206 files changed, 12766 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/25859-8.txt b/25859-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69e7aec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3731 @@
+Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, 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 Telegraph Messenger Boy
+       The Straight Road to Success
+
+Author: Edward S. Ellis
+
+Release Date: June 20, 2008 [EBook #25859]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: BEN SWUNG HIS HAT AND SHOUTED, AND AT LAST CAUGHT THE
+NOTICE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE BANK.--P. 51.]
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY
+Or
+The Straight Road to Success
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of "Down the Mississippi," "Life of Kit
+Carson," "Lost in the Wilds," "Red Plume," Etc.
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY
+NEW YORK, N. Y.
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1889, by
+N. L. MUNRO
+
+Copyright, 1904, by
+THE MERSHON COMPANY
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                PAGE
+     I.  On a Log                         1
+    II.  The Collision                    8
+   III.  The Office Boy                  16
+    IV.  A Message in the Night          22
+     V.  In Storm and Darkness           29
+    VI.  "Tell Mother I Am All Right"    36
+   VII.  A Thrilling Voyage              43
+  VIII.  The Cipher Telegram             50
+    IX.  The Translation                 57
+     X.  Farmer Jones                    64
+    XI.  The Value of Courtesy           71
+   XII.  A Call                          78
+  XIII.  At the Grandin Mansion          85
+   XIV.  The Conspiracy                  93
+    XV.  An Affray at Night              99
+   XVI.  The Third Telegram             106
+  XVII.  Decidedly Mixed                113
+ XVIII.  Between Two Fires              120
+   XIX.  Baffled!                       127
+    XX.  Watching and Waiting           134
+   XXI.  "Lay Low!"                     141
+  XXII.  The Battle of Life             148
+ XXIII.  Face to Face                   155
+  XXIV.  Startling Discoveries          160
+   XXV.  In the Nick of Time            169
+  XXVI.  Conclusion                     176
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON A LOG
+
+
+I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances. I
+had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my
+duties were of the most exacting nature. I was kept hard at work through
+the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I
+could manage with comfort.
+
+I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering
+lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream
+on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions
+above. The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face,
+and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this
+style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace
+steamer.
+
+He had on an old straw hat, through the crown of which his brown hair
+protruded in several directions; his pantaloons were held up by a single
+suspender, skewered through them in front by a tenpenny nail--an
+arrangement which caused the garments to hang in a lopsided fashion to
+his shoulders. He was barefooted, and his trousers were rolled up to his
+knees. He wore no coat nor vest, and his shirt was of the coarsest
+muslin, but it was quite clean.
+
+This boy was Ben Mayberry, then ten years old, and he was a remarkable
+fellow in more than one respect. His round face was not only the picture
+of absolutely perfect health, but it showed unusual intelligence and
+brightness. His figure was beautiful in its boyish symmetry, and no one
+could look upon the lad without admiring his grace, of which he was
+entirely unconscious.
+
+In addition to this, Ben Mayberry was known to possess two accomplishments,
+as they may be called, to an extraordinary degree--he was very swift of
+foot and could throw with astonishing accuracy. Both of these attainments
+are held in high esteem by all boys.
+
+I had met Ben at intervals during the year past, but could hardly claim
+to be acquainted with him. I usually bought my morning paper of him
+during the cold weather, and I knew that his father was killed by a
+blasting accident some years before. Ben was the only child of his
+widowed mother, who managed to eke out a subsistence somehow with the aid
+of the little fellow, who was ever ready and cheerful with his work.
+
+While I stood looking at Ben, drifting slowly down-stream, and reflected
+that the water was fully two fathoms deep at that point, three other boys
+stopped on the bank below me to view him. They were strangers to me, but
+I observed they were unusually well dressed. They had that effeminate,
+exquisite appearance which satisfied me they were visitors from Boston,
+sauntering along the river in order to learn whether there was anything
+in our town worthy of their attention. They were apparently of nearly the
+same age, and each was certainly one or two years older than Ben
+Mayberry.
+
+"Hello," exclaimed one, as the three came to an abrupt halt, "look at
+that country boy out on that log over there; he thinks he's smart."
+
+"He's trying to show off, Rutherford," said another.
+
+"I say, boys, let's stone him," suggested the third, in a voice so
+guarded that I was barely able to catch the words.
+
+The proposition was received with favor, but one of them looked furtively
+around and noticed me. His manner showed that he was in fear of my
+stopping their cruel sport.
+
+"Who cares for him?" said one of the party, in a blustering voice that it
+was meant I should hear; "he's nobody. I'll tell him my father is one of
+the richest men in Boston and is going to be governor some day."
+
+"And I'll let him know that my father has taken me and our folks all over
+Yurrup. Pooh! he daresn't say anything."
+
+Soothed by this conclusion, the three began throwing stones at Ben.
+
+Ben was close at hand, and the first boy who flung a missile poised and
+aimed with such deliberation that I was sure Ben would be hit; but the
+stone missed him by fully ten feet. It was not until two more had been
+thrown that Ben awoke to the fact that he was serving as a target for the
+city youth.
+
+"What are you fellers doing?" he demanded, looking angrily toward them.
+"Who you trying to hit?"
+
+They laughed, and the tallest answered, as he flung another missile with
+great energy but poor aim:
+
+"We're going to knock you off that log, Country! What are you going to do
+about it?"
+
+"I'll show you mighty soon," answered the sturdy lad, who straightway
+pushed the long pole in his hand against the bottom of the river, so as
+to drive the log in toward the shore where his persecutors stood pelting
+him.
+
+There was something so plucky in all this that several others stopped to
+watch the result. I secretly resolved that if Ben got the worst of it (as
+seemed inevitable against three boys), I would interfere at the critical
+moment.
+
+"He's coming ashore to whip us!" exclaimed the tallest lad, almost
+dropping to the ground with laughter. "I hope he will; I've been taking
+sparring lessons of Professor Sullivan for a year, and I would like the
+fun of knocking him out of time. I can do it in three rounds, and I want
+you boys to stand back and leave him to me. I'll paralyze him!"
+
+The others were reluctant, each claiming the happiness of demolishing the
+countryman; but the tallest, who was called Rutherford, at last secured
+their pledge that they would keep their hands off and allow him to have
+all the fun to himself.
+
+"I'll try the cross-counter on him, the upper cut, and then I'll land a
+left-hander on his jug'lar that'll knock him stiff. Oh, how I ache to get
+him within reach!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE COLLISION
+
+
+Meanwhile Ben Mayberry was vigorously working the log in toward shore. It
+moved slowly, but the current was sluggish, the space brief, and he was
+certain to land in a few minutes.
+
+One of the stones struck Ben on the shoulder. It must have angered him,
+for instead of trying to dodge the rest, he used his pushing-pole with
+more energy than before and paid no heed to the missiles, several of
+which were stopped by his body.
+
+It was plain that the valorous little fellow meant to attack the three
+city lads, who were pestering him not only with stones, but with taunts
+that were far more exasperating.
+
+"Wonder who blacked his shoes?"
+
+"Ain't that hat a beauty? He can comb his hair without taking it off."
+
+"That one suspender must have cost him a good deal."
+
+"By gracious, he's going to chew us up," laughed the tallest, as the log
+approached land; "stand back, boys, you promised him to me, and I don't
+want either of you to say you helped me to knock him out in the third
+round."
+
+The next minute the log was so close that the nimble-footed Ben leaped
+ashore and strode straight for the valiant Rutherford, who immediately
+threw himself in "position." His attitude was certainly artistic, with
+his left foot thrown forward, his right fist clinched and held across his
+breast, and his left extended ready to be shot forward into the first
+opening that his enemy presented.
+
+But it is one thing to assume the proper pugilistic attitude; it is
+altogether another to act the part of a trained pugilist.
+
+"Come on, Country!" called out the exultant Rutherford; "but I hope
+you've bid your friends farewell."
+
+The other boys stood back and watched the singular contest. I carefully
+approached so as to be ready to protect Ben when it should become
+necessary.
+
+The brave fellow never hesitated, but the instant he landed lightly on
+the shore he went straight for Rutherford, who, it was plain, was
+slightly surprised and disconcerted by his unscientific conduct. But the
+city youth kept his guard well up, and the moment Ben was within reach he
+struck a violent blow intended for the face.
+
+But Ben dodged it easily, dropping his head and running with cat-like
+agility directly under the guard of his antagonist, who, before he could
+understand precisely what it meant, found himself clasped around the
+waist and thrown on his back with such violence that a loud grunt was
+forced from him, and his handsome new hat rolled rapidly down into the
+water.
+
+And I am free to confess that I was delighted when I saw Ben give him
+several of his "best licks," which made the tall boy roar for mercy.
+
+"Take him off, boys! he's killing me! Quick! I can't live much longer."
+
+The others were terrified at the hurricane-like style in which the boy
+had turned the tables on the scientific Rutherford, but they could not
+stand by and see their companion massacred without raising a finger to
+help him.
+
+"Pull him off!" yelled the victim, twisting his body and banging his legs
+in the soft earth in his vain effort to free himself from Ben, who was
+pegging away at him. "Pull him off! Put me on top, and I'll settle him!"
+
+One of the boys ran forward and reached out his hand, intending to catch
+Ben by the shoulder and fling him to the ground; but, to my intense
+amazement and equally intense delight, Ben caught his arm, jerked him
+forward across the body of Rutherford, and belabored both of them. It was
+one of the neatest feats I ever saw performed, and, under the
+circumstances, I would have pronounced it impossible had it not been done
+before my own eyes.
+
+Both the hats of the Boston youths were floating down the river, and they
+were so close to the water's edge that they were covered with mud. The
+vigor of the assault on the two was increased rather than diminished, and
+we spectators were cruel enough to laugh heartily over the exhibition,
+accompanied as it was by the frenzied yells of the two lads who were
+receiving the wrathful attentions of Ben Mayberry.
+
+The third boy could not stand it. He must have thought they had come in
+collision with a gorilla or some sort of wild animal, for he started up
+the river bank, shouting "Murder!" at the top of his voice. Ben, having
+got through with the two under him, sprang off and allowed them to rise,
+standing ready to renew the fight should they show any desire to do so.
+
+[Illustration: BEN CAUGHT HIS ARM, JERKED HIM ACROSS THE BODY OF
+RUTHERFORD, AND BELABORED BOTH OF THEM.--P. 12.]
+
+But they were too thoroughly vanquished. Their plight was laughable, and
+yet pitiable. They were coated with mud from head to foot, and their
+pretty hats, with their polka-dot bands, were gone too far down the river
+to be recovered.
+
+They seemed dazed for a minute or so, but as soon as they realized they
+were on their feet they started off after their flying companion, never
+pausing to look behind them, but running as though a Bengal tiger was at
+their heels.
+
+"Ben," said I, walking forward as soon as I could assume a serious
+expression of countenance, "do you not know it is very wrong to fight?"
+
+"That's what I was tryin' to teach them city chaps. I guess they'll think
+so after this."
+
+"You certainly did your best to convince them it isn't wise to attack
+you; but, Ben, what have you been doing lately?"
+
+"My last job was whipping them," replied the urchin, with a roguish
+twinkle of his blue eyes; "but that was fun, and if you mean work, I
+hain't had anything but selling papers since last summer, but sometimes I
+run errands."
+
+"Do you go to school?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Would you like a job?"
+
+"Indeed I would, sir, for mother finds it hard work to get along, and
+sometimes there isn't anything to eat in the house. Once, when I was a
+little fellow, when I saw mother crying, and there was no bread, I
+slipped out at night and stole a loaf, but mother would not touch it when
+I brought it home, and made me take it back. She told me I must starve
+before I did wrong, and so I will. I have been trying to get a job all
+summer, but everybody says I am too young and small. I take all the
+exercise I can, so as to make me grow, and that's one reason why I
+pitched into them city chaps and laid 'em out."
+
+"Well, Ben, you know where the office of the Western Union is; come
+around there to-morrow morning, at eight o'clock, and I will give you
+something to do."
+
+"Oh, I'm very thankful to you, sir, and this will make my mother the
+happiest woman in Damietta."
+
+I saw tears in the bright eyes, as Ben ran home to carry the good news to
+his mother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE OFFICE BOY
+
+
+When I approached the office the next morning, little Ben Mayberry was
+standing outside, smiling and expectant.
+
+My heart was touched when I saw what pains his mother had taken to put
+her boy in presentable shape. He had on a pair of coarse shoes, carefully
+blacked, and a new, cheap hat replaced the dilapidated one of the day
+before. He wore a short coat and a vest, which must have served him as
+his Sunday suit for a long time, as they were much too small for him.
+
+But there was a cleanly, neat look about him which attracted me at once.
+His face was as rosy as an apple, and his large, white teeth were as
+sound as new silver dollars. His dark hair, which was inclined to be
+curly, was cut short, and the ill-fitting clothes could not conceal the
+symmetry of his growing figure.
+
+"Well, Ben," said I cheerily, as I shook his hand, "I am glad to see you
+are here on time. You are young, you know, but are old enough to make a
+start. As I expect you to reach the top of the ladder, I mean that you
+shall begin at the bottom round."
+
+I am not sure he understood this figurative language, but I made it clear
+to him the next minute.
+
+"You are to be here every morning before seven o'clock, to sweep out the
+office and make it ready for business. You must see that all the
+spittoons are cleaned, that the ink wells at the desk are provided with
+ink, that the pens are good enough for use (I never yet have seen a
+public office where the writing facilities were not wretched), abundance
+of blanks on hand, and that everything is tidied up. In summer, you must
+wash off the ice and place it in the cooler, and in winter, see that the
+fires are going and the office comfortable at the time we go there for
+business. Can you do it, Ben?"
+
+"Yes, sir, and glad to have the chance."
+
+"This will give you some opportunity to attend the public school, which,
+of course, you will take advantage of. Then, when you can, you will begin
+to study telegraphy. I will see that you have every chance, and, at the
+same time, I will give you a lift now and then in your studies. This is
+the first step, Ben; in this country anything is possible to the boy who
+has brains, pluck, and application. Everything now depends on yourself;
+with the help of Heaven you will succeed; if you fail, it will be your
+own fault. To-day you start on your career, which will lead to success
+and happiness or to failure and misery."
+
+Ben listened respectfully to what I said, and seemed impressed by my
+words. I took him inside the office, explained to him more particularly
+his duties, gave him a key with which to enter in the morning, and told
+him to be on hand at six o'clock on the morrow, until which time he was
+excused. His wages were to be two dollars a week, to begin from the day
+on which I engaged him. Ben raised his hat, bade me good-day, and went
+home, and I am sure there was no happier boy in Damietta than he.
+
+It goes without saying that he attended to his duties faithfully from the
+very first. He went to the public school when he could gain the chance. I
+learned that he was a favorite there, on account of his manliness and
+excellent scholarship. In conjunction with the principal we arranged to
+give him private instruction at night, so that during the day he could
+devote his energies to learning telegraphy, in which he displayed great
+aptitude.
+
+As I was manager of the office, it was in my power to advance Ben as
+rapidly as circumstances warranted. He was given to understand from the
+first that he would be assisted to the extent to which he proved himself
+deserving, and no further. I did not intend to spoil him by undue favors,
+nor did I allow him to see how much I really thought of him. One of the
+surest means of ruining a boy is by partiality and too rapid advancement;
+but I gave him an encouraging word now and then, and took pains to let
+his mother know that he was meeting my high expectations, and that he was
+fully worthy of the hopes she entertained of him.
+
+I shall never forget the glow which came into the pinched face when I
+addressed her thus, nor the devout expression which overspread her
+countenance at my liberal praise of her child.
+
+"Ben has always been obedient to his father and mother. I have never
+known him to swear or tell an untruth, and he never took anything that
+was not his own--that is," the poor lady hastened to add when she
+recalled the painful circumstance, "he never forgot himself but once."
+
+"He told me about it; few could blame him for that misstep; I cannot
+think the distressing necessity will ever arise again. Should Heaven
+spare his life he will become your staff, upon which you can soon lean
+your whole weight."
+
+She gave a faint sigh of happiness.
+
+"My boy Ben has never brought a pang to his mother's heart."
+
+Ah, my young friend, can your mother say that? When that dear head is
+laid low, when those loving eyes shall be closed forever, and the sweet
+voice is hushed in the tomb, will you be able to say through your
+blinding tears:
+
+"I never brought a pang to her heart!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT
+
+
+At the end of a month Ben Mayberry was made a messenger boy of the office
+under my charge. This cannot be called a very momentous promotion,
+inasmuch as many of our telegraphists begin there; but it doubled Ben's
+wages at once, and led to his appearance in the attractive blue uniform
+which the boys of the Western Union wear. In his case it seemed to add
+two inches to his stature at once.
+
+Ben was our best messenger from the first. He was acquainted with the
+city of Damietta from one end to the other, and his superior fleetness of
+foot enabled him to outstrip the others, while his cheerful, intelligent
+manner added to his popularity with our customers.
+
+As he was so young, I determined to keep him messenger for a longer time
+than was really necessary, affording him all the opportunity he could ask
+in which to learn telegraphy. He picked it up rapidly, and I was
+surprised when I found him reading messages over the wires by sound. As
+everyone knows, it takes a skillful operator, or rather one of
+experience, to do this, a proof that Ben was applying himself to learning
+the business with all the power at his command.
+
+In more than one instance, those who knew the high estimation in which
+the boy was held exerted themselves to put annoyances and obstructions in
+his way. All manner of pretexts were made for detaining him, and he
+showed no little originality and ingenuity in outwitting his very
+attentive friends.
+
+He continued to apply himself evenings, when not on duty at the office,
+and his progress was excellent in every respect. The kind principal
+showed great interest in him, and at the age of twelve Ben Mayberry
+possessed what may be called a good elementary English education.
+
+Before, however, these two years had passed he could receive and send
+messages in a very acceptable manner. His wages had been advanced, and he
+now had his mother in comfortable quarters, dressed tastefully himself,
+and was developing into a handsome youth, whose brilliant work had
+already attracted the notice of the general superintendent.
+
+Ben had been an operator a little less than a year when he met with a
+most extraordinary experience, which to-day is a theme of never-ending
+wonder to those who were living in Damietta at the time.
+
+One evening a rough-bearded man entered the office, and stepping to the
+counter, said to me:
+
+"My name is Burkhill--G. R. Burkhill--and I am staying at the hotel in
+Moorestown. I am expecting a very important dispatch to-night, but I
+cannot wait for it. If it reaches this office before ten o'clock, I wish
+to have it delivered to the hotel."
+
+Moorestown lay directly across the river, and was reached by the long,
+covered bridge which spanned the stream. It was beyond our "jurisdiction,"
+that is, outside the circle of free delivery, which Mr. Burkhill
+understood, as he remarked that he would pay well for the trouble.
+
+I assured him that I would see that the telegram reached him that night,
+if received before ten o'clock. Thanking me, he said good-evening, passed
+out, mounted his horse, and galloped away in the wintry darkness.
+
+It was in the month of February, but the weather was mild for that
+season, and there had been a plentiful fall of rain. Ben was on duty
+until ten, and he was in the very act of rising from his seat when he
+called out:
+
+"Helloa! here comes the message for Mr. Burkhill."
+
+It was quite brief and Ben wrote it out rapidly, took a hasty impression,
+thrust it into the damp yellow envelope, and whistled for a messenger
+boy. There was only one present, and he was a pale, delicate lad, who had
+gone on duty that day after a week's illness.
+
+"Helloa, Tim; do you want to earn a half dollar extra?" asked Ben, as the
+boy stood expectantly before him.
+
+"I would like to, if it isn't too hard for me."
+
+Ben looked sharply at him and saw that the boy was in too weak a state to
+undertake the task. There was no other messenger within call, and Mr.
+Burkhill was doubtless impatient for the message whose delivery I had
+guaranteed.
+
+"It won't do for you to cross the river to-night," said Ben decisively;
+"the air is damp and raw, and I think it is going to rain again. I'll do
+it for you, and whatever extra I collect from Mr. Burkhill you shall
+have, Tim; now go home and go to bed."
+
+And waving me a good-night, Ben hurried out of the door and vanished down
+the street.
+
+"It's just like him," I muttered, as I prepared to go home; for except on
+special occasions we closed our office at ten, or shortly after. "That
+isn't the first kindness he has done that boy, and everyone in the office
+is bound by gratitude to him."
+
+As I stepped out on the street I observed that the fine mist was turning
+into rain, and another of those dismal nights, which are often
+experienced in the Middle States during the latter part of winter, was
+upon the city.
+
+I did not feel sleepy after reaching home. My wife and two children had
+retired and were sound asleep. There was no one astir but myself, and
+drawing my chair to the fire, I began reading the evening paper.
+
+Fully an hour had passed in this manner and I was in the act of rising
+from my chair, with the purpose of going to bed, when a sharp ring of the
+bell startled me as though I had heard burglars in the house. I felt
+instinctively that something serious had happened as I hurried to the
+door.
+
+"Did Ben Mayberry take a telegraphic message across the river to-night?"
+asked the man, whom I recognized as a policeman.
+
+"He started to do so," I answered tremblingly. "What's wrong."
+
+"It's the last message he'll ever deliver; he has probably been killed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+IN STORM AND DARKNESS
+
+
+"Yes, it's the last message he'll ever deliver," repeated the policeman;
+"Ben Mayberry has probably been killed!"
+
+These were the terrible words spoken by the man who had rung my bell in
+the middle of the night, and startled me almost out of my senses. I
+swallowed the lump in my throat, and with a voice tremulous with emotion,
+said:
+
+"No, no! it cannot be. Who would kill him?"
+
+"I don't mean he was murdered," the officer hastened to add, seeing my
+mistake. "He was on the middle span of the bridge when it was carried
+away by the flood, and that's the last of him!"
+
+I drew a great sigh of relief. There was something unspeakably dreadful
+in the thought of noble Ben Mayberry being killed by anyone, and it
+lifted a vast burden from my shoulders to be told that no such awful fate
+had overtaken him.
+
+But instantly came the staggering terror that the boy had gone down in
+the wreck and ruin, and at that moment was floating among the great
+masses of ice and débris that were sweeping swiftly down the river
+toward the sea.
+
+"How was it?" I asked, after the officer had refused my invitation to
+enter.
+
+"The river began rising very fast at dark, but the bridge has stood so
+many freshets we were hopeful of this. The water was at the top of the
+abutments at nine o'clock and was still creeping up. Jack Sprall, who is
+off duty to-night, was down by the bridge watching things. A little after
+ten o'clock, Ben Mayberry came along and said he had a message which he
+had promised to deliver to a gentleman at the hotel in Moorestown. Jack
+told him the bridge was unsafe, but Ben said he knew how to swim, and
+started across, whistling and jolly as usual. Jack said at the same time
+he heard the sound of wheels, which showed that a wagon or carriage had
+driven on from the other side, which never ought to have been allowed
+when things were looking so shaky. Ben had just about time to reach the
+middle of the bridge when the crash came, and the big span was wiped out,
+as though it was a chalk mark on a blackboard."
+
+"How do you know of a surety that Ben Mayberry did not save himself?"
+
+"He is very active and strong, I know, which made Jack hope he had pulled
+through. In spite of the danger of the rest of the bridge going, Jack
+crept out over it to the abutment, and shouted to Ben.
+
+"It seemed that a couple of men had done the same from Moorestown, and
+they stood on the other abutment, with the middle of the river sweeping
+between and threatening to take away the rest of the tottering bridge
+every minute.
+
+"When Jack called, they answered, though it was too dark to see each
+other, and they asked Jack whom he was looking for. He told them that Ben
+Mayberry had gone on the bridge a few minutes before from this side, and
+he was afraid he had been swept away. They said there could be no doubt
+of it, as he had not reached the span on which they were standing. They
+then asked Jack whether he had seen anything of a horse and carriage,
+which drove on the bridge from the Moorestown side, and which they had
+come out to see about. Of course Jack could only make the same answer,
+and when they explained, it was learned that the carriage contained a
+lady and small child--so three lives have been lost from people not doing
+their duty in keeping folks out of danger."
+
+"Does the mother of Ben know anything about this?" I asked, with a
+shudder at the thought of her terrible grief.
+
+"Yes; I went up to her house and told her first, as I thought it my duty
+to do."
+
+"Poor woman! she must have been overcome."
+
+"She was at first, and then when she asked me to tell her all about it,
+and I had done so, she said very quietly that she didn't believe her boy
+was drowned."
+
+"Nor do I believe it!" I exclaimed, with a sudden thrill of hope. "Ben
+Mayberry is one of the best swimmers I ever saw; he went down with the
+lumber of the central span, and even if he could not swim, he had a good
+chance to float himself on some of the timbers or blocks of ice which are
+buoyant enough to support a dozen men."
+
+"All that is very true," replied the policeman, who seemed to have
+thought of everything; "and I don't deny that there is just the barest
+possibility in the world that you're right. But you mustn't forget that
+the roof of the bridge was over him, and has shut out the chance of his
+helping himself. Don't you believe that, if he was alive, he would have
+answered the calls that Jack made to him? Jack has a voice like a
+fog-horn, and Ben would have heard him if he was able to hear anything."
+
+This view of the case staggered me, and I hardly knew what to say, except
+to suggest that possibly Ben had answered the call, and was unheard in
+the rushing waters; but the officer shook his head, and I confess I
+shared his doubts.
+
+"Just as the splintering timbers went down, Jack did hear the shout of
+Ben; he heard, too, the scream of a woman, and that awful cry which a
+horse sometimes makes when in the very extremity of peril, but that was
+all."
+
+I could not sleep after such horrifying tidings, when the policeman had
+gone; I went into the house and donned my overshoes and rubber coat.
+Fortunately my family had not been awakened by the ringing of the bell,
+and I did not disturb them; but, carefully closing and locking the door
+after me, I went out in the storm and darkness, oppressed by a grief
+which I had not known for years, for Ben Mayberry was as dear to me as my
+own son, and my heart bled for the stricken mother who, when she most
+needed a staff to lean upon during her declining years, found it cruelly
+snatched from her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+"TELL MOTHER I AM ALL RIGHT"
+
+
+There is a fascination in the presence of danger which we all feel. The
+news of the dreadful disaster spread with astonishing rapidity, and when
+I reached the river-side it seemed as if all Damietta were there.
+
+The lamps twinkled in the hands of innumerable men moving hither and
+thither in that restless manner which showed how deep their feelings
+were. People were talking in guarded voices, as if the shadow of an awful
+danger impended over them, and the wildest rumors, as is the case at such
+times, were afloat. It was said that six, eight, and a dozen persons had
+gone down with the bridge and were irrecoverably lost. Other structures
+above us were carried away (though no one stopped to explain how the
+tidings had reached ahead of the flood itself), and it was asserted that
+not a span would be left on the stream at daybreak.
+
+The flickering lanterns gave a glimpse of the scene which rendered it
+more impressive than if viewed under the glare of midday. Some daring
+ones ventured out to the first abutment despite the danger, and we saw
+the glare of their lanterns on the rushing, muddy water and the immense
+blocks of ice. Some of the latter would impinge against the stone
+abutment with a prodigious grinding crash, spin around several times, and
+then mount up from the water, crowded by others behind, as though it was
+about to climb over the massive stone. Then it would tumble back with a
+splash and swiftly sweep out of sight in the darkness.
+
+Again, trees, with their bushy tops tossing above the surface, glided by
+as if caught in a rushing mill-race, and a grotesque character was given
+to the whole scene by the sudden crowing of some cocks, which must have
+been frightened by the twinkling lights so near them.
+
+Few in Damietta went to bed that night. There was a continual walking to
+and fro, as people are seen to do when some great calamity is about to
+break upon them. Several mounted horses and rode down the river-bank for
+miles, in the weak hope of picking up tidings of the lost ones. No one
+could be found who knew the lady and child in the carriage which came
+upon the bridge from the other side. There were innumerable guesses as to
+their identity, but they were guesses and nothing more. No doubt was
+entertained that when communication could be opened with Moorestown on
+the morrow, we would learn who they were.
+
+I stayed at the river-side for an hour, weighed down by the greatest
+grief of my life. I was anxious to do something, but there was absolutely
+nothing for me to do. Ben was gone, and his friends could not begin an
+intelligent search for him before the morrow.
+
+I turned on my heel to go home, when a shout went up that the span on the
+other side of the center was going. There could be no doubt that the
+splintering crash and the grinding swirl of waters and ice were caused by
+the destruction of that span which dissolved into nothingness almost in a
+moment.
+
+This started the cry that the timbers nearest us were breaking up.
+
+Those who were on it made a rush for shore, which was not reached a
+minute too soon. The entire span suddenly lifted up and was "snuffed out"
+so promptly that the wonder was how it had withstood the flood so long.
+
+This occurrence struck me as decisive of the fate of my young friend Ben
+Mayberry. It gave me an appreciation of the tremendous irresistibility of
+the freshet, which must have ended the lives of the hapless party almost
+on the instant. The bravest swimmer would be absolutely helpless in the
+grasp of such a terrific current, and in a night of pitchy darkness would
+be unable to make the first intelligent effort to save himself.
+
+At last I went home through the drizzling rain, as miserable a mortal as
+one could imagine. When I reached the house I was glad to find that my
+family were still asleep. It would be time enough for them to learn of my
+affliction and the public disaster on the coming morrow.
+
+The pattering of the rain on the roof accorded with my feeling of
+desolation, and I lay awake until almost daylight, listening, wretched,
+dismal, and utterly despairing.
+
+I slept unusually late, and I was glad, when I went down to my breakfast,
+to learn that some kind neighbor had told my family all I knew, and
+indeed, a little more. The river rose steadily until daylight, by which
+time it was two feet above the abutments, and not a vestige of the bridge
+remained.
+
+But the water had reached its highest point, for, after remaining
+stationary an hour, it had begun to fall, and was now a couple of inches
+lower than "high-water mark."
+
+There were two things which I dreaded--the sight of the furious river,
+and to meet the sad, white face of Ben Mayberry's mother. I felt that I
+could give her no word of comfort, for I needed it almost as much as did
+she. She must have abandoned all hope by this time, and her loss was
+enough to crush life itself from her.
+
+When walking along the street I found that everyone was talking about the
+unexampled flood. It had overflowed the lower part of the city, and
+people were making their way through the streets in boats. Scores of
+families were made homeless, and the sights were curious enough to draw
+multitudes thither.
+
+I kept away from every point where I could catch so much as a glimpse of
+the freshet.
+
+"You have robbed me of the brightest and best boy I ever knew," I
+muttered, in bitterness of spirit; "he was one whom I loved as if he were
+a son."
+
+The shadow of death seemed to rest on the office when I reached it. The
+loss of Ben Mayberry was a personal affliction to everyone there. Only
+the most necessary words were spoken, and the sighing, which could be
+heard at all times, came from the heart.
+
+I went to my desk in a mechanical way, and had just placed my hand on the
+instrument, when I was thrilled by a call which I would have recognized
+among a thousand. Others heard and identified it also, and held their
+breath. The next instant this message reached me:
+
+     "Dear Mr. Melville--Tell mother I am all right, but in
+     need of dry clothing.
+
+                                               "Ben Mayberry."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A THRILLING VOYAGE
+
+
+On the night that Ben Mayberry started across the bridge to deliver the
+cipher message to Mr. Burkhill in Moorestown, he had reached the center
+span before he felt he was in personal danger. The few lamps which
+twinkled at long distances from each other were barely enough for him to
+see where he was going, and they did little more than make the darkness
+visible.
+
+By the faint light he observed a carriage and single horse approaching.
+The animal lifted his feet high, walked slowly, and snuffed the air as he
+turned his head from side to side, like an intelligent creature which
+feels he is approaching danger. The rattling of the narrow planks under
+his hoofs and the carriage wheels could be heard above the roar and sweep
+of the angry river beneath.
+
+Suddenly the bridge trembled under a blow received from a gigantic piece
+of ice, which went grinding and splashing with such violence that its
+course could be followed by the bulging upward of the planks between Ben
+and the horse.
+
+"My gracious! this won't do," exclaimed the boy, more alarmed for the
+vehicle and its occupants than for himself.
+
+He ran forward to grasp the bridle of the horse with the purpose of
+turning him back, when he saw that he had stopped of his own accord, and
+was snorting with terror. Ben reached up to seize the bit, when he was
+made dizzy by the abrupt lifting of the planking underneath, and was
+thrown violently forward on his face.
+
+The brave boy knew what it meant, and kept his senses about him. It was
+utterly dark, and he was in the icy water with a terrified horse
+struggling fiercely, and in danger of beating out the boy's brains with
+his hoofs, while the shriek of the agonized mother rose above the horrid
+din:
+
+"Save my child--save my child!"
+
+Fortunately for Ben Mayberry the bridge broke up in a very unusual
+manner. Instead of the roof coming down upon him, it seemed to fall
+apart, as did the narrow planking. Thus his movements were not interfered
+with by the structure, and realizing what a desperate struggle for life
+was before him, he drew off his cumbersome overcoat with great deftness,
+and then swam as only a strong swimmer can do in the very extremity of
+peril.
+
+He heard nothing more of the horse, which had doubtless perished after a
+struggle as brief as it was fierce; but, unable to see anything at all,
+Ben struck out toward the point whence came the cry of the mother, and
+which was close at hand.
+
+He had scarcely made three strokes when he came in violent collision with
+a huge block of ice in his path. Without attempting to go around it, he
+grasped the edge, and, by a determined effort, drew himself upon it.
+Fragments of the bridge were all around, and he felt some of the timber
+upon the support.
+
+While crawling carefully toward the other side, he shouted:
+
+"Helloa! where are you? Answer, and I'll help you."
+
+A faint cry made itself heard amid the rushing waters and the
+impenetrable darkness. It was just ahead, and the next instant Ben had
+reached the other side of the ice raft, where, steadying himself with one
+hand, he groped about with the other, uttering encouraging words as he
+did so.
+
+Suddenly he caught hold of a delicate arm, and with another cheery shout,
+he began drawing with all his strength.
+
+It was a hard task, under the circumstances, but he quickly succeeded,
+and was not a little amazed to find that instead of a lady he had helped
+out a small girl.
+
+But it was the cry of a mother that had reached his ears, and he did his
+utmost (which unfortunately was little) to help her. He called again and
+again, but there was no answer. He asked of the child the whereabouts of
+her parents, but the little one was almost senseless with bewilderment,
+cold, and terror, and could give no intelligible answer.
+
+"She must be drowned," was the sorrowful conclusion of Ben, who was
+forced to cease his efforts; and I may as well add at this point, that he
+was right; the mother's body being carried out to sea, where it was never
+found.
+
+For the time, Ben and the little girl were safe, but it will be seen that
+their condition was pitiable. It was a wintry night, the water was of an
+arctic temperature, and their clothing was saturated. The icy floor on
+which they were supported would have added to their terrible discomfort,
+had he not been able to gather together several of the planks within
+reach, with which he made a partition between them and the freezing
+surface.
+
+Ben shouted at the top of his voice, but he was so far below the place
+where the bridge had stood that no one heard him, and he finally gave it
+up, knowing that even if he made himself known to friends, they would be
+powerless to help him so long as the darkness lasted.
+
+The child, so far as he could judge, was no more than nine or ten years
+old, but she was richly clad, as he learned from the abundance of furs,
+silks, and velvet. She had luxuriant hair, which streamed about her
+shoulders, and he was sure she must be very beautiful.
+
+She was alive, but faint and suffering. She did not wish to talk and Ben
+did not urge her, although he was curious to know her identity.
+
+"I will learn all in the morning," he said to himself; "that is, if we
+are spared until then."
+
+He was too excited and terrified to fall asleep, even had his discomfort
+not been too great to permit it, and he found he needed his wits about
+him.
+
+Now and then the cake of ice which supported them was crowded by others,
+until it seemed on the point of being overturned, in which event another
+terrible struggle would be necessary to save himself and the little girl.
+
+Then again, there seemed to be eddies and whirlpools in the current,
+which threatened to dislodge them or to break up the miniature iceberg
+into fragments, as the bridge itself was destroyed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE CIPHER TELEGRAM
+
+
+The almost interminable night came to an end at last and the dull gray of
+morning appeared in the east.
+
+Ben Mayberry chafed the arms of the little stranger, and even slapped her
+vigorously to prevent her succumbing to the cold. He was forced to rise
+to his feet himself at intervals and swing his arms and kick out his
+legs, to fight off the chilliness which seemed to penetrate to his very
+bones.
+
+As soon as the boy could make use of his eyes he found himself drifting
+through the open country, where the river was fully double the width at
+Damietta. This gave the masses of ice much more "elbow room," and
+decreased the danger of capsizing.
+
+Houses and villages were seen at intervals, and multitudes of people were
+along the bank gathering driftwood and "loot," and watching the
+unparalleled flood of waters.
+
+Ben swung his hat and shouted, and at last caught the notice of the
+people on the bank. Two sturdy watermen sprang into a boat and began
+fighting their way out to the helpless ones. It was a hard task, but they
+succeeded, and Ben and little Dolly Willard (as she had given her name)
+were safely taken off. A crowd waited to welcome them and they received
+every possible attention. Both were taken to the nearest farmhouse, where
+a kind-hearted mother took Dolly in charge, for the little one needed it
+sadly enough.
+
+They were within half a mile of a village which was connected with
+Damietta by telegraph, and before Ben would do anything more than swallow
+a cup of hot coffee, and change his clothing, he was driven to the
+office, where he sent the message which was the first word we received in
+Damietta to tell us that he was alive.
+
+I lost no time in hurrying to the humble dwelling of Mrs. Mayberry, where
+I made known the joyful tidings. I shall never forget the holy light
+which illumined the thin face as she clasped her hands in thankfulness
+and said:
+
+"I had not given up all hope, but I was very near doing so."
+
+Ben was driven into Damietta late that afternoon, where a royal welcome
+awaited him. He was cheered, shaken by the hand, and congratulated over
+and over again, and for a time it looked as though he would be pulled
+asunder. When he finally tore himself loose and rushed into our office,
+the operators and messenger boys were equally demonstrative, but he did
+not mind them.
+
+I stood at my desk with a swelling heart, waiting for him. Suddenly he
+turned and caught my hand.
+
+"He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned----"
+
+He was laughing when he spoke the jest, but his voice trembled, and all
+at once he broke down. Quickly withdrawing both hands, he put them over
+his face and cried like a heartbroken child. He had stood it like a hero
+to this point, but now, with the crowd outside peering into the windows,
+he sobbed with uncontrollable emotion, while my own heart was too full to
+speak.
+
+As soon as he could master himself he said:
+
+"I must not wait any longer; mother expects me."
+
+He was out of the door in a twinkling, and in a few minutes the mother
+and son were in each other's arms.
+
+The reader may think that the most remarkable part of Ben Mayberry's
+adventure on the night of the flood has already been told, but it proved
+to be the beginning of a train of incidents of such an extraordinary
+nature that I hasten to make them known. There was a direct connection
+between his experience on that terrible night in February and the
+wonderful mystery in which he became involved, and which exercised such a
+marked influence on his after-life.
+
+Fortunately, little Dolly Willard suffered no serious consequences from
+her frightful shock and exposure. She received such excellent care that
+she speedily recovered, and as soon as we could re-establish
+communication with Moorestown and engage her in conversation, we learned
+something of her history.
+
+She lived in New York City and had come to Moorestown on a visit with her
+mother and Uncle George. He was the G. R. Burkhill who failed to receive
+the cipher dispatch which Ben Mayberry undertook to deliver to him on
+that eventful night.
+
+Dolly said her father was dead, or had been gone from home a very long
+time. Uncle George claimed and took her to the city, first sending a
+cipher dispatch to a party in the metropolis, and directing me, in case
+of an answer, to hold it until he called or sent for it.
+
+Two days later an answer arrived in the same mystic characters as before.
+As it has much to do with the incidents which follow, I give this
+remarkable telegram in full:
+
+                                 "New York, February 28th,----
+
+"George R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
+
+     "Nvtu vzhs ujmm ezkk tbn gzr b adssdg dizodf rntsg zpvs azmj
+     xjmm jddo.
+
+                                                        "Tom."
+
+Cipher telegrams are sent every day in the week, and we did not concern
+ourselves with this particular one, which would have received no further
+thought, but for an odd circumstance.
+
+On the day Mr. Burkhill sent his message to New York, he was followed
+into our office by a man who was shabbily dressed, and who impressed me
+as what is commonly called a "beat." He spoiled several blanks without
+sending a message and then abruptly tore them up, put the pieces in his
+pocket, and walked out after Mr. Burkhill.
+
+He was in the office several times the succeeding two days, made some
+inquiries, and sent off a couple of messages. Just after Ben Mayberry had
+received the cipher telegram given above, I happened to look across my
+desk and observed that the fellow had taken every letter, marking it
+down, as he easily interpreted it by sound.
+
+It was only by accident that I made this discovery, for the man acted
+precisely as if he were preparing a message to send away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE TRANSLATION
+
+
+Mr. G. R. Burkhill overwhelmed Ben Mayberry with thanks for the heroic
+manner in which he saved his niece and strove to save his sister. He
+offered the boy a handsome reward, but I am glad to say Ben refused to
+accept it. He promised to write the boy concerning the little one, but he
+must have forgotten his promise, as a long time passed without anything
+being heard from him.
+
+When I discovered that the seedy lounger about our office had carefully
+taken down the cipher telegram addressed to Burkhill, I was indignant,
+for it was well known that one of the most important duties which the
+telegraph companies insist upon is the inviolability of the messages
+intrusted to their wires. Nothing less than a peremptory order from the
+court is sufficient to produce the telegrams placed in our care.
+
+I was on the point of leaving my desk and compelling the impudent
+stranger to surrender the cipher he had surreptitiously secured, but I
+restrained myself and allowed him to go without suspecting my knowledge
+of his act.
+
+"Ben," said I, addressing my young friend, whom I trusted beyond any of
+the older operators, "did you notice that fellow who just went out?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I have seen him before. He followed me home last night, and
+after I went in the house, he walked up and down the pavement for more
+than half an hour. He was very careful, but I saw him through the
+blinds."
+
+"Has he ever said anything to you?"
+
+"Nothing, except in the office."
+
+"He took down every letter of that cipher telegram you just received for
+Mr. Burkhill."
+
+The boy was surprised and sat a minute in deep thought.
+
+"Mr. Melville," he said, "if you have no objection, I shall study out
+that cipher."
+
+"That I think is impossible; it has been prepared with care, and it will
+take a greater expert than you to unravel it."
+
+Ben smiled in his pleasing way as he answered:
+
+"I am fond of unraveling puzzles, and I believe I can take this apart."
+
+"I will be surprised if you succeed; but if you do, keep it a secret from
+everyone but myself."
+
+"You may depend on that."
+
+The odd times which Ben could secure through the day were spent in
+studying the mysterious letters; but when he placed it in his pocket at
+night and started for home, he had not caught the first glimmer of its
+meaning.
+
+But he was hopeful and said he would never give it up until he made it as
+clear as noonday, and I knew that if it was within the range of
+accomplishment, he would keep his word. I have told enough to show my
+readers he was unusually intelligent and quick-witted, but I am free to
+confess that I had scarcely a hope of his success.
+
+"I've got it!"
+
+That was the whispered exclamation with which Ben Mayberry greeted me the
+next morning when he entered the office.
+
+"No! You're jesting," I answered, convinced, at the same time, that he
+was in earnest.
+
+"I'll soon show you," was his exultant response.
+
+"How was it you struck the key?"
+
+"That is hard to tell, more than you can explain how it is, after you
+have puzzled your brain for a long time over an arithmetical problem, it
+suddenly becomes clear to you."
+
+He sat down by my desk.
+
+"I figured and studied, and tried those letters every way I could think
+of until midnight, and was on the point of going to bed, when the whole
+thing flashed upon me. You know, Mr. Melville, that in trying to unravel
+a cipher, the first thing necessary is to find the key-word, for it must
+be there somewhere; and if you look sharp enough it will reveal itself.
+One single letter gave it to me."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"If you will look at the telegram," said Ben, spreading it out before me,
+"you will notice that in one instance only is a single letter seen
+standing by itself. That is the letter 'b,' which I concluded must stand
+for the article 'a,' for I know of no other, unless it is 'I.' Now, the
+letter 'b' is the second one in the alphabet, and stands next in order to
+'a.' If this system is followed throughout the cipher, we have only to
+take, instead of the letters as written, the next in order as they occur
+in the alphabet. But when I tried it on the following word, it failed
+entirely. Luckily I tested the second in the same manner, and I was
+surprised to find it made a perfect word, viz.: 'chance.' The third came
+to naught, but the fourth developed into 'your.' That proved that every
+other word of the message was constructed in this manner, and it did not
+take me long to bring them out into good English. This was a big help, I
+can tell you, and it was not long before I discovered that in the
+alternate words the system reversed; that is, instead of taking the
+letter immediately succeeding, the writer had used that which immediately
+precedes it in the alphabet. Applying this key to the telegram, it read
+thus:
+
+"'Must wait till fall; Sam has a better chance south. Your bank will
+keep.'"
+
+"Now," added Ben, who was warranted in feeling jubilant over his success,
+"that is a very ordinary cipher--one which hundreds would make out
+without trouble. Had the writer run his letters all together--that is,
+without any break between the words--I would have been stumped. Besides,
+he uses no blind words, as he ought to have done; and it looks very much
+as if he calls everything by its right name, something which I should
+think no person anxious to keep such a secret would do. If he means
+'bank,' he might as well have called it by another name altogether."
+
+"I think ordinarily he would have been safe in writing his cipher as he
+has done; but, be that as it may, I am confident you have made a most
+important discovery."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FARMER JONES
+
+
+The conclusion which I formed respecting the cipher telegram, so cleverly
+translated by Ben Mayberry, was that it concerned an intended robbery of
+one of the banks in Damietta, and that the crime, for the reason hinted
+in the dispatch, was postponed until the succeeding autumn.
+
+Under such circumstances it will be seen that it was my duty to
+communicate with the general manager of the company, which I proceeded to
+do without delay. In reply, he instructed me to place myself in
+communication with the mayor of the city, whose province it was to make
+provision against what certainly looked like a contemplated crime.
+
+This instruction was carried out, and the mayor promptly took every means
+at his command to checkmate any movement of the suspected party. He
+arranged to shadow him by one of the best detectives in the country,
+while I agreed to notify him of the contents of any more suspicious
+telegrams passing over the wires.
+
+It need hardly be said that the friends of Ben Mayberry and myself took
+care that his exploit on the memorable winter night should not pass by
+unnoticed. The single daily paper published in Damietta gave a thrilling
+account of the carrying away of the bridge, and the terrible struggle of
+the boy in the raging river--an account which was so magnified that we
+laughed, and Ben was angry and disgusted. One of the best traits of the
+boy was his modesty, and it was manifest to everyone that this continued
+laudation was distasteful to him in the highest degree.
+
+The cap-sheaf came when one of the metropolitan weeklies published an
+illustration of the scene, in which Ben was pictured as saving not only
+the mother and daughter, but the horse as well, by drawing them by main
+force upon an enormous block of ice! There was not the slightest
+resemblance to the actual occurrence, and the picture of our young hero
+looked as much like me as it did like Ben, who would have cried with
+vexation had not the whole thing been such a caricature that he was
+compelled to laugh instead.
+
+But the general manager received a truthful account from me, together
+with the statement that Ben Mayberry alone deserved the credit for
+deciphering the telegram which foreshadowed an intended crime.
+Corporations, as a rule, are not given to lavish rewards, but the letter
+which the manager sent to Ben was more highly prized than if it had been
+a gold watch studded with diamonds, or a deed for the best house in
+Diamietta. His heart throbbed when he read the warm words of praise from
+the highest officer in the company, who told him to continue faithfully
+in the path on which he had started, and his reward was certain. That
+letter Ben to-day counts among his most precious prizes, and nothing
+would induce him to part with it.
+
+The best thing about this whole business was the fact that Ben never lost
+his head through the profusion of compliments from those in authority. He
+realized that the straight road to success lay not through accidental
+occurrences, which may have befriended him, but it was only by hard,
+painstaking, and long-continued application that substantial and enduring
+success is attained.
+
+Ben was always punctual at the office, and never tried to avoid work
+which he might have contended, and with good reason, did not belong to
+him. His obliging disposition was shown by his volunteering to deliver
+the message which nearly cost him his life. The duty of the telegraphist
+is very confining, and so exacting that the most rugged health often
+gives way under it, and persons take to other business before completely
+broken up. But this debility is often the fault of the operators
+themselves, who sit bent over their desks, smoking villainous cigarettes
+or strong tobacco, who ride in street cars when they should gladly seize
+the chance to walk briskly, and who, I am sorry to say, drink
+intoxicating liquors, which appear to tempt sedentary persons with
+peculiar power.
+
+Ben Mayberry had none of these baneful habits. He lived a long distance
+from the office, and although the street cars passed within a block of
+his home, I never knew him to ride on one, no matter how severe the
+weather might be.
+
+Besides this, he belonged to a baseball club, and, in good weather, when
+we were not pushed, managed to get away several times a week during which
+he gained enough vitality and renewed vigor to last him for days.
+
+One particularly busy afternoon, just as Ben had finished sending off a
+lengthy dispatch, someone rapped sharply on the counter behind him, and
+turning, he saw an honest-looking farmer, who had been writing and
+groaning for fully twenty minutes before he was ready to send his
+telegram.
+
+"Can you send that to Makeville, young man?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Ben, springing to his feet, and taking the smeared
+and blotted paper from his hand.
+
+"Jist let me know how much it is; I s'pose it ain't more than twenty or
+thirty cents. There ain't much use in sending it, but Sally Jane, that's
+my daughter, was anxious for me to send her a telegraphic dispatch,
+'cause she never got one, and she'll feel proud to see how the neighbors
+will stare."
+
+Ben had started to count the words, but he paused, and repressing a smile
+over the simplicity of the man, said:
+
+"It is very expensive to send messages by telegraph, and it will cost you
+several dollars to send this----"
+
+"Thunderation!" broke in the indignant old man, growing red in the face.
+"I won't patronize any sich frauds."
+
+He started to go out, when Ben checked him pleasantly.
+
+"It will be too bad to disappoint your daughter, and we can arrange to
+send her a message with very little expense. There are many words here
+which can be left out without affecting the sense. Please run your pen
+through these, and let me look at it again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE VALUE OF COURTESY
+
+
+The following is the message as first written out by the old farmer:
+
+     "Sally Jane Jones, Makeville,--I take my pen in hand to
+     inform you that I arrived safely in Damietta this morning.
+     I have seen Jim, your brother. His baby is dead in love
+     with me, and they all join in sending their love to you. I
+     expect to eat my supper with Cousin Maria and sleep in
+     their house by the river. I will be home to-morrow
+     afternoon. Meet me at the station with the roan mare, if
+     she ain't too tired to draw the buggy.
+
+                            "Your affectionate father,
+                                            "Josiah A. Jones."
+
+When Ben Mayberry had explained how much could be saved by crossing out
+the superfluous words in this message, while its main points would be
+left, the farmer's anger turned to pleasure. He took his pen, nodded
+several times, and turned smilingly to the desk, where he stood for fully
+a quarter of an hour, groaning, writing, and crossing out words. He
+labored as hard as before, and finally held the paper off at arm's length
+and contemplated it admiringly through his silver spectacles.
+
+"Yes; that'll do," he said, nodding his head several times in a pleased
+way; "that reads just the same--little abrupt, maybe, but they'll git the
+hang of it, and it'll please Sally Jane, who is a good darter. Here,
+young man, jist figger onto that, will you, and let me know how much the
+expense is."
