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+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
+
+
+
+
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS ADVENTURES
+IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+Timely and fascinating stories of adventure on
+the water, accurate in detail and intensely
+interesting in narration.
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+First Volume
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' CRUISE IN THE DEERFOOT
+
+Second Volume
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+The Launch Boys series is bound in uniform
+style of cloth with side and back stamped with
+new and appropriate design in colors. Illustrated
+by Burton Donnel Hughes.
+
+Price, single volume                                $0.60
+Price, per set of two volumes, in attractive box    $1.20
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+[Illustration: NONE SUSPECTED THE MEANING OF WHAT THEY SAW]
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of "The Flying Boys Series,"
+"Deerfoot Series," etc., etc.
+
+Illustrated by
+BURTON DONNEL HUGHES
+
+The John C. Winston Company
+Philadelphia
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1912, by
+The John C. Winston Company
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                          PAGE
+     I.  A Proposal and an Acceptance               9
+    II.  The Scout of the Kennebec                 19
+   III.  At the Inlet                              29
+    IV.  A STRANGE RACE                            40
+     V.  The Loser of the Race                     51
+    VI.  A Warm Reception                          62
+   VII.  Science versus Strength                   72
+  VIII.  The Lone Guest                            83
+    IX.  A Break Down                              93
+     X.  At Beartown                              104
+    XI.  At the Post Office in Beartown           115
+   XII.  Hostesses and Guests                     126
+  XIII.  An Incident on Shipboard                 137
+   XIV.  "The Night Shall be Filled with Music"   147
+    XV.  A Knock at the Door                      155
+   XVI.  Visitors of the Night                    166
+  XVII.  "Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow"      177
+ XVIII.  A Clever Trick                           188
+   XIX.  In the Nick of Time                      198
+    XX.  "I Piped and Ye Danced"                  208
+   XXI.  How It Was Done                          219
+  XXII.  A Startling Discovery                    230
+ XXIII.  Through the Fog                          242
+  XXIV.  Bad for Mike Murphy                      252
+   XXV.  What Saved Mike                          263
+  XXVI.  The Good Samaritans                      273
+ XXVII.  An Unwelcome Caller                      284
+XXVIII.  Plucking a Brand From the Burning        296
+  XXIX.  "The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere"        307
+   XXX.  A Through Ticket to Home                 318
+  XXXI.  Gathering Up the Ravelled Threads        329
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+                                                       PAGE
+NONE SUSPECTED THE MEANING OF WHAT THEY SAW    Frontispiece
+LIKE A SWALLOW SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE SURFACE.           233
+"GIVE ME YOUR HAND ON THAT."                            292
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A PROPOSAL AND AN ACCEPTANCE
+
+
+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.
+
+But Alvin was a young gentleman, and 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:
+
+"Of course you are surprised to receive a call from me." He addressed
+Alvin, who replied:
+
+"I don't deny it. Heretofore you have seemed more anxious to keep out of
+our way than to meet us."
+
+"I admit that it did have that look, but the cause exists no longer."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The other laughed lightly, as if the curt remark pleased him.
+
+"I have no wish to play the mysterious; my name is Stockham Calvert."
+
+It was Alvin's turn to smile, while Chester said meaningly:
+
+"That tells us mighty little."
+
+"I am one of Pinkerton's detectives."
+
+The listeners started. They had never dreamed of anything of this nature,
+and remained silent until he should say more.
+
+"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."
+
+The boys nodded.
+
+"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."
+
+"I don't doubt you have an explanation to give," suggested Alvin.
+
+"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."
+
+At this point Chester Haynes asked his first question:
+
+"How do you know we did?"
+
+Mr. Stockham Calvert indulged in a low laugh.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why did you avoid us? Why didn't you take us into your confidence from
+the first?" asked Chester.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Assist you! What help can _we_ give?"
+
+"You have the fleetest motor boat on the Maine coast. It must be capable
+of twenty miles an hour."
+
+"It is guaranteed to make twenty-four."
+
+"Better yet. These men have a boat which closely resembles yours."
+
+"And its name is the _Water Witch_," said Chester. "I wish Captain Landon
+could run a race with it."
+
+"He can have the chance if he will agree."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Still I do not understand how we can help you, Mr. Calvert," said Alvin.
+
+"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 _Deerfoot_ as a scout. I can't express myself
+better than by that word."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Precisely. What is your answer?"
+
+The young Captain looked at his second mate.
+
+"How does it strike you, Chester?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Of course I shall expect to pay you for your services----"
+
+"Then you will be disappointed," interrupted Alvin crisply. "The
+_Deerfoot_ isn't for hire, and if we go into this it will be for the fun
+we hope to get out of it."
+
+"I think I can guarantee you some entertainment. I presume you two will
+be the only ones on the boat beside myself."
+
+"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."
+
+"I am afraid he is too impetuous and too fond of a fight."
+
+"He may have a weakness in those directions, but his good nature, pluck
+and devotion to my friend and me more than make up."
+
+"It strikes me----"
+
+"I can't help how it strikes you," broke in Alvin, who did not intend to
+accept any commands at this stage of the game. "Mike goes with us
+wherever we go."
+
+"I feel the same way," added Chester. "The _Deerfoot_ can never brave the
+perils of the deep short-handed. The first mate is indispensable."
+
+"As you please then. When will you be ready to start?"
+
+"When do you wish us to start?"
+
+"Say to-morrow morning?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm wid ye, as Mike would say."
+
+"Suppose, Mr. Calvert, we leave it this way: if we decide to go into this
+business, we'll make the venture to-morrow morning."
+
+"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 view all the
+time, so I shall see you when you start."
+
+"Why not stay with us over night? We shall be glad to have you do so,"
+was the hospitable invitation of Alvin Landon.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"What do you make of it all?" asked Alvin of his chum, when after some
+minutes they returned to the big sitting room.
+
+"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 felt a curious
+distrust of him. He said he is a detective, but I'm not sure of it."
+
+"Suppose he belongs to the gang that is playing the mischief with Uncle
+Sam's post offices in this part of the Union?"
+
+"If that were so, what in the world can he want of you and your boat?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Not forgetting Mike Murphy."
+
+"Then you accept his proposal?"
+
+"Not I, but we together."
+
+"All right; it's a go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SCOUT OF THE KENNEBEC
+
+
+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 _Nellie G._, 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.
+
+By and by the attention of most of the spectators was fixed upon the
+beautiful _Deerfoot_, which, putting out from the lower end of Southport
+Island opposite, was heading toward Squirrel. The picture had become
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"It does a fellow good to look at that broth of a boy squatting on the
+stern," remarked Westerfield, while the _Deerfoot_ was still a short
+distance away.
+
+"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."
+
+Nothing loath, Westerfield, who was a bit of a wag himself, called so
+that all heard him:
+
+"You don't need to show a red signal light, my friend; you ought to wait
+until night."
+
+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:
+
+"Thin why have ye the _graan_ light standing there on the wharf?"
+
+Westerfield joined in the general laugh, but came back:
+
+"That face of yours will keep off all danger by daylight."
+
+"And it's yer own phiz that will sarve the same purpose at night."
+
+The laughter was louder than ever, and the pleased Calvert said to the
+lawyer:
+
+"Better let him alone; he will down you every time."
+
+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.
+
+"Please don't bite me with those dreadful teeth."
+
+Mike, who was now close to the wharf, leaped lightly upon it.
+
+"Have no fear; the sight of yersilf has made a Joo of me."
+
+Then as if afraid that the listeners would not catch the force of his
+words, he added:
+
+"A Joo, as ye may know, doesn't ate pork."
+
+Detective Calvert slapped the lawyer on the shoulder.
+
+"Try him again."
+
+"No; I have had enough." Then raising his hat and bowing in salutation,
+Westerfield offered his hand to the lad, who shook it warmly.
+
+"You're too much for me, Mike. I'm proud to take off my hat to you."
+
+"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."
+
+While still in the boat, Alvin and Chester had returned the salutation of
+Calvert. The Captain remained seated at the wheel, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Suppose it isn't there?" said Chester.
+
+"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 _Deerfoot_ shall serve as the Scout
+of the Kennebec."
+
+"A romantic title," remarked Alvin, over his shoulder, "though we are not
+cruising on the Kennebec, but up the Sheepscot."
+
+"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."
+
+The launch required no special attention just then, and, with one hand on
+the steering wheel, Captain Alvin looked around:
+
+"Mike, what do you think of it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Suppose the _Water Witch_ happens to be where Chester and I saw her at
+night?" asked Alvin of their director.
+
+"We shall have to decide our course of action by what develops."
+
+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 without having a pretty clear line laid out to
+follow. It may have been as he said, however, and he was not questioned
+further.
+
+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.
+
+Past the Cat Ledges, Jo and Cedarbrush Islands moved the _Deerfoot_ 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 _Water
+Witch_ reposing in the darkness of night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AT THE INLET
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"But if it should happen to be there?" said Alvin, repeating the question
+he had asked before.
+
+"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."
+
+It was at this moment that Mike Murphy asked a question whose point the
+others were quick to perceive.
+
+"If the spalpeens are there, will ye let 'em have a sight of yersilf?"
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Here's where the _Water Witch_ lay," said Alvin. "Do you wish to land,
+Mr. Calvert?"
+
+He was standing up and scrutinizing the little plot as they glided along
+the shore, but discovered nothing of interest.
+
+"No; there's no call to stop; we may as well go back."
+
+"Do ye obsarve that six-masted schooner wid its nose poked under the
+bushes in the hope of escaping notice?"
+
+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 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.
+
+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:
+
+"That must belong to somebody who lives in the neighborhood."
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Does he believe we did not know him that night? Does he think neither of
+us suspected what he did? _Is he what he pretends to be?_"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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; but, as I have shown, the full truth was
+still to be learned.
+
+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.
+
+It was a brief run out to the Sheepscot, and the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+The _Deerfoot_ had not reached the upper end of Barter Island when Alvin
+from his place as steerer called out:
+
+"That looks like the boat we are hunting for."
+
+Running closer in to the right shore than the _Deerfoot_, a second boat
+was visible whose similarity of appearance caused astonishment. The bows
+of the two being pointed toward each other, the view was 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.
+
+"It's the _Water Witch_!" said Chester excitedly.
+
+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.
+
+Mike Murphy caught the stir of the moment.
+
+"How many passengers do ye obsarve on the same frigate? It seems to me
+there be only two."
+
+"That is all that are visible," replied Chester, holding the glass still
+leveled.
+
+"Thin they must be them two that we had the shindy wid the ither night!"
+
+"Undoubtedly; in fact I recognize the one you pointed out at Boothbay."
+
+"And the ither must be the ither one."
+
+"There is every reason to believe so."
+
+"Thin----I say, Captain," said the agitated Mike, turning to Alvin,
+"would ye be kind enough to run up alongside that ship?"
+
+"Why do you wish me to do that?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"No, Mike--not to-day; I have no objection to your having a little
+'conversation' with Mr. Noxon or his companion, but this isn't the right
+way to go about it."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Look just behind the fellow who is steering. He's Noxon, I'm sure! Study
+closely and let me know whether you see anything suspicious."
+
+Wondering to what he referred, Chester complied. While doing his best to
+learn what his friend meant the latter whispered again:
+
+"If you see anything, be careful to let no one besides me know what it
+is."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Did you notice anything special?" asked Chester.
+
+"I saw nothing but those two young men, with whom as I learn from the
+Captain he had an affray some nights ago."
+
+Chester leaned over and whispered to Alvin:
+
+"I saw it plainly."
+
+"What?"
+
+"A man crouching down among the seats as Calvert did and peering over
+like him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A STRANGE RACE
+
+
+Suddenly the _Water Witch's_ whistle sent out a series of piping toots.
+
+"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.
+
+"It's a challenge to a race."
+
+"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."
+
+"Be keerful ye don't run over him," cautioned Mike, catching the
+excitement, "as Tam McMurray said whin he started to overtake a
+locomotive."
+
+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 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.
+
+"Are you doing your best?" asked Calvert, watching the actions of the
+youthful Captain.
+
+"No; I am making about two-thirds of the other's speed."
+
+"Then don't do any better, is my advice," said the detective.
+
+Alvin glanced over his shoulder.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 the other and what could be gained by passing the boat.
+
+Again the whistle piped several times and it was evident that the
+fugitive, as it may be called, had "put on more steam."
+
+"Do you wish me to let her get away from us?" asked Alvin.
+
+"Not for the present, but that may be the best course. Hold your own for
+awhile and then gradually fall back."
+
+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.
+
+Such were the relative positions when the _Water Witch_ shot past Ram
+Island, holding the middle of the stream, and a few minutes later came
+abreast of Isle of Springs.
+
+"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."
+
+Such was the fact, and Chester said:
+
+"They must know that we also have a friend with us."
+
+"I don't see that it matters either way. I think you are gaining."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+The _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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 _Gardiner_,
+plowing ahead in such desperate haste that one might well believe the
+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.
+
+The _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"They're gaining!" exclaimed Chester, who was closely watching the
+progress of the racers. "Do you mean to let them get away, Alvin?"
+
+"Mr. Calvert will answer that question."
+
+"I do so by advising that you neither gain nor lose for the present."
+
+The Captain gave the launch a little 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.
+
+The _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Can you overhaul her?" asked Detective Calvert.
+
+"Easiest thing in the world; I can shoot past her as if she were lying
+still."
+
+"Well, don't do it."
+
+Mike could remain silent no longer.
+
+"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."
+
+Alvin nodded his head.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Mike glared at the speaker, as if doubting the evidence of his ears.
+
+"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."
+
+"You forget," added Calvert, with the same seriousness, "that they have a
+full-grown man to help them out."
+
+"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."
+
+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 signal.
+In his impatience, he had turned his back upon them and was looking
+gloomily over the stern at the foaming wake.
+
+"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."
+
+"And why?"
+
+"He'll sure give me the greatest walloping of me life."
+
+"For what reason?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll explain to him," said Calvert, "that you couldn't help yourself."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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:
+
+"Ye haven't the honor of an acquaintance wid me dad."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE LOSER OF THE RACE
+
+
+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.
+
+The draw had just been swung open when our friends came in sight of the
+bridge, and saw the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+"Isn't that lucky now!" was the sarcastic exclamation of Mike.
+
+"Why?" asked Chester.
+
+"He wants to hilp ye fall back further behind the ither boat."
+
+"There may be something in that," the Captain replied.
+
+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.
+
+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
+became motionless when a few yards from the bridge.
+
+I am afraid the driver purposely delayed the _Deerfoot_, 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.
+
+"I suggist that ye turn about, Captain, and scoot for home," was the
+ironical advice of the Irish youth.
+
+"For what reason?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Better wait, Captain, till he's a little farther off," advised Calvert;
+"there may be something in what Michael says."
+
+As for Mike, feeling he could not do justice to the subject, he held his
+peace for the moment.
+
+Gliding through the draw and entering Montsweag Bay, the occupants of the
+_Deerfoot_ were surprised to see nothing of the other launch. She was as
+invisible as if she had been scuttled and sunk in fifty feet of water.
+
+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.
+
+When Mike found the _Water Witch_ had vanished, he pretended to be vastly
+relieved. He had dropped into his chair and now straightened up.
+
+"But ain't we lucky?"
+
+"Why so?" asked Calvert.
+
+"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."
+
+"I am glad you are becoming so prudent," said Calvert, with an approving
+nod. "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."
+
+"Better wait," suggested Mike, "fur ye might gain on t'other one."
+
+Alvin now put on the highest speed of which the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+He kept up the furious speed until they 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
+_Water Witch_, but she was nowhere in sight.
+
+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.
+
+"Keep it up till we catch sight of her again," suggested Calvert. "I
+believe there are no more bridges between us and Wiscasset."
+
+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 _Water Witch_.
+
+"You may as well slow down," remarked the detective, who, guarding a
+match with his hands behind the wind-shield, proceeded to light another
+cigar.
+
+"What do you make of it?" asked Alvin, turning his head, as the pace
+became slower than before.
+
+"We have passed the other boat; she is behind us instead of in front."
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"For hiven's sake don't go back," protested Mike. "Ye might find her--and
+then what would become of ye?"
+
+The detective now gave his view of the situation.
+
+"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."
+
+Calvert looked at his watch.
+
+"It is near noon; if you all feel as I do you would welcome a good
+dinner."
+
+"That's the most sensible sense that I've heerd since we started,"
+remarked Mike, who was as hungry as his companions.
+
+"It is not a long run to Wiscasset," said Alvin; "and there's more than
+one good hotel there."
+
+"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."
+
+"We shall pass several landings, and there are farmhouses along shore
+where I'm sure the folks will be glad to accommodate us."
+
+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.
+
+Chester offered to relieve his chum at the wheel, and Alvin was quite
+willing to exchange places with him. The occurrences 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so, if it is prudent at this time."
+
+"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 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?"
+
+The detective smiled, and smoked a minute or two before replying.
+
+"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. 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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A WARM RECEPTION
+
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 had evidently
+been placed there for use, though no small boat was near.
+
+Chester brought the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"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:
+
+"You always have that expression."
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"He must be so cheered at sight of me that he is obleeged to give
+exprission to his feelings--Begorra!"
+
+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 that made him look as if the organ was in
+mourning.
+
+Holding the pipe away from his lips, the man pointed the stem toward
+Mike, who had paused, and said to his dog:
+
+"Sick him, Nick! Sick him!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Mike coolly braced himself for the shock, not yielding an inch nor
+turning his gaze from his foe. It was no longer a doddering old man who
+faced the stranger, but a sturdy youth, muscular, brave and always eager
+for the fray.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Sick him, Nick! Sick him!" he called, pointing his finger at the lad.
+
+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.
+
+It was at this juncture that Stockham Calvert flung away his cigar,
+sprang from his chair and with one bound landed beside Alvin Landon.
+
+"I don't intend that Mike shall get into trouble."
+
+As he spoke, he laid his hand on his hip pocket where reposed his
+revolver.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"You don't mean to shoot the fellow?" said the alarmed Captain.
+
+"It won't be necessary," was the quiet response.
+
+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,
+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.
+
+Mike now turned and began walking hurriedly toward the launch, with the
+squirming captive still in his iron grip.
+
+The infuriated owner sprang from his seat and leaped down the steps.
+
+"Drop that dog!" he shouted, striding after Mike, who called back:
+
+"I'll drop him as soon as I raich the river."
+
+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 of
+the launch, and headed for Mike with the purpose of renewing the attack.
+
+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.
+
+Mike read his purpose, poised himself and put up his fists.
+
+"Now for the next dog and it's mesilf that is ready fur him."
+
+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 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.
+
+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:
+
+"Stop! he's my friend!"
+
+He raised one hand, palm outward by way of emphasis of his warning words.
+
+"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.
+
+"Come on and you'll learn!" was the reply in the same even tones, as
+Calvert assumed the posture of a trained pugilist.
+
+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 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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SCIENCE VERSUS STRENGTH
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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----
+
+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 and lay senseless, knocked out in the first
+round.
+
+"You have killed him!" whispered the scared Captain.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm not partic'lar as to the place," said Mike, "if only we dine."
+
+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:
+
+"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."
+
+The smiling officer cordially accepted the proffer.
+
+"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-raps, but he would have found me hard to digist. Do ye obsarve?"
+
+He pointed to the little landing which 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+The three listened to the words of Calvert, who clearly was in earnest.
+
+"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."
+
+"It was not necessary to tell Chester and me that, but I suppose you wish
+to run no risk that can be avoided."
+
+"That's it; I did not doubt your loyalty, but you know we can't be too
+careful."
+
+Mike was leaning back in his chair deeply thinking.
+
+"There's one waak p'int in the plan suggisted."
+
+Inasmuch as no one had submitted a plan the three wondered.
+
+"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 folks priss their
+questions, some answer must be given or 'spicions will be stirred."
+
+"The point is well taken. I don't wish you to tell an untruth----"
+
+"I'm sure the task is not difficult fur the Captain and second mate,"
+interrupted Mike, "though it's beyond me."
+
+"But you can evade a direct reply."
+
+"May I vinture upon another suggistion?" asked Mike.
+
+"We shall all be glad to hear it, I'm sure."
+
+"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."
+
+"A brilliant idea!" laughed the officer. "All I ask is that you give no
+truthful information about me."
+
+"Ye doesn't objict to my telling folks how ye laid out that Goliah a bit
+ago?"
+
+"I prefer you should not mention it."
+
+Mike sighed.
+
+"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?"
+
+"I may add," continued the man, "that it is quite likely we shall soon
+part company."
+
+Mike affected to be surprised.
+
+"Doesn't the Captain pay ye 'nough wages?"
+
+"I have no fault to find on that score."
+
+"I'm glad to larn that. If he requires ye to do too much dooty, I'll hilp
+ye out, the bist I can."
+
+"I promise to call upon you if necessary, Mike, but I hope I shall not be
+obliged to do so."
+
+"I have been wondering since we started," said Alvin over his shoulder,
+"whether by any possibility the _Water Witch_ kept on up the river ahead
+of us instead of running into some bay or inlet to the south."
+
+"It is possible, but not probable. You know we had an extended view of
+this stream, or rather of Montsweag Bay, and she could not have gone far
+enough in the short time to pass out of sight."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I should say that after so long a chase he would have given up
+disgusted," replied the detective.
+
+"It was not that; it was 'cause he found the tracks were becooming too
+fresh."
+
+"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 _becoming_
+so."
+
+"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."
+
+"You seem quite sure that these three whom we saw in the launch are mixed
+up in these post office robberies?" asked Alvin.
+
+"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."
+
+"It shtrikes me that the most important quistion of all has been
+sittled."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Mike stared as if he failed to catch the meaning of this astounding
+remark.
+
+"Plaise say that agin, Captain, and say it slow like."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE LONE GUEST
+
+
+The _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+The possibility that the _Water Witch_ had preceded them to Wiscasset
+caused a scrutiny of the various craft in sight by the Captain and his
+crew, including Detective Calvert, but nothing was seen of the boat.
+
+"She is miles off down stream," was the remark of the officer, "and for
+the present is out of the running."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"The two are acquaintances," was the conclusion of the lad, "and they
+don't wish anyone else to know it."
+
+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.
+
+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 divert possible suspicion by cheery remarks
+and pleasant conversation as the meal proceeded.
+
+"I am sure, Mike, you never had any such feasts in the old country."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Meanwhile, Mike made his response to the inquiring remark of Calvert:
+
+"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?"
+
+"I'm not quite sure I grasp your meaning, Mike," was the reply, while
+Alvin and Chester looked up.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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
+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.
+
+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!
+
+"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!
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+Oddly enough the stranger was the first to recover his speech. He must
+have had little liking for Hibernians, since he called:
+
+"You're right, young man! You showed us the heart of a real Irishman!"
+
+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:
+
+"I made a slight mistake, as Jerry Sullivan 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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The meal finished, the four rose to leave the dining room. While there
+may have been nothing meant by Calvert's action in 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.
+
+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?
+
+"If he chooses to explain I must wait until he is ready," was the
+decision of Chester.
+
+The afternoon was well forward, when they walked down the slope to the
+wharf, where the _Deerfoot_ 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:
+
+"I shall have to bid you good-by for awhile."
+
+"Why is that?" asked the Captain, in surprise.
+
+"You remember I told you it was likely, but I hope soon to meet you all
+again."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A BREAK DOWN
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"What do you make of it all?"
+
+"That man who was in the dining room with us may have been another
+detective or----"
+
+"Or what?" asked Chester, observing the hesitation.
+
+"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."
+
+"In other words, he is a member of the gang whom he pretends to be
+hunting down."
+
+"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."
+
+Chester was thoughtful for a moment or two.
+
+"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 _Water Witch_ 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?"
+
+"I haven't any choice; have you?"
+
+"Suppose then you follow Back River, and around Cape Newagen home. That's
+a pretty good run, and at the rate we are going we sha'n't get there
+before dark."
+
+"Have you any reason for the choice?"
+
+"Only that we may catch sight of the _Water Witch_, from which we parted
+in those waters. If we do, we shall have to hold Mike in leash."
+
+So it came about that the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+Suddenly Chester asked an odd question:
+
+"Do you think the launch was injured by that spurt this forenoon?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Somehow or other, it seems to me she isn't running exactly right."
+
+"What is wrong?"
+
+"I can't put my finger on it; I may say I _feel_ it--that's all."
+
+"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!"
+
+While the speed of the boat was not affected, the engine began hissing
+with vicious persistency.
+
+"Take the wheel, Chester, while I look around."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Remembering the lessons he had been taught, the young Captain soon
+corrected the fault and resumed progress. The launch, however, was held
+down to a comparatively slow pace, for the slight slip naturally caused
+misgiving. Several minutes passed with all going well.
+
+"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."
+
+"All right; turn on more power--no, don't! _Ouch!_"
+
+Alvin snapped his fingers, as one does when they are burned. He had
+placed them upon the exhaust pipe, which was growing red hot.
+
+"Shut her off! The mischief is to pay."
+
+Knowing from the gesture of the Captain what was the matter, Chester
+asked, as he obeyed the request:
+
+"What causes that?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Why not run to land and tie up? We may get in the way of some of the
+boats steaming up or down the river if we stay out here."
+
+Alvin scrutinized the eastern bank, which is the upper portion of
+Westport, and much nearer than Wiscasset township opposite.
+
+"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."
+
+The turning of the boat naturally stirred Mike's curiosity and he came
+back to learn the cause, which was soon explained to him.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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 ready to give valuable
+advice whenever it was needed.
+
+"Being as mesilf ain't indispinsable just now, 'spose I strolls up to the
+city nixt door and make a few more new acquaintances."
+
+"There is no objection to that," replied the Captain, "but be sure to
+come back before dark."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Now we must find whether that is caused by a cylinder missing fire and
+pumping the gas into the muffler."
+
+"How will that do it?" asked Chester, who, while a good motor boat pilot,
+possessed less practical knowledge than his chum.
+
+"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."
+
+It was fully dark before the difficulty was remedied by a careful
+readjustment of the carburettor. Repeated tests were made, and everything
+found to be right.
+
+"At last!" said Alvin, with a sigh of relief. "And now we are ready to go
+home. But where is Mike?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+AT BEARTOWN
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"It strikes me that you will be running into danger by going down the
+river to-night."
+
+"How?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, but I hope she is through breaking down for some time to come."
+
+"So do I, but why take the risk, when there's no necessity for it?"
+
+"We aren't fixed to sleep on board, though we could do it in a pinch, for
+the weather is mild."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"It is a dazzling promise you hold before me, but it won't be fair to
+condemn Mike unheard. Give him a chance."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Hands up!" called the Captain, in his most startling voice.
+
+Mike stopped short, but made no motion to obey.
+
+"Didn't you hear me?" demanded Alvin fiercely, as he strode forward with
+the grinning Chester at his elbow.
+
+"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.
+
+"What kept you so long?" asked Chester.
+
+"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."
+
+"It is so late," said the Captain, "that we have decided to stay here
+overnight--that is, if we can get lodgings."
+
+"Arrah, now, that's a sinsible remark which I ixpicted ye to make, as
+Arty Devitt said whin he admitted he was the biggest fool in Cork. But
+there ain't a hotel in Beartown."
+
+"Then we shall have to go back to the boat and either start down the
+river or bunk in as best we can."
+
+"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."
+
+"Be sensible for once in your life," said Alvin, "and explain matters."
+
+"Isn't that what I'm doing?" asked Mike, as he turned about and the three
+walked toward the sleepy little town.
+
+"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?"
+
+"It is impossible. What's her name?"
+
+"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."
+
+"St. Patrick died fifteen hundred years ago," said Chester.
+
+"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."
+
+"But where do we come in?" asked Alvin.
+
+"That was me chaif trouble in gitting ye folks straightened out. Av
+coorse, I made it clear to them that I owned a launch, which the same is
+called the _Deerfut_, 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."
+
+"So it would seem, if a tenth part of what you say is true," was the
+comment of Alvin.
+
+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 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.
+
+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 and slowly
+inspected each. She gently shook her head:
+
+"It doesn't seem to have arrived; probably it will come in the next
+mail."
+
+Mike's genial face became the picture of disappointment.
+
+"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."
+
+"I am sorry," said the sympathetic postmistress, "but I don't see how I
+can help you. Have patience and all will come right."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+During this brief interview a girl not yet out of short dresses stood
+behind the counter, measuring out some calico for a 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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+Mike was caught. He had taken a comprehensive survey of the display
+outside the store before entering, and was sure that only the simplest
+agricultural implements were on sale. Furthermore, he had less than a
+silver dollar in his pockets.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+AT THE POST OFFICE IN BEARTOWN
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 at the front of the store, the gentle mother beamed with
+a smile. She had heard and understood it all.
+
+"I am afraid, Nora, you were rude to the gentleman," she said in her
+silvery voice.
+
+"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."
+
+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 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?
+
+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.
+
+"They may repair it and go home," suggested Nora.
+
+"That will make no difference, for I sha'n't return to them till night
+comes and then they'll have no ch'ice."
+
+"They may not wait for you," said Nora.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+When the cheering thousands welcomed 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.
+
+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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+"You will please give me a receipt," he said in his brisk fashion. The
+reply was gentle:
+
+"I cannot do that."
+
+"Why not? It's simple business."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+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:
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"A young gentleman."
+
+"I don't like his looks."
+
+"Then I advise you not to look at him," was the reply.
+
+"How long is he going to hang round the store?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you know anything about the two?"
+
+"I have never seen them, and I never saw this young gentleman till this
+afternoon."
+
+The caller turned his face and scanned Mike more closely. The youth, who
+was boiling with anger, tried to look as if unaware of the insulting
+action.
+
+"Please hand that package back," said Mr. Kupfer, with a compression of
+his thin lips.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 back of him, stuffing
+her handkerchief in her mouth and with her face almost as crimson as his
+own.
+
+"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.
+
+"We both heard what he said," she replied as soon as she could command
+her voice.
+
+"Being I faal like a firecracker that has jest been teched off, I suspict
+I caught his loving remarks consarning mesilf."
+
+"Will you tell me something truly--upon your word of honor--take your
+dying oath?"
+
+"That I will, ye may depind upon the same."
+
+"Are you a real post office robber?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HOSTESSES AND GUESTS
+
+
+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:
+
+"Do ye insist on me answering yer quistion?"
+
+"I do," she replied, with an expression of tremendous solemnity.
+
+"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."
+
+Rising from his chair, Mike bowed low.
+
+"I thrust I have answered yer quistions satisfactorily, Miss."
+
+"You couldn't have done better--hello, Jim!"
+
+This salutation was to a big gawky boy, who slouched through the door,
+with the announcement:
+
+"Wal, I'm ready: what shall I do?"
+
+"Who's yer frind?" asked Mike of Nora.
+
+"He comes round each morning to take out and place the things on the
+porch in front and brings them in again each evening"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Yaws," he said, with a silly grin, looking at the coin and then clasping
+it tight; "what do yuh warnt me to dew?"
+
+"Go right home to yer mommy and give her that quarter to save up fur ye.
+Don't git gay on the road and buy a horse and wagon."
+
+"Yaws, but--uh--I don't understand what yuh am drivin' at."
+
+"Ye don't understand anything in this wurruld and by yer looks niver
+will."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yaws--but what did he give me so much money fur? I hain't done nothin'
+to earn it; I don't understand it."
+
+"We all know that. Come wid me, James."
+
+As Mike spoke, he slipped his arm under that of Jim and walked to the
+door, not pausing until they stood on the porch.
+
+"Now, James, tell me where ye live."
+
+"Yaws, what fur?"
+
+"'Cause I asked ye; out wid it!"
+
+The lad pointed a crooked finger down the street to the left.
+
+"Now, see how quick ye can git thar. 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'."
+
+"Oh, yaws, I understand--why didn't ye say so afore?"
+
+"'Cause ye wouldn't have understood if I did. Off wid ye!"
+
+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.
+
+"Now, Miss Nora, if ye'll tell me where ye want these things placed, I
+shall be honored by carrying 'em in fur ye."
+
+Mike stood in the front door and looked down the big store to Nora, at
+the rear, who called:
+
+"Set them in the back part of the room right here where I'm standing."
+
+"How can I put 'em there, if ye stand there?" asked Mike.
+
+"I expect to get out of your way."
+
+"Oh, yaws," remarked the youth, mimicking Jim, who had shown so much
+mental bewilderment.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I think," said the daughter when Mike had completed his work, which took
+only a few minutes, "you have earned your supper."
+
+"Ah, now what reward can equal 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.
+
+The mother had just finished locking the safe, and, standing up, she
+laughed in her gentle way and said:
+
+"Surely you have kissed the blarney stone, Mike."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Nothing more, thank you. Nora and I will now close the store and attend
+to preparing supper."
+
+"And I'll bring me frinds to enj'y the same."
+
+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.
+
+Following a common fashion of the times, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Supper will be ready in a few minutes," she said. "Nora will entertain
+you in the parlor until I call you."
+
+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."
+
+"I never knew such a funny person," said Nora, after one of his quaint
+remarks. "Mother and I took to him from the first."
+
+"I find it's a common wakeness whereiver I go," said Mike gravely.
+
+"We find him fairly good company," said Alvin. "He seems to have been
+born that way and we can hardly blame him."
+
+"He tries our patience very much," added Chester, "but we have learned to
+bear the affliction."
