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diff --git a/37673-h/37673-h.htm b/37673-h/37673-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0eb5e74 --- /dev/null +++ b/37673-h/37673-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8583 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ned Wilding's Disappearance, by Allen Chapman. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +/* ===================== */ +/* DACSoft custom styles */ +/* ===================== */ + +/* Indented paragraph - replacement. */ +p { + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +/* Unindented paragraph style */ +.noi{ + text-indent: 0em; +} + +/* Chapter breaks - replacement for hr. */ +hr.cb { + width: 65%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +/* Thought breaks. */ +hr.tb { + width: 45%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +/* Title page borders and content. */ +.tp1 { + border: 2px solid black; + padding: 2px; + text-align: center; + margin: auto; + width: 448px; +} + +.tp2 { + border: 1px solid black; + padding: 2px; + text-align: center; + margin: auto; + width: 440px; +} + +.subtitle { + font-size: 1.25em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +.author { + font-size: 1.5em; + margin-top: 0em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +.works { + font-size: .75em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +/* Smaller page numbers - replacement */ +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +td.pr{ + padding-right:10px; +} + +/* Transcriber's Notes. */ +.tnote { + background-color: #DDE; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; +} + +.tntitle { + font-size: 1.25em; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ned Wilding's Disappearance, by Allen Chapman + +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: Ned Wilding's Disappearance + or, The Darewell Chums in the City + +Author: Allen Chapman + +Release Date: October 9, 2011 [EBook #37673] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED WILDING'S DISAPPEARANCE *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<div class="tp1"> +<div class="tp2"> +<h1>NED WILDING’S<br /> +DISAPPEARANCE</h1> + +<p class="noi center">Or</p> + +<p class="noi subtitle">The Darewell Chums<br /> +in the City</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="noi center">BY</p> + +<p class="noi author">ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> + +<p class="noi works">AUTHOR OF “BART STIRLING’S ROAD TO SUCCESS,” “WORKING<br /> +HARD TO WIN,” “BOUND TO SUCCEED,” “THE YOUNG<br /> +STOREKEEPER,” “NAT BORDEN’S FIND,” ETC.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="100%" alt="The GOLDSMITH Publishing Co., CLEVELAND, OHIO MADE IN U.S.A" title="The GOLDSMITH Publishing Co., CLEVELAND, OHIO MADE IN U.S.A" /> +</div> +</div> +</div> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p class="noi center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1908, by<br /> +Cupples & Leon Company</span> +</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<col style="width:20%;" /> +<col style="width:70%;" /> +<col style="width:10%;" /> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right"><small>CHAPTER</small></td> + <td align="left"></td> + <td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">I.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">The New Gun</a></td> + <td align="right">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">II.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Preparing for a Hunt</a></td> + <td align="right">8</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">III.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Off in the Woods</a></td> + <td align="right">15</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">The First Turkey</a></td> + <td align="right">19</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">V.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">The Blizzard</a></td> + <td align="right">23</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">A Lonely Cabin</a></td> + <td align="right">30</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Home for Thanksgiving</a></td> + <td align="right">38</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Getting Square With Sandy</a></td> + <td align="right">45</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Santa Claus in School</a></td> + <td align="right">52</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">X.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Wreck of the Tower</a></td> + <td align="right">61</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Ned Gets a Letter</a></td> + <td align="right">69</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Ned Starts Off</a></td> + <td align="right">77</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Startling News</a></td> + <td align="right">85</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Ned’s Business Venture</a></td> + <td align="right">94</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">In Trouble</a></td> + <td align="right">103</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Adrift in New York</a></td> + <td align="right">111</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">The Chums Arrive</a></td> + <td align="right">120</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Hunting for Ned</a></td> + <td align="right">125</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Down the Rope</a></td> + <td align="right">132</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">In the Lodging House</a></td> + <td align="right">143</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">Ned Flees Again</a></td> + <td align="right">149</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Out in the Storm</a></td> + <td align="right">159</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Ned’s Predicament</a></td> + <td align="right">168</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">A Queer Identification</a></td> + <td align="right">175</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Ned Shovels Snow</a></td> + <td align="right">187</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">Cassidy Catches Ned</a></td> + <td align="right">197</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">Baffled Again</a></td> + <td align="right">216</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">Ned a Prisoner</a></td> + <td align="right">222</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Ned is Found—Conclusion</a></td> + <td align="right">229</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>NED WILDING’S DISAPPEARANCE</h1> + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE NEW GUN</h3> + + +<p>The Keene household was suddenly aroused +from peacefulness, one quiet afternoon, by a loud +thud as if something had fallen. It was followed +by a report like an explosion. Then, from Bart’s +room, sounded a series of yells.</p> + +<p>“Wow! Ouch! Jimminities!”</p> + +<p>“He’s hurt!” exclaimed his sister Alice, as +she ran toward her brother’s room. As she entered +she saw him running about the apartment, +which was filled with smoke, holding one hand in +the other. Drops of blood were coming from his +fingers.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter? Are you hurt?” asked +Alice. “Oh, Bart, are you really hurt?”</p> + +<p>“Am I hurt? Do you think I’m doing this for +fun? Where’s mother?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +“She’s gone out. I’m the only one home.”</p> + +<p>“Get a rag or something, will you please +Alice?” and Bart danced around on one leg, holding +the other limb out so stiffly that he knocked over +several chairs.</p> + +<p>“Is your leg hurt too, Bart?”</p> + +<p>“No, it’s only my three fingers.”</p> + +<p>“But you stuck one leg out so I thought that +was injured also.”</p> + +<p>“I’d stick ’em both out if it would only ease +this pain any! Maybe my fingers will have to +come off!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Bart! What did it?”</p> + +<p>“My new gun. I went to lay it down on the +table and it fell to the floor and went off. Did +you hear it?”</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t very well help it. Did the bullet +go through your hand?”</p> + +<p>“It doesn’t shoot bullets. It shoots shot, and +I guess it only grazed a few fingers. Most of the +shot went into the wall,” and Bart gazed at a dark +spot on the wall-paper, and then looked at his injured +hand. “I didn’t think it would go off +so easily,” he added.</p> + +<p>“Oh, those horrid guns!” exclaimed the girl. +“I just knew when papa let you send for it—”</p> + +<p>“Say, Alice, if you ever intend to be a trained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +nurse you’d better get to work on me before I +faint!" cried Bart. “Now don’t talk any more, +that’s a good girl. Get a rag before I bleed to +death.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Bart, I’m so sorry! Of course I’ll fix +you up. Wait until I get my book,” and Alice, +whose ambition was to be a nurse and wear a blue +and white striped uniform, hurried to her room +and came back with a little book. On the cover +was a red cross, and the inscription, “First Aid to +the Injured.”</p> + +<p>“What kind of a wound is it, Bart?” Alice +asked, rapidly turning the leaves of the volume.</p> + +<p>“How should I know? It’s a painful wound, +if that’s what you mean.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no! Is it incised or lacerated or a contused +one? Because you see I have to give it +different kind of treatment if it’s an incised wound +than I would if it’s a lacerated one.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, give me any kind of treatment!” and +Bart began to dance around again. “The shot +grazed my fingers, that’s all I know!”</p> + +<p>“I guess that’s a lacerated wound,” Alice replied +a little doubtfully, as she took a look at her +brother’s bleeding hand. Then she turned to the +page of the book that treated of lacerated hurts +and read:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +“‘These wounds have ragged edges and the +skin is torn and bruised.’”</p> + +<p>“That’s me all right,” interrupted Bart.</p> + +<p>“‘They result from force so applied as to tear +rather than cut the tissues cleanly,’” the girl read +on.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m cut all right,” put in Bart. “Hurry +up Alice, stick some court plaster on and let it go +at that.”</p> + +<p>“Why, Bart Keene! I’m ashamed of you! +The idea of me putting such a common remedy as +court plaster on a wound! Why, you’d get bloodpoison +and other dreadful things! I must treat +this just as I expect to treat other wounds when I +get to be a trained nurse.”</p> + +<p>“You’ll never get to be one at this rate,” Bart +cut in.</p> + +<p>“‘They are caused by railway and machinery +accidents,’” Alice read on, “‘by falling timbers, +stones and brick. Such wounds are frequently followed +by shock.’”</p> + +<p>“Well, this wasn’t a railroad accident, nor one +caused by falling bricks or timber,” Bart retorted. +“I guess it will come under the head of machinery. +A gun’s machinery, I s’pose. But I can testify to +the shock. Wow!” and, as a sudden spasm of +pain seized him, he snatched his hand from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +grasp of his sister and again began dancing around +on one leg.</p> + +<p>“Hold still! How can I treat the wound if +you jerk around that way?” demanded Alice.</p> + +<p>“Treat the wound! You aren’t treating any +wound!” retorted Bart. “I could treat ten +wounds in that time! All you’re doing is talk! +If Fenn Masterson or Ned Wilding was here +they’d have a rag around this long ago.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and it would probably be full of germs +and other things and you’d be dead of lock-jaw,” +said Alice calmly. “Now Bart, come here. I +know what kind of a wound it is, and I must see +how to fix it,” and once more securing her brother’s +hand for examination, she began to leaf over +the book.</p> + +<p>“‘Treatment,’” she read. “‘Cleanse the +wound thoroughly with warm water, lay a wet +cloth over it and bandage lightly. If symptoms +of shock are present they must receive careful attention. +See page twenty-two.’”</p> + +<p>“Never mind the shock, just get a rag on these +fingers before I lose all the blood I’ve got and we’ll +talk shock afterward,” interrupted Bart.</p> + +<p>Then Alice, laying aside her book, brought some +warm water in a basin, and some soft cloths, and +soon had Bart’s hand tied up in a sling.