>The remark sounded strange to our young +friends and both remained silent waiting +for him to say more, but he did not. He +sat down again, facing the Sheepscot, and +lighted one of his big black cigars. He +crossed his legs like a man of leisure who +was not concerned by what had occurred or +was likely to occur. +</p> +<p>The incident impressed Alvin and Chester +unfavorably. Mike, not having been with +them at the time, knew nothing of it. To +each of the former youths came the disquieting +questions: +</p> +<p>“Does he believe we did not know him +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +that night? Does he think neither of us +suspected what he did? <i>Is he what he +pretends to be?</i>” +</p> +<p>These queries opened a field of speculation +that was endless, and the farther +they plunged into it the more mystified +they became. Alvin would never stoop to +ask favors of this man. He was trying to +aid him in carrying out a good purpose, +and he must “be on the level,” or the Captain +would have nothing to do with him or +his plans. +</p> +<p>“The first proof I get that he is playing +double,” muttered Alvin, “I’ll order him +off the boat and never let him set foot on +it again, and, if he belongs to that gang of +post office robbers, I’ll do everything I can +to have him punished.” +</p> +<p>One of the most discomforting frames of +mind into which any person can fall is to +see things which make him distrust the +loyalty of one upon whom he has depended. +It might be Alvin Landon was +mistaken and Stockham Calvert was in +reality a Pinkerton detective whose sole +aim was to bring these criminals to justice; +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +but, as I have shown, the full truth was +still to be learned. +</p> +<p>And Chester Haynes’ feelings were the +same as those of his chum. He glanced +at the man who was puffing his perfecto, +and wondered who he really was and what +was to be the end of this curious adventure +upon which he and Alvin had entered. +</p> +<p>It was a brief run out to the Sheepscot, +and the <i>Deerfoot</i> headed up the river again +toward Wiscasset. A steam launch was +seen off to the left and a catboat skimmed +in the same direction with our friends. +Both were well over toward Westport, the +left-hand bank, and slight attention was +given them. +</p> +<p>The <i>Deerfoot</i> had not reached the upper +end of Barter Island when Alvin from his +place as steerer called out: +</p> +<p>“That looks like the boat we are hunting +for.” +</p> +<p>Running closer in to the right shore +than the <i>Deerfoot</i>, a second boat was visible +whose similarity of appearance caused astonishment. +The bows of the two being +pointed toward each other, the view was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +incomplete at first, but since the speed of +each was all of ten miles an hour, they +rapidly came opposite. Alvin sheered to +the left, so as to make an interval of a +hundred yards between them. Chester had +caught up the binoculars and kept watch +upon the launch, his companions doing +what they could without the aid of any +instrument. +</p> +<p>“It’s the <i>Water Witch</i>!” said Chester +excitedly. +</p> +<p>A minute before he did so, Detective +Calvert quietly slipped from his seat to +the floor, removed his hat and cautiously +peered over the taffrail. But he did not +cease smoking his huge cigar, and it struck +Alvin when he looked around that his +head was high enough to be in plain sight +of anyone watching from the other craft. +</p> +<p>Mike Murphy caught the stir of the +moment. +</p> +<p>“How many passengers do ye obsarve +on the same frigate? It seems to me there +be only two.” +</p> +<p>“That is all that are visible,” replied +Chester, holding the glass still leveled. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></p> +<p>“Thin they must be them two that we +had the shindy wid the ither night!” +</p> +<p>“Undoubtedly; in fact I recognize the +one you pointed out at Boothbay.” +</p> +<p>“And the ither must be the ither one.” +</p> +<p>“There is every reason to believe so.” +</p> +<p>“Thin——I say, Captain,” said the agitated +Mike, turning to Alvin, “would ye +be kind enough to run up alongside that +ship?” +</p> +<p>“Why do you wish me to do that?” +</p> +<p>“I wish—that is—I wud like to shake +hands wid that gintleman and ask him +how his folks was whin he last heerd from +them. Just a wee bit of friendly converse +betwaan two gintlemen—that’s all. Come +now, Cap, be obliging,” continued Mike, in +a wheedling tone which did not deceive his +superior officer. +</p> +<p>“I faal a sort of liking for the young +gintleman and should be much pleased if +ye would give me a chance to have a few +frindly words wid him—I say, Cap, ye’re +losing vallyble time, fur we’re passing each +ither fast.” +</p> +<p>“No, Mike—not to-day; I have no objection +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +to your having a little ‘conversation’ +with Mr. Noxon or his companion, but this +isn’t the right way to go about it.” +</p> +<p>“I hope ye didn’t suspict that I had any +intintion of saying harsh wurruds to them, +Cap!” protested the Irish youth, in grieved +tones. +</p> +<p>“Not words particularly, but there would +be enough rough acts to make things lively. +Chester, let me have the glasses, while you +take the wheel for a few minutes.” +</p> +<p>They hastily exchanged places, and +steadying his position, Alvin pointed the +instrument at the receding launch. Detective +Calvert still knelt on the floor and +peeped over the side of the boat. He did +not ask for the binoculars nor did the owner +offer them to him. +</p> +<p>Suddenly Alvin slipped down beside his +friend in front and passed him the instrument, +as he resumed the wheel. While +doing so, he whispered in a voice so low +that no one else could hear what he +said: +</p> +<p>“Look just behind the fellow who is +steering. He’s Noxon, I’m sure! Study +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +closely and let me know whether you see +anything suspicious.” +</p> +<p>Wondering to what he referred, Chester +complied. While doing his best to learn +what his friend meant the latter whispered +again: +</p> +<p>“If you see anything, be careful to let +no one besides me know what it is.” +</p> +<p>Chester nodded, with the glasses to his +eyes. The opportunity for scrutiny was +rapidly diminishing. Chester held the +binoculars level but a minute when he +lowered them again. The commonest courtesy +compelled him to offer them to the +detective. +</p> +<p>“Maybe you can discover something,” +remarked the youth as he passed them +over. The posture of the man gave him +the best chance he could ask, and he carefully +studied the receding boat until it was +so far off that it was useless to continue. +</p> +<p>“Did you notice anything special?” asked +Chester. +</p> +<p>“I saw nothing but those two young +men, with whom as I learn from the Captain +he had an affray some nights ago.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></p> +<p>Chester leaned over and whispered to +Alvin: +</p> +<p>“I saw it plainly.” +</p> +<p>“What?” +</p> +<p>“A man crouching down among the +seats as Calvert did and peering over like +him.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_A_STRANGE_RACE' id='IV_A_STRANGE_RACE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A STRANGE RACE</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Suddenly the <i>Water Witch’s</i> whistle +sent out a series of piping toots. +</p> +<p>“What’s the meaning of that?” +asked Chester of Detective Calvert, who +had quietly resumed his seat in one of the +wicker chairs in front of the youth. +</p> +<p>“It’s a challenge to a race.” +</p> +<p>“I accept it,” said Alvin, with a flash +of his eyes. At the same moment he +swung the wheel over and began circling +out to the left, so as to turn in the shortest +possible space. “If that boat can outrun +me I want to know it.” +</p> +<p>“Be keerful ye don’t run over him,” +cautioned Mike, catching the excitement, +“as Tam McMurray said whin he started +to overtake a locomotive.” +</p> +<p>Alvin quickly hit up the pace of the +launch, which sped down the Sheepscot +with so sudden a burst of speed that all +felt the impulse. The sharp bow cut the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +current like a knife, the water curving over +in a beautiful arch on each side and foaming +away from the churning screw. Even +with the wind-shield they caught the impact +of the breeze, caused by their swiftness, +and each was thrilled by the battle +for mastery. +</p> +<p>“Are you doing your best?” asked Calvert, +watching the actions of the youthful +Captain. +</p> +<p>“No; I am making about two-thirds of +the other’s speed.” +</p> +<p>“Then don’t do any better, is my advice,” +said the detective. +</p> +<p>Alvin glanced over his shoulder. +</p> +<p>“Why not?” +</p> +<p>“It may be wise at this stage of the +game not to let them know that you can +surpass them. Wait till the necessity +arises.” +</p> +<p>“I agree with Mr. Calvert,” added +Chester, and the Captain was impressed +by the logic of the counsel. He was on +the point of increasing the pace, but refrained. +In truth he was already wondering +what they would do if they overtook +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +the other and what could be gained by +passing the boat. +</p> +<p>Again the whistle piped several times and +it was evident that the fugitive, as it may +be called, had “put on more steam.” +</p> +<p>“Do you wish me to let her get away +from us?” asked Alvin. +</p> +<p>“Not for the present, but that may be +the best course. Hold your own for awhile +and then gradually fall back.” +</p> +<p>When the race opened, less than an +eighth of a mile separated the contestants. +The abrupt burst lessened this slightly and +then it appeared to be stationary as the +two glided down the river. +</p> +<p>Such were the relative positions when +the <i>Water Witch</i> shot past Ram Island, +holding the middle of the stream, and a +few minutes later came abreast of Isle of +Springs. +</p> +<p>“Those two young fellows have a man +with them,” remarked Calvert. “He tried +to keep out of sight when we first met, +but now he doesn’t seem to care. You +can see him plainly without the help of +the glasses.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span></p> +<p>Such was the fact, and Chester said: +</p> +<p>“They must know that we also have a +friend with us.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see that it matters either way. +I think you are gaining.” +</p> +<p>“But not half fast enough,” added Mike, +who was standing and impatient to beat +their opponent. “We must come up wid +the spalpeens before they git to Boothbay.” +</p> +<p>“They are not heading for Boothbay,” +observed Calvert, whose keen eyes had +detected the change in the line of flight. +His companions saw he was right. The +front boat had made so abrupt a change +of course that it was almost at right angles +to that of the pursuer. The side of the +launch was exposed, showing the two +youths, one of whom held the wheel, while +the man with a mustache sat directly +beside the other. It might be said of the +two craft and their crews that they were +twins, so marked was their resemblance. +</p> +<p>Naturally Alvin shifted his line of pursuit. +You may recall that, opposite the +Isle of Springs, Goose Rock Passage connects +Sheepscot River with Knubble Bay, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +which leads into Montsweag Bay, reaching +northward on the western side of the long +island of Westport. In their first trip +northward our young friends had gone to +the eastward of Westport, as they had +been doing during this race. Montsweag +Bay takes the name of Back River at the +northern end of the island and that and +the Sheepscot unite above before reaching +Wiscasset. +</p> +<p>The <i>Water Witch</i> dived into Goose Neck +Passage past Newdick Point, where it +turned northward into Knubble Bay. This +is the path taken by the steamers from +Bath and other places on the Kennebec +when going to Boothbay Harbor, Squirrel +Island and other points. To the westward +of these bodies of water sweeps the noble +Kennebec to the sea. +</p> +<p>Just ahead was discerned a swiftly approaching +mass of tumbling water, above +which the deck, pilot house and puffing +smokestack of a little steamer showed. +This was the “pony of the Kennebec”—the +<i>Gardiner</i>, plowing ahead in such desperate +haste that one might well believe the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +fate of a score of persons depended upon +its not losing a half minute. Alvin took +good care to give her plenty of room and +saluted with several whistle toots. There +was no reply. The captain merely glanced +at the two craft and sped onward like an +arrow from the bow of the hunter. +</p> +<p>The <i>Deerfoot</i> rocked and plunged in the +swell made by the steamer, which, spreading +out like a fan from its bow, ran tumbling +and foaming along the rocky shores, +keeping pace with the headlong charge of +the boat, and trying to engulf everything +in its path. One small catboat that was +tied to a rickety, home-made landing, after +a couple of dives capsized, as if it were a +giant flapjack under which a housewife had +slid her turning iron. +</p> +<p>“They’re gaining!” exclaimed Chester, +who was closely watching the progress of +the racers. “Do you mean to let them get +away, Alvin?” +</p> +<p>“Mr. Calvert will answer that question.” +</p> +<p>“I do so by advising that you neither +gain nor lose for the present.” +</p> +<p>The Captain gave the launch a little +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +more power, and it became clear to all +that the pursuer was picking up the ground, +or rather water, that she had lost. Then +for several minutes no difference in speed +was perceptible. A space of a furlong +separated the two when they shot past +the point of land bearing the odd name of +Thomas Great Toe, which is on the western +side of the lower part of Westport, some +two miles above Goose Neck Passage. +Here the water is a mile in width, and is +filled with islands of varying sizes, until +the large bay to the northward is reached. +</p> +<p>The <i>Water Witch</i> persisted in hugging the +eastern shore, while her pursuer kept well +out, as if to make sure of having plenty +of room in which to pass her, when the +chance came. But all the same the chance +did not come. It was soon seen that the +fugitive was drawing away from her pursuer. +Mike Murphy fumed, but held his +peace. +</p> +<p>“It’s mesilf that hasn’t any inflooence +here,” he reflected, “as I obsarved to mysilf +whin dad and mither agreed that a +thundering big licking was due me.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span></p> +<p>“Can you overhaul her?” asked Detective +Calvert. +</p> +<p>“Easiest thing in the world; I can shoot +past her as if she were lying still.” +</p> +<p>“Well, don’t do it.” +</p> +<p>Mike could remain silent no longer. +</p> +<p>“That’s a dooce of a way to run a race! +Whin ye find ye can bate the ither out of +sight ye fall back and let her doot. That’s +the style I used to run races wid the ither +boys at school, but the raison was I couldn’t +help it. If ye’ll allow me to utter a few +words of wisdom I’ll do the same.” +</p> +<p>Alvin nodded his head. +</p> +<p>“It is that ye signal to that pirut ahead +to wait and give us a tow, being that’s the +only way we can howld our own wid ’em.” +</p> +<p>Now while it was trying to Alvin and +Chester to engage in a race of the nature +described and voluntarily allow the contestant +to beat them, when they knew they +had the power of winning, yet they believed +it was the true policy, since Detective +Calvert had said so. They understood +the disgust of Mike and could not +forbear having a little fun at his expense. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span></p> +<p>“You see,” said Chester gravely, “those +two young men who gave you and Alvin +such a warm time the other night are on +the other boat, and if we should come to +close quarters with them they would be +pretty sure to even up matters with you.” +</p> +<p>Mike glared at the speaker, as if doubting +the evidence of his ears. +</p> +<p>“Phwat is that ye’re saying?” he demanded. +“Isn’t that the dearest object of +yer heart? I shall niver die contint till I +squar’ matters wid ’em, and ye knows the +same.” +</p> +<p>“You forget,” added Calvert, with the +same seriousness, “that they have a full-grown +man to help them out.” +</p> +<p>“And haven’t we a full-grown man wid +us, as me dad said whin he inthrodooced +me to his friends at Donnybrook, I being +’liven years old? Begorra, I’m thinking we +haven’t any such person on boord.” +</p> +<p>It was a pretty sharp retort, but the +officer could not repress his amusement at +the angry words. Alvin looked over his +shoulder and winked at Calvert and Chester, +making sure that Mike did not observe the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +signal. In his impatience, he had turned his +back upon them and was looking gloomily +over the stern at the foaming wake. +</p> +<p>“I wonder if there isn’t some tub along +the shore that’ll put out and run us down. +I hope, Captain, that whin we git back +home ye’ll kaap this a secret from dad.” +</p> +<p>“And why?” +</p> +<p>“He’ll sure give me the greatest walloping +of me life.” +</p> +<p>“For what reason?” +</p> +<p>“For consoorting wid a party that run +away from the finest chance in the wurrld +for a shindy. It’s a sin that can be wiped +out in no ither way.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll explain to him,” said Calvert, +“that you couldn’t help yourself.” +</p> +<p>“And it’s mighty little difference that +will make, as Terry McCarthy said when +he had the ch’ice of foighting two Tipperary +byes or three Corkonians.” +</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t your father prefer to have us +bring you home safe and unhurt rather +than to have your beauty battered out of +you?” inquired the detective, with a solemn +visage. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span></p> +<p>Mike, who had risen to his feet and was +still staring over the stern, slowly turned +and faced the questioner. Then, with an +expression of contempt, he said: +</p> +<p>“Ye haven’t the honor of an acquaintance +wid me dad.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V_THE_LOSER_OF_THE_RACE' id='V_THE_LOSER_OF_THE_RACE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Loser of the Race</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>A long, low bridge connects the +western projection of Westport with +Woolwich on the opposite bank, +beyond which spreads Montsweag Bay, +narrowing to Back River, which, as has +been explained, joins the Sheepscot. +</p> +<p>The draw had just been swung open +when our friends came in sight of the +bridge, and saw the <i>Water Witch</i> passing +through. The bridge tender immediately +began turning his lever with which he closed +the draw. Alvin whistled to signify that +he wished to follow the other, but seemingly +the man did not hear him. His +back steadily rose and fell, as he worked +the handle of his contrivance, and the +movable section of the structure slowly +swung back in response. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t that lucky now!” was the sarcastic +exclamation of Mike. +</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Chester. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span></p> +<p>“He wants to hilp ye fall back further +behind the ither boat.” +</p> +<p>“There may be something in that,” the +Captain replied. +</p> +<p>None the less, Alvin continued his tooting, +without abating his speed. The tender, +however, did not mean to tantalize them, +and all quickly saw the cause of his action. +A heavily loaded wagon had come upon +the bridge from the Woolwich side, and +waited while the draw was held open. +The driver must have had a “pull” with +the attendant, who immediately closed the +draw so he could cross before the second +boat passed through. +</p> +<p>At this juncture fate showed how perverse +she can be when in the mood. Directly +over the draw, something connected +with the wagon or the harness of the team +got askew and the driver paused to set +it right. Possibly it was pretence on his +part, for many men will do such things, +but, all the same, he took ten minutes +before he climbed back on his seat and +started his horses forward again. Alvin +reversed the screw, so that the launch +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +became motionless when a few yards from +the bridge. +</p> +<p>I am afraid the driver purposely delayed +the <i>Deerfoot</i>, for when Mike shouted an +angry reproach, he looked around, put his +thumb to his nose, twiddled his fingers, +and then moved slowly over the rattling +planks toward Westport. +</p> +<p>“I suggist that ye turn about, Captain, +and scoot for home,” was the ironical advice +of the Irish youth. +</p> +<p>“For what reason?” +</p> +<p>“I’m afeard that man is real mad and +he might take it into his head to git down +off his wagon and saize aich of us by the +nape of the neck as the boat goes through, +and slam us down so hard he’d jar us.” +</p> +<p>“Better wait, Captain, till he’s a little +farther off,” advised Calvert; “there may +be something in what Michael says.” +</p> +<p>As for Mike, feeling he could not do +justice to the subject, he held his peace +for the moment. +</p> +<p>Gliding through the draw and entering +Montsweag Bay, the occupants of the +<i>Deerfoot</i> were surprised to see nothing of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +the other launch. She was as invisible +as if she had been scuttled and sunk in +fifty feet of water. +</p> +<p>The right shore above the structure, +belonging to Westport, slopes to the right, +and something like a half mile above, this +course is at right angles to the stream. It +is really a peninsula, there being an inlet +more than a mile long which divides it +from the rest of Westport. This little +bay is spanned by a bridge which forms a +part of the highway that passes over the +longer structure already referred to. +</p> +<p>When Mike found the <i>Water Witch</i> had +vanished, he pretended to be vastly relieved. +He had dropped into his chair and +now straightened up. +</p> +<p>“But ain’t we lucky?” +</p> +<p>“Why so?” asked Calvert. +</p> +<p>“If we hadn’t been stopped at the +bridge the ither boat might have broke +down and we’d come up wid the same, and +those chaps would have give us all a good +spanking.” +</p> +<p>“I am glad you are becoming so prudent,” +said Calvert, with an approving nod. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +“We must take Michael with us whenever +we are likely to run into danger. Captain, +if you don’t mind, you might tune up your +boat a bit.” +</p> +<p>“Better wait,” suggested Mike, “fur ye +might gain on t’other one.” +</p> +<p>Alvin now put on the highest speed of +which the <i>Deerfoot</i> was capable. The bow +rose, the stern settled down in the water, +and the spray was flung high and splashed +against the wind-shield. The exhaust deepened +to a steady roar, and the broadening +wake was churned into a mass of tumbling +soapy foam. The whole boat shivered +with the vibration of the powerful engine. +She was going more than twenty miles an +hour—in fact, must have approached her +limit, which was four miles faster. Alvin +had attained such a tremendous pace only +a few times in his practice and did not like +it. Though his instructor had assured him +that the launch was capable of holding it +indefinitely without injury, he feared a +breakdown or the unnecessary wear upon +many parts of the engine. +</p> +<p>He kept up the furious speed until they +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +curved around the upper part of the peninsula +and saw the expansion above, all the +way to Long Ledge, where Back River +begins. He had been confident of catching +sight of the <i>Water Witch</i>, but she was nowhere +in sight. +</p> +<p>The natural conclusion was that the +launch had taken on a higher burst of +speed—probably the limit—and gone so +far that by still keeping near the shore +she had placed several miles behind her—enough +to carry her out of the field of +vision. +</p> +<p>“Keep it up till we catch sight of her +again,” suggested Calvert. “I believe there +are no more bridges between us and Wiscasset.” +</p> +<p>Some three or four miles were passed +at high speed, when they reached a portion +of the river which opened a view of still +greater extent. They saw two small sailboats +at a distance, and a little steamer +puffing northward, but nothing of the +<i>Water Witch</i>. +</p> +<p>“You may as well slow down,” remarked +the detective, who, guarding a match with +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +his hands behind the wind-shield, proceeded +to light another cigar. +</p> +<p>“What do you make of it?” asked Alvin, +turning his head, as the pace became +slower than before. +</p> +<p>“We have passed the other boat; she +is behind us instead of in front.” +</p> +<p>“What shall we do?” +</p> +<p>“For hiven’s sake don’t go back,” protested +Mike. “Ye might find her—and +then what would become of ye?” +</p> +<p>The detective now gave his view of the +situation. +</p> +<p>“If we should turn round and find that +boat, those on board would know we were +looking for them. We don’t wish to give +that impression, at least for some time to +come. While we were going in one direction +and they in another, they challenged +us to a race. Any two boats might have +done the same in the circumstances. We +have to accept defeat and that’s all there +is to it.” +</p> +<p>Calvert looked at his watch. +</p> +<p>“It is near noon; if you all feel as I do +you would welcome a good dinner.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></p> +<p>“That’s the most sensible sense that I’ve +heerd since we started,” remarked Mike, +who was as hungry as his companions. +</p> +<p>“It is not a long run to Wiscasset,” +said Alvin; “and there’s more than one +good hotel there.” +</p> +<p>“I’m thinking that at the speed ye’re +going, we’ll hardly arrive in time for supper. +There must be some place betwixt +here and the town where we can git enough +to stay the pangs of starvation till we +raich Wiscasset.” +</p> +<p>“We shall pass several landings, and +there are farmhouses along shore where +I’m sure the folks will be glad to accommodate +us.” +</p> +<p>The others were not much impressed +with Mike’s plan, but since there was +plenty of time at their command, they fell +in with it. Alvin suggested that all should +keep a lookout for an inviting dwelling, +when, if a good landing could be made, +they would stop and investigate. +</p> +<p>Chester offered to relieve his chum at +the wheel, and Alvin was quite willing to +exchange places with him. The occurrences +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +of the last hour or more, together +with what was said by Detective Calvert, +had increased the confidence of the youths +in him. True, they could not understand +the full object of this cruise up the river, +after gaining sight of the launch and the +occupants for whom he had been searching. +They were content to await explanation +on that point, but Alvin determined that +one or two things which puzzled him and +Chester should be cleared up. +</p> +<p>“Accepting what you said last night at +my home, Mr. Calvert, I must say for myself +and friend that we do not understand +some of your actions. Perhaps you won’t +mind explaining them.” +</p> +<p>“I shall be glad to do so, if it is prudent +at this time.” +</p> +<p>“You will pardon me for saying that in +our opinion you acted foolishly when you +followed us off the steamer the other day +at Sawyer Island, pretended you had made +a mistake in landing there, and then dogged +us to that little inlet. We saw you several +times, but you either wished or pretended +you wished to keep out of our sight, as, for +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +instance, after crossing that long bridge from +Hodgdon to Barter Island. You followed +us, but when we stopped at the side of the +road to wait for you, you slipped among +the trees and made a circuit round the spot. +Why did you do that?” +</p> +<p>The detective smiled, and smoked a +minute or two before replying. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps it was undignified, though a +man in my profession has to do a good +many things in which he casts dignity to +the winds. The truth is, I formed the intention +of getting off at Sawyer as soon as I +heard your friend Mr. Richards say he +thought he had caught sight of your launch +in that cove. I was trying to get track +of the same parties, but prudence whispered +to me that the time had not yet come in +which you and I should hitch up together. +I suspected it might soon be advisable, +but not just then. My pretence of having +left at the wrong landing was a piece of +foolishness meant only to afford you and the +agent a little amusement, but I feared you +would run into trouble with those criminals +and I decided to keep you under my eye. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +Until I concluded to trust you, it was just +as well that you should distrust me. For +several reasons, which I won’t explain at +this point, I came to the belief last night +that it was time we made common cause.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_A_WARM_RECEPTION' id='VI_A_WARM_RECEPTION'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Warm Reception</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>“I have me eye on the right place, +as Father Mickle said whin he wint +into the saloon to pull out Jim +Gerrigan by the nape of his neck.” +</p> +<p>Mike Murphy pointed to a small, faded +yellow house which stood at the top of a +gentle slope on their right. It was a hundred +yards from the river and a faintly +marked, winding path led from it down to +the bank. The surrounding land showed +meagre cultivation, and the looks were anything +but inviting. +</p> +<p>On the little porch sat a big man with +grizzled whiskers, smoking a brier-wood +pipe, his beamlike legs crossed and his arms +folded as he moodily watched the launch. +</p> +<p>“It strikes me as a poor promise,” remarked +Alvin, who, nevertheless, asked +Chester to steer to the shore to see whether +a landing could be readily made. The +prospect was good, as a shaky framework +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +had evidently been placed there for use, +though no small boat was near. +</p> +<p>Chester brought the <i>Deerfoot</i> alongside +with the skill that the owner of the launch +would have shown. Alvin sprang lightly +upon the structure, which sagged under his +weight, caught the rope tossed to him by +Chester, and fastened it around one of the +rickety supports. The boat was made fast. +</p> +<p>“I’ll walk up to the house and have a +talk with the gintleman,” said Mike, stepping +carefully out upon the boards. “Do +I look hungry?” he asked of Alvin, who +replied: +</p> +<p>“You always have that expression.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad to hear it, fur I wish to impriss +the gintleman that that’s my condition. +I’ll assoom a weak, hisitating walk. +Do ye abide here aginst me return and +repoort.” +</p> +<p>Detective Calvert retained his seat and +lighted another cigar. Chester sat with +his hand idly resting on the wheel. Alvin +kept his place on the tiny dock, and all +three watched Mike Murphy. They smiled, +for the stooping shoulders of the Irish youth +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +and his feeble gait were those of a man of +four-score. The huge stranger sat like a +statue, slowly puffing his pipe, his glowering +eyes fixed on the approaching lad. +</p> +<p>With each advancing step, Mike’s doubts +increased. The nearer he came to the +stranger, the more forbidding he appeared. +Had the lad followed his inclination he +would have turned back, but he knew his +friends were watching him. Besides which, +he was really hungry. +</p> +<p>He had passed half the distance between +the boat and the house, scrutinizing the +scowling fellow all the time, when the latter +made his first movement. He uncrossed +his huge legs, took the pipe from between +his lips and emitted a low whistle. +</p> +<p>“He must be so cheered at sight of me +that he is obleeged to give exprission to +his feelings—Begorra!” +</p> +<p>Around the end of the house dashed a +mongrel dog, and halting abruptly with +pricked ears, glanced at his master to hear +his command. The canine was of moderate +size, black and white in color, one eye +wrapped about by an inky splash of hair +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +that made him look as if the organ was in +mourning. +</p> +<p>Holding the pipe away from his lips, +the man pointed the stem toward Mike, +who had paused, and said to his dog: +</p> +<p>“Sick him, Nick! Sick him!” +</p> +<p>And the dog proceeded to “go for” the +caller. Had the latter run away, the brute +would have been at his heels, nipping and +biting at each step. But Mike had no +thought of retreating. He was filled with +anger at his inhospitable reception and gave +his whole attention to the animal, which +with a muttered growl charged full speed +at him. +</p> +<p>Mike noticed that a collar with projecting +spikes encircled the stumpy neck, and +never was one of his breed more eager to +bury his teeth in a victim’s anatomy. +</p> +<p>“This is going to be a shindy sure, as +Micky Rooney said when he tackled five +p’licemen—and I haven’t even a shillaleh +in hand.” +</p> +<p>Mike coolly braced himself for the shock, +not yielding an inch nor turning his gaze +from his foe. It was no longer a doddering +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +old man who faced the stranger, but a +sturdy youth, muscular, brave and always +eager for the fray. +</p> +<p>Nothing could surpass the skill with +which the first assault was repelled. At +the exact moment Mike launched his shoe, +the toe of which caught Nick under the +jaw and caused him to turn a backward +somersault. He uttered several yelps, but +the blow added if possible to his rage. +</p> +<p>The dog was so bewildered for the moment +that he lost his sense of direction, +and made a dash toward the porch where +his master was watching proceedings. +</p> +<p>“Sick him, Nick! Sick him!” he called, +pointing his finger at the lad. +</p> +<p>Nick impetuously obeyed orders, and at +the critical moment Mike launched a second +kick, which, however, was not delivered +with the mathematical exactness of the +first. It landed in the canine’s neck and +drove him back several paces, but he kept +his balance, and came on again with the +same headlong fierceness as before. +</p> +<p>It was at this juncture that Stockham +Calvert flung away his cigar, sprang from +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +his chair and with one bound landed beside +Alvin Landon. +</p> +<p>“I don’t intend that Mike shall get into +trouble.” +</p> +<p>As he spoke, he laid his hand on his +hip pocket where reposed his revolver. +</p> +<p>“It looks as if it’s the dog that is in +trouble,” replied Alvin, his cheek tingling +with pride at sight of the bravery of his +comrade. +</p> +<p>“If he had to fight only one brute I +shouldn’t fear, but there are two against +him. When Mike is through with the dog +he will have to face his master. I shall be +ready to give him help.” +</p> +<p>“You don’t mean to shoot the fellow?” +said the alarmed Captain. +</p> +<p>“It won’t be necessary,” was the quiet +response. +</p> +<p>The next exploit of Mike was brilliant. +He did not kick at the dog, for that only +deferred the decisive assault, but as the +mongrel rose in air, he side-stepped with +admirable quickness, gripped him by the +baggy skin at the back of his neck, and, +slipping his hand under the spiky collar, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +held him fast. The brute snarled, writhed, +snapped his jaws and strove desperately +to insert his teeth into some part of his +captor, who held him off so firmly that he +could do no harm. +</p> +<p>Mike now turned and began walking +hurriedly toward the launch, with the +squirming captive still in his iron grip. +</p> +<p>The infuriated owner sprang from his +seat and leaped down the steps. +</p> +<p>“Drop that dog!” he shouted, striding +after Mike, who called back: +</p> +<p>“I’ll drop him as soon as I raich the +river.” +</p> +<p>Afraid of being checked, the youth broke +into a trot, and an instant later was at +the landing, the yelping mongrel still firmly +gripped. Back and forth Mike swung him +as if he were the huge bob of a pendulum, +and then let go. He curved over the launch, +like an elongated doughnut, and dropped +into the current with a splash. But all +quadrupeds swim the first time they enter +the water. In an instant, the brute came +to the surface, and working all his legs +vigorously, came smoothly around the stern +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +of the launch, and headed for Mike with +the purpose of renewing the attack. +</p> +<p>The man, who had dropped his pipe and +strode down the walk, was over six feet in +height, of large frame, and manifestly the +possessor of great muscular strength. Although +he knew his dog had suffered no +harm and was safe, he was enraged over +his maltreatment and resolute to wreak +vengeance upon the author of the insult. +</p> +<p>Mike read his purpose, poised himself +and put up his fists. +</p> +<p>“Now for the next dog and it’s mesilf +that is ready fur him.” +</p> +<p>It would give me pleasure to tell how +Mike Murphy vanquished the giant who +attacked him, but such a statement would +be as untrue as absurd. You have read of +the dude who daintily slipped off his kid +gloves, adjusted his eyeglasses, and proceeded +to chastise an obstreperous cowboy; +but take it from me that no such thing +ever occurred, except in stories. Nature +governs through rigid laws, and two and +two will always make four. It might have +been creditable to the courage of the Irish +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +youth thus to engage in a bout with a man +who would have quickly beaten him to the +earth, but it would have shown very poor +judgment. Had they clashed there could +have been only one end to the encounter. +</p> +<p>But they did not clash. Several paces +separated the two, when Stockham Calvert, +his thin gray coat buttoned around +his trim form, stepped quickly between +them, and, looking sharply into the face of +the savage stranger, said in a voice that +showed not the least agitation: +</p> +<p>“Stop! he’s my friend!” +</p> +<p>He raised one hand, palm outward by +way of emphasis of his warning words. +</p> +<p>“Who are you?” demanded the other, +stopping short, his eyes flaming above his +shaggy beard and under his straw hat, like +an animal glaring through a thicket. +</p> +<p>“Come on and you’ll learn!” was the +reply in the same even tones, as Calvert +assumed the posture of a trained pugilist. +</p> +<p>Now it is proper to say of this man that +he had been the champion boxer in college, +and in his New York club he was easily +the master of every one with whom he had +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +donned the gloves. Though of only average +size and stature and inclined to thinness, +his muscles were of steel, he had the +quickness of a cat, and had been told more +than once, that if he would enter the +“magic circle” he would hold his own with +the best in the profession. But, like all +gentlemen who are masters of the manly +art, he disliked personal encounters, and +many a time had submitted to insulting +words and even the accusation of timidity, +rather than to call his iron fists and superb +skill into play. You might have been in +his company for months without suspecting +his attainments in that respect. His +business required that he should always +carry a revolver, and when he placed his +hand on his hip at sight of Mike Murphy’s +personal danger, the action was instinctive, +but he instantly gave up all thought of +using so deadly a weapon. He was certain +there was no necessity for it; he had no more +doubt of his mastery of the bulky brute, who +was equally confident, than he had of his +ability to handle any one of the three lads +who were his companions. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_SCIENCE_VERSUS_STRENGTH' id='VII_SCIENCE_VERSUS_STRENGTH'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Science versus Strength</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Had the large man undergone the +scientific training of the smaller +one, he might have overcome him, +for, as has been said, he was immensely +powerful and must have been a third +heavier than Stockham Calvert. But he +was out of condition, and, worse than all +for him, had not the slightest knowledge +of the “manly art.” When he doubled +his huge hairy fists, he charged upon the +detective like a roaring bull, expecting to +beat down his smaller antagonist as if he +were pulp. +</p> +<p>The pose of the defendant was perfect. +Resting easily on his right foot, the left +advanced and gently touching the ground, +he could leap forward, backward or to one +side with the agility of a panther. The +left fist was held something more than a +foot beyond the chest, the elbow slightly +crooked, while the right forearm crossed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +the breast diagonally at a distance of a +few inches. This is the true position, and +the combatant who knows his business always +looks straight into the eyes of his +opponent. The arms and body are thus +in his field of vision, whereas if he once +glances elsewhere he lays himself open to +a sudden blow. +</p> +<p>With that alertness which becomes second +nature to a pugilist, Calvert saw before the +first demonstration that his foe had no +knowledge whatever of defending himself. +He allowed him to make a single rush, his +big fists and arms sawing space like a windmill. +He struck twice, swishing the air +in front of Calvert’s face, and gathered +himself to strike again, when—— +</p> +<p>Not one of the three spectators could +ever describe how it was done, for the action +was too quick for the eye to follow. +But, all the same, that metal-like left fist +shot forward with the speed of lightning, +and landing on the point of the chin, the +recipient went down like an ox stricken by +the axe of a butcher. Rather curiously, he +did not fall backward, but lurched forward +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +and lay senseless, knocked out in the first +round. +</p> +<p>“You have killed him!” whispered the +scared Captain. +</p> +<p>“Not a bit of it, but he will be dead to +the world for ten or fifteen minutes. We +may as well let him rest in peace. What’s +become of that dog?” asked the officer, +glancing inquiringly around. +</p> +<p>Chester pointed toward the house. The +brute, with his two inches of tail aimed +skyward, was scooting around the corner +of the building as fast as his bowed legs +could carry him. He would not have done +so had he been of true bulldog breed, but +being a mongrel, there was a big streak of +yellow in his make-up. +</p> +<p>“He’s come to the belief that it’s a +good time to adjourn, as me cousin said +whin someone blowed up the stump on +which he was risting his weary body.” +</p> +<p>“I think we have had enough foraging +along the river,” remarked Captain Alvin, +who re-entered the boat and resumed his +place at the wheel. “We dine at Wiscasset.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p> +<p>“I’m not partic’lar as to the place,” said +Mike, “if only we dine.” +</p> +<p>Chester flung the loop of rope off the +support, and he and the others stepped +aboard the launch, which moved up the +river. Standing in front of the detective, +Mike, with his genial grin, offered his hand: +</p> +<p>“I asks the privilege of a shake of yours. +I apologize for thinking ye didn’t like a +shindy as well as the rest of us. I’m sorry +for me mistake, as me uncle said, whin he +inthroodoced dad to a party of leddies as +a gintleman. I couldn’t have done better +mesilf.” +</p> +<p>The smiling officer cordially accepted the +proffer. +</p> +<p>“No one can doubt your pluck, Mike, +but, to quote your favorite method of expressing +yourself, you showed mighty poor +judgment, as the owner of the bull said +when the animal tried to butt a locomotive +off the track. That man would have eaten +you up.” +</p> +<p>“P-raps, but he would have found me +hard to digist. Do ye obsarve?” +</p> +<p>He pointed to the little landing which +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +they were leaving behind them. All looked +and saw the burly brute of a man slowly +rise to a sitting posture, with his hat off +and his frowsy hair in his eyes, as he stared +confusedly after the launch speeding up the +river. +</p> +<p>“He is recovering quicker than I expected,” +was the only remark Calvert +made, as he turned his back upon the fellow +and gave his attention to lighting another +cigar. +</p> +<p>“He has the look of a fellow mixed and +confused like, similar to Pat McGuigan, +whin he dived off the dock and his head +and shoulders wint through a lobster pot +that he didn’t obsarve in time to avoid +the same.” +</p> +<p>“He’s coming round all right,” said Calvert, +referring to the man they had left +behind, though he did not glance at him. +“He may not be very pretty, but he knows +more than he did a little while ago. Which +reminds me to say something that ought +to have been said at our first interview.” +</p> +<p>The three listened to the words of Calvert, +who clearly was in earnest. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span></p> +<p>“Each of you knows that I am a professional +detective who has been sent into +Maine to do all I can to capture the gang +that is robbing the post offices in this section. +I told you that much, but I wish to +ask you to be very, very careful not to +say this to any person whom you may meet, +until you have my permission to do so. +Some would insist that it was unprofessional +on my part to say what I did, but +I had good reason for it, as will appear +before I am through with the business.” +</p> +<p>“It was not necessary to tell Chester +and me that, but I suppose you wish to +run no risk that can be avoided.” +</p> +<p>“That’s it; I did not doubt your loyalty, +but you know we can’t be too careful.” +</p> +<p>Mike was leaning back in his chair deeply +thinking. +</p> +<p>“There’s one waak p’int in the plan +suggisted.” +</p> +<p>Inasmuch as no one had submitted a +plan the three wondered. +</p> +<p>“Me friend doesn’t wish us to tell anyone +that he’s the best detictive and scrapper +outside of our family in Ireland, but when +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +folks priss their questions, some answer +must be given or ’spicions will be stirred.” +</p> +<p>“The point is well taken. I don’t wish +you to tell an untruth——” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure the task is not difficult fur the +Captain and second mate,” interrupted +Mike, “though it’s beyond me.” +</p> +<p>“But you can evade a direct reply.” +</p> +<p>“May I vinture upon another suggistion?” +asked Mike. +</p> +<p>“We shall all be glad to hear it, I’m +sure.” +</p> +<p>“Without waiting for questions to be +asked, I’ll step up to ivery one that I +obsarve casting an inquiring eye over ye +and say ye’re my older brither, that took +a hand in the Phoenix Park murders, but +broke out of Dublin jail and thus escaped +hanging, and yer kaaping dark in Ameriky +till the little matter blows over.” +</p> +<p>“A brilliant idea!” laughed the officer. +“All I ask is that you give no truthful +information about me.” +</p> +<p>“Ye doesn’t objict to my telling folks +how ye laid out that Goliah a bit ago?” +</p> +<p>“I prefer you should not mention it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></p> +<p>Mike sighed. +</p> +<p>“Ah, have ye no pride of family, as Tam +O’Toole used to say whin mintioning the +fact that all his five brithers were in jail, +where Tarn himsilf ought to have been?” +</p> +<p>“I may add,” continued the man, “that +it is quite likely we shall soon part company.” +</p> +<p>Mike affected to be surprised. +</p> +<p>“Doesn’t the Captain pay ye ’nough +wages?” +</p> +<p>“I have no fault to find on that score.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad to larn that. If he requires ye +to do too much dooty, I’ll hilp ye out, the +bist I can.” +</p> +<p>“I promise to call upon you if necessary, +Mike, but I hope I shall not be obliged to +do so.” +</p> +<p>“I have been wondering since we started,” +said Alvin over his shoulder, “whether +by any possibility the <i>Water Witch</i> kept on +up the river ahead of us instead of running +into some bay or inlet to the south.” +</p> +<p>“It is possible, but not probable. You +know we had an extended view of this +stream, or rather of Montsweag Bay, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +she could not have gone far enough in the +short time to pass out of sight.” +</p> +<p>“Ye forgits how anxious the Captain was +not to overtake her,” reminded Mike. +“I once read of a farmer who chased a big +black bear that had been staaling his sheep +fur two days and nights and then quit. +Can ye guess why?” +</p> +<p>“I should say that after so long a chase +he would have given up disgusted,” replied +the detective. +</p> +<p>“It was not that; it was ’cause he found +the tracks were becooming too fresh.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think, Mike, that you are in +danger of being accused of that,” ventured +Chester, “because you are always fresh—you +are never <i>becoming</i> so.” +</p> +<p>“But the same is becooming to me, as +Jim Flannery said whin he walked into +church wid two black eyes and his head +bent out of shape from the shindy he had +with his twin brither over the quistion of +aiting maat on Friday.” +</p> +<p>“You seem quite sure that these three +whom we saw in the launch are mixed up +in these post office robberies?” asked Alvin. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></p> +<p>“It has that look. No matter how +certain I may feel, nothing can be accomplished +until legal proof is obtained. You +know the rule that every man must be +presumed to be innocent until proved +guilty.” +</p> +<p>“It shtrikes me that the most important +quistion of all has been sittled.” +</p> +<p>“What’s that?” +</p> +<p>“These two young gintlemen are the +spalpeens that tried to hold ye up, Captain, +the ither night on yer way home. That +fur outweighs the taking of a few postage +stamps from some country offices.” +</p> +<p>“The puzzling feature of that business,” +said Alvin, “is that when you meet those +two fellows again, you will not have Mr. +Calvert along to protect you.” +</p> +<p>Mike stared as if he failed to catch the +meaning of this astounding remark. +</p> +<p>“Plaise say that agin, Captain, and say +it slow like.” +</p> +<p>Alvin’s face being turned away, he was +not forced to maintain his gravity while he +repeated in his most serious tones the +remark quoted. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span></p> +<p>“All I have to say to that is not to say +anything, as Teddy Geoghan observed whin +they found a stolen pig in the bag he was +carrying over his shoulder which the same +he insisted was filled with clothes for +Widow Mulligan.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_THE_LONE_GUEST' id='VIII_THE_LONE_GUEST'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Lone Guest</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The <i>Deerfoot</i> glided through the +smooth waters, and while the afternoon +was still young rounded to at +the wharf, below the long wooden bridge +which spans the stream at Wiscasset, and +made fast where a score of other boats of +all sizes and models were moored. Several +large vessels were anchored farther out +and Captain Alvin Landon had to slow +down to thread his way among them. +There was plenty of room, and the launch +was tied up opposite a small excursion +steamer which was to start southward an +hour later. A tip to the old man who was +looking after a number of yachts assured +the safety of the last arrival from molestation. +</p> +<p>The possibility that the <i>Water Witch</i> +had preceded them to Wiscasset caused a +scrutiny of the various craft in sight by +the Captain and his crew, including Detective +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +Calvert, but nothing was seen of the +boat. +</p> +<p>“She is miles off down stream,” was the +remark of the officer, “and for the present +is out of the running.” +</p> +<p>The four walked up the easy slope to the +main street, along which they passed to +the leading hotel for dinner. They were a +little late and when they went into the +spacious dining room found a table by +themselves. The only other occupant was +a tall, angular man of about the same age +as Calvert, similarly attired and apparently +giving his sole attention to the meal before +him. He nodded to the group in a neighborly +way, but did not speak. +</p> +<p>When the four took their places at the +small table, Calvert faced this person a +short distance away; Chester Haynes sat +with his back to him, thus confronting the +detective, while Mike and Alvin occupied +the respective ends of the board. These +details sound trifling, but they had a meaning. +Calvert thus distributed his companions +apparently off-hand, but the seating +of himself as mentioned was done with a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +purpose. Chester then, from the position +he occupied, was the only one of the other +three who observed anything significant in +that action and in what followed. +</p> +<p>In the first place, the officer raised his +glass of water, and while slowly drinking +looked over the top at the lone guest. +Chester noticed that he sipped the fluid +longer than common, gazed at the stranger +and deliberately winked one eye. What +response the other made of course could not +be seen by Chester. +</p> +<p>“The two are acquaintances,” was the +conclusion of the lad, “and they don’t +wish anyone else to know it.” +</p> +<p>He was curious to know whether Alvin +and Mike had noticed anything of the +by-play. The Irish lad for the time devoted +himself to satisfying his vigorous hunger +and cared for naught else. The same was +to be said of the Captain. Chester remained +on the alert. +</p> +<p>Several trifling incidents that occurred +during the meal, which was enlivened by +the wit of the Irish lad, confirmed Chester +in his first suspicion. Calvert tried to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +divert possible suspicion by cheery remarks +and pleasant conversation as the meal +proceeded. +</p> +<p>“I am sure, Mike, you never had any +such feasts in the old country.” +</p> +<p>Having said this, the detective coughed +several times and held his napkin to his +mouth, but Chester knew the outburst was +forced, and was meant to carry to the +other man, who rather curiously coughed +the same number of times immediately +afterward. +</p> +<p>“A message and its reply,” was the +thought of Chester, “but I have no idea of +what they mean. Mr. Calvert doesn’t +wish me to see anything and I won’t let +him know I do.” +</p> +<p>Meanwhile, Mike made his response to +the inquiring remark of Calvert: +</p> +<p>“Ye’re right, me frind, as Hank +McCarthy said whin dining on one pratie +and a bit of black bread, calling to mind +his former feasting in his own home. Which +reminds me, Mr. Calvert, to ask, did ye +iver see the heart of an Irishman?” +</p> +<p>“I’m not quite sure I grasp your meaning, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +Mike,” was the reply, while Alvin and +Chester looked up. +</p> +<p>“I can bist explain by a dimonstration, +as the tacher said whin I asked him what +was meant by the chastisement of a school +lad. Now, give heed, all of ye, and I’ll +show ye what I meant by the sinsible +inquiry.” +</p> +<p>Among the different articles of food +on the table was a dish of “murphy” +potatoes with their “jackets” on. That is, +they had not been mashed or peeled, though +a strip was shaved off of each end. They +were mealy and white, and Mike had +already placed several where they were +sure to do the most good. The tubers in +boiling had swollen so much that most of +the skins had popped open in spots from +the richness within. +</p> +<p>Mike reached over and carefully selected +a big murphy, which he held with the +thumb of his left hand and fingers circling +about it. The upper end projected slightly +above the thumb and forefinger, as if peeping +out to watch proceedings. The three +stopped eating for the moment and watched +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +the youth. While doing this, Chester +glanced for an instant at the face of the +officer, and saw him look quickly across +the room and telegraph another wink. +</p> +<p>Like a professional magician, Mike was +very deliberate in order to be more impressive. +The true artist does not overlook +the minutest point, and he daintily adjusted +the potato, shifting it about until it was +poised exactly right. Then he slowly +raised his open right hand, with the palm +downward, until it was above his head. +Like a flash he brought it down upon the +upper end of the tuber, which shot through +the loose encircling grasp as if fired from an +air gun. The skin remained, but the potato +itself whisked down upon the table with +such force that it popped open, and lo! +</p> +<p>“There’s the heart of an Irishman—Begoora! +but I’m mistook!” exclaimed +Mike in dismay, for when the tuber burst +open the interior was black with decay! +</p> +<p>Calvert threw back his head and roared, +and Alvin and Chester came near falling +from their chairs. Even the man at the +other table joined in the boisterous merriment, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +which was increased by the comical +expression of Mike. With open mouth and +staring eyes he sat dumfounded. For once +in his life he was caught so fairly that he +was speechless. +</p> +<p>The deft little trick he had performed +many times, but never before had he been +victimized by what seemed to be a rich, +mealy potato. He couldn’t understand it. +</p> +<p>Oddly enough the stranger was the first +to recover his speech. He must have had +little liking for Hibernians, since he called: +</p> +<p>“You’re right, young man! You showed +us the heart of a real Irishman!” +</p> +<p>With lower jaw still drooping, Mike +turned his head and stared at the speaker. +He yearned to crush him with a suitable +reply, but all his wit had been knocked out +of him by the cruel blow of fate. However, +it could not long remain so. He picked up +the fragments of the potato, fumbled them +reprovingly and gravely laid them on the +tablecloth beside his plate. Then the old +grin bisected his homely face, and addressing +the three, he said: +</p> +<p>“I made a slight mistake, as Jerry Sullivan +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +said whin he stepped out of the third +story windy thinking it was the top of the +stairs. If it’s all the same to yees, we’ll +now give our attintion to disposing of the +remaining stuff on the boord.” +</p> +<p>Out of curiosity, the four cut in two each +of the potatoes left in the dish. Every +one was as sound as a dollar, whereat all +laughed again, Mike as heartily as any. +</p> +<p>“It’ll be a sorry day whin I can’t take a +joke, as Jim Doolin said smiling whin his +frinds pushed his cabin over on top of him +as he lay sleeping behind it, but I was +niver sarved such a trick before.” +</p> +<p>Chester thought the unanimous merriment +caused by Mike’s mishap would open +an acquaintance between the lone guest +and the others, but nothing more was said +by the respective parties, nor did the watchfulness +of the youth detect any further +signals while at the table. Evidently an +understanding had been brought about, +and nothing else was required. +</p> +<p>The meal finished, the four rose to leave +the dining room. While there may have +been nothing meant by Calvert’s action in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +dropping to the rear, Chester was alert +and glanced back as they walked into the +hall outside. He was rewarded by seeing +the officer turn his head for an instant and +give a slight nod. No doubt it was meant +for the guest left behind, whose response +was invisible to all except him for whom +it was intended. The individual must +have been blessed with a good appetite, or +he followed the sensible policy of lingering +long over his meals, since he began eating +before the little party and continued after +their departure. +</p> +<p>Reaching the pleasant, shady avenue, +the four strolled through the town and +when tired came back to the hotel and sat +down. Chester was on the lookout for +the stranger, but nothing was seen of him. +What did it all mean and what was the +cause of the secrecy between him and +Stockham Calvert? +</p> +<p>“If he chooses to explain I must wait +until he is ready,” was the decision of +Chester. +</p> +<p>The afternoon was well forward, when +they walked down the slope to the wharf, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +where the <i>Deerfoot</i> awaited them. Alvin +made a hasty inspection of it and found +everything seemingly all right. As they +were about to step aboard, the officer said: +</p> +<p>“I shall have to bid you good-by for +awhile.” +</p> +<p>“Why is that?” asked the Captain, in +surprise. +</p> +<p>“You remember I told you it was likely, +but I hope soon to meet you all again.” +</p> +<p>Nothing could be said by way of objection, +and he stood on the wharf as Alvin +seated himself after adjusting the plug +and swinging over the fly-wheel. The boat +circled out into the broad stream, and all +waved their hands to the officer, who +responded similarly. Then he turned about +and went slowly up the slope, probably to +the hotel where they had dined. +</p> +<p>When everything was moving easily, +and the boat was gliding down stream, +Chester sitting directly beside his chum +told him all that he had observed in the +dining room. Mike had gone to the stern +of the launch and sat down in his favorite +position, with his feet curled up under him. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_A_BREAK_DOWN' id='IX_A_BREAK_DOWN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Break Down</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Captain Alvin was keenly interested +in the story of Chester Haynes. +He admitted that he had noticed +nothing peculiar, and it was evident that +Mike had been equally blind to the events +passing under their eyes. +</p> +<p>“It is plain,” said Alvin, “that although +Calvert told us a good many things about +himself, there is a good deal more he didn’t +tell.” +</p> +<p>“What do you make of it all?” +</p> +<p>“That man who was in the dining room +with us may have been another detective +or——” +</p> +<p>“Or what?” asked Chester, observing the +hesitation. +</p> +<p>“I hate to say what comes into my mind, +but every now and then a queer suspicion +steals over me that Calvert is deceiving us +and is not what he claims to be.” +</p> +<p>“In other words, he is a member of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +gang whom he pretends to be hunting +down.” +</p> +<p>“I am ashamed to confess it, but such +has been my fear at times. And yet,” +the Captain hastened to add, as if regretting +his unworthy thoughts, “it seems +impossible, when we call to mind all he +did and how he has acted from the first of +our acquaintance with him.” +</p> +<p>Chester was thoughtful for a moment +or two. +</p> +<p>“I made up my mind after that rumpus +down stream when he saved Mike from a +bad beating, that he was just what he said, +though I won’t deny that more than one +thing he has done—such as following us +from Sawyer Island to the inlet where the +<i>Water Witch</i> lay, and his behavior on the +road—had a queer look. But what’s the use +of speculating about it? Sooner or later +we shall know the truth, and, if we don’t, +I can’t say I much care. Which course will +you take in going home?” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t any choice; have you?” +</p> +<p>“Suppose then you follow Back River, +and around Cape Newagen home. That’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +a pretty good run, and at the rate we are +going we sha‘n’t get there before dark.” +</p> +<p>“Have you any reason for the choice?” +</p> +<p>“Only that we may catch sight of the +<i>Water Witch</i>, from which we parted in +those waters. If we do, we shall have to +hold Mike in leash.” +</p> +<p>So it came about that the <i>Deerfoot</i> turned +into the headwaters of Back River, passing +Cushman Point through the Cowseagan +Narrows, and into the more open waters +below. Three or four miles farther would +take them to Montsweag Bay, of which +mention has been made, that body of water +being twice or thrice as wide as the river. +</p> +<p>Suddenly Chester asked an odd question: +</p> +<p>“Do you think the launch was injured +by that spurt this forenoon?” +</p> +<p>“She ought not to have been, for she has +gone through the strain more than once +and for a longer time. Why do you ask?” +</p> +<p>“Somehow or other, it seems to me she +isn’t running exactly right.” +</p> +<p>“What is wrong?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t put my finger on it; I may say +I <i>feel</i> it—that’s all.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></p> +<p>“Well, you are right, for I have had the +same misgiving ever since we left Wiscasset. +I have tried to figure it out, but can’t and +am waiting for it to develop, hoping all +the time it won’t—hello! there it comes!” +</p> +<p>While the speed of the boat was not +affected, the engine began hissing with +vicious persistency. +</p> +<p>“Take the wheel, Chester, while I look +around.” +</p> +<p>He first examined the spark plugs, knowing +that if one was broken the result would +be what had just taken place, but all were +intact. He had turned the switch, stopping +the motor, and next inspected the valve +caps where a fracture or loosening would +have caused the hissing. They were sound +and tight and the gaskets where the exhaust +and intake pipes connected with the +cylinders were tight. +</p> +<p>“I’ve found it!” he called to Chester. +“It’s an open compression cup, which is +easily fixed; I am glad it is nothing worse.” +</p> +<p>Remembering the lessons he had been +taught, the young Captain soon corrected +the fault and resumed progress. The +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +launch, however, was held down to a comparatively +slow pace, for the slight slip +naturally caused misgiving. Several minutes +passed with all going well. +</p> +<p>“It seems to me safe to give her more +speed,” said Chester. “At this rate we +sha‘n’t reach home until late at night.” +</p> +<p>“All right; turn on more power—no, +don’t! <i>Ouch!</i>” +</p> +<p>Alvin snapped his fingers, as one does +when they are burned. He had placed +them upon the exhaust pipe, which was +growing red hot. +</p> +<p>“Shut her off! The mischief is to pay.” +</p> +<p>Knowing from the gesture of the Captain +what was the matter, Chester asked, +as he obeyed the request: +</p> +<p>“What causes that?” +</p> +<p>“There is either something wrong with +the water pump, the spark is retarded, or +a lack of sufficient lubrication, causing the +motor to heat. It will take some time to +find out and we shall have to drift for +awhile.” +</p> +<p>“Why not run to land and tie up? We +may get in the way of some of the boats +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +steaming up or down the river if we stay +out here.” +</p> +<p>Alvin scrutinized the eastern bank, which +is the upper portion of Westport, and much +nearer than Wiscasset township opposite. +</p> +<p>“The water is so deep that I suppose +we can touch the bank anywhere without +risk to the hull. All right; feel your way +in.” +</p> +<p>The turning of the boat naturally stirred +Mike’s curiosity and he came back to +learn the cause, which was soon explained +to him. +</p> +<p>“Ye have me consint, since I obsarve +there’s a bit of a town not far off where +we can git enough food to keep off starvation.” +</p> +<p>Fir, spruce and pines line the shore of +this part of Westport, the ground rising +moderately inland. A half mile, more or +less, from the river, runs the public highway +from Clough Point, the northern extremity +of Westport, almost to Brooks +Point at the extreme southern end, the +distance being something like fifteen miles, +the entire length of the island. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span></p> +<p>The village to which Mike Murphy +alluded stands alongside this road, a half +mile from the shore of Back River. There +was enough rise to the ground to show the +church steeple and the roofs of the higher +buildings. Perhaps it will be well to give +it the name of Beartown, and to say that +it numbered some five hundred inhabitants. +Although its main interest was with the +highway alluded to, yet it had considerable +trade with the river, up and down which +boats of different tonnage steamed, sailed +or rowed during the day, and occasionally +at night. A well-marked road led from a +wharf to the village. Over this freight +was drawn to and fro in wagons, and some +of the less important steamers halted for +passengers who liked that way of going up +or down stream. +</p> +<p>Alvin and Chester thought it better not +to stop at the public wharf, where they +were likely to be in the way of larger craft +and might draw unpleasant attention to +themselves, while engaged in repairing the +launch. Accordingly, the latter timidly +approached the land, several hundred yards +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +below the wharf. The water possessed that +wonderful clearness which is one of its +beautiful peculiarities in Maine. The boat +was far out when the change was made in +her course, but she had not gone far when, +looking over the side, the dark, rocky bottom +was plainly seen fully thirty feet below. +There was slight decrease in this depth +until the boat was within a few yards of +land. Even then, it must have been twenty +feet at least, the bottom sloping as abruptly +from the shore as the roof of a house. +Consequently the approach was safe and +easy. +</p> +<p>In such favorable conditions there was +no difficulty in laying the launch near the +bank, where, as in former instances, she +was made fast by the bow line looped +around a sturdy spruce more than six +inches in diameter, and the anchor out +over the stern. Chester tied the knot +securely, and stepped back to give what +help he could to Alvin, who was busy with +the engine. Mike looked on and remarked +that, although he knew nothing at all about +the various contraptions, he held himself +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +ready to give valuable advice whenever it +was needed. +</p> +<p>“Being as mesilf ain’t indispinsable just +now, ’spose I strolls up to the city nixt +door and make a few more new acquaintances.” +</p> +<p>“There is no objection to that,” replied +the Captain, “but be sure to come back +before dark.” +</p> +<p>Mike sprang lightly to land and set off +on his journey of discovery. It will be +recalled that our friends were some distance +from the highway connecting the +wharf and town and therefore he had to +thread his way among the trees to reach +the direct route to the village. There +was no trouble in doing this: the trouble +came afterward. +</p> +<p>Alvin and Chester gave the lad no +thought, for he surely was old enough to +take care of himself, and there was nothing +in the situation to cause any misgiving. +Their ambition was to get the engine of +the launch in shape. With painstaking +care and the expenditure of more time than +was expected, Alvin finally discovered that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +the heat of the exhaust pipe was due to +the clogging of the pump with weeds, and not +to the lack of lubrication or the retarding +of the spark. +</p> +<p>To the disgust of both, when a test was +made with the launch still held immovable, +and the heating was overcome, explosions +in the muffler developed. +</p> +<p>“Now we must find whether that is +caused by a cylinder missing fire and +pumping the gas into the muffler.” +</p> +<p>“How will that do it?” asked Chester, +who, while a good motor boat pilot, possessed +less practical knowledge than his +chum. +</p> +<p>“The charges which I spoke of are +ignited from the heat of the next exhausted +charge. It may be the exhaust valve is +stuck or does not seat properly, or the gas +mixture is too weak to fire in the cylinder, +or the spark may be insufficient or over-retarded. +It is a job to get that straightened +out, and when that is done, perhaps +something else will turn up, but we may +as well tackle it at once.” +</p> +<p>It was fully dark before the difficulty +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +was remedied by a careful readjustment +of the carburettor. Repeated tests were +made, and everything found to be right. +</p> +<p>“At last!” said Alvin, with a sigh of +relief. “And now we are ready to go home. +But where is Mike?” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_AT_BEARTOWN' id='X_AT_BEARTOWN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At Beartown</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Alvin Landon had been toiling +so long, often in a stooping posture, +that he was tired. He sat down on +one of the seats and his chum placed himself +opposite. +</p> +<p>“I’m mighty glad,” said the Captain, +“for a fellow can’t do much of this in the +dark, and I was bothered a good deal as +it was.” +</p> +<p>“It strikes me that you will be running +into danger by going down the river to-night.” +</p> +<p>“How?” +</p> +<p>“There is no moon until late. Suppose +the launch should break down when we +were well out in Sheepscot Bay, wouldn’t +we be in a fix?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but I hope she is through breaking +down for some time to come.” +</p> +<p>“So do I, but why take the risk, when +there’s no necessity for it?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p> +<p>“We aren’t fixed to sleep on board, +though we could do it in a pinch, for the +weather is mild.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s go up to this village or town near +by. I am sure we shall get accommodations +for the night. Truth to tell, Alvin, +I’m as hungry as I was at dinner to-day in +Wiscasset.” +</p> +<p>“The plan is a good one, though I don’t +like to leave the boat by itself till morning. +You know what happened the other +night.” +</p> +<p>“That won’t occur again in a thousand +years. Put the flags and other stuff in +the cockpit, lock the engine cover, take the +switch plug with you, and the boat will +be as safe as if she had a regiment of men +on guard.” +</p> +<p>“Mike ought to have been back before +this,” said the Captain, with a touch of +impatience. “Unless he has a good excuse +I shall demote him, by making you first +mate.” +</p> +<p>“It is a dazzling promise you hold before +me, but it won’t be fair to condemn Mike +unheard. Give him a chance.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span></p> +<p>After some hesitation, Alvin acted upon +the advice of his comrade. The launch +was made as secure as possible, and they +sprang ashore, where the gloom among the +trees reminded them of that other tramp +after taking supper with Uncle Ben Trotwood. +There was no reason for going +astray and they followed a direct course +until they reached the roadway between +the wharf and the village of Beartown, +alongside the main road running the length +of the island of Westport. +</p> +<p>The moon had not yet risen; in fact it +would not be up for several hours, but +the sky was clear and studded with stars +which shone with dazzling brilliancy. They +could plainly see the broad trail into which +they turned and walked toward the village. +</p> +<p>Less than a score of paces were passed +when the two caught sight of a figure approaching +through the obscurity. The +person kept in the middle of the road, and +an instant later both recognized him as +their comrade. +</p> +<p>“Hands up!” called the Captain, in his +most startling voice. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>Mike stopped short, but made no motion +to obey. +</p> +<p>“Didn’t you hear me?” demanded Alvin +fiercely, as he strode forward with the +grinning Chester at his elbow. +</p> +<p>“If ye’ll be kind enough to spell out the +words I’ll think ’em over and let ye know +me decision to-morrer,” replied the Irish +youth, who knew the voice, though the +speaker screened himself as much as he +could in the shadow at the side of the +highway. The parties met and shook +hands. +</p> +<p>“What kept you so long?” asked Chester. +</p> +<p>“I spint the time in making acquaintances, +and before I knowed it, night had +descinded. I ’spose there’s about two +thousand folks in Beartown as they call it, +and I know ’em all excipt two or three, +the same being out of town.” +</p> +<p>“It is so late,” said the Captain, “that +we have decided to stay here overnight—that +is, if we can get lodgings.” +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now, that’s a sinsible remark +which I ixpicted ye to make, as Arty +Devitt said whin he admitted he was the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +biggest fool in Cork. But there ain’t a hotel +in Beartown.” +</p> +<p>“Then we shall have to go back to the +boat and either start down the river or +bunk in as best we can.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the kind; supper is waiting +and ye’re expicted. The house has only +one bed, which av coorse is fur me, while +ye two will have to make shift in the +adj’ining woodshed. Come on and I’ll +show ye.” +</p> +<p>“Be sensible for once in your life,” said +Alvin, “and explain matters.” +</p> +<p>“Isn’t that what I’m doing?” asked Mike, +as he turned about and the three walked +toward the sleepy little town. +</p> +<p>“I’ve made frinds wid the postmaster, +which is a fine old lady with a swaat darter. +She has spread supper for us three, and whin +I told her we’d honor her by staying overnight, +she was that pleased she danced the +Highland Fling and kicked over a barrel +of apples. And what do ye think, byes, +after we’d talked awhile, we found we was +relatives. What have ye to say to that?” +</p> +<p>“It is impossible. What’s her name?