+
+"I wish you all lived in Beartown," said Nora impulsively, "and that Mike
+would call to see us every day."
+
+"Whisht, now," said he, lowering his voice. "Whin I strolled through the
+town 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Now," said she as she rose from the stool and looked at Mike, "you must
+sing for us, for I know you can."
+
+"Certainly, Mike, show them what you can do in that line," joined Alvin,
+and Chester was equally urgent.
+
+He objected and held back, but when Mrs. Friestone joined in the request
+he rose reluctantly and went to the instrument.
+
+And straightway came the surprise of the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AN INCIDENT ON SHIPBOARD
+
+
+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.
+
+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 _mal de mer_ had troubled only
+the abnormally sensitive. Neither the brother nor the prima donna had
+felt the slightest effects.
+
+The two were chatting of many things, but nothing of any importance, when
+she suddenly stopped with an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Listen!" she added when they had stood motionless for a few seconds; "do
+you hear that?"
+
+"I do; it is wonderful."
+
+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.
+
+The lady and gentleman walked to the barrier and looked across.
+
+"There he is!" said the man, in a low tone.
+
+"Where?" asked his companion, with eager curiosity.
+
+"To the right, in front of that group which has gathered round him."
+
+"I see him now. Why, he is only a boy."
+
+"A pretty big one. But hark!"
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why, my dear, he is a second class passenger."
+
+"What of that? He has a divine gift in his voice. I must meet him."
+
+Louis shrugged his shoulders, but he was used to the whims of his
+brilliant 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.
+
+"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.'"
+
+The confused lad doffed his cap and bowed with awkward grace.
+
+"It was mesilf that feared I was disturbing yer slumbers, which if it be
+the fact I beg yer pardon fur the same."
+
+"Disturbing our slumbers! Did you hear that, Louis?"
+
+And the artist's musical laughter rang out. More soberly she asked:
+
+"Will you tell me your name?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Are you alone?"
+
+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:
+
+"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?"
+
+How the prima donna laughed!
+
+"Louis, he thinks you are my father, when you are my twin brother! It's
+delicious."
+
+"It may be for you, but not for me," he grimly answered, though scarcely
+less pleased than she over the pointed compliment to her.
+
+Addressing Mike, the lady said:
+
+"You have a wonderfully fine tenor voice: do you know that, Mike?"
+
+"I do _now_, since yersilf has told me, though ye make me blush."
+
+"Are you travelling alone?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Have you had any instruction in music or the cultivation of your voice?"
+
+"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."
+
+"How would you like to become an opera singer, Mike?"
+
+He recoiled, and, though he knew the meaning of the question, he asked:
+
+"And phwat does ye mane by 'opera'?"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"It is very kind of you, leddy, and I'm sorry I can't accipt, as Terence
+Gallagher said whin the mob invited him out to be hanged."
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+The frightened Mike hung back.
+
+"Stand right here beside me," she said with pleasant imperiousness. "I
+will play the accompaniment while you sing 'Mavourneen.'"
+
+"I'm that scared, me leddy, that I couldn't sing a word."
+
+"Tut, tut--none of that. Come, try!" and she struck several notes on the
+instrument.
+
+Mike's voice was a trifle uncertain at 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.
+
+"You are not through yet; I must test your voice further. Can you sing
+any other songs?"
+
+"I have thried a few."
+
+"Name them."
+
+"I can't ricollect them at this moment, but there's 'Oft in the Stilly
+Night' and----"
+
+"That will do; it is one of Tom Moore's prettiest. Are you ready?"
+
+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:
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+"THE NIGHT SHALL BE FILLED WITH MUSIC"
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 would become comical to the last degree. The
+listeners glanced significantly to one another, while he was bringing out
+a few preliminary notes.
+
+Suddenly into the room burst the most ravishing music from the sweetest
+voice they had ever heard.
+
+               "The harp that once through Tara's halls
+                 The soul of music shed,
+               Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls
+                 As if that soul were fled.
+               So sleeps the pride of former days,
+                 So glory's thrill is o'er,
+               And hearts that once beat high for praise,
+                 Now feel that pulse no more."
+
+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.
+
+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 as if they were dreaming and were waiting
+for the spell to lift.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"You darling! You sing like an angel!"
+
+"Nothing could be sweeter," added the smiling mother. Mike gently kissed
+the girl on her forehead, and did not release her until she drew away.
+
+"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."
+
+Alvin walked silently across the floor and reached out his hand.
+
+"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?"
+
+Chester joined his chum.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Chester asked reprovingly:
+
+"Why didn't you let us know about this before?"
+
+"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."
+
+"You are a queer make-up," replied Alvin, with a laugh.
+
+"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."
+
+Nora added her entreaties.
+
+"We know you can do very well, Alvin, though of course not half so well
+as Mike, for _nobody_ can do that," was the naïve argument of the miss.
+
+"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."
+
+The fun of it was that Chester could not sing the chromatic scale
+correctly if his life were at stake. He was not rattled by the request.
+
+"Mike, can you play the accompaniment to 'Greenville'?" he asked.
+
+"How does it go? Hum the same fur me so I can catch it."
+
+Chester stood up and "hummed," but without the slightest resemblance to
+any tune that the others had ever heard.
+
+"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."
+
+"No, sir; I decline to play second fiddle to anyone," and Chester resumed
+his seat as if in high dudgeon.
+
+At this moment Nora asked of Mike:
+
+"Did you ever make up music for yourself?"
+
+"I have tried once or twice, but didn't do much."
+
+"Oh, please sing us something of your own."
+
+"A leddy on the steamer that brought me over give me some printed words
+one 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."
+
+(This was the only reference that Mike was ever heard to make to the
+incidents recorded in the previous chapter.)
+
+And then the Irish lad sang "The Sweet Long Ago."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A KNOCK AT THE DOOR
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Not after Mike," she replied, her eyes gleaming more brightly through
+the moisture not yet dried.
+
+It was impossible for the Irish lad to 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.
+
+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.
+
+"In a few minutes he'll be asleep and will tumble off his chair."
+
+"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 _first_ mate of the battleship
+_Deerfut_."
+
+The girl went to the kitchen from which 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.
+
+"I think you will find everything as you wish."
+
+"It couldn't be itherwise, whin it's yersilf that has provided the same.
+Be that token, we're getting more than we desarve."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I suppose this belonged to the captain," said Chester inquiringly. The
+widow nodded her head.
+
+"And it did good service--that is certain," added Chester, with his
+companions beside him scrutinizing the weapon. "But it seems to have been
+injured."
+
+She smiled faintly.
+
+"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."
+
+"I am sure of that," said Chester as he reverently carried the gun back
+to the corner.
+
+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:
+
+"I thank you for what you did to-night."
+
+"I beg ye don't mintion it----"
+
+Mike stopped abruptly, and pretending to see something interesting in the
+old rifle, hurried across the room to examine it more closely.
+
+"Good night and pleasant dreams," called the lady as she passed out,
+noiselessly closing the door behind her.
+
+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.
+
+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 at night, or you could cast it aside. You were equally
+comfortable in either situation.
+
+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.
+
+It was Mike who abruptly spoke:
+
+"I say, Captain, are ye aslaap?"
+
+"I ought to be, but I was never wider awake."
+
+"How about the second mate?"
+
+"The same here," was the reply from that individual.
+
+"I wish to obsarve that I'm engaged just now in thinking, byes."
+
+"Thinking of what?" asked Alvin.
+
+"'Spose them post office robbers should pay this place a visit."
+
+"What in the world put that in your head?"
+
+"Didn't the same thought come to ye, Captain?"
+
+"I must admit it did."
+
+"And how is it with the second mate?"
+
+"It has troubled me, too, Mike."
+
+"But I can see no real cause for misgiving," added Alvin.
+
+"We know the _Water Witch_ is somewhere in the neighborhood," remarked
+Chester, to which his chum replied:
+
+"What could attract them to a small office like this? They hunt for
+bigger game."
+
+"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?"
+
+"But how should they know about it? They didn't see it done," said Alvin.
+
+"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."
+
+"What of that?"
+
+"Doesn't it show that it's the practice in Beartown wid some of them as
+has lots 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."
+
+"We should have seen something of them if they were in this village."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+VISITORS OF THE NIGHT
+
+
+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:
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"It is I--Nora. Mamma and I are awfully scared."
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"Somebody is in the store downstairs."
+
+"How do you know that?"
+
+"Mamma heard the window raised and woke me. She asked me to call you
+boys."
+
+"Wait a moment and we'll be with you."
+
+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. They
+wrought silently and without lighting the lamp.
+
+"I expected it," remarked Chester, imitating them.
+
+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.
+
+"Hark!" whispered the mother.
+
+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:
+
+"Are you sure you were not mistaken, Mrs. Friestone?"
+
+"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.
+
+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 been
+moved more than a few inches, for the sound ceased immediately.
+
+"You are right," said Alvin; "you have visitors. About what time do you
+suppose it is?"
+
+"The clock struck twelve quite awhile ago. There! it is now one," she
+added as a silvery tinkle came from the parlor.
+
+"What shall we do?" asked Nora, echoing the question that was in the mind
+of every one.
+
+And then a strange council was held in a place so dark that all who took
+part were mutually invisible.
+
+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.
+
+While the boys were eager to take the risk, the mother would not agree
+and the plan had to be abandoned.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Possibly the girl might have been argued out of her absurd fear had she
+not won her mother to her side. She took the same view.
+
+"What then is to be done?" asked Chester a trifle impatiently.
+
+"Nothing; they can't get the safe open, if they work till daylight."
+
+"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."
+
+To this terrifying declaration the lady could make no reply except to
+say:
+
+"We may as well go back to our rooms."
+
+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.
+
+"Whisht!" whispered Mike; "let's go to the parlor, where we have the
+moonlight to help us."
+
+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.
+
+As Mike had intimated, the round, clear 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.
+
+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, jumped over and passed from
+view to the rear.
+
+"I wonder what that man is waiting there for."
+
+It was Nora who whispered this question, which instantly put the others
+on the _qui vive_.
+
+"I don't see any man; where is he?" asked Chester.
+
+"Under that tree opposite; he's in plain sight."
+
+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.
+
+"He is the lookout," said Chester.
+
+"What's a lookout?" asked the nervous Nora.
+
+"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, probably by means of a whistle, and the fellows below
+will run."
+
+"Why couldn't you give the signal?"
+
+"I could if I knew what it is, but I don't."
+
+"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.
+
+"No fear of his visiting us," Alvin assured her; "but it is best to keep
+out of sight."
+
+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.
+
+What a unique situation! One or more 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"I've only to feel each step," he reflected, "and I'll soon arrive, and
+then won't fur of the spalpeens fly?"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+"TALL OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW"
+
+
+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."
+
+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 not fully understand until he reached home and had
+eaten his supper.
+
+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.
+
+The chat of the family shut out reference to the knife for most of the
+evening. Both 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.
+
+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!
+
+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 wrong side out and the dreadful
+yawn seemed to grin at him.
+
+Weak and faint he sat down on the edge of his trundle bed.
+
+"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 _can't_ be lost!"
+
+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.
+
+"Oh, what's the use!" he exclaimed, dropping down again despairingly on
+the bed. "It's lost! Where did I lose it?"
+
+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 the post office to perform his
+daily task. He reasoned well.
+
+"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!"
+
+He shivered at the probability, but rather singularly the dread was
+dissipated by a few minutes more of thought.
+
+"If he'd seen it, so would Nora and she'd told me. It's somewhere along
+the street."
+
+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.
+
+"I'll get up as soon as it is light," he said, "and hunt till I find it."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I never seen it so bright," he said, stepping to the window and peering
+out.
+
+And then as if by inspiration he whispered:
+
+"It's the right time to hunt for my knife."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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:
+
+"Hello, there! Where you going?"
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Well, you get out of here as quick as you can. Go back home and stay
+there till morning. Do ye hear me?"
+
+"Yaws; I'm going."
+
+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.
+
+"Mind what I told you!" added the stranger, "and don't show your nose
+outside your house before morning. Understand?"
+
+"Yaws; I don't want to, 'cause I've got my knife. Hooray!"
+
+"Shut up! Off with you!"
+
+"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 an explanation,
+which his son gave in a few hurried words.
+
+"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."
+
+Which may serve to explain how it was that Gerald Buxton became involved
+in the incidents that speedily followed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A CLEVER TRICK
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+The throwing of the lamp was the best thing the burglar could have done,
+for it 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:
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+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. 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:
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+When within twenty feet of a small barn, a burly man stepped out of the
+gloom and with a large gun levelled gruffly commanded:
+
+"Throw up your arms or I'll let moonlight through you!"
+
+"I don't see any room for argyment, as Jed Mitchell said whin----"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Remember," he said impressively to his son, "to stay home and not show
+your nose outside the door while I'm gone."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 man dashed toward him on a
+dead run. Buxton was alert, and pointing his weapon, crisply commanded:
+
+"Stop or I'll fire!"
+
+The panting fellow obeyed with the exclamation:
+
+"I'm so glad!"
+
+"Glad of what?"
+
+"That you came as you did. There are burglars in the post office!"
+
+"That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. Who are you and why are you in
+such an all-fired hurry?"
+
+"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!"
+
+"Where is the scandalous villain?" demanded Mr. Buxton, glancing on all
+sides.
+
+"He will be here in a minute."
+
+"I shan't wait for him; tell me where he is."
+
+The fugitive, who was momentarily expecting the appearance of his
+pursuer, pointed to the barn around which he had just dashed.
+
+"He is coming from there. Look out, or he'll shoot you!"
+
+"I'm ready for him," exclaimed the angered citizen as he hurriedly
+trotted off and confronted Mike Murphy a few seconds later.
+
+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.
+
+"So you're one of those post office robbers," said Mr. Buxton, partly
+lowering his weapon.
+
+"Not that I know of," replied Mike, beginning to scent the truth.
+
+"Have you a pistol?"
+
+"The only deadly wippon I have is me pocketknife, with its two blades
+broke and the handle being lost some time since."
+
+"Where is the rest of your gang?" demanded the man, stepping closer to
+the youth.
+
+"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."
+
+Mr. Buxton stepped still nearer. He was becoming doubtful.
+
+"Who the mischief are you, anyway?"
+
+"Mike Murphy, born in Tipperary, in the County of Tipperary, Ireland, and
+lately, arrove in Ameriky."
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+"Standing still for the time, as Pat Mulrooney said whin the byes tied
+him to the gate post and wint off and left him."
+
+"Ain't you one of those post office robbers?"
+
+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.
+
+"What made ye have that opinion?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Which the same was the thruth."
+
+"And that one of the gang was chasing him, meaning to shoot him."
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me that first fellow was one of the burglars?" asked
+the astounded Mr. Buxton.
+
+"As sure as ye are standing there admiring me looks."
+
+"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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+IN THE NICK OF TIME
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"They will kill us! What shall we do?" she wailed.
+
+For the moment Alvin and Chester, startled almost as much as their
+friends, were mystified. When Chester said:
+
+"That sounds like Mike's voice. Hello, Mike, are you here with us?"
+
+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.
+
+"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:
+
+"Don't leave us! Don't leave us!"
+
+They stopped irresolute. They could not abandon the two, and yet Mike's
+life might be in peril.
+
+"Go back to them," whispered Chester. "There's no call for both of us to
+stay."
+
+"Better not go down yourself; you know you have no weapon. Let's take a
+look."
+
+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.
+
+"We will not leave you," he said, "but we wish to see what we can from
+the kitchen window."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"The fellow, after leaping the fence, turned to the right and disappeared
+among the shadows."
+
+"With Mike still chasing him?"
+
+"As hard as he could run, but you know he hasn't much speed."
+
+"I wonder," whispered Alvin, "whether there are any more of them
+downstairs."
+
+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.
+
+"I don't believe anyone is there. Let's take a closer look."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"Whoever opened it must have known the combination. And how did he learn
+it?"
+
+Chester shook his head.
+
+"Perhaps Mrs. Friestone can guess. I'll ask her."
+
+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.
+
+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. But nothing occurred to cause new alarm, and
+mother and daughter stared wonderingly at the safe with its wide open
+door.
+
+"Who did that?" asked the woman, in a faint voice.
+
+"One of the burglars," replied Chester.
+
+"How did he learn the combination?"
+
+"That's the mystery; Alvin and I cannot guess. Was it known to anyone
+besides yourself?"
+
+"No; I changed it two days ago and did not even tell Nora. Not another
+soul knew it--and look!"
+
+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.
+
+"They have taken the money!" gasped the widow.
+
+"Let us see."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"That's what I call the greatest luck that ever happened," said Chester.
+
+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.
+
+"Now try the combination," he said to Mrs. Friestone. "Chester and I will
+turn our backs while you do so."
+
+"And why will you do that?"
+
+"So that we shall not learn the secret. If anything like this happens
+again, you cannot say we did it."
+
+She saw the smile on his face and knew he spoke in jest.
+
+"It may be the lock was broken in some way," suggested Chester.
+
+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.
+
+"Now open it," she said to the lads, her spirits rallying over her good
+fortune. They shook their heads and Chester said:
+
+"We might succeed, and that would be suspicious."
+
+"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."
+
+"What's become of Mike?" asked Nora plaintively, speaking for the first
+time. "I'm afraid something dreadful has happened to him."
+
+"He is probably still chasing the bad man," said Chester.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you, Mike! I was afraid those awful people had killed
+you," said the happy girl. "Are you hurt?"
+
+"Not worth speaking of; I think my neck is broke and me lift leg
+fractured in two places, but niver mind."
+
+Then the exuberant youth told his story, to which his friends listened
+with breathless interest.
+
+"Then you didn't catch the villain?" said Chester inquiringly.
+
+"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."
+
+"Well, you drove him off in the nick of time. He didn't get away with a
+penny," said Alvin.
+
+"But what was the maans he used to open that door? That's what gits
+me--whisht!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+"I PIPED AND YE DANCED"
+
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Stop or I'll fire!" shouted Buxton.
+
+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, had
+not Buxton come to an abrupt halt, and taking a quick aim, fired.
+
+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:
+
+"Are you hurt bad?"
+
+"I'm done for," was the reply as the wounded fellow laboriously climbed
+to his feet.
+
+With anger turned into sympathy, the captor asked:
+
+"Where did I hit you?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"I'm sorry I gave it to you so bad, but you can't deny you desarved it.
+If you're able to walk back to my house, with my help, I'll get a doctor
+and we'll soon----"
+
+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.
+
+"Now it's _my_ 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!"
+
+Poor Buxton slowly came to the upright position, with jaws dropping and
+eyes staring. He could only mumble:
+
+"W-w-what's the matter?"
+
+"Nothing with me; it's _you_ that's in a hole."
+
+Believing it was all up with him, the terrified victim stood mute.
+
+"I ought to shoot you down and I'll do so if you don't obey me."
+
+"W-w-what do you want?" Buxton managed to stammer out.
+
+"Dance!" was the crisp command.
+
+The citizen stared, not comprehending the order.
+
+"We cowboys in the West when we want a little fun make a tenderfoot dance
+while we fire our revolvers at his feet. BEGIN!"
+
+The victim lowered the point of the gun so as to point it at the shoes of
+Mr. Buxton.
+
+"I--I--can't dance; never done it in my life," he stuttered.
+
+"Can't begin earlier. Start up!"
+
+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.
+
+"I have one loaded barrel left and I'm aching to let you have it! Keep it
+up!"
+
+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.
+
+"Turn your back toward me and dance 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 _feet_! Remember that!"
+
+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.
+
+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 was following so as to keep him in range.
+
+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:
+
+"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?"
+
+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 toward which he was
+running when so abruptly checked by his pursuer.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+He leaned against the fence while recovering from his unwonted exercise.
+Naturally he believed the young man who had used him so ill had carried
+away his weapon beyond possibility of recovery.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I think I'll have a look at the post office and larn what mischief the
+villain done there."
+
+He veered in his course and came to the back window, where a light showed
+that some persons were gathered. He found mother, daughter and the three
+boys, who gave him warm greeting.
+
+"Was that your gun we heard a little while ago?" asked the woman.
+
+"I reckon it must have been," replied Mr. Buxton, who declined the
+invitation to enter and remained standing outside the window.
+
+"Did you hit the burglar?" asked Alvin.
+
+"Young man," said Mr. Buxton loftily, "when I fire at anything I _always_
+hit it."
+
+"You didn't kill him, Gerald!" exclaimed the horrified mother.
+
+"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."
+
+"Where's your gun?" continued Alvin.
+
+The man glanced around as if it were hidden somewhere about his garments.
+
+"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."
+
+"O dad, here's your gun!"
+
+It was the son Jim who called this greeting as he straddled forward with
+the heavy piece resting on his shoulder. All stared in amazement, and the
+father in his confusion was imprudent enough to ask:
+
+"Where did you get it?"
+
+"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----"
+
+"You young rascal, didn't I tell you to stay home? I'll larn you!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+HOW IT WAS DONE
+
+
+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.
+
+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 gangs with which he sought to connect himself.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I knew you would be somewhere in the neighborhood," was the young man's
+explanation, "and I was listening for your signal."
+
+"Well," growled the elder, "Noxon made a mess of it to-night."
+
+"It looks that way."
+
+"Do you know what happened? Did you see anything?"
+
+"I saw him dash out from the rear of that store with someone chasing him
+with a loaded gun."
+
+"That must have been what we heard a little while ago. Looks as if they
+got Nox."
+
+"Shouldn't be surprised," remarked the other indifferently.
+
+"He oughter managed things better. How was it you didn't warn him?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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 for himself and
+the devil take the hindmost."
+
+"I say, Kit," said Miller, lowering his voice as if fearful of being
+overheard, "do you think they'll get Nox?"
+
+"Haven't a doubt of it."
+
+"I say, do you think there's any danger of his squealing, that is, if he
+hasn't been killed?"
+
+"Naw," was the disgusted reply. "Nox is game--true blue; you can bet on
+him till the cows come home."
+
+Which was more than Nox could say about his two pals.
+
+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 _he_ would do in a
+similar situation.
+
+"Well, come on," he growled. "We're in tough luck to-night."
+
+And the two pushed their way among the trees in the direction of the
+river.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"What's that for?" asked the puzzled girl.
+
+"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."
+
+She laid the coin aside and assured the donor that his wishes should be
+carried out.
+
+Chester spoke:
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Alvin now made known the fear in his mind--a fear that was shared by
+Chester. The _Deerfoot_ was lying against the bank in Back River exposed
+to any injury which 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"May I make a suggistion?" asked Mike, speaking so seriously that all
+knew he was about to say something worth while.
+
+"I know he's going to tell us the right thing," said Nora.
+
+"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 wid the
+misthress and sweet Nora, and keep off the burglars wid that same gun
+that sarved me so well."
+
+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.
+
+"That is asking too much," said the widow, though her countenance
+brightened with pleasure.
+
+"How can the same be asking too much whin ye haven't asked it?"
+
+Nora clapped her hands.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Possibly you may prove right, but we shall hate to leave you behind."
+
+"Ye may do so foriver, so long as I have such quarters as these."
+
+With this understanding, the friends parted, no one dreaming of what was
+to befall them before all met again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should
+be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_. 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
+_Deerfoot_, 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.
+
+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. 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.
+
+"Hello! here she is!" was the pleased exclamation of the Captain a few
+minutes later.
+
+"Has she had any visitors while we were away?" asked Chester, as the two
+stepped down to the margin of the river.
+
+"I see no signs of it, but we shall have to examine further."
+
+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 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.
+
+"I thought I locked that," he said in surprise.
+
+"I remember you went through the motions, but you must have missed it."
+
+"So it seems."
+
+He stepped over, seated himself and grasped the steering wheel.
+
+"Nothing is wrong here----"
+
+"Hark!" whispered Chester.
+
+The two listened and heard the muffled exhaust of a launch not far off.
+
+"It comes from down stream," said Chester.
+
+"It's their boat!" exclaimed the excited Alvin. "They are hurrying off."
+
+"Let's chase them!" added Chester, catching the glow of his chum.
+
+"All right! Light up and cast off."
+
+[Illustration: LIKE A SWALLOW SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE SURFACE.]
+
+Chester quickly fixed the lights, sprang from the taffrail to shore,
+untied the loop of rope, flung it on deck and leaped after it. 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.
+
+"They got the idea yesterday that the _Water Witch_ is faster than the
+_Deerfoot_. That was a cute idea of Calvert, but they will soon learn
+their mistake. Do you see anything of her lights?"
+
+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.
+
+"Not yet," he answered "but we must be gaining fast."
+
+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.
+
+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?
+
+Alvin had a dim idea that having drawn near enough to discover the _Water
+Witch_, 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 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Light ahead!" suddenly called Chester beside him.
+
+"Where away?"
+
+"Right ahead, but closer in shore on the left."
+
+Alvin leaned forward and gazed intently.
+
+"You are right," he added as he saw a white light low down on the water.
+"Now we'll show those fellows what the _Deerfoot_ can do when she tries."
+
+He flirted over the little lever controlling the power, and instantly the
+engine responded 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"That is twenty-four miles, but we're not making it, Chester."
+
+The second mate pulled down his cap more snugly, for the motionless air
+was turned into a gale, and looked back.
+
+"What do you mean? The _Deerfoot_ is eating up water."
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you think it because of her trouble yesterday?"
+
+"It must be, but I was sure she was shipshape when we left her last
+night. See whether we are gaining."
+
+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.
+
+"Perhaps we have gained a little, say about six inches."
+
+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, which was helpful in the gloom. But he did not
+find it.
+
+"That's queer," he muttered; "I am sure I laid it there. I wonder if
+anyone visited the boat while we were away."
+
+"By gracious!" called Chester from his station; "I believe she has
+stopped!"
+
+"Make sure of it. I should think they would put out their stern light if
+they wanted to elude us."
+
+"Likely they don't care. Yes; she has run into shore, where there seems
+to be some sort of landing."
+
+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.
+
+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 rods, and while doing so he made an
+exasperating discovery.
+
+The craft which he had been pursuing with so much zest was not the _Water
+Witch_, 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:
+
+"What a wild goose chase! The next thing to do is to make after the
+_Nahanada_ or the _Gardiner_. There will be as much sense in the one as
+the other."
+
+Observing the change of course, Chester inquired:
+
+"Where to now?"
+
+"We may as well go back and pick up Mike. It seems to be growing light in
+the east."
+
+"So it is; a memorable night in our experience is drawing to a close."
+
+"I say, Chester," called the Captain, "I am sure someone was on this boat
+while we were away at Beartown."
+
+A sudden suspicion took form in his mind.
+
+"Is there enough light for you to see the name on the bow?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Take a look and tell me what it is."
+
+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:
+
+"As sure as I'm a living sinner it's the _Water Witch_!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THROUGH THE FOG
+
+
+It was an astounding discovery.
+
+With never a thought of the grotesque mistake, both youths had boarded
+the launch believing it to be the _Deerfoot_; 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.
+
+Chester stepped down and seated himself at the elbow of his chum.
+
+"Here are only four seats instead of six. Why didn't we notice it
+before?"
+
+"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."
+
+"And I'm with you. What's to be done now?"
+
+"Tell me where the _Deerfoot_ is."
+
+"Ask me something easier. She may be lying where we left her, or twenty
+miles away."
+
+"We should have heard her if she came down stream."
+
+"She may have gone up the river and around into the Sheepscot."
+
+"And back to the former hiding place of this boat or to a different
+one--the 'Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,'" said Alvin grimly.
+
+"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."
+
+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 _Deerfoot's_ 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.
+
+One of the plagues of the Maine coast is 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.
+
+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.
+
+The boat was quickly swallowed up, her bell still tolling, with blasts
+from her whistle at short intervals.
+
+Seated as described, the two youths discussed 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 _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+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.
+
+There was no light in the maze of conjecture that opened before them.
+Chester suggested an alarming complication.
+
+"The _Deerfoot_ can outspeed any craft in the Maine waters. These
+burglars must have a hiding place, and we know there is 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."
+
+"We shall find her sooner or later, and Calvert will perhaps in this way
+get on their track."
+
+"They can avert such danger by sinking her in deep water, where she may
+not be found for years."
+
+"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."
+
+"And the only way to gain that is to go back to Beartown."
+
+"So it seems to me. What do you think?" asked the Captain.
+
+"I know of nothing better. Wouldn't it be well to hit up the pace a
+little?"
+
+"If this fog would only lift! But it seems to be growing thicker. We must
+feel our way."
+
+While the Captain was doing this, his second mate looked over the _Water
+Witch_. Its resemblance to the _Deerfoot_ 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
+_Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+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 landing would
+not be recognized without close study, and possibly not even then.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"A good hour for breakfast," he remarked, "and my appetite is with me, as
+I am sure yours is with you."
+
+Alvin nodded and kept his eye on the receding shore and the water ahead.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"Hurrah! we're in luck!"
+
+He held up a large paper bag into which he had peeped. It contained half
+a dozen plump ham sandwiches.
+
+"While we are about it suppose we see what other treasures are in the
+ship's chest."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Meanwhile there is no need to keep those sandwiches waiting."
+
+"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."
+
+"So am I. They don't seem to have any cooking utensils on board, so
+coffee and warm food are to be denied us."
+
+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.
+
+"I'm sorry!" called back Alvin; "but the fog bothers us. Will you please
+tell me how far it is to Beartown landing?"
+
+"'Bout half a mile, mebbe a little more. Who are you?"
+
+Alvin gave his right name and thanked the man for his information.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Here's the spot!" called Chester a few minutes later, as he identified
+the spiderlike landing from which a road led to Beartown.
+
+"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."
+
+A hundred yards north of the wharf, too far to see it when they looked
+back, the _Water Witch_ came gently to rest, the waiting Chester sprang
+ashore with a line in hand and made fast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+BAD FOR MIKE MURPHY
+
+
+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.
+
+It was the confusion and hurly-burly below stairs that awoke Mike Murphy
+early. He would have left at once to join Alvin 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"How do you account for his preventing the other robber from carrying
+away the money in the safe?" asked his neighbor.
+
+"Plain enough; they'd had a quarrel. He wanted it all for himself."
+
+"Why didn't he take it then?"
+
+"The widder and others bounced down on him afore he had the chance."
+
+"I don't see why if the other villain run away this one didn't do
+likewise."
+
+"He'll do it quick enough, never you fear."
+
+"Why is he hanging round after they've gone?"
+
+"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!"
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"Sneaked off while he had the chance--wal, I'll be gul darned!"
+
+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:
+
+"I had--that is, I was thinking of the other robber."
+
+"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 let out of jail in
+Boston a fortnight since. I've found him and begs the privilege of
+shaking his hand."
+
+And he caught the limp fingers of the gaping fellow and squeezed them
+hard, while he continued to gape and say nothing.
+
+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.
+
+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 _Deerfoot_,
+remembering where she was moored the night before.
+
+Some hours earlier Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes had boarded the _Water
+Witch_, never doubting that it was the _Deerfoot_, and started down the
+river. Consequently Mike could not make the same 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"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
+themselves to death, and that would make me feel bad."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Arrah, now, what do ye maan by kicking 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.
+
+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.
+
+A shock of astonishment came to the miscreants when they reached the
+place where the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"All right; I will go down stream."
+
+He moved away from his companion, who held his place for a brief while,
+still reflecting whether his plan was the better 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.
+
+There was the swift launch _Deerfoot_ moored against the bank so near the
+place where the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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.
+
+"What do you make of it?" whispered Graff Miller.
+
+"Some deviltry you may be sure; the others are near by."
+
+They stealthily withdrew deeper into the wood and watched and listened,
+but nothing occurred to cause alarm. Then a sudden resolution came to the
+elder.
+
+"So long as there's only one, let's make him prisoner."
+
+"I'm willing," assented the other.
+
+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.
+
+"Shall I start?" he asked, in a guarded voice.
+
+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 at the bow, and began a wide sweeping
+circle with the intention of descending the stream.
+
+And still Mike Murphy dreamed on.
+
+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 _persona non grata_. 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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+WHAT SAVED MIKE
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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:
+
+"If you don't come right to land, I'll whip you within an inch of your
+life!"
+
+And the little fellow swam to where the frantic parent awaited him.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 unless it is forced
+upon you, for I dread what the result would be.
+
+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.
+
+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 he sank on
+his knees and looking reverently upward said:
+
+"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."
+
+From down the river came the sound of the _Deerfoot's_ 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.
+
+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:
+
+"If the Captain and second mate didn't know I couldn't swim, I'd belave
+it was 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.
+
+"Where's Alvin and Chester all this time? Why didn't they git to the
+_Deerfut_ before me instead of laving it fur them chaps? What does it all
+maan, anyway?"
+
+One of the singular coincidences of this series of adventures was that
+the _Deerfoot_ in going down the Back River passed within a few rods of
+the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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
+landing. It might be half a mile or ten times as much. In truth, the
+former distance was about right.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+No doubt you know from experience how hard it is to hold a straight
+course when 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.
+
+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.
+
+Between him and Mike stretched a 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.
+
+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.
+
+"The top of the morning to yer ladyship, and would ye be willing to hang
+me across yer line till me clothes be dried?"
+
+The woman snatched the pins from between her teeth and stared at him. Her
+face was broad, homely and good-natured.
+
+"G'way now," she answered; "I don't hang up any clothes till the same is
+_claan_. It will take a waak's washing to rinder ye fit. If I straddle ye
+over the line wid yer faat and rid head hanging down and bumping
+togither, ye'll cut a purty figger a-flapping in the wind."