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +“You’ve got enough rags on here to make my +hand look as big as my head,” objected the boy, as +he gazed at the bandage his sister had adjusted.</p> + +<p>“You don’t want to catch cold in it,” she replied. +“It is very chilly to-day. I think we’re +going to have more snow.”</p> + +<p>“Ought to have some, with Thanksgiving here +in about a week,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“How did you get hurt?” asked his sister again.</p> + +<p>“I was examining my new shotgun. It just +came—Hark! Who’s that calling?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, some of the boys I s’pose,” and Alice +went to the window and looked down to the street, +whence came a series of shrill whistles.</p> + +<p>“Raise the window and I’ll yell to ’em to come +up,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you come near this window,” commanded +Alice. “You forget you’re under treatment. +If you should catch cold in that hand it might be +terrible! I’ll call the boys. You go back in that +corner.”</p> + +<p>Then, as Bart meekly obeyed, Alice raised the +sash and called:</p> + +<p>“Come up, boys! Bart is hurt and can’t come +down!”</p> + +<p>“They’ll think I’m in bed,” her brother objected.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +A few seconds later there sounded the noise of +several feet on the stairs. A moment afterward +three lads hurried into the room. They had just +come from school, but Bart had not attended the +afternoon session.</p> + +<p>“Hello Frank!” cried Bart. “Howdy, +Stumpy? How are you, Ned?”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Ned, noticing +the bandage on Bart’s hand.</p> + +<p>“Oh, hurt myself with the gun. Went off before +I was ready.”</p> + +<p>“The gun!” exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>“Got a new gun?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Let’s see it,” demanded Ned.</p> + +<p>“Here she is,” exclaimed Bart, and then, forgetting +his sore hand, he took from the corner a +fine shotgun. “It’s a beauty,” he went on. +“It’s got patent—”</p> + +<p>“Oh! Oh!” screamed Alice. “Your hand!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>PREPARING FOR A HUNT</h3> + + +<p>“What’s the matter with my hand?” asked +Bart holding the gun in the one that had been injured.</p> + +<p>“Why you’ve taken it from the sling. The +blood will rush to it and—and—”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess it’s all right,” spoke Bart carelessly, +as he held up the gun. “You see fellows, +this is the patent ejector, and the barrels—”</p> + +<p>“Well of all things!” exclaimed Alice. “I +spend a lot of time fixing up your injury and you +go and undo all my work in a minute. I never saw +such a boy!”</p> + +<p>“How did you hurt yourself?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I had just loaded both barrels and put the +gun on the table. It fell off and something hit one +of the triggers or the hammers and it banged out +like a cannon. My hand was in the way, that’s +all.”</p> + +<p>“Hurt much?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Not much,” was Bart’s careless answer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +But an exclamation of pain escaped him as he +hit his bruised fingers against the gun stock.</p> + +<p>“There!” exclaimed Alice. “I knew you’d +do something wrong. Now I suppose it will start +bleeding again,” and she turned back as if to undo +the bandage.</p> + +<p>“Never mind!” spoke Bart quickly. “I’ll +stick some court plaster on if it does. Say Alice +get us some cake and lemonade, please.”</p> + +<p>Alice agreed and while she prepared the beverage +and got some cakes from the pantry, in which +interval the four boys talked nothing but gun, +there is an opportunity of making you better acquainted +with them. It’s hard to be introduced +to a person when he has sustained a smashed +thumb, so it is, perhaps, just as well that the formal +presentation was postponed until now.</p> + +<p>Bart Keene, Ned Wilding, Frank Roscoe and +Fenn Masterson, (who was called Stumpy, for +short, because of his rather limited height and +breadth of beam), were four boys who lived in +the town of Darewell. This was located not far +from Lake Erie, on the Still River, a stream in +which the boys fished, swam and upon which they +spent many hours in their big rowboat.</p> + +<p>With the exception of Frank Roscoe, the boys +lived in the heart of the town. Their parents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +were fairly well off, and the boys had been chums +since they attended primary school together. In +fact, when their companionship continued on +through the grammar school and into the high +school, they became such a town fixture, in a way, +that they were known as “The Darewell Chums.”</p> + +<p>Those of you who have read the first volume +of this series, entitled “The Heroes of +the School,” know what sort of lads the four +were. Those of you who are meeting them +for the first time may be glad of a little sketch of +their characters.</p> + +<p>Frank lived with his uncle, Abner Dent, about +a mile out of town. Mr. Dent was a rich farmer, +and Frank had resided with him as long as he +could remember. He could not recall his father +or mother, and his uncle seldom mentioned them. +Frank was rather a strange sort of boy. His +chums were very fond of him, but they could not +quite make out the curious air of mystery about +him. Frank seemed to have some secret, but his +chums never asked him what it was, though of +late years his odd ways, at times, had attracted +their attention.</p> + +<p>Ned Wilding was an impulsive, lively chap, full +of fun, and given to playing tricks, which sometimes +got him into mischief. He was rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +thoughtless, but never mean, and when his actions +did result in trouble for others Ned was always +ready and anxious to make reparation. Ned’s +mother was dead and he lived with his father +who was cashier of the Darewell bank.</p> + +<p>As for Bart, he was so fond of sports, from +baseball and swimming to snowballing and skating, +that he was seldom still long enough to study his +lessons.</p> + +<p>Fenn, or Stumpy Masterson, had only one failing +as far as his chums were concerned. He was +“sweet” on the girls, as they called it. Fenn +would go to considerable trouble to walk home with +a girl. His chums made all sorts of fun of him, +but he did not seem to mind much. His especial +favorite was Jennie Smith, who was quite fond of +poetry and who liked to recite and act.</p> + +<p>As told in the first volume, the boys, during the +summer preceding the winter in which this story +opens, had taken part in some strange adventures. +They discovered that some men in the neighborhood +of the town were acting very queerly, and +they resolved to find what it meant. One day they +went up in a captive balloon at a fair, and the restraining +cable broke. The four chums were carried +off in the airship high above the clouds.</p> + +<p>The boys were detained as prisoners aboard a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +barge on the river, because it was learned they +knew something of the mystery the strangely acting +men were trying to keep hidden. By dint of +much pluck and hard work the boys managed to +solve the affair, and, in order to avoid a law-suit, +the men involved offered the boys one thousand +dollars each, in valuable oil stock. This they accepted +and their parents and relatives did not +prosecute the men, as they originally intended, for +detaining the boys on the barge.</p> + +<p>“Here’s the lemonade!” cried Ned, as Alice +came in with a big pitcherful while the chums +were examining Bart’s gun. He took it from the +girl, as it was quite heavy.</p> + +<p>“Now I’ll get the cakes and glasses,” Alice +said.</p> + +<p>“Let me help you,” begged Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Here, you quit that!” called Ned.</p> + +<p>“Quit what?”</p> + +<p>“Walking downstairs with Alice. I’ll tell Jennie +on you, Stumpy!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you dry up!” cried Fenn, and, despite the +boys’ laughter Fenn accompanied Bart’s sister to +the next floor, where he got the cake and glasses.</p> + +<p>“Stumpy’s as bad as ever,” commented Frank. +“He reminds me of—” Frank did not finish +his sentence.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +“Reminds you of what?” asked Ned. “There +you go again, beginning a thing and not finishing +it.”</p> + +<p>“I guess I’ll not say it. Doesn’t make any difference,” +and Frank turned aside and gazed out +of the window.</p> + +<p>Bart and Ned looked at each other. It was a +peculiarity of Frank’s to begin to say something, +and then seem to recollect a matter that made him +change his mind. But his chums were now used to +his strangeness.</p> + +<p>“Where’d you get that gun, Bart?” asked +Fenn as he came in with the cake.</p> + +<p>“Saw it advertised in a catalog, and sent to +New York for it.”</p> + +<p>“How much?”</p> + +<p>“Eighteen dollars. It was the first money I +used of the thousand I got from the ‘King of +Paprica’”—for such was the assumed name of the +principal man in the mystery the boys had cleared +up.</p> + +<p>“From New York, eh?” spoke Ned. “That +reminds me I have an invitation to visit my uncle +and aunt there.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so. You asked us to come and see +you,” added Bart. “Wish we could go around +Christmas time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +“If the holiday vacation was longer maybe we +could,” remarked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Speaking of holidays, what’s the matter with +going hunting the end of next week?” asked Bart. +“I’ve got my gun, and you fellows have your +small rifles.”</p> + +<p>“I can borrow a shotgun,” put in Fenn.</p> + +<p>“This is Thursday,” went on Bart. “School +closes to-morrow for the Thanksgiving celebration. +Let’s see, Thanksgiving is a week from to-day. +That would give us three days counting +Monday, when we can start off. Why not go +on a shooting trip and stay a couple of nights in +the woods? It’s not very cold, and we could take +plenty of blankets.”</p> + +<p>“The very thing!” cried Ned.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>OFF IN THE WOODS</h3> + + +<p>The town of Darewell, though situated near +the center of a well-populated district, presented +many advantages to the boys. There was the +river to fish in, and it was a deep enough stream to +accommodate steamers and barges up to a certain +point. In addition there was, about five miles +from the place, the beginning of a stretch of unbroken +forest, seldom visited, and which in season +contained much game. It was a favorite hunting +spot, but had not been over-run with gunners.</p> + +<p>The boys had, in past summers, camped along +the river and in the woods, but they had not penetrated +far into the forest, as there were few roads +or trails through it.</p> + +<p>“Have we got everything?” asked Fenn, as +they stood in the front yard of Bart’s house, early +the next Monday morning.</p> + +<p>“I guess so,” Ned replied. “I looked after the +blankets and such stuff, Bart saw to the tent and +Frank to the portable stove and fixings. I suppose +you’ve got the food all packed, Stumpy?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +“Everything.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t forget the salt, did you, the way you +did when we went camping before and had to +borrow of a tramp?”</p> + +<p>“There’s lots of salt.”</p> + +<p>“How about condensed milk?” asked Bart. +“Remember how you dropped it in the river that +day?”</p> + +<p>“Do I? And how Ned howled because he had +to drink black coffee.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we’d better take the sled along,” suggested +Ned, as he noticed it was beginning to +snow. “If it gets deep enough we can haul the +things on it, instead of on the wagon.”</p> + +<p>The camp supplies, including a shelter tent, had +been placed on a wagon, on which they were to be +taken to where the boys decided to make their +first camp. On the large vehicle was a smaller +one, which the chums could load with all their +stuff and haul through the woods, in case they +found it advantageous to move to a section where +there was better hunting.</p> + +<p>“Wait a minute, I’ve got an idea!” exclaimed +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Make a note of it before you forget it!” called +Fenn. “Good ideas are scarce.”</p> + +<p>“We can take runners along for the small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +wagon,” Bart went on, not noticing his chum’s +sarcasm. “There are some adjustable ones I +made a couple of years ago. Then we’ll be prepared +for anything.”