+
+Ben took the paper, and under the labored manipulation of the old farmer,
+he found it was changed in this amazing fashion:
+
+     "I take my hand--Damietta. Jim, your brother--the baby is
+     dead--I expect to eat Cousin Maria, and sleep in the river
+     to-morrow afternoon--with the roan--if she ain't too
+     buggy. Your affectionate father,
+
+                                            "Josiah A. Jones."
+
+It was hard for Ben to suppress his laughter, but the farmer was looking
+straight at him, and the boy would not hurt his feelings. He surveyed the
+message a minute, and then said:
+
+"Perhaps I can help you a little on this."
+
+"You can try if you want to," grunted the old man; "but I don't think you
+can improve much on that."
+
+Under the skillful magic of the boy's pencil the telegram was speedily
+boiled into this shape:
+
+     "Met Jim--all well--meet me with roan to-morrow afternoon.
+
+                                                 J. A. Jones."
+
+"There are ten words," explained Ben, "and that will cost you twenty-five
+cents. Besides, it tells all that is necessary, and will please your
+daughter just as much as if it were five times as long."
+
+Mr. Jones took it up again, held it up at arm's length and then brought
+it closer to him, while he thoughtfully rubbed his chin with the other
+hand.
+
+"I s'pose that's right," he finally said, "but don't you think you orter
+tell her I have arrived in Damietta?"
+
+"She must know you have arrived here, or you couldn't send the telegram
+to her."
+
+"Umph! That's so; but hadn't I orter explain to her that the Jim I met
+was her brother?"
+
+"Is there any Jim you expect to see except your son?"
+
+"No, that's so. I swan to gracious! But I thought it wasn't more'n
+perlite ter tell her that Cousin Maria's baby is dead in love with me."
+
+"I am sure that every baby which sees you will fall in love with you, and
+your daughter must be aware of that."
+
+At this rather pointed compliment the farmer's face glowed like a cider
+apple, and his smile seemed almost to reach to his ears.
+
+"I swan; but you're a peart chap. What wages do you git?"
+
+"Forty-five dollars a month."
+
+"Well, you airn it, you jist bet; but I was goin' to say that I orter
+speak of the roan mare, don't you think?"
+
+"Have you more than one horse that is of a roan color?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Then when you speak of the roan, they must know that you can only mean
+the roan mare."
+
+The old gentleman fairly beamed with pleasure, and reaching solemnly down
+in his pockets, he fished out another silver quarter, which he handed to
+Ben, saying:
+
+"I like you; take it to please me."
+
+"I thank you; I have been paid," replied Ben, pushing the coin back from
+him.
+
+"Confound it! Take this, then; won't you?"
+
+As he spoke he banged down a large, red apple on the counter, and looked
+almost savagely at Ben, as if daring him to refuse it.
+
+The boy did not decline, but picking it up, said:
+
+"Thank you; I am very fond of apples. I will take this home and share it
+with my mother."
+
+"The next time I come to town I'll bring you a peck," and with this
+hearty response the farmer stumped out of the door.
+
+I had been much amused over this scene, especially when Ben showed me the
+astonishing message the farmer had prepared to send his daughter.
+
+Ben laughed, too, after the old gentleman was beyond hearing.
+
+"It's a pleasure to do a slight favor like that. I think I feel better
+over it than Mr. Jones does himself."
+
+"I think not," said I; "for it so happens that instead of that gentleman
+being Farmer Jones, he is Mr. Musgrave, the district superintendent, who
+took a fancy to find out whether his operators are as kind and obliging
+as they should be, I am quite sure you lost nothing that time by your
+courtesy and accommodating spirit."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A CALL
+
+
+I have spoken of Ben Mayberry's fondness for athletic sports, and the
+great benefit he gained from the exercise thus obtained. When business
+permitted, I visited the ball grounds, where his skill made him the
+favorite of the enthusiastic crowd which always assembled there. He
+played shortstop, and his activity in picking up hot grounders and his
+wonderful accuracy in throwing to first base were the chief attractions
+which brought many to the place. He was equally successful at the bat,
+and, when only fourteen years old, repeatedly lifted the ball over the
+left-field fence--a feat which was only accomplished very rarely by the
+heaviest batsmen of the visiting nines.
+
+There were many, including myself, who particularly admired Ben's
+throwing. How any living person can acquire such skill is beyond my
+comprehension. Ben was the superior of all his companions when a small
+urchin, and his wonderful accuracy improved as he grew older.
+
+To please a number of spectators, Ben used to place himself on third
+base, and then "bore in" the ball to first. In its arrowy passage it
+seemed scarcely to rise more than two or three feet above the horizontal,
+and shot through the air with such unerring aim that I really believe he
+could have struck a breast-pin on a player's front nine times out of ten.
+I never saw him make a wild throw, and some of his double plays were
+executed with such brilliancy that a veteran player took his hand one day
+as he ran from the field, and said:
+
+"Ben, you'll be on a professional nine in a couple of years. Harry Wright
+and the different managers are always on the lookout for talent, and
+they'll scoop you in."
+
+"I think not," said the modest Ben, panting slightly from a terrific run.
+"I am a little lucky, that's all; but though I'm very fond of playing
+ball I never will take it up as a means of living."
+
+"There's where your head ain't level, sonny. Why, you'll get more money
+for one summer's play than you will make in two or three years nursing a
+telegraph machine. Besides that, think of the fun you will have."
+
+"That's all very good, and I can understand why baseball is so tempting
+to so many young men. But it lasts a short time, and then the player
+finds himself without any regular business. His fingers are banged out of
+shape; he has exercised so violently that more than likely his health is
+injured, and he is compelled to work like a common laborer to get a
+living. Ten years from now there will hardly be one of the present
+professionals in the business, I'm sure."
+
+"I guess you ain't far from the fact, but for all that, if I had the
+chance that you have, I would be mighty glad to take in all the baseball
+sport I could."
+
+But Ben was sensible in this respect, and steadily refused to look upon
+himself as training for the professional ball field. In looking back to
+that time, I am rejoiced that such is the fact. There are many of my
+readers who recall the popular players of years ago--McBride, Wright,
+Fisler, Sensenderfer, McMullen, Start, Brainard, Gould, Leonard, Dean,
+Spalding, Sweeney, Radcliffe, McDonald, Addy, Pierce, and a score of
+others. Among them all I recall none still in the field. Some are dead,
+and the rest are so "used up" that they would make a sorry exhibition if
+placed on the ball field to-day.
+
+Ben Mayberry was a swift and skillful skater, and in running there was
+not a boy in Damietta who could equal him. It was by giving heed to these
+forms of healthful exercise, and by avoiding liquor and tobacco, that he
+preserved his rosy cheeks, his clear eye, his vigorous brain, and his
+bounding health.
+
+"Why, how do you do, Ben?"
+
+The lad looked up from his desk in the office, one clear, autumn day, as
+he heard these words, and I did the same. There stood one of the
+loveliest little girls I ever looked upon. She seemed to be ten or eleven
+years of age, was richly dressed, with an exuberant mass of yellow hair
+falling over her shoulders. Her large, lustrous eyes were of a deep blue,
+her complexion as rich and pink as the lining of a sea shell, and her
+features as winsome as any that Phidias himself ever carved from Parian
+marble.
+
+Ben rose in a hesitating way and walked toward her, uncertain, though he
+suspected her identity.
+
+"Is this--no, it cannot be----"
+
+"Yes; I am Dolly Willard, that you saved from drowning with my poor mamma
+last winter. I wrote you a letter soon after I got home, but you felt too
+important to notice it, I suppose."
+
+And the laughing girl reached her hand over the counter, while Ben shook
+it warmly, and said:
+
+"You wrote to me? Surely there was some mistake, for I never got the
+letter; I would have only been too glad to answer it. Maybe you forgot to
+drop it in the office."
+
+"I gave it to Uncle George, and told him to be careful and put it in the
+mail, and he said he did so when he came home, so it was not my fault. But
+I am visiting at my cousin's in Commerce Street, at Mr. Grandin's----"
+
+"I know the place."
+
+"They are going to have a grand party there to-night, and I've come down
+to ask you to be sure and be there."
+
+"I am delighted to receive your invitation, but----"
+
+"You can go," said I, as Ben looked appealingly toward me.
+
+"Thank you, sir. Yes, Miss Dolly, I count upon great pleasure in being
+present."
+
+"If you don't come, I'll never speak to you again," called the pretty
+little miss as she passed out of the door.
+
+"I am sorry and troubled about one thing," said Ben to me, when we stood
+together. "This Uncle George of Dolly's is the G. R. Burkhill who
+received that cipher dispatch. I am satisfied he is a villain, and
+there's trouble close at hand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AT THE GRANDIN MANSION
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was born in Damietta, and his parents, as I have shown, were
+extremely poor. He had been a barefooted urchin, who was ready to fight
+or engage in any reckless undertaking. As he grew older and became more
+thoughtful, he assumed better clothing, grew more studious, and, helped
+by his fine ability and prepossessing looks, became popular.
+
+In addition, his remarkable skill in athletic sports made him well liked
+among the rougher element, who would have been glad had he consented to
+"train with their crowd."
+
+In spite of all this, Ben failed to secure the social recognition to
+which he was entitled. Many who would greet him most cordially on the
+street never thought of inviting him to their homes. Damietta had been a
+city long enough to develop social caste, which lay in such distinct
+strata that there seemed no possibility of their ever mingling together.
+
+I was glad, therefore, when Dolly Willard called at the office and
+personally invited Ben to attend the party at Mr. Grandin's, which was
+one of the most aristocratic families in Damietta. They were originally
+from the South, but had lived in the city a long time.
+
+My young friend was somewhat dubious about going, as he had never before
+been invited to cross the threshold; but there was no refusing the warm
+invitation of Dolly, who had walked all the way to the office on purpose
+to secure his presence at the gathering that evening.
+
+Ben Mayberry was proud of Dolly; that is, proud that it had fallen to his
+lot to befriend such a splendid girl, but there were several things that
+made him thoughtful.
+
+In the first place, my reader will recall that the cipher telegram which
+was of such a compromising character was addressed to her uncle. Ben had
+hunted out from the files in the office the first disguised message, and
+it clearly referred to a contemplated robbery of one of the banks in
+Damietta. This G. R. Burkhill was a criminal who was playing a desperate
+game, in which he was likely to lose.
+
+It was unfortunate that he was connected by relationship with Dolly
+Willard, who was the cousin of the Grandins; but it was certainly
+impossible that either Dolly, the Grandins, or Mrs. Willard herself, knew
+the character of the man. Such was the view Ben took of the matter,
+adding to himself:
+
+"I hope he will keep away, and that nothing more of the intended robbery
+will be heard. It is now the fall of the year, and they seemed to agree
+that it was the time when the crime was to be attempted."
+
+It was one of the grandest children's parties ever given in Damietta.
+Little Dolly Willard had mourned her mother's loss as deeply as could any
+child, but those of her years soon rally from affliction, and she was
+among the happiest of the three-score boys and girls who gathered in the
+roomy parlors of the Grandin mansion that beautiful night in October.
+
+The wages which Ben Mayberry received enabled him to dress with excellent
+taste, and, poor as he was, there was none of the sons of the wealthiest
+merchants in Damietta who was more faultlessly attired that evening.
+True, some of them sported handsome gold watches, and one or two
+displayed diamonds, of which Ben had none, but otherwise a spectator
+would have placed the young telegraphist on the same social footing with
+the aristocratic youths around him.
+
+Among the numerous misses present were many dressed with great elegance,
+and possessing much personal beauty; but Dolly Willard, by common
+consent, surpassed them all in personal loveliness, while the rich and
+severe simplicity of her attire showed either the exquisite taste of
+herself or of someone who had the care of her.
+
+Among such an assemblage of misses and youths there are as many
+heart-burnings as among their elder brothers and sisters. Dolly was
+decidedly the belle of the evening. Some of the other girls were so
+envious over her superior attractions that they openly sneered at her,
+but the aspiring youth were dazzled by the sprightly girl, who attracted
+them as though she were a magnet and they had a big supply of steel about
+their persons.
+
+When Ben Mayberry entered the parlor a little late, Dolly was standing
+among a group of lads who were smiling and bowing, and making desperate
+attempts to be funny with a view of drawing her attention especially to
+them. It was natural that she should be somewhat coquettish, but the
+instant she caught sight of Ben Mayberry she almost ran to him.
+
+"I was afraid you wouldn't come," she exclaimed, taking both his hands in
+hers; "and if you hadn't, I never, never, never would have spoken to you
+again."
+
+Ben unquestionably was a handsome lad. His bright eyes, his white, even
+teeth, his slightly Roman nose, his well-shaped head, his clear, bright
+eye, and his rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, rendered him an
+attractive figure among the bright faces and well-dressed figures. His
+superb physical poise lent a grace to all his movements, while he was
+self-possessed at the most trying times.
+
+He made a laughing reply to Dolly, who at once seated herself beside him
+and began chatting in her liveliest style, which was very lively indeed.
+To those who approached, she introduced him as the young man who had
+saved her life the preceding winter, until Ben begged her to make no
+further reference to it. Many of the other girls gathered around, and
+showed their admiration of Ben in a most marked manner. These were mostly
+from Boston or New York, who had heard of the young hero, but had never
+looked upon him before.
+
+Dolly was talking away with lightning speed to Ben, who managed to edge
+in a word now and then, when a dapper young man of sixteen years spruced
+forward.
+
+"They are going to form for the lancers, Miss Dolly; I believe I have
+your promise for my partner."
+
+"I thank you, Rutherford, but I have changed my mind, and will dance with
+Master Ben."
+
+This was a daring and almost unwarranted act on the part of the little
+empress, for Ben had not yet spoken to her on the matter. But he was
+quick to seize the advantage, and, instantly rising to his feet, offered
+his arm to Dolly, and started toward the dancing-room, as though the
+whole thing had been prearranged before the other party presented
+himself.
+
+This act brought him face to face with the disappointed young man, whose
+countenance flushed with anger.
+
+"Rutherford, this is he who saved my life last winter, Master Ben
+Mayberry; my friend, Rutherford Richmond."
+
+The two saluted each other somewhat distantly; and with feelings which it
+would be hard to describe, Ben recognized the tall, rather callow youth
+as the Rutherford who stoned him several years before, when he was
+floating down the river on a log, and to whom Ben in turn had given a
+most thorough castigation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE CONSPIRACY
+
+
+Rutherford Richmond recognized Ben Mayberry at the same instant that the
+latter identified him. But neither gave any evidence of the fact that
+could be understood by other parties.
+
+Ben took his position with Dolly by his side, and they were without doubt
+the handsomest couple on the floor that evening. Their mutual interest
+was so marked that everyone present noticed it, and it caused comment
+without end.
+
+"Yes, I believe he sweeps out the office for a telegraph company. He
+manages to save up enough money in the course of a year to buy a decent
+suit of clothes."
+
+Ben Mayberry was sitting down at the end of one of the dances, when he
+overheard these words, which he knew referred to him. Dolly had excused
+herself for a few minutes, and he was alone, sniffing at a fragrant
+bouquet which he was protecting from all damage for her benefit.
+
+He knew, further, that the remark was intended for his ears, but he
+affected not to know it, while he furtively glanced behind him. There
+stood Master Rutherford Richmond, with three or four lads. They were all
+jealous of Ben, and were discussing his merits for his own especial
+benefit.
+
+"I understand he gets fifty cents a week for his work," observed another,
+making sure his voice was elevated enough to be heard half across the
+room, "which is a big sum for him."
+
+"I don't understand why Miss Jennie" (referring to Jennie Grandin, who
+gave the party) "allows such cattle here," struck in a third, in the same
+off-hand manner.
+
+Rutherford Richmond took upon himself to give the reason.
+
+"It was all on account of Dolly. You know she is kind-hearted, and I
+understand this booby went to her and begged that she would give him a
+chance to see how a party of high-toned people looked. She couldn't very
+well refuse, and now she is trotting him around for the rest of us to
+laugh at."
+
+Ben Mayberry's cheeks burned, for none of these words escaped him. He
+would have given a good deal to have been outside alone for a few minutes
+with Master Rutherford Richmond. But he could not call him to account
+under the circumstances, and he still sniffed at the bouquet in his hand,
+and affected to be very much interested in the action of a couple of
+misses on the opposite side of the room.
+
+"If Miss Jennie permits anything of this kind again," volunteered
+Rutherford, "it will cause trouble. A good many will want to know, before
+they allow their children to come, whether they are liable to meet the
+telegraph office boy and the great ball player here; if there's danger
+they will stay at home."
+
+"I think the scum of society should be kept in its place," observed
+another, scarcely less bitter than young Richmond in his jealousy of the
+lad who claimed so much of the attention of the little belle of the
+evening.
+
+This kind of talk was going on when, to Ben's great relief, Dolly came
+tripping to him. He added gall to the cup of the envious youths by
+rising, giving her his arm, and then glancing triumphantly back at them,
+as he escorted her to the dining room.
+
+They knew the meaning of the glance, and they were fierce enough to
+assault him had they dared to do so.
+
+The party came to an end before midnight. Ben Mayberry had saluted his
+friends, and was in the hall preparatory to going home, when someone
+slyly pulled his arm. Turning, he saw that it was Ned Deering, a little
+fellow whose father was the leading physician in Damietta. Ned was a
+great admirer of Ben, and he now seized the occasion to say:
+
+"Look out, Ben, when you get down by the bridge over the creek; they're
+going for you."
+
+"Whom do you mean?"
+
+"That Rutherford Richmond and another fellow mean to hide in Carter's
+Alley, and when you come along will pounce down on you. They wanted me to
+go with 'em, but I begged off without letting 'em know I meant to tell
+you."
+
+"Where are they?" asked Ben, glancing furtively about him.
+
+"They slipped out ahead, and are hurrying down there. You had better take
+another way home. They are awful mad, and will knock the stuffing out of
+you."
+
+Ben Mayberry smiled over the earnest words and manner of the boy, and
+thanked him for his information.
+
+"Don't let 'em know I told you," added the timid fellow, as Ben moved out
+the door; "for if they find out that it was me that was the cause of your
+going the other way home, why, they'd punch my head for me. That
+Richmond, they say, is a reg'lar fighter--has science, and can lay out
+anybody of his size."
+
+"They will never know you said anything to me, Ned, for I shall take the
+usual way, and will be slow, so as to give them plenty of time to get
+there ahead of me."
+
+The little fellow looked wonderingly at Ben as he walked away, unable to
+comprehend how anyone should step into a yawning chasm after being warned
+of his peril.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN AFFRAY AT NIGHT
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was so desirous that Rutherford Richmond and his brother
+conspirator should be given all the time they needed to complete their
+scheme for waylaying and assaulting him, that he lingered on the road
+longer than was really necessary.
+
+Finally he turned down the street, which crossed by the creek that ran
+through the center of Damietta. It was a clear moonlight night, and,
+except in the shadow, objects could be seen distinctly for a considerable
+distance. He advanced with great care, and with all his wits at command,
+for he was confident the warning given him by Ned Deering was well
+founded.
+
+When within a block of the bridge he saw someone peep out of Carter's
+Alley and instantly draw back his head, as though fearful of being
+observed. A moment later, a second person did the same. Rutherford
+Richmond and his confederate were on hand.
+
+They did not look like the two boys as seen in the glare of Mr. Grandin's
+parlors, for they had disguised themselves, so far as possible, with a
+view of preventing their recognition by the boy whom they meant to
+assault. They knew they were liable to get themselves into trouble by
+such an outrageous violation of law, and they meant to take all the
+precautions necessary.
+
+Each had donned a long flapping overcoat, which must have belonged to
+some of the older members of the families, as it dangled about his heels.
+They also wore slouch hats like a couple of brigands, which they pulled
+down over their eyes, so as to hide their features. They had no weapons,
+for it was calculated that by springing upon Ben unawares they would
+easily bear him to the pavement, when both would give him a beating which
+he would remember for a lifetime.
+
+Ben was whistling softly to himself, and he was glad that at the late
+hour no one else was seen in the immediate neighborhood, for all he asked
+was a clear field and no favor.
+
+As he walked by the open end of Carter's Alley, he dimly discerned two
+figures, which seemed plastered against the wall in the dense shadow,
+where they were invisible to all passers-by, unless their suspicion was
+directed to the spot.
+
+Ben gave no evidence that he noticed them, and moved along in his
+deliberate fashion, changing his whistling to a low humming of no
+particular tune; but he used his keen eyesight and hearing for all they
+were worth.
+
+He had gone no more than a dozen feet beyond, when he heard a rapid but
+cautious footstep behind him. It increased in swiftness, and was
+instantly followed by a second. The two boys were approaching him
+stealthily from the rear.
+
+Still Ben walked quietly forward, humming to himself, and with no
+apparent thought of what was coming. Suddenly, when Richmond was in the
+very act of making a leap upon his shoulders, Ben turned like a flash,
+and planted a stunning blow directly in the face of the exultant coward,
+who was knocked on his back as if kicked by a vigorous mule.
+
+His companion was at the elbow of Richmond when struck in this emphatic
+fashion, and for the instant was bewildered by the unexpected
+catastrophe. Before he could recover he imagined the comet which was
+expected at that season had caught him directly between the eyes, and he
+went backward over Richmond, with his two legs pointing upward, like a
+pair of dividers, toward the stars.
+
+Ben's blood was up, and he waited for the two to rise, intending to "lay
+them out" more emphatically than before. The lad whose name he did not
+know lay still, but Rutherford recovered with remarkable quickness, and
+began struggling to his feet, without paying heed to his hat, which had
+rolled into the gutter.
+
+"That ain't fair to strike a fellow that way, when he ain't expecting
+it," growled the assassin. "Why didn't you stand still like a man and not
+hit below the belt?"
+
+"All right; I give you notice then, friend Rutherford, that I am going
+for you again, and this time above the belt."
+
+Richmond, finding he must fight, threw up his hands and did his best to
+guard against the blows whose force he knew so well. He did possess some
+knowledge of sparring, but so did Ben, who was much the stronger and more
+active of the two. He advanced straight upon Richmond, made several
+feints, and then landed a blow straight from the shoulder, at the same
+time parrying the cross-counter which the lad came near getting in on the
+face.
+
+It so happened that, at that moment, the other young scamp was in the act
+of rising, and had got upon his hands and knees. As Richmond was sent
+spinning backward he came in collision with him, and turned a complete
+somersault, the air seeming to be full of legs, long hair, hats, and
+flapping overcoats.
+
+"Murder! help! help! police! police!"
+
+These startling cries were shouted at the top of their voices by the
+discomfited poltroons, and were heard a long distance on the still night.
+Suddenly the rattle of running feet sounded on the planks of the bridge,
+and Ben caught sight of a policeman running toward the spot.
+
+"What does this mean?" he demanded, when he came face to face with Ben,
+whom he motioned to stop.
+
+"Those two fellows attacked me when I was passing Carter's Alley, and
+I--well, I defended myself as best I could."
+
+"Oh, Ben, that is you; I didn't know you at first," said the policeman.
+"This is rather serious business; I'll run 'em in."
+
+Advancing to where the boys were once more climbing to their feet, he
+grasped each by the collar.
+
+"I'll take you along with me, young gents; this is serious business for
+you."
+
+They begged piteously to be let off, declaring that it was only a joke,
+but the officer was inexorable, and marched them to the station house,
+where they spent the rest of the night, Ben Mayberry having been notified
+to be on hand at nine o'clock the next morning, when the police justice
+would make an investigation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE THIRD TELEGRAM
+
+
+When the father of Rutherford Richmond's friend, at whose house the young
+Bostonian was visiting, learned the facts, he was indignant beyond
+description. He declared that Ben Mayberry had served the young
+scapegraces right, except he ought to have punished both more severely,
+which was rather severe, as was shown by the blackened eyes and bruised
+faces.
+
+Ben declined to push the matter on the morrow, as the boys had been
+punished, and he had proved he was able to take care of himself, as
+against them, at any time. But the gentleman insisted that he would not
+permit the matter to drop, unless his son and Rutherford agreed to go to
+the telegraph office and beg the pardon of the boy whom he learned they
+had insulted under Mr. Grandin's roof. Rutherford and his friend
+consented, and they humiliated themselves to that extent. The succeeding
+day Rutherford went home to Boston, and did not reappear in Damietta
+until long afterward, when he hoped the disgraceful episode was
+forgotten.
+
+On the following week Dolly Willard returned to New York, and Ben, for
+the first time in his life, began to feel as though his native city had
+lost a good deal of the sunshine to which it was entitled.
+
+"She will visit Damietta again," he said to himself, with just the
+faintest sigh, "and she promised to write me; I hope she won't forget her
+promise."
+
+And, indeed, the sprightly little miss did not lose sight of her pledge.
+It may be suspected that she took as much pleasure in expressing on paper
+her warm friendship for Ben, as he did in reading the pure, honest
+sentiments, and in answering her missives, which he did with great
+promptness.
+
+It was just one week after the memorable night of the party, while I was
+sitting at my desk, that the following cipher dispatch came over the
+wires, addressed to G. R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
+
+     "Fwfszuijoh hr pl nm ujnf Sgtqdezw bu bnqmdq. Tom."
+
+I passed the message to Ben, whose eyes sparkled as he took it in hand.
+It required but a few minutes for him to translate it by the method which
+has already been made known, and the following rather startling words
+came to light:
+
+     "Everything is O. K. On time Thursday at corner."
+
+This unquestionably referred to the same unlawful project outlined in the
+former dispatches. Mr. Burkhill had not been in the office for months. As
+yet, of the three telegrams sent him, he had not received one. The first
+was lost in the river, the second had been on file more than half a year,
+and we now had the third.
+
+But the latter did not lie uncalled for even for an hour. Remembering the
+instruction received from the manager, I took a copy of the message, with
+the translation written out by Ben, to the office of the mayor, where I
+laid the facts before him. This was on Wednesday, and the contemplated
+robbery was fixed for the following night. By his direction I sent a
+dispatch at once to the address of the detective in New York, who, it had
+been arranged, was to look after the matter.
+
+The reply to this message was the rather surprising information that
+Detective Maxx had been in Damietta several days, and knew of the
+contemplated robbery. He was shadowing the suspected party, and if he
+deemed it necessary, he would call on the mayor for assistance.
+
+While I was absent from the office, who should walk in but Mr. G. R.
+Burkhill. He greeted Ben with much effusion, shaking him warmly by the
+hand, inquiring how he got along, and telling him that his niece sent her
+special regards to him.
+
+"I have been on a trip to New Orleans," he added, "or I would have been
+down in Damietta sooner, for I like the place."
+
+"The summer isn't generally considered a good time to go so far south,"
+ventured Ben.
+
+"That is true, as relates to Northerners, but I was born in the Crescent
+City, and have no fear of Yellow Jack; fact is, I have had the confounded
+disease myself. By the way, have you a message for me?"
+
+"We have two, in fact I may say three, for the copy of the first one that
+went down the river with me has never been handed you, and one came a day
+or two after you left."
+
+"I know what they are, so you needn't mind about them. I will take the
+last, if you please."
+
+"It arrived within the last half hour," explained Ben, as he handed the
+damp sheet to him.
+
+The boy watched his countenance while Burkhill was reading it. It took
+several minutes for him to study out its meaning, but he did so without
+the aid of pencil or paper. A strange glitter came into his gray eyes as
+the meaning broke upon him, and he muttered something to himself which
+the lad did not quite catch.
+
+Then he turned to the desk, and was engaged only a minute or two when he
+handed a return message to Ben, paying for it as the man had done who
+forwarded the other to him. It was this:
+
+     "Uibu rthsr fybdumz Vhkk cf qdzex.
+
+                                             "G. R. Burkhill."
+
+Applying his rule (which compelled him to go to the end of the alphabet,
+when, for instance, the letter "a" demanded to be represented by a
+preceding letter), Ben Mayberry very readily translated the cipher as
+follows:
+
+     "That suits exactly. Will be ready.
+
+                                             "G. R. Burkhill."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+DECIDEDLY MIXED
+
+
+During the summer succeeding the carrying away of the bridge which
+connected Damietta with Moorestown, it was built in a more substantial
+manner than before. It was an easy matter, therefore, to cross from one
+place to another, and carriages and pedestrians went back and forth
+between the two States at almost every hour of the day. Damietta was a
+large city, while Moorestown was only a small town; but the latter was
+pleasantly located and had a large and excellent hotel, where quite a
+number of guests spent the most sultry months of summer.
+
+In Damietta were three banks, and the cipher telegrams which I have laid
+before the reader, beyond a doubt referred to one of them, but it was
+impossible to fix with certainty upon the right one. As a matter of
+prudence, therefore, it was determined to keep the three under
+surveillance. The Mechanics' Bank, as it was called before it adopted the
+national system, stood on the corner, and the general impression
+prevailed that this was the institution referred to, as it will be
+remembered that the word "corner" occurred in one of the telegrams.
+
+A few minutes' reflection convinced me that it was utterly out of the
+question for the intended robbery to succeed. Such desperate projects
+depend mainly on their secrecy for success. The watchmen in all the banks
+were instructed to be unusually vigilant, the policemen were apprised of
+what was suspected, a number of officers were to lounge upon the streets
+near at hand in citizens' clothes, and Aristides Maxx, one of the most
+skillful detectives in the metropolis, was engaged upon the case.
+
+The general belief was that the burglars, discovering what thorough
+preparations were on foot, would not make the attempt. That sort of
+gentry are not the ones to walk into any trap with their eyes open.
+
+Respecting Detective Maxx, there was much wonderment, and the mayor was
+vexed that he did not show up. Some doubted his presence in Damietta, but
+the superior officer of the city felt that courtesy demanded that Maxx
+should report to him before trying to follow up any trail of his own. If
+he was with us, he was so effectually disguised that no one suspected his
+identity.
+
+"I wonder whether that seedy, tramp-like fellow who stole the cipher
+dispatch, can be Detective Maxx?" said Ben to me on Wednesday night
+before he started for home.
+
+"It is not impossible," I answered, "for detectives are forced to assume
+all manner of disguises. He may have chosen to stroll about the city in
+that make-up."
+
+"But if it is the detective, why did he go to all the trouble of copying
+off the telegram by sound when he could have got it from us with the
+translation merely by making himself known?"
+
+"I admit that, if he is a detective, he acts, in my judgment, in a very
+unprofessional way. He was so persistent in his attentions that he must
+have known he was sure to draw unpleasant, if not dangerous suspicion, to
+himself."
+
+"Do you know," said Ben, with a meaning smile, "that I half believe this
+stranger and Burkhill are partners? They have been here at the same time,
+they show interest in the same thing, and like enough are working out the
+same scheme of robbery."
+
+This had never occurred to me, and I was struck with its reasonableness,
+when I came to think it over. The ill-favored individual signed the name
+"John Browning" to the dispatch which he sent some months before, as a
+pretext for visiting our office so much--but that was clearly an alias.
+
+"Well," said I, "it is all conjecture any way. With the ample warning the
+authorities have received, I do not believe there is the slightest
+prospect of a robbery being committed. I intend to retire to-morrow night
+at my usual hour with little fear of my slumbers being disturbed."
+
+A few minutes after, we bade each other good-night, and wended our way
+quietly homeward.
+
+My experience was singular, after parting with my young friend--not
+meaning to imply that anything unusual occurred to me; but the mental
+processes to which I was subjected that evening, in the light of
+subsequent events, were very peculiar, to say the least.
+
+I am convinced that the inciting cause was the remark made by Ben
+Mayberry to the effect that he believed the seedy individual was a
+confederate of Burkhill, and that the two were perfecting a scheme for
+robbing one of the banks--most likely the Mechanics'.
+
+"Ben is right," I said to myself. "His bright mind has enabled him to
+grasp the truth by intuition, as a woman sometimes does when a man has
+been laboring for hours to reach the same point."
+
+But before I could satisfy myself that the boy was right, a still
+stronger conviction came to me that he was wrong. The men were not
+pals--as they are called among the criminal classes--and they were not
+arranging some plan of robbery.
+
+While I was clear on this point, I was totally unable to form any theory
+to take the place of the one I had demolished.
+
+Who was the pretended John Browning, and what was the dark scheme that
+was being hatched "in our midst," as the expression goes?
+
+These were the questions which presented themselves to me, and which I
+could not answer in a manner thoroughly satisfactory to myself.
+
+"They are all wrong--everybody is wrong!" I exclaimed to myself;
+"whatever it is that is in the wind, no one but the parties themselves
+knows its nature."
+
+This was the conclusion which fastened itself in my mind more firmly the
+longer I thought.
+
+"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and it is the only thing
+which will protect us in this case--helloa!"
+
+So rapt was I in my meditation that I had walked three squares beyond my
+house before I awoke to the fact. It was something which I had never done
+before in all my life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+BETWEEN TWO FIRES
+
+
+In the meantime, Ben Mayberry underwent an experience more peculiar than
+mine.
+
+I cannot speak of the mental problems with which he wrestled, but, as he
+explained to me afterward, he had settled down to the belief that the
+Mechanics' Bank was the one against which the burglars were perfecting
+their plans. He was hopeful that the only outcome of the conspiracy would
+be the capture of the criminals, though he felt more than one pang when
+he reflected that the principal one was a relative of Dolly Willard, who
+was the personification of innocence and goodness to him.
+
+Ben had acquired the excellent habit of always being wide awake,
+excepting, of course, when he lay down for real slumber. Thus it was that
+he had gone but a little distance on his way home when he became aware
+that someone was following him.
+
+I doubt whether there is a more uncomfortable feeling than that caused by
+such a discovery. The certainty that some unknown person, with no motive
+but a sinister one, is dodging at your heels, as the mountain wolf slinks
+along behind the belated traveler, awaiting the moment when he can spring
+upon him unawares, is enough to cause the bravest man to shiver with
+dread.
+
+The night was very dark. The day had been cloudy, and there was no moon;
+but Ben was in a large city, with an efficient police system (that is,
+equal to the average), there were street lamps, the hour was not
+unusually late, and there were other persons beside himself abroad. And
+yet, in the heart of the metropolis, at the same hour, crimes have been
+perpetrated whose mystery has never been unraveled to this day.
+
+Ben Mayberry may have felt somewhat uneasy, but there was not so much
+fear as there was curiosity to know what earthly reason any living man
+could have for following him in that stealthy fashion.
+
+Surely no one could suspect him of being burdened with wealth. The only
+article of any account about his person was a silver watch, which had
+cost him sixteen dollars. He never carried a pistol, for he saw no
+necessity for doing so. If he should find himself beset by enemies who
+were too strong to be resisted, he could run as rapidly as any person in
+the city, and a short run in Damietta was enough to take him to a place
+of safety inaccessible to his assailants.
+
+When he turned into the narrow street which led across the bridge where
+he had his affray with Rutherford Richmond and his companion, he
+reflected that it was perhaps the most dangerous spot in the
+neighborhood. There was a single lamp just before stepping on the bridge,
+where one might run against another before seeing him.
+
+He hesitated a minute as he made the turn. It was easy enough to reach
+his home by a different route, which was somewhat longer, but which was
+well lighted all the way, and there could be little risk in taking it.
+
+"I'll stick to the usual way," muttered Ben, striding resolutely forward;
+"I don't believe anything like murder is contemplated."
+
+At that moment he would have felt much more comfortable had he possessed
+a pistol, or some kind of weapon, but he did not hesitate, now that he
+had "put his hand to the plow."
+
+A minute later he stepped on the bridge, where the gas lamp shone upon
+him, and, with his usual deliberate tread, passed off in the gloom of the
+other side. The instant he believed himself beyond sight of his pursuer,
+he quickened his gait but continually looked back in the hope of gaining
+a view of the man, for the boy was naturally eager to learn who it was
+that was playing such a sinister trick on him.
+
+Just beyond, on the limit of his field of vision, Ben saw a shadowy
+figure cross quickly, to the other side of the street. The stranger did
+this before coming within the glare of the lamp, which would have
+revealed him too plainly to those who might be curious to secure a
+glimpse of his features.
+
+An instant later his footfall was heard on the bridge, and he was walking
+rapidly toward Ben, crossing again to the same side of the street, as
+soon as over the stream. The boy stepped lightly but briskly forward
+until he reached Carter's Alley, into which he entered a couple of yards,
+and then came to a sudden halt.
+
+At the moment of doing so, his foot struck something hard. He knew what
+it was, and, stooping down, picked up a large stone, which he held
+tightly grasped in his hand. Such a weapon was very formidable in the
+grip of a vigorous boy, who could throw with the skill and accuracy of
+Ben Mayberry.
+
+The lad had scarcely halted when he caught the tip, tip of his pursuer,
+who was evidently determined to overtake him before he reached the
+lighted regions beyond. Ben was astonished just then, to note that a
+second person was just approaching from the opposite direction in the
+same guarded fashion.
+
+"It must be there are two of them," was the sensible conclusion of the
+boy; "they have agreed to meet here, where I wouldn't have much show
+against them."
+
+It followed that the party of the second part was waiting for the coming
+of young Mayberry, doubtless with the understanding that his partner in
+crime should follow him to a certain point near at hand, when the two
+would close in on him.
+
+Ben had never suspected any such conspiracy as this, and, had he gone a
+little further, he would have walked directly into the arms of the second
+ruffian, while peering behind him at the shadowy villain who "still
+pursued him."
+
+But the lad had stopped short and disconcerted the plans of the
+conspirators by so doing. The one who was lying in wait was quick to miss
+the boy whom he had seen cross the bridge, and, suspecting something was
+wrong, he hastened stealthily toward the creek to learn the explanation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+BAFFLED!
+
+
+It so happened that the two men stopped directly at the mouth of the
+alley, within a few feet of Ben Mayberry, who could hear their guarded
+words, though he could not catch the first glimpse of their figures.
+
+A whistled signal or two first made them certain of each other's
+identity, and then the one who had crossed the bridge gave utterance to
+an oath, expressive of his anger, as he demanded:
+
+"Where has he gone?"
+
+"How should I know?" growled the other. "I waited where you told me to
+wait, and finding he didn't come, I moved down to meet him, but he don't
+show up."
+
+"'Sh! Not so loud. He can't be far off."
+
+"I don't know how that is, but he's given us the slip. There's an alley
+right here, and he has turned into that."
+
+"I don't hear him."
+
+"Of course not. Because he's standing still and listening to us."
+
+"Flash your bull's-eye into the alley."
+
+When Ben Mayberry heard this order he trembled, as well he might, for he
+was so close to the scoundrels that the first rays of the lantern would
+reveal him to them. Indeed he dare not move, lest the noise, slight as it
+was, would bring them down on him.
+
+He grasped the ragged stone in his hand and braced himself for the
+explosion that he was sure was at hand.
+
+But fortunately, and most unexpectedly, the crisis passed. The other
+villain growled in return:
+
+"What do you mean by talking about a bull's-eye? I doused the glim long
+ago."
+
+"Why did you do that?"
+
+"The cops are watching us too close. I had hard work to dodge one of 'em
+to-night. Do you s'pose I meant to have him find any of the tools on me?
+Not much."
+
+The other emitted another sulphurous expression, and added the sensible
+remark:
+
+"Then there's no use of our hanging around here. He's smelt a mice and
+dodged off, and we won't get another such a chance to neck him."
+
+These words sounded very strange to Ben Mayberry. Well might he ask
+himself what earthly purpose these scamps could have in wishing to waylay
+him in such a dark place, where he was not likely to secure help. The
+latter part of their conversation proved they contemplated violence.
+
+"There's one thing certain," Ben said to himself, "if I manage to get out
+undiscovered, I will see that I am prepared for such gentlemen
+hereafter."
+
+The couple suddenly stopped talking, for the sound of approaching
+footsteps were heard. The two moved into the alley, and a minute after a
+heavy man came ponderously along with a rolling tread. He was puffing at
+a cigar, whose end glowed so brightly that the tip of his nose and his
+mustache were seen by the three standing so near him. Ben believed the
+wretches intended to assault and rob the citizen, and doubtless they were
+none too good to do so. In case the attempt was made, Ben meant to hurl
+the stone in his hand at the spot where he was sure they were, and then
+yell for the police.
+
+Policy alone prevented the commission of the crime.
+
+"We could have managed it easily," whispered one, as the portly citizen
+stepped on the bridge and came in sight under the lamp-light, "but I
+guess it was as well we didn't."
+
+"No; it wouldn't have paid as matters stand. We might have made a good
+haul, but the excitement to-morrow would have been such that we wouldn't
+have had a show to-morrow night."
+
+The heart of the listening Bob gave a quick throb, for this was another
+proof of the intended crime on Thursday evening.
+
+"Well," added one, "that telegraph fellow was too smart for us this time,
+and has given us the slip. We may as well go home, for there's nothing
+more to do."
+
+Thereupon they began walking toward the creek, with the deliberate tread
+of law-abiding citizens, who, if encountered anywhere on the street at
+any hour, would not have been suspected of being "crooked."
+
+Ben Mayberry had good cause for feeling indignant toward these ruffians,
+who clearly intended personal violence toward him, and who were, in all
+probability, desperadoes from the metropolis, brought into Damietta for
+the most unlawful purposes.
+
+When they had gone a short distance, Ben stepped out of the alley upon
+the main street, and stood looking toward the bridge. This was slightly
+elevated, so that in approaching from either side, one had to walk
+up-hill. The illumination from the lamp, of which I have made mention,
+gave a full view of the structure itself and all who might be upon it.
+Ben saw his pursuer, in the first place, when he stepped on the planks,
+but the light was at his back, and he shrouded his face so skillfully
+that not a glimpse was obtained of his features.
+
+In a few minutes the conspirators slowly advanced out of the gloom and
+began walking up the slight ascent toward the bridge, becoming more
+distinct each second. When they reached the middle of the structure, they
+were in plain sight, but their backs were toward Ben, who, however, had
+them where he wanted them.
+
+"I think I can plug one of them," muttered the shortstop of the Damietta
+club, as he carefully drew back his arm and fixed his eye on the fellows.
+"At least, here goes."
+
+Gathering all his strength and skill, he hurled the stone at the one who,
+he believed, had been lying in wait for him. The whizzing missile shot
+through the air like a cannon-ball, and landed precisely where the
+thrower intended, directly between the shoulders of the unsuspecting
+villain, who was thrown forward several paces by the force of the shock,
+and who must have been as much jarred as though an avalanche had fallen
+on him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+WATCHING AND WAITING
+
+
+What imaginings were driven into the head of the ruffian by the
+well-directed missile it would be impossible to say, but it is safe to
+conclude he was startled.
+
+His hat fell off, and, without stopping to pick it up, he broke into a
+frantic run, closely followed by his companion, neither of them making
+the least outcry, but doubtless doing a great deal of thinking.
+
+Ben Mayberry laughed until his sides ached, for the tables had been
+turned most completely on his enemies; but he became serious again when
+he wended his way homeward, for there was much in the incidents of the
+day to mystify and trouble him.
+
+His mother had retired when he reached his house, but there was a "light
+in the window" for him. The fond parent had such faith in her son that
+she did not feel alarmed when he was belated in coming home.
+
+Ben made a confidante of her in many things, but the truth was he was
+outgrowing her. She was a good, devout lady, but neither mentally nor
+physically could she begin to compare with her boy.
+
+Had he made known to her the contemplated robbery, or his own narrow
+escape from assault, she would have become nervous and alarmed.
+
+Ben did not tell her about the affray with Rutherford Richmond and his
+companion, for it would only have distressed her without accomplishing
+any good.
+
+He saw that his terrible adventure the preceding winter, on the wrecked
+bridge, had shocked her more than many supposed, and more than she
+suspected herself. The consequences became apparent months afterward, and
+caused Ben to do his utmost to keep everything of a disquieting nature
+from his beloved mother.
+
+On the morrow Ben told me the whole particulars of his adventures on the
+way home, and asked me what I made of it.
+
+"I give it up," I answered. "It's beyond my comprehension."
+
+"Do I look like a wealthy youth?" he asked, with a laugh.
+
+"It is not that; they have some other purpose."
+
+"Do they imagine I carry the combination to some safe in the city, and do
+they mean to force it from me?"
+
+"Nothing of that sort, as you very well know. It looks as if they really
+meditated doing you harm."
+
+"There is no room for doubt; and it was a lucky thing, after all, that
+the night was so dark, and the city don't furnish many lamps in that part
+of the town. Do you think I ought to tell the mayor or some officer about
+this?"
+
+"Could you identify either of the men if you should meet him on the
+street?"
+
+"I could not, unless I was allowed to examine his back, where the stone
+landed."
+
+"Then there's no use of telling anyone else, for no one could help you.
+You had better carry a pistol, and take a safer route home after this.
+One of these days, perhaps, the whole thing will be explained, but I own
+that it is altogether too much for any fellow to find out just now."
+
+It was natural that I should feel nervous the entire day, for there was
+every reason to believe we were close upon exciting incidents, in which
+fate had ordered that Ben Mayberry and myself would have to make the
+initial movements.
+
+Neither Burkhill, the tramp-like looking individual, nor any character to
+whom the least suspicion could attach, put in an appearance at the
+telegraph office during the day; this was another disappointment to Ben
+and myself.
+
+The mayor also was disposed to be uncommunicative, for when I dropped in
+on him during the afternoon, he was short in his answers, barely
+intimating that everything was in a satisfactory shape. When asked
+whether Detective Maxx had revealed himself, he said:
+
+"I have seen nothing of him, and do not care to see him. His help is not
+needed."
+
+I am convinced that the action of the famous detective had a great deal
+to do with the ill-humor of the mayor, who was generally one of the most
+affable of men.
+
+I was pretty well used up, and at eleven o'clock I closed the office and
+went home, separating as usual from Ben Mayberry, who, I was satisfied,
+intended to know whether anything was amiss before he lay down to
+slumber.
+
+Although the impression was general that it was the Mechanics' Bank which
+was the objective point of the conspirators, yet the chief of police, as
+I have intimated, had stationed his men so as to be ready for instant
+use, should it prove to be any one of the moneyed institutions.
+
+Ben Mayberry was so well satisfied that it was the Mechanics' that, after
+leaving me, he went in that direction, anxious to see a first-class
+burglary attempted and foiled.
+
+The institution, it will be remembered, stood on the corner of one of the
+main streets, and a lamp was burning directly opposite. The cashier
+reported that two suspicious characters had called during the day and
+made some inquiries about drafts on New York, and the officers, who had
+spent much time in the neighborhood, were convinced that they had seen
+the same individuals stealthily viewing the bank from the outside.
+
+When Ben reached the vicinity he saw no person, although he well knew
+that in almost every dark nook and hiding place, a guardian of the law
+was stationed, quietly awaiting the moment when the lawbreakers would
+dare show themselves. Ben knew, too, that more than one pair of eyes
+carefully scrutinized him as they did every pedestrian who passed.
+
+He continued along until he reached a point where he could stand without
+being noticed by anyone. Then he stopped, and, wide awake as ever,
+resolved that he would see the thing out if he was forced to stand where
+he was until the rising of the sun on the morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+"LAY LOW!"
+
+
+The clock in the tower of the City Hall solemnly boomed the hour of
+midnight. Damietta lay wrapped in slumber--that is, so far as the
+majority of her citizens were concerned. Her guardians of the peace, as a
+rule, were wide awake, and the dozens stationed within the vicinity of
+her three national banks were particularly so.
+
+Ben Mayberry counted the strokes of the iron tongue, and reflected that
+Thursday was gone, and Friday had begun. As yet nothing had been seen or
+heard to indicate that anything unlawful was contemplated in this
+immediate neighborhood. More than once he was so well convinced that my
+view of the case was correct, that he was on the point of starting
+homeward, but he checked himself and stayed.
+
+At such a time the minutes drag with exceeding slowness, and it seemed to
+Ben that fully a couple of hours had gone by, when the huge clock struck
+one. During the interval a number of pedestrians had passed, and a party
+of roystering youths rode by in a carriage, each one singing
+independently of the other, and in a loud, unsteady voice, but nothing
+yet had occurred on which to hang a suspicion.
+
+The peculiar, ringing, wave-like tones, which are heard a few minutes
+after the striking of a large bell, were still lingering in the air and
+gradually dying out, when one of the policemen gave a guarded whistle,
+which was a signal for the others to "lay low," or in better English, to
+keep themselves unusually wide awake.
+
+A minute after two men were heard approaching, and became dimly visible
+in the partial illumination of the street. It so happened that they
+walked directly by where Ben was standing. They did not notice him,
+though he plainly saw them. They were of large frame, and walked with a
+slight unsteadiness, as though under the influence of liquor.
+
+"There's the bank," said one, in an undertone, as though he was imparting
+a momentous secret to the other.
+
+"That's so; if we could only get in, knock the watchman on the head, and
+kick in the door of the safe, we would make a good haul."
+
+"Suppose we try it, Jack----"
+
+For more than two hours a burly watchman had been hidden close at hand,
+without Ben suspecting his presence. The last sentence was in the mouth
+of the speaker when this policeman sprang upon the amazed strangers, who
+were discussing the burglary of the bank.
+
+He must have been surcharged with faithfulness, for, instead of waiting
+until an overt act was committed, as all had been instructed to do, he
+rushed upon the men in a burst of enthusiasm which knew no restraint and
+passed all bounds.
+
+"Yes, you'll rob the bank, will you?" he shouted, swinging his club aloft
+and bringing it down on the heads of the others. "I'll show you--we've
+been watching you. We know you. You're a fine set of cracksmen. You think
+Damietta is a country town, but you'll learn different----"
+
+These vigorous observations were punctuated with equally vigorous whacks
+of the club, which it seemed must crack the skulls of the men, and in all
+probability would have done so had they not risen to the exigencies of
+the case and turned upon the policeman with remarkable promptitude.
+
+Both of them were powerful, and finding themselves assailed in this
+fashion, one knocked the officer half-way across the street, wrenched his
+club from his grasp, and began laying it over his head. The stricken
+guardian of the peace shouted for help, and tried desperately to draw his
+revolver. Finally he got it out, but before he could use it that also was
+taken from him, and it looked as though little would be left of him.
+
+[Illustration: THE POLICEMAN BROUGHT HIS CLUB DOWN ON THE HEADS OF THE
+OTHERS.--P. 144.]
+
+But the other policemen came running up, and took a hand in the fracas.
+While some went for the one who was belaboring the representative of the
+law, others made for the second burglar. But he was more muscular, if
+possible, than his friend, and he laid about him with such vigor that
+three officers were prostrated before he could be secured. Calling to his
+friend, the two gave themselves up, demanding to know why peaceable
+citizens should be clubbed when quietly walking along the street.
+
+"We had not uttered a disrespectful word," said the first, "but were
+joking together, when that brass-buttoned idiot pounced upon us. We
+simply defended ourselves, as every man has a right to do, and we don't
+propose to let the matter rest here."
+
+"He lies!" shouted the officer who had fared so ill, as he came forward,
+his hat off, and his clothing covered with dust; "he was arranging to rob
+the bank; they are the burglars that we've been watching for days; I know
+'em all right."
+
+"We shall have to take you along," said the chief, who saw that matters
+were considerably mixed.
+
+At this point Ben thought it was his duty to interfere.
+
+"If you will permit me, I am satisfied that some mistake has been made.
+These gentlemen did nothing----"
+
+"He's one of 'em," broke in the first officer, whose wrath could not be
+appeased; "he's been their dummy; he was on the lookout to give 'em
+warning; run him in, too."
+
+Despite Ben Mayberry's protests, he was forced to go with the prisoners;
+but on the way to the lock-up he was recognized by several officers,
+including the chief, who ordered his release, Ben promising to appear in
+the morning at the hearing.
+
+On the morrow several important facts came to light. The two individuals
+who had been so roughly used were honest countrymen, whose references to
+the robbery of the bank were purely in jest--such a project as burglary
+never entering their thoughts.
+
+The policeman who assailed them made a humble apology, and they agreed to
+let the matter drop.
+
+Another fact that was established was that the policemen of Damietta were
+very much like those of other cities.