+
+Mike's laughter rang out. She was Irish like him and his heart warmed to
+her.
+
+"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."
+
+True enough, the woman was his match and Mike was glad to learn it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE GOOD SAMARITANS
+
+
+She looked sharply at him through her bright blue eyes.
+
+"Are ye saaking to make me belave ye are from Ireland?"
+
+"Sartinly--Mike Murphy, from the town of Tipperary, County of Tipperary,
+at your sarvice," and he bowed again.
+
+"Arrah, poor Ireland, how many wrongs are heaped upon ye! I was sure from
+yer accint that ye were a Dutchman or Frinch."
+
+"May I ask yer name, me leddy?"
+
+"Mrs. Maggie McCaffry, and me husband is Tam that is working for Mr.
+Burns at Beartown."
+
+Mike clasped his hands and with a glowing expression stepped forward.
+
+"I knowed it! I knowed it!" he exclaimed, as if overrunning with joy.
+
+"Knowed phwat?"
+
+"That ye were my mither's fourth cousin that lift Tipperary fur Noo York
+six years ago, but by some mistake landed in Dublin jail--bad cess to
+them as made the same mistake!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Did ye not almost break me heart by thinking I was a Dutchman?" asked
+Mike reprovingly.
+
+"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."
+
+"Aunt Maggie, I'll give ye all me wealth if ye'll consint to let me dry
+mesilf in front of yer fire."
+
+"Arrah, now, what are ye saying? Five cints is no object to me----"
+
+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.
+
+"'Tis a shame that I kipt ye talking nonsense wid me while ye was
+shivering. 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."
+
+"I thank ye, aunty, but I am not in need of that."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+As the door opened, his eyes met those of Mike Murphy, who halted with
+one foot over the threshold, started and exclaimed:
+
+"Can I belave what me eyes tell me! Is it _yersilf_?"
+
+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.
+
+The face of the injured youth flushed and he laughed nervously, but with
+amazing coolness answered:
+
+"I guess you don't need spectacles. You've got the best of me; I'm down
+and you're up."
+
+"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?"
+
+Mike's Irish sympathy immediately went out to the fellow, who certainly
+was at his mercy.
+
+"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 suppose you come
+closer where you will be in front of the fire and can dry yourself, and
+we'll get on better."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"I do, but I niver won a prize at running and ye give me the slip."
+
+"Only to get in front of that beefeater with a shotgun. Why didn't you
+fire when you were chasing and threatening me?"
+
+"I couldn't have touched off that busted gun any more than I could have
+fired a broom handle."
+
+"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 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.
+
+"His boy Jim obsarved it all and told us and we laughed," said Mike, with
+a grin. "The sight must have been very insthructive."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"What did they do fur yer fut?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Wouldn't it be well if I got a docther fur ye?"
+
+Noxon looked up in the face of the Irish youth, who tried to keep a grave
+countenance.
+
+"I think not," replied the sufferer.
+
+There was a world of significance in the words, and both understood.
+
+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 to the blaze, thus drying the garments quite
+rapidly. He was so interested in the story of Noxon that he grew
+careless.
+
+"I think I see smoke coming from behind you," finally said the sitter.
+
+Mike reached back to investigate and with a gasp snatched back his
+fingers.
+
+"I'm afire! Is there a well outside that I can dive into the same?"
+
+"Turn around; I can help you," said Noxon, laughing, dropping his foot
+and sitting forward.
+
+Together they quenched the twist of blaze which if left alone would have
+played the mischief with Mike's garments.
+
+"I'm thinking this is a little different, Mr. Noxon, from last night."
+
+"It is, and I hope it will always stay that way."
+
+Mike was astonished and looked questioningly at the fellow.
+
+"Phwat might ye be maaning?" he asked, lowering his voice.
+
+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 eyes.
+Then his breast heaved and he broke into sobbing.
+
+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:
+
+"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!"
+
+Mike pulled himself together sufficiently to reply:
+
+"I don't think ye're quite all them things. Cheer up! cheer up, old
+fellow!"
+
+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 it lay on the
+handkerchief, and held it in his own warm grasp.
+
+"Noxy, me bye, Mike Murphy is yer frind through thick and thin--don't ye
+forget _that_--and I'm going to see ye through this if I have to break a
+thrace in trying."
+
+"_You!_" 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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"But you never did what I have done."
+
+The Irish youth bent his head as if recalling his past life.
+
+"I can't say that I did, but I'm the meanest scamp that iver
+lived--barring yersilf," 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."
+
+Noxon actually smiled at the recollection.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+AN UNWELCOME CALLER
+
+
+With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
+Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
+
+"Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 any caution to the man before he lift this
+morning?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Ah, if that was _all_! But I have a father and mother whose hearts I am
+breaking. I have two younger brothers and a sweet sister. What of
+_them_!" demanded Noxon almost fiercely.
+
+"Ye have read the blissed story of the Prodigal Son, haven't ye?"
+
+"I am a thousandfold worse than that poor devil, who was simply foolish."
+
+"Do yer dad and mither know where ye are?"
+
+"No; the one decent thing I did when I turned rascal was to change my
+name. Orestes Noxon is a _nom de plume_."
+
+"I don't know the fellow, but that shows, me bye, ye ain't such a big
+fool as ye look. I'm beginning to have hope for ye."
+
+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.
+
+"I begs that ye'll oxcoose me for not coming in wid this blarney and
+inthrodoocing ye to aich ither. Have ye becoom acquainted?"
+
+"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 long that ye have
+forgot a good deal, Aunt Maggie."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Her hands were big and red, but no professional nurse could have handled
+a 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.
+
+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:
+
+"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."
+
+The woman stared wonderingly at Mike.
+
+"Do ye know what he maanes by thim words? His mind I fear is afther
+wandering."
+
+"He wishes to say that ye and Tam have used him so well that he will take
+delight in spinding siveral days wid ye."
+
+"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?"
+
+And she shook her stubby finger in his face.
+
+"Ah, what a tyrant you are, Aunt Maggie!"
+
+"Phwat's that?" she demanded, straightening up. "Are ye calling me out of
+me name?"
+
+"You are the sweetest, kindest, most motherly woman and best wife in the
+State of Maine."
+
+She sprang to her feet and lumbered to the door.
+
+"I haven't finished hanging me duds; whin I have I'll come back and wipe
+out the insoolt ye have put upon me."
+
+Noxon looked at Mike, who for the first time heard him laugh with real
+jollity in his voice.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Glad should I be if I could believe it safe to stay here."
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"Her husband has already heard all about last night's business."
+
+"He promised ye to say nothing."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Noxon sitting back in his chair and apparently without any thought of his
+injured leg, pondered earnestly over the situation.
+
+"I am disposed to believe as you do, but that isn't my only danger."
+
+"Phwat have ye in mind now?"
+
+"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."
+
+"This house stands well back from the road wid only a path betwaan the
+two. Why should anyone sarch here fur ye?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Whither will ye go?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Noxy, will ye answer me one question?"
+
+"I will."
+
+[Illustration: "GIVE ME YOUR HAND ON THAT."]
+
+"When ye lave here will ye be going back to Kit Woodford and Graff
+Miller?"
+
+The eyes of the young man flashed and, with an earnestness that seemed
+deadly in its intensity, he said hoarsely:
+
+"No! never! I'll die first!"
+
+"Give me yer hand on that!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"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 Miller told me they used aliases instead of their right names, I
+took the one by which you know me.
+
+"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----"
+
+Just then a knock sounded on the door. Both were startled and Mike
+called:
+
+"Come in!"
+
+The door was pushed inward and Stockham Calvert entered the room.
+
+"Holy smoke!" exclaimed Mike, "as Father Malone said when he saw his
+church burning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+PLUCKING A BRAND FROM THE BURNING
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Well, Mr. Calvert, you have got me at last."
+
+"Yes; and a right merry chase you have led me. You won't get away this
+time."
+
+"I suppose not."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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----"
+
+"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."
+
+She knew the three wished to talk over private matters, and made sure
+they were left alone for the next hour or two.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Is that so?" asked the detective of the young man.
+
+"I would give my right hand," he solemnly replied, holding it up, "if I
+could go back three months in my life and have things as they were."
+
+"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."
+
+"Then what hope is there for me?"
+
+"You haven't been convicted yet, but I won't deny that you are in serious
+danger of it."
+
+"How shall I escape?"
+
+"I thought that over while on the road from Beartown. This, I believe, is
+your third essay as a burglar. Am I right?"
+
+Noxon nodded.
+
+"Once would be enough to send you to Atlanta, but let that go for the
+present. Are you willing to turn state's evidence?"
+
+Noxon moved uneasily in his seat. The proposition was distasteful.
+
+"You needn't feel any compunctions. 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."
+
+"There is no mistake about _that_, Mr. Calvert?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I shall do whatever you wish."
+
+"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."
+
+"Does father know I am in this business, Mr. Calvert?"
+
+"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 mind, but before trying it you must answer a few questions."
+
+"I am ready."
+
+"In the first place, where do this gang with whom you have been
+associated have their headquarters?"
+
+"I can guide you to the exact spot."
+
+"It is not that little patch of ground in the cove at the southern end of
+Barter Island?"
+
+"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?"
+
+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:
+
+"That will answer your question."
+
+"It is a production of art," said the detective admiringly. "No
+professional artist could beat it."
+
+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 _Water Witch_ had
+been visited some nights before. Noxon leaned forward and placed the tip
+of his finger on the different points.
+
+"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."
+
+"What about this one?"
+
+"It is what you may call the headquarters 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."
+
+"You have been there?"
+
+"Several times. I will go again with you."
+
+"No need; I can't go wrong with such directions. Why, Mike himself can
+understand it."
+
+He gravely held up the drawing before the Irish youth, who squinted one
+eye and carefully scrutinized it.
+
+"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."
+
+"What did I tell you, Orestes? Isn't he bright?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Noxon," said Calvert, with a smile over the repartee of the Irish lad,
+"do either Kit Woodford or Graff Miller know your right name?"
+
+"They never asked me and it was never given in their presence."
+
+"You said as much before. Do they know where you came from?"
+
+"They haven't the slightest knowledge. I am as unknown to them as regards
+my real identity as if I never existed."
+
+"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."
+
+"What of the testimony of Woodford and Miller when they are released from
+jail?"
+
+"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 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 _Water Witch_?"
+
+Thereupon the Irish youth related his story, and when it was finished the
+detective smiled.
+
+"If I'm not mistaken that is going to help us a big lot."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+"THE BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF SOMEWHERE"
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Mrs. McCaffry made strong objection to their leaving before the dinner
+hour, 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.
+
+"The same would bring me bad luck," she said, with a shake of her head.
+
+"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.
+
+"Ah," he said, "it's mesilf that's of no more account than a naught wid
+no circle round it."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The fogs which often plague the coast of Maine and vicinity have a habit
+of sometimes 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 _Water Witch_, with Alvin
+Landon and Chester Haynes on board, 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+He thought it best not to affect too much mystery.
+
+"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."
+
+The plan was simple. Noxon, who was familiar with the running of the
+_Water Witch_, 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.
+
+"And phwat's to become of us?" asked Mike.
+
+"That depends upon how you behave 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"But Mr. Hagan isn't here," reminded Chester.
+
+"He will be very soon. Meanwhile, I'll say a word to my man."
+
+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.
+
+The distance was shorter by way of the Narrows and down the Sheepscot
+than by the route just named. Accordingly, the _Water Witch_ headed
+north, while the _Deerfoot_ it will be remembered went south. The
+difference was not much, the real reason why the course was taken being
+of another nature. If the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 would be a serious handicap and might
+prove fatal to success.
+
+The _Water Witch_ 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 _Deerfoot_. 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 _that_ point he is sure
+to do some serious thinking.
+
+Just above Clough Point, marking the northern extremity of the large
+island of Westport, the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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 would
+be disappointed. At the first sign of danger the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"Noxon," said Calvert, leaning forward, "let us know when we are near the
+cove."
+
+"We are within less than a mile of it now. It is just ahead on the
+right."
+
+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.
+
+"The cove is in sight," announced Noxon, slightly turning his head.
+"Better keep down."
+
+A few minutes later they felt the change in the course of the launch.
+They were entering the inlet and the officers raised their heads barely
+enough to peer alongside of the steersman, over the front and beyond the
+flagstaff with its fluttering bunting.
+
+"There it is!" whispered Calvert to his friend.
+
+"I see it," said the other, "the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere; we are
+closer to it than I supposed."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+A THROUGH TICKET TO HOME
+
+
+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.
+
+"I don't see anything of the _Deerfoot_," said Calvert in a guarded voice
+to Noxon.
+
+"We always lay to on the other side. Keep down!"
+
+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.
+
+The officers had now to depend upon 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.
+
+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:
+
+"The _Deerfoot_ is there! Don't stir till I give the word!"
+
+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 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
+_Water Witch_ and its single occupant.
+
+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?
+
+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:
+
+"Where did you come from?"
+
+It was on the tongue of Noxon to make a biting reply, but he did not
+forget the part he had to play.
+
+"I found this boat at the wharf at Beartown and thought I'd hunt you up.
+How came you to have _that_ launch?"
+
+"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 don't understand how ours
+was found by you."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"A fine lot of swag I had, when I had to scoot just after I got the safe
+open."
+
+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.
+
+Graff Miller now put in his oar:
+
+"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."
+
+"That won't be as easy as it looks to you. The whole neighborhood is up
+in arms and we shall have to lie low for awhile."
+
+"Well, we've got enough to keep us a week or so----_Nox, there's somebody
+in the boat with you_!" 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 _Water
+Witch_ gently bumped against the other boat, Stockham Calvert and Warner
+Hagan straightened up and bounded across upon the _Deerfoot_. Each
+grasped a revolver, and Calvert shouted:
+
+"Hands up, or I'll let daylight through you."
+
+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.
+
+As for Graff Miller he did not attempt to get away. Accepting the order
+addressed to his leader as applying to himself, he stood stock still and
+seemed to be doing the best he could to keep the sky from falling on him.
+
+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 _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The capture of the two was so easy that it suggested a farce.
+
+"If you had only put up a fight, Kit, it would have been a good deal more
+interesting," 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!"
+
+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.
+
+"Do you want me to go there too?" humbly asked Graff Miller.
+
+"Of course; step lively."
+
+Calvert explained what was to be done. The handcuffed prisoners were to
+be taken to Wiscasset on the _Deerfoot_, 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.
+
+Noxon was to trail after the launch in the _Water Witch_. 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
+_Water Witch's_ gasoline gave out, the _Deerfoot_ could take it in tow,
+but this would not be done unless the necessity arose.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The prisoners were sullen and silent for most of the way. Hagan, seated
+behind Calvert, could protect him from any treacherous attack with the
+handcuffs. The detective was too wise to invite an assault of that
+nature.
+
+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.
+
+"What are you going to do with _him_?" he asked, with a black scowl.
+
+"Nothing," replied Hagan.
+
+"Why haven't you got the bracelets on him?"
+
+"He has done us too valuable service. That isn't the way we reward our
+friends."
+
+Calvert, who had overheard the words, looked round.
+
+"We may need his evidence to land you and Graff in Atlanta."
+
+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 Miller who
+snarled with a smothered rage which it is hard to picture:
+
+"I'll get even with him if I have to wait ten years."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The criminals were put behind bars, and the young man strolled through
+the street to the railway station. On the way, the elder said:
+
+"It looks to me as if you have a clear title to the _Water Witch_. What
+do you wish to do with it?"
+
+"Sell it to someone so I shall never see it again."
+
+"If you will turn the boat over to me I think I can dispose of it for
+you. Have you any price in mind?"
+
+"Sell the launch for whatever you can get, if it isn't more than
+twenty-three cents."
+
+"All right; I'll fix it. Here is the railway office. You have enough
+funds?"
+
+"Plenty. I shall a buy a through ticket to--_home_."
+
+"Of course. I shall call upon you this autumn. Good-by, Horace."
+
+"Good-by to one of the best friends I ever had. God bless you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+GATHERING UP THE RAVELLED THREADS
+
+
+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.
+
+During the trial of the criminals inquiries were heard for the third
+member of the gang, but he seemed to have vanished as completely 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.
+
+One day Gideon Landon, the wealthy banker and capitalist of New York,
+received a characteristic letter from his son Alvin. He said his motor
+boat _Deerfoot_ 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:
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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 him."
+  (No reference was made to Uncle Ben's frugal wife.)
+
+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.
+
+(Another paragraph from Alvin's communication to his father.)
+
+  "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."
+
+And the Steinway duly reached its destination. Mother and daughter were
+overwhelmed. 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.
+
+(Another paragraph from Alvin's communication to his father.)
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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. 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.
+
+  "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."
+
+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:
+
+"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."
+
+"That was rather nice on the part of Mr. Haynes to say what he did of
+you, Gideon."
+
+"Yes, Franklin hasn't anything mean in his nature."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Perhaps so, but there must always be two persons to a quarrel."
+
+"And you are one of them in this case. I mean to call on Sophia this very
+day."
+
+"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."
+
+"Suppose you call on him."
+
+The banker shook his head.
+
+"That is asking too much; it would be humiliating."
+
+Now when a sensible wife makes up her 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.
+
+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.
+
+(Mike Murphy's letter to Mrs. McCaffry.)
+
+  "MY DEAR AUNT MAGGIE:
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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.
+
+  "Wid regards to Tam and much love to yersilf I am ever
+
+                                       "Yer devoted,
+                                                      "Mike Murphy."
+
+(Mrs. McCaffry's reply to the foregoing.)
+
+  "My darlint broth of a boy:
+
+  "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 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.
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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!'
+
+  "Do you and the other byes come soon and see what a happy home ye
+  have made for Tam and me.
+
+                                          "Lovingly,
+                                                      "Aunt Maggie."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Launch Boys' Adventures in
+Northern Waters, by Edward S. Ellis
+
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+
+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;'>&mdash;BY&mdash;</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&#8217; 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&#8217; 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&#8217; 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 &#8220;The Flying Boys Series,&#8221;<br />&#8220;Deerfoot Series,&#8221; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Proposal and an Acceptance</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Scout of the Kennebec</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At the Inlet</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_AT_THE_INLET'>29</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>IV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A STRANGE RACE</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_STRANGE_RACE'>40</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Loser of the Race</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Warm Reception</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_A_WARM_RECEPTION'>62</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Science versus Strength</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_SCIENCE_VERSUS_STRENGTH'>72</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Lone Guest</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_THE_LONE_GUEST'>83</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>IX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Break Down</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_A_BREAK_DOWN'>93</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>X.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At Beartown</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_AT_BEARTOWN'>104</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At the Post Office in Beartown</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Hostesses and Guests</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_HOSTESSES_AND_GUESTS'>126</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Incident on Shipboard</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_AN_INCIDENT_ON_SHIPBOARD'>137</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Night Shall be Filled with Music</span>&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Knock at the Door</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Visitors of the Night</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_VISITORS_OF_THE_NIGHT'>166</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow</span>&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Clever Trick</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_A_CLEVER_TRICK'>188</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Nick of Time</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>I Piped and Ye Danced</span>&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>How It Was Done</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXI_HOW_IT_WAS_DONE'>219</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Startling Discovery</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'>230</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Through the Fog</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIII_THROUGH_THE_FOG'>242</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bad for Mike Murphy</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIV_BAD_FOR_MIKE_MURPHY'>252</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>What Saved Mike</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXV_WHAT_SAVED_MIKE'>263</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Good Samaritans</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVI_THE_GOOD_SAMARITANS'>273</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Unwelcome Caller</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVII_AN_UNWELCOME_CALLER'>284</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Plucking a Brand From the Burning</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere</span>&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Through Ticket to Home</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Gathering Up the Ravelled Threads</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</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'>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Give Me Your Hand on That.</span>&#8221;</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&#8217; 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
+&#8220;man in gray,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Of course you are surprised to receive
+a call from me.&#8221; He addressed Alvin, who
+replied:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t deny it. Heretofore you have
+seemed more anxious to keep out of our
+way than to meet us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I admit that it did have that look, but
+the cause exists no longer.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I don&#8217;t understand what could have
+been the cause in the first place,&#8221; said
+Alvin, &#8220;nor why my friend and myself
+should have been of any interest at all to
+you.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;I have no wish to play the mysterious;
+my name is Stockham Calvert.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was Alvin&#8217;s turn to smile, while Chester
+said meaningly:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That tells us mighty little.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am one of Pinkerton&#8217;s detectives.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The listeners started. They had never
+dreamed of anything of this nature, and
+remained silent until he should say more.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are aware,&#8221; continued the mild
+spoken caller, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The boys nodded.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A professional detective doesn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t doubt you have an explanation
+to give,&#8221; suggested Alvin.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>At this point Chester Haynes asked his
+first question:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you know we did?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mr. Stockham Calvert indulged in a low
+laugh.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why did you avoid us? Why didn&#8217;t
+you take us into your confidence from the
+first?&#8221; asked Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+<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&#8217;s face. It was Alvin
+who replied:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Assist you! What help can <i>we</i> give?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have the fleetest motor boat on
+the Maine coast. It must be capable of
+twenty miles an hour.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is guaranteed to make twenty-four.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better yet. These men have a boat
+which closely resembles yours.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And its name is the <i>Water Witch</i>,&#8221;
+said Chester. &#8220;I wish Captain Landon
+could run a race with it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He can have the chance if he will agree.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not wholly, but I don&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Still I do not understand how we can
+help you, Mr. Calvert,&#8221; said Alvin.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t express myself better
+than by that word.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;As I understand it, then, our boat
+promises to be useful to you solely on account
+of its speed?&#8221; said Alvin inquiringly
+asked the detective.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Precisely. What is your answer?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;How does it strike you, Chester?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m with you if you wish to make the
+experiment. If things don&#8217;t turn out as
+we wish we can withdraw at any time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I shall expect to pay you for
+your services&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you will be disappointed,&#8221; interrupted
+Alvin crisply. &#8220;The <i>Deerfoot</i> isn&#8217;t
+for hire, and if we go into this it will be
+for the fun we hope to get out of it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I can guarantee you some entertainment.
+I presume you two will be
+the only ones on the boat beside myself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mustn&#8217;t overlook my first mate,
+Mike Murphy. It would break his heart
+if we should go on a cruise and leave him
+behind.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am afraid he is too impetuous and
+too fond of a fight.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He may have a weakness in those directions,
+but his good nature, pluck and devotion
+to my friend and me more than
+make up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It strikes me&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t help how it strikes you,&#8221; 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.
+&#8220;Mike goes with us wherever we go.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I feel the same way,&#8221; added Chester.
+&#8220;The <i>Deerfoot</i> can never brave the perils
+of the deep short-handed. The first mate
+is indispensable.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As you please then. When will you be
+ready to start?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;When do you wish us to start?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say to-morrow morning?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is so sudden,&#8221; said Alvin, whose
+spirits rose at the prospect of the lively
+times ahead. &#8220;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&#8217;ll get under way
+to-morrow after breakfast.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m wid ye, as Mike would say.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose, Mr. Calvert, we leave it this
+way: if we decide to go into this business,
+we&#8217;ll make the venture to-morrow morning.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not stay with us over night? We
+shall be glad to have you do so,&#8221; was the
+hospitable invitation of Alvin Landon.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you very much,&#8221; replied Stockham
+Calvert, rising to his feet; &#8220;but I came
+over in a rowboat which is waiting to take
+me back. I engaged my room at the inn
+this afternoon.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;What do you make of it all?&#8221; asked
+Alvin of his chum, when after some
+minutes they returned to the big sitting
+room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know how to answer you,&#8221;
+replied Chester. &#8220;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&#8217;m not sure of it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose he belongs to the gang that is
+playing the mischief with Uncle Sam&#8217;s post
+offices in this part of the Union?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If that were so, what in the world can
+he want of you and your boat?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because of its fleetness it may serve
+him when he needs it. However, I don&#8217;t
+see that any harm can come to it or to us.
+He can&#8217;t pick up the launch and run away
+with it and he would find it hard to do so
+with us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not forgetting Mike Murphy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you accept his proposal?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not I, but we together.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right; it&#8217;s a go.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;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>&#8220;It does a fellow good to look at that
+broth of a boy squatting on the stern,&#8221;
+remarked Westerfield, while the <i>Deerfoot</i>
+was still a short distance away.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;You don&#8217;t need to show a red signal
+light, my friend; you ought to wait until
+night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Cocking his head a little more to one
+side, and with a slight extent of increase
+in the width of his grin&mdash;admitting that
+to be possible&mdash;Mike called back:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thin why have ye the <i>graan</i> light
+standing there on the wharf?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Westerfield joined in the general laugh,
+but came back:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That face of yours will keep off all
+danger by daylight.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s yer own phiz that will sarve
+the same purpose at night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The laughter was louder than ever, and
+the pleased Calvert said to the lawyer:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better let him alone; he will down you
+every time.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s reach, he feigned to be scared.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Please don&#8217;t bite me with those dreadful
+teeth.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike, who was now close to the wharf,
+leaped lightly upon it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have no fear; the sight of yersilf has
+made a Joo of me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Then as if afraid that the listeners would
+not catch the force of his words, he added:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A Joo, as ye may know, doesn&#8217;t ate
+pork.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Detective Calvert slapped the lawyer on
+the shoulder.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Try him again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I have had enough.&#8221; Then raising
+his hat and bowing in salutation, Westerfield
+offered his hand to the lad, who shook
+it warmly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re too much for me, Mike. I&#8217;m
+proud to take off my hat to you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;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&#8217;other side.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Mike was not with you,&#8221; said Detective
+Calvert, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose it isn&#8217;t there?&#8221; said Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A romantic title,&#8221; remarked Alvin, over
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span>
+his shoulder, &#8220;though we are not cruising
+on the Kennebec, but up the Sheepscot.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No doubt we shall have to visit the
+larger river. And then, you know,&#8221; added
+Calvert, with a smile, &#8220;the name I suggest
+sounds better than the other.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The launch required no special attention
+just then, and, with one hand on the steering
+wheel, Captain Alvin looked around:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mike, what do you think of it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrah, now, what&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose the <i>Water Witch</i> happens to
+be where Chester and I saw her at night?&#8221;
+asked Alvin of their director.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall have to decide our course of
+action by what develops.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;SLOW down,&#8221; 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>&#8220;If that boat should happen to come
+out while we are in sight,&#8221; added Calvert,
+&#8220;pass up the river, as if you had no interest
+in it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But if it should happen to be there?&#8221;
+said Alvin, repeating the question he had
+asked before.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We can&#8217;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.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;If the spalpeens are there, will ye let
+&#8217;em have a sight of yersilf?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Here&#8217;s where the <i>Water Witch</i> lay,&#8221;
+said Alvin. &#8220;Do you wish to land, Mr.
+Calvert?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He was standing up and scrutinizing the
+little plot as they glided along the shore,
+but discovered nothing of interest.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; there&#8217;s no call to stop; we may as
+well go back.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do ye obsarve that six-masted schooner
+wid its nose poked under the bushes in the
+hope of escaping notice?&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;That must belong to somebody who
+lives in the neighborhood.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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>&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;be on the level,&#8221; or the Captain
+would have nothing to do with him or
+his plans.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The first proof I get that he is playing
+double,&#8221; muttered Alvin, &#8220;I&#8217;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&#8217;ll do everything I can
+to have him punished.&#8221;
+</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&#8217; 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>&#8220;That looks like the boat we are hunting
+for.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It&#8217;s the <i>Water Witch</i>!&#8221; 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>&#8220;How many passengers do ye obsarve
+on the same frigate? It seems to me there
+be only two.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is all that are visible,&#8221; replied
+Chester, holding the glass still leveled.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Thin they must be them two that we
+had the shindy wid the ither night!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Undoubtedly; in fact I recognize the
+one you pointed out at Boothbay.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And the ither must be the ither one.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is every reason to believe so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thin&mdash;&mdash;I say, Captain,&#8221; said the agitated
+Mike, turning to Alvin, &#8220;would ye
+be kind enough to run up alongside that
+ship?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why do you wish me to do that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish&mdash;that is&mdash;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&mdash;that&#8217;s all. Come
+now, Cap, be obliging,&#8221; continued Mike, in
+a wheedling tone which did not deceive his
+superior officer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&mdash;I say, Cap, ye&#8217;re
+losing vallyble time, fur we&#8217;re passing each
+ither fast.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Mike&mdash;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 &#8216;conversation&#8217;
+with Mr. Noxon or his companion, but this
+isn&#8217;t the right way to go about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope ye didn&#8217;t suspict that I had any
+intintion of saying harsh wurruds to them,
+Cap!&#8221; protested the Irish youth, in grieved
+tones.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Look just behind the fellow who is
+steering. He&#8217;s Noxon, I&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;If you see anything, be careful to let
+no one besides me know what it is.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Maybe you can discover something,&#8221;
+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>&#8220;Did you notice anything special?&#8221; asked
+Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw nothing but those two young
+men, with whom as I learn from the Captain
+he had an affray some nights ago.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></p>
+<p>Chester leaned over and whispered to
+Alvin:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw it plainly.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A man crouching down among the
+seats as Calvert did and peering over like
+him.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s</i> whistle
+sent out a series of piping toots.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the meaning of that?&#8221;
+asked Chester of Detective Calvert, who
+had quietly resumed his seat in one of the
+wicker chairs in front of the youth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a challenge to a race.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I accept it,&#8221; 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. &#8220;If that boat can outrun
+me I want to know it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be keerful ye don&#8217;t run over him,&#8221;
+cautioned Mike, catching the excitement,
+&#8220;as Tam McMurray said whin he started
+to overtake a locomotive.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Are you doing your best?&#8221; asked Calvert,
+watching the actions of the youthful
+Captain.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I am making about two-thirds of
+the other&#8217;s speed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then don&#8217;t do any better, is my advice,&#8221;
+said the detective.
+</p>
+<p>Alvin glanced over his shoulder.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I agree with Mr. Calvert,&#8221; 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 &#8220;put on more steam.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you wish me to let her get away
+from us?&#8221; asked Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not for the present, but that may be
+the best course. Hold your own for awhile
+and then gradually fall back.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Those two young fellows have a man
+with them,&#8221; remarked Calvert. &#8220;He tried
+to keep out of sight when we first met,
+but now he doesn&#8217;t seem to care. You
+can see him plainly without the help of
+the glasses.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span></p>
+<p>Such was the fact, and Chester said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They must know that we also have a
+friend with us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see that it matters either way.
+I think you are gaining.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But not half fast enough,&#8221; added Mike,
+who was standing and impatient to beat
+their opponent. &#8220;We must come up wid
+the spalpeens before they git to Boothbay.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are not heading for Boothbay,&#8221;
+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 &#8220;pony of the Kennebec&#8221;&mdash;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>&#8220;They&#8217;re gaining!&#8221; exclaimed Chester,
+who was closely watching the progress of
+the racers. &#8220;Do you mean to let them get
+away, Alvin?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Calvert will answer that question.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do so by advising that you neither
+gain nor lose for the present.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It&#8217;s mesilf that hasn&#8217;t any inflooence
+here,&#8221; he reflected, &#8220;as I obsarved to mysilf
+whin dad and mither agreed that a
+thundering big licking was due me.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Can you overhaul her?&#8221; asked Detective
+Calvert.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Easiest thing in the world; I can shoot
+past her as if she were lying still.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, don&#8217;t do it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike could remain silent no longer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;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&#8217;s
+the style I used to run races wid the ither
+boys at school, but the raison was I couldn&#8217;t
+help it. If ye&#8217;ll allow me to utter a few
+words of wisdom I&#8217;ll do the same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin nodded his head.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is that ye signal to that pirut ahead
+to wait and give us a tow, being that&#8217;s the
+only way we can howld our own wid &#8217;em.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;You see,&#8221; said Chester gravely, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike glared at the speaker, as if doubting
+the evidence of his ears.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Phwat is that ye&#8217;re saying?&#8221; he demanded.
+&#8220;Isn&#8217;t that the dearest object of
+yer heart? I shall niver die contint till I
+squar&#8217; matters wid &#8217;em, and ye knows the
+same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You forget,&#8221; added Calvert, with the
+same seriousness, &#8220;that they have a full-grown
+man to help them out.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And haven&#8217;t we a full-grown man wid
+us, as me dad said whin he inthrodooced
+me to his friends at Donnybrook, I being
+&#8217;liven years old? Begorra, I&#8217;m thinking we
+haven&#8217;t any such person on boord.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I wonder if there isn&#8217;t some tub along
+the shore that&#8217;ll put out and run us down.