</p> + +<p>The wagon was one the boys had built for +themselves several seasons past. They used to +cart their camp outfit on it when they did not +transport the things by boat up or down the river. +As Bart had said, there were adjustable runners, +which could be fitted over the wheels, without +taking them off, and thus on short notice the +wagon could be transformed into a sled.</p> + +<p>It was a crisp November day, with a suggestion +of more cold to come, and the first few flakes had +been followed by others while the boys waited until +Bart, whose hand was almost well again, got +the runners from the cellar.</p> + +<p>“Looks as if we’d have quite a storm,” remarked +Jim Dodd, the driver of the express +wagon, whom the boys had hired to take their +stuff to a point about two miles inside the woods. +The road, which was made by lumbermen, came +to an end there. “Yes sir,” Jim went on, “it’s +goin’ t’ be a good storm. You boys better stay +home.”</p> + +<p>“Not much!” cried Ned. “A storm is what +we want.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +“I’d rather eat my Thanksgivin’ turkey in a +warm kitchen than in an old tent,” Jim added +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ll be home for Thanksgiving,” Fenn +said, “and we’ll have plenty of game to eat too.”</p> + +<p>“Wish ye luck,” was Jim’s rejoinder.</p> + +<p>The adjustable runners were packed on the +wagon, a last look given to see that everything was +in place, and then, about nine o’clock the start was +made.</p> + +<p>“Keep your thumb wrapped up!” Alice called +after her brother. “Don’t take cold. Drink some +hot ginger tea every night before you boys go to +bed. Keep your coats well buttoned up around +your throats, don’t get your feet wet and—”</p> + +<p>“Say, give us the books, sis,” called Bart good-naturedly, +“we can’t remember all that. Good-bye!”</p> + +<p>“Good-bye!” called Alice, waving her hands to +the chums.</p> + +<p>“Good-bye!” the four boys echoed.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST TURKEY</h3> + + +<p>“I must say you boys has got grit,” remarked +Jim, as the wagon lurched along, pitching like a +ship in a storm because of the rough road.</p> + +<p>“Why?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Leavin’ your comfortable homes an’ comin’ +out to a wilderness in winter. Land! I’d no more +think of doin’ it than I would of flyin’.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you do such things when you were +young?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Never had no time,” the expressman said. +“When I got a few days off I had t’ go t’ th’ +woods an’ chop cord-wood or tap trees for maple +syrup.”</p> + +<p>They jogged along for another mile or so, the +road getting more and more rough as they progressed.</p> + +<p>“Don’t believe I can take you any farther,” +said Jim, as he brought his wagon to a stop before +a big bog-hole. For the last mile the road was +“corduroy,” that is, made by laying small logs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +across it, close together, like the ribs in corduroy +cloth; whence its name.</p> + +<p>The boys helped the expressman to unload, and, +with his aid they soon had cleared a place among +the trees for the tent. It was put up, and then the +camp stuff and provisions were taken inside.</p> + +<p>Stumpy quickly had ready a meal, which, if it +was not elaborate, was appetizing, and Jim who +was invited to it had to acknowledge that the coffee +was good enough for anyone.</p> + +<p>“Now for a turkey hunt!” exclaimed Ned, +when Jim had left and his wagon was out of sight +on the wood road. “We’ve got all the afternoon. +Let’s get the guns and start out.”</p> + +<p>The snow was coming down faster now, and the +wind had increased. It was not very cold, however, +and they were warmly dressed so they did not +mind it. They had a compass with them, to avoid +getting lost, and, confident they would return laden +with turkeys or rabbits, they tramped on +through the woods.</p> + +<p>“Say, fellows! Here’s something!” cried +Frank suddenly, pointing to some tracks in the +snow. His companions ran to where he stood.</p> + +<p>“Turkey tracks!” called Bart. “They’re leading +off into the woods, too! Come on! We’ll get +some birds now!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +The new-fallen snow deadened their footsteps or +they would have frightened all the game within a +mile, the way they rushed through the forest. +They had never hunted wild turkeys, and did not +know what shy birds they are.</p> + +<p>So it was more by good luck than good management +that they suddenly came upon a small flock, +gathered about a big gobbler. The birds were in +a little clearing, standing rather disconsolately +about in the snow.</p> + +<p>Bart, who was leading, came to an abrupt halt +as he saw the flock through the bushes. He motioned +for the others to remain quiet. Then he +carefully brought his gun to bear on the big gobbler.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you going to give us a shot?” asked +Ned in a whisper. He and the others were standing +behind Bart, and could not get a fair aim at +the turkeys, as the trail was a narrow one and Bart +occupied the most of it.</p> + +<p>The whisper, as it was, gave the alarm to the +easily frightened birds. The gobbler raised its +head and sounded one note of warning. But Bart +shot at the instant. The flock scattered in all directions +and the other boys fired wildly in the hope +of getting a bird.</p> + +<p>When the smoke had blown away the chums<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +peered eagerly forward, expecting to see at least +four turkeys lying on the snow-covered ground. +Bart ran up, hoping the big gobbler had fallen to +him.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t we kill any?” asked Frank, as they +saw nothing but turkey tracks.</p> + +<p>“Looks as if we all missed,” remarked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“No, here’s one, and it’s a fine one too!” exclaimed +Frank, as he ran to one side and picked +up a plump hen from under a bush.</p> + +<p>“Who aimed at that one?” asked Bart, much +disappointed at missing his gobbler.</p> + +<p>“Hard to say,” said Ned. “I guess we can all +claim a share in it. We each shot one-fourth of a +turkey. Not so bad for a starter.”</p> + +<p>“I’m out of it,” Bart rejoined. “I aimed +straight at the gobbler, and he got away. It’s a +third of a bird apiece for you fellows.”</p> + +<p>“Anyhow it is the first turkey of the hunt,” +observed Ned.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and my gun is christened,” added Bart.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE BLIZZARD</h3> + + +<p>“Now for some more game!” cried Ned, as +Frank tied the legs of the turkey and slung the +bird across his back in true hunter fashion.</p> + +<p>“Guess we’ll have to tramp a long distance +before we get any more,” remarked Fenn. “All +the turkeys for a mile around heard the guns and +they’ll keep to deep cover.”</p> + +<p>However the boys, ever hopeful, resumed their +tramp. They found plenty of turkey tracks but no +birds, and, after covering several miles, decided to +make their way back to camp, as it was getting dark +early on account of the storm.</p> + +<p>They got the right direction, by means of the +compass, and were within about a mile of where +they had set up the tent when Bart, who was +ahead, suddenly halted.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” asked Fenn, as he saw his chum +aiming his gun up through the low branches of a +tree near which he had stopped.</p> + +<p>For answer Bart fired. There was a flutter of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +big wings, a protesting gobble or two, and a big +turkey cock fell to the ground.</p> + +<p>“There, I knew I’d get him!” Bart cried as +he ran forward and secured his prize. “I saw him +roosting up in the branches, and I fired before he +could get away. I knew I’d get him!”</p> + +<p>“You don’t think this is the same one you fired +at a while ago, do you?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s one just as big and just as good,” +retorted Bart. “I’m satisfied if he is.”</p> + +<p>He slung the gobbler, which was a large fat +one, over his shoulder and went on, much pleased +with himself and his new gun.</p> + +<p>“Guess we’ll have roast turkey to-night all +right,” Frank remarked as they trudged along.</p> + +<p>“I guess not, if I have to cook it!” exclaimed +Fenn. “It’s too late to dress any birds to-night. +Canned stuff and coffee for yours.”</p> + +<p>“Well, to-morrow then,” Frank insisted. +“We’ve got to have a turkey dinner while we’re +in the woods.”</p> + +<p>It was almost dark when they reached camp. +They lighted some lanterns, and built a big fire, +while Fenn, who had been elected cook, got supper +ready. The other boys cleared out the tent for +sleeping purposes.</p> + +<p>When the boys awoke in the morning it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +to find the ground covered about a foot deep with +snow. The flakes had ceased falling, but it was +much colder, and there was a stiff wind. Gray +clouds covered the sky, and altogether it was +rather a cheerless prospect.</p> + +<p>But the boys’ spirits were proof against almost +anything. With some hot coffee to warm them +up, and some hot canned meat, which Fenn prepared, +they were ready for another day of tramping +through the woods after game.</p> + +<p>“What do you say to moving camp?” suggested +Bart. “I’m afraid we’ve scared from +around here whatever there was in the way of turkeys +and rabbits. We can put our stuff on the +sled and pull it through the snow.”</p> + +<p>This was agreed to, and soon the runners were +adjusted over the wheels, and the four boys were +pulling the sleigh with the camp outfit.</p> + +<p>They went slowly, picking their way as best +they could among the trees. On a down grade, +where two were enough at the rope, Bart and +Frank went ahead to see if they could observe any +signs of game. Frank killed a fat rabbit, but +Bart fired at one and missed.</p> + +<p>They went about four miles farther into the +forest and, as they saw turkey tracks, they decided +to camp there.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +“We’ll have an early dinner, put the turkey hen +on to roast, and go off hunting the rest of the day,” +decided Fenn.</p> + +<p>The turkey was prepared in a somewhat rough +fashion and put to roast in the oven of the portable +stove. When it was nearly done the fire was allowed +to cool down.</p> + +<p>“All we have to do when we get back is to +start a small blaze and we’ll have hot turkey,” explained +Fenn. Some dry wood was placed within +the tent to keep it safe in case it began to snow +again, and, fastening the flaps, the boys set off.</p> + +<p>They had better luck this time, and managed to +get a turkey apiece, though they were only hens, +and not very large.</p> + +<p>“We ought to each get a big gobbler before we +go back home,” Bart said. “You fellows want +to look alive. I’ve got mine.”</p> + +<p>“You had all the luck,” retorted Ned.</p> + +<p>But the gobblers seemed too wise to come within +the reach of the boys’ guns, and when it came time +to make back-tracks for camp there was none numbered +among the slain. Several more rabbits had +been secured, however, and the boys were well satisfied.</p> + +<p>“My mouth waters for that roast turkey,” exclaimed +Ned, as he tramped through the snow.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +“I want a piece of the breast and some of the +brown skin. Just a bit of dressing, please, and a +spoonful of gravy!”</p> + +<p>“Let up!” cried Bart. “I’m half starved!”</p> + +<p>Ned’s anticipations of the turkey were fully realized. +It may not have been done just to the +turn a French chef would call proper, but the boys +thought they had never eaten anything half so +good. There was little left when they had finished.</p> + +<p>“We’d better circle around so’s to fetch up near +where Jim’s to meet us to-night,” remarked Bart +as they crawled out of the blankets Wednesday +morning. The cold had increased and the wind +was blowing half a gale.</p> + +<p>The tent was struck, after a hasty breakfast, and, +with the other things, not forgetting the game, was +packed upon the sled. The boys started off, intending +to make a large circle and bring up that +evening where Jim had left them, in time to meet +him. They would not erect the tent again.