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span></p> +<p>“Mrs. Friestone and her daughter is +Nora. It was that name that set me wits +to work. Ye see the leddy thinks—that +is, after I suggisted the same—that one of +her ancistors about the time St. Patrick +was driving the snakes out of Ireland was +living there, and immigrated to this country +and he come over wid the ither sarpints.” +</p> +<p>“St. Patrick died fifteen hundred years +ago,” said Chester. +</p> +<p>“Thin I ’spose he must be purty dead +by this time, but that isn’t aginst the fact +of the father of Mrs. Friestone, two or +three thousand ginerations back, paddling +across the Atlantic and sittling in this part +of Maine. I have raison to belave that +one of me own ancisters was a second +cousin to the owld gintleman and came wid +him on the v’yage. The owld lady doesn’t +dispoot me, but is inclined to belave the +same.” +</p> +<p>“But where do we come in?” asked +Alvin. +</p> +<p>“That was me chaif trouble in gitting +ye folks straightened out. Av coorse, I +made it clear to them that I owned a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +launch, which the same is called the <i>Deerfut</i>, +and I had took ye out fur a sail—that +I had left ye to thry to run the boat, in +order to taich ye the same, and ye had +broke down. I said ye were half dacent +chaps, and if she would bear in mind that +ye hadn’t been under me training long, she +would be able to git along wid ye. Nora +said I must bring ye to the house, and ye +should have slaaping accommodations and +as much as folks of yer kind oughter ate. +I reminded them that I had provided ye +with plinty of pocket money and insthructed +ye niver to accept favors widout paying for +’em. Thus the way has been opened for +ye.” +</p> +<p>“So it would seem, if a tenth part of +what you say is true,” was the comment +of Alvin. +</p> +<p>The village, which I have thought best +to call Beartown, straggles along both sides +of the highway which runs the length of +Westport island. It has a neat wooden +church, a faded school house, which had +been closed several weeks, it being vacation +time, two stores, a blacksmith and a carpenter +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +shop, but lacks a hotel, no one being +enterprising enough to build such a structure +with the meagre prospects he would +have to face. If now and then some +visitor wished to stay overnight in the +place it depended upon his success in +finding lodgings with one of the citizens. +This could not always be done, but it is +safe to say that Mike Murphy won the +favor of so many with whom he came in +contact that a half dozen homes would +have been glad to take him in indefinitely. +Strolling along the highway, his attention +was caught by sight of a modest frame +building, standing near the middle of the +village with the sign in small letters “Post +Office” over the front porch, which was +crowded with samples of what were for +sale at the store. +</p> +<p>Entering the open door, he asked in his +most suave manner if there was a letter +for “Michael Murphy, lately from Tipperary.” +The thin old lady in spectacles +behind the counter, at the front, pulled +the half dozen missives from the pigeon +hole over which the letter “M” showed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +and slowly inspected each. She gently +shook her head: +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t seem to have arrived; probably +it will come in the next mail.” +</p> +<p>Mike’s genial face became the picture of +disappointment. +</p> +<p>“That’s mighty qu’ar. The Duke promised +he would write me two waaks ago +from his castle and return the five pounds +I loaned him. Ye can’t thrust the nobility.” +</p> +<p>“I am sorry,” said the sympathetic postmistress, +“but I don’t see how I can help +you. Have patience and all will come +right.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t think it’s yersilf I’m blaming, +though onraisoning folks are inclined that +way. The matter of a little money doesn’t +consarn me, but it’s the aboose of me +confidence.” +</p> +<p>Just then a man came in to inquire for +a letter, and the sweet looking old lady +was obliged to withdraw her attention from +the freckled face before her. +</p> +<p>During this brief interview a girl not +yet out of short dresses stood behind the +counter, measuring out some calico for a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +woman in a scoop shovel-bonnet. The +girl’s face was as mirthful as Mike’s, and +her black eyes twinkled with mischief. +She heard all that was said, and read the +youth like a book. He looked more at her +than at her mother, and could not help +being pleased with the lively young lady. +Never at loss for an excuse in such circumstances, +he waited at the front of the +store, sighing as if greatly depressed, until +the woman customer paid her bill, accepted +the roll and walked out. Then Mike, +blushing so far as it was possible to do so, +moved respectfully toward the smiling attraction. +</p> +<p>“I lost me wheelbarrer in coming up +from me launch; have ye anything of the +kind ye would be willing to sell to a poor +orphan?” +</p> +<p>“Will one be all you want?” asked the +miss. “We can furnish you with a dozen +as well as a single barrow. How much +would you like to pay?” +</p> +<p>Mike was caught. He had taken a +comprehensive survey of the display outside +the store before entering, and was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +sure that only the simplest agricultural +implements were on sale. Furthermore, +he had less than a silver dollar in his +pockets. +</p> +<p>“I’ll have to wait to consoolt me partners,” +he replied, while nature did her best +to deepen the blush on his broad countenance. +“Ye see it’s them that has to +do the work fur me, and it’s only fair on +me side to let them have something to say +about the ch’ice of tools. What do ye +think yersilf?” +</p> +<p>“I think you haven’t any wish to buy +a wheelbarrow, that you haven’t the money +to pay for it, and I know we haven’t one +in the store—so I think further that there +won’t be any sale so far as wheelbarrows are +concerned.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_AT_THE_POST_OFFICE_IN_BEARTOWN' id='XI_AT_THE_POST_OFFICE_IN_BEARTOWN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At the Post Office in Beartown</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Although Mike Murphy rarely got +the worst of it in a bout at repartee, +he had the true sporting instinct +and liked the winner because of his victory. +It took a bright person to beat +him, but it did happen now and then, +and he enjoyed a clash of wits with one +who proved his master, though in the long +run the youth generally came out ahead. +</p> +<p>When, therefore, the girl in the post +office at Beartown snapped out the remark +just printed, he was roused to admiration. +He threw back his head and the store rang +with his infectious laughter. +</p> +<p>“Begorra! ye were too much for me that +time. If ye’ll not think me impudent, I +beg the privilege of shaking hands wid ye.” +</p> +<p>The merry sprite, laughing almost as +heartily as he, though with less noise, +reached a dainty hand across the counter +and he grasped it. From behind the rack +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +at the front of the store, the gentle mother +beamed with a smile. She had heard and +understood it all. +</p> +<p>“I am afraid, Nora, you were rude to +the gentleman,” she said in her silvery +voice. +</p> +<p>“Not a bit!” was the hearty response +of Mike. “I got it that time where the +chicken got the axe—which the same is +in the neck. It was a fair hit and I desarved +more, though no one could give it +to me.” +</p> +<p>It may be said that this little incident +fixed Mike in the favor of mother and +daughter. It was hard to resist the rollicking +good nature of the Irish youth, +who was equally impressed by the gentle +goodness of the mother and the sprightly +wit of the daughter. He now called a halt +with his nonsense and gave a true account +of the situation. His two companions were +the sons of wealthy parents and one of +them owned a beautiful motor launch +which broke down while descending the +river from Wiscasset. He had left the two +trying to tinker it in shape, but had doubts +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +of their success. In case they failed, it +would be very pleasing to them if they +could get supper and lodging in Beartown. +Would the good woman advise them where +to apply? +</p> +<p>She replied that she would be glad to +meet their wants, though they would be +disappointed with the poor meals and lodging, +for she knew they must be accustomed +to much better. This was the invitation +for which Mike was angling and he promptly +accepted, assuring the woman that it was +a fine piece of good fortune which more +than repaid them for the disabling of their +engine. +</p> +<p>“They may repair it and go home,” +suggested Nora. +</p> +<p>“That will make no difference, for I +sha‘n’t return to them till night comes and +then they’ll have no ch’ice.” +</p> +<p>“They may not wait for you,” said +Nora. +</p> +<p>“Little fear of their laving widout me, +so nothing will be done till I arrive, as +Brian O’Lynn said when he was walking forth +to be hanged.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></p> +<p>With no other purpose in mind than to +force his friends to stay over night in the +village, Mike Murphy loitered. When the +mother and daughter were not engaged +with customers he entertained them by +his quaint remarks, which kept the smile +on their faces. He had seated himself, on +the invitation of Nora, in a chair at the +rear of the store, where he was in no one’s +way and where he could make use of his +eyes. Thus it came about that he observed +several interesting facts. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Friestone and Nora made up the +whole force of the store, which did a considerable +trade in groceries and articles +such as a village community needs. Furthermore, +the abundant and excellent stock +showed that the owner was not only enterprising +but understood her business. The +other store in Beartown hardly rose to the +dignity of a rival. +</p> +<p>It may as well be said at this point +that her husband, who had been dead six +years, went through the whole war for the +Union and was badly wounded several +times. President Grant personally complimented +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +Captain Friestone for his bravery +in battle, and when he became President +appointed him as postmaster at Beartown. +He suffered so grievously from his +old wounds that the small post office and +his pension were all that saved him and +his young wife from actual want. He took +up storekeeping in a small way, gradually +branching out until he had established a +flourishing business, whereupon he did an +almost unheard of thing. As soon as he +knew his future was secure, he notified the +government that he would no longer accept +a pension and he stuck to the resolution. +</p> +<p>The veteran was retained in office by +the successors of President Grant until his +death, when the appointment was given to +his widow, not a member of the community +asking for a change. The income +was meagre, but the widow had become +accustomed to the duties, having performed +them during the last years of her +husband’s life, and she liked the work. +The store paid so well that it more than +met the wants of the two. +</p> +<p>When the cheering thousands welcomed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +the soldiers returning from the war, a +proud father held his little girl on his +shoulder and she waved her hand joyously +to the bronzed heroes some of whom were +still little more than boys. One laughing +soldier snatched away the child and kissed +her. He was Captain Friestone and the +girl was Bessie Elton. The acquaintance +thus begun ripened until the time arrived +for her to put on long dresses, and by and +by she became the happy bride of the +officer, and never a shadow darkened their +hearthstone until Death called and took +away the brave husband and father. +</p> +<p>Mike noticed that a massive safe stood +behind the counter in a corner at the rear +of the store. The ponderous door was +open, for mother and daughter had frequent +cause to use the repository. Within the +steel structure all the stamps, government +funds and daily cash receipts were deposited +at the close of the day’s business. The +value of these was slight, but the safe +contained a great deal more. While Nora +was lighting the five kerosene lamps, suspended +on brackets at favorable points in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +the store, a middle aged and somewhat +corpulent man bustled in, nodded to the +widow and handed her a large sealed envelope. +Mike heard him say, “Twenty-five +hundred,” and she replied “Very well.” +It was evident that he had brought in +that amount of money and left if for +security with her. On the back of the +envelope—though of course the youth did +not see this—was written in a large, round +hand, “C. Jasper, $2500.” +</p> +<p>The widow walked to the rear of the +store, drew out one of the small central +drawers of the safe and placed the big +envelope in it, still leaving the heavy door +open, though the little drawer was locked +with a tiny key. +</p> +<p>Five minutes later, a second man, thin, +nervous and alert, stepped through the +door, glanced sharply around and passed +a similar envelope to the woman. On the +back of it was written, “G. H. Kupfer—$1250.” +</p> +<p>“You will please give me a receipt,” he +said in his brisk fashion. The reply was +gentle: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p> +<p>“I cannot do that.” +</p> +<p>“Why not? It’s simple business.” +</p> +<p>“Mr. Kupfer, because you have more +faith in my safe than in your small one, +you bring your money to me. I have not +asked it; I should rather not have it, and +I do it only to accommodate you, besides +which I charge you nothing. If burglars +should break in and steal your money, I +cannot be responsible. Do I make that +clear to you?” +</p> +<p>“Why, Mrs. Friestone, I have no fear +of that sort; I only ask that you give me +a receipt merely as a matter of record and +to save you possible annoyance. Suppose +anything should happen to me—such as +my death—my folks would be put to great +trouble to get this money.” +</p> +<p>“That cannot possibly occur, for your +name and the amount are written on the +sealed envelope; I know every member of +your family, and in the event you speak of +I should hand it personally to some one +of them. On no other condition will I +take your money for safe keeping. Follow +your own pleasure.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p> +<p>“Oh, well,” replied the caller, with a +nervous laugh, “have it as you please. +I have left money with you before and +haven’t suffered. But say——” +</p> +<p>As the keen eyes flitted around the store, +he saw Mike Murphy sitting under one of +the lamps and looking as if he was not +listening to their conversation. Mr. Kupfer +leaned over the counter and lowered his +voice: +</p> +<p>“Who is he?” +</p> +<p>“A young gentleman.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t like his looks.” +</p> +<p>“Then I advise you not to look at him,” +was the reply. +</p> +<p>“How long is he going to hang round the +store?” +</p> +<p>“Just so long as it suits his pleasure to +do so. He and two of his friends are going +to take supper and stay overnight with us.” +</p> +<p>“Do you know anything about the two?” +</p> +<p>“I have never seen them, and I never +saw this young gentleman till this afternoon.” +</p> +<p>The caller turned his face and scanned +Mike more closely. The youth, who was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +boiling with anger, tried to look as if +unaware of the insulting action. +</p> +<p>“Please hand that package back,” said +Mr. Kupfer, with a compression of his +thin lips. +</p> +<p>Without a word, the widow passed the +envelope to the man, who whisked through +the open door, fairly leaping off the porch +to the dusty path. +</p> +<p>Who shall describe the emotions of Mike +Murphy during these exasperating moments? +He recalled the experience of +Alvin and Chester, as they related it to +him, when they were arrested as post +office robbers some days before, and now +something similar in essence had come to +him. But what could he do? He would +have liked to pummel the one who had +insulted him, but that was impracticable, +inasmuch as he had not addressed any +words to the youth. +</p> +<p>While he was fuming and glaring at the +door through which the man had disappeared, +Mike heard a soft chuckle behind +him. He whisked his head around and +saw Nora standing beside the safe just +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +back of him, stuffing her handkerchief in +her mouth and with her face almost as +crimson as his own. +</p> +<p>“If I may be so bowld I should like to +know what ye are laughing at,” said Mike, +who could feel no resentment toward the +merry young miss. +</p> +<p>“We both heard what he said,” she +replied as soon as she could command her +voice. +</p> +<p>“Being I faal like a firecracker that has +jest been teched off, I suspict I caught his +loving remarks consarning mesilf.” +</p> +<p>“Will you tell me something truly—upon +your word of honor—take your dying +oath?” +</p> +<p>“That I will, ye may depind upon the +same.” +</p> +<p>“Are you a real post office robber?” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII_HOSTESSES_AND_GUESTS' id='XII_HOSTESSES_AND_GUESTS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Hostesses and Guests</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Mike affected to be greatly embarrassed +by the question of Nora +Friestone. He swallowed what +seemed to be a lump rising in his throat, +grinned in a sickly way and then asked as +if much distressed: +</p> +<p>“Do ye insist on me answering yer +quistion?” +</p> +<p>“I do,” she replied, with an expression +of tremendous solemnity. +</p> +<p>“Then I’ll hev to own that I’m the +champion post office robber in Maine. It +was mesilf that plundered three offices, +each a hundred miles from the ither, on +the same night and burned up an old man, +his wife and siven children that vintured +to dispoot me will. I’ve been in the bus’ness +iver since the year one and me home +is Murthersville at the head of Murthersville +Creek in Murthersville County.” +</p> +<p>Rising from his chair, Mike bowed low. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></p> +<p>“I thrust I have answered yer quistions +satisfactorily, Miss.” +</p> +<p>“You couldn’t have done better—hello, +Jim!” +</p> +<p>This salutation was to a big gawky boy, +who slouched through the door, with the +announcement: +</p> +<p>“Wal, I’m ready: what shall I do?” +</p> +<p>“Who’s yer frind?” asked Mike of Nora. +</p> +<p>“He comes round each morning to take +out and place the things on the porch in +front and brings them in again each evening” +</p> +<p>“Jim,” said Mike, addressing the gaping +youngster, “ye’re discharged fur to-night. +I’m doing yer job for the avening, but you +git your wages just the same.” +</p> +<p>With which Mike thrust his hand into +his trousers pocket and drew out one of +the three silver quarters there, handing it +to the boy, who was too mystified to understand +what it meant. +</p> +<p>“Yaws,” he said, with a silly grin, looking +at the coin and then clasping it tight; +“what do yuh warnt me to dew?” +</p> +<p>“Go right home to yer mommy and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +give her that quarter to save up fur ye. +Don’t git gay on the road and buy a horse +and wagon.” +</p> +<p>“Yaws, but—uh—I don’t understand +what yuh am drivin’ at.” +</p> +<p>“Ye don’t understand anything in this +wurruld and by yer looks niver will.” +</p> +<p>“He means, Jim,” interposed Nora, “that +he will bring in the things to-night for us, +but you must come round in the morning +and set them out again. That’s plain +enough, isn’t it?” +</p> +<p>“Yaws—but what did he give me so +much money fur? I hain’t done nothin’ +to earn it; I don’t understand it.” +</p> +<p>“We all know that. Come wid me, +James.” +</p> +<p>As Mike spoke, he slipped his arm under +that of Jim and walked to the door, not +pausing until they stood on the porch. +</p> +<p>“Now, James, tell me where ye live.” +</p> +<p>“Yaws, what fur?” +</p> +<p>“’Cause I asked ye; out wid it!” +</p> +<p>The lad pointed a crooked finger down the +street to the left. +</p> +<p>“Now, see how quick ye can git thar. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +Don’t look back, and whin ye tumbles over +the doorsill, tell yer mither ye won’t have +any wurruk to do here until to-morrer +mornin’.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yaws, I understand—why didn’t ye +say so afore?” +</p> +<p>“’Cause ye wouldn’t have understood if +I did. Off wid ye!” +</p> +<p>And to make sure of being obeyed, Mike +gave him a push which caused his dilapidated +straw hat to fall off. He snatched +it up and broke into a lope, as if afraid of +harm if he lingered longer in the neighborhood +of such strange doings. +</p> +<p>“Now, Miss Nora, if ye’ll tell me where +ye want these things placed, I shall be +honored by carrying ’em in fur ye.” +</p> +<p>Mike stood in the front door and looked +down the big store to Nora, at the rear, +who called: +</p> +<p>“Set them in the back part of the room +right here where I’m standing.” +</p> +<p>“How can I put ’em there, if ye stand +there?” asked Mike. +</p> +<p>“I expect to get out of your way.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yaws,” remarked the youth, mimicking +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +Jim, who had shown so much mental +bewilderment. +</p> +<p>The task was easy. There were picks, +shovels, rakes, hoes, spades, pails, ice cream +freezers, toy wagons with gilt letters, coils +of rope and the various articles displayed +by most village or country stores to attract +custom. These were carried in by +the lusty Mike, a half dozen at a time, and +set down somewhat loosely at the rear, +Nora making a few suggestions that were +hardly needed. +</p> +<p>While this was going on, the mother +employed herself in locking the safe for +the night. It will be remembered that in +addition to the stamps and money belonging +to the government and to herself, a +liberal amount was already there, the property +of one of the leading citizens of Beartown, +who was glad to entrust it to the +keeping of the honest widow. +</p> +<p>“I think,” said the daughter when Mike +had completed his work, which took only +a few minutes, “you have earned your +supper.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, now what reward can equal +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +the light of yer blue eyes and the swate +smile that shows the purtiest teeth in the +State of Maine?” was the instant inquiry +in return. +</p> +<p>The mother had just finished locking the +safe, and, standing up, she laughed in her +gentle way and said: +</p> +<p>“Surely you have kissed the blarney +stone, Mike.” +</p> +<p>“I would have done the same had the +chance been mine, which it wasn’t. Is +there any more play that ye call wurruk +which I can do fur the likes of ye?” +</p> +<p>“Nothing more, thank you. Nora and +I will now close the store and attend to +preparing supper.” +</p> +<p>“And I’ll bring me frinds to enj’y the +same.” +</p> +<p>So Mike bade them good night for a +brief while, and strode down the road to +find Alvin and Chester, whom, as you know, +he met on their way to look for him. The +three lingered and chatted, with the view +of giving mother and daughter time in +which to make ready the evening meal. +</p> +<p>Following a common fashion of the times, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +the veteran Carter Friestone, in building +his store and home, made the second story +the living room of the family. It could be +reached by the stairs at the back of the +regular entrance, being through a narrow +hall where visitors rang a bell when they +called. +</p> +<p>The upper front apartment served for +parlor and sitting room, and was neatly +furnished, one of the principal articles +being a piano. This was a birthday present +to Nora, who was gifted with a naturally +sweet voice and received instruction from +the schoolmistress of Beartown. At the +rear was the kitchen and dining room, with +two bedrooms between that and the parlor, +facing each other across the hall. +</p> +<p>Nora answered the tinkle of the bell, +and Alvin and Chester were introduced to +her under the light of the hanging lamp +overhead. The little party found the +mother awaiting them at the head of the +stairs. +</p> +<p>“Supper will be ready in a few minutes,” +she said. “Nora will entertain you in the +parlor until I call you.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span></p> +<p>The girl escorted them to the front room, +where all sat down and chatted with the +cheery good nature proper in such a party +of young folks. Mike was at his best, +and kept all laughing by his drollery. +Nora’s merriment filled the room with +music. Michael had given his name soon +after his entrance into the store, but insisted +that the way to pronounce it was “Mike,” +not “Michael.” +</p> +<p>“I never knew such a funny person,” +said Nora, after one of his quaint remarks. +“Mother and I took to him from the first.” +</p> +<p>“I find it’s a common wakeness whereiver +I go,” said Mike gravely. +</p> +<p>“We find him fairly good company,” +said Alvin. “He seems to have been born +that way and we can hardly blame him.” +</p> +<p>“He tries our patience very much,” +added Chester, “but we have learned to +bear the affliction.” +</p> +<p>“I wish you all lived in Beartown,” +said Nora impulsively, “and that Mike +would call to see us every day.” +</p> +<p>“Whisht, now,” said he, lowering his +voice. “Whin I strolled through the town +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +on me arrival, I was so chaarmed I began +hunting fur a house and property to buy +fur me home. I sthruck the right spot and +made an offer to the owner of the same. +I think we’ll come to tarms, being there’s +only a difference of a thrifle of five or six +thousand dollars in the price.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Friestone now appeared with word +that supper was waiting, and all passed +into the kitchen and dining room. Of +course she presided, Nora acting as waitress +whenever necessary. Alvin and Chester +complimented their hostess on the excellence +of the meal, while Mike was so +extravagant in his praise that they protested. +Alvin told the particulars of their +trip in the launch from home to Wiscasset +and return, omitting of course all reference +to Stockham Calvert that would give a +hint of his profession and his purpose in +making what looked like an aimless ramble +through this portion of Maine. The Captain +was assured that his boat would not +be disturbed where it lay moored under +the bank, and he and Chester gave no +further thought to it. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span></p> +<p>The group lingered long at the table, +and at the close of the meal Nora preceded +them to the parlor, were she excused +herself in order to help her mother in washing +the dishes and clearing away things. +The work was finished sooner than the +friends expected, and the happy party gathered +in the parlor. +</p> +<p>The presence of the musical instrument +made its own suggestion, and the lads +insisted that Nora should favor them with +a song or two. She had the good taste to +comply after a modest protest, and gave +them a treat. Her voice, as I have said, +was of fine quality though rather weak, +and she sang several of the popular songs +of the day with exquisite expression. She +was so warmly applauded that she blushed +and sang again until it was evident to all +she was tired. +</p> +<p>“Now,” said she as she rose from the +stool and looked at Mike, “you must sing +for us, for I know you can.” +</p> +<p>“Certainly, Mike, show them what you +can do in that line,” joined Alvin, and +Chester was equally urgent. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></p> +<p>He objected and held back, but when +Mrs. Friestone joined in the request he +rose reluctantly and went to the instrument. +</p> +<p>And straightway came the surprise of +the evening. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_AN_INCIDENT_ON_SHIPBOARD' id='XIII_AN_INCIDENT_ON_SHIPBOARD'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Incident on Shipboard</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Among the passengers on one of the +most magnificent of ocean steamers +that crossed the Atlantic during the +summer of which I have made mention, +was a famous prima donna coming to the +United States to fulfil a contract which +would net her many thousand dollars. +This notable artist who possessed a most +winning personality as well as great beauty +was easily the most popular passenger +aboard the steamer on that memorable trip +across the ocean. +</p> +<p>One evening this lady was strolling over +the promenade deck under the escort of +her brother. The night was unusually +calm, with a bright moon in the sky. The +mighty throbbing structure glided over the +sleeping billows as across a millpond, and +all were in fine spirits, for they were nearing +home, and that dreadful affliction <i>mal de mer</i> +had troubled only the abnormally sensitive. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +Neither the brother nor the prima donna +had felt the slightest effects. +</p> +<p>The two were chatting of many things, +but nothing of any importance, when she +suddenly stopped with an exclamation of +surprise. +</p> +<p>“Listen!” she added when they had +stood motionless for a few seconds; “do +you hear that?” +</p> +<p>“I do; it is wonderful.” +</p> +<p>It was the voice of some one singing +“Mavourneen,” that sweet Irish melody +which has charmed and will always charm +thousands. It came from the second class +section, which was separated from the first +by two gates. These marked the “impassable +chasm,” so far as the less favored +were concerned, though of course the first +class passengers were free to wander whither +they chose. +</p> +<p>The lady and gentleman walked to the +barrier and looked across. +</p> +<p>“There he is!” said the man, in a low +tone. +</p> +<p>“Where?” asked his companion, with +eager curiosity. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p> +<p>“To the right, in front of that group +which has gathered round him.” +</p> +<p>“I see him now. Why, he is only a boy.” +</p> +<p>“A pretty big one. But hark!” +</p> +<p>They ceased talking that they might +not lose any of the marvellous music. +Others gathered near until more than a +score were listening near the bridge. Many +more paused in different parts of the deck, +and even the grim captain high up on the +bridge expressed the opinion that the singer’s +voice was “infernally good.” +</p> +<p>The singer was modest, for when he discovered +the number of listeners he abruptly +ceased nor could any coaxing induce him +to resume the treat. +</p> +<p>“Louis,” said the prima donna, after +the silence had lasted some minutes and +the various groups began dissolving, “I +want you to bring that boy to me.” +</p> +<p>“Why, my dear, he is a second class +passenger.” +</p> +<p>“What of that? He has a divine gift +in his voice. I must meet him.” +</p> +<p>Louis shrugged his shoulders, but he +was used to the whims of his brilliant +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +sister. He strolled through one of the +gates while she awaited his return. He +soon appeared, walking slowly, in order to +keep pace with a big boy behind him, who, +it was evident, moved with deep reluctance. +Louis led him straight to the lady, who +advanced a step to meet him. +</p> +<p>“I wish to shake hands with you,” she +said in her frank, winning manner, “and +to tell you how much we all enjoyed your +singing of ‘Mavourneen.’” +</p> +<p>The confused lad doffed his cap and +bowed with awkward grace. +</p> +<p>“It was mesilf that feared I was disturbing +yer slumbers, which if it be the +fact I beg yer pardon fur the same.” +</p> +<p>“Disturbing our slumbers! Did you hear +that, Louis?” +</p> +<p>And the artist’s musical laughter rang +out. More soberly she asked: +</p> +<p>“Will you tell me your name?” +</p> +<p>“Mike Murphy—not Michael as some +ignorant persons call it—and I’m from Tipperary, +in the County of Tipperary, and the +town is a hundred miles from Dublin—thank +ye kindly, leddy.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></p> +<p>“Are you alone?” +</p> +<p>Mike was standing with his cap in hand +where the moonlight revealed his homely +face and his shock of red hair. His self-possession +had quickly come back to him +and his waggishness could not be repressed. +He glanced into the beautiful face before +him and made answer: +</p> +<p>“How can I be alone, whin I’m standing +in the prisence of the swatest lady on +boord the steamer, wid her father at her +elbow?” +</p> +<p>How the prima donna laughed! +</p> +<p>“Louis, he thinks you are my father, +when you are my twin brother! It’s delicious.” +</p> +<p>“It may be for you, but not for me,” +he grimly answered, though scarcely less +pleased than she over the pointed compliment +to her. +</p> +<p>Addressing Mike, the lady said: +</p> +<p>“You have a wonderfully fine tenor +voice: do you know that, Mike?” +</p> +<p>“I do <i>now</i>, since yersilf has told me, +though ye make me blush.” +</p> +<p>“Are you travelling alone?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p> +<p>“Yes, Miss; I’m on me way to jine me +dad and mither, which the same live in +the State of Maine, of which I suppose +yersilf has heerd.” +</p> +<p>“Have you had any instruction in music +or the cultivation of your voice?” +</p> +<p>“The only insthrumint on which I can +play is the jewsharp, and folks that hear +me always kindly requists me to have done +as soon as I begin. As to me v’ice, the +cultivation I’ve resaved has been in shouting +at the cows when they wint astray or +at the pigs whin they broke out of the stye.” +</p> +<p>“How would you like to become an opera +singer, Mike?” +</p> +<p>He recoiled, and, though he knew the +meaning of the question, he asked: +</p> +<p>“And phwat does ye mane by ‘opera’?” +</p> +<p>“Ah, you know, you sly boy. I am sure +that after a few years of training you can +make your fortune on the operatic stage.” +</p> +<p>The assurance did not appeal to Mike. +He must find some excuse for declining an +offer which would have turned the heads of +most persons. +</p> +<p>“It is very kind of you, leddy, and I’m +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +sorry I can’t accipt, as Terence Gallagher +said whin the mob invited him out to be +hanged.” +</p> +<p>“And why not?” +</p> +<p>“Ye see, me dad, if he lives long enough +will be eighty-odd years owld, and me +mither is alriddy that feeble she can hardly +walk across the floor of our cabin, and I +am naaded at home to take care of the two.” +</p> +<p>“Well, let that go for the present. I +wish you to come and see me to-morrow at +ten o’clock. Will you do so?” +</p> +<p>“How can I refoos?” asked Mike, who +would have been glad to back out. “Who +is it that I shall ask fur whin I vinture on +this part of the boat?” +</p> +<p>She gave him her name, thanked him +for the meeting and bade him good night. +Mike donned his cap and returned to his +acquaintances, to whom he told a portion +of what had taken place. +</p> +<p>Dressed in his best, his obdurate hair +smoothed down by dousing it in water and +threading a brush many times through it, +and spotlessly clean, Mike with many misgivings +crossed the bridge the next morning +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +into the more favored section of the steamer. +He did not have to make inquiries for the +lady, for she stood smilingly at the end of +the first class promenade awaiting him. +She extended her dainty gloved hand, and +the lad, who had braced himself for the +ordeal, had shed most of his awkwardness. +The brother kept in the background, having +been ordered to do so, but he amusedly +watched the two from a distance, as did +a good many others. +</p> +<p>The prima donna conducted Mike straight +to the grand saloon and sat down before +the superb piano. Others sauntered into +the room to listen and look and enjoy. +</p> +<p>The frightened Mike hung back. +</p> +<p>“Stand right here beside me,” she said +with pleasant imperiousness. “I will play +the accompaniment while you sing ‘Mavourneen.’” +</p> +<p>“I’m that scared, me leddy, that I +couldn’t sing a word.” +</p> +<p>“Tut, tut—none of that. Come, try!” +and she struck several notes on the instrument. +</p> +<p>Mike’s voice was a trifle uncertain at +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +first, but she knew how to encourage him, +and soon the tones rang out with the +exquisite sweetness that had charmed the +listeners the evening before. When with +many doubts he finished, he was startled +by a vigorous handclapping that caused +him to look round. Fully fifty men and +women had gathered without his suspecting +it. He bowed and was turning to walk to +a chair, when the lady stopped him. +</p> +<p>“You are not through yet; I must test +your voice further. Can you sing any other +songs?” +</p> +<p>“I have thried a few.” +</p> +<p>“Name them.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t ricollect them at this moment, +but there’s ‘Oft in the Stilly Night’ and——” +</p> +<p>“That will do; it is one of Tom Moore’s +prettiest. Are you ready?” +</p> +<p>And the fast increasing audience applauded +to the echo. Other pieces followed +until the prima donna allowed him to rest. +Then sitting down beside him, she said: +</p> +<p>“As I told you last night, you have a +fortune in your voice. If you can arrange +to leave your feeble parents to the care of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +others, you can soon earn enough to keep +them in comfort all their lives. If you can +come to Boston or New York when I sing +there, you must not fail to call on me and +to attend the concert. Here is my card.” +</p> +<p>She had already written a few lines upon +the pasteboard which made it an open +sesame to the possessor to any and all of +her concerts. Mike thanked her gratefully, +and had to promise to come to see +her again before the steamer reached New +York, and to think over her proposal. He +kept his promise so far as calling on her +again, not once but several times before +she bade him good-by on the pier. +</p> +<p>But, as I have said, there was nothing +in her plan that appealed to the Irish +youth. The modest fellow never told of +the occurrence to anyone, nor did he +give it more than a passing thought in +the weeks and months that followed. The +brother of the prima donna imparted the +particulars to his intimate friend Gideon +Landon, the wealthy banker, and in this +way I am able to relate the incident on +shipboard. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV__THE_NIGHT_SHALL_BE_FILLED_WITH_MUSIC' id='XIV__THE_NIGHT_SHALL_BE_FILLED_WITH_MUSIC'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Night Shall be Filled with Music</span>”</h3> +</div> + +<p>The prima donna who grew so fond +of Mike discovered several interesting +facts about him, aside from his +marvellous tenor voice. He had the talent +of improvisation. When they became well +enough acquainted for him to feel at ease +in her presence, he sang bits of melody +that were his own composition. She was +delighted and encouraged him to cultivate +the gift. Of course he knew nothing about +playing any instrument, but under her instruction +he quickly picked up the art of +accompanying himself on the piano. The +music which he sang was of the simplest +nature and the chords suggested themselves +to his ear. +</p> +<p>Another peculiarity of the lad was that, +despite his exuberant, rollicking nature, he +had no taste for humorous music. When +she asked him to sing a lively song, he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +shook his head. He not only knew none, +but had no wish to learn any. His liking +was for sentiment and tenderness of feeling. +Moore’s melodies were his favorites and +he knew few others. At the last meeting +of Mike and the lady she gave him a +fragment of verse which she had cut from +a paper and asked him to compose a melody +for it. He promised to try. +</p> +<p>With this rather lengthy explanation, and +the fact that neither Alvin Landon nor +Chester Haynes had ever heard him sing, +though both had noticed that his voice +was peculiarly clear, you will understand +the surprise that awaited them when he +walked to the piano and reluctantly sat +down. The hoarseness which followed his +shouting when marooned on White Islands +was gone and his notes were as clear as a +bell. +</p> +<p>Every one expected a mirth-provoking +song when he placed his foot on the pedal +and his fingers touched the keys. Even +Widow Friestone smiled in anticipation, +while Alvin and Chester feared that in his +ignorance of true singing his attempts +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +would become comical to the last degree. +The listeners glanced significantly to one +another, while he was bringing out a few +preliminary notes. +</p> +<p>Suddenly into the room burst the most +ravishing music from the sweetest voice +they had ever heard. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“The harp that once through Tara’s halls</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>The soul of music shed,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Now hangs as mute on Tara’s walls</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>As if that soul were fled.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>So sleeps the pride of former days,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>So glory’s thrill is o’er,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>And hearts that once beat high for praise,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Now feel that pulse no more.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>With the same bewitching sweetness he +sang the remaining stanza, and then paused +with his fingers idly rambling over the keys, +as if in doubt what next to do. +</p> +<p>There was no applause. Not a person +moved or seemed to breathe. Then Alvin +and Chester looked wonderingly at each +other, as if doubting their own senses. +Whoever imagined that Mike Murphy was +gifted with so wonderful a voice? It seemed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +as if they were dreaming and were waiting +for the spell to lift. +</p> +<p>It would have been affectation on the +part of Mike to pretend he was ignorant +of the effect he had produced. He had +seen it too often in the past, and he knew +the great songstress on the steamer would +not have said what she did had there not +been good basis therefor. So, without +seeming to notice the hush—the most +sincere tribute possible—he sang the old +favorite “Mavourneen,” and at its conclusion +“Annie Laurie,” with a liquidity +of tone that was never surpassed by throat +of nightingale. +</p> +<p>At its conclusion he swung round on the +stool, sprang up and dropped into the nearest +chair, looking about as if doubtful of +the reception that was to attend his efforts. +</p> +<p>Nora was the first to rally. She uttered +one ecstatic “Oh!” bounded across the +floor, threw her dimpled arms about his +neck and kissed him on the cheek. +</p> +<p>“You darling! You sing like an angel!” +</p> +<p>“Nothing could be sweeter,” added the +smiling mother. Mike gently kissed the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +girl on her forehead, and did not release +her until she drew away. +</p> +<p>“Ye’re very kind. It’s mesilf is glad me +efforts seemed to plaise ye, though I’m in +doubt as to the Captain and second mate.” +</p> +<p>Alvin walked silently across the floor +and reached out his hand. +</p> +<p>“Glad to know ye,” replied Mike, with +a grin, looking up in the face that had +actually turned slightly pale. “What is yer +name, plaise?” +</p> +<p>Chester joined his chum. +</p> +<p>“Mike, Alvin and I were silent, for we +didn’t know what to say. You have +given us the surprise of our lives. I am +no singer and never can be, but I would +give a hundred thousand dollars, if I had +it, for your voice. Alvin makes some pretensions. +He is the leader of his school +quartette, but he can’t equal you.” +</p> +<p>“Equal him!” sniffed the Captain. “If +Mike ever shows himself where our quartette +is trying to sing, I shall make every +one shut up to save ourselves from disgrace. +As for Mike, we’ll give him the +choice to sing for us or to be killed.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>Chester asked reprovingly: +</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you let us know about +this before?” +</p> +<p>“Ye didn’t ask me, and what could be +the difference if ye didn’t find it out? Ye +wouldn’t have larned the same if Nora and +her mither hadn’t insisted that I should +entertain them, as I tried to do.” +</p> +<p>“You are a queer make-up,” replied +Alvin, with a laugh. +</p> +<p>“Since ye are the leader, Captain, of yer +quartette at school, it’s up to ye to obleege +the company wid something in their line.” +</p> +<p>Nora added her entreaties. +</p> +<p>“We know you can do very well, Alvin, +though of course not half so well as Mike, +for <i>nobody</i> can do that,” was the naïve +argument of the miss. +</p> +<p>“No, sir,” said Alvin emphatically, and, +assuming deep solemnity, he raised his +hand. “I vow that I will never, never sing +in Mike’s presence. I can stand a joke as +well as most persons, but that is the limit. +Here’s Chester, however. He will be glad +to give Mike a few lessons.” +</p> +<p>The fun of it was that Chester could not +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +sing the chromatic scale correctly if his life +were at stake. He was not rattled by the +request. +</p> +<p>“Mike, can you play the accompaniment +to ‘Greenville’?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“How does it go? Hum the same fur +me so I can catch it.” +</p> +<p>Chester stood up and “hummed,” but +without the slightest resemblance to any +tune that the others had ever heard. +</p> +<p>“That gits me,” commented Mike, “as +Teddy O’Rourke said whin the p’liceman +grabbed him. If ye’ll sthrike in I’ll do my +best to keep wid ye.” +</p> +<p>“No, sir; I decline to play second fiddle +to anyone,” and Chester resumed his seat +as if in high dudgeon. +</p> +<p>At this moment Nora asked of Mike: +</p> +<p>“Did you ever make up music for yourself?” +</p> +<p>“I have tried once or twice, but didn’t +do much.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, please sing us something of your +own.” +</p> +<p>“A leddy on the steamer that brought +me over give me some printed words one +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +day wid the requist that I should try to +put some music to ’em. I furgot the +same till after she had gone, but I’ll make +the effort if ye all won’t be too hard on me.” +</p> +<p>(This was the only reference that Mike +was ever heard to make to the incidents +recorded in the previous chapter.) +</p> +<p>And then the Irish lad sang “The Sweet +Long Ago.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_A_KNOCK_AT_THE_DOOR' id='XV_A_KNOCK_AT_THE_DOOR'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Knock at the Door</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Alvin easily caught the swing of +the bass and sang when the chorus +was reached. Mike barely touched +the keys, bringing out a few faint chords +that could not add to the sweetness of his +voice. Mrs. Friestone sat motionless, looking +intently at him until he came to the +last words. Then she abruptly took off her +glasses and put her handkerchief to her +eyes. +</p> +<p>The sweet long ago! Again she saw the +handsome, sturdy youth when he returned +from the war for the defence of his country, +as brave, as resolute, as aflame with patriotism +as in his earlier years, but with +frame wrenched by painful wounds. Their +lives were inexpressibly happy from the +time she became a bride, and their maturer +age was blessed by the gift of darling Nora. +Existence became one grand sweet dream—more +happy, more radiant and more a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +foretaste of what awaited them all in the +great beyond. That loved form had vanished +in the sweet long ago, but the memory +could never fade or grow dim. +</p> +<p>It was the song that brought back the +picture with a vividness it had not worn +for many a year. The tears would come, +and Nora, glancing at her mother, buried +her face in her own handkerchief and +sobbed. Alvin and Chester sat silent, and +Mike, turning gently on the stool, looked +sympathetically at mother and daughter. +</p> +<p>“Thank you, Mike,” came a soft, choking +voice from behind the snowy bit of linen, +and the brave lad winked rapidly and fought +back the tears that crowded into his honest +eyes. +</p> +<p>It was not strange that the effect of +Mike Murphy’s beautiful singing of the +touching songs brooded like a benison +throughout the evening. Even Nora, when +asked to favor them again, shook her head. +</p> +<p>“Not after Mike,” she replied, her eyes +gleaming more brightly through the moisture +not yet dried. +</p> +<p>It was impossible for the Irish lad to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +restrain his humor, and soon he had them +all smiling, but there was no loud laughter +such as greeted his first sallies, and the conversation +as a whole was soberer and more +thoughtful. Alvin and Chester told of +their school experiences, and finally Mike +related his adventure when marooned on +the lonely island well out toward the Atlantic +and his friends found him after they +had given him up as drowned. +</p> +<p>So the evening wore away until, at a +seasonable hour, the head of the household +said that when they wished to retire she +would show them to their room. Just +then Mike had his hand over his mouth +in the effort to repress a yawn. Nora +laughingly pointed at him. +</p> +<p>“In a few minutes he’ll be asleep and will +tumble off his chair.” +</p> +<p>“I’m afeard ye’re right, as I replied to +me tacher whin he obsarved that I was +the biggest numskull in Tipperary County. +Come, Captain and sicond mate—ye won’t +forgit, Miss Nora, that I’m <i>first</i> mate of +the battleship <i>Deerfut</i>.” +</p> +<p>The girl went to the kitchen from which +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +she speedily returned, carrying a hand +lamp, which she gave to her mother. She +nodded to the lads, who followed her to the +door of the apartment assigned them for +the night. They entered behind her as +she set the light on the stand and turned +about. +</p> +<p>“I think you will find everything as you +wish.” +</p> +<p>“It couldn’t be itherwise, whin it’s yersilf +that has provided the same. Be that +token, we’re getting more than we desarve.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing could be finer,” added Alvin, +glancing round the lighted room. “It’s as +neat as a pin and we shall sleep the sleep +of the just.” +</p> +<p>The three had noticed when in the parlor +the portrait suspended in the place of +honor. The blue uniform, the military +cap resting on one knee, and the strong, +expressive face told their own story. It +was the picture of Captain Carter Friestone, +taken many a year before, when +in the flush of his patriotic young manhood. +A smaller picture was on the wall of the +bedroom of mother and daughter. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p> +<p>The chamber which the lads entered +was graced with two small, inexpensive +pictures of a religious character, a pretty +rug covered most of the floor, the walls +were tastefully papered and there were +several chairs, to say nothing of the mirror, +stand and other conveniences. +</p> +<p>Not only was the broad bed with its +snowy counterpane and downy pillows +roomy enough for two, but a wide cot +had been placed on the other side of the +neat little room for whoever chose to sleep +upon it. +</p> +<p>That which caught the eye of the three +was a musket leaning in the far corner. +Chester stepped across, and asking permission +of Mrs. Friestone, picked it up and +brought it over to where the light was +stronger. He saw it was a Springfield +rifle, but the lock and base of the barrel +were torn into gaping rents. +</p> +<p>“I suppose this belonged to the captain,” +said Chester inquiringly. The widow +nodded her head. +</p> +<p>“And it did good service—that is certain,” +added Chester, with his companions +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +beside him scrutinizing the weapon. “But +it seems to have been injured.” +</p> +<p>She smiled faintly. +</p> +<p>“Carter brought it home from the war, +declaring it was better than when new. +He put a double charge in one Fourth of +July morning, forgetting that the weapon +was much worn from many previous firings. +It exploded at the lock and came +very near killing him. But,” she added, +with a sigh, “it is very precious to me.” +</p> +<p>“I am sure of that,” said Chester as he +reverently carried the gun back to the +corner. +</p> +<p>The good woman kissed each lad on the +forehead. When she thus saluted Mike, +who was the last, she placed her thin hand +on his head, and said with infinite tenderness: +</p> +<p>“I thank you for what you did to-night.” +</p> +<p>“I beg ye don’t mintion it——” +</p> +<p>Mike stopped abruptly, and pretending +to see something interesting in the old +rifle, hurried across the room to examine +it more closely. +</p> +<p>“Good night and pleasant dreams,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +called the lady as she passed out, noiselessly +closing the door behind her. +</p> +<p>It having been agreed that Mike should +use the cot, the three prepared for retiring, +the mind of each full of the experience of +the evening. Both Alvin and Chester +wished to speak of the extraordinary voice +of Mike, but neither did, for they knew +he would prefer they should not. He could +not help knowing how greatly he had been +favored by nature, and disliked any reminder. +</p> +<p>The wick of the lamp was turned down +and blown out by Alvin, after glancing +around and noting that his companions +were ready. Through the raised window, +opening over a broad alley, the cool wind +stole. It so came about that for several +days and nights, including the one of which +I am now speaking, the leading cities of +the country, embracing even Boston, were +suffering from one of the most intense heat +waves that ever swept like a furnace blast +over most of the States in the Union. +But in favored southern Maine it was +ideally cool. You could stand a thin covering +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +at night, or you could cast it aside. +You were equally comfortable in either +situation. +</p> +<p>Our young friends ought to have sunk +into a sound sleep within a few minutes +after lying down, but they did not. Something +was on their minds, and the singular +fact of it was that the thoughts of each +were identically the same, though as yet +not a hint had been dropped by anyone. +</p> +<p>It was Mike who abruptly spoke: +</p> +<p>“I say, Captain, are ye aslaap?” +</p> +<p>“I ought to be, but I was never wider +awake.” +</p> +<p>“How about the second mate?” +</p> +<p>“The same here,” was the reply from +that individual. +</p> +<p>“I wish to obsarve that I’m engaged +just now in thinking, byes.” +</p> +<p>“Thinking of what?” asked Alvin. +</p> +<p>“’Spose them post office robbers should +pay this place a visit.” +</p> +<p>“What in the world put that in your +head?” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t the same thought come to ye, +Captain?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></p> +<p>“I must admit it did.” +</p> +<p>“And how is it with the second mate?” +</p> +<p>“It has troubled me, too, Mike.” +</p> +<p>“But I can see no real cause for misgiving,” +added Alvin. +</p> +<p>“We know the <i>Water Witch</i> is somewhere +in the neighborhood,” remarked Chester, +to which his chum replied: +</p> +<p>“What could attract them to a small +office like this? They hunt for bigger +game.” +</p> +<p>“There’s a good lot of money in the safe +downstairs,” said Mike. “’Twas mesilf +that obsarved one of the leddy’s callers +gave her twinty-five hundred dollars, which +she put away. Where could the spalpeens +make a bigger haul?” +</p> +<p>“But how should they know about it? +They didn’t see it done,” said Alvin. +</p> +<p>“Hist, now! From what me eyes told +me, the same being anither chap called +and would have lift more, had he not been +afeard of me eagle eye that was on him.” +</p> +<p>“What of that?” +</p> +<p>“Doesn’t it show that it’s the practice +in Beartown wid some of them as has lots +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +of money to lave the same wid the leddy? +Thim chaps are prying round and it would +be aisy fur ’em to larn the fact.” +</p> +<p>“We should have seen something of them +if they were in this village.” +</p> +<p>Alvin felt the weakness of this statement, +for such unwelcome visitors would +be too shrewd to expose themselves to discovery +when it was possible to avoid it. +All three might have been in Beartown for +hours without drawing attention to themselves +and without giving Mike, during his +earlier visit, a glimpse of them. +</p> +<p>Speculating in this manner, Alvin and +Mike came to the belief, or rather hope, +that their good friend was in no danger +of a burglarious visit. Chester would not +be convinced, but expressed the hope that +they were right. +</p> +<p>“I shall make bold to remind Mrs. Friestone +in the morning of the risk she runs +and advise her to cease accepting any outside +deposits.” +</p> +<p>Chester was the last to fall asleep. It +was a long time before he sank into slumber, +but by and by he glided into the realm +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +of dreams. He had no means of knowing +how long he lay unconscious, when he +gradually became aware of a peculiar tapping +somewhere near. A moment’s listening +told him that someone was knocking +on the door. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVI_VISITORS_OF_THE_NIGHT' id='XVI_VISITORS_OF_THE_NIGHT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Visitors of the Night</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Chester bounded out of bed and +hunted to the door, which he unlocked +and opened for a few inches. +He could see nothing in the gloom, and +asked in a whisper: +</p> +<p>“Who is it?” +</p> +<p>“It is I—Nora. Mamma and I are +awfully scared.” +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” +</p> +<p>“Somebody is in the store downstairs.” +</p> +<p>“How do you know that?” +</p> +<p>“Mamma heard the window raised and +woke me. She asked me to call you boys.” +</p> +<p>“Wait a moment and we’ll be with you.” +</p> +<p>It showed how lightly Alvin and Mike +were sleeping when they were instantly +roused by the slight noise made in opening +the door. Each sat on the side of his +couch and listened. In the deep silence +they heard the snatch of conversation and +hurriedly began putting on their clothes. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +They wrought silently and without lighting +the lamp. +</p> +<p>“I expected it,” remarked Chester, imitating +them. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Friestone joined her daughter in +the dark hall, she being too wise to use a +light. A moment later the whole party +stood together in the gloom, where neither +could see the face of the others. +</p> +<p>“Hark!” whispered the mother. +</p> +<p>The five stood for a minute without stirring +or speaking and hardly breathing. +Not the slightest sound reached their ears. +Then Chester asked in a guarded undertone: +</p> +<p>“Are you sure you were not mistaken, +Mrs. Friestone?” +</p> +<p>“I could not have been; the sound of +the raising of the window was too distinct +for me to be deceived—hark!” she warned +again. +</p> +<p>This time all heard something. It was +a faint, rasping noise such as might have +been caused by the cautious pushing of a +box or large smooth object over the floor. +If this were so, the article could not have +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +been moved more than a few inches, for +the sound ceased immediately. +</p> +<p>“You are right,” said Alvin; “you have +visitors. About what time do you suppose +it is?” +</p> +<p>“The clock struck twelve quite awhile +ago. There! it is now one,” she added as +a silvery tinkle came from the parlor. +</p> +<p>“What shall we do?” asked Nora, echoing +the question that was in the mind of +every one. +</p> +<p>And then a strange council was held in +a place so dark that all who took part +were mutually invisible. +</p> +<p>It would seem that the common sense +course was to make a noise that would be +heard by the burglars and would scare +them off. That is to say that theoretically +this would occur, but it might not. Knowing +how much loot was within their reach, +if not already in hand, one or two of them +were likely to hurry upstairs and compel +those that were there to hold their peace, +hesitating at no violence to enforce their +orders. +</p> +<p>While the boys were eager to take the risk, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +the mother would not agree and the plan +had to be abandoned. +</p> +<p>The next proposal was for each to thrust +his or her head out of a window and call +for help. The cry would rouse the village +and it would not take long for many citizens +to rush thither. Beartown had no police +force, the only officer of the peace being a +constable who was lame and cross-eyed +and lived at the farthest end of the village. +No dependence could be placed on him, but +there were plenty of others who would +gladly hasten to the help of mother and +daughter. +</p> +<p>This was the only thing to do, and it +would have been done but for the hysterical +opposition of Nora Friestone. She declared +that the dreadful robbers—she was sure of +it—would hurry upstairs the instant the +first scream was made and kill every one +before any help could arrive! It might not +take more than five or ten minutes for +friends to run to the spot, but that would +be enough for the burglars to complete +their awful work. +</p> +<p>Possibly the girl might have been argued +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +out of her absurd fear had she not won her +mother to her side. She took the same view. +</p> +<p>“What then is to be done?” asked Chester +a trifle impatiently. +</p> +<p>“Nothing; they can’t get the safe open, +if they work till daylight.” +</p> +<p>“They can do it in a few minutes if they +use dynamite, and at the same time blow +out the whole end of your house.” +</p> +<p>To this terrifying declaration the lady +could make no reply except to say: +</p> +<p>“We may as well go back to our rooms.” +</p> +<p>It was on the point of Chester’s tongue to +ask in view of this conclusion why Nora had +knocked on their door, but he thought best +to refrain. +</p> +<p>“Whisht!” whispered Mike; “let’s go to +the parlor, where we have the moonlight +to help us.” +</p> +<p>Walking on tiptoe and as silent as so +many cats, the party moved through the +hall to the front room. The straining ears +heard nothing more from below stairs, +though there could be no doubt that their +visitors were still there. +</p> +<p>As Mike had intimated, the round, clear +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +moon was in the sky, and looking from the +windows it seemed almost as bright as day. +The party stood just far enough back to be +invisible to anyone in the street below. +A row of elms lined each side of the highway, +being mutually separated by a dozen yards +or so. They were small, having been set out +only a few years before, but were in full +foliage and the most remote ones cast a +shadow into the highway. On the same side +of what was the main street, each frame +house that served for a dwelling had a +yard, shrubbery and flowers in front. +Farther to the left was the small grocery +store, while to the right on the same side +as the post office was the pert little village +church to which reference has already +been made. +</p> +<p>At this hour all Beartown seemed to be +sunk in slumber, as was quite proper +should be the case. From not a single window +twinkled a light nor was man, woman +or boy seen on the street. A solitary dog, +with nose down and travelling diagonally +as canines sometimes do, trotted to the front +gate of the house opposite the post office, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +jumped over and passed from view to the +rear. +</p> +<p>“I wonder what that man is waiting +there for.” +</p> +<p>It was Nora who whispered this question, +which instantly put the others on the <i>qui +vive</i>. +</p> +<p>“I don’t see any man; where is he?” +asked Chester. +</p> +<p>“Under that tree opposite; he’s in plain +sight.” +</p> +<p>Such was the fact now that she had +directed attention to him. The elm was +directly across the street, and had a trunk +not more than six or eight inches in diameter. +A man was standing motionless +under the dense foliage several feet above +his head, doing nothing except simply to +stand there. +</p> +<p>“He is the lookout,” said Chester. +</p> +<p>“What’s a lookout?” asked the nervous +Nora. +</p> +<p>“He is there to watch for danger that +may threaten the others who are inside +and working at your mother’s safe. If he +sees anything wrong he will give a signal, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +probably by means of a whistle, and the +fellows below will run.” +</p> +<p>“Why couldn’t you give the signal?” +</p> +<p>“I could if I knew what it is, but I don’t.” +</p> +<p>“Look! he is coming over here!” exclaimed +the affrighted Nora, as the man +stepped from the shadow, walked half way +across the street, and then halted as if in +doubt whether to advance farther. +</p> +<p>“No fear of his visiting us,” Alvin assured +her; “but it is best to keep out of +sight.” +</p> +<p>All shrank still farther back, when there +was no possibility of being seen in the first +place. The man did not look up, but kept +his slouch hat pulled so far down that +nothing of his face was visible. He held +his position for perhaps five minutes, when +he turned about and went back to his post. +There could be no doubt that he was the +lookout of the gang, as Chester had said +when he was first noticed. Not once did +he look up before reaching his place, so +that none of our friends caught a glimpse of +his features. +</p> +<p>What a unique situation! One or more +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +burglars were at work on the safe below +stairs, and there were five persons on the +floor above who knew it, but did not raise +voice or a hand to interfere with them. +It has been explained why, though it should +be added that in the way of firearms there +was only the single worthless Springfield +rifle in the house. It was mother and +daughter who held the three lads supine. +Had they been left free they would have +acted immediately on first learning of the +presence of the criminals. +</p> +<p>Chester had spoken the word “dynamite,” +and it was that terrific explosive which he +and his companions dreaded unspeakably. +If the charge were fired, it would not only +blow the massive safe apart, but was likely +to wreck the building itself and probably +inflict death to more than one in the +dwelling. +</p> +<p>Mike Murphy chafed more than his +comrades. Reflecting on the exasperating +state of affairs, he determined to do something +despite the opposition of the mother +and daughter. A few minutes’ thought +suggested a plan. He would have revealed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +it to Alvin and Chester, but feared they +would prevent action or that his whispering +in the darkness of the room would +awaken the suspicion of the other two. +</p> +<p>Only when near the front windows could +the members of the party dimly see one +another. They had withdrawn so far at +sight of the approach of the man on guard +that the light ill served them. Mike stealthily +retreated to the open door leading into +the hall. Neither of his comrades heard +him, and he groped along the passage, with +hands outstretched on each side to guide +him. The feet were lifted and set down +without noise, and by and by he came to +the opening leading to the bedroom. Across +this he made his way with the same noiseless +stealth, until the groping hand touched +the battered rifle, which he lifted from its +resting place. Back into the hall again, +and then through the dining room, inch by +inch, to where he remembered seeing the +head of the stairs, though he knew nothing +beyond that. He would have struck a +match but for fear of attracting the notice +of those below. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span></p> +<p>“I’ve only to feel each step,” he reflected, +“and I’ll soon arrive, and then won’t +fur of the spalpeens fly?” +</p> +<p>His unfamiliarity with the stairs made +him think they were not so nearly perpendicular +as was the fact. While the +thought was in his mind, he made a misstep +and, unable to check himself, went +bumping all the way to the bottom. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVII__TALL_OAKS_FROM_LITTLE_ACORNS_GROW' id='XVII__TALL_OAKS_FROM_LITTLE_ACORNS_GROW'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow</span>”</h3> +</div> + +<p>If you wish an illustration of how great +events often flow from trifling causes +read what follows. It is one of the +many events which prove that “tall oaks +from little acorns grow.” +</p> +<p>You have not forgotten Jim, the gawky, +overgrown boy who had a verbal contract +with Mrs. Friestone which bound him to +go to the store each weekday morning and +set out on the front porch the score or more +samples of the goods that were on sale +within. The same agreement required him +to come around at dusk each evening and +carry them inside, his weekly wage for such +duty being twenty-five cents. When, therefore, +Mike Murphy handed him a silver +quarter and assumed the job for that single +night, Jim received a whole week’s pay for +turning it over to the Irish lad. It is not +so strange that the youngster was confused +at first over his bit of luck, which he did +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +not fully understand until he reached home +and had eaten his supper. +</p> +<p>Now by one of those curious coincidences +which occur oftener in this life than most +people think, that day was the anniversary +of Jim’s birth. Being a good boy, as such +things go, his father presented him with a +fine pocketknife, than which nothing could +have pleased his son better. It was really +an excellent article, having four blades, one +of which was a file, two of small size, and +one quite large, the three being almost as +keen-edged as a razor. Straightway the +happy lad selected his right hand trousers +pocket as the home of the knife when not +in use. The miscellaneous articles, such as +a jewsharp, a piece of twine, a key, three +coppers, a piece of resin, several marbles, +two ten-penny nails, a stub of a lead pencil +and a few other things were shifted to the +left side repository, where also he deposited +the shining silver coin, after showing it to his +parents and telling them how he fell heir to +it. +</p> +<p>The chat of the family shut out reference +to the knife for most of the evening. Both +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +parents were inclined to be gossipy, and +they indulged in many guesses as to the +identity of the donor and what caused him +to be so liberal. The mother’s first thought +was that the red-haired, freckle-faced youth +was a newcomer to Beartown, and had +secured Jim’s job, but that fear was removed +by Jim’s declaration that the stranger +distinctly said he intended to do the work +only for that evening. +</p> +<p>It was not very late when Jim went to +his bedroom on the second floor to retire for +the night. When ready to disrobe, he took +out the wealth of treasures in his left pocket, +including the bright quarter, and shoved +his hand into the other for the prize that +outweighed them all. Then he emitted +a gasp of dismay: the pocket was empty! +</p> +<p>For a few moments he could not believe +the truth. He frantically searched his +clothing over and over again, but in vain. +The explanation was as clear as noonday. +In the bottom of his right-hand pocket was +a gaping rent, through which he pushed +two fingers and disgustedly spread them +apart like a fan. He turned the cloth +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +wrong side out and the dreadful yawn +seemed to grin at him. +</p> +<p>Weak and faint he sat down on the edge +of his trundle bed. +</p> +<p>“What made that blamed hole? It +wasn’t there a little while ago. It must +have wored the hole while I was walking. +I wouldn’t lose that knife for ten million +dollars. It <i>can’t</i> be lost!” +</p> +<p>And then he repeated the search, as almost +anyone will do in similar circumstances. +He even looked under the jewsharp +and among the marbles on the stand, +where a mosquito could not have hidden +itself. +</p> +<p>“Oh, what’s the use!” he exclaimed, dropping +down again despairingly on the bed. +“It’s lost! Where did I lose it?” +</p> +<p>Pulling himself together, he recalled the +experiences of the day, from the time he +received the present directly after breakfast. +He had tested the implement many +times in the course of the forenoon and afternoon, +and by and by remembered snapping +the big blade shut and slipping it into his +pocket as he was going out of the house to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +the post office to perform his daily task. +He reasoned well. +</p> +<p>“I lost it somewhere atween here and +the store. I can’t see how it slipped down +my trousers leg without me feeling it, but +that’s what it done. It’s a-laying on the +ground atween here and there, onless,” +he added, with a catch of his breath, “that +ugly looking willain seen me drop it inside +the store. I wonder if he give me that +quarter so as to hurry me out that he might +git my knife!” +</p> +<p>He shivered at the probability, but rather +singularly the dread was dissipated by a +few minutes more of thought. +</p> +<p>“If he’d seen it, so would Nora and she’d +told me. It’s somewhere along the street.” +</p> +<p>Such being his conclusion, the all-important +question was what should he do to +retrieve his crushing loss. His first inclination +was to tell his parents and then hurry +back over the route to look for the treasure. +But it was night. There was no such thing +as a lantern in the house, he could not +carry an ordinary light in the breeze, and +the search would be hopeless. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span></p> +<p>“I’ll get up as soon as it is light,” he +said, “and hunt till I find it.” +</p> +<p>Trying to gain hope from this decision, +he knelt at the side of his bed to say his +prayers, which he never omitted. His +petition was longer than usual and I need +not tell you what its chief if not its whole +burden was. +</p> +<p>Despite the depressing weight upon his +spirits, Jim fell asleep and remained so for +several hours, though his slumber was tortured +by dreams of his knife. Sometimes it +was tiny as a pin and then bigger than +himself, but it always slipped from his +grasp when he reached out to seize it. +</p> +<p>Suddenly he awoke. It took a minute +or two to recall his situation, but soon the +startling truth came back to him. He had +lost his knife, and, remembering his resolve +before going to sleep, he bounded out of +bed, certain that day not only had dawned +but that it had been light for some time. +He soon discovered, however, that what he +took for the glow of the rising sun came +from the moon, whose vivid illumination +made the mistake natural. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span></p> +<p>“I never seen it so bright,” he said, +stepping to the window and peering out. +</p> +<p>And then as if by inspiration he whispered: +</p> +<p>“It’s the right time to hunt for my knife.” +</p> +<p>He did not know what time it was nor +did he care to know. There was so much +moongleam in his room that he easily +dressed without any artificial light. Then, +too, the night was mild and his covering +scanty. Shirt and trousers were his only +garments. He left his straw hat where he +had “hung” it on the floor in one corner +beside his shoes and stockings. The chief +cause for now going barefoot was that his +steps would be lighter, though as a rule he +saved his shoes for Sunday and his trips to +and from the store. +</p> +<p>He knew his father was a light sleeper, +and if awakened would probably forbid +him to go out before morning. So Jim +opened his bedroom door so softly that not +the slightest noise was caused. He went +down the stairs as if he were a real burglar +in rubber shoes. He stopped several times +with a faster beating heart, for although +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +he had never known the steps to squeak +before they now did so with such loudness +that he was sure his father heard him. But +the snoring continued unbroken and Jim +reached the door, where he stealthily slid +back the bolt and reversed the key, without +causing any betraying sound. +</p> +<p>This side of the house was in shadow, and +he stood for a minute or two on the small, +covered porch looking out upon the highway +or main street. Not a soul was in sight, +nor did he see a twinkle of light from any +of the windows. It cannot be said that +Jim felt any fear, nor did he reflect upon the +risk caused by leaving the door unlocked +behind him. He was thinking only of that +loved knife. +</p> +<p>He had walked to and from the store so +many times that he knew every step taken +earlier in the evening. It was impossible +to go wrong, and he was quite confident of +finding the knife unless the brilliant moonlight +had disclosed it to some late passerby. +</p> +<p>Jim always crossed the street at a certain +point, the post office being on the other +side, so he trod in his own footsteps, which +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +would have worn a path long before but +for those of others, including horses and +wagons. He walked slowly, scanning every +inch of the ground and clay pavement in +front of him, but when he drew near the +well-remembered building he had not caught +sight of the prize. He was within a few +paces of the steps of the porch of the store, +when he was suddenly startled by a gruff +voice: +</p> +<p>“Hello, there! Where you going?” +</p> +<p>He turned his head as a man stepped +from under the small elm behind him. Both +being on the same level the slouch hat only +partially hid the grim face and big mustache. +Jim would have been more scared +had he not caught sight an instant before +of his knife lying at the foot of the steps of +the porch. He sprang forward, caught it +up and then faced the stranger, who had +stepped into the street. +</p> +<p>“I’m looking fur my knife that I dropped +and I’ve found it too!” he replied gleefully, +holding up the cool, shiny implement. +“Gee! aint I lucky?” +</p> +<p>“Well, you get out of here as quick as +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +you can. Go back home and stay there +till morning. Do ye hear me?” +</p> +<p>“Yaws; I’m going.” +</p> +<p>A strange discovery had come to Jim +the instant before. As he stooped to +seize his property, his eyes were at the +same height as the bottom of the door +leading into the store. It was only for a +second or two, but in that brief space he +saw a faint glimmer through the crevice, +which he knew was caused by a light +within. With a shrewdness that no one +would have expected from him he said +nothing of his discovery to the man who had +accosted him. +</p> +<p>“Mind what I told you!” added the stranger, +“and don’t show your nose outside +your house before morning. Understand?” +</p> +<p>“Yaws; I don’t want to, ’cause I’ve +got my knife. Hooray!” +</p> +<p>“Shut up! Off with you!” +</p> +<p>“Yaws;” and Jim broke into a trot +which he kept up until he reached his own +porch. In his exuberance of spirits, he was +careless and awoke his father. He came +into the hall and roared out a demand for +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +an explanation, which his son gave in a +few hurried words. +</p> +<p>“Hooh!” exclaimed his parent; “there’s +robbers in the post office and I think I’ll +take a hand as soon as I can get hold of my +shotgun.” +</p> +<p>Which may serve to explain how it was +that Gerald Buxton became involved in +the incidents that speedily followed. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVIII_A_CLEVER_TRICK' id='XVIII_A_CLEVER_TRICK'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Clever Trick</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>At the foot of the rear stairs in the +home of Widow Friestone was an +ordinary door latched at night, +but without any lock. When Mike Murphy +was groping about in the blank darkness, +where nothing was familiar, he did not +know, as has been said, of the steepness +of the steps. Thus he placed his shoe upon +vacancy, and, unable to check himself, +bumped to the bottom, striking every step +on the route, and banging against the door +with such force that the latch gave away, +it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands +and knees, still grasping the rifle with +which he had set out to hunt for burglars. +He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber +ball to his feet. +</p> +<p>An amazing scene confronted him. A +young man, his face covered with a mask, +had just drawn back the ponderous door +of the safe, and by the light of a small dark +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +lantern in his left hand was trying to unlock +one of the inner compartments, with a +bunch of small keys held in his right. +It was at this instant that the racket +followed by the crash which burst open the +door paralyzed him for the moment. He +straightened up and stared through the +holes of his mask at the apparition that +had descended upon him like a thunderbolt, +in helpless amazement. +</p> +<p>If he was terrified, Mike Murphy was +not. Forgetful of his shillaleh in the shape +of the Springfield, he made a leap at the +fellow. +</p> +<p>“S’render, ye spalpeen!” he shouted. +The criminal answered by viciously hurling +the lantern into the face of his assailant, +and in the act, the mask somehow or other +was disarranged and slipped from its place. +It was only a passing glimpse that Mike +caught of him, but it identified him as one of +the young men who had attacked Alvin +Landon some nights before while passing +through the stretch of woods near his home. +</p> +<p>The throwing of the lamp was the best +thing the burglar could have done, for it +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +caught the Irish youth fairly between the +eyes and dazed him for an invaluable +second or two. Instant to seize his advantage, +the criminal made a leap through the +rear window, which he had left open for that +purpose, and sped like a deer across the +back yard of the premises. Mike was +at his heels and shouted: +</p> +<p>“Stop! stop! or I’ll blow ye into smithereens! +I’ve got a double barreled cannon wid +me, and if ye want to save yer life, s’render +before I touch her off!” +</p> +<p>Perhaps if the fugitive had not been in +so wild a panic he would have given himself +up, for no man willingly invites the discharge +of a deadly weapon a few paces +behind him. But the youth was bent on +escape if the feat were possible and ran +with the vigor of desperation. +</p> +<p>Less than a hundred yards over the +garden beds and grass took the fellow to the +paling boundary over which he leaped like +a greyhound. Mike would have done the +same, but feared it was too much for him. +Moreover, his short legs could not carry +him as fast as those of the fleeing one. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +The pursuer rested a hand on the palings +and went over without trouble. By that +time the fugitive was a goodly distance off +in the act of clearing a second fence. In +dread lest he should get away, Mike called: +</p> +<p>“Have sinse, ye lunkhead! I don’t want +to kill ye, but hanged if I don’t, if ye fail to +lay down yer arms.” +</p> +<p>The appeal like all that had preceded it +was unheeded. The burglar must have +taken heart from the fact that his pursuer +had already held his fire so long. Running +with unusual speed, he took advantage of +the shadow offered by several back buildings +and continued steadily to gain. When he +made a quick turn and whisked out of +sight, the exasperated Mike dropped to a +rapid walk. +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now, if this owld gun was only +in shape! there wouldn’t be any sich race +as this, as Brian O’Donovan said—phwat’s +that?” +</p> +<p>When within twenty feet of a small barn, +a burly man stepped out of the gloom and +with a large gun levelled gruffly commanded: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span></p> +<p>“Throw up your arms or I’ll let moonlight +through you!” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see any room for argyment, as +Jed Mitchell said whin——” +</p> +<p>“Up with your hands! and drop that +gun!” thundered the other, and Mike let +the old rifle fall to his feet and reached up +as if trying to hold the moon in place. +Which incident requires an explanation. +</p> +<p>Gerald Buxton, the father of Jim, had no +sooner heard the story of his boy than he +decided, as had been related, that something +was wrong at the post office. He had read +of the many robberies in southern Maine +during the preceding summer, else he might +not have been so quick to reach a conclusion. +He woke his wife, told her his belief and then +took down his shotgun from over the deer’s +antlers in the kitchen. Both barrels were +always loaded, but to make sure of no lack +of ammunition, he put a number of extra +shells loaded with heavy shot into his +pockets. +</p> +<p>“Remember,” he said impressively to his +son, “to stay home and not show your +nose outside the door while I’m gone.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span></p> +<p>“Yaws, sir,” meekly replied Jim, who +three minutes later, unseen by his mother, +sneaked out of the back door and reached +the battlefield directly behind his parent. +</p> +<p>Mr. Buxton had never had any experience +with house breakers, and did some +quick thinking from the moment he left +his front gate until he arrived on the scene. +Nothing seemed more natural than that the +ruffians would not approach the house +from the front, but by the rear. The light +which Jim saw must have come from +the back part of the store. For the gang +to make their entrance from the main street +would have been far more dangerous. +</p> +<p>Because of this theory, Mr. Buxton +crossed the road directly before his own +house, passed through the alley of a neighbor, +and followed a circuitous course which +compelled him to climb several back fences. +But he knew all the people, and in case he +was questioned could readily explain matters. +</p> +<p>So in due time he came to the barn of +one of his friends, and had turned to pass +around it when to his astonishment a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +man dashed toward him on a dead run. +Buxton was alert, and pointing his weapon, +crisply commanded: +</p> +<p>“Stop or I’ll fire!” +</p> +<p>The panting fellow obeyed with the +exclamation: +</p> +<p>“I’m so glad!” +</p> +<p>“Glad of what?” +</p> +<p>“That you came as you did. There +are burglars in the post office!” +</p> +<p>“That’s what I thought, but wasn’t +sure. Who are you and why are you in +such an all-fired hurry?” +</p> +<p>“One of them is chasing me. I tried to +wake the postmistress, when he heard me +and I had to run for my life. How thankful +I am that you appeared just in time!” +</p> +<p>“Where is the scandalous villain?” demanded +Mr. Buxton, glancing on all sides. +</p> +<p>“He will be here in a minute.” +</p> +<p>“I shan’t wait for him; tell me where he +is.” +</p> +<p>The fugitive, who was momentarily expecting +the appearance of his pursuer, +pointed to the barn around which he had +just dashed. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span></p> +<p>“He is coming from there. Look out, or +he’ll shoot you!” +</p> +<p>“I’m ready for him,” exclaimed the +angered citizen as he hurriedly trotted off +and confronted Mike Murphy a few seconds +later. +</p> +<p>We have learned of the pointed conversation +which passed between them. Mike’s +first thought was that it was one of the +robbers who had held him up, but there +was no gainsaying the argument brought +to bear against him. He remained with +hands uplifted, awaiting the will of his +captor. +</p> +<p>“So you’re one of those post office +robbers,” said Mr. Buxton, partly lowering +his weapon. +</p> +<p>“Not that I know of,” replied Mike, +beginning to scent the truth. +</p> +<p>“Have you a pistol?” +</p> +<p>“The only deadly wippon I have is me +pocketknife, with its two blades broke +and the handle being lost some time since.” +</p> +<p>“Where is the rest of your gang?” +demanded the man, stepping closer to the +youth. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span></p> +<p>“The two frinds that I have are wid the +widder Mrs. Friestone, doing their best to +entertain the leddy and her daughter, while +I started out to chase one of the spalpeens +that run too fast for me to catch.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Buxton stepped still nearer. He was +becoming doubtful. +</p> +<p>“Who the mischief are you, anyway?” +</p> +<p>“Mike Murphy, born in Tipperary, in +the County of Tipperary, Ireland, and lately, +arrove in Ameriky.” +</p> +<p>“What are you doing here?” +</p> +<p>“Standing still for the time, as Pat Mulrooney +said whin the byes tied him to the +gate post and wint off and left him.” +</p> +<p>“Ain’t you one of those post office robbers?” +</p> +<p>The question told Mike the whole truth. +It was a clever trick that had been played +upon him, and his musical laugh rang out +on the still night. +</p> +<p>“What made ye have that opinion?” +</p> +<p>“I just met a young chap the other side +of this barn, and when I stopped him he +said he was running away from an enemy.” +</p> +<p>“Which the same was the thruth.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p> +<p>“And that one of the gang was chasing +him, meaning to shoot him.” +</p> +<p>“It’s mesilf that would have shot if I’d +had a gun wid a conscience, fur I catched +the spalpeen when he was opening the safe +of Widder Friestone, and I made after him; +but most persons can run faster than mesilf, +owing to me short legs, and he was laving me +behind, whin ye interfared.” +</p> +<p>“Do you mean to tell me that first fellow +was one of the burglars?” asked the +astounded Mr. Buxton. +</p> +<p>“As sure as ye are standing there admiring +me looks.” +</p> +<p>“Confound the rapscallion! I’ll get him +yet!” and the irate citizen dashed off with +the resolution, to put it mildly, of correcting +the error he had made. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIX_IN_THE_NICK_OF_TIME' id='XIX_IN_THE_NICK_OF_TIME'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Nick of Time</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Standing in the darkness of the +upper front room, stealthily watching +the mysterious stranger on the other +side of the street in the shadow of the elm, +and knowing that burglars were at work +below stairs—the nerves of mother and +daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester +Haynes were on edge. Had they peered out +of the window less than half an hour earlier +they would have seen the meeting between +the lookout and young Jim Buxton. +</p> +<p>Mike Murphy had slipped so silently +from among them that no one was aware +of his absence when the bumping and crash +at the rear were followed by exclamations +and words that were not intelligible. Mrs. +Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank +back on her chair. Nora screamed and +threw her arms about her mother’s neck. +</p> +<p>“They will kill us! What shall we do?” +she wailed. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span></p> +<p>For the moment Alvin and Chester, +startled almost as much as their friends, +were mystified. When Chester said: +</p> +<p>“That sounds like Mike’s voice. Hello, +Mike, are you here with us?” +</p> +<p>The failure to receive a reply proved that +Chester was right. Their comrade had +stolen off and was already in a “shindy” at +the rear of the store. +</p> +<p>“He may need our help!” called Alvin, +starting for the stairs, with his chum at +his heels. But Nora, who had heard the +unguarded words, called in wild distress: +</p> +<p>“Don’t leave us! Don’t leave us!” +</p> +<p>They stopped irresolute. They could not +abandon the two, and yet Mike’s life might +be in peril. +</p> +<p>“Go back to them,” whispered Chester. +“There’s no call for both of us to stay.” +</p> +<p>“Better not go down yourself; you know +you have no weapon. Let’s take a look.” +</p> +<p>First of all it was necessary to quiet the +daughter and mother, for one was as much +terrified as the other. Alvin hastened into +the room. +</p> +<p>“We will not leave you,” he said, “but +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +we wish to see what we can from the kitchen +window.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you may fall out,” moaned Nora, +scarcely responsible for what she said. +Even in the crisis of a tragedy a vein of +comedy will sometimes intrude itself. +</p> +<p>“Have no fear of that,” replied Alvin. +“I will hold Chester from tumbling out +and he will do the same for me. Pray, +compose yourselves.” +</p> +<p>During this brief absence Chester had +threaded his way past the furniture in the +darkness to the window, out of which he was +gazing on a most interesting moving picture +which had vanished when Alvin appeared +at his elbow. +</p> +<p>“It made my blood tingle,” said Chester. +“I was just in time to see a man, who must +have leaped out, running for life with Mike +in pursuit. He had that old gun in one +hand—as if it could prove of any earthly +use to him.” +</p> +<p>“Where are they now?” +</p> +<p>“The fellow, after leaping the fence, +turned to the right and disappeared among +the shadows.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></p> +<p>“With Mike still chasing him?” +</p> +<p>“As hard as he could run, but you know +he hasn’t much speed.” +</p> +<p>“I wonder,” whispered Alvin, “whether +there are any more of them downstairs.” +</p> +<p>They stepped noiselessly to the head of +the steps and listened. Everything was +so quiet that they heard the ticking of the +clock on the wall of the store. +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe anyone is there. Let’s +take a closer look.” +</p> +<p>Alvin struck a match from his safe and +led the way, thus saving the two from the +mishap that had overtaken their friend. +They were a trifle nervous when they +stepped upon the lower floor, Alvin maintaining +the illumination by burning more +matches. He climbed upon the counter, +and lighted the large oil lamp suspended +there for such purpose. Adjusting the +wick to the highest point it would stand +without smoking, the two looked around. +</p> +<p>What they saw completed the story that +had already taken shape in their own minds. +The unbroken dark lantern lay on the floor +where it had fallen, the light having been +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +extinguished. The raised window showed +by what avenue the burglar and Mike had +left the building, but what amazed the +youths more than anything else was the +wide open door of the safe. Not a burglar’s +tool or device was in sight, and the appearance +of the lock and door without a scratch +showing proved that no part of the structure +had been tampered with. It was just as +if Mrs. Friestone had manipulated it—as +she had done times without number. +</p> +<p>“Whoever opened it must have known +the combination. And how did he learn it?” +</p> +<p>Chester shook his head. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps Mrs. Friestone can guess. I’ll +ask her.” +</p> +<p>Going to the foot of the stairs, the young +man called to the woman just loudly enough +for her to hear. He said the visitors had +left, but the door of the safe was open and +it was advisable for her to come down and +take a look at things. +</p> +<p>She timidly came down the steps, with +Nora tremblingly clinging to her skirts, +ready to scream and dash back to the front +of the house on the first appearance of danger. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +But nothing occurred to cause new +alarm, and mother and daughter stared +wonderingly at the safe with its wide open +door. +</p> +<p>“Who did that?” asked the woman, in a +faint voice. +</p> +<p>“One of the burglars,” replied Chester. +</p> +<p>“How did he learn the combination?” +</p> +<p>“That’s the mystery; Alvin and I +cannot guess. Was it known to anyone +besides yourself?” +</p> +<p>“No; I changed it two days ago and did +not even tell Nora. Not another soul +knew it—and look!” +</p> +<p>She pointed to a bunch of keys, one of +which was inserted in the lock of the +middle small drawer, with a half dozen +others dangling from the metal ring. It +will be understood that while the door of +the safe was opened by means of a usual +combination of numbers, the interior was +guarded by only a tiny lock and key. This +was more convenient, for, when the massive +door was drawn back, the little wooden +drawers, even with a combination, would +not avail long against a burglar. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span></p> +<p>“They have taken the money!” gasped +the widow. +</p> +<p>“Let us see.” +</p> +<p>As Alvin spoke, he turned the key. The +lock clicked and he drew out the drawer. +There lay the big sealed envelope with the +two thousand five hundred dollars intact +within, while the stamps and cash receipts +of the day were neatly piled on the shelf +beneath. +</p> +<p>The astonishing truth was that the criminal +had been interrupted at the critical +moment when he had succeeded in fitting a +key to the lock. Had Mike Murphy been +the fraction of a minute later in bursting +upon the scene, he would have been too +late. The robber would have carried off +nearly three thousand dollars. +</p> +<p>“That’s what I call the greatest luck +that ever happened,” said Chester. +</p> +<p>The discovery was as cheering as amazing. +The large amount of money had been +saved by a hair’s breadth. The woman +clasped her hands in thankfulness. Chester +slowly shoved the steel door shut. +</p> +<p>“Now try the combination,” he said to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +Mrs. Friestone. “Chester and I will turn +our backs while you do so.” +</p> +<p>“And why will you do that?” +</p> +<p>“So that we shall not learn the secret. +If anything like this happens again, you +cannot say we did it.” +</p> +<p>She saw the smile on his face and knew +he spoke in jest. +</p> +<p>“It may be the lock was broken in some +way,” suggested Chester. +</p> +<p>But it worked perfectly. The knob was +turned forward till the finger pointed to a +number, then back and then forward again +to another numeral. It moved as smoothly +as if the delicate mechanism was oiled. +</p> +<p>“Now open it,” she said to the lads, her +spirits rallying over her good fortune. +They shook their heads and Chester said: +</p> +<p>“We might succeed, and that would be +suspicious.” +</p> +<p>“Whether you noticed the combination +or not, you surely did not know what it +was a little while ago. I acquit you of +having any understanding with the burglars.” +</p> +<p>“What’s become of Mike?” asked Nora +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +plaintively, speaking for the first time. +“I’m afraid something dreadful has happened +to him.” +</p> +<p>“He is probably still chasing the bad +man,” said Chester. +</p> +<p>As if in answer to her wail a hasty tread +was heard at that moment and a bushy red +head without a cap appeared at the window, +as if flung thither by the hand of a giant. +The bright light within the door told him +the story. +</p> +<p>“The top of the morning to ye all, for +I jedge it’s near morning, as Tim Mulligan +said after he had been slaaping fur two days +and nights. I hope ye are all well.” +</p> +<p>He began climbing through and was half +inside when Nora dashed forward and +caught hold of his arm. It so disarranged +his balance that he tumbled on the floor, +the rifle falling from his grasp. +</p> +<p>“I’m so glad to see you, Mike! I was +afraid those awful people had killed you,” +said the happy girl. “Are you hurt?” +</p> +<p>“Not worth speaking of; I think my +neck is broke and me lift leg fractured in +two places, but niver mind.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span></p> +<p>Then the exuberant youth told his +story, to which his friends listened with +breathless interest. +</p> +<p>“Then you didn’t catch the villain?” +said Chester inquiringly. +</p> +<p>“No, but I made it hot fur him, as me +cousin said after chasing the expriss train +a couple of miles. He has longer legs than +mesilf. The next time I engage in a chase +wid him I’ll make sure his legs is sawed +off at the knees, so as to give me a chance. +If I had thought to have that done I’d +brought the spalpeen back to ye.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you drove him off in the nick +of time. He didn’t get away with a penny,” +said Alvin. +</p> +<p>“But what was the maans he used to +open that door? That’s what gits me—whisht!” +</p> +<p>The report of a gun rang out on the stillness, +and the friends stared at one another. +Before anyone could venture an explanation, +the sound of hurried footsteps told +that someone was approaching. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XX__I_PIPED_AND_YE_DANCED' id='XX__I_PIPED_AND_YE_DANCED'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>I Piped and Ye Danced</span>”</h3> +</div> + +<p>Gerald Buxton was boiling over +with indignation when he parted +company with Mike Murphy and +realized how he had been tricked. He had +allowed the real burglar to get away while he +held up his innocent pursuer. +</p> +<p>“All I ask is one sight of that villain!” +he muttered, striking into a lope which +carried him rapidly over the ground. Since +the fugitive had disappeared several minutes +before and there was no telling what +course he had taken, it would seem there +was not one chance in a hundred of Buxton +ever seeing him again. +</p> +<p>But, although the citizen had been cleverly +hoodwinked, he used shrewdness in wrestling +with the problem. As he viewed it, the +fellow was likely to make for the stretch of +woods between Beartown and the river, that +he might screen himself as quickly as possible. +He would lose no time in getting +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +away from the village as soon as he could. +It was quite probable that he and his gang +had come up or down the river and had a +launch awaiting them. To avoid going +astray, he would use the highway which +joined Beartown and the landing. +</p> +<p>Mr. Buxton had to climb three fences +before he reached an open field of slight +extent, beyond which lay the woods. He +knew the chances of overtaking the criminal +were meagre, but with a thrill of delight +he caught sight of his man only a little way +in front and walking in the same direction +with himself. He seemed to have sprung +from the ground, and it was clear that he +had no thought of further pursuit. His +follower tried to get nearer to him before +he reached the woods, but the fellow heard +him and glancing over his shoulder broke +into a run. +</p> +<p>“Stop or I’ll fire!” shouted Buxton. +</p> +<p>After the young man’s experience with +his first pursuer and his Springfield, he could +not be blamed for refusing to heed the command. +He ran the faster and the next +minute would have whisked beyond reach, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +had not Buxton come to an abrupt halt, +and taking a quick aim, fired. +</p> +<p>He got his man too. With a cry of pain +he leaped several feet in the air and fell. +Terrified by what he had done, Buxton +ran forward, gun in hand, and called out +while several paces distant: +</p> +<p>“Are you hurt bad?” +</p> +<p>“I’m done for,” was the reply as the +wounded fellow laboriously climbed to his +feet. +</p> +<p>With anger turned into sympathy, the +captor asked: +</p> +<p>“Where did I hit you?” +</p> +<p>“You shattered my right leg,” was the +reply, accompanied by groans as the fellow +with excruciating effort tried to support +himself on the other limb. +</p> +<p>Buxton laid down his weapon and knelt +to examine the wound. He saw now that +the lower part of the trousers leg was +shredded by the charge of shot and that, +doubtless, the hurt was a very grievous +one. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry I gave it to you so bad, but +you can’t deny you desarved it. If you’re +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +able to walk back to my house, with my +help, I’ll get a doctor and we’ll soon——” +</p> +<p>At that instant the young man sprang +back a couple of paces, and the startled +Buxton looking up saw that he stood +firmly on both feet, with the shotgun +pointed at him. He had snatched up the +weapon while the owner was stooping over to +inspect the wound. +</p> +<p>“Now it’s <i>my</i> turn!” he said, with a +chuckle. “It isn’t your fault that you +didn’t kill me, and it will be my fault if I +don’t even matters up with you!” +</p> +<p>Poor Buxton slowly came to the upright +position, with jaws dropping and eyes +staring. He could only mumble: +</p> +<p>“W-w-what’s the matter?” +</p> +<p>“Nothing with me; it’s <i>you</i> that’s in a +hole.” +</p> +<p>Believing it was all up with him, the +terrified victim stood mute. +</p> +<p>“I ought to shoot you down and I’ll +do so if you don’t obey me.” +</p> +<p>“W-w-what do you want?” Buxton managed +to stammer out. +</p> +<p>“Dance!” was the crisp command. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>The citizen stared, not comprehending +the order. +</p> +<p>“We cowboys in the West when we want +a little fun make a tenderfoot dance while +we fire our revolvers at his feet. BEGIN!” +</p> +<p>The victim lowered the point of the gun +so as to point it at the shoes of Mr. Buxton. +</p> +<p>“I—I—can’t dance; never done it in my +life,” he stuttered. +</p> +<p>“Can’t begin earlier. Start up!” +</p> +<p>Knowing what was ordered, the victim +obeyed. He leaped up and down, shuffled +his feet and made such comical antics that +the gun wabbled in the hands of the laughing +master of the situation. +</p> +<p>“I have one loaded barrel left and I’m +aching to let you have it! Keep it up!” +</p> +<p>Now that he had started, Mr. Buxton +threw more vigor into his steps. He +bounded in the air, side-stepped, kicked +out his feet, tried a number of fancy movements +of which he knew nothing, and +acted like an energetic youth taking his +first lessons in that branch of the terpsichorean +art called buck dancing. +</p> +<p>“Turn your back toward me and dance +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +all the way home! If you let up for one +minute or look around I’ll blaze away, and +you won’t get the charge in your <i>feet</i>! +Remember that!” +</p> +<p>Mr. Buxton reflected that having left +home so jauntily with loaded weapon over +his shoulder, it would be anything but a +dignified return to dance back again without +it. If he jig-stepped down the main +street some neighbor was likely to see him +and make remarks. A waltz through the +gate, up the steps of the porch and into +the hall, by which time it would probably +be safe for him to cease his exhausting performance, +would undoubtedly cause annoying +inquiries on the part of his wife and +family. +</p> +<p>But there was hope. He might gain a +start that would make it safe to resume his +natural gait. He did his best. Facing +the boundary fence less than two hundred +yards away he kicked up his heels, swung +his arms in unison, and steadily drew away +from that fearful form standing with gun +levelled at him. He yearned to break into +a run, but dared not. He believed his tormentor +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +was following so as to keep him in +range. +</p> +<p>It was hardly to be expected that he +should go over the fence with a dance step, +but he reflected that he could resume his +labors immediately he dropped to the +ground on the other side and faithfully +maintain it to the next boundary. But +there was risk and he was afraid to incur +it. While still shifting his feet with an +energy that caused him to breathe fast, he +approached the obstruction. Partly turning +his head while toiling as hard as ever, +he called: +</p> +<p>“I’ll have to stop a minute till I climb +over, but I’ll resoom dancing as soon as I +hit the ground on the other side agin. Is +that all right?” +</p> +<p>There was no reply and he repeated +the question in a louder voice. Still hearing +nothing, he ventured to look back. The +young man was nowhere in sight. Truth to +tell, no sooner had Mr. Buxton begun his +humorous exhibition than the youth, vainly +trying to suppress his mirth, flung down the +gun, turned about and entered the wood +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +toward which he was running when so +abruptly checked by his pursuer. +</p> +<p>“Wal, I’ll be hanged!” was the disgusted +exclamation of the panting Buxton. +“That’s the meanest trick I ever had played +on me. The scand’lous villain oughter be +hung. What a sight I made! I’m mighty +glad no one seen me.” +</p> +<p>In his relief, he did not notice a vague +form which flitted along the edge of the +wood, so close to the trees that the shadow +screened it from clear view. Had Mr. +Buxton noted it he might not have felt +certain that no one witnessed his unrivalled +performance. +</p> +<p>He was so tired out from his tremendous +efforts that he stood awhile mopping his +moist forehead with his handkerchief while +he regained his wind. +</p> +<p>“It’s lucky he didn’t foller and make me +dance all the way home. Never could have +done it. Would have dropped dead, I am +that blamed tired.” +</p> +<p>He leaned against the fence while recovering +from his unwonted exercise. Naturally +he believed the young man who had +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +used him so ill had carried away his weapon +beyond possibility of recovery. +</p> +<p>“And I paid twenty-five dollars for it +in Portland,” he bitterly mused. “It +looks to me that as a hunter of post office +robbers I ain’t of much account.” +</p> +<p>He resumed his walk homeward, going +slowly, carefully climbing the obstructions +in his path and studying what explanation +to make to his friends for the loss of his +valuable piece. He might manage it with +all except his wife and son. It would not +do to tell them he had dropped it somewhere +along the road without noticing the accident. +A boy might lose his pocketknife +(I know of a youngster who lost a wheelbarrow +and never found it again), but a +double barreled shotgun manifestly could +not disappear in that fashion so much out +of the ordinary way of things. +</p> +<p>“I think I’ll have a look at the post office +and larn what mischief the villain done +there.” +</p> +<p>He veered in his course and came to the +back window, where a light showed that +some persons were gathered. He found +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +mother, daughter and the three boys, who +gave him warm greeting. +</p> +<p>“Was that your gun we heard a little +while ago?” asked the woman. +</p> +<p>“I reckon it must have been,” replied +Mr. Buxton, who declined the invitation to +enter and remained standing outside the +window. +</p> +<p>“Did you hit the burglar?” asked Alvin. +</p> +<p>“Young man,” said Mr. Buxton loftily, +“when I fire at anything I <i>always</i> hit it.” +</p> +<p>“You didn’t kill him, Gerald!” exclaimed +the horrified mother. +</p> +<p>“No; I just winged him so he won’t +forget it if he lives a thousand years; don’t +like to kill a scamp even if he is a burglar.” +</p> +<p>“Where’s your gun?” continued Alvin. +</p> +<p>The man glanced around as if it were +hidden somewhere about his garments. +</p> +<p>“Now isn’t that a fine go?” he exclaimed +disgustedly. “I set it down while I went +forward to see how bad that feller was hit, +and plumb forgot.” +</p> +<p>“O dad, here’s your gun!” +</p> +<p>It was the son Jim who called this greeting +as he straddled forward with the heavy +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +piece resting on his shoulder. All stared in +amazement, and the father in his confusion +was imprudent enough to ask: +</p> +<p>“Where did you get it?” +</p> +<p>“I seen that feller that took it away +from you and made you dance all the way +across the field. He throwed it down and +went into the woods. When I seen you +hopping and dancing and kicking up your +heels I nearly died a-larfing. But I didn’t +forgit the gun, and run along the edge of the +woods and picked it up. Gee! it’s heavy! +But, dad, I didn’t know you could dance +like that. Say——” +</p> +<p>“You young rascal, didn’t I tell you to +stay home? I’ll larn you!” +</p> +<p>The parent made a dive at his son, who, +with the gun still over his shoulder, scooted +across the yard and over the fence, with his +irate father in fierce pursuit. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXI_HOW_IT_WAS_DONE' id='XXI_HOW_IT_WAS_DONE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>How It Was Done</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The attempt to rob the safe in the +Beartown post office was accompanied +by more than one unique +incident. Chief among these was the cowardice +exhibited by two of the three +members who composed the little band of +lawbreakers. +</p> +<p>It has been shown that the full-grown +man with a big mustache acted as a lookout +at the front, which is perhaps the safest +post for a criminal in such circumstances, +since he has a good chance to get away on +the first approach of danger. A second +lookout was placed at the rear. After-developments +showed that the trio was +headed by Kit Woodford, the adult member, +who had led a life of crime since boyhood +and had served a term in prison. He would +have been more successful as a criminal +except for his rank cowardice which caused +him to be despised and cast out by several +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +gangs with which he sought to connect +himself. +</p> +<p>The other two burglars were Orestes +Noxon and Graff Miller, neither of whom +had reached his majority by more than two +years. It was Miller who took his station +at the rear, where on the first sign of something +amiss he sneaked off without giving +the signal which would have warned Noxon +in time to flee unharmed. In his way, he +was as lacking in personal courage as Kit +Woodford. The latter held his place until +the racket caused by Mike Murphy’s tumble +downstairs apprised him that things were +not going right. He ventured upon a single +timid whistle, which no one else heard, and +then slunk down the road, hugging the +shadows and intent only on saving his +own bacon. +</p> +<p>How was it that young Noxon was +assigned the most perilous task of all, when +in reality he was the youngest of the three? +It was due to a peculiar skill which neither +of the others possessed. He proved more +than once that he could take position in +front of an ordinary safe—not the most +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +modern kind—and by a wonderfully deft +manipulation of the knob which governed +the combination tell by the fall of the tumblers +just when the index struck the right +numerals. He demonstrated this power +many times when all others who made the +trial failed. He asked simply to be left +undisturbed with his ear against the steel +door as he turned the knob with infinite +delicacy. He was proud of his ability +in this respect, and when Kit Woodford +gave him the post of peril he accepted it +as a compliment and eagerly essayed the +task. +</p> +<p>Although there is no evidence on the +point, it is quite sure that Kit Woodford, +whose chief business was to spy out the +land, knew that several wealthy citizens of +Beartown made a practice of leaving large +deposits with Mrs. Friestone overnight +or for several nights and days. It is not +to be supposed that Woodford would rob +so insignificant a post office for the small +booty that belonged to the government. +Quite likely he was aware of the large sum +left with her on the afternoon before. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></p> +<p>But Mike Murphy’s original style of +descending the back stairs brought the +schemes of the criminals to naught, and +saved the safe from spoliation. I have told +how the three criminals scattered to as many +different points of the compass. They could +not have come together again had not +previous provision been made for such emergencies. +The leader, having shaken himself +clear of the village, turned into the wood +and picked his way toward the river. He +was to the north, however, while the other +lookout, Miller, was to the south, and +neither knew how far apart they were. +</p> +<p>There seemed little risk in signalling, and +after Woodford had gone half way to the +river he paused among the shadows and +listened. He had been startled by the report +of the gun, but everything was now still. +Placing his thumb and forefinger between +his lips, he emitted a sharp, tremulous +whistle, which was instantly answered by a +similar call from some point not far off. +A few minutes later he and Miller, after a +few precautions, came together among the +shadows. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span></p> +<p>“I knew you would be somewhere in the +neighborhood,” was the young man’s explanation, +“and I was listening for your signal.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” growled the elder, “Noxon made +a mess of it to-night.” +</p> +<p>“It looks that way.” +</p> +<p>“Do you know what happened? Did +you see anything?” +</p> +<p>“I saw him dash out from the rear of +that store with someone chasing him with +a loaded gun.” +</p> +<p>“That must have been what we heard a +little while ago. Looks as if they got Nox.” +</p> +<p>“Shouldn’t be surprised,” remarked the +other indifferently. +</p> +<p>“He oughter managed things better. +How was it you didn’t warn him?” +</p> +<p>“I did; I whistled twice the instant I +saw his danger, and ran the risk of getting it +in the neck myself,” was the unblushing +response of the youth. +</p> +<p>“I don’t see that there’s anything we +can do for him. He got himself in a hole +through his own foolishness and must pull +himself out. My motto when a gang gets +into trouble is that every one must look out +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span> +for himself and the devil take the hindmost.” +</p> +<p>“I say, Kit,” said Miller, lowering his +voice as if fearful of being overheard, “do +you think they’ll get Nox?” +</p> +<p>“Haven’t a doubt of it.” +</p> +<p>“I say, do you think there’s any danger +of his squealing, that is, if he hasn’t been +killed?” +</p> +<p>“Naw,” was the disgusted reply. “Nox +is game—true blue; you can bet on him +till the cows come home.” +</p> +<p>Which was more than Nox could say +about his two pals. +</p> +<p>Kit Woodford may have spoken with +confidence, but he was not as free from +misgivings as he would have it appear. He +could not feel sure of their missing companion. +If the report which they had +heard did not mean that he had been slain, +his capture looked certain, and there was +no saying what he might do to secure +leniency. Kit knew what <i>he</i> would do in +a similar situation. +</p> +<p>“Well, come on,” he growled. “We’re +in tough luck to-night.