+I hope, Captain, that whin we git back
+home ye&#8217;ll kaap this a secret from dad.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;ll sure give me the greatest walloping
+of me life.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For what reason?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For consoorting wid a party that run
+away from the finest chance in the wurrld
+for a shindy. It&#8217;s a sin that can be wiped
+out in no ither way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll explain to him,&#8221; said Calvert,
+&#8220;that you couldn&#8217;t help yourself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s mighty little difference that
+will make, as Terry McCarthy said when
+he had the ch&#8217;ice of foighting two Tipperary
+byes or three Corkonians.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t your father prefer to have us
+bring you home safe and unhurt rather
+than to have your beauty battered out of
+you?&#8221; 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>&#8220;Ye haven&#8217;t the honor of an acquaintance
+wid me dad.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t that lucky now!&#8221; was the sarcastic
+exclamation of Mike.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why?&#8221; asked Chester.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He wants to hilp ye fall back further
+behind the ither boat.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There may be something in that,&#8221; 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 &#8220;pull&#8221; 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>&#8220;I suggist that ye turn about, Captain,
+and scoot for home,&#8221; was the ironical advice
+of the Irish youth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For what reason?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;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&#8217;d jar us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better wait, Captain, till he&#8217;s a little
+farther off,&#8221; advised Calvert; &#8220;there may
+be something in what Michael says.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;But ain&#8217;t we lucky?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why so?&#8221; asked Calvert.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If we hadn&#8217;t been stopped at the
+bridge the ither boat might have broke
+down and we&#8217;d come up wid the same, and
+those chaps would have give us all a good
+spanking.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am glad you are becoming so prudent,&#8221;
+said Calvert, with an approving nod.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span>
+&#8220;We must take Michael with us whenever
+we are likely to run into danger. Captain,
+if you don&#8217;t mind, you might tune up your
+boat a bit.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better wait,&#8221; suggested Mike, &#8220;fur ye
+might gain on t&#8217;other one.&#8221;
+</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&mdash;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&mdash;probably the limit&mdash;and gone so
+far that by still keeping near the shore
+she had placed several miles behind her&mdash;enough
+to carry her out of the field of
+vision.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Keep it up till we catch sight of her
+again,&#8221; suggested Calvert. &#8220;I believe there
+are no more bridges between us and Wiscasset.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;You may as well slow down,&#8221; 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>&#8220;What do you make of it?&#8221; asked Alvin,
+turning his head, as the pace became
+slower than before.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have passed the other boat; she
+is behind us instead of in front.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What shall we do?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For hiven&#8217;s sake don&#8217;t go back,&#8221; protested
+Mike. &#8220;Ye might find her&mdash;and
+then what would become of ye?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The detective now gave his view of the
+situation.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If we should turn round and find that
+boat, those on board would know we were
+looking for them. We don&#8217;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&#8217;s all there
+is to it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Calvert looked at his watch.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is near noon; if you all feel as I do
+you would welcome a good dinner.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the most sensible sense that I&#8217;ve
+heerd since we started,&#8221; remarked Mike,
+who was as hungry as his companions.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not a long run to Wiscasset,&#8221;
+said Alvin; &#8220;and there&#8217;s more than one
+good hotel there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m thinking that at the speed ye&#8217;re
+going, we&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall pass several landings, and
+there are farmhouses along shore where
+I&#8217;m sure the folks will be glad to accommodate
+us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The others were not much impressed
+with Mike&#8217;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>&#8220;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&#8217;t
+mind explaining them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall be glad to do so, if it is prudent
+at this time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The detective smiled, and smoked a
+minute or two before replying.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t explain at
+this point, I came to the belief last night
+that it was time we made common cause.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It strikes me as a poor promise,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I&#8217;ll walk up to the house and have a
+talk with the gintleman,&#8221; said Mike, stepping
+carefully out upon the boards. &#8220;Do
+I look hungry?&#8221; he asked of Alvin, who
+replied:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You always have that expression.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad to hear it, fur I wish to impriss
+the gintleman that that&#8217;s my condition.
+I&#8217;ll assoom a weak, hisitating walk.
+Do ye abide here aginst me return and
+repoort.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;He must be so cheered at sight of me
+that he is obleeged to give exprission to
+his feelings&mdash;Begorra!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Sick him, Nick! Sick him!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And the dog proceeded to &#8220;go for&#8221; 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&#8217;s anatomy.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is going to be a shindy sure, as
+Micky Rooney said when he tackled five
+p&#8217;licemen&mdash;and I haven&#8217;t even a shillaleh
+in hand.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Sick him, Nick! Sick him!&#8221; 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&#8217;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>&#8220;I don&#8217;t intend that Mike shall get into
+trouble.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As he spoke, he laid his hand on his
+hip pocket where reposed his revolver.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It looks as if it&#8217;s the dog that is in
+trouble,&#8221; replied Alvin, his cheek tingling
+with pride at sight of the bravery of his
+comrade.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If he had to fight only one brute I
+shouldn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t mean to shoot the fellow?&#8221;
+said the alarmed Captain.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It won&#8217;t be necessary,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Drop that dog!&#8221; he shouted, striding
+after Mike, who called back:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll drop him as soon as I raich the
+river.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Now for the next dog and it&#8217;s mesilf
+that is ready fur him.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Stop! he&#8217;s my friend!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He raised one hand, palm outward by
+way of emphasis of his warning words.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who are you?&#8221; 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>&#8220;Come on and you&#8217;ll learn!&#8221; 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
+&#8220;magic circle&#8221; 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&#8217;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 &#8220;manly art.&#8221; 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&#8217;s face, and gathered
+himself to strike again, when&mdash;&mdash;
+</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>&#8220;You have killed him!&#8221; whispered the
+scared Captain.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;s
+become of that dog?&#8221; 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>&#8220;He&#8217;s come to the belief that it&#8217;s a
+good time to adjourn, as me cousin said
+whin someone blowed up the stump on
+which he was risting his weary body.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we have had enough foraging
+along the river,&#8221; remarked Captain Alvin,
+who re-entered the boat and resumed his
+place at the wheel. &#8220;We dine at Wiscasset.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not partic&#8217;lar as to the place,&#8221; said
+Mike, &#8220;if only we dine.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I asks the privilege of a shake of yours.
+I apologize for thinking ye didn&#8217;t like a
+shindy as well as the rest of us. I&#8217;m sorry
+for me mistake, as me uncle said, whin he
+inthroodoced dad to a party of leddies as
+a gintleman. I couldn&#8217;t have done better
+mesilf.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The smiling officer cordially accepted the
+proffer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;P-raps, but he would have found me
+hard to digist. Do ye obsarve?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;He is recovering quicker than I expected,&#8221;
+was the only remark Calvert
+made, as he turned his back upon the fellow
+and gave his attention to lighting another
+cigar.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t obsarve in time to avoid
+the same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s coming round all right,&#8221; said Calvert,
+referring to the man they had left
+behind, though he did not glance at him.
+&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was not necessary to tell Chester
+and me that, but I suppose you wish to
+run no risk that can be avoided.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s it; I did not doubt your loyalty,
+but you know we can&#8217;t be too careful.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike was leaning back in his chair deeply
+thinking.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s one waak p&#8217;int in the plan
+suggisted.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Inasmuch as no one had submitted a
+plan the three wondered.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Me friend doesn&#8217;t wish us to tell anyone
+that he&#8217;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 &#8217;spicions will be stirred.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The point is well taken. I don&#8217;t wish
+you to tell an untruth&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure the task is not difficult fur the
+Captain and second mate,&#8221; interrupted
+Mike, &#8220;though it&#8217;s beyond me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you can evade a direct reply.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I vinture upon another suggistion?&#8221;
+asked Mike.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall all be glad to hear it, I&#8217;m
+sure.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Without waiting for questions to be
+asked, I&#8217;ll step up to ivery one that I
+obsarve casting an inquiring eye over ye
+and say ye&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A brilliant idea!&#8221; laughed the officer.
+&#8220;All I ask is that you give no truthful
+information about me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye doesn&#8217;t objict to my telling folks
+how ye laid out that Goliah a bit ago?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I prefer you should not mention it.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></p>
+<p>Mike sighed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, have ye no pride of family, as Tam
+O&#8217;Toole used to say whin mintioning the
+fact that all his five brithers were in jail,
+where Tarn himsilf ought to have been?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I may add,&#8221; continued the man, &#8220;that
+it is quite likely we shall soon part company.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike affected to be surprised.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Doesn&#8217;t the Captain pay ye &#8217;nough
+wages?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have no fault to find on that score.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad to larn that. If he requires ye
+to do too much dooty, I&#8217;ll hilp ye out, the
+bist I can.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I promise to call upon you if necessary,
+Mike, but I hope I shall not be obliged to
+do so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have been wondering since we started,&#8221;
+said Alvin over his shoulder, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye forgits how anxious the Captain was
+not to overtake her,&#8221; reminded Mike.
+&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should say that after so long a chase
+he would have given up disgusted,&#8221; replied
+the detective.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was not that; it was &#8217;cause he found
+the tracks were becooming too fresh.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think, Mike, that you are in
+danger of being accused of that,&#8221; ventured
+Chester, &#8220;because you are always fresh&mdash;you
+are never <i>becoming</i> so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You seem quite sure that these three
+whom we saw in the launch are mixed up
+in these post office robberies?&#8221; asked Alvin.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It shtrikes me that the most important
+quistion of all has been sittled.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The puzzling feature of that business,&#8221;
+said Alvin, &#8220;is that when you meet those
+two fellows again, you will not have Mr.
+Calvert along to protect you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike stared as if he failed to catch the
+meaning of this astounding remark.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Plaise say that agin, Captain, and say
+it slow like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin&#8217;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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;She is miles off down stream,&#8221; was the
+remark of the officer, &#8220;and for the present
+is out of the running.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;The two are acquaintances,&#8221; was the
+conclusion of the lad, &#8220;and they don&#8217;t
+wish anyone else to know it.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I am sure, Mike, you never had any
+such feasts in the old country.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;A message and its reply,&#8221; was the
+thought of Chester, &#8220;but I have no idea of
+what they mean. Mr. Calvert doesn&#8217;t
+wish me to see anything and I won&#8217;t let
+him know I do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Mike made his response to
+the inquiring remark of Calvert:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye&#8217;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not quite sure I grasp your meaning,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span>
+Mike,&#8221; was the reply, while Alvin and
+Chester looked up.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;ll
+show ye what I meant by the sinsible
+inquiry.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Among the different articles of food
+on the table was a dish of &#8220;murphy&#8221;
+potatoes with their &#8220;jackets&#8221; 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>&#8220;There&#8217;s the heart of an Irishman&mdash;Begoora!
+but I&#8217;m mistook!&#8221; 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&#8217;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>&#8220;You&#8217;re right, young man! You showed
+us the heart of a real Irishman!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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&#8217;s all the same to yees, we&#8217;ll
+now give our attintion to disposing of the
+remaining stuff on the boord.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It&#8217;ll be a sorry day whin I can&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Chester thought the unanimous merriment
+caused by Mike&#8217;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&#8217;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>&#8220;If he chooses to explain I must wait
+until he is ready,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I shall have to bid you good-by for
+awhile.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why is that?&#8221; asked the Captain, in
+surprise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You remember I told you it was likely,
+but I hope soon to meet you all again.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It is plain,&#8221; said Alvin, &#8220;that although
+Calvert told us a good many things about
+himself, there is a good deal more he didn&#8217;t
+tell.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you make of it all?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That man who was in the dining room
+with us may have been another detective
+or&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Or what?&#8221; asked Chester, observing the
+hesitation.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am ashamed to confess it, but such
+has been my fear at times. And yet,&#8221;
+the Captain hastened to add, as if regretting
+his unworthy thoughts, &#8220;it seems
+impossible, when we call to mind all he
+did and how he has acted from the first of
+our acquaintance with him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Chester was thoughtful for a moment
+or two.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t deny that more than one
+thing he has done&mdash;such as following us
+from Sawyer Island to the inlet where the
+<i>Water Witch</i> lay, and his behavior on the
+road&mdash;had a queer look. But what&#8217;s the use
+of speculating about it? Sooner or later
+we shall know the truth, and, if we don&#8217;t,
+I can&#8217;t say I much care. Which course will
+you take in going home?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t any choice; have you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose then you follow Back River,
+and around Cape Newagen home. That&#8217;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&#8216;n&#8217;t get there before dark.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you any reason for the choice?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Do you think the launch was injured
+by that spurt this forenoon?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Somehow or other, it seems to me she
+isn&#8217;t running exactly right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is wrong?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t put my finger on it; I may say
+I <i>feel</i> it&mdash;that&#8217;s all.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t and
+am waiting for it to develop, hoping all
+the time it won&#8217;t&mdash;hello! there it comes!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>While the speed of the boat was not
+affected, the engine began hissing with
+vicious persistency.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take the wheel, Chester, while I look
+around.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;ve found it!&#8221; he called to Chester.
+&#8220;It&#8217;s an open compression cup, which is
+easily fixed; I am glad it is nothing worse.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It seems to me safe to give her more
+speed,&#8221; said Chester. &#8220;At this rate we
+sha&#8216;n&#8217;t reach home until late at night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right; turn on more power&mdash;no,
+don&#8217;t! <i>Ouch!</i>&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Shut her off! The mischief is to pay.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Knowing from the gesture of the Captain
+what was the matter, Chester asked,
+as he obeyed the request:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What causes that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin scrutinized the eastern bank, which
+is the upper portion of Westport, and much
+nearer than Wiscasset township opposite.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The turning of the boat naturally stirred
+Mike&#8217;s curiosity and he came back to
+learn the cause, which was soon explained
+to him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye have me consint, since I obsarve
+there&#8217;s a bit of a town not far off where
+we can git enough food to keep off starvation.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Being as mesilf ain&#8217;t indispinsable just
+now, &#8217;spose I strolls up to the city nixt
+door and make a few more new acquaintances.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is no objection to that,&#8221; replied
+the Captain, &#8220;but be sure to come back
+before dark.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Now we must find whether that is
+caused by a cylinder missing fire and
+pumping the gas into the muffler.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How will that do it?&#8221; asked Chester,
+who, while a good motor boat pilot, possessed
+less practical knowledge than his
+chum.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;At last!&#8221; said Alvin, with a sigh of
+relief. &#8220;And now we are ready to go home.
+But where is Mike?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;m mighty glad,&#8221; said the Captain,
+&#8220;for a fellow can&#8217;t do much of this in the
+dark, and I was bothered a good deal as
+it was.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It strikes me that you will be running
+into danger by going down the river to-night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is no moon until late. Suppose
+the launch should break down when we
+were well out in Sheepscot Bay, wouldn&#8217;t
+we be in a fix?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but I hope she is through breaking
+down for some time to come.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do I, but why take the risk, when
+there&#8217;s no necessity for it?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We aren&#8217;t fixed to sleep on board,
+though we could do it in a pinch, for the
+weather is mild.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;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&#8217;m as hungry as I was at dinner to-day in
+Wiscasset.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The plan is a good one, though I don&#8217;t
+like to leave the boat by itself till morning.
+You know what happened the other
+night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That won&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mike ought to have been back before
+this,&#8221; said the Captain, with a touch of
+impatience. &#8220;Unless he has a good excuse
+I shall demote him, by making you first
+mate.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is a dazzling promise you hold before
+me, but it won&#8217;t be fair to condemn Mike
+unheard. Give him a chance.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;Hands up!&#8221; 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>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you hear me?&#8221; demanded Alvin
+fiercely, as he strode forward with the
+grinning Chester at his elbow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If ye&#8217;ll be kind enough to spell out the
+words I&#8217;ll think &#8217;em over and let ye know
+me decision to-morrer,&#8221; 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>&#8220;What kept you so long?&#8221; asked Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I spint the time in making acquaintances,
+and before I knowed it, night had
+descinded. I &#8217;spose there&#8217;s about two
+thousand folks in Beartown as they call it,
+and I know &#8217;em all excipt two or three,
+the same being out of town.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is so late,&#8221; said the Captain, &#8220;that
+we have decided to stay here overnight&mdash;that
+is, if we can get lodgings.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrah, now, that&#8217;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&#8217;t a hotel
+in Beartown.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then we shall have to go back to the
+boat and either start down the river or
+bunk in as best we can.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of the kind; supper is waiting
+and ye&#8217;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&#8217;ining woodshed. Come on and I&#8217;ll
+show ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be sensible for once in your life,&#8221; said
+Alvin, &#8220;and explain matters.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t that what I&#8217;m doing?&#8221; asked Mike,
+as he turned about and the three walked
+toward the sleepy little town.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;d talked awhile, we found we was
+relatives. What have ye to say to that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is impossible. What&#8217;s her name?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Friestone and her daughter is
+Nora. It was that name that set me wits
+to work. Ye see the leddy thinks&mdash;that
+is, after I suggisted the same&mdash;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;St. Patrick died fifteen hundred years
+ago,&#8221; said Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thin I &#8217;spose he must be purty dead
+by this time, but that isn&#8217;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&#8217;yage. The owld lady doesn&#8217;t
+dispoot me, but is inclined to belave the
+same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But where do we come in?&#8221; asked
+Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&mdash;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&#8217;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
+&#8217;em. Thus the way has been opened for
+ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So it would seem, if a tenth part of
+what you say is true,&#8221; 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 &#8220;Post
+Office&#8221; 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 &#8220;Michael Murphy, lately from Tipperary.&#8221;
+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 &#8220;M&#8221; 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>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t seem to have arrived; probably
+it will come in the next mail.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike&#8217;s genial face became the picture of
+disappointment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s mighty qu&#8217;ar. The Duke promised
+he would write me two waaks ago
+from his castle and return the five pounds
+I loaned him. Ye can&#8217;t thrust the nobility.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry,&#8221; said the sympathetic postmistress,
+&#8220;but I don&#8217;t see how I can help
+you. Have patience and all will come
+right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s yersilf I&#8217;m blaming,
+though onraisoning folks are inclined that
+way. The matter of a little money doesn&#8217;t
+consarn me, but it&#8217;s the aboose of me
+confidence.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s face was as mirthful as Mike&#8217;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>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will one be all you want?&#8221; asked the
+miss. &#8220;We can furnish you with a dozen
+as well as a single barrow. How much
+would you like to pay?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have to wait to consoolt me partners,&#8221;
+he replied, while nature did her best
+to deepen the blush on his broad countenance.
+&#8220;Ye see it&#8217;s them that has to
+do the work fur me, and it&#8217;s only fair on
+me side to let them have something to say
+about the ch&#8217;ice of tools. What do ye
+think yersilf?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think you haven&#8217;t any wish to buy
+a wheelbarrow, that you haven&#8217;t the money
+to pay for it, and I know we haven&#8217;t one
+in the store&mdash;so I think further that there
+won&#8217;t be any sale so far as wheelbarrows are
+concerned.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Begorra! ye were too much for me that
+time. If ye&#8217;ll not think me impudent, I
+beg the privilege of shaking hands wid ye.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I am afraid, Nora, you were rude to
+the gentleman,&#8221; she said in her silvery
+voice.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a bit!&#8221; was the hearty response
+of Mike. &#8220;I got it that time where the
+chicken got the axe&mdash;which the same is
+in the neck. It was a fair hit and I desarved
+more, though no one could give it
+to me.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;They may repair it and go home,&#8221;
+suggested Nora.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That will make no difference, for I
+sha&#8216;n&#8217;t return to them till night comes and
+then they&#8217;ll have no ch&#8217;ice.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They may not wait for you,&#8221; said
+Nora.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Little fear of their laving widout me,
+so nothing will be done till I arrive, as
+Brian O&#8217;Lynn said when he was walking forth
+to be hanged.&#8221;
+<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&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;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, &#8220;Twenty-five
+hundred,&#8221; and she replied &#8220;Very well.&#8221;
+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&mdash;though of course the youth did
+not see this&mdash;was written in a large, round
+hand, &#8220;C. Jasper, $2500.&#8221;
+</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, &#8220;G. H. Kupfer&mdash;$1250.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will please give me a receipt,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I cannot do that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not? It&#8217;s simple business.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&mdash;such as
+my death&mdash;my folks would be put to great
+trouble to get this money.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well,&#8221; replied the caller, with a
+nervous laugh, &#8220;have it as you please.
+I have left money with you before and
+haven&#8217;t suffered. But say&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Who is he?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A young gentleman.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like his looks.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I advise you not to look at him,&#8221;
+was the reply.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How long is he going to hang round the
+store?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know anything about the two?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have never seen them, and I never
+saw this young gentleman till this afternoon.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Please hand that package back,&#8221; 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>&#8220;If I may be so bowld I should like to
+know what ye are laughing at,&#8221; said Mike,
+who could feel no resentment toward the
+merry young miss.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We both heard what he said,&#8221; she
+replied as soon as she could command her
+voice.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Being I faal like a firecracker that has
+jest been teched off, I suspict I caught his
+loving remarks consarning mesilf.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will you tell me something truly&mdash;upon
+your word of honor&mdash;take your dying
+oath?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That I will, ye may depind upon the
+same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you a real post office robber?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Do ye insist on me answering yer
+quistion?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do,&#8221; she replied, with an expression
+of tremendous solemnity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I&#8217;ll hev to own that I&#8217;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&#8217;ve been in the bus&#8217;ness
+iver since the year one and me home
+is Murthersville at the head of Murthersville
+Creek in Murthersville County.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Rising from his chair, Mike bowed low.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I thrust I have answered yer quistions
+satisfactorily, Miss.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You couldn&#8217;t have done better&mdash;hello,
+Jim!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>This salutation was to a big gawky boy,
+who slouched through the door, with the
+announcement:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wal, I&#8217;m ready: what shall I do?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who&#8217;s yer frind?&#8221; asked Mike of Nora.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He comes round each morning to take
+out and place the things on the porch in
+front and brings them in again each evening&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jim,&#8221; said Mike, addressing the gaping
+youngster, &#8220;ye&#8217;re discharged fur to-night.
+I&#8217;m doing yer job for the avening, but you
+git your wages just the same.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Yaws,&#8221; he said, with a silly grin, looking
+at the coin and then clasping it tight;
+&#8220;what do yuh warnt me to dew?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t git gay on the road and buy a horse
+and wagon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws, but&mdash;uh&mdash;I don&#8217;t understand
+what yuh am drivin&#8217; at.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye don&#8217;t understand anything in this
+wurruld and by yer looks niver will.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He means, Jim,&#8221; interposed Nora, &#8220;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&#8217;s plain
+enough, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws&mdash;but what did he give me so
+much money fur? I hain&#8217;t done nothin&#8217;
+to earn it; I don&#8217;t understand it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We all know that. Come wid me,
+James.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Now, James, tell me where ye live.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws, what fur?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Cause I asked ye; out wid it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The lad pointed a crooked finger down the
+street to the left.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, see how quick ye can git thar.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span>
+Don&#8217;t look back, and whin ye tumbles over
+the doorsill, tell yer mither ye won&#8217;t have
+any wurruk to do here until to-morrer
+mornin&#8217;.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yaws, I understand&mdash;why didn&#8217;t ye
+say so afore?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Cause ye wouldn&#8217;t have understood if
+I did. Off wid ye!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Now, Miss Nora, if ye&#8217;ll tell me where
+ye want these things placed, I shall be
+honored by carrying &#8217;em in fur ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike stood in the front door and looked
+down the big store to Nora, at the rear,
+who called:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Set them in the back part of the room
+right here where I&#8217;m standing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How can I put &#8217;em there, if ye stand
+there?&#8221; asked Mike.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I expect to get out of your way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yaws,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I think,&#8221; said the daughter when Mike
+had completed his work, which took only
+a few minutes, &#8220;you have earned your
+supper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221; 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>&#8220;Surely you have kissed the blarney
+stone, Mike.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I would have done the same had the
+chance been mine, which it wasn&#8217;t. Is
+there any more play that ye call wurruk
+which I can do fur the likes of ye?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing more, thank you. Nora and
+I will now close the store and attend to
+preparing supper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;ll bring me frinds to enj&#8217;y the
+same.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Supper will be ready in a few minutes,&#8221;
+she said. &#8220;Nora will entertain you in the
+parlor until I call you.&#8221;
+<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&#8217;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 &#8220;Mike,&#8221;
+not &#8220;Michael.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I never knew such a funny person,&#8221;
+said Nora, after one of his quaint remarks.
+&#8220;Mother and I took to him from the first.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I find it&#8217;s a common wakeness whereiver
+I go,&#8221; said Mike gravely.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We find him fairly good company,&#8221;
+said Alvin. &#8220;He seems to have been born
+that way and we can hardly blame him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He tries our patience very much,&#8221;
+added Chester, &#8220;but we have learned to
+bear the affliction.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish you all lived in Beartown,&#8221;
+said Nora impulsively, &#8220;and that Mike
+would call to see us every day.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whisht, now,&#8221; said he, lowering his
+voice. &#8220;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&#8217;ll come to tarms, being there&#8217;s
+only a difference of a thrifle of five or six
+thousand dollars in the price.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Now,&#8221; said she as she rose from the
+stool and looked at Mike, &#8220;you must sing
+for us, for I know you can.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, Mike, show them what you
+can do in that line,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Listen!&#8221; she added when they had
+stood motionless for a few seconds; &#8220;do
+you hear that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do; it is wonderful.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was the voice of some one singing
+&#8220;Mavourneen,&#8221; 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 &#8220;impassable
+chasm,&#8221; 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>&#8220;There he is!&#8221; said the man, in a low
+tone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where?&#8221; asked his companion, with
+eager curiosity.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;To the right, in front of that group
+which has gathered round him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I see him now. Why, he is only a boy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A pretty big one. But hark!&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s
+voice was &#8220;infernally good.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Louis,&#8221; said the prima donna, after
+the silence had lasted some minutes and
+the various groups began dissolving, &#8220;I
+want you to bring that boy to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, my dear, he is a second class
+passenger.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What of that? He has a divine gift
+in his voice. I must meet him.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I wish to shake hands with you,&#8221; she
+said in her frank, winning manner, &#8220;and
+to tell you how much we all enjoyed your
+singing of &#8216;Mavourneen.&#8217;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The confused lad doffed his cap and
+bowed with awkward grace.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was mesilf that feared I was disturbing
+yer slumbers, which if it be the
+fact I beg yer pardon fur the same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Disturbing our slumbers! Did you hear
+that, Louis?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And the artist&#8217;s musical laughter rang
+out. More soberly she asked:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will you tell me your name?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mike Murphy&mdash;not Michael as some
+ignorant persons call it&mdash;and I&#8217;m from Tipperary,
+in the County of Tipperary, and the
+town is a hundred miles from Dublin&mdash;thank
+ye kindly, leddy.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you alone?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;How can I be alone, whin I&#8217;m standing
+in the prisence of the swatest lady on
+boord the steamer, wid her father at her
+elbow?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>How the prima donna laughed!
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Louis, he thinks you are my father,
+when you are my twin brother! It&#8217;s delicious.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It may be for you, but not for me,&#8221;
+he grimly answered, though scarcely less
+pleased than she over the pointed compliment
+to her.
+</p>
+<p>Addressing Mike, the lady said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have a wonderfully fine tenor
+voice: do you know that, Mike?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do <i>now</i>, since yersilf has told me,
+though ye make me blush.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you travelling alone?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Miss; I&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you had any instruction in music
+or the cultivation of your voice?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;ice, the
+cultivation I&#8217;ve resaved has been in shouting
+at the cows when they wint astray or
+at the pigs whin they broke out of the stye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How would you like to become an opera
+singer, Mike?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He recoiled, and, though he knew the
+meaning of the question, he asked:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And phwat does ye mane by &#8216;opera&#8217;?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It is very kind of you, leddy, and I&#8217;m
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span>
+sorry I can&#8217;t accipt, as Terence Gallagher
+said whin the mob invited him out to be
+hanged.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why not?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, let that go for the present. I
+wish you to come and see me to-morrow at
+ten o&#8217;clock. Will you do so?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How can I refoos?&#8221; asked Mike, who
+would have been glad to back out. &#8220;Who
+is it that I shall ask fur whin I vinture on
+this part of the boat?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Stand right here beside me,&#8221; she said
+with pleasant imperiousness. &#8220;I will play
+the accompaniment while you sing &#8216;Mavourneen.&#8217;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m that scared, me leddy, that I
+couldn&#8217;t sing a word.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tut, tut&mdash;none of that. Come, try!&#8221;
+and she struck several notes on the instrument.
+</p>
+<p>Mike&#8217;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>&#8220;You are not through yet; I must test
+your voice further. Can you sing any other
+songs?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have thried a few.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Name them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t ricollect them at this moment,
+but there&#8217;s &#8216;Oft in the Stilly Night&#8217; and&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That will do; it is one of Tom Moore&#8217;s
+prettiest. Are you ready?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Night Shall be Filled with Music</span>&#8221;</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&#8217;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;'>&#8220;The harp that once through Tara&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;s thrill is o&#8217;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.&#8221;</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&mdash;the most
+sincere tribute possible&mdash;he sang the old
+favorite &#8220;Mavourneen,&#8221; and at its conclusion
+&#8220;Annie Laurie,&#8221; 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 &#8220;Oh!&#8221; bounded across the
+floor, threw her dimpled arms about his
+neck and kissed him on the cheek.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You darling! You sing like an angel!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing could be sweeter,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Ye&#8217;re very kind. It&#8217;s mesilf is glad me
+efforts seemed to plaise ye, though I&#8217;m in
+doubt as to the Captain and second mate.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin walked silently across the floor
+and reached out his hand.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad to know ye,&#8221; replied Mike, with
+a grin, looking up in the face that had
+actually turned slightly pale. &#8220;What is yer
+name, plaise?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Chester joined his chum.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mike, Alvin and I were silent, for we
+didn&#8217;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&#8217;t equal you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Equal him!&#8221; sniffed the Captain. &#8220;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&#8217;ll give him the
+choice to sing for us or to be killed.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p>
+<p>Chester asked reprovingly:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you let us know about
+this before?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye didn&#8217;t ask me, and what could be
+the difference if ye didn&#8217;t find it out? Ye
+wouldn&#8217;t have larned the same if Nora and
+her mither hadn&#8217;t insisted that I should
+entertain them, as I tried to do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are a queer make-up,&#8221; replied
+Alvin, with a laugh.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Since ye are the leader, Captain, of yer
+quartette at school, it&#8217;s up to ye to obleege
+the company wid something in their line.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Nora added her entreaties.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We know you can do very well, Alvin,
+though of course not half so well as Mike,
+for <i>nobody</i> can do that,&#8221; was the naïve
+argument of the miss.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir,&#8221; said Alvin emphatically, and,
+assuming deep solemnity, he raised his
+hand. &#8220;I vow that I will never, never sing
+in Mike&#8217;s presence. I can stand a joke as
+well as most persons, but that is the limit.
+Here&#8217;s Chester, however. He will be glad
+to give Mike a few lessons.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Mike, can you play the accompaniment
+to &#8216;Greenville&#8217;?&#8221; he asked.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How does it go? Hum the same fur
+me so I can catch it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Chester stood up and &#8220;hummed,&#8221; but
+without the slightest resemblance to any
+tune that the others had ever heard.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That gits me,&#8221; commented Mike, &#8220;as
+Teddy O&#8217;Rourke said whin the p&#8217;liceman
+grabbed him. If ye&#8217;ll sthrike in I&#8217;ll do my
+best to keep wid ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir; I decline to play second fiddle
+to anyone,&#8221; and Chester resumed his seat
+as if in high dudgeon.
+</p>
+<p>At this moment Nora asked of Mike:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you ever make up music for yourself?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have tried once or twice, but didn&#8217;t
+do much.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please sing us something of your
+own.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 &#8217;em. I furgot the
+same till after she had gone, but I&#8217;ll make
+the effort if ye all won&#8217;t be too hard on me.&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;The Sweet
+Long Ago.&#8221;
+</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&mdash;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>&#8220;Thank you, Mike,&#8221; 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&#8217;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>&#8220;Not after Mike,&#8221; 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>&#8220;In a few minutes he&#8217;ll be asleep and will
+tumble off his chair.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afeard ye&#8217;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&mdash;ye won&#8217;t
+forgit, Miss Nora, that I&#8217;m <i>first</i> mate of
+the battleship <i>Deerfut</i>.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I think you will find everything as you
+wish.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It couldn&#8217;t be itherwise, whin it&#8217;s yersilf
+that has provided the same. Be that
+token, we&#8217;re getting more than we desarve.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing could be finer,&#8221; added Alvin,
+glancing round the lighted room. &#8220;It&#8217;s as
+neat as a pin and we shall sleep the sleep
+of the just.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I suppose this belonged to the captain,&#8221;
+said Chester inquiringly. The widow
+nodded her head.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it did good service&mdash;that is certain,&#8221;
+added Chester, with his companions
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span>
+beside him scrutinizing the weapon. &#8220;But
+it seems to have been injured.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She smiled faintly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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,&#8221; she added,
+with a sigh, &#8220;it is very precious to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am sure of that,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I thank you for what you did to-night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I beg ye don&#8217;t mintion it&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Good night and pleasant dreams,&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;I say, Captain, are ye aslaap?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I ought to be, but I was never wider
+awake.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How about the second mate?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The same here,&#8221; was the reply from
+that individual.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish to obsarve that I&#8217;m engaged
+just now in thinking, byes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thinking of what?&#8221; asked Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Spose them post office robbers should
+pay this place a visit.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What in the world put that in your
+head?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t the same thought come to ye,
+Captain?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I must admit it did.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And how is it with the second mate?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It has troubled me, too, Mike.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I can see no real cause for misgiving,&#8221;
+added Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We know the <i>Water Witch</i> is somewhere
+in the neighborhood,&#8221; remarked Chester,
+to which his chum replied:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What could attract them to a small
+office like this? They hunt for bigger
+game.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a good lot of money in the safe
+downstairs,&#8221; said Mike. &#8220;&#8217;Twas mesilf
+that obsarved one of the leddy&#8217;s callers
+gave her twinty-five hundred dollars, which
+she put away. Where could the spalpeens
+make a bigger haul?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But how should they know about it?