</p> + +<p>They managed to kill several hen turkeys, another +gobbler, which fell to Ned’s gun, and a +couple of rabbits, but most of the game seemed to +have disappeared, and there was no more in the +vicinity of where the boys tramped, dragging the +sled after them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +They halted for dinner in a dense part of the +forest, and, after the meal, started for the place +where the corduroy road ended. They judged it +to be about six miles from where they were, and +knew it would take them about until night-fall to +reach it.</p> + +<p>It was hard work, pulling the sled, but the exercise +kept them warm, and they trudged on, plunging +into drifts which the wind quickly raised. It +started to snow again and the flakes began to blow +across their path whipped into stinging particles +by the force of the gale. They were enveloped in +a white cloud through which they could see only +dimly.</p> + +<p>“Say, it’s getting worse and worse!” exclaimed +Ned, as he paused for breath after a particularly +stiff bit of pulling.</p> + +<p>“Boys, it’s a regular blizzard, that’s what it +is,” cried Bart. “We’re certainly in for it now. +I don’t believe Jim will come for us in a storm +like this.”</p> + +<p>“If it isn’t a blizzard it’s the best imitation of +one I ever saw,” remarked Frank. “What are we +going to do?”</p> + +<p>“Only thing is to keep on,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“Are we going in the right direction?” asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Ned. “Fenn, suppose you take a look at the compass.”</p> + +<p>Fenn, who carried the little instrument, reached +in his overcoat pocket for it. He did not find it. +Then he looked in several other pockets.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter? Haven’t lost it, have +you?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid so. Didn’t I give it to you, Ned, +this morning?”</p> + +<p>“Never saw it,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>Fenn made a more thorough search. The compass +was not to be found. The boys stood there +helplessly, in the midst of the howling storm, which +was now at its height.</p> + +<p>The snow was a blinding, scurrying, mass of +flakes which stung their faces like needles. Overhead +the trees were bending to the blast and the +gale was roaring through the branches. There +was no path. Ten feet ahead it looked like a blank +white wall.</p> + +<p>“Boys, we’re lost in the woods, and the blizzard +is getting worse!” cried Bart, almost having to +shout to make himself heard above the storm.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A LONELY CABIN</h3> + + +<p>“What’s to be done?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Keep on! We may find the place where we +were to meet Jim,” advised Frank.</p> + +<p>“No,” Bart said. “That would be foolish. +Jim would never come for us on such a night. Besides, +we don’t know which way to go. We’d better +camp here until the storm blows over. We’ve +got everything we need, but it’s not going to be +much fun under a tent in this weather.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s get down more in a hollow,” suggested +Fenn. “We’re on a hill here and get the full +force of the wind. If we go on a bit we may find +a better place.”</p> + +<p>“Good idea!” exclaimed Bart. “Come on, +fellows!”</p> + +<p>He seized hold of the sled rope and began to +pull, the others joining him. There was no choice +of direction, so they turned to get the wind on their +backs.</p> + +<p>With grim perseverance they kept on. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +wind seemed fairly to carry them forward, though +it was hard to struggle through the drifts they encountered +every once in a while. As they had no +particular path to take, they avoided the big hummocks +of snow as much as they could.</p> + +<p>“I’ll have to stop!” declared Fenn, after a bit +of hard pulling. “My wind’s giving out!”</p> + +<p>“I wish the wind up above would,” murmured +Bart as he tried to peer through the clouds +of flakes to see where they were.</p> + +<p>“Let’s stay here,” suggested Fenn. “If we’ve +got to camp in the storm this place is as good as +any.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I say,” remarked Frank. “This +seems to be well sheltered.”</p> + +<p>There came a momentary let-up to the gale. +The snow did not seem to fall so thickly and the +boys eagerly looked around them.</p> + +<p>“There’s something over that way!” cried Ned, +pointing to the left. “It looked like a barn or +house. Let’s try for it!”</p> + +<p>Then the wind swept down on them again, blotting +out, in the swirl of flakes, whatever Ned had +seen. But he had an idea of the direction it was +in, and started off toward it.</p> + +<p>“Here, come back and help pull the sled!” +cried Bart, and the four boys, led by Ned, dragged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +the heavy load toward the spot where the building +had been noticed.</p> + +<p>They did not see it again until they were within +ten feet of it, and then made out a lonely cabin +in the midst of a clearing in the woods. The snow +was half way up to the first floor window sills.</p> + +<p>“There’s some one inside!” shouted Bart, as +he saw smoke curling from the chimney. “Knock +on the door! I’m half frozen!”</p> + +<p>But there was no need to knock. The door +was opened and a little girl peered out.</p> + +<p>“Can we come in and get warm?” asked Ned. +“We’re lost in the storm.”</p> + +<p>“Who is it?” asked a woman’s voice, as she +came to the door.</p> + +<p>“We were camping out,” explained Bart, “and +the storm caught us as we were about to go home. +We live in Darewell.”</p> + +<p>“Come in!” the woman exclaimed. “Our +cabin is poor enough but it is better than the woods +in such a storm. I’m sorry we can’t offer you +anything to eat, but we have only a little for ourselves +and there’s no telling when we’ll get more.”</p> + +<p>“And to-morrow’s Thanksgiving,” murmured +Ned in a low voice.</p> + +<p>The boys stamped the snow from their feet and +entered the cabin. There were two rooms downstairs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +and two up. In the apartment they entered +was a stove in which a wood fire burned. In one +corner stood a table with a few dishes on it, and +there was a cupboard. Some chairs completed the +furnishings. Close to the fire, clad in a ragged +dress, sat a little girl. The boys needed but one +glance to see that the family was in dire straits.</p> + +<p>“My name is Perry,” the woman said. “I live +here with my two daughters. The town of Kirkville +supports us. The poormaster brought some +food last week but he hasn’t been here this week, +and we are afraid he can not come because of the +storm. Otherwise I could offer you something to +eat,” and she turned aside her head to hide her +tears.</p> + +<p>“Don’t cry, mother,” exclaimed the child who +had been sitting near the fire. “We’re not very +hungry, and maybe the snow will stop. We had a +nice Thanksgiving last year—and—and—”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid we’ll have a poor one to-morrow,” +Mrs. Perry replied. “But boys, come closer to the +fire. You must be cold. At least we have plenty +of wood. That is free, and my daughters gathered +a lot the other day in the woods.”</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Perry—ahem, ma’am—that is—er—I +mean—Oh, hang it! Ain’t any of you going +to help a fellow out!” exclaimed Ned, clearing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +his throat with unnecessary violence. “What I +mean is we’ve got a lot of things to eat, on our +sled. We’d be glad to have you—Oh, here! +Boys come on out and bring in some of the +things!” and before the astonished woman knew +what was happening Ned and his chums were out +in the snow fairly tearing the things off the sled. +In they trooped again, bearing turkeys, rabbits, and +a lot of the camp food they had not eaten.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s just like Santa Claus!” cried the little +girl. “I knew we’d have Thanksgiving, mommey!”</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Perry was crying, with her head down +on the table.</p> + +<p>Indeed the room did look as if it was ready for +some sort of holiday feast. It was fairly crowded +with the things the boys had brought in.</p> + +<p>“I don’t—don’t know what to say,” Mrs. +Perry exclaimed, as she dried her eyes. “Are you +sure you can spare so much?”</p> + +<p>“Spare it? Say we’ve eaten so much lately +we’ll be sick!” broke in Bart, with a laugh. +“Now we’ll make a better fire, and if you’ll get +some of these turkeys and rabbits ready you can +have a dinner. There’s some other things,—canned +stuff, you know.”</p> + +<p>By this time the older girl, whose name, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +boys learned, was Jane, was placing some of the +things aside. Her mother helped her, while Mary, +the younger daughter, seemed, from mere astonishment, +unable to stir. She sat gazing at the pile +of good things as if they might suddenly vanish.</p> + +<p>The boys brought in more wood and began to +help with the meal. In a little while they had a +good one ready, using some of the camp food, +while the turkeys and rabbits were put away for +the next day.</p> + +<p>The boys told something of themselves, and, in +turn, Mrs. Perry related how her husband had +died a few years before, leaving her with a small +farm, and three children, a boy and the two girls. +The farm, she said, had been taken because they +could not pay the interest on the mortgage, and +there had been nothing left for them.</p> + +<p>The town gave them the use of the little cabin, +and they managed to make something of a living, +for Mrs. Perry did sewing for women in the village, +which was about three miles away. They +had a little garden patch, and raised some fruit.</p> + +<p>“You said you—you had a son?” asked Ned +gently. “Is he—”</p> + +<p>“No, he isn’t dead,” replied Mrs. Perry sadly. +“Poor boy, I wish I knew where he was. He +tried to help us, as much as he could,” she went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +on. “But there was no work for him around here, +and so he decided to try and get work. He went +to the city and wrote me that he was going to sea. +He said he had a good position, and would send +me some money.”</p> + +<p>“Did he?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I have never heard from him since,” the +widow replied. “I’m afraid he is dead,” and she +began to cry again.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not,” suggested Ned, as cheerfully as +he could. “Maybe he is on a long voyage and +can’t write. Or perhaps he has written and the +letters have gone astray. I would not worry. He +may come back.”</p> + +<p>“I think Willie is alive,” remarked Jane. “He +was a very proud boy, and perhaps when he found +he could not earn money enough to send home, he +decided to stay away until he could. Maybe he is +ashamed to come home.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he knows I would forgive him! I would +be glad to see him if he never had a penny!” exclaimed +Mrs. Perry.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet he’ll turn up all right,” put in Fenn. +“He’s only waiting until he can come back rich.”</p> + +<p>“It’s been about a year now,” the widow went +on. “Willie was fifteen when he left, and he’d<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +be sixteen now. It’s his first birthday away from +home.”</p> + +<p>The boys did their best to comfort her, and she +seemed to feel a little better after telling her troubles. +The girls were certainly more cheerful after +the meal.</p> + +<p>“You boys had better stay all night,” Mrs. +Perry suggested. “The storm is getting worse. +If you don’t mind being crowded we can accommodate +you.”</p> + +<p>“If we can sleep on the floor in the kitchen we’ll +be glad to,” Ned answered.</p> + +<p>“I have Willie’s bed, which no one uses, and +there is another,” the widow replied. “I have +always kept his room ready for him.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll stay for the night, thank you,” +Fenn said.</p> + +<p>The storm did appear to be getting worse, or +else the howling of the wind about the lonely cabin +made it seem so.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>HOME FOR THANKSGIVING</h3> + + +<p>“Hurrah! It’s stopped snowing!” exclaimed +Ned as he looked out of the little window on +the second floor of the cabin the next morning. +“Maybe we can get home for Thanksgiving!”</p> + +<p>“I hope so,” Bart answered. “The folks will +be worried. Wonder if Jim is waiting for us?”