+
+The third truth was, that no burglary took place on Thursday night or
+Friday morning, and everything was as quiet as the surface of a summer
+mill-pond, with the single exception of the incident just narrated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE BATTLE OF LIFE
+
+
+After all the elaborate preparations for the capture of the burglars, the
+whole business had fallen so flat that the officers of the law themselves
+laughed at the farcical termination. Nothing criminal was attempted, and
+Damietta never was more peaceful in all its history than it was during
+the many weeks and months which followed.
+
+And yet, in spite of all this, there could be no question that such a
+burglarious scheme at one time was contemplated. The cipher telegrams,
+and the surveillance to which Ben Mayberry was subjected, together with
+the attempted assault upon him, made this too manifest to be disputed.
+
+"They simply discovered the preparations made by the authorities," I said
+to Ben, "and they had prudence enough to withdraw."
+
+"Do you believe they have given it up altogether?"
+
+"I doubt it. They have simply deferred the execution until some safer
+time. We must continue to be on the lookout for telegrams in cipher.
+These gentry have evil designs upon Damietta, as will be proven before we
+are many years older."
+
+When Ben Mayberry reached the age of fifteen, he attained an important
+epoch in his life. He had long been one of the most skillful operators in
+the district, being remarkably quick and accurate.
+
+I have told enough to prove his courteous disposition toward all who
+entered our office. The pretended Mr. Jones, who acted the part of the
+ignorant farmer, was, as I have stated, a high official of the company,
+who took odd means to test the character and skill of our employees. The
+test in the case of young Mayberry proved most satisfactory in every
+respect.
+
+At my request, I was transferred to one of the cities in the Eastern
+States, where the climate agreed better with me. I was given charge of an
+important office, an advance made in my wages, and everything was done to
+make the change agreeable. Such being the fact, it is no assumption on my
+part to say that my administration of the exacting duties in Damietta had
+been fully appreciated by my superior officers.
+
+Ben Mayberry was made manager of the office in his native city at a
+salary of seventy-five dollars per month. This statement the reader may
+doubt, for I am quite certain that no telegraphist of his age was ever
+given such an important charge, nor is anyone so young paid such a
+liberal salary; but, did I feel at liberty to do so, I could locate Ben
+Mayberry so closely that all skeptics could ascertain the facts, in a
+brief time, precisely as I have given them.
+
+We have many office managers, in different parts of the country, who lack
+several years of their majority; but, as a rule, their stations are not
+very important, and their pay is nothing like what Ben received. There
+were exceptional circumstances in his case. He was unusually bright, he
+was very attentive, he was courteous, cheerful, and never shirked work.
+He was popular with our patrons, and much of the increase in the business
+of the Damietta office was due to Ben alone. This became known to those
+above him, and they felt that an unusual promotion on his part would not
+only be a just recognition of his ability and devotion, but would do much
+to stimulate others to imitate the good example set by the boy.
+
+In addition to all this, it cannot be denied that fortune favored Ben in
+a marked degree. The fact that he was swept down the river in the
+darkness and tempest, while trying to deliver a telegram for a messenger
+who was ill, and that he saved the life of a little girl, could not fail
+to operate strongly to his benefit. But he would have reached the end all
+the same, without these aids, just as you, my young friend, may attain
+the topmost round by climbing up, up, up, step after step, step after
+step.
+
+There is no cup in this life without some drops of bitterness, and,
+despite the promotion of Ben, which he fully appreciated, he was cast
+down by another circumstance, which troubled him more than he would admit
+to his closest friends.
+
+He had not seen sweet Dolly Willard since the grand children's party at
+Mr. Grandin's, more than two years previous. She had written him
+regularly every week for months, and he had been equally prompt in
+answering. Ben wrote a beautiful hand, and his missives to Dolly were
+long and affectionate. She would have visited her cousins in Damietta,
+had they not made a visit to Europe, which shut off the possibility of
+her doing so for some time to come.
+
+Ben felt that under the circumstances it was hardly the thing for him to
+make a call upon Dolly in New York, though she invited him to do so.
+
+But during the very week that Ben was given charge of the Damietta
+office, the mail failed to bring the usual letter from Dolly. He waited
+impatiently for several days and then wrote to her. There was no response
+to this, and he felt resentful. He held out for a fortnight, and then was
+so worried that he was forced to write again. But this was equally
+fruitless of results, and he became angry.
+
+"She is getting to be quite a large girl; her folks are wealthy, and she
+has begun to realize that I am nothing but a poor telegraphist. Her folks
+have told her she must look higher, and she has come to that same mind
+herself. Ah, well; let it be so!"
+
+That was expressive of his feelings. Sometimes Ben felt like rebelling
+against his fate. He had applied himself hard for years; he possessed an
+excellent education; he held a prominent position in the greatest
+telegraph company of the country, with a prospect of further advancement
+before him, and yet, because he was poor, he was looked down upon by
+those who were his inferiors in everything except the single one of
+wealth.
+
+"It is a great disappointment," he sometimes murmured, "but I am young;
+most folks would laugh that one of my age should take such a fancy to a
+little girl like Dolly, and they would say I am certain to get over it
+very soon. And just there is where they would all make a great mistake."
+
+And Ben Mayberry was right on that point.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+FACE TO FACE
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was sitting at his desk in the Damietta office, one
+beautiful day in Indian summer, attentive as ever to his duties, when a
+carriage drove up to the door containing a young gentleman and a lady.
+The former sprang lightly out and ran into the office, after the manner
+of one who was in a hurry to send an important telegram.
+
+Suddenly, while Ben was looking at the youth he recognized him as
+Rutherford Richmond, with whom he had had several important meetings.
+
+"Why, Rutherford, you have grown so much I didn't recognize you; I am
+glad to see you; how have you been?"
+
+Ben reached his hand over the counter as he greeted the young man, but
+the latter affected not to hear him. Turning to the desk, he wrote out a
+message with great rapidity, wheeled about, and, without the slightest
+evidence of ever having seen Ben, handed him the paper and ordered the
+dispatch to be sent to New York.
+
+This was the telegram:
+
+                     "Richard Willard, No.-- Avenue, New York:
+
+     "Dolly and I reached here safe. Big party at Grandin's
+     to-morrow; sure of grand time. Will take good care of
+     Dolly.
+
+                                        "Rutherford Richmond."
+
+As the writer hurried out the door, Ben followed him with his eyes.
+There, in a handsome, single-seated carriage, sat a beautiful miss of
+thirteen or fourteen, elegantly dressed and looking straight toward him.
+It was Dolly Willard, more enchanting than ever, her eyes luminous with
+health and her cheeks as pink and rosy as the delicate tint of the coral.
+
+Ben was too shocked to salute her, and probably it was as well he did not
+do so, for she simply stared with scarcely less directness than did her
+companion.
+
+Only by the most supreme exertion was the youth enabled to choke down his
+rebellious emotions, so that none in the office noticed his excitement.
+
+It was the same on the morrow, and, as if the fates had combined to crush
+him in absolute wretchedness, he encountered Rutherford and Dolly riding
+out as he was making his way homeward. He affected not to see them, but
+he could not avoid furtively watching Dolly, who certainly was the most
+winsome-looking young miss he had ever seen.
+
+"To-night another party is given by the Grandins. Their girls are ladies,
+and they treated me well when I was there more than two years ago, but in
+this matter Dolly has had all to say--that is, she and Rutherford. Well,
+if she is that sort of girl, I don't want anything to do with her."
+
+That night, in spite of himself, Ben could not stay at home; he strolled
+along, a prey to his bitter thoughts, and mechanically walked in the
+direction of the splendid grounds of the wealthy jeweler, Mr. Grandin.
+The sound of music from within aroused him.
+
+He saw the lights glimmering through the beautiful shade trees, and could
+catch sight of the gayly-dressed figures flitting by the open windows.
+
+"I can't feel any worse," muttered Ben, walking through the open gate,
+confident that he would attract no special attention.
+
+He sauntered up the graveled walk, turning off to the right and moving
+slowly along, with his gaze fixed upon the gay lads and lasses within,
+who seemed to be in the very height of enjoyment.
+
+At that instant someone caught his arm, and Ben turned with an apology
+for his forgetfulness.
+
+"I beg pardon, but I was so interested in the scene that I did not notice
+where I stepped----"
+
+He paused, fairly gasping for breath, for there stood Dolly Willard at
+his side, with her hand upon his arm. The light streaming from the
+windows fell upon her charming face, on which there was an expression
+that young Mayberry did not understand.
+
+"Ben," said she, in a voice that sounded unnatural, "I've got something I
+want to say to you."
+
+"And I have a good deal that I would like to say to you," he retorted,
+firing up, now that the little empress stood before him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+STARTLING DISCOVERIES
+
+
+"You say you have something to speak about," added the boy, looking into
+the enchanting face, as it reflected the light from the windows near at
+hand; "I have only to suggest that it took you a good time to find it
+out."
+
+"It is not I, but you who are to blame."
+
+"Possibly I am to be blamed for being born poor while you are rich; but I
+have paid for my mistake, and it is now too late to correct it."
+
+The conversation had reached this point when the two seemed to conclude
+it was altogether too public to be in good taste. Several persons,
+standing near, stepped a little closer, so as to catch every word.
+
+"It is so warm in there," said Dolly; "even with the windows open, that I
+came outdoors to get the fresh air. Aunt Maggie put my shawl about my
+shoulders so that I wouldn't take cold. Now, Ben, if you will walk with
+me to the summer-house yonder, we can sit down by ourselves, finish our
+talk, and then part forever."
+
+The last expression sent a pang to the boy's heart, but he did not allow
+her to see it. He followed her a short distance to one of the romantic
+little lattice-work structures which Mr. Grandin had placed on his
+grounds.
+
+A few rays of silvery moonlight penetrated the leafy shelter, so the two
+were not in complete darkness when they sat down on the rustic seat.
+
+"I am ready to listen to you," said Ben in his most frigid voice, the two
+being separated by a space of several feet.
+
+"In the first place, if you thought so lightly of me, you never should
+have told me different nor asked me to correspond with you."
+
+"I do not understand you."
+
+"How can you help understanding me?"
+
+"Because I see no reason for your words. I thought all the world of you;
+the greatest pleasure of my life was to write to you and to receive your
+letters in return. All at once you stopped writing; I sent you three
+letters, and you paid no attention----"
+
+"Ben, how dare you! It was you who laughed at my letters, and took no
+notice of them, except to show them to your friends and ridicule what I
+put on paper."
+
+Ben Mayberry sprang to his feet. Like a flash it came upon him that some
+dreadful misunderstanding had been brought about by other parties, for
+which Dolly was not to blame.
+
+"Tell me the whole story, Dolly," he said in a kinder voice than he had
+used since they met, as he resumed his seat.
+
+"Well," said she, beginning to feel the same suspicion that thrilled her
+companion, "there is a good deal to say, but I will make it short. You
+know my father and Mr. Grandin are cousins, so the girls are really my
+second cousins. Rutherford Richmond is the son of an old friend of
+father, who lives in Boston. Father has a large insurance office, and he
+agreed to take Rutherford until he learned the business, so as to take
+charge of the same kind of office in Boston, which his father is going to
+fix up for him. That's how it is Rutherford has been living with us for
+some months.
+
+"Well, a good while ago, I wrote you a letter, begging you to come and
+visit me; father said I might do so. You didn't accept the invitation. I
+wrote you again and got no answer to it; I was frightened, and thought
+maybe you were ill, and wrote once more, but there was no answer to it. I
+would have sent a letter to Cousin Jane to find out about you, but she
+was in Europe. After a while I sent a fourth letter, very long, and full
+of things which I wouldn't have anyone else know for the world. I
+sent----"
+
+"Who by?"
+
+"Rutherford took it and several other letters, and placed them in the
+mail-box at father's office, so they were sure to go. But there was no
+answer to the last, and then I gave up. I felt awful bad; but I was
+nearly wild when Rutherford came to me one day and said he had something
+which he thought he ought to tell me. When he said it was about you, I
+was dreadfully excited. He told me that he had made the acquaintance of a
+young man from Damietta, who was a close friend of yours. That young
+person, whose name Rutherford would not give, said that you showed all my
+letters to him and several others, and made fun of them. I wouldn't have
+believed it if he hadn't proved what he said?"
+
+"How did he prove it?"
+
+"By repeating what I had written; he gave me half of what was in that
+last letter, which he said was repeated to him by the person you told. He
+had them so exactly that my face burned like fire, and I was never so
+angry in all my life. I knew you must have done what Rutherford said, for
+how could he know what I had written you?"
+
+"He knew it by opening your letter, reading the contents, and then
+destroying it. That letter, Dolly, I never saw, nor did I see the three
+which preceded it. I also sent you three letters, of which I never
+heard."
+
+Now that the way was opened, full explanations quickly followed. There
+could be no earthly doubt that the last three letters sent by Ben
+Mayberry to Dolly Willard had been intercepted by Rutherford Richmond,
+who had not hesitated to do the same with those sent by Dolly, though
+most probably he had simply destroyed the three, and read only the last.
+
+"You risked your life to save mine and that of my mother," she said in a
+tremulous voice, "and it was an awful thing for you to believe I could
+ever fail to think more of you than of anyone else in the world."
+
+"I guess I shall have to own up," laughed the happy Ben; "but we were
+both placed in a false position."
+
+"But we shall never be again----"
+
+"Dolly, Dolly! Where are you?"
+
+The cries came from a gay party of misses who came trooping forth to look
+for the belle, whose absence so long from her friends had attracted
+inquiry.
+
+She sprang up.
+
+"Good-by, Ben; I must go."
+
+She caught his hand and returned the pressure, then hurried out and met
+her young friends, who escorted her back to the house, while Ben quietly
+departed without attracting attention.
+
+It was past midnight, but Ben thought nothing of time. He had turned off
+from the street and entered the main business avenue of Damietta.
+
+Just as he came opposite the large jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin
+he glanced through the plate-glass window. A light was burning dimly in
+the rear of the store, as was the custom with many of the merchants in
+the city, but at the instant of looking Ben saw something like a shadow
+flit by the light. He looked again, and was certain that another movement
+had taken place, though he could not define its character.
+
+He paused only an instant, when he walked on again; but in that instant
+he became convinced that burglars were operating in the jewelry
+establishment of Mr. Grandin.
+
+He walked slowly forward, humming to himself, as was his custom, but wide
+awake and alert. Fifty feet further, he detected the shadowy figure of a
+man standing in one of the adjoining doorways. Ben pretended not to see
+him, and continued humming gayly to himself.
+
+Ben sauntered along in the same aimless fashion until sure he was not
+watched, when he turned and made his way directly to the police office.
+The chief was there and Ben quickly told him everything he knew.
+
+"Those are the parties who arranged to rob the bank year before last,"
+said the chief, "but found out they were suspected."
+
+"They certainly managed it well this time; that is, so far, for there
+hasn't a single cipher telegram passed through our office since."
+
+"Well, we are ready to move," said the chief, as he observed that four of
+his best officers were awaiting his orders.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+IN THE NICK OF TIME
+
+
+Ben would have liked to accompany the officers, but that would have been
+unprofessional on their part, and he did not make the request. He waited
+until they had been gone several minutes, when he slipped out and passed
+down the street, determined to see what was to be seen.
+
+The chief managed the delicate and dangerous business with great skill.
+
+The first notice the burglars had of danger was from the rear. They were
+down behind a screen of dark muslin they had put up, carefully working at
+the safe, which contained diamonds and jewelry of immense value. They had
+already drilled a considerable distance into the chilled iron, when the
+"Philistines descended upon them."
+
+The burglars sprang up like tigers, but they were caught so fairly that
+they were borne to the floor and handcuffs clicked around their wrists in
+a twinkling. There were only two, and the three policemen mastered them
+without difficulty.
+
+But there were two others on the street outside, and they were quick to
+discover what was going on within. One of these was Dandy Sam, who ran
+forward and peered through the front window. His companion was at his
+elbow, and they instantly saw that something was wrong.
+
+They turned to flee, when they found themselves face to face with the
+chief and his aid.
+
+"Hold up your hands!" commanded the chief, leveling his pistol at the
+villains.
+
+One of them complied, but Dandy Sam fired point-blank at the chief,
+whirled on his heel, and ran like a deer down the street. The chief was
+not touched, and pistol in hand he started after the criminal, leaving
+his aid to attend to the second one.
+
+Dandy Sam was fleet of foot and was gaining on his pursuer, when he came
+face to face with Ben Mayberry, who was hurrying toward the scene of the
+burglary with a view of seeing how it terminated.
+
+The two encountered where the lamp-light showed the face of each. Ben
+knew the scamp on the instant, from the description given him, and the
+sight of the flying rascal told him the truth.
+
+Ben had his pistol in his pocket, but he could not bear the thought of
+shooting a person, especially when there was a possible doubt of the
+necessity.
+
+Ben compromised matters by darting into the road, where he caught up a
+stone weighing fully a pound.
+
+The chief was some distance away shouting "Stop thief!" and firing his
+pistol over his head, so there could be no doubt that Dandy Sam was
+"wanted."
+
+Ben Mayberry stood about as far from the fugitive as the space between
+first and second base--thirty yards--when the stone left his hand like a
+thunderbolt. As before, it sped true to its aim, but struck higher than
+then, sending the scoundrel forward on his face, and stunning him; only
+for a minute or so, but this was sufficient.
+
+While he was in the act of climbing to his feet again, the chief dropped
+upon him; there was a click, and Dandy Sam was at the end of his career
+of crime, at least for a considerable time to come.
+
+The chief started for the station-house with his man, whom he watched
+closely despite the stunning blow he had received.
+
+A few minutes later the other three officers came in with their
+prisoners, who were caught in the very act of committing burglary.
+
+The aid was absent so long that the chief felt uneasy, and started out in
+quest of him, but at that moment he appeared with his man.
+
+"He went peaceably enough for a while," explained the aid, "and then he
+tried to bribe me to let him go. When he found that wouldn't work he
+became ugly, and I had to use my club, but he ain't hurt much."
+
+His face was bleeding, but Ben Mayberry, with a shock, recognized the
+prisoner as G. R. Burkhill, the uncle of Dolly Willard.
+
+The capture of the burglars made great excitement in Damietta, and the
+part taken by Ben Mayberry once more placed his name in everyone's mouth.
+It was he who discovered the criminals, and was the direct means of
+securing the desperado, Dandy Sam, the leader of the notorious gang.
+
+It was a great shock to all, except a few, to find that Burkhill, the
+brother-in-law of Dolly Willard's father, was also one of the guilty
+ones. But there were others (and among them Mr. Willard and Mr. Grandin)
+who were not surprised in the least. The facts in this singular affair,
+as they ultimately came to light, were as follows:
+
+George R. Burkhill was the black sheep in a most estimable family, of
+which Mrs. Willard, the mother of Dolly, was a member. She was the sister
+of Burkhill, and the only one who clung to the bad brother, pronounced
+incorrigible by everyone else, even when a small boy. She believed there
+was some good in him, and, in the face of protests, she labored to bring
+him to a sense of right. It was through her influence that he was saved
+from condign punishment for more than one serious offense.
+
+All four of the burglars were duly tried, found guilty, and sentenced to
+the penitentiary for ten years. Rather curiously, both Dandy Sam and
+Burkhill died during the third year of their imprisonment, and it is safe
+to say the world was the gainer thereby.
+
+Some few days after the capture of the burglars, came a glowing letter
+from Dolly, who had gone home to New York, in which she said that her
+father insisted that Ben should come and make them a visit, and would
+accept no excuse for refusing.
+
+"I'll go this time!" exclaimed Ben, knowing he would have no trouble in
+obtaining permission to take a brief vacation.
+
+And go he did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+In closing the history of Ben Mayberry, the telegraph messenger boy, it
+seems to me I can do no better than by using the words of the hero
+himself. The following letter I received only a few days since. It is the
+last which has come to hand from Ben, who writes me regularly, as he has
+done ever since I was transferred from the office in Damietta. I should
+add that the date of the letter is nine years subsequent to that of his
+visit to the metropolis as the guest of Mr. James Willard:
+
+     "My Dear Mr. Melville,--I am now in my twenty-fifth year.
+     In looking back it seems only a few years ago that you
+     called me to you, on the street of my native city, and
+     offered to make me general utility boy in the telegraph
+     office of Damietta. My mother and I were nearly starving
+     at the time, and no kindness could have been more
+     appropriate than yours, nor could anyone have shown
+     greater tact and wisdom in cultivating the good instincts
+     of a ragged urchin, who, otherwise, was likely to go to
+     ruin.
+
+     "You awakened my ambition and incited me to study; you
+     impressed upon me the beauty and truth of the declaration
+     that there is no royal road to learning; that if I
+     expected to attain success in any walk of life it could
+     only be done by hard, unremitting, patient work. There are
+     many rounds to the ladder, and each must climb them one by
+     one.
+
+     "Good fortune attended me in every respect. It was the
+     providence of God which saved me and enabled me to help
+     save sweet Dolly when the bridge went down in the storm
+     and darkness, and her mother was lost; yet, but for my
+     determination to do my best at all times, and never to
+     give up so long as I could struggle, I must have
+     succumbed.
+
+     "It was extremely fortunate that I saw the burglars at
+     work in the jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin on that
+     memorable night in Damietta. The same stroke of fortune
+     might have fallen to any boy, but it was incomplete until
+     I was able to bring the leader to the ground with the
+     stone which I hurled at him.
+
+     "It may be said that all these are but mere incidents of
+     my history, and possibly I may have magnified their
+     importance; but, though my progress was rapid, it never
+     could have carried me successfully along without the
+     regular, systematic, hard work with which I employed my
+     spare hours, when not devoted to exercise. In this world
+     that which wins, is work, work, work!
+
+     "When I was fifteen years old, I was made the manager of
+     the office in Damietta, with a larger salary than I was
+     entitled to. Three years later, the partiality of Mr.
+     Musgrave made me assistant superintendent, and now I have
+     been general superintendent of the district for more than
+     two years, with a handsome salary, which enables me to
+     give my dear mother comforts and elegances of which the
+     good lady never dreamed.
+
+     "I married Dolly shortly after my promotion to the office
+     of general superintendent, and the little fellow that is
+     learning to lisp 'papa,' you know, has been named after
+     you, my old, true, and invaluable friend, to whose counsel
+     and kindness I feel I am so much indebted.
+
+     "Dolly sits at my elbow and continually reminds me that I
+     must insist that you come down and spend Christmas with
+     us. A chair and plate will be placed at the table for you,
+     and you must allow nothing less than Providence itself to
+     keep you away.
+
+                      "As ever,
+                                 "Your devoted friend,
+                                                        "Ben."
+
+THE END
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE FRONTIER BOYS
+By Capt. Wyn. Roosevelt.
+
+This noted scout and author, known to every plainsman, has lived a life
+of stirring adventure. In boyhood, in the early days, he traveled with
+comrades the overland route to the West,--a trip of thrilling
+experiences, unceasing hardships and trials that would have daunted a
+heart less brave. His life has been spent in the companionship of the
+typically brave adventurers, gold seekers, cowboys and ranchmen of our
+great West. He has lived with more than one Indian tribe, took part in a
+revolution at Hawaii and was captured in turn by pirates and cannibals.
+He writes in a way sure to win the heart of every boy.
+
+Frontier boys on the overland trail.
+Frontier boys in Colorado, or captured by Indians.
+Frontier boys in the Grand Canyon, or a search for treasure.
+Frontier boys in Mexico, or Mystery Mountain.
+
+Finely illustrated. Cloth, 12mo. Attractive cover design. Price 60c per
+volume.
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK CO.
+New York
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE COMRADES SERIES
+
+By Ralph Victor. This writer of boys' books has shown by his magazine
+work and experience that this series will be without question the
+greatest seller of any books for boys yet published; full of action from
+start to finish. Cloth, 12mo. Finely illustrated; special cover design.
+Price, 60c per volume.
+
+Comrades on the Farm, or the Mystery of Deep Gulch.
+Comrades in New York, or Snaring the Smugglers.
+Comrades on the Ranch, or Secret of the Lost River.
+Comrades in New Mexico, or the Round-up.
+Comrades on the Great Divide (in preparation).
+
+Ralph Victor is probably the best equipped writer of up-to-date boy's
+stories of the present day. He has traveled or lived in every land, has
+shot big game with Sears in India, has voyaged with Jack London, and was
+a war correspondent in Natal and Japan. The lure of life in the open has
+always been his, and his experiences have been thrilling and
+many.--"Progress."
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK CO.
+New York
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, by Edward S. Ellis
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 25859-8.txt or 25859-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/5/25859/
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/25859-8.zip b/25859-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df6b705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-8.zip
diff --git a/25859-h.zip b/25859-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9c5291
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h.zip
diff --git a/25859-h/25859-h.htm b/25859-h/25859-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5eb1bc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/25859-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,5288 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+<title>
+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Telegraph Messenger Boy, by Edward S. Ellis.
+</title>
+
+<style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p                 {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;}
+    body              {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    a                 {text-decoration: none;}
+    .figleft          {padding: .5em .5em 0 0; float: left;}
+    h3                {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em}
+    div.ce p          {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;}
+    .figcenter        {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;}
+    div.la p          {text-align: left; margin: auto 0;}
+    .caption          {font-size:.8em}
+    table             {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;}
+    .blockquot        {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;}
+    .pagenum          {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;}
+    hr.minor          {width: 35%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;}
+    div.ra p          {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;}
+    hr.major          {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;}
+    hr.silver         {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;}
+    h2                {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em}
+// -->
+/* XML end  ]]>*/
+</style>
+
+</head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, 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 Telegraph Messenger Boy
+       The Straight Road to Success
+
+Author: Edward S. Ellis
+
+Release Date: June 20, 2008 [EBook #25859]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'>
+BEN SWUNG HIS HAT AND SHOUTED, AND AT LAST CAUGHT THE NOTICE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE BANK.&mdash;P. 51.
+<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.8em; margin-top:1em;'>THE TELEGRAPH</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.8em; margin-bottom:1em;'>MESSENGER BOY</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>OR</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'><i>THE STRAIGHT ROAD TO SUCCESS</i></p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:1em;'>BY</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>EDWARD S. ELLIS</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF &#8220;DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI,&#8221; &#8220;LIFE OF KIT</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>CARSON,&#8221; &#8220;LOST IN THE WILDS,&#8221; &#8220;RED</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>PLUME,&#8221; ETC.</p>
+</div>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/illus-emb.png' alt='' title='' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:1em;'>CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>NEW YORK, N. Y.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright, 1889, by</span></p>
+<p>N. L. MUNRO</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright, 1904, by</span></p>
+<p>THE MERSHON COMPANY</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>CONTENTS</p>
+</div>
+
+<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'>On a Log&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_ON_A_LOG'>1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>II.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Collision&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_THE_COLLISION'>8</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>III.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Office Boy&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_THE_OFFICE_BOY'>16</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>IV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>A Message in the Night&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_MESSAGE_IN_THE_NIGHT'>22</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>In Storm and Darkness&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_IN_STORM_AND_DARKNESS'>29</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>&#8220;Tell Mother I Am All Right&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI__TELL_MOTHER_I_AM_ALL_RIGHT'>36</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>A Thrilling Voyage&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_A_THRILLING_VOYAGE'>43</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Cipher Telegram&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_THE_CIPHER_TELEGRAM'>50</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>IX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Translation&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_THE_TRANSLATION'>57</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>X.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Farmer Jones&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_FARMER_JONES'>64</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Value of Courtesy&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_THE_VALUE_OF_COURTESY'>71</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>A Call&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_A_CALL'>78</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>At the Grandin Mansion&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_AT_THE_GRANDIN_MANSION'>85</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Conspiracy&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_THE_CONSPIRACY'>93</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>An Affray at Night&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_AN_AFFRAY_AT_NIGHT'>99</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Third Telegram&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_THE_THIRD_TELEGRAM'>106</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Decidedly Mixed&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_DECIDEDLY_MIXED'>113</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Between Two Fires&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_BETWEEN_TWO_FIRES'>120</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Baffled!&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_BAFFLED'>127</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Watching and Waiting&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_WATCHING_AND_WAITING'>134</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>&#8220;Lay Low!&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXI__LAY_LOW'>141</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Battle of Life&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXII_THE_BATTLE_OF_LIFE'>148</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Face to Face&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIII_FACE_TO_FACE'>155</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Startling Discoveries&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIV_STARTLING_DISCOVERIES'>160</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>In the Nick of Time&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXV_IN_THE_NICK_OF_TIME'>169</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XXVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Conclusion&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVI_CONCLUSION'>176</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.8em;'>The Telegraph Messenger Boy</p>
+</div>
+
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='I_ON_A_LOG' id='I_ON_A_LOG'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>ON A LOG</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry
+under peculiar circumstances. I had charge of
+the Western Union&#8217;s telegraph office in Damietta,
+where my duties were of the most exacting
+nature. I was kept hard at work
+through the winter months, and more of it
+crowded on me during the spring than I could
+manage with comfort.
+</p>
+<p>I strolled to the river bank one summer
+afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along
+when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating
+down-stream on a log, which had probably
+drifted thither from the lumber regions above.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span>
+The boy was standing upright, with a grin of
+delight on his face, and he probably found
+more real enjoyment in floating down-stream
+in this style than any excursionist could obtain
+in a long voyage on a palace steamer.
+</p>
+<p>He had on an old straw hat, through the
+crown of which his brown hair protruded in
+several directions; his pantaloons were held up
+by a single suspender, skewered through them
+in front by a tenpenny nail&mdash;an arrangement
+which caused the garments to hang in a lopsided
+fashion to his shoulders. He was barefooted,
+and his trousers were rolled up to his
+knees. He wore no coat nor vest, and his shirt
+was of the coarsest muslin, but it was quite
+clean.
+</p>
+<p>This boy was Ben Mayberry, then ten years
+old, and he was a remarkable fellow in more
+than one respect. His round face was not only
+the picture of absolutely perfect health, but it
+showed unusual intelligence and brightness.
+His figure was beautiful in its boyish symmetry,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span>
+and no one could look upon the lad without
+admiring his grace, of which he was entirely
+unconscious.
+</p>
+<p>In addition to this, Ben Mayberry was
+known to possess two accomplishments, as
+they may be called, to an extraordinary degree&mdash;he
+was very swift of foot and could throw
+with astonishing accuracy. Both of these attainments
+are held in high esteem by all boys.
+</p>
+<p>I had met Ben at intervals during the year
+past, but could hardly claim to be acquainted
+with him. I usually bought my morning paper
+of him during the cold weather, and I knew
+that his father was killed by a blasting accident
+some years before. Ben was the only child of
+his widowed mother, who managed to eke out
+a subsistence somehow with the aid of the little
+fellow, who was ever ready and cheerful with
+his work.
+</p>
+<p>While I stood looking at Ben, drifting
+slowly down-stream, and reflected that the
+water was fully two fathoms deep at that point,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span>
+three other boys stopped on the bank below me
+to view him. They were strangers to me, but
+I observed they were unusually well dressed.
+They had that effeminate, exquisite appearance
+which satisfied me they were visitors from Boston,
+sauntering along the river in order to learn
+whether there was anything in our town
+worthy of their attention. They were apparently
+of nearly the same age, and each was
+certainly one or two years older than Ben Mayberry.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello,&#8221; exclaimed one, as the three came
+to an abrupt halt, &#8220;look at that country boy
+out on that log over there; he thinks he&#8217;s
+smart.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s trying to show off, Rutherford,&#8221; said
+another.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, boys, let&#8217;s stone him,&#8221; suggested the
+third, in a voice so guarded that I was barely
+able to catch the words.
+</p>
+<p>The proposition was received with favor, but
+one of them looked furtively around and noticed
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span>
+me. His manner showed that he was in
+fear of my stopping their cruel sport.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who cares for him?&#8221; said one of the
+party, in a blustering voice that it was meant I
+should hear; &#8220;he&#8217;s nobody. I&#8217;ll tell him my
+father is one of the richest men in Boston and
+is going to be governor some day.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;ll let him know that my father has
+taken me and our folks all over Yurrup. Pooh!
+he daresn&#8217;t say anything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Soothed by this conclusion, the three began
+throwing stones at Ben.
+</p>
+<p>Ben was close at hand, and the first boy who
+flung a missile poised and aimed with such deliberation
+that I was sure Ben would be hit;
+but the stone missed him by fully ten feet. It
+was not until two more had been thrown that
+Ben awoke to the fact that he was serving as a
+target for the city youth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you fellers doing?&#8221; he demanded,
+looking angrily toward them. &#8220;Who
+you trying to hit?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span></p>
+<p>They laughed, and the tallest answered, as
+he flung another missile with great energy but
+poor aim:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to knock you off that log,
+Country! What are you going to do about
+it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll show you mighty soon,&#8221; answered the
+sturdy lad, who straightway pushed the long
+pole in his hand against the bottom of the river,
+so as to drive the log in toward the shore where
+his persecutors stood pelting him.
+</p>
+<p>There was something so plucky in all this
+that several others stopped to watch the result.
+I secretly resolved that if Ben got the worst of
+it (as seemed inevitable against three boys), I
+would interfere at the critical moment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s coming ashore to whip us!&#8221; exclaimed
+the tallest lad, almost dropping to the
+ground with laughter. &#8220;I hope he will; I&#8217;ve
+been taking sparring lessons of Professor Sullivan
+for a year, and I would like the fun of
+knocking him out of time. I can do it in three
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span>
+rounds, and I want you boys to stand back and
+leave him to me. I&#8217;ll paralyze him!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The others were reluctant, each claiming the
+happiness of demolishing the countryman; but
+the tallest, who was called Rutherford, at last
+secured their pledge that they would keep their
+hands off and allow him to have all the fun to
+himself.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll try the cross-counter on him, the upper
+cut, and then I&#8217;ll land a left-hander on his
+jug&#8217;lar that&#8217;ll knock him stiff. Oh, how I ache
+to get him within reach!&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='II_THE_COLLISION' id='II_THE_COLLISION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>THE COLLISION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Ben Mayberry was vigorously
+working the log in toward shore. It moved
+slowly, but the current was sluggish, the space
+brief, and he was certain to land in a few
+minutes.
+</p>
+<p>One of the stones struck Ben on the shoulder.
+It must have angered him, for instead of trying
+to dodge the rest, he used his pushing-pole
+with more energy than before and paid no
+heed to the missiles, several of which were
+stopped by his body.
+</p>
+<p>It was plain that the valorous little fellow
+meant to attack the three city lads, who were
+pestering him not only with stones, but with
+taunts that were far more exasperating.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wonder who blacked his shoes?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Ain&#8217;t that hat a beauty? He can comb his
+hair without taking it off.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That one suspender must have cost him a
+good deal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By gracious, he&#8217;s going to chew us up,&#8221;
+laughed the tallest, as the log approached land;
+&#8220;stand back, boys, you promised him to me,
+and I don&#8217;t want either of you to say you
+helped me to knock him out in the third
+round.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The next minute the log was so close that
+the nimble-footed Ben leaped ashore and strode
+straight for the valiant Rutherford, who immediately
+threw himself in &#8220;position.&#8221; His
+attitude was certainly artistic, with his left
+foot thrown forward, his right fist clinched and
+held across his breast, and his left extended
+ready to be shot forward into the first opening
+that his enemy presented.
+</p>
+<p>But it is one thing to assume the proper
+pugilistic attitude; it is altogether another to
+act the part of a trained pugilist.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Country!&#8221; called out the exultant
+Rutherford; &#8220;but I hope you&#8217;ve bid
+your friends farewell.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The other boys stood back and watched the
+singular contest. I carefully approached so as
+to be ready to protect Ben when it should become
+necessary.
+</p>
+<p>The brave fellow never hesitated, but the
+instant he landed lightly on the shore he went
+straight for Rutherford, who, it was plain,
+was slightly surprised and disconcerted by his
+unscientific conduct. But the city youth kept
+his guard well up, and the moment Ben was
+within reach he struck a violent blow intended
+for the face.
+</p>
+<p>But Ben dodged it easily, dropping his head
+and running with cat-like agility directly under
+the guard of his antagonist, who, before he
+could understand precisely what it meant,
+found himself clasped around the waist and
+thrown on his back with such violence that a
+loud grunt was forced from him, and his handsome
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span>
+new hat rolled rapidly down into the
+water.
+</p>
+<p>And I am free to confess that I was delighted
+when I saw Ben give him several of
+his &#8220;best licks,&#8221; which made the tall boy roar
+for mercy.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take him off, boys! he&#8217;s killing me!
+Quick! I can&#8217;t live much longer.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The others were terrified at the hurricane-like
+style in which the boy had turned the
+tables on the scientific Rutherford, but they
+could not stand by and see their companion
+massacred without raising a finger to help him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pull him off!&#8221; yelled the victim, twisting
+his body and banging his legs in the soft earth
+in his vain effort to free himself from Ben, who
+was pegging away at him. &#8220;Pull him off!
+Put me on top, and I&#8217;ll settle him!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>One of the boys ran forward and reached out
+his hand, intending to catch Ben by the shoulder
+and fling him to the ground; but, to my
+intense amazement and equally intense delight,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span>
+Ben caught his arm, jerked him forward across
+the body of Rutherford, and belabored both of
+them. It was one of the neatest feats I ever
+saw performed, and, under the circumstances, I
+would have pronounced it impossible had it
+not been done before my own eyes.
+</p>
+<p>Both the hats of the Boston youths were floating
+down the river, and they were so close to
+the water&#8217;s edge that they were covered with
+mud. The vigor of the assault on the two was
+increased rather than diminished, and we spectators
+were cruel enough to laugh heartily over
+the exhibition, accompanied as it was by the
+frenzied yells of the two lads who were receiving
+the wrathful attentions of Ben Mayberry.
+</p>
+<p>The third boy could not stand it. He must
+have thought they had come in collision with a
+gorilla or some sort of wild animal, for he
+started up the river bank, shouting &#8220;Murder!&#8221;
+at the top of his voice. Ben, having got
+through with the two under him, sprang off
+and allowed them to rise, standing ready to
+renew the fight should they show any desire to
+do so.
+</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/illus-012.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'>
+BEN CAUGHT HIS ARM, JERKED HIM ACROSS THE BODY OF RUTHERFORD, AND BELABORED BOTH OF THEM.&mdash;P. 12.
+<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span></div>
+<p>But they were too thoroughly vanquished.
+Their plight was laughable, and yet pitiable.
+They were coated with mud from head to foot,
+and their pretty hats, with their polka-dot
+bands, were gone too far down the river to be
+recovered.
+</p>
+<p>They seemed dazed for a minute or so, but as
+soon as they realized they were on their feet
+they started off after their flying companion,
+never pausing to look behind them, but running
+as though a Bengal tiger was at their heels.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben,&#8221; said I, walking forward as soon as
+I could assume a serious expression of countenance,
+&#8220;do you not know it is very wrong to
+fight?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what I was tryin&#8217; to teach them city
+chaps. I guess they&#8217;ll think so after this.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You certainly did your best to convince
+them it isn&#8217;t wise to attack you; but, Ben, what
+have you been doing lately?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;My last job was whipping them,&#8221; replied
+the urchin, with a roguish twinkle of his blue
+eyes; &#8220;but that was fun, and if you mean work,
+I hain&#8217;t had anything but selling papers since
+last summer, but sometimes I run errands.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you go to school?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you like a job?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed I would, sir, for mother finds it
+hard work to get along, and sometimes there
+isn&#8217;t anything to eat in the house. Once, when
+I was a little fellow, when I saw mother crying,
+and there was no bread, I slipped out at
+night and stole a loaf, but mother would not
+touch it when I brought it home, and made me
+take it back. She told me I must starve before
+I did wrong, and so I will. I have been trying
+to get a job all summer, but everybody says I
+am too young and small. I take all the exercise
+I can, so as to make me grow, and that&#8217;s
+one reason why I pitched into them city chaps
+and laid &#8217;em out.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Ben, you know where the office of
+the Western Union is; come around there to-morrow
+morning, at eight o&#8217;clock, and I will
+give you something to do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;m very thankful to you, sir, and this
+will make my mother the happiest woman in
+Damietta.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>I saw tears in the bright eyes, as Ben ran
+home to carry the good news to his mother.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='III_THE_OFFICE_BOY' id='III_THE_OFFICE_BOY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>THE OFFICE BOY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When I approached the office the next morning,
+little Ben Mayberry was standing outside,
+smiling and expectant.
+</p>
+<p>My heart was touched when I saw what
+pains his mother had taken to put her boy in
+presentable shape. He had on a pair of coarse
+shoes, carefully blacked, and a new, cheap
+hat replaced the dilapidated one of the day before.
+He wore a short coat and a vest, which
+must have served him as his Sunday suit for a
+long time, as they were much too small for
+him.
+</p>
+<p>But there was a cleanly, neat look about him
+which attracted me at once. His face was as
+rosy as an apple, and his large, white teeth were
+as sound as new silver dollars. His dark hair,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span>
+which was inclined to be curly, was cut short,
+and the ill-fitting clothes could not conceal the
+symmetry of his growing figure.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Ben,&#8221; said I cheerily, as I shook his
+hand, &#8220;I am glad to see you are here on time.
+You are young, you know, but are old enough
+to make a start. As I expect you to reach the
+top of the ladder, I mean that you shall begin at
+the bottom round.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>I am not sure he understood this figurative
+language, but I made it clear to him the next
+minute.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are to be here every morning before
+seven o&#8217;clock, to sweep out the office and make
+it ready for business. You must see that all
+the spittoons are cleaned, that the ink wells at
+the desk are provided with ink, that the pens
+are good enough for use (I never yet have seen
+a public office where the writing facilities were
+not wretched), abundance of blanks on hand,
+and that everything is tidied up. In summer,
+you must wash off the ice and place it in the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span>
+cooler, and in winter, see that the fires are
+going and the office comfortable at the time
+we go there for business. Can you do it, Ben?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir, and glad to have the chance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This will give you some opportunity to
+attend the public school, which, of course, you
+will take advantage of. Then, when you can,
+you will begin to study telegraphy. I will see
+that you have every chance, and, at the same
+time, I will give you a lift now and then in
+your studies. This is the first step, Ben; in this
+country anything is possible to the boy who has
+brains, pluck, and application. Everything now
+depends on yourself; with the help of Heaven
+you will succeed; if you fail, it will be your own
+fault. To-day you start on your career, which
+will lead to success and happiness or to failure
+and misery.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben listened respectfully to what I said, and
+seemed impressed by my words. I took him inside
+the office, explained to him more particularly
+his duties, gave him a key with which to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span>
+enter in the morning, and told him to be on
+hand at six o&#8217;clock on the morrow, until which
+time he was excused. His wages were to be
+two dollars a week, to begin from the day on
+which I engaged him. Ben raised his hat, bade
+me good-day, and went home, and I am sure
+there was no happier boy in Damietta than he.
+</p>
+<p>It goes without saying that he attended to
+his duties faithfully from the very first. He
+went to the public school when he could gain
+the chance. I learned that he was a favorite
+there, on account of his manliness and excellent
+scholarship. In conjunction with the principal
+we arranged to give him private instruction at
+night, so that during the day he could devote
+his energies to learning telegraphy, in which
+he displayed great aptitude.
+</p>
+<p>As I was manager of the office, it was in my
+power to advance Ben as rapidly as circumstances
+warranted. He was given to understand
+from the first that he would be assisted to
+the extent to which he proved himself deserving,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span>
+and no further. I did not intend to spoil him
+by undue favors, nor did I allow him to see
+how much I really thought of him. One of the
+surest means of ruining a boy is by partiality
+and too rapid advancement; but I gave him an
+encouraging word now and then, and took
+pains to let his mother know that he was meeting
+my high expectations, and that he was fully
+worthy of the hopes she entertained of him.
+</p>
+<p>I shall never forget the glow which came
+into the pinched face when I addressed her
+thus, nor the devout expression which overspread
+her countenance at my liberal praise of
+her child.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben has always been obedient to his father
+and mother. I have never known him to swear
+or tell an untruth, and he never took anything
+that was not his own&mdash;that is,&#8221; the poor lady
+hastened to add when she recalled the painful
+circumstance, &#8220;he never forgot himself but
+once.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He told me about it; few could blame him
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span>
+for that misstep; I cannot think the distressing
+necessity will ever arise again. Should Heaven
+spare his life he will become your staff, upon
+which you can soon lean your whole weight.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She gave a faint sigh of happiness.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My boy Ben has never brought a pang to
+his mother&#8217;s heart.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ah, my young friend, can your mother say
+that? When that dear head is laid low, when
+those loving eyes shall be closed forever, and
+the sweet voice is hushed in the tomb, will you
+be able to say through your blinding tears:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I never brought a pang to her heart!&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='IV_A_MESSAGE_IN_THE_NIGHT' id='IV_A_MESSAGE_IN_THE_NIGHT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>At the end of a month Ben Mayberry was
+made a messenger boy of the office under my
+charge. This cannot be called a very momentous
+promotion, inasmuch as many of our telegraphists
+begin there; but it doubled Ben&#8217;s
+wages at once, and led to his appearance in the
+attractive blue uniform which the boys of the
+Western Union wear. In his case it seemed
+to add two inches to his stature at once.
+</p>
+<p>Ben was our best messenger from the first.
+He was acquainted with the city of Damietta
+from one end to the other, and his superior
+fleetness of foot enabled him to outstrip the
+others, while his cheerful, intelligent manner
+added to his popularity with our customers.
+</p>
+<p>As he was so young, I determined to keep
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span>
+him messenger for a longer time than was
+really necessary, affording him all the opportunity
+he could ask in which to learn telegraphy.
+He picked it up rapidly, and I was surprised
+when I found him reading messages over the
+wires by sound. As everyone knows, it takes
+a skillful operator, or rather one of experience,
+to do this, a proof that Ben was applying himself
+to learning the business with all the power
+at his command.
+</p>
+<p>In more than one instance, those who knew
+the high estimation in which the boy was held
+exerted themselves to put annoyances and obstructions
+in his way. All manner of pretexts
+were made for detaining him, and he showed
+no little originality and ingenuity in outwitting
+his very attentive friends.
+</p>
+<p>He continued to apply himself evenings,
+when not on duty at the office, and his progress
+was excellent in every respect. The kind principal
+showed great interest in him, and at the
+age of twelve Ben Mayberry possessed what
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span>
+may be called a good elementary English education.
+</p>
+<p>Before, however, these two years had passed
+he could receive and send messages in a very
+acceptable manner. His wages had been advanced,
+and he now had his mother in comfortable
+quarters, dressed tastefully himself,
+and was developing into a handsome youth,
+whose brilliant work had already attracted the
+notice of the general superintendent.
+</p>
+<p>Ben had been an operator a little less than a
+year when he met with a most extraordinary
+experience, which to-day is a theme of
+never-ending wonder to those who were living
+in Damietta at the time.
+</p>
+<p>One evening a rough-bearded man entered
+the office, and stepping to the counter, said to
+me:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My name is Burkhill&mdash;G. R. Burkhill&mdash;and
+I am staying at the hotel in Moorestown.
+I am expecting a very important dispatch to-night,
+but I cannot wait for it. If it reaches
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span>
+this office before ten o&#8217;clock, I wish to have it
+delivered to the hotel.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Moorestown lay directly across the river, and
+was reached by the long, covered bridge which
+spanned the stream. It was beyond our &#8220;jurisdiction,&#8221;
+that is, outside the circle of free delivery,
+which Mr. Burkhill understood, as he
+remarked that he would pay well for the
+trouble.
+</p>
+<p>I assured him that I would see that the telegram
+reached him that night, if received before
+ten o&#8217;clock. Thanking me, he said good-evening,
+passed out, mounted his horse, and galloped
+away in the wintry darkness.
+</p>
+<p>It was in the month of February, but the
+weather was mild for that season, and there
+had been a plentiful fall of rain. Ben was on
+duty until ten, and he was in the very act of
+rising from his seat when he called out:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Helloa! here comes the message for Mr.
+Burkhill.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was quite brief and Ben wrote it out
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span>
+rapidly, took a hasty impression, thrust it into
+the damp yellow envelope, and whistled for a
+messenger boy. There was only one present,
+and he was a pale, delicate lad, who had gone
+on duty that day after a week&#8217;s illness.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Helloa, Tim; do you want to earn a half
+dollar extra?&#8221; asked Ben, as the boy stood expectantly
+before him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I would like to, if it isn&#8217;t too hard for
+me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben looked sharply at him and saw that the
+boy was in too weak a state to undertake the
+task. There was no other messenger within
+call, and Mr. Burkhill was doubtless impatient
+for the message whose delivery I had guaranteed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It won&#8217;t do for you to cross the river to-night,&#8221;
+said Ben decisively; &#8220;the air is damp
+and raw, and I think it is going to rain again.
+I&#8217;ll do it for you, and whatever extra I collect
+from Mr. Burkhill you shall have, Tim; now
+go home and go to bed.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></p>
+<p>And waving me a good-night, Ben hurried
+out of the door and vanished down the street.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just like him,&#8221; I muttered, as I prepared
+to go home; for except on special occasions
+we closed our office at ten, or shortly
+after. &#8220;That isn&#8217;t the first kindness he has
+done that boy, and everyone in the office is
+bound by gratitude to him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As I stepped out on the street I observed
+that the fine mist was turning into rain, and
+another of those dismal nights, which are often
+experienced in the Middle States during the
+latter part of winter, was upon the city.
+</p>
+<p>I did not feel sleepy after reaching home.
+My wife and two children had retired and were
+sound asleep. There was no one astir but myself,
+and drawing my chair to the fire, I began
+reading the evening paper.
+</p>
+<p>Fully an hour had passed in this manner and
+I was in the act of rising from my chair, with
+the purpose of going to bed, when a sharp ring
+of the bell startled me as though I had heard
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span>
+burglars in the house. I felt instinctively that
+something serious had happened as I hurried
+to the door.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did Ben Mayberry take a telegraphic message
+across the river to-night?&#8221; asked the man,
+whom I recognized as a policeman.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He started to do so,&#8221; I answered tremblingly.
+&#8220;What&#8217;s wrong.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the last message he&#8217;ll ever deliver; he
+has probably been killed!&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='V_IN_STORM_AND_DARKNESS' id='V_IN_STORM_AND_DARKNESS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>IN STORM AND DARKNESS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it&#8217;s the last message he&#8217;ll ever deliver,&#8221;
+repeated the policeman; &#8220;Ben Mayberry has
+probably been killed!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>These were the terrible words spoken by the
+man who had rung my bell in the middle of the
+night, and startled me almost out of my senses.
+I swallowed the lump in my throat, and with a
+voice tremulous with emotion, said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, no! it cannot be. Who would kill
+him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t mean he was murdered,&#8221; the officer
+hastened to add, seeing my mistake. &#8220;He was
+on the middle span of the bridge when it was
+carried away by the flood, and that&#8217;s the last of
+him!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>I drew a great sigh of relief. There was
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span>
+something unspeakably dreadful in the thought
+of noble Ben Mayberry being killed by anyone,
+and it lifted a vast burden from my shoulders
+to be told that no such awful fate had overtaken
+him.
+</p>
+<p>But instantly came the staggering terror
+that the boy had gone down in the wreck and
+ruin, and at that moment was floating among
+the great masses of ice and débris that were
+sweeping swiftly down the river toward the
+sea.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How was it?&#8221; I asked, after the officer
+had refused my invitation to enter.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The river began rising very fast at dark,
+but the bridge has stood so many freshets we
+were hopeful of this. The water was at the
+top of the abutments at nine o&#8217;clock and was
+still creeping up. Jack Sprall, who is off duty
+to-night, was down by the bridge watching
+things. A little after ten o&#8217;clock, Ben Mayberry
+came along and said he had a message which he
+had promised to deliver to a gentleman at the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span>
+hotel in Moorestown. Jack told him the
+bridge was unsafe, but Ben said he knew how
+to swim, and started across, whistling and jolly
+as usual. Jack said at the same time he heard
+the sound of wheels, which showed that a
+wagon or carriage had driven on from the
+other side, which never ought to have been allowed
+when things were looking so shaky.