+They didn&#8217;t see it done,&#8221; said Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What of that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Doesn&#8217;t it show that it&#8217;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 &#8217;em to larn the fact.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We should have seen something of them
+if they were in this village.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;Who is it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is I&mdash;Nora. Mamma and I are
+awfully scared.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Somebody is in the store downstairs.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you know that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mamma heard the window raised and
+woke me. She asked me to call you boys.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a moment and we&#8217;ll be with you.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I expected it,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Hark!&#8221; 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>&#8220;Are you sure you were not mistaken,
+Mrs. Friestone?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I could not have been; the sound of
+the raising of the window was too distinct
+for me to be deceived&mdash;hark!&#8221; 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>&#8220;You are right,&#8221; said Alvin; &#8220;you have
+visitors. About what time do you suppose
+it is?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The clock struck twelve quite awhile
+ago. There! it is now one,&#8221; she added as
+a silvery tinkle came from the parlor.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What shall we do?&#8221; 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&mdash;she was sure of
+it&mdash;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>&#8220;What then is to be done?&#8221; asked Chester
+a trifle impatiently.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing; they can&#8217;t get the safe open,
+if they work till daylight.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>To this terrifying declaration the lady
+could make no reply except to say:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We may as well go back to our rooms.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was on the point of Chester&#8217;s tongue to
+ask in view of this conclusion why Nora had
+knocked on their door, but he thought best
+to refrain.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whisht!&#8221; whispered Mike; &#8220;let&#8217;s go to
+the parlor, where we have the moonlight
+to help us.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I wonder what that man is waiting
+there for.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was Nora who whispered this question,
+which instantly put the others on the <i>qui
+vive</i>.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see any man; where is he?&#8221;
+asked Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Under that tree opposite; he&#8217;s in plain
+sight.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;He is the lookout,&#8221; said Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s a lookout?&#8221; asked the nervous
+Nora.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is there to watch for danger that
+may threaten the others who are inside
+and working at your mother&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why couldn&#8217;t you give the signal?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I could if I knew what it is, but I don&#8217;t.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look! he is coming over here!&#8221; 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>&#8220;No fear of his visiting us,&#8221; Alvin assured
+her; &#8220;but it is best to keep out of
+sight.&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;dynamite,&#8221;
+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&#8217; 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>&#8220;I&#8217;ve only to feel each step,&#8221; he reflected,
+&#8220;and I&#8217;ll soon arrive, and then won&#8217;t
+fur of the spalpeens fly?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow</span>&#8221;</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 &#8220;tall oaks
+from little acorns grow.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;s first thought
+was that the red-haired, freckle-faced youth
+was a newcomer to Beartown, and had
+secured Jim&#8217;s job, but that fear was removed
+by Jim&#8217;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>&#8220;What made that blamed hole? It
+wasn&#8217;t there a little while ago. It must
+have wored the hole while I was walking.
+I wouldn&#8217;t lose that knife for ten million
+dollars. It <i>can&#8217;t</i> be lost!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Oh, what&#8217;s the use!&#8221; he exclaimed, dropping
+down again despairingly on the bed.
+&#8220;It&#8217;s lost! Where did I lose it?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I lost it somewhere atween here and
+the store. I can&#8217;t see how it slipped down
+my trousers leg without me feeling it, but
+that&#8217;s what it done. It&#8217;s a-laying on the
+ground atween here and there, onless,&#8221;
+he added, with a catch of his breath, &#8220;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!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He shivered at the probability, but rather
+singularly the dread was dissipated by a
+few minutes more of thought.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If he&#8217;d seen it, so would Nora and she&#8217;d
+told me. It&#8217;s somewhere along the street.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;ll get up as soon as it is light,&#8221; he
+said, &#8220;and hunt till I find it.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I never seen it so bright,&#8221; he said,
+stepping to the window and peering out.
+</p>
+<p>And then as if by inspiration he whispered:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the right time to hunt for my knife.&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;hung&#8221; 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>&#8220;Hello, there! Where you going?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;m looking fur my knife that I dropped
+and I&#8217;ve found it too!&#8221; he replied gleefully,
+holding up the cool, shiny implement.
+&#8220;Gee! aint I lucky?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws; I&#8217;m going.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Mind what I told you!&#8221; added the stranger,
+&#8220;and don&#8217;t show your nose outside
+your house before morning. Understand?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws; I don&#8217;t want to, &#8217;cause I&#8217;ve
+got my knife. Hooray!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Shut up! Off with you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws;&#8221; 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>&#8220;Hooh!&#8221; exclaimed his parent; &#8220;there&#8217;s
+robbers in the post office and I think I&#8217;ll
+take a hand as soon as I can get hold of my
+shotgun.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;S&#8217;render, ye spalpeen!&#8221; 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>&#8220;Stop! stop! or I&#8217;ll blow ye into smithereens!
+I&#8217;ve got a double barreled cannon wid
+me, and if ye want to save yer life, s&#8217;render
+before I touch her off!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Have sinse, ye lunkhead! I don&#8217;t want
+to kill ye, but hanged if I don&#8217;t, if ye fail to
+lay down yer arms.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Arrah, now, if this owld gun was only
+in shape! there wouldn&#8217;t be any sich race
+as this, as Brian O&#8217;Donovan said&mdash;phwat&#8217;s
+that?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Throw up your arms or I&#8217;ll let moonlight
+through you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see any room for argyment, as
+Jed Mitchell said whin&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Up with your hands! and drop that
+gun!&#8221; 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&#8217;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>&#8220;Remember,&#8221; he said impressively to his
+son, &#8220;to stay home and not show your
+nose outside the door while I&#8217;m gone.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yaws, sir,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Stop or I&#8217;ll fire!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The panting fellow obeyed with the
+exclamation:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m so glad!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad of what?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That you came as you did. There
+are burglars in the post office!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what I thought, but wasn&#8217;t
+sure. Who are you and why are you in
+such an all-fired hurry?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is the scandalous villain?&#8221; demanded
+Mr. Buxton, glancing on all sides.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He will be here in a minute.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shan&#8217;t wait for him; tell me where he
+is.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;He is coming from there. Look out, or
+he&#8217;ll shoot you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m ready for him,&#8221; 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&#8217;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>&#8220;So you&#8217;re one of those post office
+robbers,&#8221; said Mr. Buxton, partly lowering
+his weapon.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not that I know of,&#8221; replied Mike,
+beginning to scent the truth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you a pistol?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The only deadly wippon I have is me
+pocketknife, with its two blades broke
+and the handle being lost some time since.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is the rest of your gang?&#8221;
+demanded the man, stepping closer to the
+youth.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mr. Buxton stepped still nearer. He was
+becoming doubtful.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who the mischief are you, anyway?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mike Murphy, born in Tipperary, in
+the County of Tipperary, Ireland, and lately,
+arrove in Ameriky.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you doing here?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Standing still for the time, as Pat Mulrooney
+said whin the byes tied him to the
+gate post and wint off and left him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ain&#8217;t you one of those post office robbers?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;What made ye have that opinion?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Which the same was the thruth.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And that one of the gang was chasing
+him, meaning to shoot him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s mesilf that would have shot if I&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you mean to tell me that first fellow
+was one of the burglars?&#8221; asked the
+astounded Mr. Buxton.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As sure as ye are standing there admiring
+me looks.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Confound the rapscallion! I&#8217;ll get him
+yet!&#8221; 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&mdash;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&#8217;s neck.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They will kill us! What shall we do?&#8221;
+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>&#8220;That sounds like Mike&#8217;s voice. Hello,
+Mike, are you here with us?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The failure to receive a reply proved that
+Chester was right. Their comrade had
+stolen off and was already in a &#8220;shindy&#8221; at
+the rear of the store.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He may need our help!&#8221; 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>&#8220;Don&#8217;t leave us! Don&#8217;t leave us!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They stopped irresolute. They could not
+abandon the two, and yet Mike&#8217;s life might
+be in peril.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Go back to them,&#8221; whispered Chester.
+&#8220;There&#8217;s no call for both of us to stay.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better not go down yourself; you know
+you have no weapon. Let&#8217;s take a look.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;We will not leave you,&#8221; he said, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you may fall out,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Have no fear of that,&#8221; replied Alvin.
+&#8220;I will hold Chester from tumbling out
+and he will do the same for me. Pray,
+compose yourselves.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It made my blood tingle,&#8221; said Chester.
+&#8220;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&mdash;as if it could prove of any earthly
+use to him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where are they now?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The fellow, after leaping the fence,
+turned to the right and disappeared among
+the shadows.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;With Mike still chasing him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As hard as he could run, but you know
+he hasn&#8217;t much speed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder,&#8221; whispered Alvin, &#8220;whether
+there are any more of them downstairs.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe anyone is there. Let&#8217;s
+take a closer look.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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&mdash;as
+she had done times without number.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whoever opened it must have known
+the combination. And how did he learn it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Chester shook his head.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps Mrs. Friestone can guess. I&#8217;ll
+ask her.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Who did that?&#8221; asked the woman, in a
+faint voice.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;One of the burglars,&#8221; replied Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How did he learn the combination?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the mystery; Alvin and I
+cannot guess. Was it known to anyone
+besides yourself?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I changed it two days ago and did
+not even tell Nora. Not another soul
+knew it&mdash;and look!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;They have taken the money!&#8221; gasped
+the widow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let us see.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;That&#8217;s what I call the greatest luck
+that ever happened,&#8221; said Chester.
+</p>
+<p>The discovery was as cheering as amazing.
+The large amount of money had been
+saved by a hair&#8217;s breadth. The woman
+clasped her hands in thankfulness. Chester
+slowly shoved the steel door shut.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now try the combination,&#8221; he said to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span>
+Mrs. Friestone. &#8220;Chester and I will turn
+our backs while you do so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why will you do that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So that we shall not learn the secret.
+If anything like this happens again, you
+cannot say we did it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She saw the smile on his face and knew
+he spoke in jest.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It may be the lock was broken in some
+way,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Now open it,&#8221; she said to the lads, her
+spirits rallying over her good fortune.
+They shook their heads and Chester said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might succeed, and that would be
+suspicious.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s become of Mike?&#8221; asked Nora
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span>
+plaintively, speaking for the first time.
+&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid something dreadful has happened
+to him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is probably still chasing the bad
+man,&#8221; 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>&#8220;The top of the morning to ye all, for
+I jedge it&#8217;s near morning, as Tim Mulligan
+said after he had been slaaping fur two days
+and nights. I hope ye are all well.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;m so glad to see you, Mike! I was
+afraid those awful people had killed you,&#8221;
+said the happy girl. &#8220;Are you hurt?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not worth speaking of; I think my
+neck is broke and me lift leg fractured in
+two places, but niver mind.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;Then you didn&#8217;t catch the villain?&#8221;
+said Chester inquiringly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;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&#8217;d
+brought the spalpeen back to ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you drove him off in the nick
+of time. He didn&#8217;t get away with a penny,&#8221;
+said Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But what was the maans he used to
+open that door? That&#8217;s what gits me&mdash;whisht!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>I Piped and Ye Danced</span>&#8221;</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>&#8220;All I ask is one sight of that villain!&#8221;
+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>&#8220;Stop or I&#8217;ll fire!&#8221; shouted Buxton.
+</p>
+<p>After the young man&#8217;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>&#8220;Are you hurt bad?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m done for,&#8221; was the reply as the
+wounded fellow laboriously climbed to his
+feet.
+</p>
+<p>With anger turned into sympathy, the
+captor asked:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where did I hit you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You shattered my right leg,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry I gave it to you so bad, but
+you can&#8217;t deny you desarved it. If you&#8217;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&#8217;ll get a doctor and we&#8217;ll soon&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Now it&#8217;s <i>my</i> turn!&#8221; he said, with a
+chuckle. &#8220;It isn&#8217;t your fault that you
+didn&#8217;t kill me, and it will be my fault if I
+don&#8217;t even matters up with you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Poor Buxton slowly came to the upright
+position, with jaws dropping and eyes
+staring. He could only mumble:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;W-w-what&#8217;s the matter?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing with me; it&#8217;s <i>you</i> that&#8217;s in a
+hole.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Believing it was all up with him, the
+terrified victim stood mute.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I ought to shoot you down and I&#8217;ll
+do so if you don&#8217;t obey me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;W-w-what do you want?&#8221; Buxton managed
+to stammer out.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dance!&#8221; 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>&#8220;We cowboys in the West when we want
+a little fun make a tenderfoot dance while
+we fire our revolvers at his feet. BEGIN!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The victim lowered the point of the gun
+so as to point it at the shoes of Mr. Buxton.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&mdash;I&mdash;can&#8217;t dance; never done it in my
+life,&#8221; he stuttered.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t begin earlier. Start up!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I have one loaded barrel left and I&#8217;m
+aching to let you have it! Keep it up!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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&#8217;ll blaze away, and
+you won&#8217;t get the charge in your <i>feet</i>!
+Remember that!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have to stop a minute till I climb
+over, but I&#8217;ll resoom dancing as soon as I
+hit the ground on the other side agin. Is
+that all right?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Wal, I&#8217;ll be hanged!&#8221; was the disgusted
+exclamation of the panting Buxton.
+&#8220;That&#8217;s the meanest trick I ever had played
+on me. The scand&#8217;lous villain oughter be
+hung. What a sight I made! I&#8217;m mighty
+glad no one seen me.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;It&#8217;s lucky he didn&#8217;t foller and make me
+dance all the way home. Never could have
+done it. Would have dropped dead, I am
+that blamed tired.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;And I paid twenty-five dollars for it
+in Portland,&#8221; he bitterly mused. &#8220;It
+looks to me that as a hunter of post office
+robbers I ain&#8217;t of much account.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I think I&#8217;ll have a look at the post office
+and larn what mischief the villain done
+there.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Was that your gun we heard a little
+while ago?&#8221; asked the woman.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I reckon it must have been,&#8221; replied
+Mr. Buxton, who declined the invitation to
+enter and remained standing outside the
+window.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you hit the burglar?&#8221; asked Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Young man,&#8221; said Mr. Buxton loftily,
+&#8220;when I fire at anything I <i>always</i> hit it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You didn&#8217;t kill him, Gerald!&#8221; exclaimed
+the horrified mother.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I just winged him so he won&#8217;t
+forget it if he lives a thousand years; don&#8217;t
+like to kill a scamp even if he is a burglar.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where&#8217;s your gun?&#8221; continued Alvin.
+</p>
+<p>The man glanced around as if it were
+hidden somewhere about his garments.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now isn&#8217;t that a fine go?&#8221; he exclaimed
+disgustedly. &#8220;I set it down while I went
+forward to see how bad that feller was hit,
+and plumb forgot.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;O dad, here&#8217;s your gun!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Where did you get it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t
+forgit the gun, and run along the edge of the
+woods and picked it up. Gee! it&#8217;s heavy!
+But, dad, I didn&#8217;t know you could dance
+like that. Say&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You young rascal, didn&#8217;t I tell you to
+stay home? I&#8217;ll larn you!&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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&mdash;not the most
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span>
+modern kind&mdash;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&#8217;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>&#8220;I knew you would be somewhere in the
+neighborhood,&#8221; was the young man&#8217;s explanation,
+&#8220;and I was listening for your signal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; growled the elder, &#8220;Noxon made
+a mess of it to-night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It looks that way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what happened? Did
+you see anything?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw him dash out from the rear of
+that store with someone chasing him with
+a loaded gun.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That must have been what we heard a
+little while ago. Looks as if they got Nox.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Shouldn&#8217;t be surprised,&#8221; remarked the
+other indifferently.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He oughter managed things better.
+How was it you didn&#8217;t warn him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I did; I whistled twice the instant I
+saw his danger, and ran the risk of getting it
+in the neck myself,&#8221; was the unblushing
+response of the youth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see that there&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, Kit,&#8221; said Miller, lowering his
+voice as if fearful of being overheard, &#8220;do
+you think they&#8217;ll get Nox?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Haven&#8217;t a doubt of it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, do you think there&#8217;s any danger
+of his squealing, that is, if he hasn&#8217;t been
+killed?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Naw,&#8221; was the disgusted reply. &#8220;Nox
+is game&mdash;true blue; you can bet on him
+till the cows come home.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Well, come on,&#8221; he growled. &#8220;We&#8217;re
+in tough luck to-night.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that for?&#8221; asked the puzzled
+girl.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For the gayety he imparted to this
+gloomy avening. I don&#8217;t know as ye need
+say that to him, for he wouldn&#8217;t understand
+what ye meant until after three or four
+years of hard thought. But he&#8217;s airned it,
+and ye&#8217;ll not forgit.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are right. This business doesn&#8217;t
+seem to have stirred up the town. I don&#8217;t
+suppose anyone knows what has happened
+except Mr. Buxton and his family, and I
+don&#8217;t think he will tell the particulars
+himself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That can be lift to Jim,&#8221; said Mike,
+&#8220;onless his dad imprisses upon him that it
+won&#8217;t be healthy for him to talk too freely
+wid his mouth regarding the sarcus he obsarved
+this avening.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin now made known the fear in his
+mind&mdash;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>&#8220;Never mind,&#8221; Alvin made haste to say,
+&#8220;we will wait till morning. You have been
+so kind that we cannot willingly cause you
+a moment&#8217;s pain.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I make a suggistion?&#8221; asked Mike,
+speaking so seriously that all knew he was
+about to say something worth while.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know he&#8217;s going to tell us the right
+thing,&#8221; said Nora.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How could I do itherwise wid yer bright
+eyes cheering me?&#8221; he asked, with his
+expansive grin. &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;That is asking too much,&#8221; said the
+widow, though her countenance brightened
+with pleasure.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How can the same be asking too much
+whin ye haven&#8217;t asked it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Nora clapped her hands.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t hilp it if she looks upon mesilf
+as worth the two of ye,&#8221; said Mike, with an
+assumption of dignity that deceived no one.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is good on your part, Mike,&#8221; said
+Alvin. &#8220;I feel as if we ought to give attention
+to the boat, and you may as well stay
+here. We&#8217;ll wait for you in the morning.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t feel obleeged to do the same.
+Something may turn up that may cause ye
+to hurry off. If it be so, don&#8217;t tarry a
+minute for me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Possibly you may prove right, but we
+shall hate to leave you behind.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye may do so foriver, so long as I have
+such quarters as these.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Hello! here she is!&#8221; was the pleased
+exclamation of the Captain a few minutes
+later.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Has she had any visitors while we were
+away?&#8221; asked Chester, as the two stepped
+down to the margin of the river.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I see no signs of it, but we shall have to
+examine further.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The launch lay as close to shore as it
+had been possible to bring her&mdash;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>&#8220;I thought I locked that,&#8221; he said in surprise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I remember you went through the
+motions, but you must have missed it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So it seems.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He stepped over, seated himself and
+grasped the steering wheel.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing is wrong here&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hark!&#8221; whispered Chester.
+</p>
+<p>The two listened and heard the muffled
+exhaust of a launch not far off.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It comes from down stream,&#8221; said Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s their boat!&#8221; exclaimed the excited
+Alvin. &#8220;They are hurrying off.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s chase them!&#8221; added Chester, catching
+the glow of his chum.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right! Light up and cast off.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Not yet,&#8221; he answered &#8220;but we must
+be gaining fast.&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;It is strange,&#8221; reflected Alvin, &#8220;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&#8217;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&#8217;s all guesswork.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Light ahead!&#8221; suddenly called Chester
+beside him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where away?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right ahead, but closer in shore on the
+left.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin leaned forward and gazed intently.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are right,&#8221; he added as he saw a
+white light low down on the water. &#8220;Now
+we&#8217;ll show those fellows what the <i>Deerfoot</i>
+can do when she tries.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;They have seen us,&#8221; said Chester, from
+his station at the front, &#8220;and are putting
+in their best licks. We must be going the
+limit.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is twenty-four miles, but we&#8217;re not
+making it, Chester.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;What do you mean? The <i>Deerfoot</i> is
+eating up water.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That may be, but she isn&#8217;t getting there
+as she ought to,&#8221; insisted Alvin, who, of
+course, was more familiar with his boat.
+&#8220;Something is the matter with her. She
+seems to be doing her best, and yet she lags.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think it because of her trouble
+yesterday?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It must be, but I was sure she was shipshape
+when we left her last night. See
+whether we are gaining.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Perhaps we have gained a little, say
+about six inches.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;That&#8217;s queer,&#8221; he muttered; &#8220;I am
+sure I laid it there. I wonder if anyone
+visited the boat while we were away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By gracious!&#8221; called Chester from his
+station; &#8220;I believe she has stopped!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Make sure of it. I should think they
+would put out their stern light if they
+wanted to elude us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Likely they don&#8217;t care. Yes; she has
+run into shore, where there seems to be
+some sort of landing.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Observing the change of course, Chester
+inquired:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where to now?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We may as well go back and pick up
+Mike. It seems to be growing light in
+the east.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So it is; a memorable night in our
+experience is drawing to a close.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, Chester,&#8221; called the Captain,
+&#8220;I am sure someone was on this boat
+while we were away at Beartown.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Is there enough light for you to see the
+name on the bow?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take a look and tell me what it is.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;As sure as I&#8217;m a living sinner it&#8217;s the
+<i>Water Witch</i>!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Here are only four seats instead of six.
+Why didn&#8217;t we notice it before?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because we were too much occupied
+with other things, or rather were both
+struck with blindness just then. As Mike
+would say, I&#8217;m completely flabbergasted.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;m with you. What&#8217;s to be done
+now?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me where the <i>Deerfoot</i> is.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ask me something easier. She may be
+lying where we left her, or twenty miles
+away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We should have heard her if she came
+down stream.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She may have gone up the river and
+around into the Sheepscot.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And back to the former hiding place
+of this boat or to a different one&mdash;the
+&#8216;Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,&#8217;&#8221; said Alvin
+grimly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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&#8217;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>&#8220;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&mdash;something they can easily do&mdash;and
+then abandon the boat.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall find her sooner or later, and
+Calvert will perhaps in this way get on their
+track.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They can avert such danger by sinking
+her in deep water, where she may not be
+found for years.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And the only way to gain that is to go
+back to Beartown.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So it seems to me. What do you think?&#8221;
+asked the Captain.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know of nothing better. Wouldn&#8217;t
+it be well to hit up the pace a little?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;If this fog would only lift! But it seems
+to be growing thicker. We must feel
+our way.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;A good hour for breakfast,&#8221; he remarked,
+&#8220;and my appetite is with me, as
+I am sure yours is with you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Alvin nodded and kept his eye on the
+receding shore and the water ahead.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t carry a large stock of provisions&mdash;who
+knows but there&#8217;s something of the
+kind on board?&#8221;
+<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>&#8220;Hurrah! we&#8217;re in luck!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He held up a large paper bag into which
+he had peeped. It contained half a dozen
+plump ham sandwiches.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;While we are about it suppose we see
+what other treasures are in the ship&#8217;s chest.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;They tell their story,&#8221; said Chester,
+holding them up one after another for his
+chum&#8217;s inspection. &#8220;If the officers of the law
+arrest us, we shall have to depend upon our
+friends to prove an alibi.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Meanwhile there is no need to keep
+those sandwiches waiting.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Wonder if they are poisoned,&#8221; laughed
+Chester, as he passed one to his chum, and
+sank his teeth in another. &#8220;Anyhow, I&#8217;m
+going to take chances.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So am I. They don&#8217;t seem to have any
+cooking utensils on board, so coffee and
+warm food are to be denied us.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry!&#8221; called back Alvin; &#8220;but the
+fog bothers us. Will you please tell me
+how far it is to Beartown landing?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Bout half a mile, mebbe a little more.
+Who are you?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I thought that was about the distance,&#8221;
+said Chester, as he resumed the duty of
+sentinel. &#8220;I can&#8217;t recognize any landmark,
+and couldn&#8217;t if there was no fog to
+play the mischief with our sight.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Here&#8217;s the spot!&#8221; called Chester a few
+minutes later, as he identified the spiderlike
+landing from which a road led to Beartown.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;You needn&#8217;t tell me,&#8221; said the keeper
+of the other grocery store to the husband
+of the town milliner. &#8220;That redheaded
+Irish chap is one of the gang.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you account for his preventing
+the other robber from carrying away the
+money in the safe?&#8221; asked his neighbor.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Plain enough; they&#8217;d had a quarrel.
+He wanted it all for himself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t he take it then?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The widder and others bounced down
+on him afore he had the chance.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see why if the other villain run
+away this one didn&#8217;t do likewise.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;ll do it quick enough, never you
+fear.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why is he hanging round after they&#8217;ve
+gone?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To git the money. Seems to me, Rufe,
+you&#8217;re blamed stupid this morning. Why,
+you&#8217;ve only to take one look at that young
+ruffian&#8217;s face to see the wickedness wrote
+there. He oughter be in prison this very
+minute, and he&#8217;ll soon be there&mdash;take my
+word for it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is he?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sneaked off while he had the chance&mdash;wal,
+I&#8217;ll be gul darned!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I had&mdash;that is, I was thinking of the
+other robber.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was told,&#8221; said Mike, &#8220;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&#8217;ve found him and begs the privilege of
+shaking his hand.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Where are the byes?&#8221; was the first
+question he asked himself, as a glance told
+him he had arrived ahead of them. &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;If I fall asleep here, the byes may not
+obsarve me and sail away and leave me
+behind. I shouldn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;When they come they will obsarve that
+I&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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&#8217;ll taich ye better
+manners,&#8221; 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 &#8220;Nox&#8221; they did not
+know or care. He must do as they had done&mdash;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>&#8220;This is a rum go!&#8221; was the disgusted
+exclamation of Woodford. &#8220;I thought we
+should have an easy thing of it, but we&#8217;ve
+got to turn back inland. We shouldn&#8217;t have
+any trouble, though it looks to me as if
+we shall have to part company.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The younger man was not favorably
+impressed at first, but a moment&#8217;s reflection
+convinced him that this was one of
+the situations in which the proverb, &#8220;In
+union there is strength,&#8221; 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>&#8220;All right; I will go down stream.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;What do you make of it?&#8221; whispered
+Graff Miller.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some deviltry you may be sure; the
+others are near by.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;So long as there&#8217;s only one, let&#8217;s make
+him prisoner.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m willing,&#8221; 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>&#8220;Shall I start?&#8221; 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&#8217;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>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t come right to land, I&#8217;ll
+whip you within an inch of your life!&#8221;
+</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&mdash;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&#8217;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>&#8220;I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father,
+for saving me life when I didn&#8217;t desarve
+it. Why Ye took the trouble is beyond
+me, but I niver can thank Thee enough.
+I&#8217;m going to try me bist to be more desarving
+of Yer kindness, and now if it&#8217;s all the
+same to Yer blissed silf, plaise give me a
+chance at that spalpeen that treated me as
+he did.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>From down the river came the sound
+of the <i>Deerfoot&#8217;s</i> exhaust, growing fainter
+as the boat sped on its way. The hoarse
+blast of a steamer&#8217;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>&#8220;If the Captain and second mate didn&#8217;t
+know I couldn&#8217;t swim, I&#8217;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&#8217;ll sittle the same wid int&#8217;rist at siven
+thousand per cent.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where&#8217;s Alvin and Chester all this time?
+Why didn&#8217;t they git to the <i>Deerfut</i> before
+me instead of laving it fur them chaps?
+What does it all maan, anyway?&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;signs&#8221; 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>&#8220;The top of the morning to yer ladyship,
+and would ye be willing to hang me across
+yer line till me clothes be dried?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;G&#8217;way now,&#8221; she answered; &#8220;I don&#8217;t
+hang up any clothes till the same is <i>claan</i>.
+It will take a waak&#8217;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&#8217;ll cut a purty figger a-flapping
+in the wind.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike&#8217;s laughter rang out. She was
+Irish like him and his heart warmed to her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Begorra! I&#8217;ve met a leddy after me
+own heart. She&#8217;s from the &#8216;owld sod&#8217; and
+it&#8217;s not mesilf that is going to have me own
+way in gay conversation wid the charming
+beauty.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Are ye saaking to make me belave
+ye are from Ireland?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sartinly&mdash;Mike Murphy, from the town
+of Tipperary, County of Tipperary, at your
+sarvice,&#8221; and he bowed again.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrah, poor Ireland, how many wrongs
+are heaped upon ye! I was sure from yer
+accint that ye were a Dutchman or Frinch.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I ask yer name, me leddy?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Maggie McCaffry, and me husband
+is Tam that is working for Mr. Burns
+at Beartown.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike clasped his hands and with a glowing
+expression stepped forward.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I knowed it! I knowed it!&#8221; he exclaimed,
+as if overrunning with joy.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Knowed phwat?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That ye were my mither&#8217;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&mdash;bad cess to them as made the same
+mistake!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;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&#8217;s
+some things a respictable leddy can&#8217;t stand.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did ye not almost break me heart by
+thinking I was a Dutchman?&#8221; asked Mike
+reprovingly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll make the same roight by axing the
+pardon of ivery Dutchman I maats for the
+rist of me born days. &#8217;Twas har-r-d on the
+poor haythen.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Maggie, I&#8217;ll give ye all me wealth
+if ye&#8217;ll consint to let me dry mesilf in front
+of yer fire.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrah, now, what are ye saying? Five
+cints is no object to me&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Just then, in spite of an effort to prevent it,
+Mike&#8217;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>&#8220;&#8217;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&#8217;re hungry ye shall have
+food.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thank ye, aunty, but I am not in
+need of that.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Can I belave what me eyes tell me! Is
+it <i>yersilf</i>?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I guess you don&#8217;t need spectacles.
+You&#8217;ve got the best of me; I&#8217;m down and
+you&#8217;re up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike&#8217;s Irish sympathy immediately went
+out to the fellow, who certainly was at
+his mercy.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t say I am. But your clothing is
+wet. I heard a part of your talk with Mrs.
+McCaffry&mdash;God bless her splendid soul!&mdash;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&#8217;ll get on better.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;You remember our little foot race from
+the back of the Beartown post office?&#8221;
+said Noxon, as if referring to an incident
+in which he felt no particular interest.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do, but I niver won a prize at running
+and ye give me the slip.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only to get in front of that beefeater
+with a shotgun. Why didn&#8217;t you fire when
+you were chasing and threatening me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I couldn&#8217;t have touched off that busted
+gun any more than I could have fired a
+broom handle.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;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,&#8221; and
+at the recollection the young man laughed
+hard.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;His boy Jim obsarved it all and told us
+and we laughed,&#8221; said Mike, with a grin.
+&#8220;The sight must have been very insthructive.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was, to that old codger, who won&#8217;t
+get over his lesson for a month. Well, as
+the gun wasn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What did they do fur yer fut?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t it be well if I got a docther
+fur ye?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Noxon looked up in the face of the Irish
+youth, who tried to keep a grave countenance.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think not,&#8221; 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>&#8220;I think I see smoke coming from behind
+you,&#8221; finally said the sitter.
+</p>
+<p>Mike reached back to investigate and
+with a gasp snatched back his fingers.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afire! Is there a well outside that
+I can dive into the same?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Turn around; I can help you,&#8221; 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&#8217;s garments.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m thinking this is a little different,
+Mr. Noxon, from last night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is, and I hope it will always stay
+that way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike was astonished and looked questioningly
+at the fellow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Phwat might ye be maaning?&#8221; 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>&#8220;Oh, why didn&#8217;t that man aim better and
+kill me! I&#8217;m not fit to live! I&#8217;m the worst
+villain unhanged! I am lost&mdash;damned, and
+a curse to those who love me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mike pulled himself together sufficiently
+to reply:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think ye&#8217;re quite all them things.
+Cheer up! cheer up, old fellow!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Noxy, me bye, Mike Murphy is yer
+frind through thick and thin&mdash;don&#8217;t ye forget
+<i>that</i>&mdash;and I&#8217;m going to see ye through
+this if I have to break a thrace in trying.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<i>You!</i>&#8221; repeated the despairing one,
+looking up in Mike&#8217;s honest blue eyes.
+&#8220;No one can save a wretch like me. I&#8217;m
+not worth saving!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye forget there&#8217;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&#8217;ve been
+in some purty bad scrapes mesilf and He
+niver desarted me. Why, it ain&#8217;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&#8217;t
+fail ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you never did what I have done.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The Irish youth bent his head as if recalling
+his past life.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t say that I did, but I&#8217;m the meanest
+scamp that iver lived&mdash;barring yersilf,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span>
+he added, with the old twinkle in his eyes.
+&#8220;Come, now, be a man and we&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Noxon actually smiled at the recollection.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You call yourself a scamp. Why, you
+are an angel compared with me&mdash;so is
+everybody! Kit Woodford and Graff Miller
+are a thousand times better than I.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of
+this?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If so, she hasn&#8217;t given me any reason to
+suspect it,&#8221; replied Noxon, brightening up
+and seizing the straw held out to him.