</p> + +<p>“Not much! Jim’s too fond of his comfort to +come out in such weather,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>The boys found the widow had breakfast ready +for them. She told them their best plan would be +to go to Kirkville, which could be reached by the +road leading from the cabin. From that village +it was seven miles to Darewell.</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be a long pull,” remarked Ned. +“But I guess we can make it.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s go out and see how the snow is,” suggested +Bart.</p> + +<p>They found though it was quite deep it was dry +and soft so that tramping through it, and pulling +the sled, would not be so great an exertion as it +otherwise would have been.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +“We’ll have to take it easy, and we may get +home in time for dinner,” said Frank. “Pity, +though, we can’t have some of our own game +cooked for the feast, but we’ll not arrive in time.”</p> + +<p>“I think we’ll leave most of it with her. What +do you say?” asked Bart, and he nodded toward +the cabin, outside of which the boys stood.</p> + +<p>“Sure thing!” exclaimed Fenn. “I wish we +could find her son for her.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we can, some day,” remarked Ned. +“But we’d better go in to breakfast and then get +started.”</p> + +<p>“I hardly feel like taking all this,” Mrs. Perry +said as she looked at the rabbits and turkeys the +boys left. They had reserved a turkey and some +rabbits each but left all the rest. “It hardly +seems right,” she added.</p> + +<p>“Why it’s no more than we owe you,” said Bart +quickly. “We never could have stayed all night +out in that blizzard in our tent. I don’t know what +we would have done if it hadn’t been that we saw +your house.”</p> + +<p>“I only wish I had had better accommodations +to offer you,” the widow said. “But we have +nothing except what charity gives us. In the spring +Jane hopes to get a place to work.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps we could help you,” suggested Ned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +“My father knows a number of business men and +he might get Jane a place in a store.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, if he only would!” exclaimed the girl. +“I do so want to help mother. I must take Willie’s +place—until he comes back,” she added a +little sadly.</p> + +<p>“My poor boy,” Mrs. Perry exclaimed with a +sigh. “I wonder if he will have as nice a Thanksgiving +dinner as we will, thanks to the generosity +of you boys.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll hope so,” said Fenn. “So you haven’t +any idea where he is?”</p> + +<p>“Not the least. He used to say he wanted to +see New York, as I suppose all boys do. But I +hardly believe he is there. I wish I knew where he +was. He should come home, pride or not, no matter +if he hasn’t a cent.”</p> + +<p>“New York,” murmured Ned. “I expect to +go there soon. I might see Willie.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! If you only could!” exclaimed Jane. +“Tell him to come home at once. You can +easily recognize him. He has a little red scar on +his right cheek. He fell and cut himself on a +stone when he was a baby.”</p> + +<p>“New York is a big place,” said Mrs. Perry. +“You are not very likely to see my boy. But if +you should—tell him his mother prays for him—every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +night!” and, unable to keep her feelings in +control the widow burst into tears.</p> + +<p>It was rather an awkward moment for the boys, +but little Mary saved the day.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to New York!” she exclaimed. +“I’m goin’ right now with these nice boys. They +can pull me on their sled!” and she ran to get her +bonnet and cloak.</p> + +<p>This raised a laugh, and Mrs. Perry recovered +her composure.</p> + +<p>“Not now, dear,” she said. “Sometime, +maybe,” and she smiled through her tears.</p> + +<p>“Well, we must be going,” remarked Fenn. +“We’re ever so much obliged to you.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, I am in your debt,” the widow replied. +“If you are ever out this way again come +and see us.”</p> + +<p>“We will!” the boys cried as they put on their +things and started off with the sled. It was lighter +now that the load of camp food and much of the +game was off, though the boys found it heavy +enough before they had gone a couple of miles. +But they were determined to reach home as soon +as possible and kept on.</p> + +<p>“Pretty tough, eh?” remarked Ned, after a +silence of several minutes, as he nodded back in +the direction of the cabin.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +“You’re right,” replied Bart. “Glad we could +do something to help ’em.”</p> + +<p>The boys found, on inquiring from a farmer +they met, that, by taking a short cut through the +woods, they could get on the road to Darewell +without going to Kirkville. This would save them +a mile, and, though they might be able to hire a +horse and wagon in the village, they thought it +better to take the short cut.</p> + +<p>They were just turning from the woods into the +highway that led to Darewell, which was about +five miles away, when they heard the jingle of +sleigh bells back of them. Turning they saw coming +along a big sled drawn by two horses. A boy +was on the seat.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a chance for a ride!” exclaimed Ned. +“We’re in luck. We can offer to pay him to take +us home.”</p> + +<p>They waited until the sled was close to them and +hailed the driver. He turned and they saw it was +their old enemy, Sandy Merton. Sandy had been +employed by the men in the secret which the four +boys were instrumental in bringing to disclosure, +but had lost his position and gone to work for +a farmer.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s you, eh?” asked Sandy with a sneer, +as he saw the four chums.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +There was a moment’s hesitation among them. +They did not relish the idea of asking him for a +ride. But still less did they like the thought of +pulling their heavy sled five miles.</p> + +<p>“Look here, Sandy!” exclaimed Ned. “This +is a strict business proposition. Will you drive us +to Darewell for four dollars, and take our sled? +That’s a dollar apiece, and it’s more than livery +prices. We’re not asking you out of friendship.”</p> + +<p>“No, and I guess you’d better not!” exclaimed +Sandy. “Not the way you acted toward me!”</p> + +<p>“We never injured you in any way!” said +Bart. “But we’re not going to discuss that now. +Will you give us a lift for money, or won’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Well I won’t, and that’s my answer!” cried +Sandy, in sudden and unreasonable rage. “You +fellows think you’re mighty smart. But this time +is where I’ve got the upper hand. I wouldn’t +take you to Darewell for ten dollars apiece. You +can go off hunting and enjoy yourself while other +folks work. Then because you get lost in the +woods you think every one you meet has got to +give you a ride. Not much! You can walk to +Darewell!” And whipping up his horses Sandy +drove on, laughing loudly at the predicament of +the chums.</p> + +<p>“Might have known better than to ask him,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +murmured Ned. “Well, fellows, I guess we’ll +have to walk.”</p> + +<p>It was easier traveling in the road than through +the woods and across the fields, but still it was +hard work. However, they managed to get a +lift from a farmer when they were within a mile +of town. They hitched their sled to the back of +his sleigh and the man obligingly took them to +Bart’s house.</p> + +<p>“Oh! There are the boys!” exclaimed Alice +as she looked from the window. “Look, Jennie, +they have some game. I can see the turkey feathers!” +she added to her friend, who had called.</p> + +<p>“Here we are!” cried Bart, as his sister and +her chum came running down the front walk. +“Just in time for dinner!”</p> + +<p>Bart wanted his chums to come into his house, +but they were in a hurry to tell their folks of their +safe arrival, so, shouldering their guns, and dividing +the game, the boys separated.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>GETTING SQUARE WITH SANDY</h3> + + +<p>“Come Alice, help me carry this game into the +house,” said Bart when the excitement over their +arrival had quieted down a bit. His rabbits and +the turkey were on the sled with the camp stuff.</p> + +<p>“Is that all the luck you had?” asked Mr. +Keene, as he came out on the porch to greet his +son. “Why I thought you’d come loaded down. +We didn’t buy anything for dinner, thinking you’d +have enough.”</p> + +<p>Bart knew by his father’s tone that he was only +joking.</p> + +<p>“We did have fine luck,” the boy replied, and +then he told about the widow and how they had +left her with plenty of food.</p> + +<p>“Humph!” exclaimed Mr. Keene. “If you’d +brought home any more game than you did, and +hadn’t left her some I’d make you go back to Mrs. +Perry without your dinner. You did right, Bart. +I’m glad to hear it.”</p> + +<p>Bart ate his Thanksgiving dinner with an appetite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +that astonished even himself. Jennie Smith +remained, as the guest of Alice, and she kept those +about the table in lively mood, reciting bits of +verse.</p> + +<p>During the course of the meal Bart told of their +trip, and more about the widow.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t hardly know what to do when that +blizzard came up,” he said. “Wonder if Jim went +to meet us.”</p> + +<p>“No, he came here and said he was expected +to be at the end of the corduroy road for you,” +Mr. Keene explained. “I said I guessed you boys +would know what to do. Besides, it is doubtful if +he could have gotten his wagon through the drifts.”</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Bart’s chums came over. Ned +said he had spoken to his father about the Perry +family, and Mr. Wilding was going to get Jane +a place to work. Mr. Keene expressed a wish +to help the widow, and arrangements were made +to see that she did not suffer any more for lack +of food or clothing for herself and daughters. +When the roads were better Mrs. Keene went to +visit Mrs. Perry, and Jane secured a place in a +store in Kirkville, so she could come home every +night.</p> + +<p>“Now if we could only find the widow’s son for +her we’d have that family in pretty good shape,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +remarked Bart to his chums one morning early in +December as they were on their way to school +after the Thanksgiving holidays. “Accidentally +we were able to do quite a lot for them, but I’d +like to do more.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad Jane has a place,” observed Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Good thing it isn’t in Darewell,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Because you’d be hanging around the store +where she was whenever you had the chance, +Stumpy, to see her home.”</p> + +<p>Frank did not dodge quickly enough to escape +the snowball Fenn threw at him, and caught it on +the head. But he laughed good-naturedly. It was +the price for his joke and he was willing to pay it.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go skating this afternoon,” suggested +Bart. “The river edge is fine almost up to the +Riffles.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Ned. “We’ll have a +race.”</p> + +<p>School was dismissed for the day at three o’clock +and as soon as they were out the boys hurried +home for their skates. The weather was crisp and +cold, just right for a fine spin up the frozen stream.</p> + +<p>The four chums were soon gliding over the +smooth surface on which were a number of other +boys and girls enjoying the sport.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +“We haven’t room to expand here,” said Bart, +after they had skated around on the broad expanse +of the river near the town. “Let’s go up +a mile or two.”</p> + +<p>His chums agreed, and they were soon racing up +the stream toward the “Riffles” a shallower place +where, in summer, there was good fishing.</p> + +<p>“Let’s see who’ll be first to the dead pine!” +cried Bart, pointing to a lightning-blasted tree on +the river’s edge about a mile up. All four dashed +off at top speed.</p> + +<p>There was little difference in the ability of the +boys when it came to skating. They were as much +at home on the steel runners as they were on the +baseball diamond, and were speedy skaters. Forward +they went, stooping over to avoid the wind +resistance as much as possible, the metal of their +skates singing merrily in the crisp winter air.