+Ben had just about time to reach the middle of
+the bridge when the crash came, and the big
+span was wiped out, as though it was a chalk
+mark on a blackboard.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you know of a surety that Ben
+Mayberry did not save himself?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is very active and strong, I know,
+which made Jack hope he had pulled through.
+In spite of the danger of the rest of the bridge
+going, Jack crept out over it to the abutment,
+and shouted to Ben.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It seemed that a couple of men had done
+the same from Moorestown, and they stood on
+the other abutment, with the middle of the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span>
+river sweeping between and threatening to
+take away the rest of the tottering bridge every
+minute.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;When Jack called, they answered, though
+it was too dark to see each other, and they
+asked Jack whom he was looking for. He told
+them that Ben Mayberry had gone on the
+bridge a few minutes before from this side, and
+he was afraid he had been swept away. They
+said there could be no doubt of it, as he had not
+reached the span on which they were standing.
+They then asked Jack whether he had seen anything
+of a horse and carriage, which drove on
+the bridge from the Moorestown side, and
+which they had come out to see about. Of
+course Jack could only make the same answer,
+and when they explained, it was learned that
+the carriage contained a lady and small child&mdash;so
+three lives have been lost from people not
+doing their duty in keeping folks out of
+danger.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Does the mother of Ben know anything
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span>
+about this?&#8221; I asked, with a shudder at the
+thought of her terrible grief.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; I went up to her house and told her
+first, as I thought it my duty to do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Poor woman! she must have been overcome.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She was at first, and then when she asked
+me to tell her all about it, and I had done so,
+she said very quietly that she didn&#8217;t believe her
+boy was drowned.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nor do I believe it!&#8221; I exclaimed, with a
+sudden thrill of hope. &#8220;Ben Mayberry is one
+of the best swimmers I ever saw; he went down
+with the lumber of the central span, and even
+if he could not swim, he had a good chance to
+float himself on some of the timbers or blocks
+of ice which are buoyant enough to support a
+dozen men.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All that is very true,&#8221; replied the policeman,
+who seemed to have thought of everything;
+&#8220;and I don&#8217;t deny that there is just the
+barest possibility in the world that you&#8217;re right.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span>
+But you mustn&#8217;t forget that the roof of the
+bridge was over him, and has shut out the
+chance of his helping himself. Don&#8217;t you believe
+that, if he was alive, he would have
+answered the calls that Jack made to him?
+Jack has a voice like a fog-horn, and Ben would
+have heard him if he was able to hear anything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>This view of the case staggered me, and I
+hardly knew what to say, except to suggest
+that possibly Ben had answered the call, and
+was unheard in the rushing waters; but the
+officer shook his head, and I confess I shared
+his doubts.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just as the splintering timbers went down,
+Jack did hear the shout of Ben; he heard, too,
+the scream of a woman, and that awful cry
+which a horse sometimes makes when in the
+very extremity of peril, but that was all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>I could not sleep after such horrifying tidings,
+when the policeman had gone; I went
+into the house and donned my overshoes and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span>
+rubber coat. Fortunately my family had not
+been awakened by the ringing of the bell, and I
+did not disturb them; but, carefully closing
+and locking the door after me, I went out in the
+storm and darkness, oppressed by a grief which
+I had not known for years, for Ben Mayberry
+was as dear to me as my own son, and my heart
+bled for the stricken mother who, when she
+most needed a staff to lean upon during her declining
+years, found it cruelly snatched from
+her.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VI__TELL_MOTHER_I_AM_ALL_RIGHT' id='VI__TELL_MOTHER_I_AM_ALL_RIGHT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>&#8220;TELL MOTHER I AM ALL RIGHT&#8221;</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>There is a fascination in the presence of
+danger which we all feel. The news of the
+dreadful disaster spread with astonishing
+rapidity, and when I reached the river-side it
+seemed as if all Damietta were there.
+</p>
+<p>The lamps twinkled in the hands of innumerable
+men moving hither and thither in that restless
+manner which showed how deep their feelings
+were. People were talking in guarded
+voices, as if the shadow of an awful danger impended
+over them, and the wildest rumors, as
+is the case at such times, were afloat. It was
+said that six, eight, and a dozen persons had
+gone down with the bridge and were irrecoverably
+lost. Other structures above us were
+carried away (though no one stopped to explain
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span>
+how the tidings had reached ahead of the
+flood itself), and it was asserted that not a span
+would be left on the stream at daybreak.
+</p>
+<p>The flickering lanterns gave a glimpse of the
+scene which rendered it more impressive than
+if viewed under the glare of midday. Some
+daring ones ventured out to the first abutment
+despite the danger, and we saw the glare of
+their lanterns on the rushing, muddy water and
+the immense blocks of ice. Some of the latter
+would impinge against the stone abutment with
+a prodigious grinding crash, spin around several
+times, and then mount up from the water,
+crowded by others behind, as though it was
+about to climb over the massive stone. Then
+it would tumble back with a splash and swiftly
+sweep out of sight in the darkness.
+</p>
+<p>Again, trees, with their bushy tops tossing
+above the surface, glided by as if caught in a
+rushing mill-race, and a grotesque character
+was given to the whole scene by the sudden
+crowing of some cocks, which must have been
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span>
+frightened by the twinkling lights so near
+them.
+</p>
+<p>Few in Damietta went to bed that night.
+There was a continual walking to and fro, as
+people are seen to do when some great calamity
+is about to break upon them. Several mounted
+horses and rode down the river-bank for miles,
+in the weak hope of picking up tidings of the
+lost ones. No one could be found who knew
+the lady and child in the carriage which came
+upon the bridge from the other side. There
+were innumerable guesses as to their identity,
+but they were guesses and nothing more. No
+doubt was entertained that when communication
+could be opened with Moorestown on the
+morrow, we would learn who they were.
+</p>
+<p>I stayed at the river-side for an hour,
+weighed down by the greatest grief of my life.
+I was anxious to do something, but there was
+absolutely nothing for me to do. Ben was
+gone, and his friends could not begin an intelligent
+search for him before the morrow.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></p>
+<p>I turned on my heel to go home, when a
+shout went up that the span on the other side of
+the center was going. There could be no doubt
+that the splintering crash and the grinding
+swirl of waters and ice were caused by the destruction
+of that span which dissolved into
+nothingness almost in a moment.
+</p>
+<p>This started the cry that the timbers nearest
+us were breaking up.
+</p>
+<p>Those who were on it made a rush for shore,
+which was not reached a minute too soon. The
+entire span suddenly lifted up and was
+&#8220;snuffed out&#8221; so promptly that the wonder
+was how it had withstood the flood so long.
+</p>
+<p>This occurrence struck me as decisive of the
+fate of my young friend Ben Mayberry. It
+gave me an appreciation of the tremendous irresistibility
+of the freshet, which must have
+ended the lives of the hapless party almost on
+the instant. The bravest swimmer would be
+absolutely helpless in the grasp of such a terrific
+current, and in a night of pitchy darkness
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span>
+would be unable to make the first intelligent
+effort to save himself.
+</p>
+<p>At last I went home through the drizzling
+rain, as miserable a mortal as one could imagine.
+When I reached the house I was glad
+to find that my family were still asleep. It
+would be time enough for them to learn of my
+affliction and the public disaster on the coming
+morrow.
+</p>
+<p>The pattering of the rain on the roof accorded
+with my feeling of desolation, and I
+lay awake until almost daylight, listening,
+wretched, dismal, and utterly despairing.
+</p>
+<p>I slept unusually late, and I was glad, when
+I went down to my breakfast, to learn that
+some kind neighbor had told my family all I
+knew, and indeed, a little more. The river
+rose steadily until daylight, by which time it
+was two feet above the abutments, and not a
+vestige of the bridge remained.
+</p>
+<p>But the water had reached its highest point,
+for, after remaining stationary an hour, it had
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span>
+begun to fall, and was now a couple of inches
+lower than &#8220;high-water mark.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>There were two things which I dreaded&mdash;the
+sight of the furious river, and to meet the sad,
+white face of Ben Mayberry&#8217;s mother. I felt
+that I could give her no word of comfort, for I
+needed it almost as much as did she. She must
+have abandoned all hope by this time, and her
+loss was enough to crush life itself from her.
+</p>
+<p>When walking along the street I found that
+everyone was talking about the unexampled
+flood. It had overflowed the lower part of the
+city, and people were making their way
+through the streets in boats. Scores of families
+were made homeless, and the sights were curious
+enough to draw multitudes thither.
+</p>
+<p>I kept away from every point where I could
+catch so much as a glimpse of the freshet.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have robbed me of the brightest and
+best boy I ever knew,&#8221; I muttered, in bitterness
+of spirit; &#8220;he was one whom I loved as if
+he were a son.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span></p>
+<p>The shadow of death seemed to rest on the
+office when I reached it. The loss of Ben Mayberry
+was a personal affliction to everyone
+there. Only the most necessary words were
+spoken, and the sighing, which could be heard
+at all times, came from the heart.
+</p>
+<p>I went to my desk in a mechanical way, and
+had just placed my hand on the instrument,
+when I was thrilled by a call which I would
+have recognized among a thousand. Others
+heard and identified it also, and held their
+breath. The next instant this message reached
+me:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Dear Mr. Melville</span>&mdash;Tell mother I am
+all right, but in need of dry clothing.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Ben Mayberry</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VII_A_THRILLING_VOYAGE' id='VII_A_THRILLING_VOYAGE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>A THRILLING VOYAGE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>On the night that Ben Mayberry started
+across the bridge to deliver the cipher message
+to Mr. Burkhill in Moorestown, he had reached
+the center span before he felt he was in personal
+danger. The few lamps which twinkled
+at long distances from each other were barely
+enough for him to see where he was going, and
+they did little more than make the darkness
+visible.
+</p>
+<p>By the faint light he observed a carriage and
+single horse approaching. The animal lifted
+his feet high, walked slowly, and snuffed the
+air as he turned his head from side to side, like
+an intelligent creature which feels he is approaching
+danger. The rattling of the narrow
+planks under his hoofs and the carriage wheels
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span>
+could be heard above the roar and sweep of the
+angry river beneath.
+</p>
+<p>Suddenly the bridge trembled under a blow
+received from a gigantic piece of ice, which
+went grinding and splashing with such violence
+that its course could be followed by the bulging
+upward of the planks between Ben and the
+horse.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My gracious! this won&#8217;t do,&#8221; exclaimed
+the boy, more alarmed for the vehicle and its
+occupants than for himself.
+</p>
+<p>He ran forward to grasp the bridle of the
+horse with the purpose of turning him back,
+when he saw that he had stopped of his own
+accord, and was snorting with terror. Ben
+reached up to seize the bit, when he was made
+dizzy by the abrupt lifting of the planking underneath,
+and was thrown violently forward on
+his face.
+</p>
+<p>The brave boy knew what it meant, and kept
+his senses about him. It was utterly dark, and
+he was in the icy water with a terrified horse
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span>
+struggling fiercely, and in danger of beating
+out the boy&#8217;s brains with his hoofs, while the
+shriek of the agonized mother rose above the
+horrid din:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Save my child&mdash;save my child!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Fortunately for Ben Mayberry the bridge
+broke up in a very unusual manner. Instead
+of the roof coming down upon him, it seemed
+to fall apart, as did the narrow planking. Thus
+his movements were not interfered with by the
+structure, and realizing what a desperate struggle
+for life was before him, he drew off his
+cumbersome overcoat with great deftness, and
+then swam as only a strong swimmer can do in
+the very extremity of peril.
+</p>
+<p>He heard nothing more of the horse, which
+had doubtless perished after a struggle as brief
+as it was fierce; but, unable to see anything at
+all, Ben struck out toward the point whence
+came the cry of the mother, and which was
+close at hand.
+</p>
+<p>He had scarcely made three strokes when he
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span>
+came in violent collision with a huge block of
+ice in his path. Without attempting to go
+around it, he grasped the edge, and, by a determined
+effort, drew himself upon it. Fragments
+of the bridge were all around, and he
+felt some of the timber upon the support.
+</p>
+<p>While crawling carefully toward the other
+side, he shouted:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Helloa! where are you? Answer, and I&#8217;ll
+help you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>A faint cry made itself heard amid the rushing
+waters and the impenetrable darkness. It
+was just ahead, and the next instant Ben had
+reached the other side of the ice raft, where,
+steadying himself with one hand, he groped
+about with the other, uttering encouraging
+words as he did so.
+</p>
+<p>Suddenly he caught hold of a delicate arm,
+and with another cheery shout, he began drawing
+with all his strength.
+</p>
+<p>It was a hard task, under the circumstances,
+but he quickly succeeded, and was not a little
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span>
+amazed to find that instead of a lady he had
+helped out a small girl.
+</p>
+<p>But it was the cry of a mother that had
+reached his ears, and he did his utmost (which
+unfortunately was little) to help her. He
+called again and again, but there was no answer.
+He asked of the child the whereabouts
+of her parents, but the little one was almost
+senseless with bewilderment, cold, and terror,
+and could give no intelligible answer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She must be drowned,&#8221; was the sorrowful
+conclusion of Ben, who was forced to cease his
+efforts; and I may as well add at this point,
+that he was right; the mother&#8217;s body being carried
+out to sea, where it was never found.
+</p>
+<p>For the time, Ben and the little girl were
+safe, but it will be seen that their condition was
+pitiable. It was a wintry night, the water was
+of an arctic temperature, and their clothing was
+saturated. The icy floor on which they were
+supported would have added to their terrible
+discomfort, had he not been able to gather together
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span>
+several of the planks within reach, with
+which he made a partition between them and
+the freezing surface.
+</p>
+<p>Ben shouted at the top of his voice, but he
+was so far below the place where the bridge
+had stood that no one heard him, and he finally
+gave it up, knowing that even if he made himself
+known to friends, they would be powerless
+to help him so long as the darkness lasted.
+</p>
+<p>The child, so far as he could judge, was no
+more than nine or ten years old, but she was
+richly clad, as he learned from the abundance
+of furs, silks, and velvet. She had luxuriant
+hair, which streamed about her shoulders, and
+he was sure she must be very beautiful.
+</p>
+<p>She was alive, but faint and suffering. She
+did not wish to talk and Ben did not urge her,
+although he was curious to know her identity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will learn all in the morning,&#8221; he said to
+himself; &#8220;that is, if we are spared until then.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He was too excited and terrified to fall
+asleep, even had his discomfort not been too
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span>
+great to permit it, and he found he needed his
+wits about him.
+</p>
+<p>Now and then the cake of ice which supported
+them was crowded by others, until it
+seemed on the point of being overturned, in
+which event another terrible struggle would
+be necessary to save himself and the little girl.
+</p>
+<p>Then again, there seemed to be eddies and
+whirlpools in the current, which threatened to
+dislodge them or to break up the miniature iceberg
+into fragments, as the bridge itself was
+destroyed.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VIII_THE_CIPHER_TELEGRAM' id='VIII_THE_CIPHER_TELEGRAM'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>THE CIPHER TELEGRAM</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The almost interminable night came to an
+end at last and the dull gray of morning appeared
+in the east.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry chafed the arms of the little
+stranger, and even slapped her vigorously to
+prevent her succumbing to the cold. He was
+forced to rise to his feet himself at intervals
+and swing his arms and kick out his legs, to
+fight off the chilliness which seemed to penetrate
+to his very bones.
+</p>
+<p>As soon as the boy could make use of his
+eyes he found himself drifting through the
+open country, where the river was fully double
+the width at Damietta. This gave the masses
+of ice much more &#8220;elbow room,&#8221; and decreased
+the danger of capsizing.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span></p>
+<p>Houses and villages were seen at intervals,
+and multitudes of people were along the bank
+gathering driftwood and &#8220;loot,&#8221; and watching
+the unparalleled flood of waters.
+</p>
+<p>Ben swung his hat and shouted, and at last
+caught the notice of the people on the bank.
+Two sturdy watermen sprang into a boat and
+began fighting their way out to the helpless
+ones. It was a hard task, but they succeeded,
+and Ben and little Dolly Willard (as she had
+given her name) were safely taken off. A
+crowd waited to welcome them and they received
+every possible attention. Both were
+taken to the nearest farmhouse, where a kind-hearted
+mother took Dolly in charge, for the
+little one needed it sadly enough.
+</p>
+<p>They were within half a mile of a village
+which was connected with Damietta by telegraph,
+and before Ben would do anything more
+than swallow a cup of hot coffee, and change
+his clothing, he was driven to the office, where
+he sent the message which was the first word
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span>
+we received in Damietta to tell us that he was
+alive.
+</p>
+<p>I lost no time in hurrying to the humble
+dwelling of Mrs. Mayberry, where I made
+known the joyful tidings. I shall never forget
+the holy light which illumined the thin face as
+she clasped her hands in thankfulness and
+said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I had not given up all hope, but I was very
+near doing so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben was driven into Damietta late that
+afternoon, where a royal welcome awaited him.
+He was cheered, shaken by the hand, and congratulated
+over and over again, and for a time
+it looked as though he would be pulled asunder.
+When he finally tore himself loose and rushed
+into our office, the operators and messenger
+boys were equally demonstrative, but he did
+not mind them.
+</p>
+<p>I stood at my desk with a swelling heart,
+waiting for him. Suddenly he turned and
+caught my hand.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He that is born to be hanged will never be
+drowned&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He was laughing when he spoke the jest,
+but his voice trembled, and all at once he broke
+down. Quickly withdrawing both hands, he
+put them over his face and cried like a heartbroken
+child. He had stood it like a hero to
+this point, but now, with the crowd outside
+peering into the windows, he sobbed with uncontrollable
+emotion, while my own heart was
+too full to speak.
+</p>
+<p>As soon as he could master himself he said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must not wait any longer; mother expects
+me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He was out of the door in a twinkling, and
+in a few minutes the mother and son were in
+each other&#8217;s arms.
+</p>
+<p>The reader may think that the most remarkable
+part of Ben Mayberry&#8217;s adventure on the
+night of the flood has already been told, but it
+proved to be the beginning of a train of incidents
+of such an extraordinary nature that I
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span>
+hasten to make them known. There was a direct
+connection between his experience on that
+terrible night in February and the wonderful
+mystery in which he became involved, and
+which exercised such a marked influence on
+his after-life.
+</p>
+<p>Fortunately, little Dolly Willard suffered no
+serious consequences from her frightful shock
+and exposure. She received such excellent care
+that she speedily recovered, and as soon as we
+could re-establish communication with Moorestown
+and engage her in conversation, we
+learned something of her history.
+</p>
+<p>She lived in New York City and had come to
+Moorestown on a visit with her mother and
+Uncle George. He was the G. R. Burkhill who
+failed to receive the cipher dispatch which Ben
+Mayberry undertook to deliver to him on that
+eventful night.
+</p>
+<p>Dolly said her father was dead, or had been
+gone from home a very long time. Uncle
+George claimed and took her to the city, first
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span>
+sending a cipher dispatch to a party in the
+metropolis, and directing me, in case of an
+answer, to hold it until he called or sent for it.
+</p>
+<p>Two days later an answer arrived in the
+same mystic characters as before. As it has
+much to do with the incidents which follow, I
+give this remarkable telegram in full:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>New York</span>, February 28th,&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+</div>
+
+<div class='la'>
+<p>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>George R. Burkhill</span>, Moorestown:</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nvtu vzhs ujmm ezkk tbn gzr b adssdg
+dizodf rntsg zpvs azmj xjmm jddo.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Tom</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>Cipher telegrams are sent every day in the
+week, and we did not concern ourselves with
+this particular one, which would have received
+no further thought, but for an odd circumstance.
+</p>
+<p>On the day Mr. Burkhill sent his message
+to New York, he was followed into our office
+by a man who was shabbily dressed, and who
+impressed me as what is commonly called a
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span>
+&#8220;beat.&#8221; He spoiled several blanks without
+sending a message and then abruptly tore them
+up, put the pieces in his pocket, and walked out
+after Mr. Burkhill.
+</p>
+<p>He was in the office several times the succeeding
+two days, made some inquiries, and
+sent off a couple of messages. Just after Ben
+Mayberry had received the cipher telegram
+given above, I happened to look across my desk
+and observed that the fellow had taken every
+letter, marking it down, as he easily interpreted
+it by sound.
+</p>
+<p>It was only by accident that I made this discovery,
+for the man acted precisely as if he
+were preparing a message to send away.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='IX_THE_TRANSLATION' id='IX_THE_TRANSLATION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>THE TRANSLATION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Mr. G. R. Burkhill overwhelmed Ben
+Mayberry with thanks for the heroic manner in
+which he saved his niece and strove to save his
+sister. He offered the boy a handsome reward,
+but I am glad to say Ben refused to accept it.
+He promised to write the boy concerning the
+little one, but he must have forgotten his promise,
+as a long time passed without anything
+being heard from him.
+</p>
+<p>When I discovered that the seedy lounger
+about our office had carefully taken down the
+cipher telegram addressed to Burkhill, I was
+indignant, for it was well known that one of
+the most important duties which the telegraph
+companies insist upon is the inviolability of the
+messages intrusted to their wires. Nothing less
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span>
+than a peremptory order from the court is
+sufficient to produce the telegrams placed in
+our care.
+</p>
+<p>I was on the point of leaving my desk and
+compelling the impudent stranger to surrender
+the cipher he had surreptitiously secured, but I
+restrained myself and allowed him to go without
+suspecting my knowledge of his act.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben,&#8221; said I, addressing my young friend,
+whom I trusted beyond any of the older operators,
+&#8220;did you notice that fellow who just
+went out?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir; I have seen him before. He followed
+me home last night, and after I went in
+the house, he walked up and down the pavement
+for more than half an hour. He was
+very careful, but I saw him through the
+blinds.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Has he ever said anything to you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing, except in the office.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He took down every letter of that cipher
+telegram you just received for Mr. Burkhill.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span></p>
+<p>The boy was surprised and sat a minute in
+deep thought.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Melville,&#8221; he said, &#8220;if you have no objection,
+I shall study out that cipher.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That I think is impossible; it has been prepared
+with care, and it will take a greater expert
+than you to unravel it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben smiled in his pleasing way as he answered:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am fond of unraveling puzzles, and I
+believe I can take this apart.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will be surprised if you succeed; but if
+you do, keep it a secret from everyone but
+myself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You may depend on that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The odd times which Ben could secure
+through the day were spent in studying the
+mysterious letters; but when he placed it in his
+pocket at night and started for home, he had
+not caught the first glimmer of its meaning.
+</p>
+<p>But he was hopeful and said he would never
+give it up until he made it as clear as noonday,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span>
+and I knew that if it was within the range of
+accomplishment, he would keep his word. I
+have told enough to show my readers he was
+unusually intelligent and quick-witted, but I
+am free to confess that I had scarcely a hope of
+his success.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>That was the whispered exclamation with
+which Ben Mayberry greeted me the next
+morning when he entered the office.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No! You&#8217;re jesting,&#8221; I answered, convinced,
+at the same time, that he was in earnest.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll soon show you,&#8221; was his exultant response.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How was it you struck the key?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is hard to tell, more than you can explain
+how it is, after you have puzzled your
+brain for a long time over an arithmetical problem,
+it suddenly becomes clear to you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He sat down by my desk.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I figured and studied, and tried those letters
+every way I could think of until midnight,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span>
+and was on the point of going to bed, when the
+whole thing flashed upon me. You know, Mr.
+Melville, that in trying to unravel a cipher, the
+first thing necessary is to find the key-word, for
+it must be there somewhere; and if you look
+sharp enough it will reveal itself. One single
+letter gave it to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How was that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you will look at the telegram,&#8221; said Ben,
+spreading it out before me, &#8220;you will notice
+that in one instance only is a single letter seen
+standing by itself. That is the letter &#8216;b,&#8217; which
+I concluded must stand for the article &#8216;a,&#8217; for
+I know of no other, unless it is &#8216;I.&#8217; Now, the
+letter &#8216;b&#8217; is the second one in the alphabet, and
+stands next in order to &#8216;a.&#8217; If this system is
+followed throughout the cipher, we have only
+to take, instead of the letters as written, the
+next in order as they occur in the alphabet.
+But when I tried it on the following word, it
+failed entirely. Luckily I tested the second in
+the same manner, and I was surprised to find it
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span>
+made a perfect word, viz.: &#8216;chance.&#8217; The third
+came to naught, but the fourth developed into
+&#8216;your.&#8217; That proved that every other word of
+the message was constructed in this manner, and
+it did not take me long to bring them out into
+good English. This was a big help, I can tell
+you, and it was not long before I discovered
+that in the alternate words the system reversed;
+that is, instead of taking the letter immediately
+succeeding, the writer had used that which immediately
+precedes it in the alphabet. Applying
+this key to the telegram, it read thus:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Must wait till fall; Sam has a better
+chance south. Your bank will keep.&#8217;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now,&#8221; added Ben, who was warranted in
+feeling jubilant over his success, &#8220;that is a
+very ordinary cipher&mdash;one which hundreds
+would make out without trouble. Had the
+writer run his letters all together&mdash;that is,
+without any break between the words&mdash;I would
+have been stumped. Besides, he uses no blind
+words, as he ought to have done; and it looks
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span>
+very much as if he calls everything by its right
+name, something which I should think no person
+anxious to keep such a secret would do. If
+he means &#8216;bank,&#8217; he might as well have called
+it by another name altogether.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think ordinarily he would have been safe
+in writing his cipher as he has done; but, be
+that as it may, I am confident you have made a
+most important discovery.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='X_FARMER_JONES' id='X_FARMER_JONES'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>FARMER JONES</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The conclusion which I formed respecting
+the cipher telegram, so cleverly translated by
+Ben Mayberry, was that it concerned an intended
+robbery of one of the banks in Damietta,
+and that the crime, for the reason hinted
+in the dispatch, was postponed until the succeeding
+autumn.
+</p>
+<p>Under such circumstances it will be seen
+that it was my duty to communicate with the
+general manager of the company, which I proceeded
+to do without delay. In reply, he instructed
+me to place myself in communication
+with the mayor of the city, whose province it
+was to make provision against what certainly
+looked like a contemplated crime.
+</p>
+<p>This instruction was carried out, and the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span>
+mayor promptly took every means at his command
+to checkmate any movement of the suspected
+party. He arranged to shadow him by
+one of the best detectives in the country, while
+I agreed to notify him of the contents of any
+more suspicious telegrams passing over the
+wires.
+</p>
+<p>It need hardly be said that the friends of Ben
+Mayberry and myself took care that his exploit
+on the memorable winter night should not
+pass by unnoticed. The single daily paper published
+in Damietta gave a thrilling account of
+the carrying away of the bridge, and the terrible
+struggle of the boy in the raging river&mdash;an
+account which was so magnified that we
+laughed, and Ben was angry and disgusted.
+One of the best traits of the boy was his modesty,
+and it was manifest to everyone that this
+continued laudation was distasteful to him in
+the highest degree.
+</p>
+<p>The cap-sheaf came when one of the metropolitan
+weeklies published an illustration of the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span>
+scene, in which Ben was pictured as saving not
+only the mother and daughter, but the horse as
+well, by drawing them by main force upon an
+enormous block of ice! There was not the
+slightest resemblance to the actual occurrence,
+and the picture of our young hero looked as
+much like me as it did like Ben, who would
+have cried with vexation had not the whole
+thing been such a caricature that he was compelled
+to laugh instead.
+</p>
+<p>But the general manager received a truthful
+account from me, together with the statement
+that Ben Mayberry alone deserved the credit
+for deciphering the telegram which foreshadowed
+an intended crime. Corporations, as a
+rule, are not given to lavish rewards, but the
+letter which the manager sent to Ben was more
+highly prized than if it had been a gold watch
+studded with diamonds, or a deed for the best
+house in Diamietta. His heart throbbed when
+he read the warm words of praise from the
+highest officer in the company, who told him to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span>
+continue faithfully in the path on which he had
+started, and his reward was certain. That letter
+Ben to-day counts among his most precious
+prizes, and nothing would induce him to part
+with it.
+</p>
+<p>The best thing about this whole business was
+the fact that Ben never lost his head through the
+profusion of compliments from those in authority.
+He realized that the straight road to
+success lay not through accidental occurrences,
+which may have befriended him, but it was
+only by hard, painstaking, and long-continued
+application that substantial and enduring success
+is attained.
+</p>
+<p>Ben was always punctual at the office, and
+never tried to avoid work which he might have
+contended, and with good reason, did not belong
+to him. His obliging disposition was
+shown by his volunteering to deliver the message
+which nearly cost him his life. The duty
+of the telegraphist is very confining, and so
+exacting that the most rugged health often
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span>
+gives way under it, and persons take to other
+business before completely broken up. But
+this debility is often the fault of the operators
+themselves, who sit bent over their desks, smoking
+villainous cigarettes or strong tobacco, who
+ride in street cars when they should gladly
+seize the chance to walk briskly, and who, I am
+sorry to say, drink intoxicating liquors, which
+appear to tempt sedentary persons with peculiar
+power.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry had none of these baneful
+habits. He lived a long distance from the office,
+and although the street cars passed within
+a block of his home, I never knew him to ride
+on one, no matter how severe the weather
+might be.
+</p>
+<p>Besides this, he belonged to a baseball club,
+and, in good weather, when we were not
+pushed, managed to get away several times a
+week during which he gained enough vitality
+and renewed vigor to last him for days.
+</p>
+<p>One particularly busy afternoon, just as Ben
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span>
+had finished sending off a lengthy dispatch,
+someone rapped sharply on the counter behind
+him, and turning, he saw an honest-looking
+farmer, who had been writing and groaning
+for fully twenty minutes before he was ready
+to send his telegram.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can you send that to Makeville, young
+man?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir,&#8221; answered Ben, springing to his
+feet, and taking the smeared and blotted paper
+from his hand.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jist let me know how much it is; I s&#8217;pose
+it ain&#8217;t more than twenty or thirty cents.
+There ain&#8217;t much use in sending it, but Sally
+Jane, that&#8217;s my daughter, was anxious for me
+to send her a telegraphic dispatch, &#8217;cause she
+never got one, and she&#8217;ll feel proud to see how
+the neighbors will stare.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben had started to count the words, but he
+paused, and repressing a smile over the simplicity
+of the man, said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is very expensive to send messages by
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span>
+telegraph, and it will cost you several dollars
+to send this&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thunderation!&#8221; broke in the indignant old
+man, growing red in the face. &#8220;I won&#8217;t patronize
+any sich frauds.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He started to go out, when Ben checked him
+pleasantly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It will be too bad to disappoint your
+daughter, and we can arrange to send her a message
+with very little expense. There are many
+words here which can be left out without affecting
+the sense. Please run your pen through
+these, and let me look at it again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XI_THE_VALUE_OF_COURTESY' id='XI_THE_VALUE_OF_COURTESY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>THE VALUE OF COURTESY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The following is the message as first written
+out by the old farmer:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Sally Jane Jones</span>, Makeville,&mdash;I take my
+pen in hand to inform you that I arrived safely
+in Damietta this morning. I have seen Jim,
+your brother. His baby is dead in love with
+me, and they all join in sending their love to
+you. I expect to eat my supper with Cousin
+Maria and sleep in their house by the river. I
+will be home to-morrow afternoon. Meet me
+at the station with the roan mare, if she ain&#8217;t
+too tired to draw the buggy.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;Your affectionate father,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Josiah A. Jones</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>When Ben Mayberry had explained how
+much could be saved by crossing out the superfluous
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span>
+words in this message, while its main
+points would be left, the farmer&#8217;s anger turned
+to pleasure. He took his pen, nodded several
+times, and turned smilingly to the desk, where
+he stood for fully a quarter of an hour, groaning,
+writing, and crossing out words. He labored
+as hard as before, and finally held the
+paper off at arm&#8217;s length and contemplated it
+admiringly through his silver spectacles.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; that&#8217;ll do,&#8221; he said, nodding his head
+several times in a pleased way; &#8220;that reads
+just the same&mdash;little abrupt, maybe, but they&#8217;ll
+git the hang of it, and it&#8217;ll please Sally Jane,
+who is a good darter. Here, young man, jist
+figger onto that, will you, and let me know how
+much the expense is.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben took the paper, and under the labored
+manipulation of the old farmer, he found it
+was changed in this amazing fashion:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;I take my hand&mdash;Damietta. Jim, your
+brother&mdash;the baby is dead&mdash;I expect to eat
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span>
+Cousin Maria, and sleep in the river to-morrow
+afternoon&mdash;with the roan&mdash;if she ain&#8217;t too
+buggy. Your affectionate father,
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Josiah A. Jones</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>It was hard for Ben to suppress his laughter,
+but the farmer was looking straight at him, and
+the boy would not hurt his feelings. He surveyed
+the message a minute, and then said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps I can help you a little on this.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can try if you want to,&#8221; grunted the
+old man; &#8220;but I don&#8217;t think you can improve
+much on that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Under the skillful magic of the boy&#8217;s pencil
+the telegram was speedily boiled into this
+shape:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;Met Jim&mdash;all well&mdash;meet me with roan to-morrow
+afternoon.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>J. A. Jones</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>&#8220;There are ten words,&#8221; explained Ben,
+&#8220;and that will cost you twenty-five cents. Besides,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span>
+it tells all that is necessary, and will
+please your daughter just as much as if it were
+five times as long.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mr. Jones took it up again, held it up at
+arm&#8217;s length and then brought it closer to him,
+while he thoughtfully rubbed his chin with the
+other hand.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I s&#8217;pose that&#8217;s right,&#8221; he finally said, &#8220;but
+don&#8217;t you think you orter tell her I have arrived
+in Damietta?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She must know you have arrived here, or
+you couldn&#8217;t send the telegram to her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Umph! That&#8217;s so; but hadn&#8217;t I orter explain
+to her that the Jim I met was her
+brother?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is there any Jim you expect to see except
+your son?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, that&#8217;s so. I swan to gracious! But I
+thought it wasn&#8217;t more&#8217;n perlite ter tell her
+that Cousin Maria&#8217;s baby is dead in love with
+me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am sure that every baby which sees you
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span>
+will fall in love with you, and your daughter
+must be aware of that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>At this rather pointed compliment the farmer&#8217;s
+face glowed like a cider apple, and his
+smile seemed almost to reach to his ears.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I swan; but you&#8217;re a peart chap. What
+wages do you git?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Forty-five dollars a month.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you airn it, you jist bet; but I was
+goin&#8217; to say that I orter speak of the roan mare,
+don&#8217;t you think?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you more than one horse that is of a
+roan color?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then when you speak of the roan, they
+must know that you can only mean the roan
+mare.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The old gentleman fairly beamed with pleasure,
+and reaching solemnly down in his pockets,
+he fished out another silver quarter, which he
+handed to Ben, saying:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like you; take it to please me.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I thank you; I have been paid,&#8221; replied
+Ben, pushing the coin back from him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Confound it! Take this, then; won&#8217;t
+you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As he spoke he banged down a large, red apple
+on the counter, and looked almost savagely
+at Ben, as if daring him to refuse it.
+</p>
+<p>The boy did not decline, but picking it up,
+said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you; I am very fond of apples. I
+will take this home and share it with my
+mother.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The next time I come to town I&#8217;ll bring
+you a peck,&#8221; and with this hearty response the
+farmer stumped out of the door.
+</p>
+<p>I had been much amused over this scene, especially
+when Ben showed me the astonishing
+message the farmer had prepared to send his
+daughter.
+</p>
+<p>Ben laughed, too, after the old gentleman
+was beyond hearing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a pleasure to do a slight favor like that.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span>
+I think I feel better over it than Mr. Jones does
+himself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think not,&#8221; said I; &#8220;for it so happens
+that instead of that gentleman being Farmer
+Jones, he is Mr. Musgrave, the district
+superintendent, who took a fancy to find out
+whether his operators are as kind and obliging
+as they should be, I am quite sure you lost
+nothing that time by your courtesy and accommodating
+spirit.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XII_A_CALL' id='XII_A_CALL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>A CALL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>I have spoken of Ben Mayberry&#8217;s fondness
+for athletic sports, and the great benefit he
+gained from the exercise thus obtained. When
+business permitted, I visited the ball grounds,
+where his skill made him the favorite of the
+enthusiastic crowd which always assembled
+there. He played shortstop, and his activity in
+picking up hot grounders and his wonderful
+accuracy in throwing to first base were the
+chief attractions which brought many to the
+place. He was equally successful at the bat,
+and, when only fourteen years old, repeatedly
+lifted the ball over the left-field fence&mdash;a feat
+which was only accomplished very rarely by
+the heaviest batsmen of the visiting nines.
+</p>
+<p>There were many, including myself, who
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span>
+particularly admired Ben&#8217;s throwing. How
+any living person can acquire such skill is beyond
+my comprehension. Ben was the superior
+of all his companions when a small urchin, and
+his wonderful accuracy improved as he grew
+older.
+</p>
+<p>To please a number of spectators, Ben used
+to place himself on third base, and then &#8220;bore
+in&#8221; the ball to first. In its arrowy passage it
+seemed scarcely to rise more than two or three
+feet above the horizontal, and shot through the
+air with such unerring aim that I really believe
+he could have struck a breast-pin on a player&#8217;s
+front nine times out of ten. I never saw him
+make a wild throw, and some of his double
+plays were executed with such brilliancy that a
+veteran player took his hand one day as he ran
+from the field, and said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben, you&#8217;ll be on a professional nine in a
+couple of years. Harry Wright and the different
+managers are always on the lookout for
+talent, and they&#8217;ll scoop you in.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I think not,&#8221; said the modest Ben, panting
+slightly from a terrific run. &#8220;I am a little
+lucky, that&#8217;s all; but though I&#8217;m very fond of
+playing ball I never will take it up as a means
+of living.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s where your head ain&#8217;t level, sonny.
+Why, you&#8217;ll get more money for one summer&#8217;s
+play than you will make in two or three years
+nursing a telegraph machine. Besides that,
+think of the fun you will have.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s all very good, and I can understand
+why baseball is so tempting to so many young
+men. But it lasts a short time, and then the
+player finds himself without any regular business.
+His fingers are banged out of shape; he
+has exercised so violently that more than likely
+his health is injured, and he is compelled to
+work like a common laborer to get a living.
+Ten years from now there will hardly be one of
+the present professionals in the business, I&#8217;m
+sure.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess you ain&#8217;t far from the fact, but for
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span>
+all that, if I had the chance that you have, I
+would be mighty glad to take in all the baseball
+sport I could.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But Ben was sensible in this respect, and
+steadily refused to look upon himself as training
+for the professional ball field. In looking
+back to that time, I am rejoiced that such is the
+fact. There are many of my readers who recall
+the popular players of years ago&mdash;McBride,
+Wright, Fisler, Sensenderfer, McMullen,
+Start, Brainard, Gould, Leonard, Dean, Spalding,
+Sweeney, Radcliffe, McDonald, Addy,
+Pierce, and a score of others. Among them all
+I recall none still in the field. Some are dead,
+and the rest are so &#8220;used up&#8221; that they would
+make a sorry exhibition if placed on the ball
+field to-day.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry was a swift and skillful
+skater, and in running there was not a boy in
+Damietta who could equal him. It was by giving
+heed to these forms of healthful exercise,
+and by avoiding liquor and tobacco, that he
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span>
+preserved his rosy cheeks, his clear eye, his
+vigorous brain, and his bounding health.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, how do you do, Ben?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The lad looked up from his desk in the office,
+one clear, autumn day, as he heard these words,
+and I did the same. There stood one of the
+loveliest little girls I ever looked upon. She
+seemed to be ten or eleven years of age, was
+richly dressed, with an exuberant mass of yellow
+hair falling over her shoulders. Her large,
+lustrous eyes were of a deep blue, her complexion
+as rich and pink as the lining of a sea
+shell, and her features as winsome as any that
+Phidias himself ever carved from Parian
+marble.
+</p>
+<p>Ben rose in a hesitating way and walked toward
+her, uncertain, though he suspected her
+identity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is this&mdash;no, it cannot be&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; I am Dolly Willard, that you saved
+from drowning with my poor mamma last
+winter. I wrote you a letter soon after I got
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span>
+home, but you felt too important to notice it,
+I suppose.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And the laughing girl reached her hand over
+the counter, while Ben shook it warmly, and
+said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You wrote to me? Surely there was some
+mistake, for I never got the letter; I would
+have only been too glad to answer it. Maybe
+you forgot to drop it in the office.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I gave it to Uncle George, and told him to
+be careful and put it in the mail, and he said he
+did so when he came home, so it was not my
+fault. But I am visiting at my cousin&#8217;s in
+Commerce Street, at Mr. Grandin&#8217;s&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know the place.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are going to have a grand party there
+to-night, and I&#8217;ve come down to ask you to be
+sure and be there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am delighted to receive your invitation,
+but&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can go,&#8221; said I, as Ben looked appealingly
+toward me.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, sir. Yes, Miss Dolly, I count
+upon great pleasure in being present.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t come, I&#8217;ll never speak to you
+again,&#8221; called the pretty little miss as she
+passed out of the door.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry and troubled about one thing,&#8221;
+said Ben to me, when we stood together.
+&#8220;This Uncle George of Dolly&#8217;s is the G. R.
+Burkhill who received that cipher dispatch. I
+am satisfied he is a villain, and there&#8217;s trouble
+close at hand.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIII_AT_THE_GRANDIN_MANSION' id='XIII_AT_THE_GRANDIN_MANSION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>AT THE GRANDIN MANSION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Ben Mayberry was born in Damietta, and
+his parents, as I have shown, were extremely
+poor. He had been a barefooted urchin, who
+was ready to fight or engage in any reckless
+undertaking. As he grew older and became
+more thoughtful, he assumed better clothing,
+grew more studious, and, helped by his fine
+ability and prepossessing looks, became popular.
+</p>
+<p>In addition, his remarkable skill in athletic
+sports made him well liked among the rougher
+element, who would have been glad had he consented
+to &#8220;train with their crowd.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>In spite of all this, Ben failed to secure the
+social recognition to which he was entitled.
+Many who would greet him most cordially on
+the street never thought of inviting him to their
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span>
+homes. Damietta had been a city long enough
+to develop social caste, which lay in such distinct
+strata that there seemed no possibility of
+their ever mingling together.
+</p>
+<p>I was glad, therefore, when Dolly Willard
+called at the office and personally invited Ben to
+attend the party at Mr. Grandin&#8217;s, which was
+one of the most aristocratic families in Damietta.
+They were originally from the South,
+but had lived in the city a long time.
+</p>
+<p>My young friend was somewhat dubious
+about going, as he had never before been invited
+to cross the threshold; but there was no
+refusing the warm invitation of Dolly, who
+had walked all the way to the office on purpose
+to secure his presence at the gathering that
+evening.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry was proud of Dolly; that is,
+proud that it had fallen to his lot to befriend
+such a splendid girl, but there were several
+things that made him thoughtful.
+</p>
+<p>In the first place, my reader will recall that
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span>
+the cipher telegram which was of such a compromising
+character was addressed to her
+uncle. Ben had hunted out from the files in
+the office the first disguised message, and it
+clearly referred to a contemplated robbery of
+one of the banks in Damietta. This G. R.
+Burkhill was a criminal who was playing a
+desperate game, in which he was likely to lose.
+</p>
+<p>It was unfortunate that he was connected by
+relationship with Dolly Willard, who was the
+cousin of the Grandins; but it was certainly
+impossible that either Dolly, the Grandins, or
+Mrs. Willard herself, knew the character of
+the man. Such was the view Ben took of the
+matter, adding to himself:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope he will keep away, and that nothing
+more of the intended robbery will be heard. It
+is now the fall of the year, and they seemed
+to agree that it was the time when the crime
+was to be attempted.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was one of the grandest children&#8217;s parties
+ever given in Damietta. Little Dolly Willard
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span>
+had mourned her mother&#8217;s loss as deeply as
+could any child, but those of her years soon
+rally from affliction, and she was among the
+happiest of the three-score boys and girls who
+gathered in the roomy parlors of the Grandin
+mansion that beautiful night in October.
+</p>
+<p>The wages which Ben Mayberry received
+enabled him to dress with excellent taste, and,
+poor as he was, there was none of the sons of
+the wealthiest merchants in Damietta who was
+more faultlessly attired that evening. True,
+some of them sported handsome gold watches,
+and one or two displayed diamonds, of which
+Ben had none, but otherwise a spectator would
+have placed the young telegraphist on the same
+social footing with the aristocratic youths
+around him.
+</p>
+<p>Among the numerous misses present were
+many dressed with great elegance, and possessing
+much personal beauty; but Dolly Willard,
+by common consent, surpassed them all in
+personal loveliness, while the rich and severe
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span>
+simplicity of her attire showed either the exquisite
+taste of herself or of someone who had
+the care of her.
+</p>
+<p>Among such an assemblage of misses and
+youths there are as many heart-burnings as
+among their elder brothers and sisters. Dolly
+was decidedly the belle of the evening. Some
+of the other girls were so envious over her superior
+attractions that they openly sneered at
+her, but the aspiring youth were dazzled by the
+sprightly girl, who attracted them as though
+she were a magnet and they had a big supply
+of steel about their persons.
+</p>
+<p>When Ben Mayberry entered the parlor a
+little late, Dolly was standing among a group
+of lads who were smiling and bowing, and
+making desperate attempts to be funny with a
+view of drawing her attention especially to
+them. It was natural that she should be somewhat
+coquettish, but the instant she caught
+sight of Ben Mayberry she almost ran to him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was afraid you wouldn&#8217;t come,&#8221; she exclaimed,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span>
+taking both his hands in hers; &#8220;and
+if you hadn&#8217;t, I never, never, never would have
+spoken to you again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben unquestionably was a handsome lad.
+His bright eyes, his white, even teeth, his
+slightly Roman nose, his well-shaped head, his
+clear, bright eye, and his rosy cheeks flushed
+with excitement, rendered him an attractive
+figure among the bright faces and well-dressed
+figures. His superb physical poise lent a grace
+to all his movements, while he was self-possessed
+at the most trying times.
+</p>
+<p>He made a laughing reply to Dolly, who at
+once seated herself beside him and began chatting
+in her liveliest style, which was very lively
+indeed. To those who approached, she introduced
+him as the young man who had saved
+her life the preceding winter, until Ben begged
+her to make no further reference to it. Many
+of the other girls gathered around, and showed
+their admiration of Ben in a most marked manner.
+These were mostly from Boston or New
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span>
+York, who had heard of the young hero, but
+had never looked upon him before.
+</p>
+<p>Dolly was talking away with lightning speed
+to Ben, who managed to edge in a word now
+and then, when a dapper young man of sixteen
+years spruced forward.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are going to form for the lancers,
+Miss Dolly; I believe I have your promise for
+my partner.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thank you, Rutherford, but I have
+changed my mind, and will dance with Master
+Ben.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>This was a daring and almost unwarranted
+act on the part of the little empress, for Ben
+had not yet spoken to her on the matter. But
+he was quick to seize the advantage, and, instantly
+rising to his feet, offered his arm to
+Dolly, and started toward the dancing-room,
+as though the whole thing had been prearranged
+before the other party presented himself.
+</p>
+<p>This act brought him face to face with the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span>
+disappointed young man, whose countenance
+flushed with anger.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rutherford, this is he who saved my life
+last winter, Master Ben Mayberry; my friend,
+Rutherford Richmond.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The two saluted each other somewhat distantly;
+and with feelings which it would be
+hard to describe, Ben recognized the tall, rather
+callow youth as the Rutherford who stoned
+him several years before, when he was floating
+down the river on a log, and to whom Ben
+in turn had given a most thorough castigation.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIV_THE_CONSPIRACY' id='XIV_THE_CONSPIRACY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>THE CONSPIRACY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Rutherford Richmond recognized Ben
+Mayberry at the same instant that the latter
+identified him. But neither gave any evidence
+of the fact that could be understood by other
+parties.
+</p>
+<p>Ben took his position with Dolly by his side,
+and they were without doubt the handsomest
+couple on the floor that evening. Their mutual
+interest was so marked that everyone present
+noticed it, and it caused comment without end.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I believe he sweeps out the office for a
+telegraph company. He manages to save up
+enough money in the course of a year to buy
+a decent suit of clothes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry was sitting down at the end
+of one of the dances, when he overheard these
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span>
+words, which he knew referred to him. Dolly
+had excused herself for a few minutes, and he
+was alone, sniffing at a fragrant bouquet which
+he was protecting from all damage for her
+benefit.
+</p>
+<p>He knew, further, that the remark was intended
+for his ears, but he affected not to
+know it, while he furtively glanced behind him.
+There stood Master Rutherford Richmond,
+with three or four lads. They were all jealous
+of Ben, and were discussing his merits for his
+own especial benefit.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I understand he gets fifty cents a week for
+his work,&#8221; observed another, making sure his
+voice was elevated enough to be heard half
+across the room, &#8220;which is a big sum for him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t understand why Miss Jennie&#8221; (referring
+to Jennie Grandin, who gave the party)
+&#8220;allows such cattle here,&#8221; struck in a third, in
+the same off-hand manner.
+</p>
+<p>Rutherford Richmond took upon himself to
+give the reason.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It was all on account of Dolly. You know
+she is kind-hearted, and I understand this
+booby went to her and begged that she would
+give him a chance to see how a party of high-toned
+people looked. She couldn&#8217;t very well
+refuse, and now she is trotting him around for
+the rest of us to laugh at.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry&#8217;s cheeks burned, for none of
+these words escaped him. He would have
+given a good deal to have been outside alone
+for a few minutes with Master Rutherford
+Richmond. But he could not call him to account
+under the circumstances, and he still
+sniffed at the bouquet in his hand, and affected
+to be very much interested in the action of a
+couple of misses on the opposite side of the
+room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If Miss Jennie permits anything of this
+kind again,&#8221; volunteered Rutherford, &#8220;it will
+cause trouble. A good many will want to
+know, before they allow their children to come,
+whether they are liable to meet the telegraph
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span>
+office boy and the great ball player here; if
+there&#8217;s danger they will stay at home.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think the scum of society should be kept
+in its place,&#8221; observed another, scarcely less
+bitter than young Richmond in his jealousy of
+the lad who claimed so much of the attention
+of the little belle of the evening.
+</p>
+<p>This kind of talk was going on when, to
+Ben&#8217;s great relief, Dolly came tripping to him.
+He added gall to the cup of the envious youths
+by rising, giving her his arm, and then glancing
+triumphantly back at them, as he escorted
+her to the dining room.
+</p>
+<p>They knew the meaning of the glance, and
+they were fierce enough to assault him had they
+dared to do so.
+</p>
+<p>The party came to an end before midnight.
+Ben Mayberry had saluted his friends, and was
+in the hall preparatory to going home, when
+someone slyly pulled his arm. Turning, he saw
+that it was Ned Deering, a little fellow whose
+father was the leading physician in Damietta.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span>
+Ned was a great admirer of Ben, and he now
+seized the occasion to say:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look out, Ben, when you get down by the
+bridge over the creek; they&#8217;re going for you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whom do you mean?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That Rutherford Richmond and another
+fellow mean to hide in Carter&#8217;s Alley, and
+when you come along will pounce down on you.