+&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She told me her husband works in
+Beartown. He wint there airly this morning;
+he&#8217;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrah, now, but that&#8217;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&#8217;re
+able to thravel.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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>!&#8221; demanded Noxon
+almost fiercely.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye have read the blissed story of the
+Prodigal Son, haven&#8217;t ye?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am a thousandfold worse than that
+poor devil, who was simply foolish.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do yer dad and mither know where
+ye are?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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>.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know the fellow, but that
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span>
+shows, me bye, ye ain&#8217;t such a big fool as
+ye look. I&#8217;m beginning to have hope for
+ye.&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;fountains of the
+deep&#8221; 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>&#8220;I begs that ye&#8217;ll oxcoose me for not
+coming in wid this blarney and inthrodoocing
+ye to aich ither. Have ye becoom
+acquainted?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was an oversight which no Irish
+leddy should be guilty of,&#8221; gravely replied
+Mike, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;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&#8217;ll explain
+the insult to him and lave ye two to
+sittle the same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m thankful ye give me due notice,
+Aunt Maggie, so that I&#8217;ll have time to slip
+outside and climb a tree. Which reminds
+me to ask how fur it is to Beartown.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;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,&#8221; said she, coming to Noxon&#8217;s
+chair and bending over with her broad
+face radiating sympathy, &#8220;it&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think it can need any attention,&#8221;
+said Noxon, pleased to listen to the sparring
+of the two; &#8220;but you are the doctor.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;What&#8217;s the sense of my playing baby?
+I can walk as well as ever. All I need is an
+ordinary cane. I think I&#8217;ll stay with you
+till after dinner, Aunt Maggie&mdash;I suppose
+I may call you that&mdash;and then I&#8217;ll vamose
+the ranch.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The woman stared wonderingly at Mike.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do ye know what he maanes by thim
+words? His mind I fear is afther wandering.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He wishes to say that ye and Tam have
+used him so well that he will take delight
+in spinding siveral days wid ye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, now his mind isn&#8217;t afther wandering
+when he do spake that way. All roight,
+me cherub, ye&#8217;ll stay where you be till I
+give you liberty to lave. Do ye mind
+that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And she shook her stubby finger in his
+face.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, what a tyrant you are, Aunt
+Maggie!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Phwat&#8217;s that?&#8221; she demanded, straightening
+up. &#8220;Are ye calling me out of me
+name?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are the sweetest, kindest, most
+motherly woman and best wife in the State
+of Maine.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She sprang to her feet and lumbered to
+the door.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t finished hanging me duds;
+whin I have I&#8217;ll come back and wipe out the
+insoolt ye have put upon me.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t forgit to include mesilf wid the
+dross, me bye. Ye won&#8217;t be able to get
+away from this here place for a few days,
+I guess.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad should I be if I could believe it
+safe to stay here.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why not?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Her husband has already heard all
+about last night&#8217;s business.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He promised ye to say nothing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ye don&#8217;t know a real Irishman. I
+can&#8217;t say how he will be disposed, but I
+know he&#8217;ll kaap that pledge. Have no
+fear of that.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I am disposed to believe as you do,
+but that isn&#8217;t my only danger.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Phwat have ye in mind now?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This house stands well back from the
+road wid only a path betwaan the two.
+Why should anyone sarch here fur ye?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why should they not? I shouldn&#8217;t
+dare to stay here while this is going on.
+However, you have shown such goodwill
+toward me, I am willing to compromise. I&#8217;ll
+stay till to-night and then must make a
+change of base.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whither will ye go?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t thought of that. My aim
+will be simply to get out of the zone of
+danger, and what follows must depend upon
+circumstances.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Noxy, will ye answer me one question?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will.&#8221;
+</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;'>
+&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Give Me Your Hand on That.</span>&#8221;
+<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;When ye lave here will ye be going back
+to Kit Woodford and Graff Miller?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The eyes of the young man flashed and,
+with an earnestness that seemed deadly in
+its intensity, he said hoarsely:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No! never! I&#8217;ll die first!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give me yer hand on that!&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;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>&#8220;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&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Just then a knock sounded on the door.
+Both were startled and Mike called:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come in!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The door was pushed inward and Stockham
+Calvert entered the room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Holy smoke!&#8221; exclaimed Mike, &#8220;as
+Father Malone said when he saw his church
+burning.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Good day, my friends!&#8221; 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>&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t looking for you, Mike, but I
+was searching for Hor&mdash;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Well, Mr. Calvert, you have got me at
+last.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; and a right merry chase you have
+led me. You won&#8217;t get away this time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose not.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sit down, Mike,&#8221; said the caller, drawing
+up a chair for himself. &#8220;I have something
+I would like very much to say to thee,
+Orestes.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrah, now,&#8221; replied Mrs. McCaffry,
+pushing away the hair in front of her face
+with her fat hand, &#8220;but ye are the worst
+blarney of thim all. I&#8217;ll have nothing to
+do wid ye till dinner time, whin I&#8217;ll stuff
+ye all so full of roast pig and praties that
+ye&#8217;ll be obleeged to kaap quiet regarding
+dacent folks.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Mr. Calvert,&#8221; said Noxon, &#8220;Mike here
+has proved himself a true friend to me&mdash;so
+you may talk freely before him. He
+doesn&#8217;t know my right name and says he
+doesn&#8217;t care to know. So we will let that
+pass. What caused you to look here for
+me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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>&#8220;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>&#8220;Now,&#8221; added the visitor as if seated
+with his intimate friends, &#8220;since you tell
+me to talk freely in Mike&#8217;s presence, I
+shall do so. Are you ready, Noxon, to go
+to your home with me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Begging yer pardin, Mr. Calvert, I
+beg to say that has been sittled. The dearest
+hope of Noxy&#8217;s heart is to return to his
+parents.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is that so?&#8221; asked the detective of the
+young man.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I would give my right hand,&#8221; he
+solemnly replied, holding it up, &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;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 &#8216;rocky road
+to Dublin.&#8217; You have committed a serious
+crime against the United States laws, and
+if convicted nothing can save you from a
+long term in prison.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then what hope is there for me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You haven&#8217;t been convicted yet, but
+I won&#8217;t deny that you are in serious danger
+of it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How shall I escape?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought that over while on the road
+from Beartown. This, I believe, is your
+third essay as a burglar. Am I right?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Noxon nodded.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Once would be enough to send you to
+Atlanta, but let that go for the present. Are
+you willing to turn state&#8217;s evidence?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Noxon moved uneasily in his seat. The
+proposition was distasteful.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You needn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is no mistake about <i>that</i>, Mr. Calvert?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall do whatever you wish.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Does father know I am in this business,
+Mr. Calvert?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He doesn&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am ready.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In the first place, where do this gang
+with whom you have been associated have
+their headquarters?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can guide you to the exact spot.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not that little patch of ground in
+the cove at the southern end of Barter
+Island?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;That will answer your question.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is a production of art,&#8221; said the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span>
+detective admiringly. &#8220;No professional
+artist could beat it.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What about this one?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have been there?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Several times. I will go again with
+you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No need; I can&#8217;t go wrong with such
+directions. Why, Mike himself can understand
+it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He gravely held up the drawing before
+the Irish youth, who squinted one eye
+and carefully scrutinized it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must say I don&#8217;t make sure whither
+it&#8217;s a picter of yersilf, Mr. Calvert, or a
+view of an automobile trying to climb
+a tree.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What did I tell you, Orestes? Isn&#8217;t
+he bright?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;An unnicessary question,&#8221; said Mike
+loftily; &#8220;as Auntie McCaffry would answer
+if ye asked her which was the handsomest
+and cutest and smartest one among her
+three guests.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Noxon,&#8221; 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, &#8220;do either
+Kit Woodford or Graff Miller know your
+right name?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They never asked me and it was never
+given in their presence.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You said as much before. Do they
+know where you came from?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They haven&#8217;t the slightest knowledge.
+I am as unknown to them as regards my
+real identity as if I never existed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What of the testimony of Woodford
+and Miller when they are released from
+jail?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t going to be an easy job,
+but I believe I can work it. There&#8217;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&#8217;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>?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Thereupon the Irish youth related his
+story, and when it was finished the detective
+smiled.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I&#8217;m not mistaken that is going to
+help us a big lot.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere</span>&#8221;</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&mdash;as we
+must continue to call him&mdash;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>&#8220;We must leave here at once,&#8221; he
+announced in his crisp manner. &#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;The same would bring me bad luck,&#8221;
+she said, with a shake of her head.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How could it do that whin it brought
+me the bist of luck, being I came to your
+door?&#8221; asked the youth, trying to press it
+upon her; but she would not consent.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah,&#8221; he said, &#8220;it&#8217;s mesilf that&#8217;s of no
+more account than a naught wid no circle
+round it.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;We&#8217;ll keep clear of the village,&#8221; he
+explained, &#8220;for every one there is in a fever
+of excitement, and although I can do my
+part in the way of prevarication, I don&#8217;t
+wish to be driven to the limit, when it
+might not, after all, avert trouble.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;You ran away with their launch,&#8221;
+added Calvert. &#8220;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,&#8221;
+said the officer, with a flash of his keen eyes,
+&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He thought it best not to affect too much
+mystery.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t know the exact location of that
+sweet spot, but we know&mdash;thanks to Noxon&mdash;the
+latitude and longitude of ours, which
+the same is the port we are heading for.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;And phwat&#8217;s to become of us?&#8221; asked
+Mike.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Mr. Hagan isn&#8217;t here,&#8221; reminded
+Chester.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He will be very soon. Meanwhile, I&#8217;ll
+say a word to my man.&#8221;
+</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 &#8220;there&#8217;s
+many a slip &#8217;twixt the cup and the lip.&#8221;
+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>&#8220;Noxon,&#8221; said Calvert, leaning forward,
+&#8220;let us know when we are near the cove.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We are within less than a mile of it
+now. It is just ahead on the right.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;The cove is in sight,&#8221; announced Noxon,
+slightly turning his head. &#8220;Better keep
+down.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;There it is!&#8221; whispered Calvert to his
+friend.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I see it,&#8221; said the other, &#8220;the Beautiful
+Isle of Somewhere; we are closer to it than
+I supposed.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see anything of the <i>Deerfoot</i>,&#8221;
+said Calvert in a guarded voice to Noxon.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We always lay to on the other side.
+Keep down!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;The <i>Deerfoot</i> is there! Don&#8217;t stir till I
+give the word!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Where did you come from?&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I found this boat at the wharf at Beartown
+and thought I&#8217;d hunt you up. How
+came you to have <i>that</i> launch?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t understand how ours was found by
+you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe the owners of that wanted to
+trade back. I say, Kit, I would like to
+know something&mdash;why did you and Graff
+run off and leave me behind?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We didn&#8217;t!&#8221; replied Woodford, with
+virtuous indignation. &#8220;Me and Graff
+hunted high and low for you and made up
+our minds you had run off yourself with the
+swag.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A fine lot of swag I had, when I had to
+scoot just after I got the safe open.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;If we didn&#8217;t get a haul out of the measly
+post office we&#8217;ve scooped a mighty fine
+motor boat. We can sell it and gather in
+enough to last us till we crack another
+place.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That won&#8217;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we&#8217;ve got enough to keep us a
+week or so&mdash;&mdash;<i>Nox, there&#8217;s somebody in the
+boat with you</i>!&#8221; 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>&#8220;Hands up, or I&#8217;ll let daylight through
+you.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s clothing
+and twitched a revolver from his hip
+pocket.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;If you had only put up a fight, Kit, it
+would have been a good deal more interesting,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_324' name='page_324'></a>324</span>
+said Calvert, &#8220;but you always were
+one of the biggest cowards that ever made a
+bluff at being a bad man. Get a move on
+you!&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;Do you want me to go there too?&#8221;
+humbly asked Graff Miller.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course; step lively.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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>&#8220;What are you going to do with <i>him</i>?&#8221;
+he asked, with a black scowl.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing,&#8221; replied Hagan.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why haven&#8217;t you got the bracelets on
+him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He has done us too valuable service.
+That isn&#8217;t the way we reward our friends.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Calvert, who had overheard the words,
+looked round.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We may need his evidence to land you
+and Graff in Atlanta.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;I&#8217;ll get even with him if I have to wait
+ten years.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have to wait all of that and
+probably longer,&#8221; said Calvert, &#8220;and by
+that time I don&#8217;t think Orestes Noxon will
+care much what you try to do.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sell it to someone so I shall never see
+it again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you will turn the boat over to me I
+think I can dispose of it for you. Have you
+any price in mind?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sell the launch for whatever you can get,
+if it isn&#8217;t more than twenty-three cents.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_328' name='page_328'></a>328</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;All right; I&#8217;ll fix it. Here is the railway
+office. You have enough funds?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Plenty. I shall a buy a through ticket
+to&mdash;<i>home</i>.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course. I shall call upon you this
+autumn. Good-by, Horace.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good-by to one of the best friends I
+ever had. God bless you!&#8221;
+</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&#8217;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, &#8220;redeemed
+and disenthralled&#8221;&mdash;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>&#8220;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>&#8220;Please send to &#8216;Uncle Ben Trotwood,&#8217; 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&#8217;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.&#8221;  (No reference was made to Uncle Ben&#8217;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&#8217;s communication
+to his father.)
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t out
+of short dresses yet, is Nora Friestone. Send her a
+fine first class piano&mdash;no second-hand one&mdash;with
+about a bushel of music. Select any stuff you choose,
+not forgetting a copy of &#8216;The Sweet Long Ago,&#8217;
+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&#8217;t bother to
+write her.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s communication
+to his father.)
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;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>&#8220;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>&#8220;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&#8217;t
+forget to include a whole lot of music, which should
+be of the Irish vintage, such as Moore&#8217;s melodies,
+&#8216;Sweet Mavoureen,&#8217; &#8216;The Rocky Road to Dublin,&#8217;
+&#8216;St. Patrick&#8217;s Day in the Morning,&#8217; &#8216;Rory O&#8217;Moore,&#8217;
+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.&#8221;
+</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>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was rather nice on the part of
+Mr. Haynes to say what he did of you, Gideon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Franklin hasn&#8217;t anything mean in
+his nature.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;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?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps so, but there must always be
+two persons to a quarrel.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you are one of them in this case.
+I mean to call on Sophia this very day.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose you call on him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The banker shook his head.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is asking too much; it would be
+humiliating.&#8221;
+</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&#8217;s letter to Mrs. McCaffry.)
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>My Dear Aunt Maggie</span>:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;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&#8217;ining wid us, but
+he forgot to lave his card and I suspict he&#8217;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>&#8220;The peagnoluh&mdash;I&#8217;m thrying all ways of spelling
+the name of the blamed thing so as to get the same
+right wunst any way&mdash;is played wid the feet. You
+slide the sheet wid the holes punched into &#8217;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>&#8220;Don&#8217;t try to sing along wid the music for somebody
+might hear ye. Me worry is that yer teeny
+Sinderilla feet won&#8217;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>&#8220;Wid regards to Tam and much love to yersilf
+I am ever
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;Yer devoted,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;Mike Murphy.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>(Mrs. McCaffry&#8217;s reply to the foregoing.)
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;My darlint broth of a boy:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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&#8217;t a cint to pay. Tam hadn&#8217;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 &#8216;Killarney&#8217; filled the
+room, I let out a hoop, kicked off me satan slippers,
+danced a jig and shouted, &#8216;For the love of Mike!&#8217;
+which the same is thrue, that being yer name.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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>&#8220;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: &#8216;Well done, good
+and faithful servant!&#8217;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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; '>&#8220;Lovingly,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Aunt Maggie</span>.&#8221;</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. Ellis
+
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@@ -0,0 +1,7302 @@
+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: ASCII
+
+*** 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
+
+
+
+
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS ADVENTURES
+IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+Timely and fascinating stories of adventure on
+the water, accurate in detail and intensely
+interesting in narration.
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+First Volume
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' CRUISE IN THE DEERFOOT
+
+Second Volume
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+The Launch Boys series is bound in uniform
+style of cloth with side and back stamped with
+new and appropriate design in colors. Illustrated
+by Burton Donnel Hughes.
+
+Price, single volume                                $0.60
+Price, per set of two volumes, in attractive box    $1.20
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+[Illustration: NONE SUSPECTED THE MEANING OF WHAT THEY SAW]
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of "The Flying Boys Series,"
+"Deerfoot Series," etc., etc.
+
+Illustrated by
+BURTON DONNEL HUGHES
+
+The John C. Winston Company
+Philadelphia
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1912, by
+The John C. Winston Company
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                          PAGE
+     I.  A Proposal and an Acceptance               9
+    II.  The Scout of the Kennebec                 19
+   III.  At the Inlet                              29
+    IV.  A STRANGE RACE                            40
+     V.  The Loser of the Race                     51
+    VI.  A Warm Reception                          62
+   VII.  Science versus Strength                   72
+  VIII.  The Lone Guest                            83
+    IX.  A Break Down                              93
+     X.  At Beartown                              104
+    XI.  At the Post Office in Beartown           115
+   XII.  Hostesses and Guests                     126
+  XIII.  An Incident on Shipboard                 137
+   XIV.  "The Night Shall be Filled with Music"   147
+    XV.  A Knock at the Door                      155
+   XVI.  Visitors of the Night                    166
+  XVII.  "Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow"      177
+ XVIII.  A Clever Trick                           188
+   XIX.  In the Nick of Time                      198
+    XX.  "I Piped and Ye Danced"                  208
+   XXI.  How It Was Done                          219
+  XXII.  A Startling Discovery                    230
+ XXIII.  Through the Fog                          242
+  XXIV.  Bad for Mike Murphy                      252
+   XXV.  What Saved Mike                          263
+  XXVI.  The Good Samaritans                      273
+ XXVII.  An Unwelcome Caller                      284
+XXVIII.  Plucking a Brand From the Burning        296
+  XXIX.  "The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere"        307
+   XXX.  A Through Ticket to Home                 318
+  XXXI.  Gathering Up the Ravelled Threads        329
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+                                                       PAGE
+NONE SUSPECTED THE MEANING OF WHAT THEY SAW    Frontispiece
+LIKE A SWALLOW SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE SURFACE.           233
+"GIVE ME YOUR HAND ON THAT."                            292
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A PROPOSAL AND AN ACCEPTANCE
+
+
+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.
+
+But Alvin was a young gentleman, and 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:
+
+"Of course you are surprised to receive a call from me." He addressed
+Alvin, who replied:
+
+"I don't deny it. Heretofore you have seemed more anxious to keep out of
+our way than to meet us."
+
+"I admit that it did have that look, but the cause exists no longer."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The other laughed lightly, as if the curt remark pleased him.
+
+"I have no wish to play the mysterious; my name is Stockham Calvert."
+
+It was Alvin's turn to smile, while Chester said meaningly:
+
+"That tells us mighty little."
+
+"I am one of Pinkerton's detectives."
+
+The listeners started. They had never dreamed of anything of this nature,
+and remained silent until he should say more.
+
+"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."
+
+The boys nodded.
+
+"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."
+
+"I don't doubt you have an explanation to give," suggested Alvin.
+
+"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."
+
+At this point Chester Haynes asked his first question:
+
+"How do you know we did?"
+
+Mr. Stockham Calvert indulged in a low laugh.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why did you avoid us? Why didn't you take us into your confidence from
+the first?" asked Chester.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Assist you! What help can _we_ give?"
+
+"You have the fleetest motor boat on the Maine coast. It must be capable
+of twenty miles an hour."
+
+"It is guaranteed to make twenty-four."
+
+"Better yet. These men have a boat which closely resembles yours."
+
+"And its name is the _Water Witch_," said Chester. "I wish Captain Landon
+could run a race with it."
+
+"He can have the chance if he will agree."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Still I do not understand how we can help you, Mr. Calvert," said Alvin.
+
+"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 _Deerfoot_ as a scout. I can't express myself
+better than by that word."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Precisely. What is your answer?"
+
+The young Captain looked at his second mate.
+
+"How does it strike you, Chester?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Of course I shall expect to pay you for your services----"
+
+"Then you will be disappointed," interrupted Alvin crisply. "The
+_Deerfoot_ isn't for hire, and if we go into this it will be for the fun
+we hope to get out of it."
+
+"I think I can guarantee you some entertainment. I presume you two will
+be the only ones on the boat beside myself."
+
+"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."
+
+"I am afraid he is too impetuous and too fond of a fight."
+
+"He may have a weakness in those directions, but his good nature, pluck
+and devotion to my friend and me more than make up."
+
+"It strikes me----"
+
+"I can't help how it strikes you," broke in Alvin, who did not intend to
+accept any commands at this stage of the game. "Mike goes with us
+wherever we go."
+
+"I feel the same way," added Chester. "The _Deerfoot_ can never brave the
+perils of the deep short-handed. The first mate is indispensable."
+
+"As you please then. When will you be ready to start?"
+
+"When do you wish us to start?"
+
+"Say to-morrow morning?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm wid ye, as Mike would say."
+
+"Suppose, Mr. Calvert, we leave it this way: if we decide to go into this
+business, we'll make the venture to-morrow morning."
+
+"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 view all the
+time, so I shall see you when you start."
+
+"Why not stay with us over night? We shall be glad to have you do so,"
+was the hospitable invitation of Alvin Landon.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"What do you make of it all?" asked Alvin of his chum, when after some
+minutes they returned to the big sitting room.
+
+"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 felt a curious
+distrust of him. He said he is a detective, but I'm not sure of it."
+
+"Suppose he belongs to the gang that is playing the mischief with Uncle
+Sam's post offices in this part of the Union?"
+
+"If that were so, what in the world can he want of you and your boat?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Not forgetting Mike Murphy."
+
+"Then you accept his proposal?"
+
+"Not I, but we together."
+
+"All right; it's a go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SCOUT OF THE KENNEBEC
+
+
+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 _Nellie G._, 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.
+
+By and by the attention of most of the spectators was fixed upon the
+beautiful _Deerfoot_, which, putting out from the lower end of Southport
+Island opposite, was heading toward Squirrel. The picture had become
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"It does a fellow good to look at that broth of a boy squatting on the
+stern," remarked Westerfield, while the _Deerfoot_ was still a short
+distance away.
+
+"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."
+
+Nothing loath, Westerfield, who was a bit of a wag himself, called so
+that all heard him:
+
+"You don't need to show a red signal light, my friend; you ought to wait
+until night."
+
+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:
+
+"Thin why have ye the _graan_ light standing there on the wharf?"
+
+Westerfield joined in the general laugh, but came back:
+
+"That face of yours will keep off all danger by daylight."
+
+"And it's yer own phiz that will sarve the same purpose at night."
+
+The laughter was louder than ever, and the pleased Calvert said to the
+lawyer:
+
+"Better let him alone; he will down you every time."
+
+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.
+
+"Please don't bite me with those dreadful teeth."
+
+Mike, who was now close to the wharf, leaped lightly upon it.
+
+"Have no fear; the sight of yersilf has made a Joo of me."
+
+Then as if afraid that the listeners would not catch the force of his
+words, he added:
+
+"A Joo, as ye may know, doesn't ate pork."
+
+Detective Calvert slapped the lawyer on the shoulder.
+
+"Try him again."
+
+"No; I have had enough." Then raising his hat and bowing in salutation,
+Westerfield offered his hand to the lad, who shook it warmly.
+
+"You're too much for me, Mike. I'm proud to take off my hat to you."
+
+"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."
+
+While still in the boat, Alvin and Chester had returned the salutation of
+Calvert. The Captain remained seated at the wheel, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Suppose it isn't there?" said Chester.
+
+"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 _Deerfoot_ shall serve as the Scout
+of the Kennebec."
+
+"A romantic title," remarked Alvin, over his shoulder, "though we are not
+cruising on the Kennebec, but up the Sheepscot."
+
+"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."
+
+The launch required no special attention just then, and, with one hand on
+the steering wheel, Captain Alvin looked around:
+
+"Mike, what do you think of it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Suppose the _Water Witch_ happens to be where Chester and I saw her at
+night?" asked Alvin of their director.
+
+"We shall have to decide our course of action by what develops."
+
+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 without having a pretty clear line laid out to
+follow. It may have been as he said, however, and he was not questioned
+further.
+
+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.
+
+Past the Cat Ledges, Jo and Cedarbrush Islands moved the _Deerfoot_ 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 _Water
+Witch_ reposing in the darkness of night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AT THE INLET
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"But if it should happen to be there?" said Alvin, repeating the question
+he had asked before.
+
+"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."
+
+It was at this moment that Mike Murphy asked a question whose point the
+others were quick to perceive.
+
+"If the spalpeens are there, will ye let 'em have a sight of yersilf?"
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Here's where the _Water Witch_ lay," said Alvin. "Do you wish to land,
+Mr. Calvert?"
+
+He was standing up and scrutinizing the little plot as they glided along
+the shore, but discovered nothing of interest.
+
+"No; there's no call to stop; we may as well go back."
+
+"Do ye obsarve that six-masted schooner wid its nose poked under the
+bushes in the hope of escaping notice?"
+
+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 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.
+
+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:
+
+"That must belong to somebody who lives in the neighborhood."
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Does he believe we did not know him that night? Does he think neither of
+us suspected what he did? _Is he what he pretends to be?_"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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; but, as I have shown, the full truth was
+still to be learned.
+
+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.
+
+It was a brief run out to the Sheepscot, and the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+The _Deerfoot_ had not reached the upper end of Barter Island when Alvin
+from his place as steerer called out:
+
+"That looks like the boat we are hunting for."
+
+Running closer in to the right shore than the _Deerfoot_, a second boat
+was visible whose similarity of appearance caused astonishment. The bows
+of the two being pointed toward each other, the view was 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.
+
+"It's the _Water Witch_!" said Chester excitedly.
+
+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.
+
+Mike Murphy caught the stir of the moment.
+
+"How many passengers do ye obsarve on the same frigate? It seems to me
+there be only two."
+
+"That is all that are visible," replied Chester, holding the glass still
+leveled.
+
+"Thin they must be them two that we had the shindy wid the ither night!"
+
+"Undoubtedly; in fact I recognize the one you pointed out at Boothbay."
+
+"And the ither must be the ither one."
+
+"There is every reason to believe so."
+
+"Thin----I say, Captain," said the agitated Mike, turning to Alvin,
+"would ye be kind enough to run up alongside that ship?"
+
+"Why do you wish me to do that?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"No, Mike--not to-day; I have no objection to your having a little
+'conversation' with Mr. Noxon or his companion, but this isn't the right
+way to go about it."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Look just behind the fellow who is steering. He's Noxon, I'm sure! Study
+closely and let me know whether you see anything suspicious."
+
+Wondering to what he referred, Chester complied. While doing his best to
+learn what his friend meant the latter whispered again:
+
+"If you see anything, be careful to let no one besides me know what it
+is."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Did you notice anything special?" asked Chester.
+
+"I saw nothing but those two young men, with whom as I learn from the
+Captain he had an affray some nights ago."
+
+Chester leaned over and whispered to Alvin:
+
+"I saw it plainly."
+
+"What?"
+
+"A man crouching down among the seats as Calvert did and peering over
+like him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A STRANGE RACE
+
+
+Suddenly the _Water Witch's_ whistle sent out a series of piping toots.
+
+"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.
+
+"It's a challenge to a race."
+
+"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."
+
+"Be keerful ye don't run over him," cautioned Mike, catching the
+excitement, "as Tam McMurray said whin he started to overtake a
+locomotive."
+
+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 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.
+
+"Are you doing your best?" asked Calvert, watching the actions of the
+youthful Captain.
+
+"No; I am making about two-thirds of the other's speed."
+
+"Then don't do any better, is my advice," said the detective.
+
+Alvin glanced over his shoulder.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 the other and what could be gained by passing the boat.
+
+Again the whistle piped several times and it was evident that the
+fugitive, as it may be called, had "put on more steam."
+
+"Do you wish me to let her get away from us?" asked Alvin.
+
+"Not for the present, but that may be the best course. Hold your own for
+awhile and then gradually fall back."
+
+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.
+
+Such were the relative positions when the _Water Witch_ shot past Ram
+Island, holding the middle of the stream, and a few minutes later came
+abreast of Isle of Springs.
+
+"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."
+
+Such was the fact, and Chester said:
+
+"They must know that we also have a friend with us."
+
+"I don't see that it matters either way. I think you are gaining."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+The _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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 _Gardiner_,
+plowing ahead in such desperate haste that one might well believe the
+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.
+
+The _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"They're gaining!" exclaimed Chester, who was closely watching the
+progress of the racers. "Do you mean to let them get away, Alvin?"
+
+"Mr. Calvert will answer that question."
+
+"I do so by advising that you neither gain nor lose for the present."
+
+The Captain gave the launch a little 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.
+
+The _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Can you overhaul her?" asked Detective Calvert.
+
+"Easiest thing in the world; I can shoot past her as if she were lying
+still."
+
+"Well, don't do it."
+
+Mike could remain silent no longer.
+
+"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."
+
+Alvin nodded his head.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Mike glared at the speaker, as if doubting the evidence of his ears.
+
+"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."
+
+"You forget," added Calvert, with the same seriousness, "that they have a
+full-grown man to help them out."
+
+"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."
+
+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 signal.
+In his impatience, he had turned his back upon them and was looking
+gloomily over the stern at the foaming wake.
+
+"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."
+
+"And why?"
+
+"He'll sure give me the greatest walloping of me life."
+
+"For what reason?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll explain to him," said Calvert, "that you couldn't help yourself."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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:
+
+"Ye haven't the honor of an acquaintance wid me dad."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE LOSER OF THE RACE
+
+
+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.
+
+The draw had just been swung open when our friends came in sight of the
+bridge, and saw the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+"Isn't that lucky now!" was the sarcastic exclamation of Mike.
+
+"Why?" asked Chester.
+
+"He wants to hilp ye fall back further behind the ither boat."
+
+"There may be something in that," the Captain replied.
+
+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.
+
+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
+became motionless when a few yards from the bridge.
+
+I am afraid the driver purposely delayed the _Deerfoot_, 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.
+
+"I suggist that ye turn about, Captain, and scoot for home," was the
+ironical advice of the Irish youth.
+
+"For what reason?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Better wait, Captain, till he's a little farther off," advised Calvert;
+"there may be something in what Michael says."
+
+As for Mike, feeling he could not do justice to the subject, he held his
+peace for the moment.
+
+Gliding through the draw and entering Montsweag Bay, the occupants of the
+_Deerfoot_ were surprised to see nothing of the other launch. She was as
+invisible as if she had been scuttled and sunk in fifty feet of water.
+
+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.
+
+When Mike found the _Water Witch_ had vanished, he pretended to be vastly
+relieved. He had dropped into his chair and now straightened up.
+
+"But ain't we lucky?"
+
+"Why so?" asked Calvert.
+
+"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."
+
+"I am glad you are becoming so prudent," said Calvert, with an approving
+nod. "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."
+
+"Better wait," suggested Mike, "fur ye might gain on t'other one."
+
+Alvin now put on the highest speed of which the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+He kept up the furious speed until they 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
+_Water Witch_, but she was nowhere in sight.
+
+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.
+
+"Keep it up till we catch sight of her again," suggested Calvert. "I
+believe there are no more bridges between us and Wiscasset."
+
+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 _Water Witch_.
+
+"You may as well slow down," remarked the detective, who, guarding a
+match with his hands behind the wind-shield, proceeded to light another
+cigar.
+
+"What do you make of it?" asked Alvin, turning his head, as the pace
+became slower than before.
+
+"We have passed the other boat; she is behind us instead of in front."
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"For hiven's sake don't go back," protested Mike. "Ye might find her--and
+then what would become of ye?"
+
+The detective now gave his view of the situation.
+
+"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."
+
+Calvert looked at his watch.
+
+"It is near noon; if you all feel as I do you would welcome a good
+dinner."
+
+"That's the most sensible sense that I've heerd since we started,"
+remarked Mike, who was as hungry as his companions.
+
+"It is not a long run to Wiscasset," said Alvin; "and there's more than
+one good hotel there."
+
+"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."
+
+"We shall pass several landings, and there are farmhouses along shore
+where I'm sure the folks will be glad to accommodate us."
+
+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.
+
+Chester offered to relieve his chum at the wheel, and Alvin was quite
+willing to exchange places with him. The occurrences 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so, if it is prudent at this time."
+
+"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 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?"
+
+The detective smiled, and smoked a minute or two before replying.
+
+"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. 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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A WARM RECEPTION
+
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 had evidently
+been placed there for use, though no small boat was near.
+
+Chester brought the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"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:
+
+"You always have that expression."
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"He must be so cheered at sight of me that he is obleeged to give
+exprission to his feelings--Begorra!"
+
+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 that made him look as if the organ was in
+mourning.
+
+Holding the pipe away from his lips, the man pointed the stem toward
+Mike, who had paused, and said to his dog:
+
+"Sick him, Nick! Sick him!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Mike coolly braced himself for the shock, not yielding an inch nor
+turning his gaze from his foe. It was no longer a doddering old man who
+faced the stranger, but a sturdy youth, muscular, brave and always eager
+for the fray.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Sick him, Nick! Sick him!" he called, pointing his finger at the lad.
+
+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.
+
+It was at this juncture that Stockham Calvert flung away his cigar,
+sprang from his chair and with one bound landed beside Alvin Landon.
+
+"I don't intend that Mike shall get into trouble."
+
+As he spoke, he laid his hand on his hip pocket where reposed his
+revolver.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"You don't mean to shoot the fellow?" said the alarmed Captain.
+
+"It won't be necessary," was the quiet response.