</p> + +<p>“Now for the last rush!” cried Bart, as he put +on an extra burst of speed. His companions responded +to the call, but Bart had a little the best of +them, and was first at the goal.</p> + +<p>“I’ll beat you going back!” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>“Let’s rest a while,” suggested Frank. +“What’s that?”</p> + +<p>The boys turned suddenly at the sound of loud +shouting on the road which, at this point, ran close<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +to the river. It was someone trying to stop a +team of horses, attached to a sleigh and, to judge +by the noise, the animals were running away.</p> + +<p>“Whoa! Whoa there!” cried the driver.</p> + +<p>An instant later the team dashed from the road +and came straight for the river, the driver trying +in vain to stop them.</p> + +<p>“It’s Sandy Merton!” exclaimed Bart.</p> + +<p>Before the boys could say any more the horses +had run out on the ice of the river, near the chums. +Fortunately it was thick enough to bear the weight +of the animals or it might have proved a disastrous +runaway. As it was, Sandy, in trying to stop the +horses, lost one rein. He pulled sharply on the +other and the steeds, obeying it, turned quickly to +the left. In an instant the sleigh, with its load of +feed, in bags, was overturned on the ice and Sandy +was spilled out.</p> + +<p>“Quick! Grab the horses!” cried Bart, and +the chums were soon at the bridles. But the animals +appeared satisfied with the damage they had +done, and stood still. Sandy picked himself up, +for he was not hurt, and came to the heads of the +horses. He looked at the overturned sleigh, with +the bags of feed scattered on the ice, and murmured:</p> + +<p>“I’ll catch it for this.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +“I rather guess he will,” said Bart in a low +tone, as the temper of Silas Weatherby, for whom +Sandy worked, was well known in that locality.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Sandy stood surveying the +scene. It looked as if it would take several men +to set matters right, even if the sleigh was not +broken. Then Sandy, with a sigh, set to work unhitching +the horses. He led them from the ice +and tied them to a tree on shore. Then he began +moving the bags of feed so as to get a clear place +around the vehicle. The chums watched him for +a few minutes. They were thinking, as no doubt +Sandy was, of that day when he had refused them +a lift.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good chance to get square,” murmured +Bart to his companions. “We could sit down and +watch him sweat over this, and laugh—but we +won’t!” he added quickly. “That isn’t our way. +We’ll get square with Sandy by helping him out in +his trouble. That’ll make him feel just as badly +as if we sat and laughed at him.”</p> + +<p>It was an application of the Biblical injunction +of heaping coals of fire, but it is doubtful if the +boys thought of it in that light.</p> + +<p>“Come on!” cried Bart. He began to take off +his skates, and his chums followed his example. +Then, to the great surprise of Sandy, they began<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +to help him move the bags away so they could get +at the sled.</p> + +<p>“Say—say—fellows—” began Sandy, as the +thought of his own mean conduct, that day on the +road, came to him. “Say—I don’t deserve this. +I’m—”</p> + +<p>“You dry up!” commanded Bart.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>SANTA CLAUS IN SCHOOL</h3> + + +<p>The four chums pitched in with a will and +helped Sandy. They did not talk much, for, take +it all in all, it was rather an embarrassing situation. +Sandy did not know what to say, and the boys did +not feel like entering into friendly conversation.</p> + +<p>They did not care to be sociable with Sandy +after what he had done, not only in regard to refusing +them a ride, but in the matter of the oil +barge. But they could not see anyone in such a +plight as Sandy was, through no fault of his own, +and not render assistance.</p> + +<p>“The horses took fright and ran away,” Sandy +explained, when most of the bags had been piled +on shore. “I couldn’t stop ’em. The load was +too heavy, and it was down hill.”</p> + +<p>The chums did not answer. Sandy did not expect +they would. The situation was too novel. +But he was grateful for their help, and, doubtless +resolved not to act meanly toward them in the +future. The trouble with Sandy was he had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +strength of character. He was mean in spite of +himself, and couldn’t help it.</p> + +<p>When the bags were out of the way the five +boys, by dint of hard work, managed to right the +sleigh, which was a big double bob. It was not +damaged to any extent and soon was ready to +receive the bags of feed. They were piled in and +the horses hitched up again.</p> + +<p>“I’m—I’m much obliged to you fellows,” said +Sandy in a mumbling tone. “I’m sorry I didn’t +give you a ride that day.”</p> + +<p>Sandy meant that. He was much softened by +what the chums had done.</p> + +<p>“We’d made up our minds to get square with +you,” said Bart, as he fastened on his skates. +“And I think we did, Sandy,” and with that the +four chums started off down the river, while Sandy +drove the horses up into the road.</p> + +<p>“Queer way to get square,” murmured Ned. +“I’d like to punch his face.”</p> + +<p>“This was the best way,” Bart replied, and, +somehow, though perhaps they didn’t know just +why, the chums agreed with him.</p> + +<p>Christmas was approaching, and mingled with +the joys of the holiday season, were thoughts in +the minds of the four chums and all the other +pupils, that school would close for two weeks.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +“Next Wednesday is Christmas,” observed Bart +one afternoon as the chums were on their way +home. “School closes Tuesday for the two weeks, +and we ought to mark the occasion in some way. +Have you fellows heard of any celebration?”</p> + +<p>“Nary a one,” replied Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Well, there’s going to be something doing, +all right.”</p> + +<p>“Who’s going to do it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, not the fellow who invited the cow to +school,” replied Bart, referring to an incident for +which Ned was responsible.</p> + +<p>“You, maybe, eh?”</p> + +<p>“Maybe,” and Bart winked his left eye.</p> + +<p>There was little studying done on Monday of +Christmas week, and less was in prospect for the +following Tuesday. Some of the classes had arranged +for informal exercises in their rooms and +later there was to be a general gathering of all +the pupils of the school in the large auditorium, +at which Mr. McCloud the principal would make +an address.</p> + +<p>Monday night Bart was very busy in his room. +There were odd noises proceeding from it, and +when he came down a little later, and asked Alice +to sew some strips of red cloth for him, she asked:</p> + +<p>“What in the world are you up to, Bart?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +“I’m a knight, getting my armor ready for the +conflict of battle,” he replied gravely. “Be ready +for me when I return, for I may be covered with +wounds and you can get lots of first-aid-to-the-injured +practice.”</p> + +<p>“Now, don’t do anything silly,” Alice advised.</p> + +<p>“Far be it from me to do any such thing. You +girls can attend to that part.”</p> + +<p>“As if we girls were anywhere near as silly as +boys are when they get started,” commented Alice, +sewing away at the cloth. “Ouch! There, I’ve +pricked my finger!” and she wiped away a few +drops of blood.</p> + +<p>“Here! Don’t get my uniform all spotted!” +exclaimed Bart, as he saw Alice wipe her finger +with the red cloth.</p> + +<p>“Silly! How is blood going to show on this +old red flannel?” asked Alice. “You’ll have to +wait, Bart, until I wash my finger in an antiseptic +solution,” and, laying aside the cloth, Alice hurried +for her little box of remedies.</p> + +<p>“I can sew it myself,” declared Bart, and he +tried to, but he made awkward work of it, for he +used a five cent piece in place of a thimble, at +which Alice laughed when she returned. Under +her skillful fingers, even though one was done up +in a cloth, the work was soon completed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +It was about two o’clock when the pupils were +assembled in the auditorium of the High School +Tuesday afternoon. Professor McCloud delivered +an address on the meaning of Christmas, telling +of how ancient people celebrated it, and relating +stories of the various nations that had beliefs in +myths corresponding to Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas.</p> + +<p>“Speaking of Santa Claus,” Mr. McCloud went +on, as the closing remarks to his lecture, “I am reminded +of—”</p> + +<p>At that instant there was a jingle of bells out +in the corridor, and before pupils or teachers, the +latter all sitting on the raised platform in front, +knew what it portended, a strange sight was presented.</p> + +<p>Into the big room came a personage dressed in +the usual Santa Claus costume, red flannel striped +with white, a big white beard, his clothing sprinkled +with something to represent snow, and, over +his back a big bag.</p> + +<p>But, oddest of all, was a little sleigh which St. +Nicholas pulled in after him by a string. Hitched +in front of it were eight tiny reindeer, made of +plaster-of-paris, properly colored. Each animal +was on a stand on wheels, and as St. Nicholas +pulled them in with the sleigh, he shook the leading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +string, on which were bells, so that they jingled +musically.</p> + +<p>“Merry Christmas to all!” exclaimed St. Nicholas +in a deep bass voice. “May I speak to them, +sir?” and the figure turned to Professor McCloud, +who, entering into the spirit of the occasion, nodded +an assent. Neither he nor any of the teachers +were prepared for the advent of Santa Claus. +Some of the boys had suspected, but they were not +sure.</p> + +<p>“My sled and reindeer shrunk as soon as I +struck this climate,” Santa Claus went on in his +deep tones, which Ned was puzzling his brain over. +He was wondering where he had heard them before. +“Still I managed to come,” the red-coated +figure went on. “I have a few gifts for some of +the more faithful of my subjects.”</p> + +<p>He slung the bag from his shoulder and began +groping in it.</p> + +<p>“Is Lem Gordon here?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Step up, Lemuel,” said Professor McCloud, +for, though he did not know what was coming, +he was willing to let the pupils have fun on such +an occasion as this.</p> + +<p>Rather sheepishly Lem, the pitcher on the High +School nine, left his seat.</p> + +<p>“I have heard of your good work last season,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +Santa Claus went on, “and, as a reward for it I +have brought you this. May it help you to win +many games.”</p> + +<p>With that he handed Lem a red, white and blue +striped rubber ball, the kind given to babies so +they can not hurt themselves.</p> + +<p>The other pupils burst into laughter, and Lem +blushed. He acted as though he was going to +throw it at the head of St. Nicholas, but thought +better of it and went to his seat.</p> + +<p>“Fenn Masterson,” Santa Claus called next, +and Stumpy went forward. “Fenn, I have heard +how devoted you are to the ladies,” the speaker +went on. “So I bring you this that you may never +forget them,” and Fenn was given a doll dressed +in the height of fashion. On the neck was a +card which read: “I love Fenn and Fenn loves +me.”</p> + +<p>“Kiss her, Fenn!” called out Ned in a loud +whisper, and poor Fenn, blushing to his ears, carried +the doll back to his seat.</p> + +<p>“I have here something for Ned Wilding,” the +figure went on, and, as Ned, in response to the remorseless +urging of his fellow pupils, went forward +he was given a tin rattle box.</p> + +<p>“Now James Eaton,” called Santa Claus, and +James, who was very fond of dogs was given a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +little woolly one that emitted a squeaky bark when +gently punched in the stomach.</p> + +<p>“William Sanderson!” called St. Nicholas, and +a lad who did little else than fish in his spare time, +was presented with a small pole and line, from +which dangled a tin trout.</p> + +<p>So it went on, until a score of the boys and several +girls had been given toy presents bearing on +their particular traits of character.