+They wanted me to go with &#8217;em, but I begged
+off without letting &#8217;em know I meant to tell
+you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where are they?&#8221; asked Ben, glancing
+furtively about him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They slipped out ahead, and are hurrying
+down there. You had better take another way
+home. They are awful mad, and will knock
+the stuffing out of you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry smiled over the earnest
+words and manner of the boy, and thanked him
+for his information.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let &#8217;em know I told you,&#8221; added the
+timid fellow, as Ben moved out the door; &#8220;for
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span>
+if they find out that it was me that was the
+cause of your going the other way home, why,
+they&#8217;d punch my head for me. That Richmond,
+they say, is a reg&#8217;lar fighter&mdash;has
+science, and can lay out anybody of his size.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They will never know you said anything
+to me, Ned, for I shall take the usual way, and
+will be slow, so as to give them plenty of time
+to get there ahead of me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The little fellow looked wonderingly at Ben
+as he walked away, unable to comprehend how
+anyone should step into a yawning chasm after
+being warned of his peril.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XV_AN_AFFRAY_AT_NIGHT' id='XV_AN_AFFRAY_AT_NIGHT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>AN AFFRAY AT NIGHT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Ben Mayberry was so desirous that Rutherford
+Richmond and his brother conspirator
+should be given all the time they needed to
+complete their scheme for waylaying and assaulting
+him, that he lingered on the road
+longer than was really necessary.
+</p>
+<p>Finally he turned down the street, which
+crossed by the creek that ran through the center
+of Damietta. It was a clear moonlight
+night, and, except in the shadow, objects could
+be seen distinctly for a considerable distance.
+He advanced with great care, and with all his
+wits at command, for he was confident the
+warning given him by Ned Deering was well
+founded.
+</p>
+<p>When within a block of the bridge he saw
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span>
+someone peep out of Carter&#8217;s Alley and instantly
+draw back his head, as though fearful
+of being observed. A moment later, a second
+person did the same. Rutherford Richmond
+and his confederate were on hand.
+</p>
+<p>They did not look like the two boys as seen
+in the glare of Mr. Grandin&#8217;s parlors, for they
+had disguised themselves, so far as possible,
+with a view of preventing their recognition by
+the boy whom they meant to assault. They
+knew they were liable to get themselves into
+trouble by such an outrageous violation of law,
+and they meant to take all the precautions
+necessary.
+</p>
+<p>Each had donned a long flapping overcoat,
+which must have belonged to some of the older
+members of the families, as it dangled about
+his heels. They also wore slouch hats like a
+couple of brigands, which they pulled down
+over their eyes, so as to hide their features.
+They had no weapons, for it was calculated
+that by springing upon Ben unawares they
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span>
+would easily bear him to the pavement, when
+both would give him a beating which he would
+remember for a lifetime.
+</p>
+<p>Ben was whistling softly to himself, and
+he was glad that at the late hour no one else
+was seen in the immediate neighborhood, for
+all he asked was a clear field and no favor.
+</p>
+<p>As he walked by the open end of Carter&#8217;s
+Alley, he dimly discerned two figures, which
+seemed plastered against the wall in the dense
+shadow, where they were invisible to all passers-by,
+unless their suspicion was directed to
+the spot.
+</p>
+<p>Ben gave no evidence that he noticed them,
+and moved along in his deliberate fashion,
+changing his whistling to a low humming of
+no particular tune; but he used his keen eyesight
+and hearing for all they were worth.
+</p>
+<p>He had gone no more than a dozen feet beyond,
+when he heard a rapid but cautious footstep
+behind him. It increased in swiftness, and
+was instantly followed by a second. The two
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span>
+boys were approaching him stealthily from the
+rear.
+</p>
+<p>Still Ben walked quietly forward, humming
+to himself, and with no apparent thought of
+what was coming. Suddenly, when Richmond
+was in the very act of making a leap upon his
+shoulders, Ben turned like a flash, and planted
+a stunning blow directly in the face of the exultant
+coward, who was knocked on his back
+as if kicked by a vigorous mule.
+</p>
+<p>His companion was at the elbow of Richmond
+when struck in this emphatic fashion,
+and for the instant was bewildered by the unexpected
+catastrophe. Before he could recover
+he imagined the comet which was expected
+at that season had caught him directly
+between the eyes, and he went backward over
+Richmond, with his two legs pointing upward,
+like a pair of dividers, toward the stars.
+</p>
+<p>Ben&#8217;s blood was up, and he waited for the
+two to rise, intending to &#8220;lay them out&#8221; more
+emphatically than before. The lad whose name
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span>
+he did not know lay still, but Rutherford recovered
+with remarkable quickness, and began
+struggling to his feet, without paying heed to
+his hat, which had rolled into the gutter.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That ain&#8217;t fair to strike a fellow that way,
+when he ain&#8217;t expecting it,&#8221; growled the assassin.
+&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you stand still like a man
+and not hit below the belt?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right; I give you notice then, friend
+Rutherford, that I am going for you again,
+and this time above the belt.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Richmond, finding he must fight, threw up
+his hands and did his best to guard against the
+blows whose force he knew so well. He did
+possess some knowledge of sparring, but so
+did Ben, who was much the stronger and more
+active of the two. He advanced straight upon
+Richmond, made several feints, and then
+landed a blow straight from the shoulder, at
+the same time parrying the cross-counter which
+the lad came near getting in on the face.
+</p>
+<p>It so happened that, at that moment, the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span>
+other young scamp was in the act of rising,
+and had got upon his hands and knees. As
+Richmond was sent spinning backward he
+came in collision with him, and turned a complete
+somersault, the air seeming to be full of
+legs, long hair, hats, and flapping overcoats.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Murder! help! help! police! police!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>These startling cries were shouted at the top
+of their voices by the discomfited poltroons, and
+were heard a long distance on the still night.
+Suddenly the rattle of running feet sounded on
+the planks of the bridge, and Ben caught sight
+of a policeman running toward the spot.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What does this mean?&#8221; he demanded,
+when he came face to face with Ben, whom he
+motioned to stop.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Those two fellows attacked me when I was
+passing Carter&#8217;s Alley, and I&mdash;well, I defended
+myself as best I could.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Ben, that is you; I didn&#8217;t know you at
+first,&#8221; said the policeman. &#8220;This is rather serious
+business; I&#8217;ll run &#8217;em in.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p>
+<p>Advancing to where the boys were once
+more climbing to their feet, he grasped each by
+the collar.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll take you along with me, young gents;
+this is serious business for you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They begged piteously to be let off, declaring
+that it was only a joke, but the officer was
+inexorable, and marched them to the station
+house, where they spent the rest of the night,
+Ben Mayberry having been notified to be on
+hand at nine o&#8217;clock the next morning, when the
+police justice would make an investigation.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVI_THE_THIRD_TELEGRAM' id='XVI_THE_THIRD_TELEGRAM'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+<h3>THE THIRD TELEGRAM</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When the father of Rutherford Richmond&#8217;s
+friend, at whose house the young Bostonian
+was visiting, learned the facts, he was indignant
+beyond description. He declared that
+Ben Mayberry had served the young scapegraces
+right, except he ought to have punished
+both more severely, which was rather severe,
+as was shown by the blackened eyes and
+bruised faces.
+</p>
+<p>Ben declined to push the matter on the morrow,
+as the boys had been punished, and he had
+proved he was able to take care of himself, as
+against them, at any time. But the gentleman
+insisted that he would not permit the matter
+to drop, unless his son and Rutherford agreed
+to go to the telegraph office and beg the pardon
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span>
+of the boy whom he learned they had insulted
+under Mr. Grandin&#8217;s roof. Rutherford and
+his friend consented, and they humiliated themselves
+to that extent. The succeeding day
+Rutherford went home to Boston, and did not
+reappear in Damietta until long afterward,
+when he hoped the disgraceful episode was
+forgotten.
+</p>
+<p>On the following week Dolly Willard returned
+to New York, and Ben, for the first
+time in his life, began to feel as though his
+native city had lost a good deal of the sunshine
+to which it was entitled.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She will visit Damietta again,&#8221; he said to
+himself, with just the faintest sigh, &#8220;and she
+promised to write me; I hope she won&#8217;t forget
+her promise.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And, indeed, the sprightly little miss did not
+lose sight of her pledge. It may be suspected
+that she took as much pleasure in expressing on
+paper her warm friendship for Ben, as he did
+in reading the pure, honest sentiments, and in
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span>
+answering her missives, which he did with
+great promptness.
+</p>
+<p>It was just one week after the memorable
+night of the party, while I was sitting at my
+desk, that the following cipher dispatch came
+over the wires, addressed to G. R. Burkhill,
+Moorestown:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;Fwfszuijoh hr pl nm ujnf Sgtqdezw bu
+bnqmdq. <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Tom.</span>&#8221;
+</p>
+</div>
+<p>I passed the message to Ben, whose eyes
+sparkled as he took it in hand. It required
+but a few minutes for him to translate it by
+the method which has already been made
+known, and the following rather startling
+words came to light:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;Everything is O. K. On time Thursday
+at corner.&#8221;
+</p>
+</div>
+<p>This unquestionably referred to the same unlawful
+project outlined in the former dispatches.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span>
+Mr. Burkhill had not been in the
+office for months. As yet, of the three telegrams
+sent him, he had not received one. The
+first was lost in the river, the second had been
+on file more than half a year, and we now had
+the third.
+</p>
+<p>But the latter did not lie uncalled for even
+for an hour. Remembering the instruction received
+from the manager, I took a copy of the
+message, with the translation written out by
+Ben, to the office of the mayor, where I laid
+the facts before him. This was on Wednesday,
+and the contemplated robbery was fixed
+for the following night. By his direction I
+sent a dispatch at once to the address of the
+detective in New York, who, it had been arranged,
+was to look after the matter.
+</p>
+<p>The reply to this message was the rather
+surprising information that Detective Maxx
+had been in Damietta several days, and knew
+of the contemplated robbery. He was shadowing
+the suspected party, and if he deemed it
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span>
+necessary, he would call on the mayor for assistance.
+</p>
+<p>While I was absent from the office, who
+should walk in but Mr. G. R. Burkhill. He
+greeted Ben with much effusion, shaking him
+warmly by the hand, inquiring how he got
+along, and telling him that his niece sent her
+special regards to him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have been on a trip to New Orleans,&#8221; he
+added, &#8220;or I would have been down in Damietta
+sooner, for I like the place.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The summer isn&#8217;t generally considered a
+good time to go so far south,&#8221; ventured Ben.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is true, as relates to Northerners, but
+I was born in the Crescent City, and have no
+fear of Yellow Jack; fact is, I have had the
+confounded disease myself. By the way, have
+you a message for me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have two, in fact I may say three, for
+the copy of the first one that went down the
+river with me has never been handed you, and
+one came a day or two after you left.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I know what they are, so you needn&#8217;t
+mind about them. I will take the last, if you
+please.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It arrived within the last half hour,&#8221; explained
+Ben, as he handed the damp sheet to
+him.
+</p>
+<p>The boy watched his countenance while
+Burkhill was reading it. It took several
+minutes for him to study out its meaning, but
+he did so without the aid of pencil or paper.
+A strange glitter came into his gray eyes as
+the meaning broke upon him, and he muttered
+something to himself which the lad did not
+quite catch.
+</p>
+<p>Then he turned to the desk, and was engaged
+only a minute or two when he handed a return
+message to Ben, paying for it as the man had
+done who forwarded the other to him. It was
+this:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;Uibu rthsr fybdumz Vhkk cf qdzex.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>G. R. Burkhill.</span>&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span></div>
+<p>Applying his rule (which compelled him to
+go to the end of the alphabet, when, for instance,
+the letter &#8220;a&#8221; demanded to be represented
+by a preceding letter), Ben Mayberry
+very readily translated the cipher as follows:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;That suits exactly. Will be ready.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>G. R. Burkhill.</span>&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVII_DECIDEDLY_MIXED' id='XVII_DECIDEDLY_MIXED'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+<h3>DECIDEDLY MIXED</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>During the summer succeeding the carrying
+away of the bridge which connected Damietta
+with Moorestown, it was built in a more substantial
+manner than before. It was an easy
+matter, therefore, to cross from one place to
+another, and carriages and pedestrians went
+back and forth between the two States at almost
+every hour of the day. Damietta was a
+large city, while Moorestown was only a small
+town; but the latter was pleasantly located and
+had a large and excellent hotel, where quite a
+number of guests spent the most sultry months
+of summer.
+</p>
+<p>In Damietta were three banks, and the cipher
+telegrams which I have laid before the reader,
+beyond a doubt referred to one of them, but it
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span>
+was impossible to fix with certainty upon the
+right one. As a matter of prudence, therefore,
+it was determined to keep the three under surveillance.
+The Mechanics&#8217; Bank, as it was
+called before it adopted the national system,
+stood on the corner, and the general impression
+prevailed that this was the institution referred
+to, as it will be remembered that the
+word &#8220;corner&#8221; occurred in one of the telegrams.
+</p>
+<p>A few minutes&#8217; reflection convinced me that
+it was utterly out of the question for the intended
+robbery to succeed. Such desperate
+projects depend mainly on their secrecy for success.
+The watchmen in all the banks were instructed
+to be unusually vigilant, the policemen
+were apprised of what was suspected, a
+number of officers were to lounge upon the
+streets near at hand in citizens&#8217; clothes, and
+Aristides Maxx, one of the most skillful detectives
+in the metropolis, was engaged upon
+the case.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></p>
+<p>The general belief was that the burglars,
+discovering what thorough preparations were
+on foot, would not make the attempt. That
+sort of gentry are not the ones to walk into
+any trap with their eyes open.
+</p>
+<p>Respecting Detective Maxx, there was much
+wonderment, and the mayor was vexed that
+he did not show up. Some doubted his presence
+in Damietta, but the superior officer of
+the city felt that courtesy demanded that Maxx
+should report to him before trying to follow up
+any trail of his own. If he was with us, he
+was so effectually disguised that no one suspected
+his identity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder whether that seedy, tramp-like
+fellow who stole the cipher dispatch, can be
+Detective Maxx?&#8221; said Ben to me on Wednesday
+night before he started for home.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not impossible,&#8221; I answered, &#8220;for detectives
+are forced to assume all manner of
+disguises. He may have chosen to stroll about
+the city in that make-up.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But if it is the detective, why did he go
+to all the trouble of copying off the telegram
+by sound when he could have got it from us
+with the translation merely by making himself
+known?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I admit that, if he is a detective, he acts, in
+my judgment, in a very unprofessional way.
+He was so persistent in his attentions that he
+must have known he was sure to draw unpleasant,
+if not dangerous suspicion, to himself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know,&#8221; said Ben, with a meaning
+smile, &#8220;that I half believe this stranger and
+Burkhill are partners? They have been here
+at the same time, they show interest in the same
+thing, and like enough are working out the
+same scheme of robbery.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>This had never occurred to me, and I was
+struck with its reasonableness, when I came to
+think it over. The ill-favored individual
+signed the name &#8220;John Browning&#8221; to the
+dispatch which he sent some months before, as
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span>
+a pretext for visiting our office so much&mdash;but
+that was clearly an alias.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said I, &#8220;it is all conjecture any
+way. With the ample warning the authorities
+have received, I do not believe there is the
+slightest prospect of a robbery being committed.
+I intend to retire to-morrow night at
+my usual hour with little fear of my slumbers
+being disturbed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>A few minutes after, we bade each other
+good-night, and wended our way quietly homeward.
+</p>
+<p>My experience was singular, after parting
+with my young friend&mdash;not meaning to imply
+that anything unusual occurred to me; but the
+mental processes to which I was subjected that
+evening, in the light of subsequent events, were
+very peculiar, to say the least.
+</p>
+<p>I am convinced that the inciting cause was
+the remark made by Ben Mayberry to the effect
+that he believed the seedy individual was a
+confederate of Burkhill, and that the two were
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span>
+perfecting a scheme for robbing one of the
+banks&mdash;most likely the Mechanics&#8217;.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben is right,&#8221; I said to myself. &#8220;His
+bright mind has enabled him to grasp the truth
+by intuition, as a woman sometimes does when
+a man has been laboring for hours to reach
+the same point.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But before I could satisfy myself that the
+boy was right, a still stronger conviction came
+to me that he was wrong. The men were not
+pals&mdash;as they are called among the criminal
+classes&mdash;and they were not arranging some
+plan of robbery.
+</p>
+<p>While I was clear on this point, I was totally
+unable to form any theory to take the place of
+the one I had demolished.
+</p>
+<p>Who was the pretended John Browning, and
+what was the dark scheme that was being
+hatched &#8220;in our midst,&#8221; as the expression
+goes?
+</p>
+<p>These were the questions which presented
+themselves to me, and which I could not answer
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span>
+in a manner thoroughly satisfactory to
+myself.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are all wrong&mdash;everybody is
+wrong!&#8221; I exclaimed to myself; &#8220;whatever it
+is that is in the wind, no one but the parties
+themselves knows its nature.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>This was the conclusion which fastened
+itself in my mind more firmly the longer I
+thought.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,
+and it is the only thing which will protect us
+in this case&mdash;helloa!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So rapt was I in my meditation that I had
+walked three squares beyond my house before
+I awoke to the fact. It was something which
+I had never done before in all my life.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVIII_BETWEEN_TWO_FIRES' id='XVIII_BETWEEN_TWO_FIRES'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+<h3>BETWEEN TWO FIRES</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Ben Mayberry underwent
+an experience more peculiar than mine.
+</p>
+<p>I cannot speak of the mental problems with
+which he wrestled, but, as he explained to me
+afterward, he had settled down to the belief
+that the Mechanics&#8217; Bank was the one against
+which the burglars were perfecting their plans.
+He was hopeful that the only outcome of the
+conspiracy would be the capture of the criminals,
+though he felt more than one pang when
+he reflected that the principal one was a relative
+of Dolly Willard, who was the personification
+of innocence and goodness to him.
+</p>
+<p>Ben had acquired the excellent habit of always
+being wide awake, excepting, of course,
+when he lay down for real slumber. Thus it
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span>
+was that he had gone but a little distance on
+his way home when he became aware that
+someone was following him.
+</p>
+<p>I doubt whether there is a more uncomfortable
+feeling than that caused by such a discovery.
+The certainty that some unknown
+person, with no motive but a sinister one, is
+dodging at your heels, as the mountain wolf
+slinks along behind the belated traveler, awaiting
+the moment when he can spring upon him
+unawares, is enough to cause the bravest man
+to shiver with dread.
+</p>
+<p>The night was very dark. The day had been
+cloudy, and there was no moon; but Ben was
+in a large city, with an efficient police system
+(that is, equal to the average), there were
+street lamps, the hour was not unusually late,
+and there were other persons beside himself
+abroad. And yet, in the heart of the metropolis,
+at the same hour, crimes have been perpetrated
+whose mystery has never been unraveled
+to this day.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry may have felt somewhat uneasy,
+but there was not so much fear as there
+was curiosity to know what earthly reason any
+living man could have for following him in
+that stealthy fashion.
+</p>
+<p>Surely no one could suspect him of being
+burdened with wealth. The only article of any
+account about his person was a silver watch,
+which had cost him sixteen dollars. He never
+carried a pistol, for he saw no necessity for
+doing so. If he should find himself beset by
+enemies who were too strong to be resisted, he
+could run as rapidly as any person in the city,
+and a short run in Damietta was enough to
+take him to a place of safety inaccessible to his
+assailants.
+</p>
+<p>When he turned into the narrow street which
+led across the bridge where he had his affray
+with Rutherford Richmond and his companion,
+he reflected that it was perhaps the most dangerous
+spot in the neighborhood. There was
+a single lamp just before stepping on the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span>
+bridge, where one might run against another
+before seeing him.
+</p>
+<p>He hesitated a minute as he made the turn.
+It was easy enough to reach his home by a
+different route, which was somewhat longer,
+but which was well lighted all the way, and
+there could be little risk in taking it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll stick to the usual way,&#8221; muttered Ben,
+striding resolutely forward; &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe
+anything like murder is contemplated.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>At that moment he would have felt much
+more comfortable had he possessed a pistol, or
+some kind of weapon, but he did not hesitate,
+now that he had &#8220;put his hand to the plow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>A minute later he stepped on the bridge,
+where the gas lamp shone upon him, and, with
+his usual deliberate tread, passed off in the
+gloom of the other side. The instant he believed
+himself beyond sight of his pursuer, he
+quickened his gait but continually looked back
+in the hope of gaining a view of the man, for
+the boy was naturally eager to learn who it
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span>
+was that was playing such a sinister trick on
+him.
+</p>
+<p>Just beyond, on the limit of his field of
+vision, Ben saw a shadowy figure cross quickly,
+to the other side of the street. The stranger
+did this before coming within the glare of the
+lamp, which would have revealed him too
+plainly to those who might be curious to secure
+a glimpse of his features.
+</p>
+<p>An instant later his footfall was heard on
+the bridge, and he was walking rapidly toward
+Ben, crossing again to the same side of the
+street, as soon as over the stream. The boy
+stepped lightly but briskly forward until he
+reached Carter&#8217;s Alley, into which he entered
+a couple of yards, and then came to a sudden
+halt.
+</p>
+<p>At the moment of doing so, his foot struck
+something hard. He knew what it was, and,
+stooping down, picked up a large stone, which
+he held tightly grasped in his hand. Such a
+weapon was very formidable in the grip of a
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span>
+vigorous boy, who could throw with the skill
+and accuracy of Ben Mayberry.
+</p>
+<p>The lad had scarcely halted when he caught
+the tip, tip of his pursuer, who was evidently
+determined to overtake him before he reached
+the lighted regions beyond. Ben was astonished
+just then, to note that a second person
+was just approaching from the opposite direction
+in the same guarded fashion.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It must be there are two of them,&#8221; was
+the sensible conclusion of the boy; &#8220;they
+have agreed to meet here, where I wouldn&#8217;t
+have much show against them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It followed that the party of the second part
+was waiting for the coming of young Mayberry,
+doubtless with the understanding that
+his partner in crime should follow him to a
+certain point near at hand, when the two would
+close in on him.
+</p>
+<p>Ben had never suspected any such conspiracy
+as this, and, had he gone a little further, he
+would have walked directly into the arms of
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span>
+the second ruffian, while peering behind him at
+the shadowy villain who &#8220;still pursued him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But the lad had stopped short and disconcerted
+the plans of the conspirators by so
+doing. The one who was lying in wait was
+quick to miss the boy whom he had seen cross
+the bridge, and, suspecting something was
+wrong, he hastened stealthily toward the creek
+to learn the explanation.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIX_BAFFLED' id='XIX_BAFFLED'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+<h3>BAFFLED!</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It so happened that the two men stopped
+directly at the mouth of the alley, within a few
+feet of Ben Mayberry, who could hear their
+guarded words, though he could not catch the
+first glimpse of their figures.
+</p>
+<p>A whistled signal or two first made them
+certain of each other&#8217;s identity, and then the
+one who had crossed the bridge gave utterance
+to an oath, expressive of his anger, as he demanded:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where has he gone?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How should I know?&#8221; growled the other.
+&#8220;I waited where you told me to wait, and finding
+he didn&#8217;t come, I moved down to meet
+him, but he don&#8217;t show up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Sh! Not so loud. He can&#8217;t be far off.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know how that is, but he&#8217;s given
+us the slip. There&#8217;s an alley right here, and he
+has turned into that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t hear him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course not. Because he&#8217;s standing
+still and listening to us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Flash your bull&#8217;s-eye into the alley.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>When Ben Mayberry heard this order he
+trembled, as well he might, for he was so close
+to the scoundrels that the first rays of the lantern
+would reveal him to them. Indeed he dare
+not move, lest the noise, slight as it was, would
+bring them down on him.
+</p>
+<p>He grasped the ragged stone in his hand and
+braced himself for the explosion that he was
+sure was at hand.
+</p>
+<p>But fortunately, and most unexpectedly, the
+crisis passed. The other villain growled in
+return:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean by talking about a
+bull&#8217;s-eye? I doused the glim long ago.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why did you do that?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The cops are watching us too close. I had
+hard work to dodge one of &#8217;em to-night. Do
+you s&#8217;pose I meant to have him find any of the
+tools on me? Not much.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The other emitted another sulphurous expression,
+and added the sensible remark:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then there&#8217;s no use of our hanging around
+here. He&#8217;s smelt a mice and dodged off, and
+we won&#8217;t get another such a chance to neck
+him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>These words sounded very strange to Ben
+Mayberry. Well might he ask himself what
+earthly purpose these scamps could have in
+wishing to waylay him in such a dark place,
+where he was not likely to secure help. The
+latter part of their conversation proved they
+contemplated violence.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s one thing certain,&#8221; Ben said to
+himself, &#8220;if I manage to get out undiscovered,
+I will see that I am prepared for such gentlemen
+hereafter.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The couple suddenly stopped talking, for the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span>
+sound of approaching footsteps were heard.
+The two moved into the alley, and a minute
+after a heavy man came ponderously along
+with a rolling tread. He was puffing at a
+cigar, whose end glowed so brightly that the
+tip of his nose and his mustache were seen by
+the three standing so near him. Ben believed
+the wretches intended to assault and rob the
+citizen, and doubtless they were none too good
+to do so. In case the attempt was made, Ben
+meant to hurl the stone in his hand at the spot
+where he was sure they were, and then yell for
+the police.
+</p>
+<p>Policy alone prevented the commission of
+the crime.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We could have managed it easily,&#8221; whispered
+one, as the portly citizen stepped on the
+bridge and came in sight under the lamp-light,
+&#8220;but I guess it was as well we didn&#8217;t.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; it wouldn&#8217;t have paid as matters stand.
+We might have made a good haul, but the excitement
+to-morrow would have been such that
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span>
+we wouldn&#8217;t have had a show to-morrow
+night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The heart of the listening Bob gave a quick
+throb, for this was another proof of the intended
+crime on Thursday evening.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; added one, &#8220;that telegraph fellow
+was too smart for us this time, and has given
+us the slip. We may as well go home, for
+there&#8217;s nothing more to do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Thereupon they began walking toward the
+creek, with the deliberate tread of law-abiding
+citizens, who, if encountered anywhere on the
+street at any hour, would not have been suspected
+of being &#8220;crooked.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry had good cause for feeling
+indignant toward these ruffians, who clearly
+intended personal violence toward him, and
+who were, in all probability, desperadoes from
+the metropolis, brought into Damietta for the
+most unlawful purposes.
+</p>
+<p>When they had gone a short distance, Ben
+stepped out of the alley upon the main street,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span>
+and stood looking toward the bridge. This
+was slightly elevated, so that in approaching
+from either side, one had to walk up-hill. The
+illumination from the lamp, of which I have
+made mention, gave a full view of the structure
+itself and all who might be upon it. Ben
+saw his pursuer, in the first place, when he
+stepped on the planks, but the light was at his
+back, and he shrouded his face so skillfully that
+not a glimpse was obtained of his features.
+</p>
+<p>In a few minutes the conspirators slowly advanced
+out of the gloom and began walking
+up the slight ascent toward the bridge, becoming
+more distinct each second. When they
+reached the middle of the structure, they were
+in plain sight, but their backs were toward
+Ben, who, however, had them where he wanted
+them.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I can plug one of them,&#8221; muttered
+the shortstop of the Damietta club, as he carefully
+drew back his arm and fixed his eye on
+the fellows. &#8220;At least, here goes.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span></p>
+<p>Gathering all his strength and skill, he hurled
+the stone at the one who, he believed, had been
+lying in wait for him. The whizzing missile
+shot through the air like a cannon-ball, and
+landed precisely where the thrower intended,
+directly between the shoulders of the unsuspecting
+villain, who was thrown forward several
+paces by the force of the shock, and who
+must have been as much jarred as though an
+avalanche had fallen on him.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XX_WATCHING_AND_WAITING' id='XX_WATCHING_AND_WAITING'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+<h3>WATCHING AND WAITING</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>What imaginings were driven into the head
+of the ruffian by the well-directed missile it
+would be impossible to say, but it is safe to
+conclude he was startled.
+</p>
+<p>His hat fell off, and, without stopping to
+pick it up, he broke into a frantic run, closely
+followed by his companion, neither of them
+making the least outcry, but doubtless doing
+a great deal of thinking.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry laughed until his sides ached,
+for the tables had been turned most completely
+on his enemies; but he became serious again
+when he wended his way homeward, for there
+was much in the incidents of the day to mystify
+and trouble him.
+</p>
+<p>His mother had retired when he reached his
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span>
+house, but there was a &#8220;light in the window&#8221;
+for him. The fond parent had such faith in
+her son that she did not feel alarmed when he
+was belated in coming home.
+</p>
+<p>Ben made a confidante of her in many things,
+but the truth was he was outgrowing her. She
+was a good, devout lady, but neither mentally
+nor physically could she begin to compare with
+her boy.
+</p>
+<p>Had he made known to her the contemplated
+robbery, or his own narrow escape from assault,
+she would have become nervous and
+alarmed.
+</p>
+<p>Ben did not tell her about the affray with
+Rutherford Richmond and his companion, for
+it would only have distressed her without accomplishing
+any good.
+</p>
+<p>He saw that his terrible adventure the preceding
+winter, on the wrecked bridge, had
+shocked her more than many supposed, and
+more than she suspected herself. The consequences
+became apparent months afterward,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span>
+and caused Ben to do his utmost to keep everything
+of a disquieting nature from his beloved
+mother.
+</p>
+<p>On the morrow Ben told me the whole particulars
+of his adventures on the way home,
+and asked me what I made of it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I give it up,&#8221; I answered. &#8220;It&#8217;s beyond
+my comprehension.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do I look like a wealthy youth?&#8221; he asked,
+with a laugh.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not that; they have some other purpose.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do they imagine I carry the combination
+to some safe in the city, and do they mean to
+force it from me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of that sort, as you very well
+know. It looks as if they really meditated
+doing you harm.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is no room for doubt; and it was
+a lucky thing, after all, that the night was so
+dark, and the city don&#8217;t furnish many lamps
+in that part of the town. Do you think I
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span>
+ought to tell the mayor or some officer about
+this?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Could you identify either of the men if
+you should meet him on the street?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I could not, unless I was allowed to examine
+his back, where the stone landed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then there&#8217;s no use of telling anyone
+else, for no one could help you. You had better
+carry a pistol, and take a safer route home
+after this. One of these days, perhaps, the
+whole thing will be explained, but I own that
+it is altogether too much for any fellow to find
+out just now.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was natural that I should feel nervous the
+entire day, for there was every reason to believe
+we were close upon exciting incidents, in
+which fate had ordered that Ben Mayberry and
+myself would have to make the initial movements.
+</p>
+<p>Neither Burkhill, the tramp-like looking individual,
+nor any character to whom the least
+suspicion could attach, put in an appearance at
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span>
+the telegraph office during the day; this was
+another disappointment to Ben and myself.
+</p>
+<p>The mayor also was disposed to be uncommunicative,
+for when I dropped in on him during
+the afternoon, he was short in his answers,
+barely intimating that everything was in a satisfactory
+shape. When asked whether Detective
+Maxx had revealed himself, he said:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have seen nothing of him, and do not
+care to see him. His help is not needed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>I am convinced that the action of the famous
+detective had a great deal to do with the ill-humor
+of the mayor, who was generally one
+of the most affable of men.
+</p>
+<p>I was pretty well used up, and at eleven
+o&#8217;clock I closed the office and went home, separating
+as usual from Ben Mayberry, who, I
+was satisfied, intended to know whether anything
+was amiss before he lay down to slumber.
+</p>
+<p>Although the impression was general that
+it was the Mechanics&#8217; Bank which was the objective
+point of the conspirators, yet the chief
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span>
+of police, as I have intimated, had stationed
+his men so as to be ready for instant use, should
+it prove to be any one of the moneyed institutions.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry was so well satisfied that it
+was the Mechanics&#8217; that, after leaving me, he
+went in that direction, anxious to see a first-class
+burglary attempted and foiled.
+</p>
+<p>The institution, it will be remembered, stood
+on the corner of one of the main streets, and a
+lamp was burning directly opposite. The cashier
+reported that two suspicious characters had
+called during the day and made some inquiries
+about drafts on New York, and the officers,
+who had spent much time in the neighborhood,
+were convinced that they had seen the same individuals
+stealthily viewing the bank from the
+outside.
+</p>
+<p>When Ben reached the vicinity he saw no
+person, although he well knew that in almost
+every dark nook and hiding place, a guardian
+of the law was stationed, quietly awaiting the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span>
+moment when the lawbreakers would dare
+show themselves. Ben knew, too, that more
+than one pair of eyes carefully scrutinized him
+as they did every pedestrian who passed.
+</p>
+<p>He continued along until he reached a point
+where he could stand without being noticed
+by anyone. Then he stopped, and, wide awake
+as ever, resolved that he would see the thing
+out if he was forced to stand where he was until
+the rising of the sun on the morrow.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXI__LAY_LOW' id='XXI__LAY_LOW'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+<h3>&#8220;LAY LOW!&#8221;</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The clock in the tower of the City Hall
+solemnly boomed the hour of midnight. Damietta
+lay wrapped in slumber&mdash;that is, so far as
+the majority of her citizens were concerned.
+Her guardians of the peace, as a rule, were
+wide awake, and the dozens stationed within
+the vicinity of her three national banks were
+particularly so.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry counted the strokes of the
+iron tongue, and reflected that Thursday was
+gone, and Friday had begun. As yet nothing
+had been seen or heard to indicate that anything
+unlawful was contemplated in this immediate
+neighborhood. More than once he
+was so well convinced that my view of the case
+was correct, that he was on the point of starting
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span>
+homeward, but he checked himself and
+stayed.
+</p>
+<p>At such a time the minutes drag with exceeding
+slowness, and it seemed to Ben that
+fully a couple of hours had gone by, when the
+huge clock struck one. During the interval a
+number of pedestrians had passed, and a party
+of roystering youths rode by in a carriage, each
+one singing independently of the other, and in
+a loud, unsteady voice, but nothing yet had occurred
+on which to hang a suspicion.
+</p>
+<p>The peculiar, ringing, wave-like tones,
+which are heard a few minutes after the striking
+of a large bell, were still lingering in the
+air and gradually dying out, when one of the
+policemen gave a guarded whistle, which was
+a signal for the others to &#8220;lay low,&#8221; or in
+better English, to keep themselves unusually
+wide awake.
+</p>
+<p>A minute after two men were heard approaching,
+and became dimly visible in the
+partial illumination of the street. It so happened
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span>
+that they walked directly by where Ben
+was standing. They did not notice him,
+though he plainly saw them. They were of
+large frame, and walked with a slight unsteadiness,
+as though under the influence of liquor.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s the bank,&#8221; said one, in an undertone,
+as though he was imparting a momentous
+secret to the other.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so; if we could only get in, knock
+the watchman on the head, and kick in the
+door of the safe, we would make a good haul.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose we try it, Jack&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>For more than two hours a burly watchman
+had been hidden close at hand, without Ben suspecting
+his presence. The last sentence was in
+the mouth of the speaker when this policeman
+sprang upon the amazed strangers, who were
+discussing the burglary of the bank.
+</p>
+<p>He must have been surcharged with faithfulness,
+for, instead of waiting until an overt
+act was committed, as all had been instructed to
+do, he rushed upon the men in a burst of enthusiasm
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span>
+which knew no restraint and passed
+all bounds.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you&#8217;ll rob the bank, will you?&#8221; he
+shouted, swinging his club aloft and bringing
+it down on the heads of the others. &#8220;I&#8217;ll show
+you&mdash;we&#8217;ve been watching you. We know
+you. You&#8217;re a fine set of cracksmen. You
+think Damietta is a country town, but you&#8217;ll
+learn different&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>These vigorous observations were punctuated
+with equally vigorous whacks of the club,
+which it seemed must crack the skulls of the
+men, and in all probability would have done so
+had they not risen to the exigencies of the case
+and turned upon the policeman with remarkable
+promptitude.
+</p>
+<p>Both of them were powerful, and finding
+themselves assailed in this fashion, one knocked
+the officer half-way across the street, wrenched
+his club from his grasp, and began laying it
+over his head. The stricken guardian of the
+peace shouted for help, and tried desperately to
+draw his revolver. Finally he got it out, but
+before he could use it that also was taken from
+him, and it looked as though little would be
+left of him.
+</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/illus-144.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'>
+THE POLICEMAN BROUGHT HIS CLUB DOWN ON THE HEADS OF THE<br />
+OTHERS.&mdash;P. 144.
+<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></div>
+<p>But the other policemen came running up,
+and took a hand in the fracas. While some
+went for the one who was belaboring the representative
+of the law, others made for the
+second burglar. But he was more muscular, if
+possible, than his friend, and he laid about him
+with such vigor that three officers were prostrated
+before he could be secured. Calling to
+his friend, the two gave themselves up, demanding
+to know why peaceable citizens
+should be clubbed when quietly walking along
+the street.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We had not uttered a disrespectful word,&#8221;
+said the first, &#8220;but were joking together, when
+that brass-buttoned idiot pounced upon us. We
+simply defended ourselves, as every man has a
+right to do, and we don&#8217;t propose to let the matter
+rest here.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He lies!&#8221; shouted the officer who had fared
+so ill, as he came forward, his hat off, and his
+clothing covered with dust; &#8220;he was arranging
+to rob the bank; they are the burglars that
+we&#8217;ve been watching for days; I know &#8217;em all
+right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall have to take you along,&#8221; said the
+chief, who saw that matters were considerably
+mixed.
+</p>
+<p>At this point Ben thought it was his duty to
+interfere.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you will permit me, I am satisfied that
+some mistake has been made. These gentlemen
+did nothing&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s one of &#8217;em,&#8221; broke in the first officer,
+whose wrath could not be appeased; &#8220;he&#8217;s been
+their dummy; he was on the lookout to give &#8217;em
+warning; run him in, too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Despite Ben Mayberry&#8217;s protests, he was
+forced to go with the prisoners; but on the way
+to the lock-up he was recognized by several
+officers, including the chief, who ordered his release,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span>
+Ben promising to appear in the morning
+at the hearing.
+</p>
+<p>On the morrow several important facts came
+to light. The two individuals who had been so
+roughly used were honest countrymen, whose
+references to the robbery of the bank were
+purely in jest&mdash;such a project as burglary never
+entering their thoughts.
+</p>
+<p>The policeman who assailed them made a
+humble apology, and they agreed to let the matter
+drop.
+</p>
+<p>Another fact that was established was that
+the policemen of Damietta were very much like
+those of other cities.
+</p>
+<p>The third truth was, that no burglary took
+place on Thursday night or Friday morning,
+and everything was as quiet as the surface of a
+summer mill-pond, with the single exception of
+the incident just narrated.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXII_THE_BATTLE_OF_LIFE' id='XXII_THE_BATTLE_OF_LIFE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+<h3>THE BATTLE OF LIFE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>After all the elaborate preparations for the
+capture of the burglars, the whole business had
+fallen so flat that the officers of the law themselves
+laughed at the farcical termination.
+Nothing criminal was attempted, and Damietta
+never was more peaceful in all its history than
+it was during the many weeks and months
+which followed.
+</p>
+<p>And yet, in spite of all this, there could be no
+question that such a burglarious scheme at one
+time was contemplated. The cipher telegrams,
+and the surveillance to which Ben Mayberry
+was subjected, together with the attempted assault
+upon him, made this too manifest to be
+disputed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They simply discovered the preparations
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span>
+made by the authorities,&#8221; I said to Ben, &#8220;and
+they had prudence enough to withdraw.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you believe they have given it up altogether?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I doubt it. They have simply deferred the
+execution until some safer time. We must continue
+to be on the lookout for telegrams in
+cipher. These gentry have evil designs upon
+Damietta, as will be proven before we are
+many years older.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>When Ben Mayberry reached the age of
+fifteen, he attained an important epoch in his
+life. He had long been one of the most skillful
+operators in the district, being remarkably
+quick and accurate.
+</p>
+<p>I have told enough to prove his courteous
+disposition toward all who entered our office.
+The pretended Mr. Jones, who acted the part
+of the ignorant farmer, was, as I have stated,
+a high official of the company, who took odd
+means to test the character and skill of our employees.
+The test in the case of young Mayberry
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span>
+proved most satisfactory in every respect.
+</p>
+<p>At my request, I was transferred to one of
+the cities in the Eastern States, where the climate
+agreed better with me. I was given charge
+of an important office, an advance made in my
+wages, and everything was done to make the
+change agreeable. Such being the fact, it is no
+assumption on my part to say that my administration
+of the exacting duties in Damietta had
+been fully appreciated by my superior officers.
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry was made manager of the
+office in his native city at a salary of seventy-five
+dollars per month. This statement the
+reader may doubt, for I am quite certain that
+no telegraphist of his age was ever given such
+an important charge, nor is anyone so young
+paid such a liberal salary; but, did I feel at liberty
+to do so, I could locate Ben Mayberry so
+closely that all skeptics could ascertain the
+facts, in a brief time, precisely as I have given
+them.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span></p>
+<p>We have many office managers, in different
+parts of the country, who lack several years of
+their majority; but, as a rule, their stations are
+not very important, and their pay is nothing
+like what Ben received. There were exceptional
+circumstances in his case. He was unusually
+bright, he was very attentive, he was
+courteous, cheerful, and never shirked work.
+He was popular with our patrons, and much of
+the increase in the business of the Damietta
+office was due to Ben alone. This became
+known to those above him, and they felt that
+an unusual promotion on his part would not
+only be a just recognition of his ability and devotion,
+but would do much to stimulate others
+to imitate the good example set by the boy.
+</p>
+<p>In addition to all this, it cannot be denied
+that fortune favored Ben in a marked degree.
+The fact that he was swept down the river in
+the darkness and tempest, while trying to deliver
+a telegram for a messenger who was ill,
+and that he saved the life of a little girl, could
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span>
+not fail to operate strongly to his benefit. But
+he would have reached the end all the same,
+without these aids, just as you, my young
+friend, may attain the topmost round by climbing
+up, up, up, step after step, step after step.
+</p>
+<p>There is no cup in this life without some
+drops of bitterness, and, despite the promotion
+of Ben, which he fully appreciated, he was
+cast down by another circumstance, which
+troubled him more than he would admit to his
+closest friends.
+</p>
+<p>He had not seen sweet Dolly Willard since
+the grand children&#8217;s party at Mr. Grandin&#8217;s,
+more than two years previous. She had written
+him regularly every week for months, and
+he had been equally prompt in answering. Ben
+wrote a beautiful hand, and his missives to
+Dolly were long and affectionate. She would
+have visited her cousins in Damietta, had they
+not made a visit to Europe, which shut off the
+possibility of her doing so for some time to
+come.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p>
+<p>Ben felt that under the circumstances it was
+hardly the thing for him to make a call upon
+Dolly in New York, though she invited him to
+do so.
+</p>
+<p>But during the very week that Ben was given
+charge of the Damietta office, the mail failed
+to bring the usual letter from Dolly. He
+waited impatiently for several days and then
+wrote to her. There was no response to this,
+and he felt resentful. He held out for a fortnight,
+and then was so worried that he was
+forced to write again. But this was equally
+fruitless of results, and he became angry.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is getting to be quite a large girl; her
+folks are wealthy, and she has begun to realize
+that I am nothing but a poor telegraphist. Her
+folks have told her she must look higher, and
+she has come to that same mind herself. Ah,
+well; let it be so!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>That was expressive of his feelings. Sometimes
+Ben felt like rebelling against his fate.
+He had applied himself hard for years; he possessed
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span>
+an excellent education; he held a prominent
+position in the greatest telegraph company
+of the country, with a prospect of further advancement
+before him, and yet, because he was
+poor, he was looked down upon by those who
+were his inferiors in everything except the
+single one of wealth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is a great disappointment,&#8221; he sometimes
+murmured, &#8220;but I am young; most folks would
+laugh that one of my age should take such a
+fancy to a little girl like Dolly, and they would
+say I am certain to get over it very soon. And
+just there is where they would all make a great
+mistake.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And Ben Mayberry was right on that point.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXIII_FACE_TO_FACE' id='XXIII_FACE_TO_FACE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+<h3>FACE TO FACE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Ben Mayberry was sitting at his desk in
+the Damietta office, one beautiful day in Indian
+summer, attentive as ever to his duties, when a
+carriage drove up to the door containing a
+young gentleman and a lady. The former
+sprang lightly out and ran into the office, after
+the manner of one who was in a hurry to send
+an important telegram.
+</p>
+<p>Suddenly, while Ben was looking at the
+youth he recognized him as Rutherford Richmond,
+with whom he had had several important
+meetings.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Rutherford, you have grown so
+much I didn&#8217;t recognize you; I am glad to see
+you; how have you been?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span></p>
+<p>Ben reached his hand over the counter as he
+greeted the young man, but the latter affected
+not to hear him. Turning to the desk, he
+wrote out a message with great rapidity,
+wheeled about, and, without the slightest evidence
+of ever having seen Ben, handed him the
+paper and ordered the dispatch to be sent to
+New York.
+</p>
+<p>This was the telegram:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Richard Willard</span>, No.&mdash; Avenue, New York:</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dolly and I reached here safe. Big party
+at Grandin&#8217;s to-morrow; sure of grand time.
+Will take good care of Dolly.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Rutherford Richmond</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>As the writer hurried out the door, Ben followed
+him with his eyes. There, in a handsome,
+single-seated carriage, sat a beautiful
+miss of thirteen or fourteen, elegantly dressed
+and looking straight toward him. It was Dolly
+Willard, more enchanting than ever, her eyes
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span>
+luminous with health and her cheeks as
+pink and rosy as the delicate tint of the
+coral.
+</p>
+<p>Ben was too shocked to salute her, and probably
+it was as well he did not do so, for she
+simply stared with scarcely less directness than
+did her companion.
+</p>
+<p>Only by the most supreme exertion was the
+youth enabled to choke down his rebellious
+emotions, so that none in the office noticed his
+excitement.
+</p>
+<p>It was the same on the morrow, and, as if
+the fates had combined to crush him in absolute
+wretchedness, he encountered Rutherford
+and Dolly riding out as he was making his way
+homeward. He affected not to see them, but
+he could not avoid furtively watching Dolly,
+who certainly was the most winsome-looking
+young miss he had ever seen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To-night another party is given by the
+Grandins. Their girls are ladies, and they
+treated me well when I was there more than
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span>
+two years ago, but in this matter Dolly has had
+all to say&mdash;that is, she and Rutherford. Well,
+if she is that sort of girl, I don&#8217;t want anything
+to do with her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>That night, in spite of himself, Ben could
+not stay at home; he strolled along, a prey to
+his bitter thoughts, and mechanically walked in
+the direction of the splendid grounds of the
+wealthy jeweler, Mr. Grandin. The sound of
+music from within aroused him.
+</p>
+<p>He saw the lights glimmering through the
+beautiful shade trees, and could catch sight of
+the gayly-dressed figures flitting by the open
+windows.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t feel any worse,&#8221; muttered Ben,
+walking through the open gate, confident that
+he would attract no special attention.
+</p>
+<p>He sauntered up the graveled walk, turning
+off to the right and moving slowly along, with
+his gaze fixed upon the gay lads and lasses
+within, who seemed to be in the very height of
+enjoyment.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p>
+<p>At that instant someone caught his arm,
+and Ben turned with an apology for his forgetfulness.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I beg pardon, but I was so interested in
+the scene that I did not notice where I
+stepped&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He paused, fairly gasping for breath, for
+there stood Dolly Willard at his side, with her
+hand upon his arm. The light streaming from
+the windows fell upon her charming face, on
+which there was an expression that young
+Mayberry did not understand.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben,&#8221; said she, in a voice that sounded unnatural,
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve got something I want to say to
+you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I have a good deal that I would like to
+say to you,&#8221; he retorted, firing up, now that
+the little empress stood before him.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXIV_STARTLING_DISCOVERIES' id='XXIV_STARTLING_DISCOVERIES'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+<h3>STARTLING DISCOVERIES</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;You say you have something to speak
+about,&#8221; added the boy, looking into the enchanting
+face, as it reflected the light from the
+windows near at hand; &#8220;I have only to suggest
+that it took you a good time to find it out.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not I, but you who are to blame.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Possibly I am to be blamed for being born
+poor while you are rich; but I have paid for
+my mistake, and it is now too late to correct
+it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The conversation had reached this point
+when the two seemed to conclude it was altogether
+too public to be in good taste. Several
+persons, standing near, stepped a little closer, so
+as to catch every word.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is so warm in there,&#8221; said Dolly; &#8220;even
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span>
+with the windows open, that I came outdoors to
+get the fresh air. Aunt Maggie put my shawl
+about my shoulders so that I wouldn&#8217;t take cold.
+Now, Ben, if you will walk with me to the
+summer-house yonder, we can sit down by ourselves,
+finish our talk, and then part forever.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The last expression sent a pang to the boy&#8217;s
+heart, but he did not allow her to see it. He
+followed her a short distance to one of the romantic
+little lattice-work structures which Mr.
+Grandin had placed on his grounds.
+</p>
+<p>A few rays of silvery moonlight penetrated
+the leafy shelter, so the two were not in complete
+darkness when they sat down on the rustic
+seat.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am ready to listen to you,&#8221; said Ben in
+his most frigid voice, the two being separated
+by a space of several feet.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In the first place, if you thought so lightly
+of me, you never should have told me different
+nor asked me to correspond with you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do not understand you.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;How can you help understanding me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because I see no reason for your words.
+I thought all the world of you; the greatest
+pleasure of my life was to write to you and to
+receive your letters in return. All at once you
+stopped writing; I sent you three letters, and
+you paid no attention&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ben, how dare you! It was you who
+laughed at my letters, and took no notice of
+them, except to show them to your friends and
+ridicule what I put on paper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry sprang to his feet. Like a
+flash it came upon him that some dreadful misunderstanding
+had been brought about by
+other parties, for which Dolly was not to
+blame.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me the whole story, Dolly,&#8221; he said in
+a kinder voice than he had used since they met,
+as he resumed his seat.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said she, beginning to feel the same
+suspicion that thrilled her companion, &#8220;there
+is a good deal to say, but I will make it short.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span>
+You know my father and Mr. Grandin are
+cousins, so the girls are really my second
+cousins. Rutherford Richmond is the son of
+an old friend of father, who lives in Boston.
+Father has a large insurance office, and he
+agreed to take Rutherford until he learned the
+business, so as to take charge of the same kind
+of office in Boston, which his father is going
+to fix up for him. That&#8217;s how it is Rutherford
+has been living with us for some months.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, a good while ago, I wrote you a letter,
+begging you to come and visit me; father
+said I might do so. You didn&#8217;t accept the invitation.
+I wrote you again and got no answer
+to it; I was frightened, and thought maybe you
+were ill, and wrote once more, but there was
+no answer to it. I would have sent a letter to
+Cousin Jane to find out about you, but she was
+in Europe. After a while I sent a fourth letter,
+very long, and full of things which I wouldn&#8217;t
+have anyone else know for the world. I
+sent&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Who by?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rutherford took it and several other letters,
+and placed them in the mail-box at father&#8217;s
+office, so they were sure to go. But there was
+no answer to the last, and then I gave up. I
+felt awful bad; but I was nearly wild when
+Rutherford came to me one day and said he
+had something which he thought he ought to
+tell me. When he said it was about you, I was
+dreadfully excited. He told me that he had
+made the acquaintance of a young man from
+Damietta, who was a close friend of yours.