+
+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,
+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.
+
+Mike now turned and began walking hurriedly toward the launch, with the
+squirming captive still in his iron grip.
+
+The infuriated owner sprang from his seat and leaped down the steps.
+
+"Drop that dog!" he shouted, striding after Mike, who called back:
+
+"I'll drop him as soon as I raich the river."
+
+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 of
+the launch, and headed for Mike with the purpose of renewing the attack.
+
+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.
+
+Mike read his purpose, poised himself and put up his fists.
+
+"Now for the next dog and it's mesilf that is ready fur him."
+
+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 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.
+
+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:
+
+"Stop! he's my friend!"
+
+He raised one hand, palm outward by way of emphasis of his warning words.
+
+"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.
+
+"Come on and you'll learn!" was the reply in the same even tones, as
+Calvert assumed the posture of a trained pugilist.
+
+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 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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SCIENCE VERSUS STRENGTH
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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----
+
+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 and lay senseless, knocked out in the first
+round.
+
+"You have killed him!" whispered the scared Captain.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm not partic'lar as to the place," said Mike, "if only we dine."
+
+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:
+
+"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."
+
+The smiling officer cordially accepted the proffer.
+
+"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-raps, but he would have found me hard to digist. Do ye obsarve?"
+
+He pointed to the little landing which 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+The three listened to the words of Calvert, who clearly was in earnest.
+
+"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."
+
+"It was not necessary to tell Chester and me that, but I suppose you wish
+to run no risk that can be avoided."
+
+"That's it; I did not doubt your loyalty, but you know we can't be too
+careful."
+
+Mike was leaning back in his chair deeply thinking.
+
+"There's one waak p'int in the plan suggisted."
+
+Inasmuch as no one had submitted a plan the three wondered.
+
+"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 folks priss their
+questions, some answer must be given or 'spicions will be stirred."
+
+"The point is well taken. I don't wish you to tell an untruth----"
+
+"I'm sure the task is not difficult fur the Captain and second mate,"
+interrupted Mike, "though it's beyond me."
+
+"But you can evade a direct reply."
+
+"May I vinture upon another suggistion?" asked Mike.
+
+"We shall all be glad to hear it, I'm sure."
+
+"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."
+
+"A brilliant idea!" laughed the officer. "All I ask is that you give no
+truthful information about me."
+
+"Ye doesn't objict to my telling folks how ye laid out that Goliah a bit
+ago?"
+
+"I prefer you should not mention it."
+
+Mike sighed.
+
+"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?"
+
+"I may add," continued the man, "that it is quite likely we shall soon
+part company."
+
+Mike affected to be surprised.
+
+"Doesn't the Captain pay ye 'nough wages?"
+
+"I have no fault to find on that score."
+
+"I'm glad to larn that. If he requires ye to do too much dooty, I'll hilp
+ye out, the bist I can."
+
+"I promise to call upon you if necessary, Mike, but I hope I shall not be
+obliged to do so."
+
+"I have been wondering since we started," said Alvin over his shoulder,
+"whether by any possibility the _Water Witch_ kept on up the river ahead
+of us instead of running into some bay or inlet to the south."
+
+"It is possible, but not probable. You know we had an extended view of
+this stream, or rather of Montsweag Bay, and she could not have gone far
+enough in the short time to pass out of sight."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I should say that after so long a chase he would have given up
+disgusted," replied the detective.
+
+"It was not that; it was 'cause he found the tracks were becooming too
+fresh."
+
+"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 _becoming_
+so."
+
+"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."
+
+"You seem quite sure that these three whom we saw in the launch are mixed
+up in these post office robberies?" asked Alvin.
+
+"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."
+
+"It shtrikes me that the most important quistion of all has been
+sittled."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Mike stared as if he failed to catch the meaning of this astounding
+remark.
+
+"Plaise say that agin, Captain, and say it slow like."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE LONE GUEST
+
+
+The _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+The possibility that the _Water Witch_ had preceded them to Wiscasset
+caused a scrutiny of the various craft in sight by the Captain and his
+crew, including Detective Calvert, but nothing was seen of the boat.
+
+"She is miles off down stream," was the remark of the officer, "and for
+the present is out of the running."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"The two are acquaintances," was the conclusion of the lad, "and they
+don't wish anyone else to know it."
+
+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.
+
+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 divert possible suspicion by cheery remarks
+and pleasant conversation as the meal proceeded.
+
+"I am sure, Mike, you never had any such feasts in the old country."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Meanwhile, Mike made his response to the inquiring remark of Calvert:
+
+"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?"
+
+"I'm not quite sure I grasp your meaning, Mike," was the reply, while
+Alvin and Chester looked up.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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
+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.
+
+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!
+
+"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!
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+Oddly enough the stranger was the first to recover his speech. He must
+have had little liking for Hibernians, since he called:
+
+"You're right, young man! You showed us the heart of a real Irishman!"
+
+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:
+
+"I made a slight mistake, as Jerry Sullivan 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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The meal finished, the four rose to leave the dining room. While there
+may have been nothing meant by Calvert's action in 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.
+
+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?
+
+"If he chooses to explain I must wait until he is ready," was the
+decision of Chester.
+
+The afternoon was well forward, when they walked down the slope to the
+wharf, where the _Deerfoot_ 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:
+
+"I shall have to bid you good-by for awhile."
+
+"Why is that?" asked the Captain, in surprise.
+
+"You remember I told you it was likely, but I hope soon to meet you all
+again."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A BREAK DOWN
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"What do you make of it all?"
+
+"That man who was in the dining room with us may have been another
+detective or----"
+
+"Or what?" asked Chester, observing the hesitation.
+
+"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."
+
+"In other words, he is a member of the gang whom he pretends to be
+hunting down."
+
+"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."
+
+Chester was thoughtful for a moment or two.
+
+"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 _Water Witch_ 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?"
+
+"I haven't any choice; have you?"
+
+"Suppose then you follow Back River, and around Cape Newagen home. That's
+a pretty good run, and at the rate we are going we sha'n't get there
+before dark."
+
+"Have you any reason for the choice?"
+
+"Only that we may catch sight of the _Water Witch_, from which we parted
+in those waters. If we do, we shall have to hold Mike in leash."
+
+So it came about that the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+Suddenly Chester asked an odd question:
+
+"Do you think the launch was injured by that spurt this forenoon?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Somehow or other, it seems to me she isn't running exactly right."
+
+"What is wrong?"
+
+"I can't put my finger on it; I may say I _feel_ it--that's all."
+
+"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!"
+
+While the speed of the boat was not affected, the engine began hissing
+with vicious persistency.
+
+"Take the wheel, Chester, while I look around."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Remembering the lessons he had been taught, the young Captain soon
+corrected the fault and resumed progress. The launch, however, was held
+down to a comparatively slow pace, for the slight slip naturally caused
+misgiving. Several minutes passed with all going well.
+
+"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."
+
+"All right; turn on more power--no, don't! _Ouch!_"
+
+Alvin snapped his fingers, as one does when they are burned. He had
+placed them upon the exhaust pipe, which was growing red hot.
+
+"Shut her off! The mischief is to pay."
+
+Knowing from the gesture of the Captain what was the matter, Chester
+asked, as he obeyed the request:
+
+"What causes that?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Why not run to land and tie up? We may get in the way of some of the
+boats steaming up or down the river if we stay out here."
+
+Alvin scrutinized the eastern bank, which is the upper portion of
+Westport, and much nearer than Wiscasset township opposite.
+
+"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."
+
+The turning of the boat naturally stirred Mike's curiosity and he came
+back to learn the cause, which was soon explained to him.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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 ready to give valuable
+advice whenever it was needed.
+
+"Being as mesilf ain't indispinsable just now, 'spose I strolls up to the
+city nixt door and make a few more new acquaintances."
+
+"There is no objection to that," replied the Captain, "but be sure to
+come back before dark."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Now we must find whether that is caused by a cylinder missing fire and
+pumping the gas into the muffler."
+
+"How will that do it?" asked Chester, who, while a good motor boat pilot,
+possessed less practical knowledge than his chum.
+
+"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."
+
+It was fully dark before the difficulty was remedied by a careful
+readjustment of the carburettor. Repeated tests were made, and everything
+found to be right.
+
+"At last!" said Alvin, with a sigh of relief. "And now we are ready to go
+home. But where is Mike?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+AT BEARTOWN
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"It strikes me that you will be running into danger by going down the
+river to-night."
+
+"How?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, but I hope she is through breaking down for some time to come."
+
+"So do I, but why take the risk, when there's no necessity for it?"
+
+"We aren't fixed to sleep on board, though we could do it in a pinch, for
+the weather is mild."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"It is a dazzling promise you hold before me, but it won't be fair to
+condemn Mike unheard. Give him a chance."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Hands up!" called the Captain, in his most startling voice.
+
+Mike stopped short, but made no motion to obey.
+
+"Didn't you hear me?" demanded Alvin fiercely, as he strode forward with
+the grinning Chester at his elbow.
+
+"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.
+
+"What kept you so long?" asked Chester.
+
+"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."
+
+"It is so late," said the Captain, "that we have decided to stay here
+overnight--that is, if we can get lodgings."
+
+"Arrah, now, that's a sinsible remark which I ixpicted ye to make, as
+Arty Devitt said whin he admitted he was the biggest fool in Cork. But
+there ain't a hotel in Beartown."
+
+"Then we shall have to go back to the boat and either start down the
+river or bunk in as best we can."
+
+"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."
+
+"Be sensible for once in your life," said Alvin, "and explain matters."
+
+"Isn't that what I'm doing?" asked Mike, as he turned about and the three
+walked toward the sleepy little town.
+
+"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?"
+
+"It is impossible. What's her name?"
+
+"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."
+
+"St. Patrick died fifteen hundred years ago," said Chester.
+
+"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."
+
+"But where do we come in?" asked Alvin.
+
+"That was me chaif trouble in gitting ye folks straightened out. Av
+coorse, I made it clear to them that I owned a launch, which the same is
+called the _Deerfut_, 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."
+
+"So it would seem, if a tenth part of what you say is true," was the
+comment of Alvin.
+
+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 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.
+
+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 and slowly
+inspected each. She gently shook her head:
+
+"It doesn't seem to have arrived; probably it will come in the next
+mail."
+
+Mike's genial face became the picture of disappointment.
+
+"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."
+
+"I am sorry," said the sympathetic postmistress, "but I don't see how I
+can help you. Have patience and all will come right."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+During this brief interview a girl not yet out of short dresses stood
+behind the counter, measuring out some calico for a 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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+Mike was caught. He had taken a comprehensive survey of the display
+outside the store before entering, and was sure that only the simplest
+agricultural implements were on sale. Furthermore, he had less than a
+silver dollar in his pockets.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+AT THE POST OFFICE IN BEARTOWN
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 at the front of the store, the gentle mother beamed with
+a smile. She had heard and understood it all.
+
+"I am afraid, Nora, you were rude to the gentleman," she said in her
+silvery voice.
+
+"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."
+
+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 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?
+
+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.
+
+"They may repair it and go home," suggested Nora.
+
+"That will make no difference, for I sha'n't return to them till night
+comes and then they'll have no ch'ice."
+
+"They may not wait for you," said Nora.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+When the cheering thousands welcomed 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.
+
+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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+"You will please give me a receipt," he said in his brisk fashion. The
+reply was gentle:
+
+"I cannot do that."
+
+"Why not? It's simple business."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+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:
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"A young gentleman."
+
+"I don't like his looks."
+
+"Then I advise you not to look at him," was the reply.
+
+"How long is he going to hang round the store?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you know anything about the two?"
+
+"I have never seen them, and I never saw this young gentleman till this
+afternoon."
+
+The caller turned his face and scanned Mike more closely. The youth, who
+was boiling with anger, tried to look as if unaware of the insulting
+action.
+
+"Please hand that package back," said Mr. Kupfer, with a compression of
+his thin lips.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 back of him, stuffing
+her handkerchief in her mouth and with her face almost as crimson as his
+own.
+
+"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.
+
+"We both heard what he said," she replied as soon as she could command
+her voice.
+
+"Being I faal like a firecracker that has jest been teched off, I suspict
+I caught his loving remarks consarning mesilf."
+
+"Will you tell me something truly--upon your word of honor--take your
+dying oath?"
+
+"That I will, ye may depind upon the same."
+
+"Are you a real post office robber?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HOSTESSES AND GUESTS
+
+
+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:
+
+"Do ye insist on me answering yer quistion?"
+
+"I do," she replied, with an expression of tremendous solemnity.
+
+"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."
+
+Rising from his chair, Mike bowed low.
+
+"I thrust I have answered yer quistions satisfactorily, Miss."
+
+"You couldn't have done better--hello, Jim!"
+
+This salutation was to a big gawky boy, who slouched through the door,
+with the announcement:
+
+"Wal, I'm ready: what shall I do?"
+
+"Who's yer frind?" asked Mike of Nora.
+
+"He comes round each morning to take out and place the things on the
+porch in front and brings them in again each evening"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Yaws," he said, with a silly grin, looking at the coin and then clasping
+it tight; "what do yuh warnt me to dew?"
+
+"Go right home to yer mommy and give her that quarter to save up fur ye.
+Don't git gay on the road and buy a horse and wagon."
+
+"Yaws, but--uh--I don't understand what yuh am drivin' at."
+
+"Ye don't understand anything in this wurruld and by yer looks niver
+will."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yaws--but what did he give me so much money fur? I hain't done nothin'
+to earn it; I don't understand it."
+
+"We all know that. Come wid me, James."
+
+As Mike spoke, he slipped his arm under that of Jim and walked to the
+door, not pausing until they stood on the porch.
+
+"Now, James, tell me where ye live."
+
+"Yaws, what fur?"
+
+"'Cause I asked ye; out wid it!"
+
+The lad pointed a crooked finger down the street to the left.
+
+"Now, see how quick ye can git thar. 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'."
+
+"Oh, yaws, I understand--why didn't ye say so afore?"
+
+"'Cause ye wouldn't have understood if I did. Off wid ye!"
+
+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.
+
+"Now, Miss Nora, if ye'll tell me where ye want these things placed, I
+shall be honored by carrying 'em in fur ye."
+
+Mike stood in the front door and looked down the big store to Nora, at
+the rear, who called:
+
+"Set them in the back part of the room right here where I'm standing."
+
+"How can I put 'em there, if ye stand there?" asked Mike.
+
+"I expect to get out of your way."
+
+"Oh, yaws," remarked the youth, mimicking Jim, who had shown so much
+mental bewilderment.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I think," said the daughter when Mike had completed his work, which took
+only a few minutes, "you have earned your supper."
+
+"Ah, now what reward can equal 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.
+
+The mother had just finished locking the safe, and, standing up, she
+laughed in her gentle way and said:
+
+"Surely you have kissed the blarney stone, Mike."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Nothing more, thank you. Nora and I will now close the store and attend
+to preparing supper."
+
+"And I'll bring me frinds to enj'y the same."
+
+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.
+
+Following a common fashion of the times, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Supper will be ready in a few minutes," she said. "Nora will entertain
+you in the parlor until I call you."
+
+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."
+
+"I never knew such a funny person," said Nora, after one of his quaint
+remarks. "Mother and I took to him from the first."
+
+"I find it's a common wakeness whereiver I go," said Mike gravely.
+
+"We find him fairly good company," said Alvin. "He seems to have been
+born that way and we can hardly blame him."
+
+"He tries our patience very much," added Chester, "but we have learned to
+bear the affliction."
+
+"I wish you all lived in Beartown," said Nora impulsively, "and that Mike
+would call to see us every day."
+
+"Whisht, now," said he, lowering his voice. "Whin I strolled through the
+town 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Now," said she as she rose from the stool and looked at Mike, "you must
+sing for us, for I know you can."
+
+"Certainly, Mike, show them what you can do in that line," joined Alvin,
+and Chester was equally urgent.
+
+He objected and held back, but when Mrs. Friestone joined in the request
+he rose reluctantly and went to the instrument.
+
+And straightway came the surprise of the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AN INCIDENT ON SHIPBOARD
+
+
+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.
+
+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 _mal de mer_ had troubled only
+the abnormally sensitive. Neither the brother nor the prima donna had
+felt the slightest effects.
+
+The two were chatting of many things, but nothing of any importance, when
+she suddenly stopped with an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Listen!" she added when they had stood motionless for a few seconds; "do
+you hear that?"
+
+"I do; it is wonderful."
+
+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.
+
+The lady and gentleman walked to the barrier and looked across.
+
+"There he is!" said the man, in a low tone.
+
+"Where?" asked his companion, with eager curiosity.
+
+"To the right, in front of that group which has gathered round him."
+
+"I see him now. Why, he is only a boy."
+
+"A pretty big one. But hark!"
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why, my dear, he is a second class passenger."
+
+"What of that? He has a divine gift in his voice. I must meet him."
+
+Louis shrugged his shoulders, but he was used to the whims of his
+brilliant 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.
+
+"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.'"
+
+The confused lad doffed his cap and bowed with awkward grace.
+
+"It was mesilf that feared I was disturbing yer slumbers, which if it be
+the fact I beg yer pardon fur the same."
+
+"Disturbing our slumbers! Did you hear that, Louis?"
+
+And the artist's musical laughter rang out. More soberly she asked:
+
+"Will you tell me your name?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Are you alone?"
+
+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:
+
+"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?"
+
+How the prima donna laughed!
+
+"Louis, he thinks you are my father, when you are my twin brother! It's
+delicious."
+
+"It may be for you, but not for me," he grimly answered, though scarcely
+less pleased than she over the pointed compliment to her.
+
+Addressing Mike, the lady said:
+
+"You have a wonderfully fine tenor voice: do you know that, Mike?"
+
+"I do _now_, since yersilf has told me, though ye make me blush."
+
+"Are you travelling alone?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Have you had any instruction in music or the cultivation of your voice?"
+
+"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."
+
+"How would you like to become an opera singer, Mike?"
+
+He recoiled, and, though he knew the meaning of the question, he asked:
+
+"And phwat does ye mane by 'opera'?"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"It is very kind of you, leddy, and I'm sorry I can't accipt, as Terence
+Gallagher said whin the mob invited him out to be hanged."
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+The frightened Mike hung back.
+
+"Stand right here beside me," she said with pleasant imperiousness. "I
+will play the accompaniment while you sing 'Mavourneen.'"
+
+"I'm that scared, me leddy, that I couldn't sing a word."
+
+"Tut, tut--none of that. Come, try!" and she struck several notes on the
+instrument.
+
+Mike's voice was a trifle uncertain at 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.
+
+"You are not through yet; I must test your voice further. Can you sing
+any other songs?"
+
+"I have thried a few."
+
+"Name them."
+
+"I can't ricollect them at this moment, but there's 'Oft in the Stilly
+Night' and----"
+
+"That will do; it is one of Tom Moore's prettiest. Are you ready?"
+
+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:
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+"THE NIGHT SHALL BE FILLED WITH MUSIC"
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 would become comical to the last degree. The
+listeners glanced significantly to one another, while he was bringing out
+a few preliminary notes.
+
+Suddenly into the room burst the most ravishing music from the sweetest
+voice they had ever heard.
+
+               "The harp that once through Tara's halls
+                 The soul of music shed,
+               Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls
+                 As if that soul were fled.
+               So sleeps the pride of former days,
+                 So glory's thrill is o'er,
+               And hearts that once beat high for praise,
+                 Now feel that pulse no more."
+
+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.
+
+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 as if they were dreaming and were waiting
+for the spell to lift.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"You darling! You sing like an angel!"
+
+"Nothing could be sweeter," added the smiling mother. Mike gently kissed
+the girl on her forehead, and did not release her until she drew away.
+
+"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."
+
+Alvin walked silently across the floor and reached out his hand.
+
+"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?"
+
+Chester joined his chum.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Chester asked reprovingly:
+
+"Why didn't you let us know about this before?"
+
+"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."
+
+"You are a queer make-up," replied Alvin, with a laugh.
+
+"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."
+
+Nora added her entreaties.
+
+"We know you can do very well, Alvin, though of course not half so well
+as Mike, for _nobody_ can do that," was the naive argument of the miss.
+
+"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."
+
+The fun of it was that Chester could not sing the chromatic scale
+correctly if his life were at stake. He was not rattled by the request.
+
+"Mike, can you play the accompaniment to 'Greenville'?" he asked.
+
+"How does it go? Hum the same fur me so I can catch it."
+
+Chester stood up and "hummed," but without the slightest resemblance to
+any tune that the others had ever heard.
+
+"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."
+
+"No, sir; I decline to play second fiddle to anyone," and Chester resumed
+his seat as if in high dudgeon.
+
+At this moment Nora asked of Mike:
+
+"Did you ever make up music for yourself?"
+
+"I have tried once or twice, but didn't do much."
+
+"Oh, please sing us something of your own."
+
+"A leddy on the steamer that brought me over give me some printed words
+one 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."
+
+(This was the only reference that Mike was ever heard to make to the
+incidents recorded in the previous chapter.)
+
+And then the Irish lad sang "The Sweet Long Ago."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A KNOCK AT THE DOOR
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Not after Mike," she replied, her eyes gleaming more brightly through
+the moisture not yet dried.
+
+It was impossible for the Irish lad to 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.
+
+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.
+
+"In a few minutes he'll be asleep and will tumble off his chair."
+
+"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 _first_ mate of the battleship
+_Deerfut_."
+
+The girl went to the kitchen from which 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.
+
+"I think you will find everything as you wish."
+
+"It couldn't be itherwise, whin it's yersilf that has provided the same.
+Be that token, we're getting more than we desarve."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I suppose this belonged to the captain," said Chester inquiringly. The
+widow nodded her head.
+
+"And it did good service--that is certain," added Chester, with his
+companions beside him scrutinizing the weapon. "But it seems to have been
+injured."
+
+She smiled faintly.
+
+"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."
+
+"I am sure of that," said Chester as he reverently carried the gun back
+to the corner.
+
+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:
+
+"I thank you for what you did to-night."
+
+"I beg ye don't mintion it----"
+
+Mike stopped abruptly, and pretending to see something interesting in the
+old rifle, hurried across the room to examine it more closely.
+
+"Good night and pleasant dreams," called the lady as she passed out,
+noiselessly closing the door behind her.
+
+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.
+
+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 at night, or you could cast it aside. You were equally
+comfortable in either situation.
+
+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.
+
+It was Mike who abruptly spoke:
+
+"I say, Captain, are ye aslaap?"
+
+"I ought to be, but I was never wider awake."
+
+"How about the second mate?"
+
+"The same here," was the reply from that individual.
+
+"I wish to obsarve that I'm engaged just now in thinking, byes."
+
+"Thinking of what?" asked Alvin.
+
+"'Spose them post office robbers should pay this place a visit."
+
+"What in the world put that in your head?"
+
+"Didn't the same thought come to ye, Captain?"
+
+"I must admit it did."
+
+"And how is it with the second mate?"
+
+"It has troubled me, too, Mike."
+
+"But I can see no real cause for misgiving," added Alvin.
+
+"We know the _Water Witch_ is somewhere in the neighborhood," remarked
+Chester, to which his chum replied:
+
+"What could attract them to a small office like this? They hunt for
+bigger game."
+
+"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?"
+
+"But how should they know about it? They didn't see it done," said Alvin.
+
+"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."
+
+"What of that?"
+
+"Doesn't it show that it's the practice in Beartown wid some of them as
+has lots 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."
+
+"We should have seen something of them if they were in this village."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+VISITORS OF THE NIGHT
+
+
+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:
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"It is I--Nora. Mamma and I are awfully scared."
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"Somebody is in the store downstairs."
+
+"How do you know that?"
+
+"Mamma heard the window raised and woke me. She asked me to call you
+boys."
+
+"Wait a moment and we'll be with you."
+
+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. They
+wrought silently and without lighting the lamp.
+
+"I expected it," remarked Chester, imitating them.
+
+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.
+
+"Hark!" whispered the mother.
+
+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:
+
+"Are you sure you were not mistaken, Mrs. Friestone?"
+
+"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.
+
+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 been
+moved more than a few inches, for the sound ceased immediately.
+
+"You are right," said Alvin; "you have visitors. About what time do you
+suppose it is?"
+
+"The clock struck twelve quite awhile ago. There! it is now one," she
+added as a silvery tinkle came from the parlor.
+
+"What shall we do?" asked Nora, echoing the question that was in the mind
+of every one.
+
+And then a strange council was held in a place so dark that all who took
+part were mutually invisible.
+
+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.
+
+While the boys were eager to take the risk, the mother would not agree
+and the plan had to be abandoned.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Possibly the girl might have been argued out of her absurd fear had she
+not won her mother to her side. She took the same view.
+
+"What then is to be done?" asked Chester a trifle impatiently.
+
+"Nothing; they can't get the safe open, if they work till daylight."
+
+"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."
+
+To this terrifying declaration the lady could make no reply except to
+say:
+
+"We may as well go back to our rooms."
+
+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.
+
+"Whisht!" whispered Mike; "let's go to the parlor, where we have the
+moonlight to help us."
+
+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.
+
+As Mike had intimated, the round, clear 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.
+
+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, jumped over and passed from
+view to the rear.
+
+"I wonder what that man is waiting there for."
+
+It was Nora who whispered this question, which instantly put the others
+on the _qui vive_.
+
+"I don't see any man; where is he?" asked Chester.
+
+"Under that tree opposite; he's in plain sight."
+
+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.
+
+"He is the lookout," said Chester.
+
+"What's a lookout?" asked the nervous Nora.
+
+"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, probably by means of a whistle, and the fellows below
+will run."
+
+"Why couldn't you give the signal?"
+
+"I could if I knew what it is, but I don't."
+
+"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.
+
+"No fear of his visiting us," Alvin assured her; "but it is best to keep
+out of sight."
+
+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.
+
+What a unique situation! One or more 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"I've only to feel each step," he reflected, "and I'll soon arrive, and
+then won't fur of the spalpeens fly?"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+"TALL OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW"
+
+
+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."
+
+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 not fully understand until he reached home and had
+eaten his supper.
+
+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.
+
+The chat of the family shut out reference to the knife for most of the
+evening. Both 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.
+
+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!
+
+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 wrong side out and the dreadful
+yawn seemed to grin at him.
+
+Weak and faint he sat down on the edge of his trundle bed.
+
+"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 _can't_ be lost!"
+
+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.
+
+"Oh, what's the use!" he exclaimed, dropping down again despairingly on
+the bed. "It's lost! Where did I lose it?"
+
+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 the post office to perform his
+daily task. He reasoned well.
+
+"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!"
+
+He shivered at the probability, but rather singularly the dread was
+dissipated by a few minutes more of thought.
+
+"If he'd seen it, so would Nora and she'd told me. It's somewhere along
+the street."
+
+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.
+
+"I'll get up as soon as it is light," he said, "and hunt till I find it."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I never seen it so bright," he said, stepping to the window and peering
+out.
+
+And then as if by inspiration he whispered:
+
+"It's the right time to hunt for my knife."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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:
+
+"Hello, there! Where you going?"
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Well, you get out of here as quick as you can. Go back home and stay
+there till morning. Do ye hear me?"
+
+"Yaws; I'm going."
+
+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.
+
+"Mind what I told you!" added the stranger, "and don't show your nose
+outside your house before morning. Understand?"
+
+"Yaws; I don't want to, 'cause I've got my knife. Hooray!"
+
+"Shut up! Off with you!"
+
+"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 an explanation,
+which his son gave in a few hurried words.
+
+"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."
+
+Which may serve to explain how it was that Gerald Buxton became involved
+in the incidents that speedily followed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A CLEVER TRICK
+
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+The throwing of the lamp was the best thing the burglar could have done,
+for it 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:
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+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. 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:
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+When within twenty feet of a small barn, a burly man stepped out of the
+gloom and with a large gun levelled gruffly commanded:
+
+"Throw up your arms or I'll let moonlight through you!"
+
+"I don't see any room for argyment, as Jed Mitchell said whin----"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Remember," he said impressively to his son, "to stay home and not show
+your nose outside the door while I'm gone."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 man dashed toward him on a
+dead run. Buxton was alert, and pointing his weapon, crisply commanded:
+
+"Stop or I'll fire!"
+
+The panting fellow obeyed with the exclamation:
+
+"I'm so glad!"
+
+"Glad of what?"
+
+"That you came as you did. There are burglars in the post office!"
+
+"That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. Who are you and why are you in
+such an all-fired hurry?"
+
+"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!"
+
+"Where is the scandalous villain?" demanded Mr. Buxton, glancing on all
+sides.
+
+"He will be here in a minute."
+
+"I shan't wait for him; tell me where he is."
+
+The fugitive, who was momentarily expecting the appearance of his
+pursuer, pointed to the barn around which he had just dashed.
+
+"He is coming from there. Look out, or he'll shoot you!"
+
+"I'm ready for him," exclaimed the angered citizen as he hurriedly
+trotted off and confronted Mike Murphy a few seconds later.
+
+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.
+
+"So you're one of those post office robbers," said Mr. Buxton, partly
+lowering his weapon.
+
+"Not that I know of," replied Mike, beginning to scent the truth.
+
+"Have you a pistol?"
+
+"The only deadly wippon I have is me pocketknife, with its two blades
+broke and the handle being lost some time since."
+
+"Where is the rest of your gang?" demanded the man, stepping closer to
+the youth.
+
+"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."
+
+Mr. Buxton stepped still nearer. He was becoming doubtful.
+
+"Who the mischief are you, anyway?"
+
+"Mike Murphy, born in Tipperary, in the County of Tipperary, Ireland, and
+lately, arrove in Ameriky."
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+"Standing still for the time, as Pat Mulrooney said whin the byes tied
+him to the gate post and wint off and left him."
+
+"Ain't you one of those post office robbers?"
+
+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.
+
+"What made ye have that opinion?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Which the same was the thruth."
+
+"And that one of the gang was chasing him, meaning to shoot him."
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me that first fellow was one of the burglars?" asked
+the astounded Mr. Buxton.
+
+"As sure as ye are standing there admiring me looks."
+
+"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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+IN THE NICK OF TIME
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"They will kill us! What shall we do?" she wailed.
+
+For the moment Alvin and Chester, startled almost as much as their
+friends, were mystified. When Chester said:
+
+"That sounds like Mike's voice. Hello, Mike, are you here with us?"
+
+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.
+
+"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:
+
+"Don't leave us! Don't leave us!"
+
+They stopped irresolute. They could not abandon the two, and yet Mike's
+life might be in peril.
+
+"Go back to them," whispered Chester. "There's no call for both of us to
+stay."
+
+"Better not go down yourself; you know you have no weapon. Let's take a
+look."
+
+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.
+
+"We will not leave you," he said, "but we wish to see what we can from
+the kitchen window."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"The fellow, after leaping the fence, turned to the right and disappeared
+among the shadows."
+
+"With Mike still chasing him?"
+
+"As hard as he could run, but you know he hasn't much speed."
+
+"I wonder," whispered Alvin, "whether there are any more of them
+downstairs."
+
+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.
+
+"I don't believe anyone is there. Let's take a closer look."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"Whoever opened it must have known the combination. And how did he learn
+it?"
+
+Chester shook his head.
+
+"Perhaps Mrs. Friestone can guess. I'll ask her."
+
+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.
+
+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. But nothing occurred to cause new alarm, and
+mother and daughter stared wonderingly at the safe with its wide open
+door.
+
+"Who did that?" asked the woman, in a faint voice.
+
+"One of the burglars," replied Chester.
+
+"How did he learn the combination?"
+
+"That's the mystery; Alvin and I cannot guess. Was it known to anyone
+besides yourself?"
+
+"No; I changed it two days ago and did not even tell Nora. Not another
+soul knew it--and look!"
+
+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.
+
+"They have taken the money!" gasped the widow.
+
+"Let us see."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"That's what I call the greatest luck that ever happened," said Chester.
+
+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.
+
+"Now try the combination," he said to Mrs. Friestone. "Chester and I will
+turn our backs while you do so."
+
+"And why will you do that?"
+
+"So that we shall not learn the secret. If anything like this happens
+again, you cannot say we did it."
+
+She saw the smile on his face and knew he spoke in jest.
+
+"It may be the lock was broken in some way," suggested Chester.
+
+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.
+
+"Now open it," she said to the lads, her spirits rallying over her good
+fortune. They shook their heads and Chester said:
+
+"We might succeed, and that would be suspicious."
+
+"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."
+
+"What's become of Mike?" asked Nora plaintively, speaking for the first
+time. "I'm afraid something dreadful has happened to him."
+
+"He is probably still chasing the bad man," said Chester.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you, Mike! I was afraid those awful people had killed
+you," said the happy girl. "Are you hurt?"
+
+"Not worth speaking of; I think my neck is broke and me lift leg
+fractured in two places, but niver mind."
+
+Then the exuberant youth told his story, to which his friends listened
+with breathless interest.
+
+"Then you didn't catch the villain?" said Chester inquiringly.
+
+"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."
+
+"Well, you drove him off in the nick of time. He didn't get away with a
+penny," said Alvin.
+
+"But what was the maans he used to open that door? That's what gits
+me--whisht!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+"I PIPED AND YE DANCED"
+
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Stop or I'll fire!" shouted Buxton.
+
+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, had
+not Buxton come to an abrupt halt, and taking a quick aim, fired.