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Ned and Fenn had been whispering +to each other.</p> + +<p>“Shall I do it now?” asked Ned, as St. Nicholas +seemed to have reached the bottom of his bag.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” whispered Fenn.</p> + +<p>As Santa Claus prepared to leave, thinking perhaps +his identity had not been penetrated, Ned +walked forward.</p> + +<p>“One moment,” he called, and St. Nicholas +halted in the act of dragging out his tiny reindeer +and sleigh.</p> + +<p>“Though you have remembered us, you have +forgotten yourself,” Ned went on. “Therefore, +Mr. Bart Keene, <i>alias</i> St. Nicholas, on behalf of +the pupils of the school I present you with this.”</p> + +<p>Before Bart could get away Ned had torn the +false beard from his chum’s face. Then, holding +out what seemed to be a basket-ball, Ned suddenly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +raised it high in the air and brought it +down on Bart’s head. It broke with a loud sound, +for it was paper blown up, and out flew a shower +of confetti, which covered Bart’s red flannel uniform +with tiny scraps of colored paper. Ned had +brought it to use in playing a joke on someone +else, but, at the last minute, discovering the identity +of St. Nicholas, he had resolved on a different +plan.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>WRECK OF THE TOWER</h3> + + +<p>A loud shout of laughter went up at the surprised +look on Bart’s face. He did not know +what to say, and he shook his head to get rid of +the confetti that clung even to his eyebrows. He +had hoped to get away undiscovered but his chums +had been too smart for him. He opened his +mouth to speak, and the hickory nut he had placed +in it to make his voice sound deep, dropped out +and rolled on the floor. At this there was more +laughter.</p> + +<p>“Very well done, Bart,” observed Principal +McCloud. “I think school is dismissed,” he +added, as he and the other teachers joined in the +laughter.</p> + +<p>“Come again, Bart,” said Ned, as he and the +other boys crowded about the impersonator of +Santa Claus.</p> + +<p>“Off with his uniform!” one of the boys called, +and, before Bart could defend himself, he was +being pulled this way and that, until the red suit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +he had gone to such trouble to make was a thing +of shreds and tatters.</p> + +<p>“It’s just like poor King Lear, being all torn +apart by the winds,” exclaimed Jennie Smith, +though some of her companions could not quite +see the simile. “Oh, I would love to recite something,” +she went on.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead,” said Mary Tedwell. “I guess +no one will hear you,” and she laughed rather +maliciously.</p> + +<p>“Mean old thing!” exclaimed Jennie. “She’s +mad because she can’t recite poetry.”</p> + +<p>Now Bart was entirely stripped of his Santa +Claus suit, and the boys and girls, securing pieces +of it, formed a ring about the lad and marched +around singing any tune that came into their heads. +The teachers had retired, leaving the pupils to +finish in their own fashion the celebration attendant +upon closing of school for the holidays as they +knew there would be little trouble.</p> + +<p>But all things must have an end and the merry +frolic of the boys and girls was gradually brought +to a close. Those who had received the odd presents +from Bart were made to exhibit them, and +many were the jibes and quips that accompanied +the display.</p> + +<p>On all sides and from scores of girls and boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +came the greeting, “Merry Christmas and a Happy +New Year,” for school would not assemble again +until the second week in January.</p> + +<p>One by one the pupils left for home. The big +auditorium became quieter and soon only the four +chums, Alice and Jennie, and a few of their friends +remained.</p> + +<p>“Come on,” said Bart. “I’ll stand treat for +hot chocolate at Fanton’s Drug Emporium.”</p> + +<p>The boys and girls were a little later on their +way to the “Emporium” as the sign in the window +declared it to be.</p> + +<p>“Coming to the entertainment Friday night?” +asked Jennie of Fenn, when they were sipping the +hot beverage.</p> + +<p>“What entertainment?”</p> + +<p>“The Y. M. C. A. is going to give one in the +school auditorium. Moving pictures and some music. +Alice and I are going.”</p> + +<p>“Sure I’m coming,” Stumpy replied, though it +was the first he had heard of it. But Stumpy +wasn’t going to be left out if there were girls +in it.</p> + +<p>“Where you going?” asked Bart, overhearing +the talk.</p> + +<p>“Entertainment—school hall—Y. M. C. A.—Mov—ing +pict—ures.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +The breaks Fenn made, in imparting the information, +were caused by the sips of chocolate he +took between his words.</p> + +<p>“We’ll all go,” decided Bart. “We’ll be over +our Christmas dinners by then.”</p> + +<p>Finishing their chocolate the boys and girls +walked together down the street on their way home. +As they separated they wished each other the joys +of the season.</p> + +<p>Christmas, which came next day, was celebrated +in Darewell much as it is celebrated every where +in Christian lands. There was happiness in the +homes of the four chums, not only at the gifts +which they received, but also over those they gave. +Each one remembered Mrs. Perry and her two +girls, and, it is safe to say, it was the best Christmas +the widow’s family had experienced since trouble +came.</p> + +<p>“If only Willie was home now,” Mrs. Perry +said to Jane as they looked at the gifts which had +come so unexpectedly to them, “we would be very +happy.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps he will be with us next Christmas,” +Jane remarked, trying to comfort her mother. +“Let us hope so anyhow. We are much more +happy than we were the day before Thanksgiving +when everything seemed so black.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +“Yes, thanks to those good boys,” the widow +replied. “Well, we will trust in Providence. +Perhaps Willie may come back to us.”</p> + +<p>The day of the Y. M. C. A. entertainment +proved to be one of the coldest of the winter. +It dawned with a dull leaden sky, filled with lowering +clouds, and there was a nip to the air that +made thick wraps a necessity. The wind, which +had been blowing strongly in the morning, increased +in violence as the day advanced until by +evening it was blowing half a gale.</p> + +<p>But the boys and girls who crowded into the +school auditorium did not mind this. It only +made their cheeks redder, and though the wind +did toss and tumble the hair of the girls it only +caused them to look all the prettier, at least so +Fenn thought, and he ought to know.</p> + +<p>“B-r-r-r! It’s a regular hurricane!” exclaimed +Bart as he and Alice entered the hall, where they +found a number of their friends. The entertainment +had not yet begun.</p> + +<p>“It must be getting colder,” observed Ned.</p> + +<p>“What makes you think so?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Your nose is as red as a beet.”</p> + +<p>“It feels half frozen,” Bart answered. “That +comes of having such a big one. But it’s a sign of +greatness you know.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +“If we let you tell it,” interposed Frank.</p> + +<p>The hall soon filled up and the entertainment +was started. There was vocal and instrumental +music and recitations. Jennie Smith rendered +“Horatius at the Bridge” with all the energy she +was capable of, and the four chums applauded vigorously.</p> + +<p>The wind was increasing in violence, and it rattled +the windows so that at times it interfered with +the singing. The janitor went about tightening +the fastenings.</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be a bad storm,” Bart heard the +man murmur as he adjusted the catches. “I hope +it doesn’t blow some of the chimneys down. One +or two of ’em need pointing up, for the mortar’s +most out of ’em.”</p> + +<p>“Is there any danger?” asked Bart in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“No, I hope not. The old tower—” but what +the janitor would have said about the tower Bart +did not hear, for the man had passed on and there +came the chorus of a song which drowned his +words.</p> + +<p>But the janitor’s prophecy seemed likely to be +true. The noise of the wind could be heard more +plainly now. The windows did not rattle so much +after being attended to, but the gale fairly made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +the school building vibrate. The old tower the +janitor spoke of was a tall, square affair, at one +corner of the building. It was for ornamental +purposes only, though it contained a large clock, +and there was a winding stair in it that gave access +to the mechanism.</p> + +<p>A white screen was adjusted and moving pictures +thrown upon it. The first series was that of battleships +in practice evolutions and as the smoke +rolled from the muzzles of the big guns a man +behind the scenes beat a bass drum, to simulate +the distant roar of the ordnance.</p> + +<p>The audience watched one great ship as it came +into view on the screen. A broadside was fired, +and, as the white smoke rolled out there came a +tremendous concussion that shook the entire school.</p> + +<p>“He must have busted the drum that time,” +thought Bart.</p> + +<p>An instant later there came a terrifying crash so +near at hand that everyone knew it was not the +sound of the drum, nor their excited imagination. +Nor was it the noise of the wind.</p> + +<p>Then, down through one corner of the auditorium, +fortunately in a place where no one was +seated, crashing through the ceiling, came a mass +of brick and mortar.</p> + +<p>Before the echoes of that had died away there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +sounded another noise; a deep, dull sound, and the +school again vibrated with the shock. Then the +auditorium was in darkness, and through it came +the voice of the janitor shouting:</p> + +<p>“The tower has been wrecked and has fallen!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>NED GETS A LETTER</h3> + + +<p>For an instant silence followed the startling +announcement, silence in which the wind seemed to +join, for there came a lull in the gale. Then, as +the gale resumed its furious blowing, the audience +became fear-crazed and a mad rush ensued.</p> + +<p>Women and girls were screaming at the tops of +their voices. Men were shouting to one another +to know what had happened. Boys were darting +here and there seeking a means of escape from +what they believed would prove a death-trap. The +noise of bricks clattering to the floor could be +heard and the school-house seemed, at least to the +excited imaginations of some, to be on the point +of toppling down.</p> + +<p>The four chums, who were seated near each +other, had jumped up at the first crash. Bart +reached over to grab Alice and prevent, if possible, +her being trampled under foot. Fenn had Jennie +by the arm. Then the light from the moving picture +machine, which had served to dispel the gloom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +went out. The maddened rush became worse.</p> + +<p>“Quick!” cried Frank. “Let’s give the school +yell! Maybe it will quiet the rush until we can +turn on the lights! There’s a switch on the wall +here! Now, fellows altogether!”</p> + +<p>His three chums heard him as if in a dream, but +they comprehended.</p> + +<p>“One, two, three!” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>Then, above the noise of the gale, above the +shrieks of the women and girls, above the hoarse +calls of frightened men, arose the yell, given with +all the power of the lungs of the four boys:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Ravabava—Havabava—Hick! Hick! He!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dabavaba—Nabahaba—Snick! Snack! Snee!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Why do we thus loudly yell?<br /></span> +<span class="i2">’Tis for our school: old Darewell!”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Never had the call been given under such circumstances. +Never had it sounded more strangely. +Never had it been more welcome.</p> + +<p>For an instant there was a silence following the +yell. It had momentarily drowned the cries from +the panic-stricken ones. Before there was a chance +for a continuance of the panic that had been halted, +if only for an instant, Bart cried:</p> + +<p>“There’s no danger. Wait until the lights are +turned on!