+That young person, whose name Rutherford
+would not give, said that you showed all my
+letters to him and several others, and made fun
+of them. I wouldn&#8217;t have believed it if he
+hadn&#8217;t proved what he said?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How did he prove it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By repeating what I had written; he gave
+me half of what was in that last letter, which
+he said was repeated to him by the person you
+told. He had them so exactly that my face
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span>
+burned like fire, and I was never so angry in
+all my life. I knew you must have done what
+Rutherford said, for how could he know what
+I had written you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He knew it by opening your letter, reading
+the contents, and then destroying it. That letter,
+Dolly, I never saw, nor did I see the three
+which preceded it. I also sent you three letters,
+of which I never heard.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Now that the way was opened, full explanations
+quickly followed. There could be no
+earthly doubt that the last three letters sent by
+Ben Mayberry to Dolly Willard had been intercepted
+by Rutherford Richmond, who had
+not hesitated to do the same with those sent by
+Dolly, though most probably he had simply destroyed
+the three, and read only the last.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You risked your life to save mine and that
+of my mother,&#8221; she said in a tremulous voice,
+&#8220;and it was an awful thing for you to believe
+I could ever fail to think more of you than of
+anyone else in the world.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess I shall have to own up,&#8221; laughed
+the happy Ben; &#8220;but we were both placed in a
+false position.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But we shall never be again&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dolly, Dolly! Where are you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The cries came from a gay party of misses
+who came trooping forth to look for the belle,
+whose absence so long from her friends had attracted
+inquiry.
+</p>
+<p>She sprang up.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good-by, Ben; I must go.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She caught his hand and returned the pressure,
+then hurried out and met her young
+friends, who escorted her back to the house,
+while Ben quietly departed without attracting
+attention.
+</p>
+<p>It was past midnight, but Ben thought
+nothing of time. He had turned off from the
+street and entered the main business avenue of
+Damietta.
+</p>
+<p>Just as he came opposite the large jewelry
+establishment of Mr. Grandin he glanced
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span>
+through the plate-glass window. A light was
+burning dimly in the rear of the store, as was
+the custom with many of the merchants in the
+city, but at the instant of looking Ben saw
+something like a shadow flit by the light. He
+looked again, and was certain that another
+movement had taken place, though he could
+not define its character.
+</p>
+<p>He paused only an instant, when he walked
+on again; but in that instant he became convinced
+that burglars were operating in the
+jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin.
+</p>
+<p>He walked slowly forward, humming to
+himself, as was his custom, but wide awake
+and alert. Fifty feet further, he detected the
+shadowy figure of a man standing in one of
+the adjoining doorways. Ben pretended not to
+see him, and continued humming gayly to himself.
+</p>
+<p>Ben sauntered along in the same aimless
+fashion until sure he was not watched, when he
+turned and made his way directly to the police
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span>
+office. The chief was there and Ben quickly
+told him everything he knew.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Those are the parties who arranged to rob
+the bank year before last,&#8221; said the chief, &#8220;but
+found out they were suspected.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They certainly managed it well this time;
+that is, so far, for there hasn&#8217;t a single cipher
+telegram passed through our office since.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we are ready to move,&#8221; said the
+chief, as he observed that four of his best officers
+were awaiting his orders.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXV_IN_THE_NICK_OF_TIME' id='XXV_IN_THE_NICK_OF_TIME'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+<h3>IN THE NICK OF TIME</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Ben would have liked to accompany the officers,
+but that would have been unprofessional
+on their part, and he did not make the request.
+He waited until they had been gone several
+minutes, when he slipped out and passed down
+the street, determined to see what was to be
+seen.
+</p>
+<p>The chief managed the delicate and dangerous
+business with great skill.
+</p>
+<p>The first notice the burglars had of danger
+was from the rear. They were down behind
+a screen of dark muslin they had put up, carefully
+working at the safe, which contained diamonds
+and jewelry of immense value. They
+had already drilled a considerable distance into
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span>
+the chilled iron, when the &#8220;Philistines descended
+upon them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The burglars sprang up like tigers, but they
+were caught so fairly that they were borne to
+the floor and handcuffs clicked around their
+wrists in a twinkling. There were only two,
+and the three policemen mastered them without
+difficulty.
+</p>
+<p>But there were two others on the street outside,
+and they were quick to discover what was
+going on within. One of these was Dandy
+Sam, who ran forward and peered through the
+front window. His companion was at his elbow,
+and they instantly saw that something
+was wrong.
+</p>
+<p>They turned to flee, when they found themselves
+face to face with the chief and his aid.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hold up your hands!&#8221; commanded the
+chief, leveling his pistol at the villains.
+</p>
+<p>One of them complied, but Dandy Sam fired
+point-blank at the chief, whirled on his heel,
+and ran like a deer down the street. The chief
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span>
+was not touched, and pistol in hand he started
+after the criminal, leaving his aid to attend to
+the second one.
+</p>
+<p>Dandy Sam was fleet of foot and was gaining
+on his pursuer, when he came face to face
+with Ben Mayberry, who was hurrying toward
+the scene of the burglary with a view of seeing
+how it terminated.
+</p>
+<p>The two encountered where the lamp-light
+showed the face of each. Ben knew the scamp
+on the instant, from the description given him,
+and the sight of the flying rascal told him the
+truth.
+</p>
+<p>Ben had his pistol in his pocket, but he could
+not bear the thought of shooting a person, especially
+when there was a possible doubt of
+the necessity.
+</p>
+<p>Ben compromised matters by darting into
+the road, where he caught up a stone weighing
+fully a pound.
+</p>
+<p>The chief was some distance away shouting
+&#8220;Stop thief!&#8221; and firing his pistol over his
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span>
+head, so there could be no doubt that Dandy
+Sam was &#8220;wanted.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Ben Mayberry stood about as far from the
+fugitive as the space between first and second
+base&mdash;thirty yards&mdash;when the stone left his
+hand like a thunderbolt. As before, it sped
+true to its aim, but struck higher than then,
+sending the scoundrel forward on his face, and
+stunning him; only for a minute or so, but this
+was sufficient.
+</p>
+<p>While he was in the act of climbing to his
+feet again, the chief dropped upon him; there
+was a click, and Dandy Sam was at the end
+of his career of crime, at least for a considerable
+time to come.
+</p>
+<p>The chief started for the station-house with
+his man, whom he watched closely despite the
+stunning blow he had received.
+</p>
+<p>A few minutes later the other three officers
+came in with their prisoners, who were caught
+in the very act of committing burglary.
+</p>
+<p>The aid was absent so long that the chief felt
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span>
+uneasy, and started out in quest of him, but at
+that moment he appeared with his man.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He went peaceably enough for a while,&#8221; explained
+the aid, &#8220;and then he tried to bribe me
+to let him go. When he found that wouldn&#8217;t
+work he became ugly, and I had to use my club,
+but he ain&#8217;t hurt much.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>His face was bleeding, but Ben Mayberry,
+with a shock, recognized the prisoner as G. R.
+Burkhill, the uncle of Dolly Willard.
+</p>
+<p>The capture of the burglars made great excitement
+in Damietta, and the part taken by
+Ben Mayberry once more placed his name in
+everyone&#8217;s mouth. It was he who discovered
+the criminals, and was the direct means of securing
+the desperado, Dandy Sam, the leader
+of the notorious gang.
+</p>
+<p>It was a great shock to all, except a few, to
+find that Burkhill, the brother-in-law of Dolly
+Willard&#8217;s father, was also one of the guilty
+ones. But there were others (and among them
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span>
+Mr. Willard and Mr. Grandin) who were not
+surprised in the least. The facts in this singular
+affair, as they ultimately came to light, were
+as follows:
+</p>
+<p>George R. Burkhill was the black sheep in
+a most estimable family, of which Mrs. Willard,
+the mother of Dolly, was a member. She
+was the sister of Burkhill, and the only one
+who clung to the bad brother, pronounced incorrigible
+by everyone else, even when a small
+boy. She believed there was some good in him,
+and, in the face of protests, she labored to bring
+him to a sense of right. It was through her influence
+that he was saved from condign punishment
+for more than one serious offense.
+</p>
+<p>All four of the burglars were duly tried,
+found guilty, and sentenced to the penitentiary
+for ten years. Rather curiously, both Dandy
+Sam and Burkhill died during the third year
+of their imprisonment, and it is safe to say the
+world was the gainer thereby.
+</p>
+<p>Some few days after the capture of the burglars,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span>
+came a glowing letter from Dolly, who
+had gone home to New York, in which she said
+that her father insisted that Ben should come
+and make them a visit, and would accept no
+excuse for refusing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll go this time!&#8221; exclaimed Ben, knowing
+he would have no trouble in obtaining permission
+to take a brief vacation.
+</p>
+<p>And go he did.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXVI_CONCLUSION' id='XXVI_CONCLUSION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+<h3>CONCLUSION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>In closing the history of Ben Mayberry, the
+telegraph messenger boy, it seems to me I can
+do no better than by using the words of the
+hero himself. The following letter I received
+only a few days since. It is the last which has
+come to hand from Ben, who writes me regularly,
+as he has done ever since I was transferred
+from the office in Damietta. I should
+add that the date of the letter is nine years
+subsequent to that of his visit to the metropolis
+as the guest of Mr. James Willard:
+</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>My Dear Mr. Melville</span>,&mdash;I am now in
+my twenty-fifth year. In looking back it seems
+only a few years ago that you called me to
+you, on the street of my native city, and offered
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span>
+to make me general utility boy in the telegraph
+office of Damietta. My mother and I were
+nearly starving at the time, and no kindness
+could have been more appropriate than yours,
+nor could anyone have shown greater tact and
+wisdom in cultivating the good instincts of a
+ragged urchin, who, otherwise, was likely to
+go to ruin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You awakened my ambition and incited
+me to study; you impressed upon me the beauty
+and truth of the declaration that there is no
+royal road to learning; that if I expected to attain
+success in any walk of life it could only be
+done by hard, unremitting, patient work.
+There are many rounds to the ladder, and each
+must climb them one by one.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good fortune attended me in every respect.
+It was the providence of God which saved me
+and enabled me to help save sweet Dolly when
+the bridge went down in the storm and darkness,
+and her mother was lost; yet, but for my
+determination to do my best at all times, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span>
+never to give up so long as I could struggle, I
+must have succumbed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was extremely fortunate that I saw the
+burglars at work in the jewelry establishment
+of Mr. Grandin on that memorable night in
+Damietta. The same stroke of fortune might
+have fallen to any boy, but it was incomplete
+until I was able to bring the leader to the
+ground with the stone which I hurled at him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It may be said that all these are but mere
+incidents of my history, and possibly I may
+have magnified their importance; but, though
+my progress was rapid, it never could have carried
+me successfully along without the regular,
+systematic, hard work with which I employed
+my spare hours, when not devoted to exercise.
+In this world that which wins, is work, work,
+work!
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;When I was fifteen years old, I was made
+the manager of the office in Damietta, with a
+larger salary than I was entitled to. Three
+years later, the partiality of Mr. Musgrave
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span>
+made me assistant superintendent, and now I
+have been general superintendent of the district
+for more than two years, with a handsome
+salary, which enables me to give my dear
+mother comforts and elegances of which the
+good lady never dreamed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I married Dolly shortly after my promotion
+to the office of general superintendent, and
+the little fellow that is learning to lisp &#8216;papa,&#8217;
+you know, has been named after you, my old,
+true, and invaluable friend, to whose counsel
+and kindness I feel I am so much indebted.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dolly sits at my elbow and continually reminds
+me that I must insist that you come down
+and spend Christmas with us. A chair and
+plate will be placed at the table for you, and
+you must allow nothing less than Providence
+itself to keep you away.
+</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;As ever,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;Your devoted friend,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
+<p style='text-align: right; '>&#8220;<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Ben</span>.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>THE END</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE FRONTIER BOYS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1em;'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>By Capt. Wyn. Roosevelt.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<img src='images/illus-ad1.png' alt='' title='' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>This noted scout and author,
+known to every plainsman, has
+lived a life of stirring adventure.
+In boyhood, in the early days, he
+traveled with comrades the overland
+route to the West,&mdash;a trip of
+thrilling experiences, unceasing
+hardships and trials that would
+have daunted a heart less brave. His life has been
+spent in the companionship of the typically brave
+adventurers, gold seekers, cowboys and ranchmen
+of our great West. He has lived with more than
+one Indian tribe, took part in a revolution at
+Hawaii and was captured in turn by pirates and
+cannibals. He writes in a way sure to win the
+heart of every boy.
+</p>
+<div class='la'>
+<p><b>Frontier boys on the overland trail</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Frontier boys in Colorado, or captured by Indians</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Frontier boys in the Grand Canyon, or a search for treasure</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Frontier boys in Mexico, or Mystery Mountain</b>.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Finely illustrated. Cloth, 12mo. Attractive
+cover design. Price 60c per volume.
+</p>
+<hr class='minor' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>CHATTERTON-PECK CO.</p>
+<p>New York</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span></div>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE COMRADES SERIES</p>
+</div>
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<img src='images/illus-ad2.png' alt='' title='' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>By Ralph Victor. This writer of
+boys&#8217; books has shown by his
+magazine work and experience
+that this series will be without
+question the greatest seller of any
+books for boys yet published;
+full of action from start to finish.
+Cloth, 12mo. Finely illustrated;
+special cover design. Price, 60c per volume.
+</p>
+<div class='la'>
+<p><b>Comrades on the Farm, or the Mystery of Deep Gulch</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Comrades in New York, or Snaring the Smugglers</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Comrades on the Ranch, or Secret of the Lost River</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Comrades in New Mexico, or the Round-up</b>.</p>
+<p><b>Comrades on the Great Divide (in preparation)</b>.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><i>Ralph Victor is probably the best equipped writer of
+up-to-date boy&#8217;s stories of the present day. He has
+traveled or lived in every land, has shot big game
+with Sears in India, has voyaged with Jack London,
+and was a war correspondent in Natal and Japan.
+The lure of life in the open has always been his, and
+his experiences have been thrilling and many.&mdash;&#8220;Progress.&#8221;</i>
+</p>
+<hr class='minor' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>CHATTERTON-PECK CO.</p>
+<p>New York</p>
+</div>
+
+<!-- generated by ppgen.rb version: 2.07 -->
+<!-- timestamp: Fri Jun 20 15:27:11 -0600 2008 -->
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, by Edward S. Ellis
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 25859-h.htm or 25859-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/5/25859/
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/25859-h/images/illus-012.jpg b/25859-h/images/illus-012.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79fb683
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/images/illus-012.jpg
diff --git a/25859-h/images/illus-144.jpg b/25859-h/images/illus-144.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..195fe8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/images/illus-144.jpg
diff --git a/25859-h/images/illus-ad1.png b/25859-h/images/illus-ad1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e063308
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/images/illus-ad1.png
diff --git a/25859-h/images/illus-ad2.png b/25859-h/images/illus-ad2.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccc4c76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/images/illus-ad2.png
diff --git a/25859-h/images/illus-emb.png b/25859-h/images/illus-emb.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..44a12a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/images/illus-emb.png
diff --git a/25859-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg b/25859-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a63df60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg
diff --git a/25859-page-images/c0001-image1.jpg b/25859-page-images/c0001-image1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16f1785
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/c0001-image1.jpg
diff --git a/25859-page-images/f0001-image1.jpg b/25859-page-images/f0001-image1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0751d7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/f0001-image1.jpg
diff --git a/25859-page-images/f0001.png b/25859-page-images/f0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3988139
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/f0001.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/f0002.png b/25859-page-images/f0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..467f865
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/f0002.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/f0003.png b/25859-page-images/f0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91b0b89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/f0003.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/f0004.png b/25859-page-images/f0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0285527
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/f0004.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0001.png b/25859-page-images/p0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4af5752
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0001.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0002.png b/25859-page-images/p0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed06b05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0002.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0003.png b/25859-page-images/p0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d73321f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0003.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0004.png b/25859-page-images/p0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af2f47c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0004.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0005.png b/25859-page-images/p0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f19e3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0005.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0006.png b/25859-page-images/p0006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..451aae1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0006.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0007.png b/25859-page-images/p0007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c36539a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0007.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0008.png b/25859-page-images/p0008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..adf6e04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0008.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0009.png b/25859-page-images/p0009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..662a733
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0009.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0010.png b/25859-page-images/p0010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee77486
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0010.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0011.png b/25859-page-images/p0011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4df2d8f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0011.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0012-image1.jpg b/25859-page-images/p0012-image1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dfef37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0012-image1.jpg
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0012.png b/25859-page-images/p0012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6ac355
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0012.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0013.png b/25859-page-images/p0013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ecb7e46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0013.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0014.png b/25859-page-images/p0014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f738c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0014.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0015.png b/25859-page-images/p0015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9aff0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0015.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0016.png b/25859-page-images/p0016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99e8e87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0016.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0017.png b/25859-page-images/p0017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6356917
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0017.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0018.png b/25859-page-images/p0018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f924ba0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0018.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0019.png b/25859-page-images/p0019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e710cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0019.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0020.png b/25859-page-images/p0020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47b8626
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0020.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0021.png b/25859-page-images/p0021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3e48a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0021.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0022.png b/25859-page-images/p0022.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5ac319
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0022.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0023.png b/25859-page-images/p0023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b798010
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0023.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0024.png b/25859-page-images/p0024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..881edb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0024.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0025.png b/25859-page-images/p0025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11aa887
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0025.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0026.png b/25859-page-images/p0026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..76d8183
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0026.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0027.png b/25859-page-images/p0027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..099d04e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0027.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0028.png b/25859-page-images/p0028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..743feaa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0028.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0029.png b/25859-page-images/p0029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5d71b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0029.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0030.png b/25859-page-images/p0030.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4410ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0030.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0031.png b/25859-page-images/p0031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e81c6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0031.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0032.png b/25859-page-images/p0032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6780baf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0032.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0033.png b/25859-page-images/p0033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bbf2c66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0033.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0034.png b/25859-page-images/p0034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcdab63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0034.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0035.png b/25859-page-images/p0035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e9e4c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0035.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0036.png b/25859-page-images/p0036.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2e67ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0036.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0037.png b/25859-page-images/p0037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b77c51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0037.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0038.png b/25859-page-images/p0038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dca8b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0038.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0039.png b/25859-page-images/p0039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43c9654
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0039.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0040.png b/25859-page-images/p0040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e10432
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0040.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0041.png b/25859-page-images/p0041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b2b5318
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0041.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0042.png b/25859-page-images/p0042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ebf783
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0042.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0043.png b/25859-page-images/p0043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d961563
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0043.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0044.png b/25859-page-images/p0044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..037b758
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0044.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0045.png b/25859-page-images/p0045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2005a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0045.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0046.png b/25859-page-images/p0046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8634edb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0046.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0047.png b/25859-page-images/p0047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a827241
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0047.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0048.png b/25859-page-images/p0048.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..71ab208
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0048.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0049.png b/25859-page-images/p0049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2774fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0049.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0050.png b/25859-page-images/p0050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aae6d9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0050.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0051.png b/25859-page-images/p0051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fefbb51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0051.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0052.png b/25859-page-images/p0052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac28acf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0052.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0053.png b/25859-page-images/p0053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1185e43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0053.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0054.png b/25859-page-images/p0054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e07264
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0054.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0055.png b/25859-page-images/p0055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aeaef95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0055.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0056.png b/25859-page-images/p0056.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c350de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0056.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0057.png b/25859-page-images/p0057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c872d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0057.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0058.png b/25859-page-images/p0058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0948d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0058.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0059.png b/25859-page-images/p0059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..611e959
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0059.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0060.png b/25859-page-images/p0060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de78a80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0060.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0061.png b/25859-page-images/p0061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c419ae0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0061.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0062.png b/25859-page-images/p0062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f53d66d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0062.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0063.png b/25859-page-images/p0063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1d0c38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0063.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0064.png b/25859-page-images/p0064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..081f4d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0064.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0065.png b/25859-page-images/p0065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f44b641
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0065.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0066.png b/25859-page-images/p0066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d550f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0066.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0067.png b/25859-page-images/p0067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3b24aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0067.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0068.png b/25859-page-images/p0068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56d2c58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0068.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0069.png b/25859-page-images/p0069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce1c6ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0069.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0070.png b/25859-page-images/p0070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c809835
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0070.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0071.png b/25859-page-images/p0071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e2e3a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0071.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0072.png b/25859-page-images/p0072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9ec6f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0072.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0073.png b/25859-page-images/p0073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcc8c63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0073.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0074.png b/25859-page-images/p0074.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..854c163
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0074.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0075.png b/25859-page-images/p0075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b510dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0075.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0076.png b/25859-page-images/p0076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f283e65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0076.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0077.png b/25859-page-images/p0077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b30109
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0077.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0078.png b/25859-page-images/p0078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fcb5da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0078.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0079.png b/25859-page-images/p0079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46cae41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0079.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0080.png b/25859-page-images/p0080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7cb29cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0080.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0081.png b/25859-page-images/p0081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1cca15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0081.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0082.png b/25859-page-images/p0082.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0615af6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0082.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0083.png b/25859-page-images/p0083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c37083c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0083.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0084.png b/25859-page-images/p0084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7de96f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0084.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0085.png b/25859-page-images/p0085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39b20c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0085.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0086.png b/25859-page-images/p0086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1aaa8f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0086.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0087.png b/25859-page-images/p0087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59fb7a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0087.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0088.png b/25859-page-images/p0088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a831b77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0088.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0089.png b/25859-page-images/p0089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c537600
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0089.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0090.png b/25859-page-images/p0090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..814d03f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0090.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0091.png b/25859-page-images/p0091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e068b38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0091.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0092.png b/25859-page-images/p0092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e597b1b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0092.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0093.png b/25859-page-images/p0093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1c943a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0093.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0094.png b/25859-page-images/p0094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df59a08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0094.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0095.png b/25859-page-images/p0095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d832776
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0095.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0096.png b/25859-page-images/p0096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9120602
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0096.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0097.png b/25859-page-images/p0097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2514820
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0097.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0098.png b/25859-page-images/p0098.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08079f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0098.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0099.png b/25859-page-images/p0099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39c8974
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0099.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0100.png b/25859-page-images/p0100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37868e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0100.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0101.png b/25859-page-images/p0101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d16360b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0101.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0102.png b/25859-page-images/p0102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf377b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0102.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0103.png b/25859-page-images/p0103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2eca7bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0103.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0104.png b/25859-page-images/p0104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a76d2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0104.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0105.png b/25859-page-images/p0105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aad10c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0105.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0106.png b/25859-page-images/p0106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bac668
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0106.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0107.png b/25859-page-images/p0107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7a3438
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0107.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0108.png b/25859-page-images/p0108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c325a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0108.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0109.png b/25859-page-images/p0109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9c63b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0109.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0110.png b/25859-page-images/p0110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..642fade
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0110.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0111.png b/25859-page-images/p0111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1efda8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0111.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0112.png b/25859-page-images/p0112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1c67f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0112.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0113.png b/25859-page-images/p0113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8587dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0113.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0114.png b/25859-page-images/p0114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e1e928
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0114.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0115.png b/25859-page-images/p0115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83f9385
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0115.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0116.png b/25859-page-images/p0116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf673b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0116.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0117.png b/25859-page-images/p0117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec2c779
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0117.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0118.png b/25859-page-images/p0118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5588eee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0118.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0119.png b/25859-page-images/p0119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e1d4a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0119.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0120.png b/25859-page-images/p0120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46a8e77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0120.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0121.png b/25859-page-images/p0121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7fc5f14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0121.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0122.png b/25859-page-images/p0122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8706e2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0122.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0123.png b/25859-page-images/p0123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5daff49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0123.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0124.png b/25859-page-images/p0124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c3d1058
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0124.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0125.png b/25859-page-images/p0125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0b2e58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0125.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0126.png b/25859-page-images/p0126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2c68fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0126.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0127.png b/25859-page-images/p0127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..745b8c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0127.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0128.png b/25859-page-images/p0128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85143d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0128.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0129.png b/25859-page-images/p0129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28afeb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0129.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0130.png b/25859-page-images/p0130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca920a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0130.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0131.png b/25859-page-images/p0131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3bb63ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0131.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0132.png b/25859-page-images/p0132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..550d4ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0132.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0133.png b/25859-page-images/p0133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1a8916
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0133.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0134.png b/25859-page-images/p0134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50529d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0134.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0135.png b/25859-page-images/p0135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4190440
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0135.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0136.png b/25859-page-images/p0136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd3f88b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0136.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0137.png b/25859-page-images/p0137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37733d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0137.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0138.png b/25859-page-images/p0138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f110a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0138.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0139.png b/25859-page-images/p0139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f566e25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0139.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0140.png b/25859-page-images/p0140.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a1bcd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0140.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0141.png b/25859-page-images/p0141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1bc8374
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0141.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0142.png b/25859-page-images/p0142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b478b39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0142.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0143.png b/25859-page-images/p0143.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a7249d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0143.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0144-image1.jpg b/25859-page-images/p0144-image1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13257ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0144-image1.jpg
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0144.png b/25859-page-images/p0144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c8c399
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0144.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0145.png b/25859-page-images/p0145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04bd0f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0145.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0146.png b/25859-page-images/p0146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb59473
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0146.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0147.png b/25859-page-images/p0147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91b1c73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0147.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0148.png b/25859-page-images/p0148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5be880e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0148.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0149.png b/25859-page-images/p0149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73044a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0149.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0150.png b/25859-page-images/p0150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df05064
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0150.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0151.png b/25859-page-images/p0151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39b6929
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0151.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0152.png b/25859-page-images/p0152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b0c763
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0152.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0153.png b/25859-page-images/p0153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27f9a5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0153.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0154.png b/25859-page-images/p0154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..616ceae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0154.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0155.png b/25859-page-images/p0155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ac8576
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0155.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0156.png b/25859-page-images/p0156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1e0943
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0156.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0157.png b/25859-page-images/p0157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a49092
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0157.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0158.png b/25859-page-images/p0158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3930b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0158.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0159.png b/25859-page-images/p0159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00a79eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0159.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0160.png b/25859-page-images/p0160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..76b7537
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0160.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0161.png b/25859-page-images/p0161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5894f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0161.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0162.png b/25859-page-images/p0162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..966c8bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0162.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0163.png b/25859-page-images/p0163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12bbe62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0163.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0164.png b/25859-page-images/p0164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c53602
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0164.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0165.png b/25859-page-images/p0165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..873cef1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0165.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0166.png b/25859-page-images/p0166.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f704a17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0166.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0167.png b/25859-page-images/p0167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3ef3d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0167.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0168.png b/25859-page-images/p0168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34027bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0168.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0169.png b/25859-page-images/p0169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16d6460
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0169.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0170.png b/25859-page-images/p0170.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d459b5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0170.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0171.png b/25859-page-images/p0171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..20b2281
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0171.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0172.png b/25859-page-images/p0172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cb1ec8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0172.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0173.png b/25859-page-images/p0173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59e06e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0173.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0174.png b/25859-page-images/p0174.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56602fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0174.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0175.png b/25859-page-images/p0175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea0630a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0175.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0176.png b/25859-page-images/p0176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be2cd2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0176.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0177.png b/25859-page-images/p0177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a3cc62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0177.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0178.png b/25859-page-images/p0178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72023bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0178.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/p0179.png b/25859-page-images/p0179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b100c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/p0179.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/q0001-image1.png b/25859-page-images/q0001-image1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..814edcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/q0001-image1.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/q0001.png b/25859-page-images/q0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c7490f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/q0001.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/q0002-image1.png b/25859-page-images/q0002-image1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e00a024
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/q0002-image1.png
diff --git a/25859-page-images/q0002.png b/25859-page-images/q0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e4b729
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859-page-images/q0002.png
diff --git a/25859.txt b/25859.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1db29dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3731 @@
+Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, 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 Telegraph Messenger Boy
+       The Straight Road to Success
+
+Author: Edward S. Ellis
+
+Release Date: June 20, 2008 [EBook #25859]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: BEN SWUNG HIS HAT AND SHOUTED, AND AT LAST CAUGHT THE
+NOTICE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE BANK.--P. 51.]
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY
+Or
+The Straight Road to Success
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of "Down the Mississippi," "Life of Kit
+Carson," "Lost in the Wilds," "Red Plume," Etc.
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY
+NEW YORK, N. Y.
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1889, by
+N. L. MUNRO
+
+Copyright, 1904, by
+THE MERSHON COMPANY
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                PAGE
+     I.  On a Log                         1
+    II.  The Collision                    8
+   III.  The Office Boy                  16
+    IV.  A Message in the Night          22
+     V.  In Storm and Darkness           29
+    VI.  "Tell Mother I Am All Right"    36
+   VII.  A Thrilling Voyage              43
+  VIII.  The Cipher Telegram             50
+    IX.  The Translation                 57
+     X.  Farmer Jones                    64
+    XI.  The Value of Courtesy           71
+   XII.  A Call                          78
+  XIII.  At the Grandin Mansion          85
+   XIV.  The Conspiracy                  93
+    XV.  An Affray at Night              99
+   XVI.  The Third Telegram             106
+  XVII.  Decidedly Mixed                113
+ XVIII.  Between Two Fires              120
+   XIX.  Baffled!                       127
+    XX.  Watching and Waiting           134
+   XXI.  "Lay Low!"                     141
+  XXII.  The Battle of Life             148
+ XXIII.  Face to Face                   155
+  XXIV.  Startling Discoveries          160
+   XXV.  In the Nick of Time            169
+  XXVI.  Conclusion                     176
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON A LOG
+
+
+I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances. I
+had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my
+duties were of the most exacting nature. I was kept hard at work through
+the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I
+could manage with comfort.
+
+I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering
+lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream
+on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions
+above. The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face,
+and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this
+style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace
+steamer.
+
+He had on an old straw hat, through the crown of which his brown hair
+protruded in several directions; his pantaloons were held up by a single
+suspender, skewered through them in front by a tenpenny nail--an
+arrangement which caused the garments to hang in a lopsided fashion to
+his shoulders. He was barefooted, and his trousers were rolled up to his
+knees. He wore no coat nor vest, and his shirt was of the coarsest
+muslin, but it was quite clean.
+
+This boy was Ben Mayberry, then ten years old, and he was a remarkable
+fellow in more than one respect. His round face was not only the picture
+of absolutely perfect health, but it showed unusual intelligence and
+brightness. His figure was beautiful in its boyish symmetry, and no one
+could look upon the lad without admiring his grace, of which he was
+entirely unconscious.
+
+In addition to this, Ben Mayberry was known to possess two accomplishments,
+as they may be called, to an extraordinary degree--he was very swift of
+foot and could throw with astonishing accuracy. Both of these attainments
+are held in high esteem by all boys.
+
+I had met Ben at intervals during the year past, but could hardly claim
+to be acquainted with him. I usually bought my morning paper of him
+during the cold weather, and I knew that his father was killed by a
+blasting accident some years before. Ben was the only child of his
+widowed mother, who managed to eke out a subsistence somehow with the aid
+of the little fellow, who was ever ready and cheerful with his work.
+
+While I stood looking at Ben, drifting slowly down-stream, and reflected
+that the water was fully two fathoms deep at that point, three other boys
+stopped on the bank below me to view him. They were strangers to me, but
+I observed they were unusually well dressed. They had that effeminate,
+exquisite appearance which satisfied me they were visitors from Boston,
+sauntering along the river in order to learn whether there was anything
+in our town worthy of their attention. They were apparently of nearly the
+same age, and each was certainly one or two years older than Ben
+Mayberry.
+
+"Hello," exclaimed one, as the three came to an abrupt halt, "look at
+that country boy out on that log over there; he thinks he's smart."
+
+"He's trying to show off, Rutherford," said another.
+
+"I say, boys, let's stone him," suggested the third, in a voice so
+guarded that I was barely able to catch the words.
+
+The proposition was received with favor, but one of them looked furtively
+around and noticed me. His manner showed that he was in fear of my
+stopping their cruel sport.
+
+"Who cares for him?" said one of the party, in a blustering voice that it
+was meant I should hear; "he's nobody. I'll tell him my father is one of
+the richest men in Boston and is going to be governor some day."
+
+"And I'll let him know that my father has taken me and our folks all over
+Yurrup. Pooh! he daresn't say anything."
+
+Soothed by this conclusion, the three began throwing stones at Ben.
+
+Ben was close at hand, and the first boy who flung a missile poised and
+aimed with such deliberation that I was sure Ben would be hit; but the
+stone missed him by fully ten feet. It was not until two more had been
+thrown that Ben awoke to the fact that he was serving as a target for the
+city youth.
+
+"What are you fellers doing?" he demanded, looking angrily toward them.
+"Who you trying to hit?"
+
+They laughed, and the tallest answered, as he flung another missile with
+great energy but poor aim:
+
+"We're going to knock you off that log, Country! What are you going to do
+about it?"
+
+"I'll show you mighty soon," answered the sturdy lad, who straightway
+pushed the long pole in his hand against the bottom of the river, so as
+to drive the log in toward the shore where his persecutors stood pelting
+him.
+
+There was something so plucky in all this that several others stopped to
+watch the result. I secretly resolved that if Ben got the worst of it (as
+seemed inevitable against three boys), I would interfere at the critical
+moment.
+
+"He's coming ashore to whip us!" exclaimed the tallest lad, almost
+dropping to the ground with laughter. "I hope he will; I've been taking
+sparring lessons of Professor Sullivan for a year, and I would like the
+fun of knocking him out of time. I can do it in three rounds, and I want
+you boys to stand back and leave him to me. I'll paralyze him!"
+
+The others were reluctant, each claiming the happiness of demolishing the
+countryman; but the tallest, who was called Rutherford, at last secured
+their pledge that they would keep their hands off and allow him to have
+all the fun to himself.
+
+"I'll try the cross-counter on him, the upper cut, and then I'll land a
+left-hander on his jug'lar that'll knock him stiff. Oh, how I ache to get
+him within reach!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE COLLISION
+
+
+Meanwhile Ben Mayberry was vigorously working the log in toward shore. It
+moved slowly, but the current was sluggish, the space brief, and he was
+certain to land in a few minutes.
+
+One of the stones struck Ben on the shoulder. It must have angered him,
+for instead of trying to dodge the rest, he used his pushing-pole with
+more energy than before and paid no heed to the missiles, several of
+which were stopped by his body.
+
+It was plain that the valorous little fellow meant to attack the three
+city lads, who were pestering him not only with stones, but with taunts
+that were far more exasperating.
+
+"Wonder who blacked his shoes?"
+
+"Ain't that hat a beauty? He can comb his hair without taking it off."
+
+"That one suspender must have cost him a good deal."
+
+"By gracious, he's going to chew us up," laughed the tallest, as the log
+approached land; "stand back, boys, you promised him to me, and I don't
+want either of you to say you helped me to knock him out in the third
+round."
+
+The next minute the log was so close that the nimble-footed Ben leaped
+ashore and strode straight for the valiant Rutherford, who immediately
+threw himself in "position." His attitude was certainly artistic, with
+his left foot thrown forward, his right fist clinched and held across his
+breast, and his left extended ready to be shot forward into the first
+opening that his enemy presented.
+
+But it is one thing to assume the proper pugilistic attitude; it is
+altogether another to act the part of a trained pugilist.
+
+"Come on, Country!" called out the exultant Rutherford; "but I hope
+you've bid your friends farewell."
+
+The other boys stood back and watched the singular contest. I carefully
+approached so as to be ready to protect Ben when it should become
+necessary.
+
+The brave fellow never hesitated, but the instant he landed lightly on
+the shore he went straight for Rutherford, who, it was plain, was
+slightly surprised and disconcerted by his unscientific conduct. But the
+city youth kept his guard well up, and the moment Ben was within reach he
+struck a violent blow intended for the face.
+
+But Ben dodged it easily, dropping his head and running with cat-like
+agility directly under the guard of his antagonist, who, before he could
+understand precisely what it meant, found himself clasped around the
+waist and thrown on his back with such violence that a loud grunt was
+forced from him, and his handsome new hat rolled rapidly down into the
+water.
+
+And I am free to confess that I was delighted when I saw Ben give him
+several of his "best licks," which made the tall boy roar for mercy.
+
+"Take him off, boys! he's killing me! Quick! I can't live much longer."
+
+The others were terrified at the hurricane-like style in which the boy
+had turned the tables on the scientific Rutherford, but they could not
+stand by and see their companion massacred without raising a finger to
+help him.
+
+"Pull him off!" yelled the victim, twisting his body and banging his legs
+in the soft earth in his vain effort to free himself from Ben, who was
+pegging away at him. "Pull him off! Put me on top, and I'll settle him!"
+
+One of the boys ran forward and reached out his hand, intending to catch
+Ben by the shoulder and fling him to the ground; but, to my intense
+amazement and equally intense delight, Ben caught his arm, jerked him
+forward across the body of Rutherford, and belabored both of them. It was
+one of the neatest feats I ever saw performed, and, under the
+circumstances, I would have pronounced it impossible had it not been done
+before my own eyes.
+
+Both the hats of the Boston youths were floating down the river, and they
+were so close to the water's edge that they were covered with mud. The
+vigor of the assault on the two was increased rather than diminished, and
+we spectators were cruel enough to laugh heartily over the exhibition,
+accompanied as it was by the frenzied yells of the two lads who were
+receiving the wrathful attentions of Ben Mayberry.
+
+The third boy could not stand it. He must have thought they had come in
+collision with a gorilla or some sort of wild animal, for he started up
+the river bank, shouting "Murder!" at the top of his voice. Ben, having
+got through with the two under him, sprang off and allowed them to rise,
+standing ready to renew the fight should they show any desire to do so.
+
+[Illustration: BEN CAUGHT HIS ARM, JERKED HIM ACROSS THE BODY OF
+RUTHERFORD, AND BELABORED BOTH OF THEM.--P. 12.]
+
+But they were too thoroughly vanquished. Their plight was laughable, and
+yet pitiable. They were coated with mud from head to foot, and their
+pretty hats, with their polka-dot bands, were gone too far down the river
+to be recovered.
+
+They seemed dazed for a minute or so, but as soon as they realized they
+were on their feet they started off after their flying companion, never
+pausing to look behind them, but running as though a Bengal tiger was at
+their heels.
+
+"Ben," said I, walking forward as soon as I could assume a serious
+expression of countenance, "do you not know it is very wrong to fight?"
+
+"That's what I was tryin' to teach them city chaps. I guess they'll think
+so after this."
+
+"You certainly did your best to convince them it isn't wise to attack
+you; but, Ben, what have you been doing lately?"
+
+"My last job was whipping them," replied the urchin, with a roguish
+twinkle of his blue eyes; "but that was fun, and if you mean work, I
+hain't had anything but selling papers since last summer, but sometimes I
+run errands."
+
+"Do you go to school?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Would you like a job?"
+
+"Indeed I would, sir, for mother finds it hard work to get along, and
+sometimes there isn't anything to eat in the house. Once, when I was a
+little fellow, when I saw mother crying, and there was no bread, I
+slipped out at night and stole a loaf, but mother would not touch it when
+I brought it home, and made me take it back. She told me I must starve
+before I did wrong, and so I will. I have been trying to get a job all
+summer, but everybody says I am too young and small. I take all the
+exercise I can, so as to make me grow, and that's one reason why I
+pitched into them city chaps and laid 'em out."
+
+"Well, Ben, you know where the office of the Western Union is; come
+around there to-morrow morning, at eight o'clock, and I will give you
+something to do."
+
+"Oh, I'm very thankful to you, sir, and this will make my mother the
+happiest woman in Damietta."
+
+I saw tears in the bright eyes, as Ben ran home to carry the good news to
+his mother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE OFFICE BOY
+
+
+When I approached the office the next morning, little Ben Mayberry was
+standing outside, smiling and expectant.
+
+My heart was touched when I saw what pains his mother had taken to put
+her boy in presentable shape. He had on a pair of coarse shoes, carefully
+blacked, and a new, cheap hat replaced the dilapidated one of the day
+before. He wore a short coat and a vest, which must have served him as
+his Sunday suit for a long time, as they were much too small for him.
+
+But there was a cleanly, neat look about him which attracted me at once.
+His face was as rosy as an apple, and his large, white teeth were as
+sound as new silver dollars. His dark hair, which was inclined to be
+curly, was cut short, and the ill-fitting clothes could not conceal the
+symmetry of his growing figure.
+
+"Well, Ben," said I cheerily, as I shook his hand, "I am glad to see you
+are here on time. You are young, you know, but are old enough to make a
+start. As I expect you to reach the top of the ladder, I mean that you
+shall begin at the bottom round."
+
+I am not sure he understood this figurative language, but I made it clear
+to him the next minute.
+
+"You are to be here every morning before seven o'clock, to sweep out the
+office and make it ready for business. You must see that all the
+spittoons are cleaned, that the ink wells at the desk are provided with
+ink, that the pens are good enough for use (I never yet have seen a
+public office where the writing facilities were not wretched), abundance
+of blanks on hand, and that everything is tidied up. In summer, you must
+wash off the ice and place it in the cooler, and in winter, see that the
+fires are going and the office comfortable at the time we go there for
+business. Can you do it, Ben?"
+
+"Yes, sir, and glad to have the chance."
+
+"This will give you some opportunity to attend the public school, which,
+of course, you will take advantage of. Then, when you can, you will begin
+to study telegraphy. I will see that you have every chance, and, at the
+same time, I will give you a lift now and then in your studies. This is
+the first step, Ben; in this country anything is possible to the boy who
+has brains, pluck, and application. Everything now depends on yourself;
+with the help of Heaven you will succeed; if you fail, it will be your
+own fault. To-day you start on your career, which will lead to success
+and happiness or to failure and misery."
+
+Ben listened respectfully to what I said, and seemed impressed by my
+words. I took him inside the office, explained to him more particularly
+his duties, gave him a key with which to enter in the morning, and told
+him to be on hand at six o'clock on the morrow, until which time he was
+excused. His wages were to be two dollars a week, to begin from the day
+on which I engaged him. Ben raised his hat, bade me good-day, and went
+home, and I am sure there was no happier boy in Damietta than he.
+
+It goes without saying that he attended to his duties faithfully from the
+very first. He went to the public school when he could gain the chance. I
+learned that he was a favorite there, on account of his manliness and
+excellent scholarship. In conjunction with the principal we arranged to
+give him private instruction at night, so that during the day he could
+devote his energies to learning telegraphy, in which he displayed great
+aptitude.
+
+As I was manager of the office, it was in my power to advance Ben as
+rapidly as circumstances warranted. He was given to understand from the
+first that he would be assisted to the extent to which he proved himself
+deserving, and no further. I did not intend to spoil him by undue favors,
+nor did I allow him to see how much I really thought of him. One of the
+surest means of ruining a boy is by partiality and too rapid advancement;
+but I gave him an encouraging word now and then, and took pains to let
+his mother know that he was meeting my high expectations, and that he was
+fully worthy of the hopes she entertained of him.
+
+I shall never forget the glow which came into the pinched face when I
+addressed her thus, nor the devout expression which overspread her
+countenance at my liberal praise of her child.
+
+"Ben has always been obedient to his father and mother. I have never
+known him to swear or tell an untruth, and he never took anything that
+was not his own--that is," the poor lady hastened to add when she
+recalled the painful circumstance, "he never forgot himself but once."
+
+"He told me about it; few could blame him for that misstep; I cannot
+think the distressing necessity will ever arise again. Should Heaven
+spare his life he will become your staff, upon which you can soon lean
+your whole weight."
+
+She gave a faint sigh of happiness.
+
+"My boy Ben has never brought a pang to his mother's heart."
+
+Ah, my young friend, can your mother say that? When that dear head is
+laid low, when those loving eyes shall be closed forever, and the sweet
+voice is hushed in the tomb, will you be able to say through your
+blinding tears:
+
+"I never brought a pang to her heart!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT
+
+
+At the end of a month Ben Mayberry was made a messenger boy of the office
+under my charge. This cannot be called a very momentous promotion,
+inasmuch as many of our telegraphists begin there; but it doubled Ben's
+wages at once, and led to his appearance in the attractive blue uniform
+which the boys of the Western Union wear. In his case it seemed to add
+two inches to his stature at once.
+
+Ben was our best messenger from the first. He was acquainted with the
+city of Damietta from one end to the other, and his superior fleetness of
+foot enabled him to outstrip the others, while his cheerful, intelligent
+manner added to his popularity with our customers.
+
+As he was so young, I determined to keep him messenger for a longer time
+than was really necessary, affording him all the opportunity he could ask
+in which to learn telegraphy. He picked it up rapidly, and I was
+surprised when I found him reading messages over the wires by sound. As
+everyone knows, it takes a skillful operator, or rather one of
+experience, to do this, a proof that Ben was applying himself to learning
+the business with all the power at his command.
+
+In more than one instance, those who knew the high estimation in which
+the boy was held exerted themselves to put annoyances and obstructions in
+his way. All manner of pretexts were made for detaining him, and he
+showed no little originality and ingenuity in outwitting his very
+attentive friends.
+
+He continued to apply himself evenings, when not on duty at the office,
+and his progress was excellent in every respect. The kind principal
+showed great interest in him, and at the age of twelve Ben Mayberry
+possessed what may be called a good elementary English education.
+
+Before, however, these two years had passed he could receive and send
+messages in a very acceptable manner. His wages had been advanced, and he
+now had his mother in comfortable quarters, dressed tastefully himself,
+and was developing into a handsome youth, whose brilliant work had
+already attracted the notice of the general superintendent.
+
+Ben had been an operator a little less than a year when he met with a
+most extraordinary experience, which to-day is a theme of never-ending
+wonder to those who were living in Damietta at the time.
+
+One evening a rough-bearded man entered the office, and stepping to the
+counter, said to me:
+
+"My name is Burkhill--G. R. Burkhill--and I am staying at the hotel in
+Moorestown. I am expecting a very important dispatch to-night, but I
+cannot wait for it. If it reaches this office before ten o'clock, I wish
+to have it delivered to the hotel."
+
+Moorestown lay directly across the river, and was reached by the long,
+covered bridge which spanned the stream. It was beyond our "jurisdiction,"
+that is, outside the circle of free delivery, which Mr. Burkhill
+understood, as he remarked that he would pay well for the trouble.
+
+I assured him that I would see that the telegram reached him that night,
+if received before ten o'clock. Thanking me, he said good-evening, passed
+out, mounted his horse, and galloped away in the wintry darkness.
+
+It was in the month of February, but the weather was mild for that
+season, and there had been a plentiful fall of rain. Ben was on duty
+until ten, and he was in the very act of rising from his seat when he
+called out:
+
+"Helloa! here comes the message for Mr. Burkhill."
+
+It was quite brief and Ben wrote it out rapidly, took a hasty impression,
+thrust it into the damp yellow envelope, and whistled for a messenger
+boy. There was only one present, and he was a pale, delicate lad, who had
+gone on duty that day after a week's illness.
+
+"Helloa, Tim; do you want to earn a half dollar extra?" asked Ben, as the
+boy stood expectantly before him.
+
+"I would like to, if it isn't too hard for me."
+
+Ben looked sharply at him and saw that the boy was in too weak a state to
+undertake the task. There was no other messenger within call, and Mr.
+Burkhill was doubtless impatient for the message whose delivery I had
+guaranteed.
+
+"It won't do for you to cross the river to-night," said Ben decisively;
+"the air is damp and raw, and I think it is going to rain again. I'll do
+it for you, and whatever extra I collect from Mr. Burkhill you shall
+have, Tim; now go home and go to bed."
+
+And waving me a good-night, Ben hurried out of the door and vanished down
+the street.
+
+"It's just like him," I muttered, as I prepared to go home; for except on
+special occasions we closed our office at ten, or shortly after. "That
+isn't the first kindness he has done that boy, and everyone in the office
+is bound by gratitude to him."
+
+As I stepped out on the street I observed that the fine mist was turning
+into rain, and another of those dismal nights, which are often
+experienced in the Middle States during the latter part of winter, was
+upon the city.
+
+I did not feel sleepy after reaching home. My wife and two children had
+retired and were sound asleep. There was no one astir but myself, and
+drawing my chair to the fire, I began reading the evening paper.
+
+Fully an hour had passed in this manner and I was in the act of rising
+from my chair, with the purpose of going to bed, when a sharp ring of the
+bell startled me as though I had heard burglars in the house. I felt
+instinctively that something serious had happened as I hurried to the
+door.
+
+"Did Ben Mayberry take a telegraphic message across the river to-night?"
+asked the man, whom I recognized as a policeman.
+
+"He started to do so," I answered tremblingly. "What's wrong."
+
+"It's the last message he'll ever deliver; he has probably been killed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+IN STORM AND DARKNESS
+
+
+"Yes, it's the last message he'll ever deliver," repeated the policeman;
+"Ben Mayberry has probably been killed!"
+
+These were the terrible words spoken by the man who had rung my bell in
+the middle of the night, and startled me almost out of my senses. I
+swallowed the lump in my throat, and with a voice tremulous with emotion,
+said:
+
+"No, no! it cannot be. Who would kill him?"
+
+"I don't mean he was murdered," the officer hastened to add, seeing my
+mistake. "He was on the middle span of the bridge when it was carried
+away by the flood, and that's the last of him!"
+
+I drew a great sigh of relief. There was something unspeakably dreadful
+in the thought of noble Ben Mayberry being killed by anyone, and it
+lifted a vast burden from my shoulders to be told that no such awful fate
+had overtaken him.
+
+But instantly came the staggering terror that the boy had gone down in
+the wreck and ruin, and at that moment was floating among the great
+masses of ice and debris that were sweeping swiftly down the river
+toward the sea.
+
+"How was it?" I asked, after the officer had refused my invitation to
+enter.
+
+"The river began rising very fast at dark, but the bridge has stood so
+many freshets we were hopeful of this. The water was at the top of the
+abutments at nine o'clock and was still creeping up. Jack Sprall, who is
+off duty to-night, was down by the bridge watching things. A little after
+ten o'clock, Ben Mayberry came along and said he had a message which he
+had promised to deliver to a gentleman at the hotel in Moorestown. Jack
+told him the bridge was unsafe, but Ben said he knew how to swim, and
+started across, whistling and jolly as usual. Jack said at the same time
+he heard the sound of wheels, which showed that a wagon or carriage had
+driven on from the other side, which never ought to have been allowed
+when things were looking so shaky. Ben had just about time to reach the
+middle of the bridge when the crash came, and the big span was wiped out,
+as though it was a chalk mark on a blackboard."
+
+"How do you know of a surety that Ben Mayberry did not save himself?"
+
+"He is very active and strong, I know, which made Jack hope he had pulled
+through. In spite of the danger of the rest of the bridge going, Jack
+crept out over it to the abutment, and shouted to Ben.
+
+"It seemed that a couple of men had done the same from Moorestown, and
+they stood on the other abutment, with the middle of the river sweeping
+between and threatening to take away the rest of the tottering bridge
+every minute.
+
+"When Jack called, they answered, though it was too dark to see each
+other, and they asked Jack whom he was looking for. He told them that Ben
+Mayberry had gone on the bridge a few minutes before from this side, and
+he was afraid he had been swept away. They said there could be no doubt
+of it, as he had not reached the span on which they were standing. They
+then asked Jack whether he had seen anything of a horse and carriage,
+which drove on the bridge from the Moorestown side, and which they had
+come out to see about. Of course Jack could only make the same answer,
+and when they explained, it was learned that the carriage contained a
+lady and small child--so three lives have been lost from people not doing
+their duty in keeping folks out of danger."
+
+"Does the mother of Ben know anything about this?" I asked, with a
+shudder at the thought of her terrible grief.
+
+"Yes; I went up to her house and told her first, as I thought it my duty
+to do."
+
+"Poor woman! she must have been overcome."
+
+"She was at first, and then when she asked me to tell her all about it,
+and I had done so, she said very quietly that she didn't believe her boy
+was drowned."
+
+"Nor do I believe it!" I exclaimed, with a sudden thrill of hope. "Ben
+Mayberry is one of the best swimmers I ever saw; he went down with the
+lumber of the central span, and even if he could not swim, he had a good
+chance to float himself on some of the timbers or blocks of ice which are
+buoyant enough to support a dozen men."