+
+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:
+
+"Are you hurt bad?"
+
+"I'm done for," was the reply as the wounded fellow laboriously climbed
+to his feet.
+
+With anger turned into sympathy, the captor asked:
+
+"Where did I hit you?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"I'm sorry I gave it to you so bad, but you can't deny you desarved it.
+If you're able to walk back to my house, with my help, I'll get a doctor
+and we'll soon----"
+
+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.
+
+"Now it's _my_ 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!"
+
+Poor Buxton slowly came to the upright position, with jaws dropping and
+eyes staring. He could only mumble:
+
+"W-w-what's the matter?"
+
+"Nothing with me; it's _you_ that's in a hole."
+
+Believing it was all up with him, the terrified victim stood mute.
+
+"I ought to shoot you down and I'll do so if you don't obey me."
+
+"W-w-what do you want?" Buxton managed to stammer out.
+
+"Dance!" was the crisp command.
+
+The citizen stared, not comprehending the order.
+
+"We cowboys in the West when we want a little fun make a tenderfoot dance
+while we fire our revolvers at his feet. BEGIN!"
+
+The victim lowered the point of the gun so as to point it at the shoes of
+Mr. Buxton.
+
+"I--I--can't dance; never done it in my life," he stuttered.
+
+"Can't begin earlier. Start up!"
+
+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.
+
+"I have one loaded barrel left and I'm aching to let you have it! Keep it
+up!"
+
+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.
+
+"Turn your back toward me and dance 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 _feet_! Remember that!"
+
+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.
+
+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 was following so as to keep him in range.
+
+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:
+
+"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?"
+
+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 toward which he was
+running when so abruptly checked by his pursuer.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+He leaned against the fence while recovering from his unwonted exercise.
+Naturally he believed the young man who had used him so ill had carried
+away his weapon beyond possibility of recovery.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I think I'll have a look at the post office and larn what mischief the
+villain done there."
+
+He veered in his course and came to the back window, where a light showed
+that some persons were gathered. He found mother, daughter and the three
+boys, who gave him warm greeting.
+
+"Was that your gun we heard a little while ago?" asked the woman.
+
+"I reckon it must have been," replied Mr. Buxton, who declined the
+invitation to enter and remained standing outside the window.
+
+"Did you hit the burglar?" asked Alvin.
+
+"Young man," said Mr. Buxton loftily, "when I fire at anything I _always_
+hit it."
+
+"You didn't kill him, Gerald!" exclaimed the horrified mother.
+
+"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."
+
+"Where's your gun?" continued Alvin.
+
+The man glanced around as if it were hidden somewhere about his garments.
+
+"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."
+
+"O dad, here's your gun!"
+
+It was the son Jim who called this greeting as he straddled forward with
+the heavy piece resting on his shoulder. All stared in amazement, and the
+father in his confusion was imprudent enough to ask:
+
+"Where did you get it?"
+
+"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----"
+
+"You young rascal, didn't I tell you to stay home? I'll larn you!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+HOW IT WAS DONE
+
+
+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.
+
+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 gangs with which he sought to connect himself.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I knew you would be somewhere in the neighborhood," was the young man's
+explanation, "and I was listening for your signal."
+
+"Well," growled the elder, "Noxon made a mess of it to-night."
+
+"It looks that way."
+
+"Do you know what happened? Did you see anything?"
+
+"I saw him dash out from the rear of that store with someone chasing him
+with a loaded gun."
+
+"That must have been what we heard a little while ago. Looks as if they
+got Nox."
+
+"Shouldn't be surprised," remarked the other indifferently.
+
+"He oughter managed things better. How was it you didn't warn him?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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 for himself and
+the devil take the hindmost."
+
+"I say, Kit," said Miller, lowering his voice as if fearful of being
+overheard, "do you think they'll get Nox?"
+
+"Haven't a doubt of it."
+
+"I say, do you think there's any danger of his squealing, that is, if he
+hasn't been killed?"
+
+"Naw," was the disgusted reply. "Nox is game--true blue; you can bet on
+him till the cows come home."
+
+Which was more than Nox could say about his two pals.
+
+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 _he_ would do in a
+similar situation.
+
+"Well, come on," he growled. "We're in tough luck to-night."
+
+And the two pushed their way among the trees in the direction of the
+river.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"What's that for?" asked the puzzled girl.
+
+"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."
+
+She laid the coin aside and assured the donor that his wishes should be
+carried out.
+
+Chester spoke:
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Alvin now made known the fear in his mind--a fear that was shared by
+Chester. The _Deerfoot_ was lying against the bank in Back River exposed
+to any injury which 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"May I make a suggistion?" asked Mike, speaking so seriously that all
+knew he was about to say something worth while.
+
+"I know he's going to tell us the right thing," said Nora.
+
+"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 wid the
+misthress and sweet Nora, and keep off the burglars wid that same gun
+that sarved me so well."
+
+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.
+
+"That is asking too much," said the widow, though her countenance
+brightened with pleasure.
+
+"How can the same be asking too much whin ye haven't asked it?"
+
+Nora clapped her hands.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Possibly you may prove right, but we shall hate to leave you behind."
+
+"Ye may do so foriver, so long as I have such quarters as these."
+
+With this understanding, the friends parted, no one dreaming of what was
+to befall them before all met again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should
+be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_. 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
+_Deerfoot_, 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.
+
+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. 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.
+
+"Hello! here she is!" was the pleased exclamation of the Captain a few
+minutes later.
+
+"Has she had any visitors while we were away?" asked Chester, as the two
+stepped down to the margin of the river.
+
+"I see no signs of it, but we shall have to examine further."
+
+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 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.
+
+"I thought I locked that," he said in surprise.
+
+"I remember you went through the motions, but you must have missed it."
+
+"So it seems."
+
+He stepped over, seated himself and grasped the steering wheel.
+
+"Nothing is wrong here----"
+
+"Hark!" whispered Chester.
+
+The two listened and heard the muffled exhaust of a launch not far off.
+
+"It comes from down stream," said Chester.
+
+"It's their boat!" exclaimed the excited Alvin. "They are hurrying off."
+
+"Let's chase them!" added Chester, catching the glow of his chum.
+
+"All right! Light up and cast off."
+
+[Illustration: LIKE A SWALLOW SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE SURFACE.]
+
+Chester quickly fixed the lights, sprang from the taffrail to shore,
+untied the loop of rope, flung it on deck and leaped after it. 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.
+
+"They got the idea yesterday that the _Water Witch_ is faster than the
+_Deerfoot_. That was a cute idea of Calvert, but they will soon learn
+their mistake. Do you see anything of her lights?"
+
+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.
+
+"Not yet," he answered "but we must be gaining fast."
+
+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.
+
+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?
+
+Alvin had a dim idea that having drawn near enough to discover the _Water
+Witch_, 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 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Light ahead!" suddenly called Chester beside him.
+
+"Where away?"
+
+"Right ahead, but closer in shore on the left."
+
+Alvin leaned forward and gazed intently.
+
+"You are right," he added as he saw a white light low down on the water.
+"Now we'll show those fellows what the _Deerfoot_ can do when she tries."
+
+He flirted over the little lever controlling the power, and instantly the
+engine responded 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"That is twenty-four miles, but we're not making it, Chester."
+
+The second mate pulled down his cap more snugly, for the motionless air
+was turned into a gale, and looked back.
+
+"What do you mean? The _Deerfoot_ is eating up water."
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you think it because of her trouble yesterday?"
+
+"It must be, but I was sure she was shipshape when we left her last
+night. See whether we are gaining."
+
+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.
+
+"Perhaps we have gained a little, say about six inches."
+
+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, which was helpful in the gloom. But he did not
+find it.
+
+"That's queer," he muttered; "I am sure I laid it there. I wonder if
+anyone visited the boat while we were away."
+
+"By gracious!" called Chester from his station; "I believe she has
+stopped!"
+
+"Make sure of it. I should think they would put out their stern light if
+they wanted to elude us."
+
+"Likely they don't care. Yes; she has run into shore, where there seems
+to be some sort of landing."
+
+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.
+
+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 rods, and while doing so he made an
+exasperating discovery.
+
+The craft which he had been pursuing with so much zest was not the _Water
+Witch_, 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:
+
+"What a wild goose chase! The next thing to do is to make after the
+_Nahanada_ or the _Gardiner_. There will be as much sense in the one as
+the other."
+
+Observing the change of course, Chester inquired:
+
+"Where to now?"
+
+"We may as well go back and pick up Mike. It seems to be growing light in
+the east."
+
+"So it is; a memorable night in our experience is drawing to a close."
+
+"I say, Chester," called the Captain, "I am sure someone was on this boat
+while we were away at Beartown."
+
+A sudden suspicion took form in his mind.
+
+"Is there enough light for you to see the name on the bow?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Take a look and tell me what it is."
+
+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:
+
+"As sure as I'm a living sinner it's the _Water Witch_!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THROUGH THE FOG
+
+
+It was an astounding discovery.
+
+With never a thought of the grotesque mistake, both youths had boarded
+the launch believing it to be the _Deerfoot_; 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.
+
+Chester stepped down and seated himself at the elbow of his chum.
+
+"Here are only four seats instead of six. Why didn't we notice it
+before?"
+
+"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."
+
+"And I'm with you. What's to be done now?"
+
+"Tell me where the _Deerfoot_ is."
+
+"Ask me something easier. She may be lying where we left her, or twenty
+miles away."
+
+"We should have heard her if she came down stream."
+
+"She may have gone up the river and around into the Sheepscot."
+
+"And back to the former hiding place of this boat or to a different
+one--the 'Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,'" said Alvin grimly.
+
+"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."
+
+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 _Deerfoot's_ 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.
+
+One of the plagues of the Maine coast is 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.
+
+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.
+
+The boat was quickly swallowed up, her bell still tolling, with blasts
+from her whistle at short intervals.
+
+Seated as described, the two youths discussed 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 _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+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.
+
+There was no light in the maze of conjecture that opened before them.
+Chester suggested an alarming complication.
+
+"The _Deerfoot_ can outspeed any craft in the Maine waters. These
+burglars must have a hiding place, and we know there is 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."
+
+"We shall find her sooner or later, and Calvert will perhaps in this way
+get on their track."
+
+"They can avert such danger by sinking her in deep water, where she may
+not be found for years."
+
+"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."
+
+"And the only way to gain that is to go back to Beartown."
+
+"So it seems to me. What do you think?" asked the Captain.
+
+"I know of nothing better. Wouldn't it be well to hit up the pace a
+little?"
+
+"If this fog would only lift! But it seems to be growing thicker. We must
+feel our way."
+
+While the Captain was doing this, his second mate looked over the _Water
+Witch_. Its resemblance to the _Deerfoot_ 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
+_Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+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 landing would
+not be recognized without close study, and possibly not even then.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"A good hour for breakfast," he remarked, "and my appetite is with me, as
+I am sure yours is with you."
+
+Alvin nodded and kept his eye on the receding shore and the water ahead.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"Hurrah! we're in luck!"
+
+He held up a large paper bag into which he had peeped. It contained half
+a dozen plump ham sandwiches.
+
+"While we are about it suppose we see what other treasures are in the
+ship's chest."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Meanwhile there is no need to keep those sandwiches waiting."
+
+"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."
+
+"So am I. They don't seem to have any cooking utensils on board, so
+coffee and warm food are to be denied us."
+
+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.
+
+"I'm sorry!" called back Alvin; "but the fog bothers us. Will you please
+tell me how far it is to Beartown landing?"
+
+"'Bout half a mile, mebbe a little more. Who are you?"
+
+Alvin gave his right name and thanked the man for his information.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Here's the spot!" called Chester a few minutes later, as he identified
+the spiderlike landing from which a road led to Beartown.
+
+"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."
+
+A hundred yards north of the wharf, too far to see it when they looked
+back, the _Water Witch_ came gently to rest, the waiting Chester sprang
+ashore with a line in hand and made fast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+BAD FOR MIKE MURPHY
+
+
+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.
+
+It was the confusion and hurly-burly below stairs that awoke Mike Murphy
+early. He would have left at once to join Alvin 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"How do you account for his preventing the other robber from carrying
+away the money in the safe?" asked his neighbor.
+
+"Plain enough; they'd had a quarrel. He wanted it all for himself."
+
+"Why didn't he take it then?"
+
+"The widder and others bounced down on him afore he had the chance."
+
+"I don't see why if the other villain run away this one didn't do
+likewise."
+
+"He'll do it quick enough, never you fear."
+
+"Why is he hanging round after they've gone?"
+
+"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!"
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"Sneaked off while he had the chance--wal, I'll be gul darned!"
+
+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:
+
+"I had--that is, I was thinking of the other robber."
+
+"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 let out of jail in
+Boston a fortnight since. I've found him and begs the privilege of
+shaking his hand."
+
+And he caught the limp fingers of the gaping fellow and squeezed them
+hard, while he continued to gape and say nothing.
+
+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.
+
+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 _Deerfoot_,
+remembering where she was moored the night before.
+
+Some hours earlier Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes had boarded the _Water
+Witch_, never doubting that it was the _Deerfoot_, and started down the
+river. Consequently Mike could not make the same 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"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
+themselves to death, and that would make me feel bad."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Arrah, now, what do ye maan by kicking 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.
+
+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.
+
+A shock of astonishment came to the miscreants when they reached the
+place where the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"All right; I will go down stream."
+
+He moved away from his companion, who held his place for a brief while,
+still reflecting whether his plan was the better 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.
+
+There was the swift launch _Deerfoot_ moored against the bank so near the
+place where the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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.
+
+"What do you make of it?" whispered Graff Miller.
+
+"Some deviltry you may be sure; the others are near by."
+
+They stealthily withdrew deeper into the wood and watched and listened,
+but nothing occurred to cause alarm. Then a sudden resolution came to the
+elder.
+
+"So long as there's only one, let's make him prisoner."
+
+"I'm willing," assented the other.
+
+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.
+
+"Shall I start?" he asked, in a guarded voice.
+
+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 at the bow, and began a wide sweeping
+circle with the intention of descending the stream.
+
+And still Mike Murphy dreamed on.
+
+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 _persona non grata_. 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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+WHAT SAVED MIKE
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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:
+
+"If you don't come right to land, I'll whip you within an inch of your
+life!"
+
+And the little fellow swam to where the frantic parent awaited him.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 unless it is forced
+upon you, for I dread what the result would be.
+
+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.
+
+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 he sank on
+his knees and looking reverently upward said:
+
+"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."
+
+From down the river came the sound of the _Deerfoot's_ 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.
+
+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:
+
+"If the Captain and second mate didn't know I couldn't swim, I'd belave
+it was 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.
+
+"Where's Alvin and Chester all this time? Why didn't they git to the
+_Deerfut_ before me instead of laving it fur them chaps? What does it all
+maan, anyway?"
+
+One of the singular coincidences of this series of adventures was that
+the _Deerfoot_ in going down the Back River passed within a few rods of
+the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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
+landing. It might be half a mile or ten times as much. In truth, the
+former distance was about right.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+No doubt you know from experience how hard it is to hold a straight
+course when 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.
+
+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.
+
+Between him and Mike stretched a 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.
+
+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.
+
+"The top of the morning to yer ladyship, and would ye be willing to hang
+me across yer line till me clothes be dried?"
+
+The woman snatched the pins from between her teeth and stared at him. Her
+face was broad, homely and good-natured.
+
+"G'way now," she answered; "I don't hang up any clothes till the same is
+_claan_. It will take a waak's washing to rinder ye fit. If I straddle ye
+over the line wid yer faat and rid head hanging down and bumping
+togither, ye'll cut a purty figger a-flapping in the wind."
+
+Mike's laughter rang out. She was Irish like him and his heart warmed to
+her.
+
+"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."
+
+True enough, the woman was his match and Mike was glad to learn it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE GOOD SAMARITANS
+
+
+She looked sharply at him through her bright blue eyes.
+
+"Are ye saaking to make me belave ye are from Ireland?"
+
+"Sartinly--Mike Murphy, from the town of Tipperary, County of Tipperary,
+at your sarvice," and he bowed again.
+
+"Arrah, poor Ireland, how many wrongs are heaped upon ye! I was sure from
+yer accint that ye were a Dutchman or Frinch."
+
+"May I ask yer name, me leddy?"
+
+"Mrs. Maggie McCaffry, and me husband is Tam that is working for Mr.
+Burns at Beartown."
+
+Mike clasped his hands and with a glowing expression stepped forward.
+
+"I knowed it! I knowed it!" he exclaimed, as if overrunning with joy.
+
+"Knowed phwat?"
+
+"That ye were my mither's fourth cousin that lift Tipperary fur Noo York
+six years ago, but by some mistake landed in Dublin jail--bad cess to
+them as made the same mistake!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Did ye not almost break me heart by thinking I was a Dutchman?" asked
+Mike reprovingly.
+
+"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."
+
+"Aunt Maggie, I'll give ye all me wealth if ye'll consint to let me dry
+mesilf in front of yer fire."
+
+"Arrah, now, what are ye saying? Five cints is no object to me----"
+
+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.
+
+"'Tis a shame that I kipt ye talking nonsense wid me while ye was
+shivering. 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."
+
+"I thank ye, aunty, but I am not in need of that."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+As the door opened, his eyes met those of Mike Murphy, who halted with
+one foot over the threshold, started and exclaimed:
+
+"Can I belave what me eyes tell me! Is it _yersilf_?"
+
+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.
+
+The face of the injured youth flushed and he laughed nervously, but with
+amazing coolness answered:
+
+"I guess you don't need spectacles. You've got the best of me; I'm down
+and you're up."
+
+"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?"
+
+Mike's Irish sympathy immediately went out to the fellow, who certainly
+was at his mercy.
+
+"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 suppose you come
+closer where you will be in front of the fire and can dry yourself, and
+we'll get on better."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"I do, but I niver won a prize at running and ye give me the slip."
+
+"Only to get in front of that beefeater with a shotgun. Why didn't you
+fire when you were chasing and threatening me?"
+
+"I couldn't have touched off that busted gun any more than I could have
+fired a broom handle."
+
+"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 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.
+
+"His boy Jim obsarved it all and told us and we laughed," said Mike, with
+a grin. "The sight must have been very insthructive."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"What did they do fur yer fut?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Wouldn't it be well if I got a docther fur ye?"
+
+Noxon looked up in the face of the Irish youth, who tried to keep a grave
+countenance.
+
+"I think not," replied the sufferer.
+
+There was a world of significance in the words, and both understood.
+
+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 to the blaze, thus drying the garments quite
+rapidly. He was so interested in the story of Noxon that he grew
+careless.
+
+"I think I see smoke coming from behind you," finally said the sitter.
+
+Mike reached back to investigate and with a gasp snatched back his
+fingers.
+
+"I'm afire! Is there a well outside that I can dive into the same?"
+
+"Turn around; I can help you," said Noxon, laughing, dropping his foot
+and sitting forward.
+
+Together they quenched the twist of blaze which if left alone would have
+played the mischief with Mike's garments.
+
+"I'm thinking this is a little different, Mr. Noxon, from last night."
+
+"It is, and I hope it will always stay that way."
+
+Mike was astonished and looked questioningly at the fellow.
+
+"Phwat might ye be maaning?" he asked, lowering his voice.
+
+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 eyes.
+Then his breast heaved and he broke into sobbing.
+
+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:
+
+"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!"
+
+Mike pulled himself together sufficiently to reply:
+
+"I don't think ye're quite all them things. Cheer up! cheer up, old
+fellow!"
+
+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 it lay on the
+handkerchief, and held it in his own warm grasp.
+
+"Noxy, me bye, Mike Murphy is yer frind through thick and thin--don't ye
+forget _that_--and I'm going to see ye through this if I have to break a
+thrace in trying."
+
+"_You!_" 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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"But you never did what I have done."
+
+The Irish youth bent his head as if recalling his past life.
+
+"I can't say that I did, but I'm the meanest scamp that iver
+lived--barring yersilf," 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."
+
+Noxon actually smiled at the recollection.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+AN UNWELCOME CALLER
+
+
+With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
+Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
+
+"Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 any caution to the man before he lift this
+morning?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Ah, if that was _all_! But I have a father and mother whose hearts I am
+breaking. I have two younger brothers and a sweet sister. What of
+_them_!" demanded Noxon almost fiercely.
+
+"Ye have read the blissed story of the Prodigal Son, haven't ye?"
+
+"I am a thousandfold worse than that poor devil, who was simply foolish."
+
+"Do yer dad and mither know where ye are?"
+
+"No; the one decent thing I did when I turned rascal was to change my
+name. Orestes Noxon is a _nom de plume_."
+
+"I don't know the fellow, but that shows, me bye, ye ain't such a big
+fool as ye look. I'm beginning to have hope for ye."
+
+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.
+
+"I begs that ye'll oxcoose me for not coming in wid this blarney and
+inthrodoocing ye to aich ither. Have ye becoom acquainted?"
+
+"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 long that ye have
+forgot a good deal, Aunt Maggie."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Her hands were big and red, but no professional nurse could have handled
+a 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.
+
+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:
+
+"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."
+
+The woman stared wonderingly at Mike.
+
+"Do ye know what he maanes by thim words? His mind I fear is afther
+wandering."
+
+"He wishes to say that ye and Tam have used him so well that he will take
+delight in spinding siveral days wid ye."
+
+"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?"
+
+And she shook her stubby finger in his face.
+
+"Ah, what a tyrant you are, Aunt Maggie!"
+
+"Phwat's that?" she demanded, straightening up. "Are ye calling me out of
+me name?"
+
+"You are the sweetest, kindest, most motherly woman and best wife in the
+State of Maine."
+
+She sprang to her feet and lumbered to the door.
+
+"I haven't finished hanging me duds; whin I have I'll come back and wipe
+out the insoolt ye have put upon me."
+
+Noxon looked at Mike, who for the first time heard him laugh with real
+jollity in his voice.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Glad should I be if I could believe it safe to stay here."
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"Her husband has already heard all about last night's business."
+
+"He promised ye to say nothing."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Noxon sitting back in his chair and apparently without any thought of his
+injured leg, pondered earnestly over the situation.
+
+"I am disposed to believe as you do, but that isn't my only danger."
+
+"Phwat have ye in mind now?"
+
+"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."
+
+"This house stands well back from the road wid only a path betwaan the
+two. Why should anyone sarch here fur ye?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Whither will ye go?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Noxy, will ye answer me one question?"
+
+"I will."
+
+[Illustration: "GIVE ME YOUR HAND ON THAT."]
+
+"When ye lave here will ye be going back to Kit Woodford and Graff
+Miller?"
+
+The eyes of the young man flashed and, with an earnestness that seemed
+deadly in its intensity, he said hoarsely:
+
+"No! never! I'll die first!"
+
+"Give me yer hand on that!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"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 Miller told me they used aliases instead of their right names, I
+took the one by which you know me.
+
+"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----"
+
+Just then a knock sounded on the door. Both were startled and Mike
+called:
+
+"Come in!"
+
+The door was pushed inward and Stockham Calvert entered the room.
+
+"Holy smoke!" exclaimed Mike, "as Father Malone said when he saw his
+church burning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+PLUCKING A BRAND FROM THE BURNING
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Well, Mr. Calvert, you have got me at last."
+
+"Yes; and a right merry chase you have led me. You won't get away this
+time."
+
+"I suppose not."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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----"
+
+"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."
+
+She knew the three wished to talk over private matters, and made sure
+they were left alone for the next hour or two.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Is that so?" asked the detective of the young man.
+
+"I would give my right hand," he solemnly replied, holding it up, "if I
+could go back three months in my life and have things as they were."
+
+"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."
+
+"Then what hope is there for me?"
+
+"You haven't been convicted yet, but I won't deny that you are in serious
+danger of it."
+
+"How shall I escape?"
+
+"I thought that over while on the road from Beartown. This, I believe, is
+your third essay as a burglar. Am I right?"
+
+Noxon nodded.
+
+"Once would be enough to send you to Atlanta, but let that go for the
+present. Are you willing to turn state's evidence?"
+
+Noxon moved uneasily in his seat. The proposition was distasteful.
+
+"You needn't feel any compunctions. 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."
+
+"There is no mistake about _that_, Mr. Calvert?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I shall do whatever you wish."
+
+"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."
+
+"Does father know I am in this business, Mr. Calvert?"
+
+"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 mind, but before trying it you must answer a few questions."
+
+"I am ready."
+
+"In the first place, where do this gang with whom you have been
+associated have their headquarters?"
+
+"I can guide you to the exact spot."
+
+"It is not that little patch of ground in the cove at the southern end of
+Barter Island?"
+
+"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?"
+
+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:
+
+"That will answer your question."
+
+"It is a production of art," said the detective admiringly. "No
+professional artist could beat it."
+
+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 _Water Witch_ had
+been visited some nights before. Noxon leaned forward and placed the tip
+of his finger on the different points.
+
+"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."
+
+"What about this one?"
+
+"It is what you may call the headquarters 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."
+
+"You have been there?"
+
+"Several times. I will go again with you."
+
+"No need; I can't go wrong with such directions. Why, Mike himself can
+understand it."
+
+He gravely held up the drawing before the Irish youth, who squinted one
+eye and carefully scrutinized it.
+
+"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."
+
+"What did I tell you, Orestes? Isn't he bright?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Noxon," said Calvert, with a smile over the repartee of the Irish lad,
+"do either Kit Woodford or Graff Miller know your right name?"
+
+"They never asked me and it was never given in their presence."
+
+"You said as much before. Do they know where you came from?"
+
+"They haven't the slightest knowledge. I am as unknown to them as regards
+my real identity as if I never existed."
+
+"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."
+
+"What of the testimony of Woodford and Miller when they are released from
+jail?"
+
+"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 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 _Water Witch_?"
+
+Thereupon the Irish youth related his story, and when it was finished the
+detective smiled.
+
+"If I'm not mistaken that is going to help us a big lot."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+"THE BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF SOMEWHERE"
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Mrs. McCaffry made strong objection to their leaving before the dinner
+hour, 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.
+
+"The same would bring me bad luck," she said, with a shake of her head.
+
+"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.
+
+"Ah," he said, "it's mesilf that's of no more account than a naught wid
+no circle round it."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The fogs which often plague the coast of Maine and vicinity have a habit
+of sometimes 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 _Water Witch_, with Alvin
+Landon and Chester Haynes on board, 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+He thought it best not to affect too much mystery.
+
+"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."
+
+The plan was simple. Noxon, who was familiar with the running of the
+_Water Witch_, 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.
+
+"And phwat's to become of us?" asked Mike.
+
+"That depends upon how you behave 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"But Mr. Hagan isn't here," reminded Chester.
+
+"He will be very soon. Meanwhile, I'll say a word to my man."
+
+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.
+
+The distance was shorter by way of the Narrows and down the Sheepscot
+than by the route just named. Accordingly, the _Water Witch_ headed
+north, while the _Deerfoot_ it will be remembered went south. The
+difference was not much, the real reason why the course was taken being
+of another nature. If the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 would be a serious handicap and might
+prove fatal to success.
+
+The _Water Witch_ 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 _Deerfoot_. 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 _that_ point he is sure
+to do some serious thinking.
+
+Just above Clough Point, marking the northern extremity of the large
+island of Westport, the _Water Witch_ 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.
+
+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 would
+be disappointed. At the first sign of danger the _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"Noxon," said Calvert, leaning forward, "let us know when we are near the
+cove."
+
+"We are within less than a mile of it now. It is just ahead on the
+right."
+
+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.
+
+"The cove is in sight," announced Noxon, slightly turning his head.
+"Better keep down."
+
+A few minutes later they felt the change in the course of the launch.
+They were entering the inlet and the officers raised their heads barely
+enough to peer alongside of the steersman, over the front and beyond the
+flagstaff with its fluttering bunting.
+
+"There it is!" whispered Calvert to his friend.
+
+"I see it," said the other, "the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere; we are
+closer to it than I supposed."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+A THROUGH TICKET TO HOME
+
+
+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.
+
+"I don't see anything of the _Deerfoot_," said Calvert in a guarded voice
+to Noxon.
+
+"We always lay to on the other side. Keep down!"
+
+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.
+
+The officers had now to depend upon 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.
+
+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:
+
+"The _Deerfoot_ is there! Don't stir till I give the word!"
+
+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 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
+_Water Witch_ and its single occupant.
+
+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?
+
+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:
+
+"Where did you come from?"
+
+It was on the tongue of Noxon to make a biting reply, but he did not
+forget the part he had to play.
+
+"I found this boat at the wharf at Beartown and thought I'd hunt you up.
+How came you to have _that_ launch?"
+
+"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 don't understand how ours
+was found by you."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"A fine lot of swag I had, when I had to scoot just after I got the safe
+open."
+
+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.
+
+Graff Miller now put in his oar:
+
+"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."
+
+"That won't be as easy as it looks to you. The whole neighborhood is up
+in arms and we shall have to lie low for awhile."
+
+"Well, we've got enough to keep us a week or so----_Nox, there's somebody
+in the boat with you_!" 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 _Water
+Witch_ gently bumped against the other boat, Stockham Calvert and Warner
+Hagan straightened up and bounded across upon the _Deerfoot_. Each
+grasped a revolver, and Calvert shouted:
+
+"Hands up, or I'll let daylight through you."
+
+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.
+
+As for Graff Miller he did not attempt to get away. Accepting the order
+addressed to his leader as applying to himself, he stood stock still and
+seemed to be doing the best he could to keep the sky from falling on him.
+
+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 _Deerfoot_ 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The capture of the two was so easy that it suggested a farce.
+
+"If you had only put up a fight, Kit, it would have been a good deal more
+interesting," 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!"
+
+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.
+
+"Do you want me to go there too?" humbly asked Graff Miller.
+
+"Of course; step lively."
+
+Calvert explained what was to be done. The handcuffed prisoners were to
+be taken to Wiscasset on the _Deerfoot_, 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.
+
+Noxon was to trail after the launch in the _Water Witch_. 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
+_Water Witch's_ gasoline gave out, the _Deerfoot_ could take it in tow,
+but this would not be done unless the necessity arose.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The prisoners were sullen and silent for most of the way. Hagan, seated
+behind Calvert, could protect him from any treacherous attack with the
+handcuffs. The detective was too wise to invite an assault of that
+nature.
+
+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.
+
+"What are you going to do with _him_?" he asked, with a black scowl.
+
+"Nothing," replied Hagan.
+
+"Why haven't you got the bracelets on him?"
+
+"He has done us too valuable service. That isn't the way we reward our
+friends."
+
+Calvert, who had overheard the words, looked round.
+
+"We may need his evidence to land you and Graff in Atlanta."
+
+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 Miller who
+snarled with a smothered rage which it is hard to picture:
+
+"I'll get even with him if I have to wait ten years."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The criminals were put behind bars, and the young man strolled through
+the street to the railway station. On the way, the elder said:
+
+"It looks to me as if you have a clear title to the _Water Witch_. What
+do you wish to do with it?"
+
+"Sell it to someone so I shall never see it again."
+
+"If you will turn the boat over to me I think I can dispose of it for
+you. Have you any price in mind?"
+
+"Sell the launch for whatever you can get, if it isn't more than
+twenty-three cents."
+
+"All right; I'll fix it. Here is the railway office. You have enough
+funds?"
+
+"Plenty. I shall a buy a through ticket to--_home_."
+
+"Of course. I shall call upon you this autumn. Good-by, Horace."
+
+"Good-by to one of the best friends I ever had. God bless you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+GATHERING UP THE RAVELLED THREADS
+
+
+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.
+
+During the trial of the criminals inquiries were heard for the third
+member of the gang, but he seemed to have vanished as completely 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.
+
+One day Gideon Landon, the wealthy banker and capitalist of New York,
+received a characteristic letter from his son Alvin. He said his motor
+boat _Deerfoot_ 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:
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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 him."
+  (No reference was made to Uncle Ben's frugal wife.)
+
+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.
+
+(Another paragraph from Alvin's communication to his father.)
+
+  "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."
+
+And the Steinway duly reached its destination. Mother and daughter were
+overwhelmed. 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.
+
+(Another paragraph from Alvin's communication to his father.)
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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. 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.
+
+  "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."
+
+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:
+
+"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."
+
+"That was rather nice on the part of Mr. Haynes to say what he did of
+you, Gideon."
+
+"Yes, Franklin hasn't anything mean in his nature."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Perhaps so, but there must always be two persons to a quarrel."
+
+"And you are one of them in this case. I mean to call on Sophia this very
+day."
+
+"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."
+
+"Suppose you call on him."
+
+The banker shook his head.
+
+"That is asking too much; it would be humiliating."
+
+Now when a sensible wife makes up her 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.
+
+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.
+
+(Mike Murphy's letter to Mrs. McCaffry.)
+
+  "MY DEAR AUNT MAGGIE:
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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.
+
+  "Wid regards to Tam and much love to yersilf I am ever
+
+                                       "Yer devoted,
+                                                      "Mike Murphy."
+
+(Mrs. McCaffry's reply to the foregoing.)
+
+  "My darlint broth of a boy:
+
+  "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 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.
+
+  "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.
+
+  "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!'
+
+  "Do you and the other byes come soon and see what a happy home ye
+  have made for Tam and me.
+
+                                          "Lovingly,
+                                                      "Aunt Maggie."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Launch Boys' Adventures in
+Northern Waters, by Edward S. Ellis
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