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span></p> +<p>And the two pushed their way among the +trees in the direction of the river. +</p> +<p>Meantime, matters remained interesting +at the home of Widow Friestone. The words +of young Jim Buxton told a graphic story +which made even Nora laugh and forget +for the time the frightful excitement they +had passed through. When the merriment +had partly subsided, Mike drew one +of his remaining two quarters from his +pocket and handed it to Nora. +</p> +<p>“Will ye do me the kindness to presint +that to Jim when he comes to the store in +the morning to set the table on the front +porch?” +</p> +<p>“What’s that for?” asked the puzzled +girl. +</p> +<p>“For the gayety he imparted to this +gloomy avening. I don’t know as ye need +say that to him, for he wouldn’t understand +what ye meant until after three or four +years of hard thought. But he’s airned it, +and ye’ll not forgit.” +</p> +<p>She laid the coin aside and assured the +donor that his wishes should be carried +out. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span></p> +<p>Chester spoke: +</p> +<p>“It seems to me we are throwing away +time. It is past midnight and here we sit +talking, and doing nothing because there +seems nothing to do. What do you think, +Alvin?” +</p> +<p>“You are right. This business doesn’t +seem to have stirred up the town. I don’t +suppose anyone knows what has happened +except Mr. Buxton and his family, and I +don’t think he will tell the particulars +himself.” +</p> +<p>“That can be lift to Jim,” said Mike, +“onless his dad imprisses upon him that it +won’t be healthy for him to talk too freely +wid his mouth regarding the sarcus he obsarved +this avening.” +</p> +<p>“The lookout in front ran off at the first +sign of danger, and if there was a second one +he ran too. It will be a long time before +any member of that party pays Beartown +a second visit.” +</p> +<p>Alvin now made known the fear in his +mind—a fear that was shared by Chester. +The <i>Deerfoot</i> was lying against the bank in +Back River exposed to any injury which +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +these criminals might choose to inflict by +way of revenge. He proposed that the +mother and daughter, after refastening the +window and locking up, should retire to +their beds, while the boys returned to the +launch to make sure no harm befell it. +</p> +<p>This course was only the commonest prudence, +but the hostess and her daughter +were clearly so nervous over being left alone +for the remainder of the night that Alvin +regretted his proposal. Nora especially +did not try to hide her distress. +</p> +<p>“Never mind,” Alvin made haste to say, +“we will wait till morning. You have been +so kind that we cannot willingly cause you +a moment’s pain.” +</p> +<p>“May I make a suggistion?” asked Mike, +speaking so seriously that all knew he was +about to say something worth while. +</p> +<p>“I know he’s going to tell us the right +thing,” said Nora. +</p> +<p>“How could I do itherwise wid yer bright +eyes cheering me?” he asked, with his +expansive grin. “The same is this: Do +ye two spalpeens go down to the launch and +stay there till morning while I remain behind +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +wid the misthress and sweet Nora, and keep +off the burglars wid that same gun that +sarved me so well.” +</p> +<p>Only Alvin and Chester knew the chivalry +of this proposal. Mike regretted keenly +the separation from them, even though it +promised to be for only a few hours. +</p> +<p>“That is asking too much,” said the +widow, though her countenance brightened +with pleasure. +</p> +<p>“How can the same be asking too much +whin ye haven’t asked it?” +</p> +<p>Nora clapped her hands. +</p> +<p>“I can’t hilp it if she looks upon mesilf +as worth the two of ye,” said Mike, with an +assumption of dignity that deceived no one. +</p> +<p>“It is good on your part, Mike,” said +Alvin. “I feel as if we ought to give attention +to the boat, and you may as well stay +here. We’ll wait for you in the morning.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t feel obleeged to do the same. +Something may turn up that may cause ye +to hurry off. If it be so, don’t tarry a +minute for me.” +</p> +<p>“Possibly you may prove right, but we +shall hate to leave you behind.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></p> +<p>“Ye may do so foriver, so long as I have +such quarters as these.” +</p> +<p>With this understanding, the friends +parted, no one dreaming of what was to +befall them before all met again. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY' id='XXII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Startling Discovery</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Nothing was more natural than +that Alvin Landon and Chester +Haynes should be concerned for +the safety of the motor launch <i>Deerfoot</i>. It +had been stolen from them once in simple +wantonness by two young men who had +nothing to do with the post office robberies. +The motive for a similar theft was now much +stronger. It was evident that the criminals +had come to Beartown, or as near to it as +they could come, by water, and their boat +was somewhere in the neighborhood. They +were likely to discover the <i>Deerfoot</i>, if they +had not already done so, and knowing its +superior speed, would either make use of or +disable it so it could not be employed for +pursuit. +</p> +<p>Alvin and Chester kept to the road which +connected the landing with the village, for +it was much easier thus to advance than to +pick their way through the pines and firs. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +They did not meet a solitary person, for +the night was well along and daybreak near. +When the rickety frame work loomed up +in the moonlight, they turned off into the +shadow of the wood and moved with the +utmost care. All the time they kept within +sight of the gleam of water. Alvin was in +advance, with his comrade close upon his +heels. +</p> +<p>“Hello! here she is!” was the pleased +exclamation of the Captain a few minutes +later. +</p> +<p>“Has she had any visitors while we were +away?” asked Chester, as the two stepped +down to the margin of the river. +</p> +<p>“I see no signs of it, but we shall have to +examine further.” +</p> +<p>The launch lay as close to shore as it +had been possible to bring her—so close +indeed that the two stepped aboard without +use of a plank. The position of the +moon in the sky was such that the shadow +of the trees was cast several feet beyond the +boat, which, as a consequence, was wrapped +in obscurity. Peering here and there, the +youths began a visual search for the evidence +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +they did not wish to find. Alvin +tried the covering, which had been drawn +over the cockpit, preliminary to taking the +bunch of keys from his pocket. It slid +back easily. +</p> +<p>“I thought I locked that,” he said in surprise. +</p> +<p>“I remember you went through the +motions, but you must have missed it.” +</p> +<p>“So it seems.” +</p> +<p>He stepped over, seated himself and +grasped the steering wheel. +</p> +<p>“Nothing is wrong here——” +</p> +<p>“Hark!” whispered Chester. +</p> +<p>The two listened and heard the muffled +exhaust of a launch not far off. +</p> +<p>“It comes from down stream,” said Chester. +</p> +<p>“It’s their boat!” exclaimed the excited +Alvin. “They are hurrying off.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s chase them!” added Chester, catching +the glow of his chum. +</p> +<p>“All right! Light up and cast off.” +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +<img src='images/illus-232.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Like a Swallow Skimming Close to the Surface.</span> +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Chester quickly fixed the lights, sprang +from the taffrail to shore, untied the loop +of rope, flung it on deck and leaped after it. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +Alvin had opened the forward deck, which +covered the engine, climbed down and +around to the front and started it. Then +throwing in the clutch the boat quickly +caught the impulse, and the Captain steered +away from shore. While lying against the +bank the nose of the launch was pointed +up the river, and since the noise showed that +the other boat was speeding down stream, +it was necessary to head in that direction. +The sweeping circle carried the craft far +out into the moon glow and the Captain +turned on full power, sending the boat +southward like a swallow skimming close +to the surface. +</p> +<p>“They got the idea yesterday that the +<i>Water Witch</i> is faster than the <i>Deerfoot</i>. +That was a cute idea of Calvert, but they +will soon learn their mistake. Do you see +anything of her lights?” +</p> +<p>Chester stood beside him in the cockpit, +with one hand grasping the top of the wind-shield, +while he peered into the sea of illumination +through which they were plunging. +</p> +<p>“Not yet,” he answered “but we must +be gaining fast.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p> +<p>The water curled over in a graceful half +circle as it was split apart by the sharp +prow. Some of the spray was scattered +over him, though otherwise the river was as +calm as a millpond. The tide was at its turn, +so there was no current. Alvin held to the +middle of the river, where he knew it was +very deep, and he would have timely notice +of every obstruction that could appear. +</p> +<p>Now that the two were fairly started upon +the singular chase, they had time to speculate +as to its probable result. They had +not a firearm on the boat nor had they ever +had one aboard. They were chasing a +party of criminals who were sure to be well +armed. Suppose our young friends overtook +them, what could they do? +</p> +<p>Alvin had a dim idea that having drawn +near enough to discover the <i>Water Witch</i>, +he would keep in sight until others could +intervene. His boat would follow whereever +the fugitive dare lead, and would +never give up. If our young friends could +not attack, they could point out the way +for others. Should the criminals run into +shore, where there was a chance of landing +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +without being observed, the pursuers could +be at their heels, and through the nearest +telegraph station raise the hue and cry +that would quickly end in their overthrow. +</p> +<p>“It is strange,” reflected Alvin, “that +while we have not meant to have anything +to do with those scamps we are continually +running into them, while Detective Calvert, +who is in this part of the world for that +purpose, can’t put his hand on them. +If he and his friend, whom we saw at Wiscasset, +and who is an officer of the law also, +were here, we should be sure of doing the +right thing. As it is, it’s all guesswork.” +</p> +<p>“Light ahead!” suddenly called Chester +beside him. +</p> +<p>“Where away?” +</p> +<p>“Right ahead, but closer in shore on the +left.” +</p> +<p>Alvin leaned forward and gazed intently. +</p> +<p>“You are right,” he added as he saw a +white light low down on the water. “Now +we’ll show those fellows what the <i>Deerfoot</i> +can do when she tries.” +</p> +<p>He flirted over the little lever controlling +the power, and instantly the engine responded +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +so fiercely that the launch shivered +from stem to stern. It bounded forward +like a hound freed from the leash, the bow +rising from the impulse, as if it would leap +clear of the water, and seemingly shooting +over it, like an iceboat driven in a hurricane. +</p> +<p>But the launch in front was no laggard. +Whether she increased her speed at sight of +the light which was seemingly hustling +down the river after her, or whether she +simply held her former rate, she was +going at a tremendous pace. Soon leaving +Long Ledge on their right, the pursuer shot +into the broader waters of Montsweag Bay, +only to find the white light seemingly as +far off as ever. Possibly the pursuers had +gained something, but not enough to be +perceptible. +</p> +<p>“They have seen us,” said Chester, from +his station at the front, “and are putting +in their best licks. We must be going the +limit.” +</p> +<p>“That is twenty-four miles, but we’re not +making it, Chester.” +</p> +<p>The second mate pulled down his cap +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +more snugly, for the motionless air was +turned into a gale, and looked back. +</p> +<p>“What do you mean? The <i>Deerfoot</i> is +eating up water.” +</p> +<p>“That may be, but she isn’t getting there +as she ought to,” insisted Alvin, who, of +course, was more familiar with his boat. +“Something is the matter with her. She +seems to be doing her best, and yet she lags.” +</p> +<p>“Do you think it because of her trouble +yesterday?” +</p> +<p>“It must be, but I was sure she was shipshape +when we left her last night. See +whether we are gaining.” +</p> +<p>Chester spent several minutes in studying +the position and progress of that white +light, which was gliding with swift smoothness +over the water, and hugging the bank +all the while. When he spoke it was doubtfully. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps we have gained a little, say +about six inches.” +</p> +<p>Alvin groped about him for the binoculars, +which he had left on the seat at his +side. By turning the glass over when in use, +one could avail himself of the night lens, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +which was helpful in the gloom. But he +did not find it. +</p> +<p>“That’s queer,” he muttered; “I am +sure I laid it there. I wonder if anyone +visited the boat while we were away.” +</p> +<p>“By gracious!” called Chester from his +station; “I believe she has stopped!” +</p> +<p>“Make sure of it. I should think they +would put out their stern light if they +wanted to elude us.” +</p> +<p>“Likely they don’t care. Yes; she has +run into shore, where there seems to be +some sort of landing.” +</p> +<p>Alvin swung over the wheel so as to +approach directly from the rear. Since +the other boat had become motionless, he +slackened speed to save the strain upon his +own. +</p> +<p>Everything was now in the vivid moonlight. +The launch drew steadily up to the +landing where the other boat had halted. +Two men were observed moving about as +if making ready to tie up for the remainder +of the night. They showed no interest +in their pursuers, and Alvin sheered off +slightly so as to pass at a distance of several +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +rods, and while doing so he made an exasperating +discovery. +</p> +<p>The craft which he had been pursuing +with so much zest was not the <i>Water Witch</i>, +but a small runabout capable of high +speed. The couple on board gave no attention +to the larger craft, and the chagrined +Alvin turned farther out into the bay and +gradually headed up stream again. Chester +came back from the front and chuckled: +</p> +<p>“What a wild goose chase! The next +thing to do is to make after the <i>Nahanada</i> +or the <i>Gardiner</i>. There will be as much +sense in the one as the other.” +</p> +<p>Observing the change of course, Chester +inquired: +</p> +<p>“Where to now?” +</p> +<p>“We may as well go back and pick up +Mike. It seems to be growing light in +the east.” +</p> +<p>“So it is; a memorable night in our +experience is drawing to a close.” +</p> +<p>“I say, Chester,” called the Captain, +“I am sure someone was on this boat +while we were away at Beartown.” +</p> +<p>A sudden suspicion took form in his mind. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></p> +<p>“Is there enough light for you to see the +name on the bow?” +</p> +<p>“Of course.” +</p> +<p>“Take a look and tell me what it is.” +</p> +<p>Chester carefully leaned over and studied +the gilt letters painted on the right of +the prow corresponding to those on the left. +Then he straightened up with a gasp: +</p> +<p>“As sure as I’m a living sinner it’s the +<i>Water Witch</i>!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIII_THROUGH_THE_FOG' id='XXIII_THROUGH_THE_FOG'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Through the Fog</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>It was an astounding discovery. +</p> +<p>With never a thought of the grotesque +mistake, both youths had boarded the +launch believing it to be the <i>Deerfoot</i>; they +had pursued the imaginary fugitive only to +awaken to the fact that she was not a fugitive, +and that they had unconsciously stolen +the property of the burglars, which must +have been lying so near their own craft +that the slight difference of location was +not noticed. +</p> +<p>Chester stepped down and seated himself +at the elbow of his chum. +</p> +<p>“Here are only four seats instead of six. +Why didn’t we notice it before?” +</p> +<p>“Because we were too much occupied +with other things, or rather were both +struck with blindness just then. As Mike +would say, I’m completely flabbergasted.” +</p> +<p>“And I’m with you. What’s to be done +now?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></p> +<p>“Tell me where the <i>Deerfoot</i> is.” +</p> +<p>“Ask me something easier. She may be +lying where we left her, or twenty miles +away.” +</p> +<p>“We should have heard her if she came +down stream.” +</p> +<p>“She may have gone up the river and +around into the Sheepscot.” +</p> +<p>“And back to the former hiding place +of this boat or to a different one—the +‘Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,’” said Alvin +grimly. +</p> +<p>“One place will serve as well as another. +I wonder whether there was ever so wonderful +a mix-up of launches since such craft +were known.” +</p> +<p>Alvin shut off power and the two listened. +From some point miles away came the +hoarse growl of a steam whistle, but all +else was still. He had hoped that they would +hear the <i>Deerfoot’s</i> exhaust, but nothing +of the kind came to their ears. He flirted +the switch around and resumed the speed +which was not above half a dozen miles an +hour. +</p> +<p>One of the plagues of the Maine coast is +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +the dense fogs which sometimes creep far +up the rivers. Such an obscurity now +began settling over Montsweag Bay and +Back River, shutting out the moonlight as +well as the rays of the rising sun. Before +Alvin was aware, he could not see either +shore until he had run far over to the right +and caught a shadowy sight of the pines, +spruce and firs which lined the bank. The +air dripped moisture and, though it was +summer, it grew chilly. +</p> +<p>While gliding slowly forward they heard +a steamer’s bell, accompanied by occasional +blasts from her whistle. She was feeling +her way down stream and sounding warnings +to other craft. By and by the beat of +her screw and the ripple of the water from +her bow sounded so near that Alvin edged +closer to land. In the heavy mist loomed a +minute later a bulky steamer, surging southward +at sluggish speed, the crew, as seen +for an instant, looking like saturated ghosts. +</p> +<p>The boat was quickly swallowed up, her +bell still tolling, with blasts from her whistle +at short intervals. +</p> +<p>Seated as described, the two youths discussed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +what was the best thing to do. It +seemed advisable to return to the point +from which they started, that is, near Beartown +landing. There was not one chance +in a hundred that they would find the <i>Deerfoot</i> +there, but such a thing was not impossible. +That which made this policy seem +wise was the likelihood of again meeting +Detective Calvert. The news of the attempted +robbery of the Beartown post office +would be telegraphed far and wide, and he +would be sure to hear of it at Wiscasset. +It would not take him and his brother +officer long to reach the village, where the +lads could hope to see him. +</p> +<p>It was certainly a singular coincidence +that the launch should be twice stolen in so +brief a time, and the owner grimly asked +himself whether fate had not ordained that +he was to lose it after all. +</p> +<p>There was no light in the maze of conjecture +that opened before them. Chester +suggested an alarming complication. +</p> +<p>“The <i>Deerfoot</i> can outspeed any craft in +the Maine waters. These burglars must +have a hiding place, and we know there is +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span> +no end to them among the bays, inlets, +coves and islands that stud the rivers. +Suppose they board the launch and speed +away till all pursuit is thrown off the +scent—something they can easily do—and +then abandon the boat.” +</p> +<p>“We shall find her sooner or later, and +Calvert will perhaps in this way get on their +track.” +</p> +<p>“They can avert such danger by sinking +her in deep water, where she may not be +found for years.” +</p> +<p>“I have not thought of that. It looks as +if they had the whip-hand. These fellows +may have blundered last night, but it was +solely through the sudden appearance of +Mike on the spot, for they are no fools. +If we try to get the best of them we shall +get the worst, unless we have the help of Mr. +Calvert.” +</p> +<p>“And the only way to gain that is to go +back to Beartown.” +</p> +<p>“So it seems to me. What do you think?” +asked the Captain. +</p> +<p>“I know of nothing better. Wouldn’t +it be well to hit up the pace a little?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span></p> +<p>“If this fog would only lift! But it seems +to be growing thicker. We must feel +our way.” +</p> +<p>While the Captain was doing this, his +second mate looked over the <i>Water Witch</i>. +Its resemblance to the <i>Deerfoot</i> was remarkable. +It was probably two or three feet +shorter, but that was the only noticeable +difference. The model was the same, even +to the color of the paint used. As has +already been said, however, there were only +four seats while the <i>Deerfoot</i> had six. The +similarity of the craft was proved by the +fact that Alvin Landon boarded and ran +it for quite a number of miles before even +the slightest suspicion entered his mind. +</p> +<p>All landmarks were shut from view until, +as may be said, the launch ran against them. +The boys had little or no acquaintance with +the river they were ascending, and only +here and there were they able to identify +certain landings or towns from their previous +study of the map. Alvin knew he was +creeping northward, and sooner or later +must reach the point which he left during +the latter part of the night. Even the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +landing would not be recognized without +close study, and possibly not even then. +</p> +<p>Had not the noise made by the progress +of the launch shut out a certain sound and +had not the dense fog hidden something +from sight, the two would have made a +startling discovery within the hour which +followed their turning back. But no knowledge +of that nature came to them. +</p> +<p>The boys agreed that they would not +reach their destination until long after their +change of course. Neither noted when this +was done, but Chester now looked at his +watch and found it showed a few minutes to +seven. +</p> +<p>“A good hour for breakfast,” he remarked, +“and my appetite is with me, as +I am sure yours is with you.” +</p> +<p>Alvin nodded and kept his eye on the +receding shore and the water ahead. +</p> +<p>“Mike is to be envied, for the good woman +and especially the daughter will give him +the best their house can afford. These +boats don’t carry a large stock of provisions—who +knows but there’s something of the +kind on board?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></p> +<p>He asked the Captain to rise while he +lifted the cushioned lid of the locker upon +which he had been sitting. The next +moment Chester uttered a joyous cry. +</p> +<p>“Hurrah! we’re in luck!” +</p> +<p>He held up a large paper bag into which +he had peeped. It contained half a dozen +plump ham sandwiches. +</p> +<p>“While we are about it suppose we see +what other treasures are in the ship’s chest.” +</p> +<p>They found a most interesting stock indeed. +Five black pieces of muslin, each with +two peep-holes, several sets of false whiskers, +two pairs of brass knuckles, three metal +rings from each of which dangled more +than a dozen keys of varying sizes, a box +of revolver cartridges, a formidable knife, +some twine and a number of articles of no +importance. +</p> +<p>“They tell their story,” said Chester, +holding them up one after another for his +chum’s inspection. “If the officers of the law +arrest us, we shall have to depend upon our +friends to prove an alibi.” +</p> +<p>“Meanwhile there is no need to keep +those sandwiches waiting.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span></p> +<p>“Wonder if they are poisoned,” laughed +Chester, as he passed one to his chum, and +sank his teeth in another. “Anyhow, I’m +going to take chances.” +</p> +<p>“So am I. They don’t seem to have any +cooking utensils on board, so coffee and +warm food are to be denied us.” +</p> +<p>The Captain ate with one hand on the +steering wheel, and frequent glances ahead. +Now and then they would find themselves +approaching a sharp projection of land, +around which the launch was steered, and +then perhaps would glide past a cunning +looking cove, too narrow to admit a boat +of large size. Once, while doubling a cape, +they came within a hair of running down a +small rowboat propelled by a single occupant. +He shouted angrily for the steersman +to keep a better lookout. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry!” called back Alvin; “but the +fog bothers us. Will you please tell me +how far it is to Beartown landing?” +</p> +<p>“’Bout half a mile, mebbe a little more. +Who are you?” +</p> +<p>Alvin gave his right name and thanked +the man for his information. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span></p> +<p>“I thought that was about the distance,” +said Chester, as he resumed the duty of +sentinel. “I can’t recognize any landmark, +and couldn’t if there was no fog to +play the mischief with our sight.” +</p> +<p>Alvin stopped the engine two or three +times while approaching the spot, in order +to listen for sounds of the other boat. +They heard nothing, but had they not +waited too long to make the experiment, +they would have picked up some exceedingly +interesting information. +</p> +<p>“Here’s the spot!” called Chester a few +minutes later, as he identified the spiderlike +landing from which a road led to Beartown. +</p> +<p>“Then we have passed the place where the +launch lay up last night. We may as well +go beyond and be out of the way of folks.” +</p> +<p>A hundred yards north of the wharf, too +far to see it when they looked back, the +<i>Water Witch</i> came gently to rest, the waiting +Chester sprang ashore with a line in +hand and made fast. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIV_BAD_FOR_MIKE_MURPHY' id='XXIV_BAD_FOR_MIKE_MURPHY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bad for Mike Murphy</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>When Gerald Buxton’s shotgun +was fired by him, and the report +rang out in the still night, it +awoke several persons, who wondered what +it meant. No one gave the matter further +thought, however, until an old lady, facing +the main street, looked through her bedroom +window and saw the citizen chasing +his boy, who toted a gun over his shoulder. +At the first streakings of daylight she +hurried to the Buxton home for the explanation. +Within the following half hour the +majority of the population of Beartown +knew that an attempt had been made to +rob the post office during the night. Then +followed a hurrying thither, for no one could +be satisfied until he had viewed the scene +and talked with the postmistress herself. +</p> +<p>It was the confusion and hurly-burly below +stairs that awoke Mike Murphy early. +He would have left at once to join Alvin +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +and Chester if Nora had not forced him to +eat breakfast before bidding them good-by. +It must be said that the Irish youth +did not require much urging to detain +him that long. +</p> +<p>He found he was attracting unpleasant +attention. It was Nora who took pains +to let it be known that but for him all +the money in the safe would have been +stolen. Mr. Jasper, the owner of the large +sum, scrambled through the crowd, snatched +up his big envelope and hurried off without +so much as thanking Mike, who cared +naught. +</p> +<p>“You needn’t tell me,” said the keeper +of the other grocery store to the husband +of the town milliner. “That redheaded +Irish chap is one of the gang.” +</p> +<p>“How do you account for his preventing +the other robber from carrying away the +money in the safe?” asked his neighbor. +</p> +<p>“Plain enough; they’d had a quarrel. +He wanted it all for himself.” +</p> +<p>“Why didn’t he take it then?” +</p> +<p>“The widder and others bounced down +on him afore he had the chance.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span></p> +<p>“I don’t see why if the other villain run +away this one didn’t do likewise.” +</p> +<p>“He’ll do it quick enough, never you +fear.” +</p> +<p>“Why is he hanging round after they’ve +gone?” +</p> +<p>“To git the money. Seems to me, Rufe, +you’re blamed stupid this morning. Why, +you’ve only to take one look at that young +ruffian’s face to see the wickedness wrote +there. He oughter be in prison this very +minute, and he’ll soon be there—take my +word for it!” +</p> +<p>“Where is he?” +</p> +<p>“Sneaked off while he had the chance—wal, +I’ll be gul darned!” +</p> +<p>The grinning Mike Murphy was standing +at his elbow, where he had heard every +word of the pointed conversation. The +gossip was so taken aback that he began +stammering: +</p> +<p>“I had—that is, I was thinking of the +other robber.” +</p> +<p>“I was told,” said Mike, “that there was +a man hereabouts that looked so much like +me he must be my lost brither that was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +let out of jail in Boston a fortnight since. +I’ve found him and begs the privilege of +shaking his hand.” +</p> +<p>And he caught the limp fingers of the +gaping fellow and squeezed them hard, while +he continued to gape and say nothing. +</p> +<p>Since this unpleasant person bore not +the slightest resemblance to the youth, +being pale and effeminate looking, those +who stood near broke into laughter. Mike +turned about, and having bidden good-by +to mother and daughter, passed into the +street and turned down the road leading to +the landing. +</p> +<p>The hour was early and the fog of which +I have spoken was beginning to creep over +the village and through the woods. He +kept his bearings, and when near the river +plunged in among the trees to find the <i>Deerfoot</i>, +remembering where she was moored +the night before. +</p> +<p>Some hours earlier Alvin Landon and +Chester Haynes had boarded the <i>Water +Witch</i>, never doubting that it was the <i>Deerfoot</i>, +and started down the river. Consequently +Mike could not make the same +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span> +mistake, and came straight to the launch +with which he was familiar. Standing for a +brief period on the bank he looked admiringly +at it. +</p> +<p>“Where are the byes?” was the first +question he asked himself, as a glance told +him he had arrived ahead of them. “I +wonder now if they have strayed off in the +woods, where they may wander about +like the two lost babes and be niver heerd +of agin.” +</p> +<p>Not doubting that they would soon show +up, he sat down on the velvety ground to +await them. By and by he became drowsy. +The previous night had been so broken that +he had not gained half the sleep he needed. +It was natural, therefore, after his generous +breakfast, that he should be inclined to +slumber. Rousing up, he reflected: +</p> +<p>“If I fall asleep here, the byes may not +obsarve me and sail away and leave me +behind. I shouldn’t mind that so much +wid only a quarter of a dollar in me pocket, +fur I could go back to Nora and her mother +and spind the rest of me days. But the +Captain and second mate would graive +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +themselves to death, and that would make +me feel bad.” +</p> +<p>Throwing off his drowsiness, he rose to +his feet, reached out one hand and sprang +lightly aboard the boat. Seats, cushions, +flags, everything was as they had left it +the night before. He sat down on one +seat, rested his feet upon another and settled +himself for a good nap, indifferent as to +how long it should last. +</p> +<p>“When they come they will obsarve that +I’m sweetly draaming, and will respict me +enough to refrain from disturbing me, as +Bobbie Burns used to say whin he lay down +beside the road late at night on his way +home.” +</p> +<p>His posture was so comfortable that his +head soon bowed and he drifted into the +land of dreams. His first essay was not so +successful as he hoped it would be, for by +and by the nodding head tipped too far +forward, and he sprawled on his face. His +first confused fancy was that he had been +lying in his trundle bed at Tipperary with +his cousin Garry Murphy. +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now, what do ye maan by kicking +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +me out on the floor, ye spalpeen? Whin +I git me eyes open I’ll taich ye better +manners,” he called, climbing carefully to +his feet. After a brief spell he recalled +the situation. His first fear was that the +Captain and second mate had returned and +witnessed his tumble, but looking around, +he saw nothing of them. The mooring line +lay looped around the base of the spruce +and the launch was motionless. +</p> +<p>Soon after, two persons came stealing +their way among the trees, feeling each +step like a couple of Indian scouts entering +a hostile camp. They were Kit Woodford, +leader of the post office burglars, and his +young companion Graff Miller. You remember +they acted as lookouts, while the +third was busy inside. They had fled like +the cowards they were on the first sign of +danger, had managed to find each other +and then set out to flee in their launch. +What had become of “Nox” they did not +know or care. He must do as they had done—save +himself or go unsaved. +</p> +<p>A shock of astonishment came to the +miscreants when they reached the place +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +where the <i>Water Witch</i> was moored the +night before, only to discover that it had +vanished. To the alarmed ruffians there +was but the one explanation: the men +who had interfered with the work at the +post office had learned of the launch and +run off with it. +</p> +<p>“This is a rum go!” was the disgusted +exclamation of Woodford. “I thought we +should have an easy thing of it, but we’ve +got to turn back inland. We shouldn’t have +any trouble, though it looks to me as if +we shall have to part company.” +</p> +<p>The younger man was not favorably +impressed at first, but a moment’s reflection +convinced him that this was one of +the situations in which the proverb, “In +union there is strength,” did not hold good. +Two persons trying together to make their +way out of the neighborhood without +drawing suspicion would be in more danger +than one. So he said: +</p> +<p>“All right; I will go down stream.” +</p> +<p>He moved away from his companion, +who held his place for a brief while, still +reflecting whether his plan was the better +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +one after all. He was turning over the +problem in his mind, when he caught the +sound of a guarded whistle. It was a +familiar call from his companion and he +did not hesitate to follow it. Only a little +way off he paused with an exclamation of +astonishment. +</p> +<p>There was the swift launch <i>Deerfoot</i> +moored against the bank so near the place +where the <i>Water Witch</i> had been left that it +is no wonder that Alvin Landon and Chester +Haynes failed to notice the difference of +location. Not only that, but one of the +youths belonging to the boat was seated +near the stern with head bowed as if asleep. +</p> +<p>What could the amazing fact mean? +Woodford’s first thought was that a trap +had been set for them. More than likely +the seeming slumber on the part of the +motionless figure was a pretence, and meant +to tempt them to come out into the open. +</p> +<p>“What do you make of it?” whispered +Graff Miller. +</p> +<p>“Some deviltry you may be sure; the +others are near by.” +</p> +<p>They stealthily withdrew deeper into the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +wood and watched and listened, but nothing +occurred to cause alarm. Then a sudden +resolution came to the elder. +</p> +<p>“So long as there’s only one, let’s make +him prisoner.” +</p> +<p>“I’m willing,” assented the other. +</p> +<p>As silently as two shadows, they stole +to the edge of the water. Woodford deftly +cast off the bow line and, leaning over, +gently laid it on the deck. Then they +stepped aboard and Miller took up the boathook, +pressed it against the bank and the +launch began moving away. When the +boathook could be used no longer, it was +softly laid down and the younger man took +his place at the wheel. He understood the +running of the launch better than his companions +and generally acted as pilot. +</p> +<p>“Shall I start?” he asked, in a guarded +voice. +</p> +<p>The other nodded. Miller slipped the +switch plug in place, started the motor and +put on the power, with just enough force +to set the screw slowly revolving. He +headed out in the river, where, because of +the fog, he could barely see the flagstaff +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span> +at the bow, and began a wide sweeping circle +with the intention of descending the stream. +</p> +<p>And still Mike Murphy dreamed on. +</p> +<p>Now that the boat was under way with +the screw revolving faster, Kit Woodford +stepped closer to the sleeping youth and +looked at his face. When he recognized him +as the belligerent Irish lad, his feelings +underwent a sudden change. He knew +something of the sleeper and decided on +the instant that he was <i>persona non grata</i>. +While one of the other boys might have +been held with some vague idea of being +used as a hostage, this one would make +more trouble aboard than on land. +</p> +<p>Without a word as to his purpose to his +companion, Kit Woodford stooped over, +and with the great strength he possessed, +easily lifted the sleeping boy clear of the +deck. Then he cautiously moved to the +taffrail, and with a single toss flung Mike +Murphy clear of the launch. And the water +was fifty feet deep, and Mike had never +swum a stroke, and there was no one to +go to his help. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXV_WHAT_SAVED_MIKE' id='XXV_WHAT_SAVED_MIKE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>What Saved Mike</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Let us be just to all. I therefore make +haste to say that when Kit Woodford +thus threw Mike Murphy into the +Back River he did not doubt for an instant +that he was a swimmer, for whoever heard +of a lusty youth seventeen years old who +could not take care of himself in water? +Of course there are such, but they are so +few that they are a negligible number. +</p> +<p>Graff Miller was startled when he heard +the splash, and turning his head saw the lad +disappear, but his belief was the same as his +companion’s, and turning on more power, +he shot beyond sight before the lad could +come to the surface. +</p> +<p>Now I wish to say further that it is a +fact within the knowledge of more than one +that a person who did not know how to swim +has, upon being precipitated into deep water, +struck out like a master of the natatorial +art. A father standing on the shore of a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +lake in northern England saw a boat upset +when a hundred yards off and his little boy +flung clear of the support. The lad had +never even tried to swim, but as he was +going down the parent shouted to him: +</p> +<p>“If you don’t come right to land, I’ll +whip you within an inch of your life!” +</p> +<p>And the little fellow swam to where the +frantic parent awaited him. +</p> +<p>Moreover, I once witnessed the same +strange occurrence. I was not six years old +when I was waiting at the side of a deep +pond, and watching my brother, four years +older, construct a raft, with which he had +promised to come over and take me a-sailing. +He put a number of boards loosely together, +and using a shingle for a paddle, worked +out from shore and began making his way +toward me, who was in high spirits over the +promised treat. +</p> +<p>In the very middle of the pond, where the +water was fully twenty feet deep, the primitive +raft began disintegrating. The boards +slipped apart, so that those upon which +my brother stood sank under his weight. +Had he been older and more sensible, he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +would have known that this need not mean +danger to him, for the smallest board was +buoyant enough to hold his head above +water, and he could have worked his way +to land with such support. But the sight +of the structure breaking apart threw him +into a panic. He made a frenzied leap as +far out as he could, came up instantly, +blew the water from his mouth and swam +so easily to where I was standing that I +never dreamed he was in peril. I should +have said that never before had he tried +to swim. +</p> +<p>The explanation of what seems unaccountable +is simple. Now and then it +happens that when a sudden demand is +made upon a person to save his life by +swimming he instinctively does the right +thing. He adjusts his body correctly, and +uses his legs and arms properly—his action +being exactly like those of a bullfrog when +he starts on a voyage to the other side of +the spring where he makes his home. +</p> +<p>This thing does not often occur, but, as +I have said, it does now and then. Let me +beg you never to make the experiment +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +unless it is forced upon you, for I dread +what the result would be. +</p> +<p>You have already guessed that this is +what took place with Mike Murphy. I +cannot think of a more startling awaking +than that of a sleeping person who is flung +into a deep stream of very cold water. +Mike’s momentum took him several feet +below the surface, but he quickly rose again, +shook the water from his eyes, blew it out +of his mouth, and then swam straight +for land with the skill that you would show +in a similar situation. Even in taking the +right direction he was providentially guided, +for at first the dense fog shut everything +from sight, but after a few strokes, he saw +the dim outlines of the trees, and never +stopped the vigorous swimming until he +reached up, grasped an overhanging limb +of a near-by tree and felt his feet touch +bottom. +</p> +<p>And then he was so overcome by what had +taken place and it was so beyond his comprehension +that he believed it was a miracle. +Standing on the bank in his dripping clothing, +he was mute for a full minute. Then +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +he sank on his knees and looking reverently +upward said: +</p> +<p>“I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, +for saving me life when I didn’t desarve +it. Why Ye took the trouble is beyond +me, but I niver can thank Thee enough. +I’m going to try me bist to be more desarving +of Yer kindness, and now if it’s all the +same to Yer blissed silf, plaise give me a +chance at that spalpeen that treated me as +he did.” +</p> +<p>From down the river came the sound +of the <i>Deerfoot’s</i> exhaust, growing fainter +as the boat sped on its way. The hoarse +blast of a steamer’s whistle shuddered +through the mist, but the lad saw nothing +of either craft. It was fog, fog on every +hand. +</p> +<p>He could not straighten out in his mind +all that had taken place. More than one +phase of the occurrences was beyond explanation. +Overcoming in a degree the awe +he felt for what had occurred in his own +person, he thought: +</p> +<p>“If the Captain and second mate didn’t +know I couldn’t swim, I’d belave it was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +them that dropped me overboard by way +of a joke, as the Barry brithers explained to +the Judge was their raison for hanging +Black Mike. It was thim spalpeens that +wint fur the Captain whin he was journeying +through the woods. Begorra! but they are +piling up a big debt fur me to pay! But +I’ll sittle the same wid int’rist at siven +thousand per cent. +</p> +<p>“Where’s Alvin and Chester all this time? +Why didn’t they git to the <i>Deerfut</i> before +me instead of laving it fur them chaps? +What does it all maan, anyway?” +</p> +<p>One of the singular coincidences of this +series of adventures was that the <i>Deerfoot</i> +in going down the Back River passed within +a few rods of the <i>Water Witch</i> coming up. +The noise of the respective engines prevented +either party hearing the other, and +the fog would have veiled them had the +space between been considerably less. +</p> +<p>Not knowing that the launch of their +enemies had been moored anywhere near, +Mike did not look for it. Ignorant also of +how far he had been carried while asleep, +he could not guess the distance to Beartown +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +landing. It might be half a mile or +ten times as much. In truth, the former +distance was about right. +</p> +<p>The pressing question was as to what he +should do. His clothing even to his cap +was saturated. The morning was chilly, +and he shivered. He must find a place +where he could obtain warmth until his +garments dried. When that was done he +would decide upon the next step to take. +</p> +<p>Had he suspected that he was so close to +the landing, he would have picked his way +thither and then followed the road to the +home of Mrs. Friestone. It seemed to him +that there must be a good many scattered +houses, any one of which would give him +welcome. He remembered that a broad +highway runs the whole length of big Westport +Island. Necessarily this was parallel +with the course of Back River. If he therefore +turned away from the latter and held +a direct course, he must sooner or later +reach the road named, where he would be +sure soon to receive hospitality. +</p> +<p>No doubt you know from experience how +hard it is to hold a straight course when +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span> +going through a wilderness, without landmarks +to guide you and ignorant also of +the “signs” which are as plain as print to +the veteran hunter. The fog inclosed Mike +on every hand, but his activity imparted +a pleasant warmth to his frame, which +otherwise would not have been felt, even +though it was summer time. +</p> +<p>He zigzagged sometimes to the right and +sometimes to the left, but, on the whole, +held substantially to the right direction +and gradually drew near the dusty avenue +which, once reached, would bring the end +of his discomforts. Good fortune stayed +with him, for when he was beginning to +feel somewhat discouraged with his failure +to free himself from the dripping woods, he +abruptly came upon a clearing, in the midst +of which stood a small house, surrounded by +a well-tilled garden and several smaller +buildings. Chickens were scratching and +picking at the earth, and a big dog, fortunately +restrained by a chain, scrambled +out of his kennel at sight of the stranger +and barked and tugged to get at him. +</p> +<p>Between him and Mike stretched a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +clothesline supported at intervals by leaning +props, and despite the fact that the +humidity in the air must have been close +to ninety-nine degrees, a corpulent woman +was hanging out clothes. Two or three +wooden pins were in her mouth, and every +now and then she reached up with one hand +and squeezed the little conveniences over +the cord which supported the flapping +clothes. She wore no bonnet or hat, and +the untied shoes evidently were an old pair +belonging to her husband. +</p> +<p>Hearing the dog bark, she looked around +to learn the cause. She saw a freckle-faced +youth in the act of doffing his cap and +bowing. +</p> +<p>“The top of the morning to yer ladyship, +and would ye be willing to hang me across +yer line till me clothes be dried?” +</p> +<p>The woman snatched the pins from between +her teeth and stared at him. Her +face was broad, homely and good-natured. +</p> +<p>“G’way now,” she answered; “I don’t +hang up any clothes till the same is <i>claan</i>. +It will take a waak’s washing to rinder ye +fit. If I straddle ye over the line wid yer +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +faat and rid head hanging down and bumping +togither, ye’ll cut a purty figger a-flapping +in the wind.” +</p> +<p>Mike’s laughter rang out. She was +Irish like him and his heart warmed to her. +</p> +<p>“Begorra! I’ve met a leddy after me +own heart. She’s from the ‘owld sod’ and +it’s not mesilf that is going to have me own +way in gay conversation wid the charming +beauty.” +</p> +<p>True enough, the woman was his match +and Mike was glad to learn it. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXVI_THE_GOOD_SAMARITANS' id='XXVI_THE_GOOD_SAMARITANS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Good Samaritans</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>She looked sharply at him through her +bright blue eyes. +</p> +<p>“Are ye saaking to make me belave +ye are from Ireland?” +</p> +<p>“Sartinly—Mike Murphy, from the town +of Tipperary, County of Tipperary, at your +sarvice,” and he bowed again. +</p> +<p>“Arrah, poor Ireland, how many wrongs +are heaped upon ye! I was sure from yer +accint that ye were a Dutchman or Frinch.” +</p> +<p>“May I ask yer name, me leddy?” +</p> +<p>“Mrs. Maggie McCaffry, and me husband +is Tam that is working for Mr. Burns +at Beartown.” +</p> +<p>Mike clasped his hands and with a glowing +expression stepped forward. +</p> +<p>“I knowed it! I knowed it!” he exclaimed, +as if overrunning with joy. +</p> +<p>“Knowed phwat?” +</p> +<p>“That ye were my mither’s fourth cousin +that lift Tipperary fur Noo York six years +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +ago, but by some mistake landed in Dublin +jail—bad cess to them as made the same +mistake!” +</p> +<p>“It’s bad enough fur ye to be born in +the same counthry wid mesilf, but I war-r-n +ye to make no claim to relationship. There’s +some things a respictable leddy can’t stand.” +</p> +<p>“Did ye not almost break me heart by +thinking I was a Dutchman?” asked Mike +reprovingly. +</p> +<p>“I’ll make the same roight by axing the +pardon of ivery Dutchman I maats for the +rist of me born days. ’Twas har-r-d on the +poor haythen.” +</p> +<p>“Aunt Maggie, I’ll give ye all me wealth +if ye’ll consint to let me dry mesilf in front +of yer fire.” +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now, what are ye saying? Five +cints is no object to me——” +</p> +<p>Just then, in spite of an effort to prevent it, +Mike’s teeth chattered. Now that he had +ceased walking he quickly became chilled. +The woman noticed it and her warm sympathy +instantly welled up. +</p> +<p>“’Tis a shame that I kipt ye talking +nonsense wid me while ye was shivering. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +Do ye walk straight into the house and +war-r-m yersilf till I come, which will be in +a jiffy whin I have the rest of me clothes +hung out. And if ye’re hungry ye shall have +food.” +</p> +<p>“I thank ye, aunty, but I am not in +need of that.” +</p> +<p>Two small wooden steps were in front +of the only door on that side of the neat +little cottage. He pressed his thumb on +the latch, pushed open the door and the +next instant faced one of the greatest +surprises of his life. +</p> +<p>The lower floor consisted of two rooms, a +kitchen and a general living room. The fire +in the former would have been enough for the +interior, but for the fact that a visitor had +preceded Mike, and because of his presence +a roaring fire was burning on the hearth. In +front of this sat a young man leaning back +in a rocking chair, with a bandaged leg +resting on a pillow laid upon a second chair +in front of him. He was smoking a cigarette, +and despite the fact that something ailed +him, looked quite comfortable. +</p> +<p>As the door opened, his eyes met those of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span> +Mike Murphy, who halted with one foot +over the threshold, started and exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“Can I belave what me eyes tell me! Is +it <i>yersilf</i>?” +</p> +<p>The young man sitting before him, smoking +and nursing his injured limb, was Orestes +Noxon, whom Mike chased away from the +Beartown post office the night before, and +who received a part of the charge from the +shotgun of Gerald Buxton. +</p> +<p>The face of the injured youth flushed and +he laughed nervously, but with amazing +coolness answered: +</p> +<p>“I guess you don’t need spectacles. +You’ve got the best of me; I’m down and +you’re up.” +</p> +<p>“There’s an old account to be squared +atween us, but that can rist till ye become +yersilf. Be the same token, are ye much +hurt?” +</p> +<p>Mike’s Irish sympathy immediately went +out to the fellow, who certainly was at +his mercy. +</p> +<p>“I can’t say I am. But your clothing is +wet. I heard a part of your talk with Mrs. +McCaffry—God bless her splendid soul!—so +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +suppose you come closer where you will be +in front of the fire and can dry yourself, +and we’ll get on better.” +</p> +<p>It was good advice and Mike acted upon +it. Standing with his back to the blaze, he +looked down in the face of the criminal +whose self-possession he could not help +admiring. +</p> +<p>“You remember our little foot race from +the back of the Beartown post office?” +said Noxon, as if referring to an incident +in which he felt no particular interest. +</p> +<p>“I do, but I niver won a prize at running +and ye give me the slip.” +</p> +<p>“Only to get in front of that beefeater +with a shotgun. Why didn’t you fire when +you were chasing and threatening me?” +</p> +<p>“I couldn’t have touched off that busted +gun any more than I could have fired a +broom handle.” +</p> +<p>“I made the mistake of thinking the other +fellow would be equally forbearing and kept +on running, till all at once, bang! he let +drive. I caught a good part of the charge +in that leg below the knee. It didn’t hurt +much at first, and after managing to get +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +hold of his gun I made him dance for me. +It would have killed you to see him,” and +at the recollection the young man laughed +hard. +</p> +<p>“His boy Jim obsarved it all and told us +and we laughed,” said Mike, with a grin. +“The sight must have been very insthructive.” +</p> +<p>“It was, to that old codger, who won’t +get over his lesson for a month. Well, as +the gun wasn’t of any use to me I threw it +away and started to find my friends and +the boat we came on. By and by my leg +began to hurt, I suppose from walking so +much and a tumble I got by catching my +foot in the root of a tree. I sat down to rest +awhile and when I got up it hurt so badly +that I thought it was all up with me. You +know it was night, and somehow I had gone +astray in the infernal pine woods. The +wound was bleeding, and I sat down again +intending to wait till morning. By and by +I heard a dog bark so near that I climbed to +my feet again and made by way to this +house. McCaffry and his wife were asleep +and it took a good deal of banging and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span> +shouting for me to wake them. But when +they found out what was the matter +they took me in, and my own father and +mother could not have been kinder.” +</p> +<p>“What did they do fur yer fut?” +</p> +<p>“The good woman not only washed the +wound, but, by the light of the lamp which +her husband held, picked out every one of +the shot that had been buried there and +were making the trouble. Then she bathed +the hurt again and wrapped it about with +the clean linen, as you see for yourself. All +that remains is for me to keep quiet for a +few days and nature will do the rest.” +</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t it be well if I got a docther +fur ye?” +</p> +<p>Noxon looked up in the face of the Irish +youth, who tried to keep a grave countenance. +</p> +<p>“I think not,” replied the sufferer. +</p> +<p>There was a world of significance in the +words, and both understood. +</p> +<p>Strange that these two who had never +met before except as the bitterest of enemies +should talk now as comrades. Mike kept +pinching his clothing and turning every side +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +to the blaze, thus drying the garments quite +rapidly. He was so interested in the story +of Noxon that he grew careless. +</p> +<p>“I think I see smoke coming from behind +you,” finally said the sitter. +</p> +<p>Mike reached back to investigate and +with a gasp snatched back his fingers. +</p> +<p>“I’m afire! Is there a well outside that +I can dive into the same?” +</p> +<p>“Turn around; I can help you,” said +Noxon, laughing, dropping his foot and sitting +forward. +</p> +<p>Together they quenched the twist of +blaze which if left alone would have played +the mischief with Mike’s garments. +</p> +<p>“I’m thinking this is a little different, +Mr. Noxon, from last night.” +</p> +<p>“It is, and I hope it will always stay +that way.” +</p> +<p>Mike was astonished and looked questioningly +at the fellow. +</p> +<p>“Phwat might ye be maaning?” he asked, +lowering his voice. +</p> +<p>Noxon tried to speak, but his voice broke. +He snatched out his handkerchief from the +side pocket of his coat and pressed it to his +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +eyes. Then his breast heaved and he +broke into sobbing. +</p> +<p>The heart of Mike melted at the sight. +He had never dreamed of anything like +this. Enmity and resentment gave way to +an anguish of sympathy for the fellow. He +longed to say something comforting, but +could not think of a word, and remained +mute. Very soon the youth regained his +self-control. Dropping his handkerchief in +his lap, and with eyes streaming, he exclaimed +from the very depths of his +despair: +</p> +<p>“Oh, why didn’t that man aim better and +kill me! I’m not fit to live! I’m the worst +villain unhanged! I am lost—damned, and +a curse to those who love me!” +</p> +<p>Mike pulled himself together sufficiently +to reply: +</p> +<p>“I don’t think ye’re quite all them things. +Cheer up! cheer up, old fellow!” +</p> +<p>Noxon did not speak, but slowly swayed +his head from side to side, like one from +whom all hope had departed. Mike drew +a chair beside him, and as tenderly as a +mother lifted the white hand from where +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span> +it lay on the handkerchief, and held it in +his own warm grasp. +</p> +<p>“Noxy, me bye, Mike Murphy is yer +frind through thick and thin—don’t ye forget +<i>that</i>—and I’m going to see ye through +this if I have to break a thrace in trying.” +</p> +<p>“<i>You!</i>” repeated the despairing one, +looking up in Mike’s honest blue eyes. +“No one can save a wretch like me. I’m +not worth saving!” +</p> +<p>“Ye forget there’s One to whom the same +is aisy, me bye. Ye feel down in the mouth +jest now, as Jonah did respicting the whale, +but bimeby this fog will clear away and +the sun will shine forth again. I’ve been +in some purty bad scrapes mesilf and He +niver desarted me. Why, it ain’t two +hours, since He raiched out His hand, +grabbed me by the neck and saved me from +drowning. I tell ye, Noxy, that He won’t +fail ye.” +</p> +<p>“But you never did what I have done.” +</p> +<p>The Irish youth bent his head as if recalling +his past life. +</p> +<p>“I can’t say that I did, but I’m the meanest +scamp that iver lived—barring yersilf,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +he added, with the old twinkle in his eyes. +“Come, now, be a man and we’ll have ye +out of this scrape as quick as I jumped +awhile ago whin I awoke to the fact that +me trousers was afire.” +</p> +<p>Noxon actually smiled at the recollection. +</p> +<p>“You call yourself a scamp. Why, you +are an angel compared with me—so is +everybody! Kit Woodford and Graff Miller +are a thousand times better than I.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXVII_AN_UNWELCOME_CALLER' id='XXVII_AN_UNWELCOME_CALLER'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Unwelcome Caller</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>With rare wisdom Mike now gave +an abrupt turn to the conversation. +Lowering his voice to a +confidential tone, he asked: +</p> +<p>“Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of +this?” +</p> +<p>“If so, she hasn’t given me any reason to +suspect it,” replied Noxon, brightening up +and seizing the straw held out to him. +“I told her I had met with an accident, and +neither she nor her husband asked a question. +Their big hearts had no room for +any feeling other than of pity for the +one who is not deserving of a particle +of it.” +</p> +<p>“She told me her husband works in +Beartown. He wint there airly this morning; +he’ll hear of the throuble at the post +office and the beefeater, as ye call him, +will let everybody know he winged the +robber as he was running off. Did ye spake +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span> +any caution to the man before he lift this +morning?” +</p> +<p>“By good luck I thought of that. I +asked him to make no mention of my being +at his house and he promised me he would +not.” +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now, but that’s good, as me dad +says whin he tips up the jug. All that ye +have to do is to sit here and let Mrs. +McCaffry nurse that game leg till ye’re +able to thravel.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, if that was <i>all</i>! But I have a father +and mother whose hearts I am breaking. +I have two younger brothers and a sweet +sister. What of <i>them</i>!” demanded Noxon +almost fiercely. +</p> +<p>“Ye have read the blissed story of the +Prodigal Son, haven’t ye?” +</p> +<p>“I am a thousandfold worse than that +poor devil, who was simply foolish.” +</p> +<p>“Do yer dad and mither know where +ye are?” +</p> +<p>“No; the one decent thing I did when +I turned rascal was to change my name. +Orestes Noxon is a <i>nom de plume</i>.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know the fellow, but that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span> +shows, me bye, ye ain’t such a big fool as +ye look. I’m beginning to have hope for +ye.” +</p> +<p>A strange impulse came to Mike. It was +to sing in a low, inexpressibly sweet voice +a single stanza of a familiar hymn, just +loud enough for the one auditor to hear. +But he restrained himself, fearing the +effect upon him. The “fountains of the +deep” were already broken up, and the +result might be regrettable. At that moment +a heavy tread sounded on the little +steps outside, the door was pushed inward, +and the bulky form of the red-faced Mrs. +McCaffry filled the whole space. She +now stepped awkwardly and ponderously +within. +</p> +<p>“I begs that ye’ll oxcoose me for not +coming in wid this blarney and inthrodoocing +ye to aich ither. Have ye becoom +acquainted?” +</p> +<p>“It was an oversight which no Irish +leddy should be guilty of,” gravely replied +Mike, “espicially whin the same is the +fourth cousin of me own mither. But ye +have been away from the owld counthry so +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span> +long that ye have forgot a good deal, Aunt +Maggie.” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t furgot to resint the insult of +being accused of relationship wid the family +of a spalpeen that is proud of the belaif. +Whin Tam coomes home to-night I’ll explain +the insult to him and lave ye two to +sittle the same.” +</p> +<p>“I’m thankful ye give me due notice, +Aunt Maggie, so that I’ll have time to slip +outside and climb a tree. Which reminds +me to ask how fur it is to Beartown.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a good half mile from our home, and +nigh about the same distance back. Ye +can figger out the rist for yersilf. Now, +me darlint,” said she, coming to Noxon’s +chair and bending over with her broad +face radiating sympathy, “it’s toime I had +a look at that leg, which would be a +big ornamint if bestowed on the spalpeen +wid the freckles and rid hair.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think it can need any attention,” +said Noxon, pleased to listen to the sparring +of the two; “but you are the doctor.” +</p> +<p>Her hands were big and red, but no +professional nurse could have handled a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span> +patient with more gentle deftness. The +linen was unwound, and Mike for the first +time inspected the wound inflicted by Gerald +Buxton with his shotgun. Little as the +lad knew of such things, he saw the hurt +was not serious. With the removal of the +leaden pellets went the cause of irritation. +The stumble in the woods had aggravated +the wound temporarily, but a rest for even a +day would render it safe for the young man +to use the leg. +</p> +<p>When the bandage had been repinned +in place, Noxon felt that he was being +coddled more than was necessary. Dropping +his foot to the floor, he asked impatiently: +</p> +<p>“What’s the sense of my playing baby? +I can walk as well as ever. All I need is an +ordinary cane. I think I’ll stay with you +till after dinner, Aunt Maggie—I suppose +I may call you that—and then I’ll vamose +the ranch.” +</p> +<p>The woman stared wonderingly at Mike. +</p> +<p>“Do ye know what he maanes by thim +words? His mind I fear is afther wandering.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span></p> +<p>“He wishes to say that ye and Tam have +used him so well that he will take delight +in spinding siveral days wid ye.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, now his mind isn’t afther wandering +when he do spake that way. All roight, +me cherub, ye’ll stay where you be till I +give you liberty to lave. Do ye mind +that?” +</p> +<p>And she shook her stubby finger in his +face. +</p> +<p>“Ah, what a tyrant you are, Aunt +Maggie!” +</p> +<p>“Phwat’s that?” she demanded, straightening +up. “Are ye calling me out of me +name?” +</p> +<p>“You are the sweetest, kindest, most +motherly woman and best wife in the State +of Maine.” +</p> +<p>She sprang to her feet and lumbered to +the door. +</p> +<p>“I haven’t finished hanging me duds; +whin I have I’ll come back and wipe out the +insoolt ye have put upon me.” +</p> +<p>Noxon looked at Mike, who for the first +time heard him laugh with real jollity in +his voice. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p> +<p>“What a big heart! How unutterably +ashamed she makes me feel! What can I +weigh in the balance against her? She is +pure gold and I am base dross.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t forgit to include mesilf wid the +dross, me bye. Ye won’t be able to get +away from this here place for a few days, +I guess.” +</p> +<p>“Glad should I be if I could believe it +safe to stay here.” +</p> +<p>“And why not?” +</p> +<p>“Her husband has already heard all +about last night’s business.” +</p> +<p>“He promised ye to say nothing.” +</p> +<p>“When he did that, he had no suspicion +of who I am. He will know that I was +one of the gang and his disposition will +be far different when he comes home to-night. +In fact, he is likely to feel freed +of any promise he made me.” +</p> +<p>“Ye don’t know a real Irishman. I +can’t say how he will be disposed, but I +know he’ll kaap that pledge. Have no +fear of that.” +</p> +<p>Noxon sitting back in his chair and apparently +without any thought of his injured +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span> +leg, pondered earnestly over the +situation. +</p> +<p>“I am disposed to believe as you do, +but that isn’t my only danger.” +</p> +<p>“Phwat have ye in mind now?” +</p> +<p>“There will be lots of people scouring +the country for the three persons who were +in this business. We are so near Beartown +that some of them are likely to call here +before the day is over.” +</p> +<p>“This house stands well back from the +road wid only a path betwaan the two. +Why should anyone sarch here fur ye?” +</p> +<p>“And why should they not? I shouldn’t +dare to stay here while this is going on. +However, you have shown such goodwill +toward me, I am willing to compromise. I’ll +stay till to-night and then must make a +change of base.” +</p> +<p>“Whither will ye go?” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t thought of that. My aim +will be simply to get out of the zone of +danger, and what follows must depend upon +circumstances.” +</p> +<p>“Noxy, will ye answer me one question?” +</p> +<p>“I will.” +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +<img src='images/illus-290.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Give Me Your Hand on That.</span>” +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></div> +<p>“When ye lave here will ye be going back +to Kit Woodford and Graff Miller?” +</p> +<p>The eyes of the young man flashed and, +with an earnestness that seemed deadly in +its intensity, he said hoarsely: +</p> +<p>“No! never! I’ll die first!” +</p> +<p>“Give me yer hand on that!” +</p> +<p>It seemed as if the grip would crush the +clasping fingers. The pressure continued +for nearly a minute, while the two looked +fixedly into each other’s eyes. The pledge +had been made and into each heart stole +the warm, irradiating glow that God gives +to all the children of men when they break +loose from evil and cling to that which is +good. +</p> +<p>And then the young man gave Mike +his confidence. Aunt Maggie, with a tact +that was creditable to her, left them together +most of the forenoon and their talk was comparatively +free from interruption. +</p> +<p>As Noxon had hinted, he was the eldest +son of parents who were in prosperous circumstances. +He did not give their name nor +place of residence, for it was unnecessary, +but he admitted he had been wayward from +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span> +early boyhood. He longed for wild adventure, +and caused his family grief and anguish +by his persistent wrongdoing. Finally, +when he had matriculated at Yale, he ran +away from home, taking what funds he +could steal and fully resolved upon a life +of sin. +</p> +<p>“If there were pirates to-day, as there used +to be, I should have striven to become the +chief of a crew that flew the black flag, but +I had to give that up. Some humorist has +said that when a man starts to go to the +devil he finds everything greased. So it +proved with me. I fell in with Graff Miller, +who, though he is about my age, has been +a burglar for several years. I never suspected +it until he found I was hunting for +such a companion, when he told me of his +partnership with Kit Woodford. In my +vanity, I had shown how easy it was for +me to open one of the old-fashioned combination +safes, by detecting the working +of the mechanism inside. This made me +invaluable to them, and they proposed that +I should become the third member of the +gang. I jumped at the chance. Since +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span> +Miller told me they used aliases instead of +their right names, I took the one by which +you know me. +</p> +<p>“Their plan was to visit different points +in the south of Maine, where there had been +a number of post office robberies, and use +me to open the safes. I was delighted +with the scheme, and we started in a few +weeks ago. The Beartown post office was +the third visited——” +</p> +<p>Just then a knock sounded on the door. +Both were startled and Mike called: +</p> +<p>“Come in!” +</p> +<p>The door was pushed inward and Stockham +Calvert entered the room. +</p> +<p>“Holy smoke!” exclaimed Mike, “as +Father Malone said when he saw his church +burning.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXVIII_PLUCKING_A_BRAND_FROM_THE_BURNING' id='XXVIII_PLUCKING_A_BRAND_FROM_THE_BURNING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Plucking a Brand From the Burning</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>“Good day, my friends!” was the +greeting of the detective as he +closed the door behind him, +strode forward and saluted Mike, who, +after his exclamation, rose from his chair +and, open mouth and staring eyes, limply +clasped the hand that was offered him. +</p> +<p>“I wasn’t looking for you, Mike, but I +was searching for Hor—I beg pardon, +Orestes Noxon. I hope I see you well, +barring the slight injury to the leg inflicted +by Mr. Gerald Buxton last night.” +</p> +<p>And what did the officer do but shake +hands with Noxon, who kept his seat as +if in a daze? Mike, who was watching the +couple, instantly noted a significant fact. +Beyond question the two were acquaintances. +The face of the young man flushed +scarlet and he said faintly: +</p> +<p>“Well, Mr. Calvert, you have got me at +last.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span></p> +<p>“Yes; and a right merry chase you have +led me. You won’t get away this time.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose not.” +</p> +<p>“Sit down, Mike,” said the caller, drawing +up a chair for himself. “I have something +I would like very much to say to thee, +Orestes.” +</p> +<p>At this moment Aunt Maggie swung +through the door again. She had seen the +man enter and wished to know what it +meant. Calvert sprang to his feet and +bowed. +</p> +<p>“I have found a couple of good friends +of mine, who I am sure are greatly indebted +to you for your hospitality. One cannot +fail to tell by your looks that you have a +wonderfully kind heart——” +</p> +<p>“Arrah, now,” replied Mrs. McCaffry, +pushing away the hair in front of her face +with her fat hand, “but ye are the worst +blarney of thim all. I’ll have nothing to +do wid ye till dinner time, whin I’ll stuff +ye all so full of roast pig and praties that +ye’ll be obleeged to kaap quiet regarding +dacent folks.” +</p> +<p>She knew the three wished to talk over +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span> +private matters, and made sure they were +left alone for the next hour or two. +</p> +<p>“Mr. Calvert,” said Noxon, “Mike here +has proved himself a true friend to me—so +you may talk freely before him. He +doesn’t know my right name and says he +doesn’t care to know. So we will let that +pass. What caused you to look here for +me?” +</p> +<p>“Warner Hagan met me in Wiscasset +yesterday to give what help he could in +running Kit Woodford and his gang to +earth. Early this morning we heard of +the attempted robbery of the Beartown +post office. We hired a launch and got +there as soon as we could. Nobody in +Beartown suspects our business. It did +not take us long to pick up all that was +known. We learned that one of the three +got peppered with bird shot, and managed +to limp off in the woods. Of course I recognized +the three young gentlemen who were +accepting the hospitality of Mrs. Friestone, +the postmistress. They required no immediate +attention and were sure to turn +up all right in the end. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span></p> +<p>“I left Hagan in Beartown to look into +matters further while I set out to hunt for +the fellow who had limped off in the woods, +after turning the tables so cleverly on Mr. +Buxton. Without any reason that I could +explain I formed the suspicion that this +member of the gang was you, Noxon (I +believe that is your travelling name). It +was represented that he was hurt much +worse than I am glad to say was the fact. +I inquired at each house along the road +between here and Beartown and hit it at +last. +</p> +<p>“Now,” added the visitor as if seated +with his intimate friends, “since you tell +me to talk freely in Mike’s presence, I +shall do so. Are you ready, Noxon, to go +to your home with me?” +</p> +<p>“Begging yer pardin, Mr. Calvert, I +beg to say that has been sittled. The dearest +hope of Noxy’s heart is to return to his +parents.” +</p> +<p>“Is that so?” asked the detective of the +young man. +</p> +<p>“I would give my right hand,” he +solemnly replied, holding it up, “if I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span> +could go back three months in my life and +have things as they were.” +</p> +<p>“You can’t do that as regards time, but +it will bring sunshine and happiness to +your loved ones when the wandering boy +comes to their waiting arms. All being +true, we have got to travel the ‘rocky road +to Dublin.’ You have committed a serious +crime against the United States laws, and +if convicted nothing can save you from a +long term in prison.” +</p> +<p>“Then what hope is there for me?” +</p> +<p>“You haven’t been convicted yet, but +I won’t deny that you are in serious danger +of it.” +</p> +<p>“How shall I escape?” +</p> +<p>“I thought that over while on the road +from Beartown. This, I believe, is your +third essay as a burglar. Am I right?” +</p> +<p>Noxon nodded. +</p> +<p>“Once would be enough to send you to +Atlanta, but let that go for the present. Are +you willing to turn state’s evidence?” +</p> +<p>Noxon moved uneasily in his seat. The +proposition was distasteful. +</p> +<p>“You needn’t feel any compunctions. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span> +Kit Woodford and that cub who calls +himself Graff Miller have handed out the +double cross many a time, and stand ready +to do it again if it promises the slightest +advantage to them. They have run off in +the hope of taking care of their own hides, +without caring the snap of a finger what +became of you.” +</p> +<p>“There is no mistake about <i>that</i>, Mr. Calvert?” +</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t deceive you for an instant. +Their own actions prove it. They have +done the same thing before, and to-day they +did not give you a thought, when danger +threatened them.” +</p> +<p>“I shall do whatever you wish.” +</p> +<p>“Good! You may not know that, although +I am a Pinkerton detective, I am under +promise to my lifelong friend to do all I +can to save you from yourself.” +</p> +<p>“Does father know I am in this business, +Mr. Calvert?” +</p> +<p>“He doesn’t dream of such a thing. +The shock would kill him. Therefore, I +shall strain every nerve to keep him from +ever learning the truth. I have a plan in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span> +mind, but before trying it you must answer +a few questions.” +</p> +<p>“I am ready.” +</p> +<p>“In the first place, where do this gang +with whom you have been associated have +their headquarters?” +</p> +<p>“I can guide you to the exact spot.” +</p> +<p>“It is not that little patch of ground in +the cove at the southern end of Barter +Island?” +</p> +<p>“No; the character of the islet forbids. +Miller ran the launch in there one night +when he thought some one was watching, +to throw him off the scent. Have you a +pencil and bit of paper anywhere about +you?” +</p> +<p>Calvert produced the articles from an +inner coat pocket and handed them to +Noxon. Placing the paper on the table in +the middle of the room, he spent several +minutes in drawing a diagram. He was +apt at the work and did it with no little +skill. By and by he handed paper and +pencil to the owner with the remark: +</p> +<p>“That will answer your question.” +</p> +<p>“It is a production of art,” said the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span> +detective admiringly. “No professional +artist could beat it.” +</p> +<p>Noxon had not only drawn a perfect +representation of the neighborhood which +he had in mind, but lettered it so that no +mistake was possible. It pictured a part +of the eastern shore of Westport Island, +opposite Barter, and only a short distance +north of the inlet where the <i>Water Witch</i> had +been visited some nights before. Noxon +leaned forward and placed the tip of his +finger on the different points. +</p> +<p>“Right there is one of a hundred similar +coves among the waters of southern Maine. +It is smaller than the others, and a little +way back is an island, which resembles +except in size those that you see in every +part of these waters. You know they rise +above the surface like vast bouquets, with +trees growing down to the edge of the river +or sea. It is not so with that bit of earth +you first asked about, but it is so with the +islet in that cove which I show on that +piece of paper.” +</p> +<p>“What about this one?” +</p> +<p>“It is what you may call the headquarters +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span> +of the Woodford gang of post office robbers. +And, yet, it seems hardly right to +call it that, for it is sort of hiding place to +which they flee when things begin to grow +warm.” +</p> +<p>“You have been there?” +</p> +<p>“Several times. I will go again with +you.” +</p> +<p>“No need; I can’t go wrong with such +directions. Why, Mike himself can understand +it.” +</p> +<p>He gravely held up the drawing before +the Irish youth, who squinted one eye +and carefully scrutinized it. +</p> +<p>“I must say I don’t make sure whither +it’s a picter of yersilf, Mr. Calvert, or a +view of an automobile trying to climb +a tree.” +</p> +<p>“What did I tell you, Orestes? Isn’t +he bright?” +</p> +<p>“An unnicessary question,” said Mike +loftily; “as Auntie McCaffry would answer +if ye asked her which was the handsomest +and cutest and smartest one among her +three guests.” +</p> +<p>“Noxon,” said Calvert, with a smile +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span> +over the repartee of the Irish lad, “do either +Kit Woodford or Graff Miller know your +right name?” +</p> +<p>“They never asked me and it was never +given in their presence.” +</p> +<p>“You said as much before. Do they +know where you came from?” +</p> +<p>“They haven’t the slightest knowledge. +I am as unknown to them as regards my +real identity as if I never existed.” +</p> +<p>“That will help my plan, which, I may +say to you and Mike, is simply this: get +you out of this neighborhood to your home. +There, of course, you will assume your +true identity and no one need ever be the +wiser.” +</p> +<p>“What of the testimony of Woodford +and Miller when they are released from +jail?” +</p> +<p>“You and they will be so much older +that neither will recognize the other. Have +no fear on that score. The thing is to run +you out of the State of Maine. The hunt +for these post office robbers has become so +hot that it isn’t going to be an easy job, +but I believe I can work it. There’s some +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span> +sort of a mix-up of motor boats, which as +yet I can’t get the hang of, but when I +do I shall try my plan. Mike, how was it +you were here with Noxon when I called? +Can you tell me anything about your launch +or the <i>Water Witch</i>?” +</p> +<p>Thereupon the Irish youth related his +story, and when it was finished the detective +smiled. +</p> +<p>“If I’m not mistaken that is going to +help us a big lot.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIX__THE_BEAUTIFUL_ISLE_OF_SOMEWHERE' id='XXIX__THE_BEAUTIFUL_ISLE_OF_SOMEWHERE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere</span>”</h3> +</div> + +<p>Detective Stockham Calvert was +quick to make deductions and as +quick in adapting himself to circumstances. +He had said he did not expect +to have the help of Orestes Noxon—as we +must continue to call him—in capturing +the two criminals, but ten minutes later +he made a radical change of plans. He +meant to make use of the young man, in +his pursuit of the post office robbers. +</p> +<p>“We must leave here at once,” he +announced in his crisp manner. “Searching +parties are out and some of them are +likely to call here at any time. Since +Noxon worked with his face masked, except +when the slip occurred last night, it is not +likely, he would be recognized by any of +those who are looking for him. But there +is a risk which we must avoid.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. McCaffry made strong objection +to their leaving before the dinner hour, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span> +but the officer assured her it could not be +helped. He and Noxon compelled her to +accept liberal tips, but she refused to take +the last remaining quarter of Mike. +</p> +<p>“The same would bring me bad luck,” +she said, with a shake of her head. +</p> +<p>“How could it do that whin it brought +me the bist of luck, being I came to your +door?” asked the youth, trying to press it +upon her; but she would not consent. +</p> +<p>“Ah,” he said, “it’s mesilf that’s of no +more account than a naught wid no circle +round it.” +</p> +<p>Instead of following the path that led to +the highway and so on to Beartown, +Calvert turned into the woods through +which his companions had made their way +to the humble but hospitable home. +</p> +<p>“We’ll keep clear of the village,” he +explained, “for every one there is in a fever +of excitement, and although I can do my +part in the way of prevarication, I don’t +wish to be driven to the limit, when it +might not, after all, avert trouble.” +</p> +<p>The fogs which often plague the coast of +Maine and vicinity have a habit of sometimes +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span> +leaving as suddenly as they come. +It was a great relief to the party when +they dived in among the pines and firs to +find that the gloomy dampness had lifted +and the sun was again shining from a clear +sky. It impressed all as a good omen. +</p> +<p>Noxon’s rest and care for his injured leg +had been of great benefit. The rising +inflammation had gone and the pain was +trifling. If they did not walk fast, he was +sure it would give him no anxiety. +</p> +<p>Calvert took the lead, with Noxon next +and Mike Murphy at the rear. The last +was highly pleased to see his young friend +walk without a perceptible limp. +</p> +<p>The leader kept his bearings so well that +when within an hour he reached the shore +of the Back River, it was at the spot he had +in mind. There was the runabout in which +he and Warner Hagan had come from Wiscasset, +and the owner was calmly smoking +his brier wood pipe, content to wait indefinitely +when he was well paid for so doing. +He lay a few rods south of the landing, and +just below him was the <i>Water Witch</i>, with +Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes on board, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span> +wondering what in the world had become of +Mike Murphy. The youths had tried to +open communication with the master of +the runabout, but he had been warned by +his two passengers to tell nothing to anyone, +and he glumly refused to talk. Chester +had set out in quest of the missing Mike, +going as far as the village. All he could +learn there was that his friend had left a +good while before and no one knew anything +of him. The second mate went back to his +Captain, and the two were so impatient that +they were half inclined to leave without +him, when lo! he appeared with Calvert and +Noxon, coming from among the trees as +if he had been absent only a few minutes. +</p> +<p>Then followed full explanations, and you +can imagine the astonishment of Alvin and +Chester. They were sure of the identity +of Noxon when he first appeared, but were +considerate and said never a word that could +hurt his feelings. +</p> +<p>“You ran away with their launch,” +added Calvert. “They ran away with +yours, and you and they met as you were +coming back. But for the fog you would +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span> +have seen each other, for you must have +passed quite close. The beauty of it is,” +said the officer, with a flash of his keen eyes, +“that while they have gone far away we +know exactly where. My friend Hagan +and I, with Noxon as our guide, are going +to scoop them in.” +</p> +<p>He thought it best not to affect too much +mystery. +</p> +<p>“They passed down Montsweag Bay +clear to Knubble, through Goose Rock +Passage into the Sheepscot, and up that +to the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere. Most +folks don’t know the exact location of that +sweet spot, but we know—thanks to Noxon—the +latitude and longitude of ours, which +the same is the port we are heading for.” +</p> +<p>The plan was simple. Noxon, who was +familiar with the running of the <i>Water +Witch</i>, was to act as engineer and steersman. +Calvert and Hagan would be the only +passengers, and the prize would be Kit +Woodford and Graff Miller. +</p> +<p>“And phwat’s to become of us?” asked +Mike. +</p> +<p>“That depends upon how you behave +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span> +yourself. If you grow tired of waiting, take +a walk up to Beartown, have dinner with +Mrs. Friestone and then come back and +wait for a few days and nights till you see +us again.” +</p> +<p>“That’s aisy, as I told me taicher whin +she asked me how much two and two made +and I informed her the same was five.” +</p> +<p>“But Mr. Hagan isn’t here,” reminded +Chester. +</p> +<p>“He will be very soon. Meanwhile, I’ll +say a word to my man.” +</p> +<p>He walked to the runabout, where he +told its owner he might return to Wiscasset +as he was not needed further. He added +a dollar to the price agreed upon and the +man bade him good-by. Hagan, who had +gone off on what might be called a reconnaissance, +justified the faith of his partner, +for he came forward, and thus the party +was complete. +</p> +<p>The distance was shorter by way of the +Narrows and down the Sheepscot than by +the route just named. Accordingly, the +<i>Water Witch</i> headed north, while the +<i>Deerfoot</i> it will be remembered went south. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span> +The difference was not much, the real +reason why the course was taken being +of another nature. If the <i>Water Witch</i> had +set out to search for the other boat, with +no knowledge of its destination, it would +have prowled to the southward, inspecting +all likely hiding places on the way, with a +strong chance that she herself would be +detected and her purpose read before she +discovered the fugitive. By taking the +northern route this handicap would be +avoided. They could make much better +progress and not be seen until it was too +late for the criminals to escape. +</p> +<p>Thus Alvin Landon, Chester Haynes and +Mike Murphy were left on the shore of the +Back River, near Beartown landing, without +any launch and compelled to pass the +time as best they could. They decided +to spend a few hours in the village. +</p> +<p>They appreciated the reason why Calvert +would not have their company. He was +plunging into a venture where deadly +weapons were likely to be used, and their +lives would be endangered. The affair was +really none of theirs. Besides, their presence +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span> +would be a serious handicap and might +prove fatal to success. +</p> +<p>The <i>Water Witch</i> soon shot past Cushman +Point, passing the runabout so close that +the officers exchanged salutations with +the man who had brought them from +Wiscasset. Calvert and Hagan sat side by +side, both puffing heavy black cigars, the +smoke of which as it streamed astern might +have suggested that the launch was impelled +by steam instead of gasoline. She ran +smoothly, and Noxon, with a pale face, his +hands grasping the wheel, steered as skilfully +as Alvin Landon had directed the +swifter <i>Deerfoot</i>. He had done it many +times and had no fear. The young man +had come to the parting of the ways, and +nothing could turn him back. His resolution +was due to the wound, which had distressed +him so much when he hobbled to the home +of Mrs. McCaffry that he believed for a time +he was near the end of life, and when one +reaches <i>that</i> point he is sure to do some +serious thinking. +</p> +<p>Just above Clough Point, marking the +northern extremity of the large island of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span> +Westport, the <i>Water Witch</i> turned eastward +through the Narrows and headed straight +south down the Sheepscot River to its destination +some ten miles away. Noxon seated +with his hands upon the wheel remained +silent. The officers spoke to each other now +and then in low tones, but most of the time +left him to his meditations. He held the +boat to moderate speed, for there was no +call for haste. She was running easily, +but a glance by the young man into the +gasoline tank showed the supply was low, +and he wished to avoid stopping at any of +the landings to renew it. Besides, high +speed is always a strain upon an engine, and +he was nervously anxious to prevent a +breakdown at a critical point in the enterprise. +His familiarity with the launch made +him cautious. +</p> +<p>While Calvert and Hagan were following +a clearly defined plan, they knew “there’s +many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip.” +They had high hopes of finding the other +boat at the spot which Calvert had facetiously +named the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere, +but it might well happen that they +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span> +would be disappointed. At the first sign of +danger the <i>Deerfoot</i> would run away and +her superior fleetness would leave her pursuers +hopelessly behind. Above all, it was +important that the criminals should not +discover their peril in time to get away. +</p> +<p>“Noxon,” said Calvert, leaning forward, +“let us know when we are near the cove.” +</p> +<p>“We are within less than a mile of it +now. It is just ahead on the right.” +</p> +<p>Each officer flung his stump of a cigar +overboard and slipped from his chair to +the bottom of the boat. Inasmuch as their +interest was centred on one side of the boat, +they crowded each other a little. They +removed their headgear and permitted only +their crowns to show a few inches above the +rail as they peered over. They held themselves +ready at the same time to duck into +complete invisibility. +</p> +<p>“The cove is in sight,” announced Noxon, +slightly turning his head. “Better keep +down.” +</p> +<p>A few minutes later they felt the change in +the course of the launch. They were +entering the inlet and the officers raised +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_317' name='page_317'></a>317</span> +their heads barely enough to peer alongside +of the steersman, over the front and beyond +the flagstaff with its fluttering bunting. +</p> +<p>“There it is!” whispered Calvert to his +friend. +</p> +<p>“I see it,” said the other, “the Beautiful +Isle of Somewhere; we are closer to it than +I supposed.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXX_A_THROUGH_TICKET_TO_HOME' id='XXX_A_THROUGH_TICKET_TO_HOME'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Through Ticket to Home</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>There it was in plain sight, rising +like a giant nosegay of emerald from +the crystalline water. It was barely +two acres in extent, and, like nearly all islands +great and small in southern Maine, the +firs, pines and spruce grew to the very edge +of the water. It reminded one of the patches +of green earth in Europe where the frugal +owners do not allow a square inch to go to +waste. +</p> +<p>“I don’t see anything of the <i>Deerfoot</i>,” +said Calvert in a guarded voice to Noxon. +</p> +<p>“We always lay to on the other side. +Keep down!” +</p> +<p>It was wise advice, though not needed. +The two crouched so low in their crowded +quarters that a person a hundred feet away +would not have seen them. Each instinctively +felt of his hip pocket. The little +weapon was there. +</p> +<p>The officers had now to depend upon +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_319' name='page_319'></a>319</span> +Noxon, who for the time was director of the +enterprise. He could make himself heard +over his shoulder without drawing attention +to himself, provided he was under the eye +of his old associates. He was never more +alert. +</p> +<p>Veering to the right, where there was a +hundred yards of clear water between the +islet and the mainland, he slowed down and +began gradually circling the exuberant +patch of earth. It will be remembered +that he had been there before and knew +the habits of Woodford and Miller. By +and by, he had glided far enough to bring +the western shore into his field of vision. +Before that moment he had discerned the +stern and flagstaff of a launch. A second +glance told him the truth, which he cautiously +made known to the crouching forms +behind him: +</p> +<p>“The <i>Deerfoot</i> is there! Don’t stir till I +give the word!” +</p> +<p>Neither of the criminals was in sight, +but it was evident they were near, else the +launch would not be lying where it was. +Noxon gave a series of toots with his +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span> +whistle, though the noise of the exhaust +must have been noted before. In response, +Kit Woodford and Graff Miller came out +from among the trees, halted at the side of +the launch and stared at the <i>Water Witch</i> +and its single occupant. +</p> +<p>Could they believe their eyes? They saw +before them their own boat and the young +man whom they had cowardly deserted in +his extremity. What was the explanation +to be? +</p> +<p>By this time the parties were so near that +they could talk with only a slight raise in +their voices. Kit Woodford was the first to +open his mouth. With a profane expletive +expressing his surprise, he demanded: +</p> +<p>“Where did you come from?” +</p> +<p>It was on the tongue of Noxon to make a +biting reply, but he did not forget the part +he had to play. +</p> +<p>“I found this boat at the wharf at Beartown +and thought I’d hunt you up. How +came you to have <i>that</i> launch?” +</p> +<p>“Some one had run off with ours and left +that. So we made a trade and I rather +think we got the best of the bargain. I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_321' name='page_321'></a>321</span> +don’t understand how ours was found by +you.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe the owners of that wanted to +trade back. I say, Kit, I would like to +know something—why did you and Graff +run off and leave me behind?” +</p> +<p>“We didn’t!” replied Woodford, with +virtuous indignation. “Me and Graff +hunted high and low for you and made up +our minds you had run off yourself with the +swag.” +</p> +<p>“A fine lot of swag I had, when I had to +scoot just after I got the safe open.” +</p> +<p>While this snatch of conversation was +going on, Noxon, who had cut off the power, +was edging nearer. Calvert and Hagan +squeezed each other so hard that it looked +as if they would push themselves through +the hull of the launch. +</p> +<p>Graff Miller now put in his oar: +</p> +<p>“If we didn’t get a haul out of the measly +post office we’ve scooped a mighty fine +motor boat. We can sell it and gather in +enough to last us till we crack another +place.” +</p> +<p>“That won’t be as easy as it looks to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_322' name='page_322'></a>322</span> +you. The whole neighborhood is up in +arms and we shall have to lie low for awhile.” +</p> +<p>“Well, we’ve got enough to keep us a +week or so——<i>Nox, there’s somebody in the +boat with you</i>!” exclaimed Miller, who that +instant caught sight of the head of one of +the crouching men. The craft was now so +close that concealment was impossible. +In fact, in the same moment that the <i>Water +Witch</i> gently bumped against the other +boat, Stockham Calvert and Warner Hagan +straightened up and bounded across upon +the <i>Deerfoot</i>. Each grasped a revolver, and +Calvert shouted: +</p> +<p>“Hands up, or I’ll let daylight through +you.” +</p> +<p>The terrified Woodford turned to run, +but a bullet whistled past his ear. Perhaps +too he realized in that frightful instant that +no place of refuge awaited him. The island +was too small to allow him to hide himself. +He abruptly halted on the edge of the wood, +and facing about sullenly raised his hands. +</p> +<p>As for Graff Miller he did not attempt to +get away. Accepting the order addressed +to his leader as applying to himself, he stood +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_323' name='page_323'></a>323</span> +stock still and seemed to be doing the best +he could to keep the sky from falling on him. +</p> +<p>Knowing that Hagan would look after +him, Calvert gave his whole attention to +Woodford. Keeping his revolver presented, +he crossed the narrow deck of the <i>Deerfoot</i> +and dropped lightly to the ground. A +few steps took him to the cowardly ruffian. +Never lowering his weapon, he ran the other +hand over the outside of the man’s clothing +and twitched a revolver from his hip +pocket. +</p> +<p>“That will do, Christopher; if you now +feel an inclination to lower your dirty hands, +you have my permission to do so. Perhaps +it will not tire you quite so much.” +</p> +<p>Hardly had he complied when a sharp +click sounded. So quickly that it looked +like a piece of magic a pair of handcuffs were +snapped upon the miscreant, and Hagan +was only a few seconds later in doing the +same with his prisoner. +</p> +<p>The capture of the two was so easy that +it suggested a farce. +</p> +<p>“If you had only put up a fight, Kit, it +would have been a good deal more interesting,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_324' name='page_324'></a>324</span> +said Calvert, “but you always were +one of the biggest cowards that ever made a +bluff at being a bad man. Get a move on +you!” +</p> +<p>As meekly as a lamb the prisoner stepped +upon the nearest launch, and, as ordered, +seated himself on one of the seats at the +stern. +</p> +<p>“Do you want me to go there too?” +humbly asked Graff Miller. +</p> +<p>“Of course; step lively.” +</p> +<p>Calvert explained what was to be done. +The handcuffed prisoners were to be taken +to Wiscasset on the <i>Deerfoot</i>, their captors +bearing them company. In that city they +would be locked up, and every step that followed +would be strictly in accordance with +law. +</p> +<p>Noxon was to trail after the launch in +the <i>Water Witch</i>. There was more than one +reason for this arrangement. Since both +boats were capable of making good speed, +it was better than to have one tow the other. +If the <i>Water Witch’s</i> gasoline gave out, the +<i>Deerfoot</i> could take it in tow, but this would +not be done unless the necessity arose. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_325' name='page_325'></a>325</span></p> +<p>The separation of Noxon from his former +associates would prevent an unpleasant +scene. Kit Woodford and Graff Miller +could not fail to see that Noxon had given +them into the hands of the officers. While +they were powerless to harm the young +man, they could make it uncomfortable +for him despite the restraining presence +of Calvert and Hogan. +</p> +<p>It is safe to say that none of the steamers +and other boats encountered on that memorable +voyage up stream suspected the meaning +of what they saw. One launch was gliding +evenly up the river with a second closely +resembling it a hundred yards or more to +the rear. In the latter sat a young man. +In the former were four persons, two of +whom had been engaged for weeks in robbing +post offices in the State of Maine. No one +observed that they wore handcuffs, or +dreamed that the man handling the wheel +was a famous detective. In this case he +was Calvert, who had a fair knowledge of +running a motor boat. +</p> +<p>The prisoners were sullen and silent for +most of the way. Hagan, seated behind +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_326' name='page_326'></a>326</span> +Calvert, could protect him from any treacherous +attack with the handcuffs. The +detective was too wise to invite an assault +of that nature. +</p> +<p>When a turn in the course brought the +long Wiscasset bridge in sight with the +pretty town on the left, Kit Woodford +turned his head and looked back at the +young man who was guiding the other +launch. +</p> +<p>“What are you going to do with <i>him</i>?” +he asked, with a black scowl. +</p> +<p>“Nothing,” replied Hagan. +</p> +<p>“Why haven’t you got the bracelets on +him?” +</p> +<p>“He has done us too valuable service. +That isn’t the way we reward our friends.” +</p> +<p>Calvert, who had overheard the words, +looked round. +</p> +<p>“We may need his evidence to land you +and Graff in Atlanta.” +</p> +<p>The remark was so illuminating that the +prisoner said never a word. The occasion +was one of those in which language falls +short of doing justice to the emotions of the +persons chiefly involved. It was Graff +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_327' name='page_327'></a>327</span> +Miller who snarled with a smothered rage +which it is hard to picture: +</p> +<p>“I’ll get even with him if I have to wait +ten years.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll have to wait all of that and +probably longer,” said Calvert, “and by +that time I don’t think Orestes Noxon will +care much what you try to do.” +</p> +<p>The detective pronounced the name with +emphasis, to learn whether it attracted any +notice. It did not so far as he could judge, +whereat he was glad. +</p> +<p>The criminals were put behind bars, and +the young man strolled through the street +to the railway station. On the way, the +elder said: +</p> +<p>“It looks to me as if you have a clear +title to the <i>Water Witch</i>. What do you wish +to do with it?” +</p> +<p>“Sell it to someone so I shall never see +it again.” +</p> +<p>“If you will turn the boat over to me I +think I can dispose of it for you. Have you +any price in mind?” +</p> +<p>“Sell the launch for whatever you can get, +if it isn’t more than twenty-three cents.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_328' name='page_328'></a>328</span></p> +<p>“All right; I’ll fix it. Here is the railway +office. You have enough funds?” +</p> +<p>“Plenty. I shall a buy a through ticket +to—<i>home</i>.” +</p> +<p>“Of course. I shall call upon you this +autumn. Good-by, Horace.” +</p> +<p>“Good-by to one of the best friends I +ever had. God bless you!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXXI_GATHERING_UP_THE_RAVELLED_THREADS' id='XXXI_GATHERING_UP_THE_RAVELLED_THREADS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_329' name='page_329'></a>329</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +<h3><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Gathering Up the Ravelled Threads</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The records show that not long ago +there were a number of post office +robberies among the towns and villages +in that section of Maine to which some +attention has been given in the preceding +pages. Not all the guilty parties were captured, +but we know of two, or rather three, +who were caught in the toils. Two of them, +Kit Woodford and Graff Miller, were convicted +in the United States Court at Portland, +for, to use a common expression, they +were caught with the goods on them, and +sentenced to long terms in the Atlanta +penitentiary. There they are sure to stay +for an indefinite time to come, provided they +are not soon released on parole, or pardoned +on the ground of poor health. Let us hope +for better things. +</p> +<p>During the trial of the criminals inquiries +were heard for the third member of the gang, +but he seemed to have vanished as completely +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_330' name='page_330'></a>330</span> +as if the earth had opened and +swallowed him. Possibly the Judge learned +all the facts from Detective Calvert and +saw that justice would be best served by +winking at the youth’s offence. Moreover, +an officer of the law cannot be punished for +the escape of a prisoner unless gross carelessness +or collusion is proved, which was not +easy in the case named. Be that as it may, +Orestes Noxon no longer exists. In his +place rises another young man, “redeemed +and disenthralled”—a brand plucked from +the burning. The grandest work of our +penal institution is that of reforming instead +of wreaking revenge upon the erring ones. +It certainly proved so in the instance named. +The parents of the youth knew he had +strayed from the narrow path, but it will be +a long time before they learn how far his +wayward footsteps led him. There is no +need of their ever knowing the painful truth. +Detective Calvert simply told the grateful +father that his boy had gotten into bad +company, but the error could never be repeated, +nor can I believe it ever will be. +</p> +<p>One day Gideon Landon, the wealthy +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_331' name='page_331'></a>331</span> +banker and capitalist of New York, received +a characteristic letter from his son Alvin. +He said his motor boat <i>Deerfoot</i> had been +housed for the winter, there to remain until +next summer, and he and Chester Haynes +had had the time of their lives, for which +they could never thank the kind parent +enough. The son meant to prove his +gratitude by acts instead of words, for he +intended to buckle down to hard work and +not rest until he was through West Point +and had become General of the United +States Army. He added: +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“And now, my dear father, I want you to do +a favor or two for me, Chester and Mike Murphy, +who is one of the best fellows that ever lived. Some +time I shall tell you all our experience after you left +the bungalow on Southport Island. I know you +will agree with what I say. +</p> +<p>“Please send to ‘Uncle Ben Trotwood,’ Trevett, +on Hodgdon Island, Boothbay Township, Maine, +a big lot of fine smoking tobacco. While you are +about it you may as well make it half a ton, more +or less. In his old age, he doesn’t do much else but +smoke, eat, sleep, and talk bass, but he was very +kind to Chester and me. He kept us overnight and +fed us, and was insulted when we wished to pay +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_332' name='page_332'></a>332</span> +him.” (No reference was made to Uncle Ben’s +frugal wife.) +</p> +</div> +<p>The genial old man would never have +solved the mystery of the arrival of the big +consignment of the weed had it not been +accompanied by a letter from the two boys +in which all was made clear. +</p> +<p>(Another paragraph from Alvin’s communication +to his father.) +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“In the little town or village of Beartown live +the sweetest mother and daughter in the State of +Maine. Anyhow, there is none kinder and more +loving. The name of the daughter, who isn’t out +of short dresses yet, is Nora Friestone. Send her a +fine first class piano—no second-hand one—with +about a bushel of music. Select any stuff you choose, +not forgetting a copy of ‘The Sweet Long Ago,’ +published by C. W. Thompson, Boston. I wish +you could have heard Mike Murphy sing that for +them. He has one of the finest voices in the world. +If he would only study and cultivate it, he would +be a second Caruso. I will send an explanatory +letter to Mrs. Friestone, so you needn’t bother to +write her.” +</p> +</div> +<p>And the Steinway duly reached its destination. +Mother and daughter were overwhelmed. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_333' name='page_333'></a>333</span> +They would have insisted that +a tremendous mistake had been made had +not a letter reached them at the same time +from the bungalow. This was signed by +Chester Haynes, Mike Murphy and Alvin +Landon. It begged Miss Nora to accept +the present as a token of their appreciation +of the hospitality received by them, and +in memory of an interesting night they had +spent in the Friestone home not long before. +Nora wrote one of the most delightful +replies that goodness and innocence could +pen, and assured the donors that the +prayers of her mother and herself would +follow the three as long as mother and +daughter lived. +</p> +<p>(Another paragraph from Alvin’s communication +to his father.) +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“You must understand that the expense of these +presents, including that which follows, is borne by +you and Mr. Haynes. He knew all about them and +is as ardent as we. He says he is sure you will be +as glad as he to help in so good a cause. +</p> +<p>“One more trifling gift and I shall be through. +About a half mile from Beartown lives a poor Irish +day laborer known to every one as Tam McCaffry. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_334' name='page_334'></a>334</span> +Chester and I did not have the pleasure of meeting +him, but Mike spent some time at his home, where +his big, jolly wife proved herself the soul of hospitality. +She is Irish through and through. Mr. +Calvert saw her and says the great attraction of the +woman, aside from her natural goodness, is that +she is the only person he has yet met who in the way +of repartee and wit could give Mike as good as he +sent. It was a treat to hear the two spar, and Mike +admitted that he had met his match. +</p> +<p>“Send her a pianola. Her hands are too big and +untrained to master the keys of a piano, but there +is nothing the matter with her feet, which is all she +needs to work one of those contrivances. Don’t +forget to include a whole lot of music, which should +be of the Irish vintage, such as Moore’s melodies, +‘Sweet Mavoureen,’ ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin,’ +‘St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning,’ ‘Rory O’Moore,’ +and so on. Be sure that the expense is prepaid all +the way to the McCaffry door. Mike is specially +interested in this present and contributes more than +both of us, for he gives his all, the same being twenty-five +cents, and to him we have assigned the duty of +explaining things to the good woman.” +</p> +</div> +<p>Alvin had his father well trained, and he +cheerfully granted every request of his son. +He smiled and remarked to his wife after +reading the letter to her: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_335' name='page_335'></a>335</span></p> +<p>“Alvin has never caused us an hour of +anxiety. He would not ask these things +without good reason. I shall give orders +when I go to the office that everything he +wishes shall be done.” +</p> +<p>“That was rather nice on the part of +Mr. Haynes to say what he did of you, Gideon.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Franklin hasn’t anything mean in +his nature.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you think it a pity that while +his boy and ours are so fond of each other +their fathers are not on speaking terms?” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps so, but there must always be +two persons to a quarrel.” +</p> +<p>“And you are one of them in this case. +I mean to call on Sophia this very day.” +</p> +<p>“Haynes flew up before he had time to +understand all the facts in that little affair +of ours. If he had waited he would have +found that he had no cause for grievance.” +</p> +<p>“Suppose you call on him.” +</p> +<p>The banker shook his head. +</p> +<p>“That is asking too much; it would be +humiliating.” +</p> +<p>Now when a sensible wife makes up her +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_336' name='page_336'></a>336</span> +mind that her husband shall do a certain +thing, and when that husband wishes to +do it, but allows a false pride to hold him +back, you may make up your mind that the +aforesaid thing will be done with no unnecessary +delay. +</p> +<p>So it was that Gideon Landon went to +Franklin Haynes and they had not talked +ten minutes when the cloud between +them vanished. Friendship and full trust +were restored and can never be broken +again. It was another illustration of the +good that often flows from small deeds and +even smaller words. +</p> +<p>(Mike Murphy’s letter to Mrs. McCaffry.) +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>My Dear Aunt Maggie</span>: +</p> +<p>“I’m thinking that about the time this luv letter +raiches ye, an insthrumint will do the same, which +the name is peeanoler, or something like that. I +beg ye to accipt the thrifle as a prisent from Captain +Landon, Second Mate Haynes and First Mate +mesilf. I know Misther Noxon would crack his +heels togither fur the chance of j’ining wid us, but +he forgot to lave his card and I suspict he’s sailed +for Europe not to be back fur fifteen or twinty +years, as was the case wid me great uncle whin he +sailed for Botny Bay. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_337' name='page_337'></a>337</span></p> +<p>“The peagnoluh—I’m thrying all ways of spelling +the name of the blamed thing so as to get the same +right wunst any way—is played wid the feet. You +slide the sheet wid the holes punched into ’em into +the wrack over the keeze and then wurrk the feet +up and down like yer husband Tana used to do at +home in the treadmill. +</p> +<p>“Don’t try to sing along wid the music for somebody +might hear ye. Me worry is that yer teeny +Sinderilla feet won’t be able to wurruk the peddles, +and if ye put on the shoes ye wore whin hanging +out the clothes, there wont be room in the house for +the peanholler, so ye might try the same widout +yer shoes and stockings. +</p> +<p>“Wid regards to Tam and much love to yersilf +I am ever +</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“Yer devoted, </p> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“Mike Murphy.”</p> +</div> + +</div> +<p>(Mrs. McCaffry’s reply to the foregoing.) +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“My darlint broth of a boy: +</p> +<p>“It tuk me and Tam 2 nights and 3 days to understand +the maaning of the action of Jim Doogan the +carter in drawing up his taam to our risidence and +tumbling out a big shiny box wid the remark that +there wasn’t a cint to pay. Tam hadn’t got home +and Jim carried the purty thing into the parler and +leaned it aginst the flure. He had obsarved something +of the kind in his travels and he showed me +how to wurruk it wid me faat. Whin he slipped in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_338' name='page_338'></a>338</span> +one of the shaats of paper, wid hundreds of little +kriss-kross holes through it, sot down on the stule +and wobbled his butes, and ‘Killarney’ filled the +room, I let out a hoop, kicked off me satan slippers, +danced a jig and shouted, ‘For the love of Mike!’ +which the same is thrue, that being yer name. +</p> +<p>“My number 10 shoes fit the peddlers as yer snub +nose fits yer freckled face. Tam and me spind the +time whin we aint slaaping or eating or working in +playing the thing and thinking of yersilf and the +byes you spake of. +</p> +<p>“Me darling Mike, may the birds wake ye aich +morning wid their swaat songs of praise and soothe +ye to slaap in the avening; may the sun shine fur +ye ivery day through; may yer draams be of angels +and no man or woman spake anything but wurruds +of love to ye; and whin old age bows yer head and +the time comes to lave us all, may ye be welcomed to +heaven wid the blessed graating: ‘Well done, good +and faithful servant!’ +</p> +<p>“Do you and the other byes come soon and see +what a happy home ye have made for Tam and me. +</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“Lovingly, </p> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Aunt Maggie</span>.”</p> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em;'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The End</span></p> +</div> + +<!-- generated by ppgen.rb version: 2.06 --> +<!-- timestamp: Fri Jun 20 09:53:05 -0600 2008 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Launch Boys' Adventures in +Northern Waters, by Edward S. 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