+
+"All that is very true," replied the policeman, who seemed to have
+thought of everything; "and I don't deny that there is just the barest
+possibility in the world that you're right. But you mustn't forget that
+the roof of the bridge was over him, and has shut out the chance of his
+helping himself. Don't you believe that, if he was alive, he would have
+answered the calls that Jack made to him? Jack has a voice like a
+fog-horn, and Ben would have heard him if he was able to hear anything."
+
+This view of the case staggered me, and I hardly knew what to say, except
+to suggest that possibly Ben had answered the call, and was unheard in
+the rushing waters; but the officer shook his head, and I confess I
+shared his doubts.
+
+"Just as the splintering timbers went down, Jack did hear the shout of
+Ben; he heard, too, the scream of a woman, and that awful cry which a
+horse sometimes makes when in the very extremity of peril, but that was
+all."
+
+I could not sleep after such horrifying tidings, when the policeman had
+gone; I went into the house and donned my overshoes and rubber coat.
+Fortunately my family had not been awakened by the ringing of the bell,
+and I did not disturb them; but, carefully closing and locking the door
+after me, I went out in the storm and darkness, oppressed by a grief
+which I had not known for years, for Ben Mayberry was as dear to me as my
+own son, and my heart bled for the stricken mother who, when she most
+needed a staff to lean upon during her declining years, found it cruelly
+snatched from her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+"TELL MOTHER I AM ALL RIGHT"
+
+
+There is a fascination in the presence of danger which we all feel. The
+news of the dreadful disaster spread with astonishing rapidity, and when
+I reached the river-side it seemed as if all Damietta were there.
+
+The lamps twinkled in the hands of innumerable men moving hither and
+thither in that restless manner which showed how deep their feelings
+were. People were talking in guarded voices, as if the shadow of an awful
+danger impended over them, and the wildest rumors, as is the case at such
+times, were afloat. It was said that six, eight, and a dozen persons had
+gone down with the bridge and were irrecoverably lost. Other structures
+above us were carried away (though no one stopped to explain how the
+tidings had reached ahead of the flood itself), and it was asserted that
+not a span would be left on the stream at daybreak.
+
+The flickering lanterns gave a glimpse of the scene which rendered it
+more impressive than if viewed under the glare of midday. Some daring
+ones ventured out to the first abutment despite the danger, and we saw
+the glare of their lanterns on the rushing, muddy water and the immense
+blocks of ice. Some of the latter would impinge against the stone
+abutment with a prodigious grinding crash, spin around several times, and
+then mount up from the water, crowded by others behind, as though it was
+about to climb over the massive stone. Then it would tumble back with a
+splash and swiftly sweep out of sight in the darkness.
+
+Again, trees, with their bushy tops tossing above the surface, glided by
+as if caught in a rushing mill-race, and a grotesque character was given
+to the whole scene by the sudden crowing of some cocks, which must have
+been frightened by the twinkling lights so near them.
+
+Few in Damietta went to bed that night. There was a continual walking to
+and fro, as people are seen to do when some great calamity is about to
+break upon them. Several mounted horses and rode down the river-bank for
+miles, in the weak hope of picking up tidings of the lost ones. No one
+could be found who knew the lady and child in the carriage which came
+upon the bridge from the other side. There were innumerable guesses as to
+their identity, but they were guesses and nothing more. No doubt was
+entertained that when communication could be opened with Moorestown on
+the morrow, we would learn who they were.
+
+I stayed at the river-side for an hour, weighed down by the greatest
+grief of my life. I was anxious to do something, but there was absolutely
+nothing for me to do. Ben was gone, and his friends could not begin an
+intelligent search for him before the morrow.
+
+I turned on my heel to go home, when a shout went up that the span on the
+other side of the center was going. There could be no doubt that the
+splintering crash and the grinding swirl of waters and ice were caused by
+the destruction of that span which dissolved into nothingness almost in a
+moment.
+
+This started the cry that the timbers nearest us were breaking up.
+
+Those who were on it made a rush for shore, which was not reached a
+minute too soon. The entire span suddenly lifted up and was "snuffed out"
+so promptly that the wonder was how it had withstood the flood so long.
+
+This occurrence struck me as decisive of the fate of my young friend Ben
+Mayberry. It gave me an appreciation of the tremendous irresistibility of
+the freshet, which must have ended the lives of the hapless party almost
+on the instant. The bravest swimmer would be absolutely helpless in the
+grasp of such a terrific current, and in a night of pitchy darkness would
+be unable to make the first intelligent effort to save himself.
+
+At last I went home through the drizzling rain, as miserable a mortal as
+one could imagine. When I reached the house I was glad to find that my
+family were still asleep. It would be time enough for them to learn of my
+affliction and the public disaster on the coming morrow.
+
+The pattering of the rain on the roof accorded with my feeling of
+desolation, and I lay awake until almost daylight, listening, wretched,
+dismal, and utterly despairing.
+
+I slept unusually late, and I was glad, when I went down to my breakfast,
+to learn that some kind neighbor had told my family all I knew, and
+indeed, a little more. The river rose steadily until daylight, by which
+time it was two feet above the abutments, and not a vestige of the bridge
+remained.
+
+But the water had reached its highest point, for, after remaining
+stationary an hour, it had begun to fall, and was now a couple of inches
+lower than "high-water mark."
+
+There were two things which I dreaded--the sight of the furious river,
+and to meet the sad, white face of Ben Mayberry's mother. I felt that I
+could give her no word of comfort, for I needed it almost as much as did
+she. She must have abandoned all hope by this time, and her loss was
+enough to crush life itself from her.
+
+When walking along the street I found that everyone was talking about the
+unexampled flood. It had overflowed the lower part of the city, and
+people were making their way through the streets in boats. Scores of
+families were made homeless, and the sights were curious enough to draw
+multitudes thither.
+
+I kept away from every point where I could catch so much as a glimpse of
+the freshet.
+
+"You have robbed me of the brightest and best boy I ever knew," I
+muttered, in bitterness of spirit; "he was one whom I loved as if he were
+a son."
+
+The shadow of death seemed to rest on the office when I reached it. The
+loss of Ben Mayberry was a personal affliction to everyone there. Only
+the most necessary words were spoken, and the sighing, which could be
+heard at all times, came from the heart.
+
+I went to my desk in a mechanical way, and had just placed my hand on the
+instrument, when I was thrilled by a call which I would have recognized
+among a thousand. Others heard and identified it also, and held their
+breath. The next instant this message reached me:
+
+     "Dear Mr. Melville--Tell mother I am all right, but in
+     need of dry clothing.
+
+                                               "Ben Mayberry."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A THRILLING VOYAGE
+
+
+On the night that Ben Mayberry started across the bridge to deliver the
+cipher message to Mr. Burkhill in Moorestown, he had reached the center
+span before he felt he was in personal danger. The few lamps which
+twinkled at long distances from each other were barely enough for him to
+see where he was going, and they did little more than make the darkness
+visible.
+
+By the faint light he observed a carriage and single horse approaching.
+The animal lifted his feet high, walked slowly, and snuffed the air as he
+turned his head from side to side, like an intelligent creature which
+feels he is approaching danger. The rattling of the narrow planks under
+his hoofs and the carriage wheels could be heard above the roar and sweep
+of the angry river beneath.
+
+Suddenly the bridge trembled under a blow received from a gigantic piece
+of ice, which went grinding and splashing with such violence that its
+course could be followed by the bulging upward of the planks between Ben
+and the horse.
+
+"My gracious! this won't do," exclaimed the boy, more alarmed for the
+vehicle and its occupants than for himself.
+
+He ran forward to grasp the bridle of the horse with the purpose of
+turning him back, when he saw that he had stopped of his own accord, and
+was snorting with terror. Ben reached up to seize the bit, when he was
+made dizzy by the abrupt lifting of the planking underneath, and was
+thrown violently forward on his face.
+
+The brave boy knew what it meant, and kept his senses about him. It was
+utterly dark, and he was in the icy water with a terrified horse
+struggling fiercely, and in danger of beating out the boy's brains with
+his hoofs, while the shriek of the agonized mother rose above the horrid
+din:
+
+"Save my child--save my child!"
+
+Fortunately for Ben Mayberry the bridge broke up in a very unusual
+manner. Instead of the roof coming down upon him, it seemed to fall
+apart, as did the narrow planking. Thus his movements were not interfered
+with by the structure, and realizing what a desperate struggle for life
+was before him, he drew off his cumbersome overcoat with great deftness,
+and then swam as only a strong swimmer can do in the very extremity of
+peril.
+
+He heard nothing more of the horse, which had doubtless perished after a
+struggle as brief as it was fierce; but, unable to see anything at all,
+Ben struck out toward the point whence came the cry of the mother, and
+which was close at hand.
+
+He had scarcely made three strokes when he came in violent collision with
+a huge block of ice in his path. Without attempting to go around it, he
+grasped the edge, and, by a determined effort, drew himself upon it.
+Fragments of the bridge were all around, and he felt some of the timber
+upon the support.
+
+While crawling carefully toward the other side, he shouted:
+
+"Helloa! where are you? Answer, and I'll help you."
+
+A faint cry made itself heard amid the rushing waters and the
+impenetrable darkness. It was just ahead, and the next instant Ben had
+reached the other side of the ice raft, where, steadying himself with one
+hand, he groped about with the other, uttering encouraging words as he
+did so.
+
+Suddenly he caught hold of a delicate arm, and with another cheery shout,
+he began drawing with all his strength.
+
+It was a hard task, under the circumstances, but he quickly succeeded,
+and was not a little amazed to find that instead of a lady he had helped
+out a small girl.
+
+But it was the cry of a mother that had reached his ears, and he did his
+utmost (which unfortunately was little) to help her. He called again and
+again, but there was no answer. He asked of the child the whereabouts of
+her parents, but the little one was almost senseless with bewilderment,
+cold, and terror, and could give no intelligible answer.
+
+"She must be drowned," was the sorrowful conclusion of Ben, who was
+forced to cease his efforts; and I may as well add at this point, that he
+was right; the mother's body being carried out to sea, where it was never
+found.
+
+For the time, Ben and the little girl were safe, but it will be seen that
+their condition was pitiable. It was a wintry night, the water was of an
+arctic temperature, and their clothing was saturated. The icy floor on
+which they were supported would have added to their terrible discomfort,
+had he not been able to gather together several of the planks within
+reach, with which he made a partition between them and the freezing
+surface.
+
+Ben shouted at the top of his voice, but he was so far below the place
+where the bridge had stood that no one heard him, and he finally gave it
+up, knowing that even if he made himself known to friends, they would be
+powerless to help him so long as the darkness lasted.
+
+The child, so far as he could judge, was no more than nine or ten years
+old, but she was richly clad, as he learned from the abundance of furs,
+silks, and velvet. She had luxuriant hair, which streamed about her
+shoulders, and he was sure she must be very beautiful.
+
+She was alive, but faint and suffering. She did not wish to talk and Ben
+did not urge her, although he was curious to know her identity.
+
+"I will learn all in the morning," he said to himself; "that is, if we
+are spared until then."
+
+He was too excited and terrified to fall asleep, even had his discomfort
+not been too great to permit it, and he found he needed his wits about
+him.
+
+Now and then the cake of ice which supported them was crowded by others,
+until it seemed on the point of being overturned, in which event another
+terrible struggle would be necessary to save himself and the little girl.
+
+Then again, there seemed to be eddies and whirlpools in the current,
+which threatened to dislodge them or to break up the miniature iceberg
+into fragments, as the bridge itself was destroyed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE CIPHER TELEGRAM
+
+
+The almost interminable night came to an end at last and the dull gray of
+morning appeared in the east.
+
+Ben Mayberry chafed the arms of the little stranger, and even slapped her
+vigorously to prevent her succumbing to the cold. He was forced to rise
+to his feet himself at intervals and swing his arms and kick out his
+legs, to fight off the chilliness which seemed to penetrate to his very
+bones.
+
+As soon as the boy could make use of his eyes he found himself drifting
+through the open country, where the river was fully double the width at
+Damietta. This gave the masses of ice much more "elbow room," and
+decreased the danger of capsizing.
+
+Houses and villages were seen at intervals, and multitudes of people were
+along the bank gathering driftwood and "loot," and watching the
+unparalleled flood of waters.
+
+Ben swung his hat and shouted, and at last caught the notice of the
+people on the bank. Two sturdy watermen sprang into a boat and began
+fighting their way out to the helpless ones. It was a hard task, but they
+succeeded, and Ben and little Dolly Willard (as she had given her name)
+were safely taken off. A crowd waited to welcome them and they received
+every possible attention. Both were taken to the nearest farmhouse, where
+a kind-hearted mother took Dolly in charge, for the little one needed it
+sadly enough.
+
+They were within half a mile of a village which was connected with
+Damietta by telegraph, and before Ben would do anything more than swallow
+a cup of hot coffee, and change his clothing, he was driven to the
+office, where he sent the message which was the first word we received in
+Damietta to tell us that he was alive.
+
+I lost no time in hurrying to the humble dwelling of Mrs. Mayberry, where
+I made known the joyful tidings. I shall never forget the holy light
+which illumined the thin face as she clasped her hands in thankfulness
+and said:
+
+"I had not given up all hope, but I was very near doing so."
+
+Ben was driven into Damietta late that afternoon, where a royal welcome
+awaited him. He was cheered, shaken by the hand, and congratulated over
+and over again, and for a time it looked as though he would be pulled
+asunder. When he finally tore himself loose and rushed into our office,
+the operators and messenger boys were equally demonstrative, but he did
+not mind them.
+
+I stood at my desk with a swelling heart, waiting for him. Suddenly he
+turned and caught my hand.
+
+"He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned----"
+
+He was laughing when he spoke the jest, but his voice trembled, and all
+at once he broke down. Quickly withdrawing both hands, he put them over
+his face and cried like a heartbroken child. He had stood it like a hero
+to this point, but now, with the crowd outside peering into the windows,
+he sobbed with uncontrollable emotion, while my own heart was too full to
+speak.
+
+As soon as he could master himself he said:
+
+"I must not wait any longer; mother expects me."
+
+He was out of the door in a twinkling, and in a few minutes the mother
+and son were in each other's arms.
+
+The reader may think that the most remarkable part of Ben Mayberry's
+adventure on the night of the flood has already been told, but it proved
+to be the beginning of a train of incidents of such an extraordinary
+nature that I hasten to make them known. There was a direct connection
+between his experience on that terrible night in February and the
+wonderful mystery in which he became involved, and which exercised such a
+marked influence on his after-life.
+
+Fortunately, little Dolly Willard suffered no serious consequences from
+her frightful shock and exposure. She received such excellent care that
+she speedily recovered, and as soon as we could re-establish
+communication with Moorestown and engage her in conversation, we learned
+something of her history.
+
+She lived in New York City and had come to Moorestown on a visit with her
+mother and Uncle George. He was the G. R. Burkhill who failed to receive
+the cipher dispatch which Ben Mayberry undertook to deliver to him on
+that eventful night.
+
+Dolly said her father was dead, or had been gone from home a very long
+time. Uncle George claimed and took her to the city, first sending a
+cipher dispatch to a party in the metropolis, and directing me, in case
+of an answer, to hold it until he called or sent for it.
+
+Two days later an answer arrived in the same mystic characters as before.
+As it has much to do with the incidents which follow, I give this
+remarkable telegram in full:
+
+                                 "New York, February 28th,----
+
+"George R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
+
+     "Nvtu vzhs ujmm ezkk tbn gzr b adssdg dizodf rntsg zpvs azmj
+     xjmm jddo.
+
+                                                        "Tom."
+
+Cipher telegrams are sent every day in the week, and we did not concern
+ourselves with this particular one, which would have received no further
+thought, but for an odd circumstance.
+
+On the day Mr. Burkhill sent his message to New York, he was followed
+into our office by a man who was shabbily dressed, and who impressed me
+as what is commonly called a "beat." He spoiled several blanks without
+sending a message and then abruptly tore them up, put the pieces in his
+pocket, and walked out after Mr. Burkhill.
+
+He was in the office several times the succeeding two days, made some
+inquiries, and sent off a couple of messages. Just after Ben Mayberry had
+received the cipher telegram given above, I happened to look across my
+desk and observed that the fellow had taken every letter, marking it
+down, as he easily interpreted it by sound.
+
+It was only by accident that I made this discovery, for the man acted
+precisely as if he were preparing a message to send away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE TRANSLATION
+
+
+Mr. G. R. Burkhill overwhelmed Ben Mayberry with thanks for the heroic
+manner in which he saved his niece and strove to save his sister. He
+offered the boy a handsome reward, but I am glad to say Ben refused to
+accept it. He promised to write the boy concerning the little one, but he
+must have forgotten his promise, as a long time passed without anything
+being heard from him.
+
+When I discovered that the seedy lounger about our office had carefully
+taken down the cipher telegram addressed to Burkhill, I was indignant,
+for it was well known that one of the most important duties which the
+telegraph companies insist upon is the inviolability of the messages
+intrusted to their wires. Nothing less than a peremptory order from the
+court is sufficient to produce the telegrams placed in our care.
+
+I was on the point of leaving my desk and compelling the impudent
+stranger to surrender the cipher he had surreptitiously secured, but I
+restrained myself and allowed him to go without suspecting my knowledge
+of his act.
+
+"Ben," said I, addressing my young friend, whom I trusted beyond any of
+the older operators, "did you notice that fellow who just went out?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I have seen him before. He followed me home last night, and
+after I went in the house, he walked up and down the pavement for more
+than half an hour. He was very careful, but I saw him through the
+blinds."
+
+"Has he ever said anything to you?"
+
+"Nothing, except in the office."
+
+"He took down every letter of that cipher telegram you just received for
+Mr. Burkhill."
+
+The boy was surprised and sat a minute in deep thought.
+
+"Mr. Melville," he said, "if you have no objection, I shall study out
+that cipher."
+
+"That I think is impossible; it has been prepared with care, and it will
+take a greater expert than you to unravel it."
+
+Ben smiled in his pleasing way as he answered:
+
+"I am fond of unraveling puzzles, and I believe I can take this apart."
+
+"I will be surprised if you succeed; but if you do, keep it a secret from
+everyone but myself."
+
+"You may depend on that."
+
+The odd times which Ben could secure through the day were spent in
+studying the mysterious letters; but when he placed it in his pocket at
+night and started for home, he had not caught the first glimmer of its
+meaning.
+
+But he was hopeful and said he would never give it up until he made it as
+clear as noonday, and I knew that if it was within the range of
+accomplishment, he would keep his word. I have told enough to show my
+readers he was unusually intelligent and quick-witted, but I am free to
+confess that I had scarcely a hope of his success.
+
+"I've got it!"
+
+That was the whispered exclamation with which Ben Mayberry greeted me the
+next morning when he entered the office.
+
+"No! You're jesting," I answered, convinced, at the same time, that he
+was in earnest.
+
+"I'll soon show you," was his exultant response.
+
+"How was it you struck the key?"
+
+"That is hard to tell, more than you can explain how it is, after you
+have puzzled your brain for a long time over an arithmetical problem, it
+suddenly becomes clear to you."
+
+He sat down by my desk.
+
+"I figured and studied, and tried those letters every way I could think
+of until midnight, and was on the point of going to bed, when the whole
+thing flashed upon me. You know, Mr. Melville, that in trying to unravel
+a cipher, the first thing necessary is to find the key-word, for it must
+be there somewhere; and if you look sharp enough it will reveal itself.
+One single letter gave it to me."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"If you will look at the telegram," said Ben, spreading it out before me,
+"you will notice that in one instance only is a single letter seen
+standing by itself. That is the letter 'b,' which I concluded must stand
+for the article 'a,' for I know of no other, unless it is 'I.' Now, the
+letter 'b' is the second one in the alphabet, and stands next in order to
+'a.' If this system is followed throughout the cipher, we have only to
+take, instead of the letters as written, the next in order as they occur
+in the alphabet. But when I tried it on the following word, it failed
+entirely. Luckily I tested the second in the same manner, and I was
+surprised to find it made a perfect word, viz.: 'chance.' The third came
+to naught, but the fourth developed into 'your.' That proved that every
+other word of the message was constructed in this manner, and it did not
+take me long to bring them out into good English. This was a big help, I
+can tell you, and it was not long before I discovered that in the
+alternate words the system reversed; that is, instead of taking the
+letter immediately succeeding, the writer had used that which immediately
+precedes it in the alphabet. Applying this key to the telegram, it read
+thus:
+
+"'Must wait till fall; Sam has a better chance south. Your bank will
+keep.'"
+
+"Now," added Ben, who was warranted in feeling jubilant over his success,
+"that is a very ordinary cipher--one which hundreds would make out
+without trouble. Had the writer run his letters all together--that is,
+without any break between the words--I would have been stumped. Besides,
+he uses no blind words, as he ought to have done; and it looks very much
+as if he calls everything by its right name, something which I should
+think no person anxious to keep such a secret would do. If he means
+'bank,' he might as well have called it by another name altogether."
+
+"I think ordinarily he would have been safe in writing his cipher as he
+has done; but, be that as it may, I am confident you have made a most
+important discovery."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FARMER JONES
+
+
+The conclusion which I formed respecting the cipher telegram, so cleverly
+translated by Ben Mayberry, was that it concerned an intended robbery of
+one of the banks in Damietta, and that the crime, for the reason hinted
+in the dispatch, was postponed until the succeeding autumn.
+
+Under such circumstances it will be seen that it was my duty to
+communicate with the general manager of the company, which I proceeded to
+do without delay. In reply, he instructed me to place myself in
+communication with the mayor of the city, whose province it was to make
+provision against what certainly looked like a contemplated crime.
+
+This instruction was carried out, and the mayor promptly took every means
+at his command to checkmate any movement of the suspected party. He
+arranged to shadow him by one of the best detectives in the country,
+while I agreed to notify him of the contents of any more suspicious
+telegrams passing over the wires.
+
+It need hardly be said that the friends of Ben Mayberry and myself took
+care that his exploit on the memorable winter night should not pass by
+unnoticed. The single daily paper published in Damietta gave a thrilling
+account of the carrying away of the bridge, and the terrible struggle of
+the boy in the raging river--an account which was so magnified that we
+laughed, and Ben was angry and disgusted. One of the best traits of the
+boy was his modesty, and it was manifest to everyone that this continued
+laudation was distasteful to him in the highest degree.
+
+The cap-sheaf came when one of the metropolitan weeklies published an
+illustration of the scene, in which Ben was pictured as saving not only
+the mother and daughter, but the horse as well, by drawing them by main
+force upon an enormous block of ice! There was not the slightest
+resemblance to the actual occurrence, and the picture of our young hero
+looked as much like me as it did like Ben, who would have cried with
+vexation had not the whole thing been such a caricature that he was
+compelled to laugh instead.
+
+But the general manager received a truthful account from me, together
+with the statement that Ben Mayberry alone deserved the credit for
+deciphering the telegram which foreshadowed an intended crime.
+Corporations, as a rule, are not given to lavish rewards, but the letter
+which the manager sent to Ben was more highly prized than if it had been
+a gold watch studded with diamonds, or a deed for the best house in
+Diamietta. His heart throbbed when he read the warm words of praise from
+the highest officer in the company, who told him to continue faithfully
+in the path on which he had started, and his reward was certain. That
+letter Ben to-day counts among his most precious prizes, and nothing
+would induce him to part with it.
+
+The best thing about this whole business was the fact that Ben never lost
+his head through the profusion of compliments from those in authority. He
+realized that the straight road to success lay not through accidental
+occurrences, which may have befriended him, but it was only by hard,
+painstaking, and long-continued application that substantial and enduring
+success is attained.
+
+Ben was always punctual at the office, and never tried to avoid work
+which he might have contended, and with good reason, did not belong to
+him. His obliging disposition was shown by his volunteering to deliver
+the message which nearly cost him his life. The duty of the telegraphist
+is very confining, and so exacting that the most rugged health often
+gives way under it, and persons take to other business before completely
+broken up. But this debility is often the fault of the operators
+themselves, who sit bent over their desks, smoking villainous cigarettes
+or strong tobacco, who ride in street cars when they should gladly seize
+the chance to walk briskly, and who, I am sorry to say, drink
+intoxicating liquors, which appear to tempt sedentary persons with
+peculiar power.
+
+Ben Mayberry had none of these baneful habits. He lived a long distance
+from the office, and although the street cars passed within a block of
+his home, I never knew him to ride on one, no matter how severe the
+weather might be.
+
+Besides this, he belonged to a baseball club, and, in good weather, when
+we were not pushed, managed to get away several times a week during which
+he gained enough vitality and renewed vigor to last him for days.
+
+One particularly busy afternoon, just as Ben had finished sending off a
+lengthy dispatch, someone rapped sharply on the counter behind him, and
+turning, he saw an honest-looking farmer, who had been writing and
+groaning for fully twenty minutes before he was ready to send his
+telegram.
+
+"Can you send that to Makeville, young man?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Ben, springing to his feet, and taking the smeared
+and blotted paper from his hand.
+
+"Jist let me know how much it is; I s'pose it ain't more than twenty or
+thirty cents. There ain't much use in sending it, but Sally Jane, that's
+my daughter, was anxious for me to send her a telegraphic dispatch,
+'cause she never got one, and she'll feel proud to see how the neighbors
+will stare."
+
+Ben had started to count the words, but he paused, and repressing a smile
+over the simplicity of the man, said:
+
+"It is very expensive to send messages by telegraph, and it will cost you
+several dollars to send this----"
+
+"Thunderation!" broke in the indignant old man, growing red in the face.
+"I won't patronize any sich frauds."
+
+He started to go out, when Ben checked him pleasantly.
+
+"It will be too bad to disappoint your daughter, and we can arrange to
+send her a message with very little expense. There are many words here
+which can be left out without affecting the sense. Please run your pen
+through these, and let me look at it again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE VALUE OF COURTESY
+
+
+The following is the message as first written out by the old farmer:
+
+     "Sally Jane Jones, Makeville,--I take my pen in hand to
+     inform you that I arrived safely in Damietta this morning.
+     I have seen Jim, your brother. His baby is dead in love
+     with me, and they all join in sending their love to you. I
+     expect to eat my supper with Cousin Maria and sleep in
+     their house by the river. I will be home to-morrow
+     afternoon. Meet me at the station with the roan mare, if
+     she ain't too tired to draw the buggy.
+
+                            "Your affectionate father,
+                                            "Josiah A. Jones."
+
+When Ben Mayberry had explained how much could be saved by crossing out
+the superfluous words in this message, while its main points would be
+left, the farmer's anger turned to pleasure. He took his pen, nodded
+several times, and turned smilingly to the desk, where he stood for fully
+a quarter of an hour, groaning, writing, and crossing out words. He
+labored as hard as before, and finally held the paper off at arm's length
+and contemplated it admiringly through his silver spectacles.
+
+"Yes; that'll do," he said, nodding his head several times in a pleased
+way; "that reads just the same--little abrupt, maybe, but they'll git the
+hang of it, and it'll please Sally Jane, who is a good darter. Here,
+young man, jist figger onto that, will you, and let me know how much the
+expense is."
+
+Ben took the paper, and under the labored manipulation of the old farmer,
+he found it was changed in this amazing fashion:
+
+     "I take my hand--Damietta. Jim, your brother--the baby is
+     dead--I expect to eat Cousin Maria, and sleep in the river
+     to-morrow afternoon--with the roan--if she ain't too
+     buggy. Your affectionate father,
+
+                                            "Josiah A. Jones."
+
+It was hard for Ben to suppress his laughter, but the farmer was looking
+straight at him, and the boy would not hurt his feelings. He surveyed the
+message a minute, and then said:
+
+"Perhaps I can help you a little on this."
+
+"You can try if you want to," grunted the old man; "but I don't think you
+can improve much on that."
+
+Under the skillful magic of the boy's pencil the telegram was speedily
+boiled into this shape:
+
+     "Met Jim--all well--meet me with roan to-morrow afternoon.
+
+                                                 J. A. Jones."
+
+"There are ten words," explained Ben, "and that will cost you twenty-five
+cents. Besides, it tells all that is necessary, and will please your
+daughter just as much as if it were five times as long."
+
+Mr. Jones took it up again, held it up at arm's length and then brought
+it closer to him, while he thoughtfully rubbed his chin with the other
+hand.
+
+"I s'pose that's right," he finally said, "but don't you think you orter
+tell her I have arrived in Damietta?"
+
+"She must know you have arrived here, or you couldn't send the telegram
+to her."
+
+"Umph! That's so; but hadn't I orter explain to her that the Jim I met
+was her brother?"
+
+"Is there any Jim you expect to see except your son?"
+
+"No, that's so. I swan to gracious! But I thought it wasn't more'n
+perlite ter tell her that Cousin Maria's baby is dead in love with me."
+
+"I am sure that every baby which sees you will fall in love with you, and
+your daughter must be aware of that."
+
+At this rather pointed compliment the farmer's face glowed like a cider
+apple, and his smile seemed almost to reach to his ears.
+
+"I swan; but you're a peart chap. What wages do you git?"
+
+"Forty-five dollars a month."
+
+"Well, you airn it, you jist bet; but I was goin' to say that I orter
+speak of the roan mare, don't you think?"
+
+"Have you more than one horse that is of a roan color?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Then when you speak of the roan, they must know that you can only mean
+the roan mare."
+
+The old gentleman fairly beamed with pleasure, and reaching solemnly down
+in his pockets, he fished out another silver quarter, which he handed to
+Ben, saying:
+
+"I like you; take it to please me."
+
+"I thank you; I have been paid," replied Ben, pushing the coin back from
+him.
+
+"Confound it! Take this, then; won't you?"
+
+As he spoke he banged down a large, red apple on the counter, and looked
+almost savagely at Ben, as if daring him to refuse it.
+
+The boy did not decline, but picking it up, said:
+
+"Thank you; I am very fond of apples. I will take this home and share it
+with my mother."
+
+"The next time I come to town I'll bring you a peck," and with this
+hearty response the farmer stumped out of the door.
+
+I had been much amused over this scene, especially when Ben showed me the
+astonishing message the farmer had prepared to send his daughter.
+
+Ben laughed, too, after the old gentleman was beyond hearing.
+
+"It's a pleasure to do a slight favor like that. I think I feel better
+over it than Mr. Jones does himself."
+
+"I think not," said I; "for it so happens that instead of that gentleman
+being Farmer Jones, he is Mr. Musgrave, the district superintendent, who
+took a fancy to find out whether his operators are as kind and obliging
+as they should be, I am quite sure you lost nothing that time by your
+courtesy and accommodating spirit."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A CALL
+
+
+I have spoken of Ben Mayberry's fondness for athletic sports, and the
+great benefit he gained from the exercise thus obtained. When business
+permitted, I visited the ball grounds, where his skill made him the
+favorite of the enthusiastic crowd which always assembled there. He
+played shortstop, and his activity in picking up hot grounders and his
+wonderful accuracy in throwing to first base were the chief attractions
+which brought many to the place. He was equally successful at the bat,
+and, when only fourteen years old, repeatedly lifted the ball over the
+left-field fence--a feat which was only accomplished very rarely by the
+heaviest batsmen of the visiting nines.
+
+There were many, including myself, who particularly admired Ben's
+throwing. How any living person can acquire such skill is beyond my
+comprehension. Ben was the superior of all his companions when a small
+urchin, and his wonderful accuracy improved as he grew older.
+
+To please a number of spectators, Ben used to place himself on third
+base, and then "bore in" the ball to first. In its arrowy passage it
+seemed scarcely to rise more than two or three feet above the horizontal,
+and shot through the air with such unerring aim that I really believe he
+could have struck a breast-pin on a player's front nine times out of ten.
+I never saw him make a wild throw, and some of his double plays were
+executed with such brilliancy that a veteran player took his hand one day
+as he ran from the field, and said:
+
+"Ben, you'll be on a professional nine in a couple of years. Harry Wright
+and the different managers are always on the lookout for talent, and
+they'll scoop you in."
+
+"I think not," said the modest Ben, panting slightly from a terrific run.
+"I am a little lucky, that's all; but though I'm very fond of playing
+ball I never will take it up as a means of living."
+
+"There's where your head ain't level, sonny. Why, you'll get more money
+for one summer's play than you will make in two or three years nursing a
+telegraph machine. Besides that, think of the fun you will have."
+
+"That's all very good, and I can understand why baseball is so tempting
+to so many young men. But it lasts a short time, and then the player
+finds himself without any regular business. His fingers are banged out of
+shape; he has exercised so violently that more than likely his health is
+injured, and he is compelled to work like a common laborer to get a
+living. Ten years from now there will hardly be one of the present
+professionals in the business, I'm sure."
+
+"I guess you ain't far from the fact, but for all that, if I had the
+chance that you have, I would be mighty glad to take in all the baseball
+sport I could."
+
+But Ben was sensible in this respect, and steadily refused to look upon
+himself as training for the professional ball field. In looking back to
+that time, I am rejoiced that such is the fact. There are many of my
+readers who recall the popular players of years ago--McBride, Wright,
+Fisler, Sensenderfer, McMullen, Start, Brainard, Gould, Leonard, Dean,
+Spalding, Sweeney, Radcliffe, McDonald, Addy, Pierce, and a score of
+others. Among them all I recall none still in the field. Some are dead,
+and the rest are so "used up" that they would make a sorry exhibition if
+placed on the ball field to-day.
+
+Ben Mayberry was a swift and skillful skater, and in running there was
+not a boy in Damietta who could equal him. It was by giving heed to these
+forms of healthful exercise, and by avoiding liquor and tobacco, that he
+preserved his rosy cheeks, his clear eye, his vigorous brain, and his
+bounding health.
+
+"Why, how do you do, Ben?"
+
+The lad looked up from his desk in the office, one clear, autumn day, as
+he heard these words, and I did the same. There stood one of the
+loveliest little girls I ever looked upon. She seemed to be ten or eleven
+years of age, was richly dressed, with an exuberant mass of yellow hair
+falling over her shoulders. Her large, lustrous eyes were of a deep blue,
+her complexion as rich and pink as the lining of a sea shell, and her
+features as winsome as any that Phidias himself ever carved from Parian
+marble.
+
+Ben rose in a hesitating way and walked toward her, uncertain, though he
+suspected her identity.
+
+"Is this--no, it cannot be----"
+
+"Yes; I am Dolly Willard, that you saved from drowning with my poor mamma
+last winter. I wrote you a letter soon after I got home, but you felt too
+important to notice it, I suppose."
+
+And the laughing girl reached her hand over the counter, while Ben shook
+it warmly, and said:
+
+"You wrote to me? Surely there was some mistake, for I never got the
+letter; I would have only been too glad to answer it. Maybe you forgot to
+drop it in the office."
+
+"I gave it to Uncle George, and told him to be careful and put it in the
+mail, and he said he did so when he came home, so it was not my fault. But
+I am visiting at my cousin's in Commerce Street, at Mr. Grandin's----"
+
+"I know the place."
+
+"They are going to have a grand party there to-night, and I've come down
+to ask you to be sure and be there."
+
+"I am delighted to receive your invitation, but----"
+
+"You can go," said I, as Ben looked appealingly toward me.
+
+"Thank you, sir. Yes, Miss Dolly, I count upon great pleasure in being
+present."
+
+"If you don't come, I'll never speak to you again," called the pretty
+little miss as she passed out of the door.
+
+"I am sorry and troubled about one thing," said Ben to me, when we stood
+together. "This Uncle George of Dolly's is the G. R. Burkhill who
+received that cipher dispatch. I am satisfied he is a villain, and
+there's trouble close at hand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AT THE GRANDIN MANSION
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was born in Damietta, and his parents, as I have shown, were
+extremely poor. He had been a barefooted urchin, who was ready to fight
+or engage in any reckless undertaking. As he grew older and became more
+thoughtful, he assumed better clothing, grew more studious, and, helped
+by his fine ability and prepossessing looks, became popular.
+
+In addition, his remarkable skill in athletic sports made him well liked
+among the rougher element, who would have been glad had he consented to
+"train with their crowd."
+
+In spite of all this, Ben failed to secure the social recognition to
+which he was entitled. Many who would greet him most cordially on the
+street never thought of inviting him to their homes. Damietta had been a
+city long enough to develop social caste, which lay in such distinct
+strata that there seemed no possibility of their ever mingling together.
+
+I was glad, therefore, when Dolly Willard called at the office and
+personally invited Ben to attend the party at Mr. Grandin's, which was
+one of the most aristocratic families in Damietta. They were originally
+from the South, but had lived in the city a long time.
+
+My young friend was somewhat dubious about going, as he had never before
+been invited to cross the threshold; but there was no refusing the warm
+invitation of Dolly, who had walked all the way to the office on purpose
+to secure his presence at the gathering that evening.
+
+Ben Mayberry was proud of Dolly; that is, proud that it had fallen to his
+lot to befriend such a splendid girl, but there were several things that
+made him thoughtful.
+
+In the first place, my reader will recall that the cipher telegram which
+was of such a compromising character was addressed to her uncle. Ben had
+hunted out from the files in the office the first disguised message, and
+it clearly referred to a contemplated robbery of one of the banks in
+Damietta. This G. R. Burkhill was a criminal who was playing a desperate
+game, in which he was likely to lose.
+
+It was unfortunate that he was connected by relationship with Dolly
+Willard, who was the cousin of the Grandins; but it was certainly
+impossible that either Dolly, the Grandins, or Mrs. Willard herself, knew
+the character of the man. Such was the view Ben took of the matter,
+adding to himself:
+
+"I hope he will keep away, and that nothing more of the intended robbery
+will be heard. It is now the fall of the year, and they seemed to agree
+that it was the time when the crime was to be attempted."
+
+It was one of the grandest children's parties ever given in Damietta.
+Little Dolly Willard had mourned her mother's loss as deeply as could any
+child, but those of her years soon rally from affliction, and she was
+among the happiest of the three-score boys and girls who gathered in the
+roomy parlors of the Grandin mansion that beautiful night in October.
+
+The wages which Ben Mayberry received enabled him to dress with excellent
+taste, and, poor as he was, there was none of the sons of the wealthiest
+merchants in Damietta who was more faultlessly attired that evening.
+True, some of them sported handsome gold watches, and one or two
+displayed diamonds, of which Ben had none, but otherwise a spectator
+would have placed the young telegraphist on the same social footing with
+the aristocratic youths around him.
+
+Among the numerous misses present were many dressed with great elegance,
+and possessing much personal beauty; but Dolly Willard, by common
+consent, surpassed them all in personal loveliness, while the rich and
+severe simplicity of her attire showed either the exquisite taste of
+herself or of someone who had the care of her.
+
+Among such an assemblage of misses and youths there are as many
+heart-burnings as among their elder brothers and sisters. Dolly was
+decidedly the belle of the evening. Some of the other girls were so
+envious over her superior attractions that they openly sneered at her,
+but the aspiring youth were dazzled by the sprightly girl, who attracted
+them as though she were a magnet and they had a big supply of steel about
+their persons.
+
+When Ben Mayberry entered the parlor a little late, Dolly was standing
+among a group of lads who were smiling and bowing, and making desperate
+attempts to be funny with a view of drawing her attention especially to
+them. It was natural that she should be somewhat coquettish, but the
+instant she caught sight of Ben Mayberry she almost ran to him.
+
+"I was afraid you wouldn't come," she exclaimed, taking both his hands in
+hers; "and if you hadn't, I never, never, never would have spoken to you
+again."
+
+Ben unquestionably was a handsome lad. His bright eyes, his white, even
+teeth, his slightly Roman nose, his well-shaped head, his clear, bright
+eye, and his rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, rendered him an
+attractive figure among the bright faces and well-dressed figures. His
+superb physical poise lent a grace to all his movements, while he was
+self-possessed at the most trying times.
+
+He made a laughing reply to Dolly, who at once seated herself beside him
+and began chatting in her liveliest style, which was very lively indeed.
+To those who approached, she introduced him as the young man who had
+saved her life the preceding winter, until Ben begged her to make no
+further reference to it. Many of the other girls gathered around, and
+showed their admiration of Ben in a most marked manner. These were mostly
+from Boston or New York, who had heard of the young hero, but had never
+looked upon him before.
+
+Dolly was talking away with lightning speed to Ben, who managed to edge
+in a word now and then, when a dapper young man of sixteen years spruced
+forward.
+
+"They are going to form for the lancers, Miss Dolly; I believe I have
+your promise for my partner."
+
+"I thank you, Rutherford, but I have changed my mind, and will dance with
+Master Ben."
+
+This was a daring and almost unwarranted act on the part of the little
+empress, for Ben had not yet spoken to her on the matter. But he was
+quick to seize the advantage, and, instantly rising to his feet, offered
+his arm to Dolly, and started toward the dancing-room, as though the
+whole thing had been prearranged before the other party presented
+himself.
+
+This act brought him face to face with the disappointed young man, whose
+countenance flushed with anger.
+
+"Rutherford, this is he who saved my life last winter, Master Ben
+Mayberry; my friend, Rutherford Richmond."
+
+The two saluted each other somewhat distantly; and with feelings which it
+would be hard to describe, Ben recognized the tall, rather callow youth
+as the Rutherford who stoned him several years before, when he was
+floating down the river on a log, and to whom Ben in turn had given a
+most thorough castigation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE CONSPIRACY
+
+
+Rutherford Richmond recognized Ben Mayberry at the same instant that the
+latter identified him. But neither gave any evidence of the fact that
+could be understood by other parties.
+
+Ben took his position with Dolly by his side, and they were without doubt
+the handsomest couple on the floor that evening. Their mutual interest
+was so marked that everyone present noticed it, and it caused comment
+without end.
+
+"Yes, I believe he sweeps out the office for a telegraph company. He
+manages to save up enough money in the course of a year to buy a decent
+suit of clothes."
+
+Ben Mayberry was sitting down at the end of one of the dances, when he
+overheard these words, which he knew referred to him. Dolly had excused
+herself for a few minutes, and he was alone, sniffing at a fragrant
+bouquet which he was protecting from all damage for her benefit.
+
+He knew, further, that the remark was intended for his ears, but he
+affected not to know it, while he furtively glanced behind him. There
+stood Master Rutherford Richmond, with three or four lads. They were all
+jealous of Ben, and were discussing his merits for his own especial
+benefit.
+
+"I understand he gets fifty cents a week for his work," observed another,
+making sure his voice was elevated enough to be heard half across the
+room, "which is a big sum for him."
+
+"I don't understand why Miss Jennie" (referring to Jennie Grandin, who
+gave the party) "allows such cattle here," struck in a third, in the same
+off-hand manner.
+
+Rutherford Richmond took upon himself to give the reason.
+
+"It was all on account of Dolly. You know she is kind-hearted, and I
+understand this booby went to her and begged that she would give him a
+chance to see how a party of high-toned people looked. She couldn't very
+well refuse, and now she is trotting him around for the rest of us to
+laugh at."
+
+Ben Mayberry's cheeks burned, for none of these words escaped him. He
+would have given a good deal to have been outside alone for a few minutes
+with Master Rutherford Richmond. But he could not call him to account
+under the circumstances, and he still sniffed at the bouquet in his hand,
+and affected to be very much interested in the action of a couple of
+misses on the opposite side of the room.
+
+"If Miss Jennie permits anything of this kind again," volunteered
+Rutherford, "it will cause trouble. A good many will want to know, before
+they allow their children to come, whether they are liable to meet the
+telegraph office boy and the great ball player here; if there's danger
+they will stay at home."
+
+"I think the scum of society should be kept in its place," observed
+another, scarcely less bitter than young Richmond in his jealousy of the
+lad who claimed so much of the attention of the little belle of the
+evening.
+
+This kind of talk was going on when, to Ben's great relief, Dolly came
+tripping to him. He added gall to the cup of the envious youths by
+rising, giving her his arm, and then glancing triumphantly back at them,
+as he escorted her to the dining room.
+
+They knew the meaning of the glance, and they were fierce enough to
+assault him had they dared to do so.
+
+The party came to an end before midnight. Ben Mayberry had saluted his
+friends, and was in the hall preparatory to going home, when someone
+slyly pulled his arm. Turning, he saw that it was Ned Deering, a little
+fellow whose father was the leading physician in Damietta. Ned was a
+great admirer of Ben, and he now seized the occasion to say:
+
+"Look out, Ben, when you get down by the bridge over the creek; they're
+going for you."
+
+"Whom do you mean?"
+
+"That Rutherford Richmond and another fellow mean to hide in Carter's
+Alley, and when you come along will pounce down on you. They wanted me to
+go with 'em, but I begged off without letting 'em know I meant to tell
+you."
+
+"Where are they?" asked Ben, glancing furtively about him.
+
+"They slipped out ahead, and are hurrying down there. You had better take
+another way home. They are awful mad, and will knock the stuffing out of
+you."
+
+Ben Mayberry smiled over the earnest words and manner of the boy, and
+thanked him for his information.
+
+"Don't let 'em know I told you," added the timid fellow, as Ben moved out
+the door; "for if they find out that it was me that was the cause of your
+going the other way home, why, they'd punch my head for me. That
+Richmond, they say, is a reg'lar fighter--has science, and can lay out
+anybody of his size."
+
+"They will never know you said anything to me, Ned, for I shall take the
+usual way, and will be slow, so as to give them plenty of time to get
+there ahead of me."
+
+The little fellow looked wonderingly at Ben as he walked away, unable to
+comprehend how anyone should step into a yawning chasm after being warned
+of his peril.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN AFFRAY AT NIGHT
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was so desirous that Rutherford Richmond and his brother
+conspirator should be given all the time they needed to complete their
+scheme for waylaying and assaulting him, that he lingered on the road
+longer than was really necessary.
+
+Finally he turned down the street, which crossed by the creek that ran
+through the center of Damietta. It was a clear moonlight night, and,
+except in the shadow, objects could be seen distinctly for a considerable
+distance. He advanced with great care, and with all his wits at command,
+for he was confident the warning given him by Ned Deering was well
+founded.
+
+When within a block of the bridge he saw someone peep out of Carter's
+Alley and instantly draw back his head, as though fearful of being
+observed. A moment later, a second person did the same. Rutherford
+Richmond and his confederate were on hand.
+
+They did not look like the two boys as seen in the glare of Mr. Grandin's
+parlors, for they had disguised themselves, so far as possible, with a
+view of preventing their recognition by the boy whom they meant to
+assault. They knew they were liable to get themselves into trouble by
+such an outrageous violation of law, and they meant to take all the
+precautions necessary.
+
+Each had donned a long flapping overcoat, which must have belonged to
+some of the older members of the families, as it dangled about his heels.
+They also wore slouch hats like a couple of brigands, which they pulled
+down over their eyes, so as to hide their features. They had no weapons,
+for it was calculated that by springing upon Ben unawares they would
+easily bear him to the pavement, when both would give him a beating which
+he would remember for a lifetime.
+
+Ben was whistling softly to himself, and he was glad that at the late
+hour no one else was seen in the immediate neighborhood, for all he asked
+was a clear field and no favor.
+
+As he walked by the open end of Carter's Alley, he dimly discerned two
+figures, which seemed plastered against the wall in the dense shadow,
+where they were invisible to all passers-by, unless their suspicion was
+directed to the spot.
+
+Ben gave no evidence that he noticed them, and moved along in his
+deliberate fashion, changing his whistling to a low humming of no
+particular tune; but he used his keen eyesight and hearing for all they
+were worth.
+
+He had gone no more than a dozen feet beyond, when he heard a rapid but
+cautious footstep behind him. It increased in swiftness, and was
+instantly followed by a second. The two boys were approaching him
+stealthily from the rear.
+
+Still Ben walked quietly forward, humming to himself, and with no
+apparent thought of what was coming. Suddenly, when Richmond was in the
+very act of making a leap upon his shoulders, Ben turned like a flash,
+and planted a stunning blow directly in the face of the exultant coward,
+who was knocked on his back as if kicked by a vigorous mule.
+
+His companion was at the elbow of Richmond when struck in this emphatic
+fashion, and for the instant was bewildered by the unexpected
+catastrophe. Before he could recover he imagined the comet which was
+expected at that season had caught him directly between the eyes, and he
+went backward over Richmond, with his two legs pointing upward, like a
+pair of dividers, toward the stars.
+
+Ben's blood was up, and he waited for the two to rise, intending to "lay
+them out" more emphatically than before. The lad whose name he did not
+know lay still, but Rutherford recovered with remarkable quickness, and
+began struggling to his feet, without paying heed to his hat, which had
+rolled into the gutter.
+
+"That ain't fair to strike a fellow that way, when he ain't expecting
+it," growled the assassin. "Why didn't you stand still like a man and not
+hit below the belt?"
+
+"All right; I give you notice then, friend Rutherford, that I am going
+for you again, and this time above the belt."
+
+Richmond, finding he must fight, threw up his hands and did his best to
+guard against the blows whose force he knew so well. He did possess some
+knowledge of sparring, but so did Ben, who was much the stronger and more
+active of the two. He advanced straight upon Richmond, made several
+feints, and then landed a blow straight from the shoulder, at the same
+time parrying the cross-counter which the lad came near getting in on the
+face.
+
+It so happened that, at that moment, the other young scamp was in the act
+of rising, and had got upon his hands and knees. As Richmond was sent
+spinning backward he came in collision with him, and turned a complete
+somersault, the air seeming to be full of legs, long hair, hats, and
+flapping overcoats.
+
+"Murder! help! help! police! police!"
+
+These startling cries were shouted at the top of their voices by the
+discomfited poltroons, and were heard a long distance on the still night.
+Suddenly the rattle of running feet sounded on the planks of the bridge,
+and Ben caught sight of a policeman running toward the spot.
+
+"What does this mean?" he demanded, when he came face to face with Ben,
+whom he motioned to stop.
+
+"Those two fellows attacked me when I was passing Carter's Alley, and
+I--well, I defended myself as best I could."
+
+"Oh, Ben, that is you; I didn't know you at first," said the policeman.
+"This is rather serious business; I'll run 'em in."
+
+Advancing to where the boys were once more climbing to their feet, he
+grasped each by the collar.
+
+"I'll take you along with me, young gents; this is serious business for
+you."
+
+They begged piteously to be let off, declaring that it was only a joke,
+but the officer was inexorable, and marched them to the station house,
+where they spent the rest of the night, Ben Mayberry having been notified
+to be on hand at nine o'clock the next morning, when the police justice
+would make an investigation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE THIRD TELEGRAM
+
+
+When the father of Rutherford Richmond's friend, at whose house the young
+Bostonian was visiting, learned the facts, he was indignant beyond
+description. He declared that Ben Mayberry had served the young
+scapegraces right, except he ought to have punished both more severely,
+which was rather severe, as was shown by the blackened eyes and bruised
+faces.
+
+Ben declined to push the matter on the morrow, as the boys had been
+punished, and he had proved he was able to take care of himself, as
+against them, at any time. But the gentleman insisted that he would not
+permit the matter to drop, unless his son and Rutherford agreed to go to
+the telegraph office and beg the pardon of the boy whom he learned they
+had insulted under Mr. Grandin's roof. Rutherford and his friend
+consented, and they humiliated themselves to that extent. The succeeding
+day Rutherford went home to Boston, and did not reappear in Damietta
+until long afterward, when he hoped the disgraceful episode was
+forgotten.
+
+On the following week Dolly Willard returned to New York, and Ben, for
+the first time in his life, began to feel as though his native city had
+lost a good deal of the sunshine to which it was entitled.
+
+"She will visit Damietta again," he said to himself, with just the
+faintest sigh, "and she promised to write me; I hope she won't forget her
+promise."
+
+And, indeed, the sprightly little miss did not lose sight of her pledge.
+It may be suspected that she took as much pleasure in expressing on paper
+her warm friendship for Ben, as he did in reading the pure, honest
+sentiments, and in answering her missives, which he did with great
+promptness.
+
+It was just one week after the memorable night of the party, while I was
+sitting at my desk, that the following cipher dispatch came over the
+wires, addressed to G. R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
+
+     "Fwfszuijoh hr pl nm ujnf Sgtqdezw bu bnqmdq. Tom."
+
+I passed the message to Ben, whose eyes sparkled as he took it in hand.
+It required but a few minutes for him to translate it by the method which
+has already been made known, and the following rather startling words
+came to light:
+
+     "Everything is O. K. On time Thursday at corner."
+
+This unquestionably referred to the same unlawful project outlined in the
+former dispatches. Mr. Burkhill had not been in the office for months. As
+yet, of the three telegrams sent him, he had not received one. The first
+was lost in the river, the second had been on file more than half a year,
+and we now had the third.
+
+But the latter did not lie uncalled for even for an hour. Remembering the
+instruction received from the manager, I took a copy of the message, with
+the translation written out by Ben, to the office of the mayor, where I
+laid the facts before him. This was on Wednesday, and the contemplated
+robbery was fixed for the following night. By his direction I sent a
+dispatch at once to the address of the detective in New York, who, it had
+been arranged, was to look after the matter.
+
+The reply to this message was the rather surprising information that
+Detective Maxx had been in Damietta several days, and knew of the
+contemplated robbery. He was shadowing the suspected party, and if he
+deemed it necessary, he would call on the mayor for assistance.
+
+While I was absent from the office, who should walk in but Mr. G. R.
+Burkhill. He greeted Ben with much effusion, shaking him warmly by the
+hand, inquiring how he got along, and telling him that his niece sent her
+special regards to him.
+
+"I have been on a trip to New Orleans," he added, "or I would have been
+down in Damietta sooner, for I like the place."
+
+"The summer isn't generally considered a good time to go so far south,"
+ventured Ben.
+
+"That is true, as relates to Northerners, but I was born in the Crescent
+City, and have no fear of Yellow Jack; fact is, I have had the confounded
+disease myself. By the way, have you a message for me?"
+
+"We have two, in fact I may say three, for the copy of the first one that
+went down the river with me has never been handed you, and one came a day
+or two after you left."
+
+"I know what they are, so you needn't mind about them. I will take the
+last, if you please."
+
+"It arrived within the last half hour," explained Ben, as he handed the
+damp sheet to him.
+
+The boy watched his countenance while Burkhill was reading it. It took
+several minutes for him to study out its meaning, but he did so without
+the aid of pencil or paper. A strange glitter came into his gray eyes as
+the meaning broke upon him, and he muttered something to himself which
+the lad did not quite catch.
+
+Then he turned to the desk, and was engaged only a minute or two when he
+handed a return message to Ben, paying for it as the man had done who
+forwarded the other to him. It was this:
+
+     "Uibu rthsr fybdumz Vhkk cf qdzex.
+
+                                             "G. R. Burkhill."
+
+Applying his rule (which compelled him to go to the end of the alphabet,
+when, for instance, the letter "a" demanded to be represented by a
+preceding letter), Ben Mayberry very readily translated the cipher as
+follows:
+
+     "That suits exactly. Will be ready.
+
+                                             "G. R. Burkhill."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+DECIDEDLY MIXED
+
+
+During the summer succeeding the carrying away of the bridge which
+connected Damietta with Moorestown, it was built in a more substantial
+manner than before. It was an easy matter, therefore, to cross from one
+place to another, and carriages and pedestrians went back and forth
+between the two States at almost every hour of the day. Damietta was a
+large city, while Moorestown was only a small town; but the latter was
+pleasantly located and had a large and excellent hotel, where quite a
+number of guests spent the most sultry months of summer.
+
+In Damietta were three banks, and the cipher telegrams which I have laid
+before the reader, beyond a doubt referred to one of them, but it was
+impossible to fix with certainty upon the right one. As a matter of
+prudence, therefore, it was determined to keep the three under
+surveillance. The Mechanics' Bank, as it was called before it adopted the
+national system, stood on the corner, and the general impression
+prevailed that this was the institution referred to, as it will be
+remembered that the word "corner" occurred in one of the telegrams.
+
+A few minutes' reflection convinced me that it was utterly out of the
+question for the intended robbery to succeed. Such desperate projects
+depend mainly on their secrecy for success. The watchmen in all the banks
+were instructed to be unusually vigilant, the policemen were apprised of
+what was suspected, a number of officers were to lounge upon the streets
+near at hand in citizens' clothes, and Aristides Maxx, one of the most
+skillful detectives in the metropolis, was engaged upon the case.
+
+The general belief was that the burglars, discovering what thorough
+preparations were on foot, would not make the attempt. That sort of
+gentry are not the ones to walk into any trap with their eyes open.
+
+Respecting Detective Maxx, there was much wonderment, and the mayor was
+vexed that he did not show up. Some doubted his presence in Damietta, but
+the superior officer of the city felt that courtesy demanded that Maxx
+should report to him before trying to follow up any trail of his own. If
+he was with us, he was so effectually disguised that no one suspected his
+identity.
+
+"I wonder whether that seedy, tramp-like fellow who stole the cipher
+dispatch, can be Detective Maxx?" said Ben to me on Wednesday night
+before he started for home.
+
+"It is not impossible," I answered, "for detectives are forced to assume
+all manner of disguises. He may have chosen to stroll about the city in
+that make-up."
+
+"But if it is the detective, why did he go to all the trouble of copying
+off the telegram by sound when he could have got it from us with the
+translation merely by making himself known?"
+
+"I admit that, if he is a detective, he acts, in my judgment, in a very
+unprofessional way. He was so persistent in his attentions that he must
+have known he was sure to draw unpleasant, if not dangerous suspicion, to
+himself."
+
+"Do you know," said Ben, with a meaning smile, "that I half believe this
+stranger and Burkhill are partners? They have been here at the same time,
+they show interest in the same thing, and like enough are working out the
+same scheme of robbery."
+
+This had never occurred to me, and I was struck with its reasonableness,
+when I came to think it over. The ill-favored individual signed the name
+"John Browning" to the dispatch which he sent some months before, as a
+pretext for visiting our office so much--but that was clearly an alias.
+
+"Well," said I, "it is all conjecture any way. With the ample warning the
+authorities have received, I do not believe there is the slightest
+prospect of a robbery being committed. I intend to retire to-morrow night
+at my usual hour with little fear of my slumbers being disturbed."
+
+A few minutes after, we bade each other good-night, and wended our way
+quietly homeward.
+
+My experience was singular, after parting with my young friend--not
+meaning to imply that anything unusual occurred to me; but the mental
+processes to which I was subjected that evening, in the light of
+subsequent events, were very peculiar, to say the least.
+
+I am convinced that the inciting cause was the remark made by Ben
+Mayberry to the effect that he believed the seedy individual was a
+confederate of Burkhill, and that the two were perfecting a scheme for
+robbing one of the banks--most likely the Mechanics'.
+
+"Ben is right," I said to myself. "His bright mind has enabled him to
+grasp the truth by intuition, as a woman sometimes does when a man has
+been laboring for hours to reach the same point."
+
+But before I could satisfy myself that the boy was right, a still
+stronger conviction came to me that he was wrong. The men were not
+pals--as they are called among the criminal classes--and they were not
+arranging some plan of robbery.
+
+While I was clear on this point, I was totally unable to form any theory
+to take the place of the one I had demolished.
+
+Who was the pretended John Browning, and what was the dark scheme that
+was being hatched "in our midst," as the expression goes?
+
+These were the questions which presented themselves to me, and which I
+could not answer in a manner thoroughly satisfactory to myself.
+
+"They are all wrong--everybody is wrong!" I exclaimed to myself;
+"whatever it is that is in the wind, no one but the parties themselves
+knows its nature."
+
+This was the conclusion which fastened itself in my mind more firmly the
+longer I thought.
+
+"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and it is the only thing
+which will protect us in this case--helloa!"
+
+So rapt was I in my meditation that I had walked three squares beyond my
+house before I awoke to the fact. It was something which I had never done
+before in all my life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+BETWEEN TWO FIRES
+
+
+In the meantime, Ben Mayberry underwent an experience more peculiar than
+mine.
+
+I cannot speak of the mental problems with which he wrestled, but, as he
+explained to me afterward, he had settled down to the belief that the
+Mechanics' Bank was the one against which the burglars were perfecting
+their plans. He was hopeful that the only outcome of the conspiracy would
+be the capture of the criminals, though he felt more than one pang when
+he reflected that the principal one was a relative of Dolly Willard, who
+was the personification of innocence and goodness to him.
+
+Ben had acquired the excellent habit of always being wide awake,
+excepting, of course, when he lay down for real slumber. Thus it was that
+he had gone but a little distance on his way home when he became aware
+that someone was following him.
+
+I doubt whether there is a more uncomfortable feeling than that caused by
+such a discovery. The certainty that some unknown person, with no motive
+but a sinister one, is dodging at your heels, as the mountain wolf slinks
+along behind the belated traveler, awaiting the moment when he can spring
+upon him unawares, is enough to cause the bravest man to shiver with
+dread.
+
+The night was very dark. The day had been cloudy, and there was no moon;
+but Ben was in a large city, with an efficient police system (that is,
+equal to the average), there were street lamps, the hour was not
+unusually late, and there were other persons beside himself abroad. And
+yet, in the heart of the metropolis, at the same hour, crimes have been
+perpetrated whose mystery has never been unraveled to this day.
+
+Ben Mayberry may have felt somewhat uneasy, but there was not so much
+fear as there was curiosity to know what earthly reason any living man
+could have for following him in that stealthy fashion.
+
+Surely no one could suspect him of being burdened with wealth. The only
+article of any account about his person was a silver watch, which had
+cost him sixteen dollars. He never carried a pistol, for he saw no
+necessity for doing so. If he should find himself beset by enemies who
+were too strong to be resisted, he could run as rapidly as any person in
+the city, and a short run in Damietta was enough to take him to a place
+of safety inaccessible to his assailants.
+
+When he turned into the narrow street which led across the bridge where
+he had his affray with Rutherford Richmond and his companion, he
+reflected that it was perhaps the most dangerous spot in the
+neighborhood. There was a single lamp just before stepping on the bridge,
+where one might run against another before seeing him.
+
+He hesitated a minute as he made the turn. It was easy enough to reach
+his home by a different route, which was somewhat longer, but which was
+well lighted all the way, and there could be little risk in taking it.
+
+"I'll stick to the usual way," muttered Ben, striding resolutely forward;
+"I don't believe anything like murder is contemplated."
+
+At that moment he would have felt much more comfortable had he possessed
+a pistol, or some kind of weapon, but he did not hesitate, now that he
+had "put his hand to the plow."
+
+A minute later he stepped on the bridge, where the gas lamp shone upon
+him, and, with his usual deliberate tread, passed off in the gloom of the
+other side. The instant he believed himself beyond sight of his pursuer,
+he quickened his gait but continually looked back in the hope of gaining
+a view of the man, for the boy was naturally eager to learn who it was
+that was playing such a sinister trick on him.
+
+Just beyond, on the limit of his field of vision, Ben saw a shadowy
+figure cross quickly, to the other side of the street. The stranger did
+this before coming within the glare of the lamp, which would have
+revealed him too plainly to those who might be curious to secure a
+glimpse of his features.
+
+An instant later his footfall was heard on the bridge, and he was walking
+rapidly toward Ben, crossing again to the same side of the street, as
+soon as over the stream. The boy stepped lightly but briskly forward
+until he reached Carter's Alley, into which he entered a couple of yards,
+and then came to a sudden halt.
+
+At the moment of doing so, his foot struck something hard. He knew what
+it was, and, stooping down, picked up a large stone, which he held
+tightly grasped in his hand. Such a weapon was very formidable in the
+grip of a vigorous boy, who could throw with the skill and accuracy of
+Ben Mayberry.
+
+The lad had scarcely halted when he caught the tip, tip of his pursuer,
+who was evidently determined to overtake him before he reached the
+lighted regions beyond. Ben was astonished just then, to note that a
+second person was just approaching from the opposite direction in the
+same guarded fashion.
+
+"It must be there are two of them," was the sensible conclusion of the
+boy; "they have agreed to meet here, where I wouldn't have much show
+against them."
+
+It followed that the party of the second part was waiting for the coming
+of young Mayberry, doubtless with the understanding that his partner in
+crime should follow him to a certain point near at hand, when the two
+would close in on him.
+
+Ben had never suspected any such conspiracy as this, and, had he gone a
+little further, he would have walked directly into the arms of the second
+ruffian, while peering behind him at the shadowy villain who "still
+pursued him."
+
+But the lad had stopped short and disconcerted the plans of the
+conspirators by so doing. The one who was lying in wait was quick to miss
+the boy whom he had seen cross the bridge, and, suspecting something was
+wrong, he hastened stealthily toward the creek to learn the explanation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+BAFFLED!
+
+
+It so happened that the two men stopped directly at the mouth of the
+alley, within a few feet of Ben Mayberry, who could hear their guarded
+words, though he could not catch the first glimpse of their figures.
+
+A whistled signal or two first made them certain of each other's
+identity, and then the one who had crossed the bridge gave utterance to
+an oath, expressive of his anger, as he demanded:
+
+"Where has he gone?"
+
+"How should I know?" growled the other. "I waited where you told me to
+wait, and finding he didn't come, I moved down to meet him, but he don't
+show up."
+
+"'Sh! Not so loud. He can't be far off."
+
+"I don't know how that is, but he's given us the slip. There's an alley
+right here, and he has turned into that."
+
+"I don't hear him."
+
+"Of course not. Because he's standing still and listening to us."
+
+"Flash your bull's-eye into the alley."
+
+When Ben Mayberry heard this order he trembled, as well he might, for he
+was so close to the scoundrels that the first rays of the lantern would
+reveal him to them. Indeed he dare not move, lest the noise, slight as it
+was, would bring them down on him.
+
+He grasped the ragged stone in his hand and braced himself for the
+explosion that he was sure was at hand.
+
+But fortunately, and most unexpectedly, the crisis passed. The other
+villain growled in return:
+
+"What do you mean by talking about a bull's-eye? I doused the glim long
+ago."
+
+"Why did you do that?"
+
+"The cops are watching us too close. I had hard work to dodge one of 'em
+to-night. Do you s'pose I meant to have him find any of the tools on me?
+Not much."
+
+The other emitted another sulphurous expression, and added the sensible
+remark:
+
+"Then there's no use of our hanging around here. He's smelt a mice and
+dodged off, and we won't get another such a chance to neck him."
+
+These words sounded very strange to Ben Mayberry. Well might he ask
+himself what earthly purpose these scamps could have in wishing to waylay
+him in such a dark place, where he was not likely to secure help. The
+latter part of their conversation proved they contemplated violence.
+
+"There's one thing certain," Ben said to himself, "if I manage to get out
+undiscovered, I will see that I am prepared for such gentlemen
+hereafter."
+
+The couple suddenly stopped talking, for the sound of approaching
+footsteps were heard. The two moved into the alley, and a minute after a
+heavy man came ponderously along with a rolling tread. He was puffing at
+a cigar, whose end glowed so brightly that the tip of his nose and his
+mustache were seen by the three standing so near him. Ben believed the
+wretches intended to assault and rob the citizen, and doubtless they were
+none too good to do so. In case the attempt was made, Ben meant to hurl
+the stone in his hand at the spot where he was sure they were, and then
+yell for the police.
+
+Policy alone prevented the commission of the crime.
+
+"We could have managed it easily," whispered one, as the portly citizen
+stepped on the bridge and came in sight under the lamp-light, "but I
+guess it was as well we didn't."
+
+"No; it wouldn't have paid as matters stand. We might have made a good
+haul, but the excitement to-morrow would have been such that we wouldn't
+have had a show to-morrow night."
+
+The heart of the listening Bob gave a quick throb, for this was another
+proof of the intended crime on Thursday evening.
+
+"Well," added one, "that telegraph fellow was too smart for us this time,
+and has given us the slip. We may as well go home, for there's nothing
+more to do."
+
+Thereupon they began walking toward the creek, with the deliberate tread
+of law-abiding citizens, who, if encountered anywhere on the street at
+any hour, would not have been suspected of being "crooked."
+
+Ben Mayberry had good cause for feeling indignant toward these ruffians,
+who clearly intended personal violence toward him, and who were, in all
+probability, desperadoes from the metropolis, brought into Damietta for
+the most unlawful purposes.
+
+When they had gone a short distance, Ben stepped out of the alley upon
+the main street, and stood looking toward the bridge. This was slightly
+elevated, so that in approaching from either side, one had to walk
+up-hill. The illumination from the lamp, of which I have made mention,
+gave a full view of the structure itself and all who might be upon it.
+Ben saw his pursuer, in the first place, when he stepped on the planks,
+but the light was at his back, and he shrouded his face so skillfully
+that not a glimpse was obtained of his features.
+
+In a few minutes the conspirators slowly advanced out of the gloom and
+began walking up the slight ascent toward the bridge, becoming more
+distinct each second. When they reached the middle of the structure, they
+were in plain sight, but their backs were toward Ben, who, however, had
+them where he wanted them.
+
+"I think I can plug one of them," muttered the shortstop of the Damietta
+club, as he carefully drew back his arm and fixed his eye on the fellows.
+"At least, here goes."
+
+Gathering all his strength and skill, he hurled the stone at the one who,
+he believed, had been lying in wait for him. The whizzing missile shot
+through the air like a cannon-ball, and landed precisely where the
+thrower intended, directly between the shoulders of the unsuspecting
+villain, who was thrown forward several paces by the force of the shock,
+and who must have been as much jarred as though an avalanche had fallen
+on him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+WATCHING AND WAITING
+
+
+What imaginings were driven into the head of the ruffian by the
+well-directed missile it would be impossible to say, but it is safe to
+conclude he was startled.
+
+His hat fell off, and, without stopping to pick it up, he broke into a
+frantic run, closely followed by his companion, neither of them making
+the least outcry, but doubtless doing a great deal of thinking.
+
+Ben Mayberry laughed until his sides ached, for the tables had been
+turned most completely on his enemies; but he became serious again when
+he wended his way homeward, for there was much in the incidents of the
+day to mystify and trouble him.
+
+His mother had retired when he reached his house, but there was a "light
+in the window" for him. The fond parent had such faith in her son that
+she did not feel alarmed when he was belated in coming home.
+
+Ben made a confidante of her in many things, but the truth was he was
+outgrowing her. She was a good, devout lady, but neither mentally nor
+physically could she begin to compare with her boy.
+
+Had he made known to her the contemplated robbery, or his own narrow
+escape from assault, she would have become nervous and alarmed.
+
+Ben did not tell her about the affray with Rutherford Richmond and his
+companion, for it would only have distressed her without accomplishing
+any good.
+
+He saw that his terrible adventure the preceding winter, on the wrecked
+bridge, had shocked her more than many supposed, and more than she
+suspected herself. The consequences became apparent months afterward, and
+caused Ben to do his utmost to keep everything of a disquieting nature
+from his beloved mother.
+
+On the morrow Ben told me the whole particulars of his adventures on the
+way home, and asked me what I made of it.
+
+"I give it up," I answered. "It's beyond my comprehension."
+
+"Do I look like a wealthy youth?" he asked, with a laugh.
+
+"It is not that; they have some other purpose."
+
+"Do they imagine I carry the combination to some safe in the city, and do
+they mean to force it from me?"
+
+"Nothing of that sort, as you very well know. It looks as if they really
+meditated doing you harm."
+
+"There is no room for doubt; and it was a lucky thing, after all, that
+the night was so dark, and the city don't furnish many lamps in that part
+of the town. Do you think I ought to tell the mayor or some officer about
+this?"
+
+"Could you identify either of the men if you should meet him on the
+street?"
+
+"I could not, unless I was allowed to examine his back, where the stone
+landed."
+
+"Then there's no use of telling anyone else, for no one could help you.
+You had better carry a pistol, and take a safer route home after this.
+One of these days, perhaps, the whole thing will be explained, but I own
+that it is altogether too much for any fellow to find out just now."
+
+It was natural that I should feel nervous the entire day, for there was
+every reason to believe we were close upon exciting incidents, in which
+fate had ordered that Ben Mayberry and myself would have to make the
+initial movements.
+
+Neither Burkhill, the tramp-like looking individual, nor any character to
+whom the least suspicion could attach, put in an appearance at the
+telegraph office during the day; this was another disappointment to Ben
+and myself.
+
+The mayor also was disposed to be uncommunicative, for when I dropped in
+on him during the afternoon, he was short in his answers, barely
+intimating that everything was in a satisfactory shape. When asked
+whether Detective Maxx had revealed himself, he said:
+
+"I have seen nothing of him, and do not care to see him. His help is not
+needed."
+
+I am convinced that the action of the famous detective had a great deal
+to do with the ill-humor of the mayor, who was generally one of the most
+affable of men.
+
+I was pretty well used up, and at eleven o'clock I closed the office and
+went home, separating as usual from Ben Mayberry, who, I was satisfied,
+intended to know whether anything was amiss before he lay down to
+slumber.
+
+Although the impression was general that it was the Mechanics' Bank which
+was the objective point of the conspirators, yet the chief of police, as
+I have intimated, had stationed his men so as to be ready for instant
+use, should it prove to be any one of the moneyed institutions.
+
+Ben Mayberry was so well satisfied that it was the Mechanics' that, after
+leaving me, he went in that direction, anxious to see a first-class
+burglary attempted and foiled.
+
+The institution, it will be remembered, stood on the corner of one of the
+main streets, and a lamp was burning directly opposite. The cashier
+reported that two suspicious characters had called during the day and
+made some inquiries about drafts on New York, and the officers, who had
+spent much time in the neighborhood, were convinced that they had seen
+the same individuals stealthily viewing the bank from the outside.
+
+When Ben reached the vicinity he saw no person, although he well knew
+that in almost every dark nook and hiding place, a guardian of the law
+was stationed, quietly awaiting the moment when the lawbreakers would
+dare show themselves. Ben knew, too, that more than one pair of eyes
+carefully scrutinized him as they did every pedestrian who passed.
+
+He continued along until he reached a point where he could stand without
+being noticed by anyone. Then he stopped, and, wide awake as ever,
+resolved that he would see the thing out if he was forced to stand where
+he was until the rising of the sun on the morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+"LAY LOW!"
+
+
+The clock in the tower of the City Hall solemnly boomed the hour of
+midnight. Damietta lay wrapped in slumber--that is, so far as the
+majority of her citizens were concerned. Her guardians of the peace, as a
+rule, were wide awake, and the dozens stationed within the vicinity of
+her three national banks were particularly so.
+
+Ben Mayberry counted the strokes of the iron tongue, and reflected that
+Thursday was gone, and Friday had begun. As yet nothing had been seen or
+heard to indicate that anything unlawful was contemplated in this
+immediate neighborhood. More than once he was so well convinced that my
+view of the case was correct, that he was on the point of starting
+homeward, but he checked himself and stayed.
+
+At such a time the minutes drag with exceeding slowness, and it seemed to
+Ben that fully a couple of hours had gone by, when the huge clock struck
+one. During the interval a number of pedestrians had passed, and a party
+of roystering youths rode by in a carriage, each one singing
+independently of the other, and in a loud, unsteady voice, but nothing
+yet had occurred on which to hang a suspicion.
+
+The peculiar, ringing, wave-like tones, which are heard a few minutes
+after the striking of a large bell, were still lingering in the air and
+gradually dying out, when one of the policemen gave a guarded whistle,
+which was a signal for the others to "lay low," or in better English, to
+keep themselves unusually wide awake.
+
+A minute after two men were heard approaching, and became dimly visible
+in the partial illumination of the street. It so happened that they
+walked directly by where Ben was standing. They did not notice him,
+though he plainly saw them. They were of large frame, and walked with a
+slight unsteadiness, as though under the influence of liquor.
+
+"There's the bank," said one, in an undertone, as though he was imparting
+a momentous secret to the other.
+
+"That's so; if we could only get in, knock the watchman on the head, and
+kick in the door of the safe, we would make a good haul."
+
+"Suppose we try it, Jack----"
+
+For more than two hours a burly watchman had been hidden close at hand,
+without Ben suspecting his presence. The last sentence was in the mouth
+of the speaker when this policeman sprang upon the amazed strangers, who
+were discussing the burglary of the bank.
+
+He must have been surcharged with faithfulness, for, instead of waiting
+until an overt act was committed, as all had been instructed to do, he
+rushed upon the men in a burst of enthusiasm which knew no restraint and
+passed all bounds.
+
+"Yes, you'll rob the bank, will you?" he shouted, swinging his club aloft
+and bringing it down on the heads of the others. "I'll show you--we've
+been watching you. We know you. You're a fine set of cracksmen. You think
+Damietta is a country town, but you'll learn different----"
+
+These vigorous observations were punctuated with equally vigorous whacks
+of the club, which it seemed must crack the skulls of the men, and in all
+probability would have done so had they not risen to the exigencies of
+the case and turned upon the policeman with remarkable promptitude.
+
+Both of them were powerful, and finding themselves assailed in this
+fashion, one knocked the officer half-way across the street, wrenched his
+club from his grasp, and began laying it over his head. The stricken
+guardian of the peace shouted for help, and tried desperately to draw his
+revolver. Finally he got it out, but before he could use it that also was
+taken from him, and it looked as though little would be left of him.
+
+[Illustration: THE POLICEMAN BROUGHT HIS CLUB DOWN ON THE HEADS OF THE
+OTHERS.--P. 144.]
+
+But the other policemen came running up, and took a hand in the fracas.
+While some went for the one who was belaboring the representative of the
+law, others made for the second burglar. But he was more muscular, if
+possible, than his friend, and he laid about him with such vigor that
+three officers were prostrated before he could be secured. Calling to his
+friend, the two gave themselves up, demanding to know why peaceable
+citizens should be clubbed when quietly walking along the street.
+
+"We had not uttered a disrespectful word," said the first, "but were
+joking together, when that brass-buttoned idiot pounced upon us. We
+simply defended ourselves, as every man has a right to do, and we don't
+propose to let the matter rest here."
+
+"He lies!" shouted the officer who had fared so ill, as he came forward,
+his hat off, and his clothing covered with dust; "he was arranging to rob
+the bank; they are the burglars that we've been watching for days; I know
+'em all right."
+
+"We shall have to take you along," said the chief, who saw that matters
+were considerably mixed.
+
+At this point Ben thought it was his duty to interfere.
+
+"If you will permit me, I am satisfied that some mistake has been made.
+These gentlemen did nothing----"
+
+"He's one of 'em," broke in the first officer, whose wrath could not be
+appeased; "he's been their dummy; he was on the lookout to give 'em
+warning; run him in, too."
+
+Despite Ben Mayberry's protests, he was forced to go with the prisoners;
+but on the way to the lock-up he was recognized by several officers,
+including the chief, who ordered his release, Ben promising to appear in
+the morning at the hearing.
+
+On the morrow several important facts came to light. The two individuals
+who had been so roughly used were honest countrymen, whose references to
+the robbery of the bank were purely in jest--such a project as burglary
+never entering their thoughts.
+
+The policeman who assailed them made a humble apology, and they agreed to
+let the matter drop.
+
+Another fact that was established was that the policemen of Damietta were
+very much like those of other cities.
+
+The third truth was, that no burglary took place on Thursday night or
+Friday morning, and everything was as quiet as the surface of a summer
+mill-pond, with the single exception of the incident just narrated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE BATTLE OF LIFE
+
+
+After all the elaborate preparations for the capture of the burglars, the
+whole business had fallen so flat that the officers of the law themselves
+laughed at the farcical termination. Nothing criminal was attempted, and
+Damietta never was more peaceful in all its history than it was during
+the many weeks and months which followed.
+
+And yet, in spite of all this, there could be no question that such a
+burglarious scheme at one time was contemplated. The cipher telegrams,
+and the surveillance to which Ben Mayberry was subjected, together with
+the attempted assault upon him, made this too manifest to be disputed.
+
+"They simply discovered the preparations made by the authorities," I said
+to Ben, "and they had prudence enough to withdraw."
+
+"Do you believe they have given it up altogether?"
+
+"I doubt it. They have simply deferred the execution until some safer
+time. We must continue to be on the lookout for telegrams in cipher.
+These gentry have evil designs upon Damietta, as will be proven before we
+are many years older."
+
+When Ben Mayberry reached the age of fifteen, he attained an important
+epoch in his life. He had long been one of the most skillful operators in
+the district, being remarkably quick and accurate.
+
+I have told enough to prove his courteous disposition toward all who
+entered our office. The pretended Mr. Jones, who acted the part of the
+ignorant farmer, was, as I have stated, a high official of the company,
+who took odd means to test the character and skill of our employees. The
+test in the case of young Mayberry proved most satisfactory in every
+respect.
+
+At my request, I was transferred to one of the cities in the Eastern
+States, where the climate agreed better with me. I was given charge of an
+important office, an advance made in my wages, and everything was done to
+make the change agreeable. Such being the fact, it is no assumption on my
+part to say that my administration of the exacting duties in Damietta had
+been fully appreciated by my superior officers.
+
+Ben Mayberry was made manager of the office in his native city at a
+salary of seventy-five dollars per month. This statement the reader may
+doubt, for I am quite certain that no telegraphist of his age was ever
+given such an important charge, nor is anyone so young paid such a
+liberal salary; but, did I feel at liberty to do so, I could locate Ben
+Mayberry so closely that all skeptics could ascertain the facts, in a
+brief time, precisely as I have given them.
+
+We have many office managers, in different parts of the country, who lack
+several years of their majority; but, as a rule, their stations are not
+very important, and their pay is nothing like what Ben received. There
+were exceptional circumstances in his case. He was unusually bright, he
+was very attentive, he was courteous, cheerful, and never shirked work.
+He was popular with our patrons, and much of the increase in the business
+of the Damietta office was due to Ben alone. This became known to those
+above him, and they felt that an unusual promotion on his part would not
+only be a just recognition of his ability and devotion, but would do much
+to stimulate others to imitate the good example set by the boy.
+
+In addition to all this, it cannot be denied that fortune favored Ben in
+a marked degree. The fact that he was swept down the river in the
+darkness and tempest, while trying to deliver a telegram for a messenger
+who was ill, and that he saved the life of a little girl, could not fail
+to operate strongly to his benefit. But he would have reached the end all
+the same, without these aids, just as you, my young friend, may attain
+the topmost round by climbing up, up, up, step after step, step after
+step.
+
+There is no cup in this life without some drops of bitterness, and,
+despite the promotion of Ben, which he fully appreciated, he was cast
+down by another circumstance, which troubled him more than he would admit
+to his closest friends.
+
+He had not seen sweet Dolly Willard since the grand children's party at
+Mr. Grandin's, more than two years previous. She had written him
+regularly every week for months, and he had been equally prompt in
+answering. Ben wrote a beautiful hand, and his missives to Dolly were
+long and affectionate. She would have visited her cousins in Damietta,
+had they not made a visit to Europe, which shut off the possibility of
+her doing so for some time to come.
+
+Ben felt that under the circumstances it was hardly the thing for him to
+make a call upon Dolly in New York, though she invited him to do so.
+
+But during the very week that Ben was given charge of the Damietta
+office, the mail failed to bring the usual letter from Dolly. He waited
+impatiently for several days and then wrote to her. There was no response
+to this, and he felt resentful. He held out for a fortnight, and then was
+so worried that he was forced to write again. But this was equally
+fruitless of results, and he became angry.
+
+"She is getting to be quite a large girl; her folks are wealthy, and she
+has begun to realize that I am nothing but a poor telegraphist. Her folks
+have told her she must look higher, and she has come to that same mind
+herself. Ah, well; let it be so!"
+
+That was expressive of his feelings. Sometimes Ben felt like rebelling
+against his fate. He had applied himself hard for years; he possessed an
+excellent education; he held a prominent position in the greatest
+telegraph company of the country, with a prospect of further advancement
+before him, and yet, because he was poor, he was looked down upon by
+those who were his inferiors in everything except the single one of
+wealth.
+
+"It is a great disappointment," he sometimes murmured, "but I am young;
+most folks would laugh that one of my age should take such a fancy to a
+little girl like Dolly, and they would say I am certain to get over it
+very soon. And just there is where they would all make a great mistake."
+
+And Ben Mayberry was right on that point.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+FACE TO FACE
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was sitting at his desk in the Damietta office, one
+beautiful day in Indian summer, attentive as ever to his duties, when a
+carriage drove up to the door containing a young gentleman and a lady.
+The former sprang lightly out and ran into the office, after the manner
+of one who was in a hurry to send an important telegram.
+
+Suddenly, while Ben was looking at the youth he recognized him as
+Rutherford Richmond, with whom he had had several important meetings.
+
+"Why, Rutherford, you have grown so much I didn't recognize you; I am
+glad to see you; how have you been?"
+
+Ben reached his hand over the counter as he greeted the young man, but
+the latter affected not to hear him. Turning to the desk, he wrote out a
+message with great rapidity, wheeled about, and, without the slightest
+evidence of ever having seen Ben, handed him the paper and ordered the
+dispatch to be sent to New York.
+
+This was the telegram:
+
+                     "Richard Willard, No.-- Avenue, New York:
+
+     "Dolly and I reached here safe. Big party at Grandin's
+     to-morrow; sure of grand time. Will take good care of
+     Dolly.
+
+                                        "Rutherford Richmond."
+
+As the writer hurried out the door, Ben followed him with his eyes.
+There, in a handsome, single-seated carriage, sat a beautiful miss of
+thirteen or fourteen, elegantly dressed and looking straight toward him.
+It was Dolly Willard, more enchanting than ever, her eyes luminous with
+health and her cheeks as pink and rosy as the delicate tint of the coral.
+
+Ben was too shocked to salute her, and probably it was as well he did not
+do so, for she simply stared with scarcely less directness than did her
+companion.
+
+Only by the most supreme exertion was the youth enabled to choke down his
+rebellious emotions, so that none in the office noticed his excitement.
+
+It was the same on the morrow, and, as if the fates had combined to crush
+him in absolute wretchedness, he encountered Rutherford and Dolly riding
+out as he was making his way homeward. He affected not to see them, but
+he could not avoid furtively watching Dolly, who certainly was the most
+winsome-looking young miss he had ever seen.
+
+"To-night another party is given by the Grandins. Their girls are ladies,
+and they treated me well when I was there more than two years ago, but in
+this matter Dolly has had all to say--that is, she and Rutherford. Well,
+if she is that sort of girl, I don't want anything to do with her."
+
+That night, in spite of himself, Ben could not stay at home; he strolled
+along, a prey to his bitter thoughts, and mechanically walked in the
+direction of the splendid grounds of the wealthy jeweler, Mr. Grandin.
+The sound of music from within aroused him.
+
+He saw the lights glimmering through the beautiful shade trees, and could
+catch sight of the gayly-dressed figures flitting by the open windows.
+
+"I can't feel any worse," muttered Ben, walking through the open gate,
+confident that he would attract no special attention.
+
+He sauntered up the graveled walk, turning off to the right and moving
+slowly along, with his gaze fixed upon the gay lads and lasses within,
+who seemed to be in the very height of enjoyment.
+
+At that instant someone caught his arm, and Ben turned with an apology
+for his forgetfulness.
+
+"I beg pardon, but I was so interested in the scene that I did not notice
+where I stepped----"
+
+He paused, fairly gasping for breath, for there stood Dolly Willard at
+his side, with her hand upon his arm. The light streaming from the
+windows fell upon her charming face, on which there was an expression
+that young Mayberry did not understand.
+
+"Ben," said she, in a voice that sounded unnatural, "I've got something I
+want to say to you."
+
+"And I have a good deal that I would like to say to you," he retorted,
+firing up, now that the little empress stood before him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+STARTLING DISCOVERIES
+
+
+"You say you have something to speak about," added the boy, looking into
+the enchanting face, as it reflected the light from the windows near at
+hand; "I have only to suggest that it took you a good time to find it
+out."
+
+"It is not I, but you who are to blame."
+
+"Possibly I am to be blamed for being born poor while you are rich; but I
+have paid for my mistake, and it is now too late to correct it."
+
+The conversation had reached this point when the two seemed to conclude
+it was altogether too public to be in good taste. Several persons,
+standing near, stepped a little closer, so as to catch every word.
+
+"It is so warm in there," said Dolly; "even with the windows open, that I
+came outdoors to get the fresh air. Aunt Maggie put my shawl about my
+shoulders so that I wouldn't take cold. Now, Ben, if you will walk with
+me to the summer-house yonder, we can sit down by ourselves, finish our
+talk, and then part forever."
+
+The last expression sent a pang to the boy's heart, but he did not allow
+her to see it. He followed her a short distance to one of the romantic
+little lattice-work structures which Mr. Grandin had placed on his
+grounds.
+
+A few rays of silvery moonlight penetrated the leafy shelter, so the two
+were not in complete darkness when they sat down on the rustic seat.
+
+"I am ready to listen to you," said Ben in his most frigid voice, the two
+being separated by a space of several feet.
+
+"In the first place, if you thought so lightly of me, you never should
+have told me different nor asked me to correspond with you."
+
+"I do not understand you."
+
+"How can you help understanding me?"
+
+"Because I see no reason for your words. I thought all the world of you;
+the greatest pleasure of my life was to write to you and to receive your
+letters in return. All at once you stopped writing; I sent you three
+letters, and you paid no attention----"
+
+"Ben, how dare you! It was you who laughed at my letters, and took no
+notice of them, except to show them to your friends and ridicule what I
+put on paper."
+
+Ben Mayberry sprang to his feet. Like a flash it came upon him that some
+dreadful misunderstanding had been brought about by other parties, for
+which Dolly was not to blame.
+
+"Tell me the whole story, Dolly," he said in a kinder voice than he had
+used since they met, as he resumed his seat.
+
+"Well," said she, beginning to feel the same suspicion that thrilled her
+companion, "there is a good deal to say, but I will make it short. You
+know my father and Mr. Grandin are cousins, so the girls are really my
+second cousins. Rutherford Richmond is the son of an old friend of
+father, who lives in Boston. Father has a large insurance office, and he
+agreed to take Rutherford until he learned the business, so as to take
+charge of the same kind of office in Boston, which his father is going to
+fix up for him. That's how it is Rutherford has been living with us for
+some months.
+
+"Well, a good while ago, I wrote you a letter, begging you to come and
+visit me; father said I might do so. You didn't accept the invitation. I
+wrote you again and got no answer to it; I was frightened, and thought
+maybe you were ill, and wrote once more, but there was no answer to it. I
+would have sent a letter to Cousin Jane to find out about you, but she
+was in Europe. After a while I sent a fourth letter, very long, and full
+of things which I wouldn't have anyone else know for the world. I
+sent----"
+
+"Who by?"
+
+"Rutherford took it and several other letters, and placed them in the
+mail-box at father's office, so they were sure to go. But there was no
+answer to the last, and then I gave up. I felt awful bad; but I was
+nearly wild when Rutherford came to me one day and said he had something
+which he thought he ought to tell me. When he said it was about you, I
+was dreadfully excited. He told me that he had made the acquaintance of a
+young man from Damietta, who was a close friend of yours. That young
+person, whose name Rutherford would not give, said that you showed all my
+letters to him and several others, and made fun of them. I wouldn't have
+believed it if he hadn't proved what he said?"
+
+"How did he prove it?"
+
+"By repeating what I had written; he gave me half of what was in that
+last letter, which he said was repeated to him by the person you told. He
+had them so exactly that my face burned like fire, and I was never so
+angry in all my life. I knew you must have done what Rutherford said, for
+how could he know what I had written you?"
+
+"He knew it by opening your letter, reading the contents, and then
+destroying it. That letter, Dolly, I never saw, nor did I see the three
+which preceded it. I also sent you three letters, of which I never
+heard."
+
+Now that the way was opened, full explanations quickly followed. There
+could be no earthly doubt that the last three letters sent by Ben
+Mayberry to Dolly Willard had been intercepted by Rutherford Richmond,
+who had not hesitated to do the same with those sent by Dolly, though
+most probably he had simply destroyed the three, and read only the last.
+
+"You risked your life to save mine and that of my mother," she said in a
+tremulous voice, "and it was an awful thing for you to believe I could
+ever fail to think more of you than of anyone else in the world."
+
+"I guess I shall have to own up," laughed the happy Ben; "but we were
+both placed in a false position."
+
+"But we shall never be again----"
+
+"Dolly, Dolly! Where are you?"
+
+The cries came from a gay party of misses who came trooping forth to look
+for the belle, whose absence so long from her friends had attracted
+inquiry.
+
+She sprang up.
+
+"Good-by, Ben; I must go."
+
+She caught his hand and returned the pressure, then hurried out and met
+her young friends, who escorted her back to the house, while Ben quietly
+departed without attracting attention.
+
+It was past midnight, but Ben thought nothing of time. He had turned off
+from the street and entered the main business avenue of Damietta.
+
+Just as he came opposite the large jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin
+he glanced through the plate-glass window. A light was burning dimly in
+the rear of the store, as was the custom with many of the merchants in
+the city, but at the instant of looking Ben saw something like a shadow
+flit by the light. He looked again, and was certain that another movement
+had taken place, though he could not define its character.
+
+He paused only an instant, when he walked on again; but in that instant
+he became convinced that burglars were operating in the jewelry
+establishment of Mr. Grandin.
+
+He walked slowly forward, humming to himself, as was his custom, but wide
+awake and alert. Fifty feet further, he detected the shadowy figure of a
+man standing in one of the adjoining doorways. Ben pretended not to see
+him, and continued humming gayly to himself.
+
+Ben sauntered along in the same aimless fashion until sure he was not
+watched, when he turned and made his way directly to the police office.
+The chief was there and Ben quickly told him everything he knew.
+
+"Those are the parties who arranged to rob the bank year before last,"
+said the chief, "but found out they were suspected."
+
+"They certainly managed it well this time; that is, so far, for there
+hasn't a single cipher telegram passed through our office since."
+
+"Well, we are ready to move," said the chief, as he observed that four of
+his best officers were awaiting his orders.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+IN THE NICK OF TIME
+
+
+Ben would have liked to accompany the officers, but that would have been
+unprofessional on their part, and he did not make the request. He waited
+until they had been gone several minutes, when he slipped out and passed
+down the street, determined to see what was to be seen.
+
+The chief managed the delicate and dangerous business with great skill.
+
+The first notice the burglars had of danger was from the rear. They were
+down behind a screen of dark muslin they had put up, carefully working at
+the safe, which contained diamonds and jewelry of immense value. They had
+already drilled a considerable distance into the chilled iron, when the
+"Philistines descended upon them."
+
+The burglars sprang up like tigers, but they were caught so fairly that
+they were borne to the floor and handcuffs clicked around their wrists in
+a twinkling. There were only two, and the three policemen mastered them
+without difficulty.
+
+But there were two others on the street outside, and they were quick to
+discover what was going on within. One of these was Dandy Sam, who ran
+forward and peered through the front window. His companion was at his
+elbow, and they instantly saw that something was wrong.
+
+They turned to flee, when they found themselves face to face with the
+chief and his aid.
+
+"Hold up your hands!" commanded the chief, leveling his pistol at the
+villains.
+
+One of them complied, but Dandy Sam fired point-blank at the chief,
+whirled on his heel, and ran like a deer down the street. The chief was
+not touched, and pistol in hand he started after the criminal, leaving
+his aid to attend to the second one.
+
+Dandy Sam was fleet of foot and was gaining on his pursuer, when he came
+face to face with Ben Mayberry, who was hurrying toward the scene of the
+burglary with a view of seeing how it terminated.
+
+The two encountered where the lamp-light showed the face of each. Ben
+knew the scamp on the instant, from the description given him, and the
+sight of the flying rascal told him the truth.
+
+Ben had his pistol in his pocket, but he could not bear the thought of
+shooting a person, especially when there was a possible doubt of the
+necessity.
+
+Ben compromised matters by darting into the road, where he caught up a
+stone weighing fully a pound.
+
+The chief was some distance away shouting "Stop thief!" and firing his
+pistol over his head, so there could be no doubt that Dandy Sam was
+"wanted."
+
+Ben Mayberry stood about as far from the fugitive as the space between
+first and second base--thirty yards--when the stone left his hand like a
+thunderbolt. As before, it sped true to its aim, but struck higher than
+then, sending the scoundrel forward on his face, and stunning him; only
+for a minute or so, but this was sufficient.
+
+While he was in the act of climbing to his feet again, the chief dropped
+upon him; there was a click, and Dandy Sam was at the end of his career
+of crime, at least for a considerable time to come.
+
+The chief started for the station-house with his man, whom he watched
+closely despite the stunning blow he had received.
+
+A few minutes later the other three officers came in with their
+prisoners, who were caught in the very act of committing burglary.
+
+The aid was absent so long that the chief felt uneasy, and started out in
+quest of him, but at that moment he appeared with his man.
+
+"He went peaceably enough for a while," explained the aid, "and then he
+tried to bribe me to let him go. When he found that wouldn't work he
+became ugly, and I had to use my club, but he ain't hurt much."
+
+His face was bleeding, but Ben Mayberry, with a shock, recognized the
+prisoner as G. R. Burkhill, the uncle of Dolly Willard.
+
+The capture of the burglars made great excitement in Damietta, and the
+part taken by Ben Mayberry once more placed his name in everyone's mouth.
+It was he who discovered the criminals, and was the direct means of
+securing the desperado, Dandy Sam, the leader of the notorious gang.
+
+It was a great shock to all, except a few, to find that Burkhill, the
+brother-in-law of Dolly Willard's father, was also one of the guilty
+ones. But there were others (and among them Mr. Willard and Mr. Grandin)
+who were not surprised in the least. The facts in this singular affair,
+as they ultimately came to light, were as follows:
+
+George R. Burkhill was the black sheep in a most estimable family, of
+which Mrs. Willard, the mother of Dolly, was a member. She was the sister
+of Burkhill, and the only one who clung to the bad brother, pronounced
+incorrigible by everyone else, even when a small boy. She believed there
+was some good in him, and, in the face of protests, she labored to bring
+him to a sense of right. It was through her influence that he was saved
+from condign punishment for more than one serious offense.
+
+All four of the burglars were duly tried, found guilty, and sentenced to
+the penitentiary for ten years. Rather curiously, both Dandy Sam and
+Burkhill died during the third year of their imprisonment, and it is safe
+to say the world was the gainer thereby.
+
+Some few days after the capture of the burglars, came a glowing letter
+from Dolly, who had gone home to New York, in which she said that her
+father insisted that Ben should come and make them a visit, and would
+accept no excuse for refusing.
+
+"I'll go this time!" exclaimed Ben, knowing he would have no trouble in
+obtaining permission to take a brief vacation.
+
+And go he did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+In closing the history of Ben Mayberry, the telegraph messenger boy, it
+seems to me I can do no better than by using the words of the hero
+himself. The following letter I received only a few days since. It is the
+last which has come to hand from Ben, who writes me regularly, as he has
+done ever since I was transferred from the office in Damietta. I should
+add that the date of the letter is nine years subsequent to that of his
+visit to the metropolis as the guest of Mr. James Willard:
+
+     "My Dear Mr. Melville,--I am now in my twenty-fifth year.
+     In looking back it seems only a few years ago that you
+     called me to you, on the street of my native city, and
+     offered to make me general utility boy in the telegraph
+     office of Damietta. My mother and I were nearly starving
+     at the time, and no kindness could have been more
+     appropriate than yours, nor could anyone have shown
+     greater tact and wisdom in cultivating the good instincts
+     of a ragged urchin, who, otherwise, was likely to go to
+     ruin.
+
+     "You awakened my ambition and incited me to study; you
+     impressed upon me the beauty and truth of the declaration
+     that there is no royal road to learning; that if I
+     expected to attain success in any walk of life it could
+     only be done by hard, unremitting, patient work. There are
+     many rounds to the ladder, and each must climb them one by
+     one.
+
+     "Good fortune attended me in every respect. It was the
+     providence of God which saved me and enabled me to help
+     save sweet Dolly when the bridge went down in the storm
+     and darkness, and her mother was lost; yet, but for my
+     determination to do my best at all times, and never to
+     give up so long as I could struggle, I must have
+     succumbed.
+
+     "It was extremely fortunate that I saw the burglars at
+     work in the jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin on that
+     memorable night in Damietta. The same stroke of fortune
+     might have fallen to any boy, but it was incomplete until
+     I was able to bring the leader to the ground with the
+     stone which I hurled at him.
+
+     "It may be said that all these are but mere incidents of
+     my history, and possibly I may have magnified their
+     importance; but, though my progress was rapid, it never
+     could have carried me successfully along without the
+     regular, systematic, hard work with which I employed my
+     spare hours, when not devoted to exercise. In this world
+     that which wins, is work, work, work!
+
+     "When I was fifteen years old, I was made the manager of
+     the office in Damietta, with a larger salary than I was
+     entitled to. Three years later, the partiality of Mr.
+     Musgrave made me assistant superintendent, and now I have
+     been general superintendent of the district for more than
+     two years, with a handsome salary, which enables me to
+     give my dear mother comforts and elegances of which the
+     good lady never dreamed.
+
+     "I married Dolly shortly after my promotion to the office
+     of general superintendent, and the little fellow that is
+     learning to lisp 'papa,' you know, has been named after
+     you, my old, true, and invaluable friend, to whose counsel
+     and kindness I feel I am so much indebted.
+
+     "Dolly sits at my elbow and continually reminds me that I
+     must insist that you come down and spend Christmas with
+     us. A chair and plate will be placed at the table for you,
+     and you must allow nothing less than Providence itself to
+     keep you away.
+
+                      "As ever,
+                                 "Your devoted friend,
+                                                        "Ben."
+
+THE END
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE FRONTIER BOYS
+By Capt. Wyn. Roosevelt.
+
+This noted scout and author, known to every plainsman, has lived a life
+of stirring adventure. In boyhood, in the early days, he traveled with
+comrades the overland route to the West,--a trip of thrilling
+experiences, unceasing hardships and trials that would have daunted a
+heart less brave. His life has been spent in the companionship of the
+typically brave adventurers, gold seekers, cowboys and ranchmen of our
+great West. He has lived with more than one Indian tribe, took part in a
+revolution at Hawaii and was captured in turn by pirates and cannibals.
+He writes in a way sure to win the heart of every boy.
+
+Frontier boys on the overland trail.
+Frontier boys in Colorado, or captured by Indians.
+Frontier boys in the Grand Canyon, or a search for treasure.
+Frontier boys in Mexico, or Mystery Mountain.
+
+Finely illustrated. Cloth, 12mo. Attractive cover design. Price 60c per
+volume.
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK CO.
+New York
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE COMRADES SERIES
+
+By Ralph Victor. This writer of boys' books has shown by his magazine
+work and experience that this series will be without question the
+greatest seller of any books for boys yet published; full of action from
+start to finish. Cloth, 12mo. Finely illustrated; special cover design.
+Price, 60c per volume.
+
+Comrades on the Farm, or the Mystery of Deep Gulch.
+Comrades in New York, or Snaring the Smugglers.
+Comrades on the Ranch, or Secret of the Lost River.
+Comrades in New Mexico, or the Round-up.
+Comrades on the Great Divide (in preparation).
+
+Ralph Victor is probably the best equipped writer of up-to-date boy's
+stories of the present day. He has traveled or lived in every land, has
+shot big game with Sears in India, has voyaged with Jack London, and was
+a war correspondent in Natal and Japan. The lure of life in the open has
+always been his, and his experiences have been thrilling and
+many.--"Progress."
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK CO.
+New York
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, by Edward S. Ellis
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 25859.txt or 25859.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/5/25859/
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/25859.zip b/25859.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f98822
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25859.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4365225
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #25859 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25859)