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +In another moment Frank had reached the +switch and the place was brilliant with the gleam +from scores of incandescent lamps. The rush had +been stopped, for, as the crowd looked about, they +saw there was no immediate danger.</p> + +<p>In one corner of the auditorium there was a +gaping hole in the roof, where the top part of the +tower had crashed through. The floor in that +section was covered with bricks and mortar, and +several seats were crushed, but the audience had +crowded up front and no one was hurt.</p> + +<p>A moment later some of those in charge of the +entertainment hurried to the platform and made an +announcement.</p> + +<p>A hasty investigation showed, it was said, that +the tower had fallen mostly outward instead of +toward the school, which accounted for only a +small part of it hitting the roof. Had the entire +pile of masonry toppled over on the auditorium +there might have been a great loss of life. As it +was the main school was in no danger, but, for fear +the structure might have been weakened it was decided +best to dismiss the audience at once.</p> + +<p>“That wind must be pretty strong,” observed +Bart as he and his chums, with Alice, Jennie, and +some of the other girls, got outside.</p> + +<p>“Oh! It certainly is!” cried Jennie as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +stepped from the doorway. “I’m being blown +away.”</p> + +<p>The wind had caught her long cloak and +whipped it up around her shoulders so that it acted +like a sail. Jennie was being fairly carried along +the street.</p> + +<p>“There’s your chance, Fenn!” cried Frank. +“Rescue a maiden in distress.”</p> + +<p>Fenn did not stop to reply to his tormenter but +caught Jennie by the arm and helped her to +straighten her garment.</p> + +<p>“Noble youth!” exclaimed Bart. “You shall +be suitably rewarded.”</p> + +<p>They all laughed, rather hysterically, it is true, +at the nonsense talk, but it was a relief to their +over-strained nerves for the shock of the accident +had been a severe one.</p> + +<p>They passed along and, as they got beyond the +shelter of the school the full force of the wind +was felt. It was almost a hurricane, and it was +all they could do to walk along.</p> + +<p>“No wonder it blew the tower down,” observed +Ned. “Let’s take a look at the wreck.”</p> + +<p>They walked around to the other side of the +school. There, prone on the ground, though but +a confused mass of bricks and mortar, was what +had been the tower.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +“There’s the clock!” exclaimed Frank, as he +saw the dial of the timepiece some distance from +the big mass of masonry. “See, it stopped just at +ten.”</p> + +<p>There were four dials to the clock, one for each +side of the tower. The dials were of sheet iron +with big gilt hands which were worked simultaneously +by the one set of wheels and springs. This +dial, to which Frank called attention, had fallen +from its place, with the hands still attached to it, +the rods to which they were fastened, and which +served to turn them, having been cut off close to +the back of the face.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to take it home for a souvenir,” +Frank said. “If they want it back they can +have it.”</p> + +<p>He picked up the dial, which was painted white +with black numerals on it. As he did so he uttered +an exclamation.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“It’s all mud, or something black,” Frank replied. +“I’ve got it all over my hands.”</p> + +<p>“Better let it alone,” advised Bart. “The +wind will blow it away, and you with it, if you +try to carry it.”</p> + +<p>“I guess I can manage,” Frank responded, and +though the gale did get a good purchase on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +flat surface of the dial which was two feet in +diameter, Frank clung to it and took it home with +him.</p> + +<p>“See you to-morrow!” called Fenn to Frank, +as the latter turned off on a street that led to his +uncle’s house. The others went in the opposite +direction.</p> + +<p>“We’ll come and take a look at the ruins by +daylight,” suggested Frank. “Good-night.”</p> + +<p>“Good-night,” called his chums, and the girls.</p> + +<p>“Queer sort of a relic he’s got,” observed +Bart.</p> + +<p>“It’s just like him,” Ned rejoined. “Frank’s +a queer chap anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“I think he’s nice,” remarked Alice.</p> + +<p>“So do I,” chimed in Jennie.</p> + +<p>“Who said he wasn’t?” demanded Bart. +“Can’t a fellow make a remark about his chum +without being found fault with?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think it’s nice to say he’s queer,” Alice +said.</p> + +<p>“Why he admits it himself,” her brother put +in. “He doesn’t care what we say about him. +We call him queer about twice a week; don’t we +fellows.”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” replied Ned, coming to his chum’s support.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +“Well, never mind,” Alice rejoined. “Let’s +hurry home or we’ll be blown into the next county.”</p> + +<p>It was such a cold blustery night, with the wind +seeming to increase in violence rather than diminish, +that all were glad when they reached their +houses.</p> + +<p>“It’s a pretty fierce gale,” remarked Mr. Keene, +when his son and daughter had told him what +had happened, “but I wouldn’t think it was strong +enough to blow the tower down. Must have been +weak somewhere.”</p> + +<p>“The janitor said some of the chimneys needed +new mortar in the cracks, and maybe the tower +did also,” Bart said.</p> + +<p>“I suppose the school authorities will investigate +and see what caused it to fall,” his father +went on. “It was a dangerous thing to let such +a weak tower stay up.”</p> + +<p>Bart stopped at Ned’s house the next morning +to call for him, and then they intended to get +Frank and Fenn to go together and take a look at +the tower.</p> + +<p>“Come on in,” Ned invited his chum at the +door. “I’ve got a letter.”</p> + +<p>“Who from?”</p> + +<p>“My aunt, Mrs. Paul Kenfield, of New York. +She wants me to come down for a week or two.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +You know, she wrote me some time ago inviting +me for next summer. Now she says she wants +me to come right away, and to bring you three +fellows. I wrote her, after I got the first invitation +that I’d like to take my chums with me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s very kind of you,” replied Bart. “I +guess I can go. When are you going to start?”</p> + +<p>“Monday.”</p> + +<p>“That will give you a week there. I don’t believe +I could get ready so soon. I’ve got to help +dad Monday.”</p> + +<p>“Then you and the other boys could come +afterward. Say on Tuesday or Wednesday,” suggested +Ned.</p> + +<p>“I’ll think about it,” his chum replied. “But +come on, let’s go take a look at the fallen tower.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>NED STARTS OFF</h3> + + +<p>Ned and Bart went to Fenn’s house, where they +found Frank. The two were just on the point of +starting out.</p> + +<p>“Did you get your relic home safe?” asked +Bart of Frank.</p> + +<p>“You mean the clock dial? I did, though I +thought at one time the wind would blow it away. +I got that black stuff whatever it was on it, all +over my clothes.”</p> + +<p>“Was it paint?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, seemed like some kind of smoke. I had +hard work to get it off my hands.”</p> + +<p>“Come on!” called Fenn. “There are +crowds going to see the tower.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what of it?” asked Ned. “They can’t +carry it away; can they?”</p> + +<p>“No,” replied Fenn, “but they’ll all get around +it and we can’t see anything.”</p> + +<p>“Oh we’ll get you a pair of opera glasses,” +rejoined Frank.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +“I guess you’re all just as anxious to see it as I +am,” said Stumpy. “Come on.”</p> + +<p>A fine, calm day, though cold, had succeeded +the blustery one. As Fenn had said, the streets +were filled with a large throng hastening to see +the wreck of the tower. The falling of it had +created more excitement than had been known in +Darewell for some years.</p> + +<p>“Say, you fellows are all right,” called Jim +Nelson, as the four chums passed him. “That +was a fine yell you gave. I’d a joined in, only—”</p> + +<p>“Too much work, eh?” asked Frank, for Jim +had the reputation, not altogether undeserved, of +being the laziest boy in town.</p> + +<p>“No, it wasn’t that exactly,” Jim replied, “but +I couldn’t remember the words.”</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you come in on the tune?” asked +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Um,” was all Jim said. It was his usual reply +when he did not want to take the trouble to +answer in words. “Say,” he called a moment +later, as the chums kept on, “are you going to the +tower?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; are you?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I was, but if you’re going that way would you +do me a favor?”</p> + +<p>“What is it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +“Stop on your way back and tell me how it +looks. No use of me going if you are. I’ll wait +in the drug store here for you,” and Jim turned +into the “Emporium.”</p> + +<p>“We may not be back until late this afternoon,” +Fenn said.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right, I’m in no hurry. I can wait +here as well as anywhere else,” and Jim went into +the store and took a seat on one of the stools at +the soda fountain, from whence he could look out +of the window.</p> + +<p>“Well, if that isn’t the limit!” exclaimed +Ned.</p> + +<p>“It’s a wonder he didn’t ask us to bring the +tower around for him to look at,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“He would, only he was too lazy to think of +it,” remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>The boys found quite a crowd around the fallen +mass of bricks, and many were the comments on +the accident.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go up and take a look at where the roof +was broken through,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>The chums started to enter the school intending +to go to the auditorium, but, as they reached the +stairs, for the building was open, they were met +by Mr. Williamson, president of the Board of +Education.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +“You can’t go in, boys,” he said pleasantly +enough.</p> + +<p>“Is it dangerous?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s what we’re trying to find out. +We have some workmen looking over the ruins +to see what repairs we will have to make. There’s +quite a hole in the roof.”</p> + +<p>“Will it interfere with the opening of school +next week?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Do you wish it would?” asked Mr. Williamson.</p> + +<p>The boys laughed, for the president had read +their thoughts.</p> + +<p>“We hope not,” Mr. Williamson went on. +“By the way, you boys know almost everything +that goes on in Darewell? Did you happen to +hear of any one carrying off one of the clock dials? +We can only find three in the ruins, and there were +four.”</p> + +<p>“I took one home with me last night,” said +Frank promptly. “I wanted it for a relic. I +hope there was no harm in that.”</p> + +<p>“None in the world, if you still have it,” said +Mr. Williamson. “You see we are trying to find +out just what caused the tower to be blown down +by the wind, and we want all the evidence we can +get. Just keep the dial safely and, the next time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +you come up toward my store, leave it for me. +You may have it back again after we are through +with it, for we’ll have to have a whole new clock +I expect.”</p> + +<p>“Wonder what he expects to find from the +clock face?” asked Ned, as the boys went back on +the campus to get another look at the fallen tower.</p> + +<p>“Probably wants to look into its open countenance +and ask questions about how it feels to be +blown down,” Bart replied.</p> + +<p>“I hadn’t any idea they’d want that piece of +the clock, or I’d never have taken it,” said Frank. +“Lucky I saved it, or someone else might have +carried it off and they’d never get it again.”</p> + +<p>They took another look at the tower, though +there was little they had not already seen, and +then on Stumpy’s invitation to have some hot +chocolate they strolled back to the “Emporium.” +They found Jim still there, but he seemed to have +fallen asleep.</p> + +<p>“Put some chocolate near him, and see if he +wakes up,” suggested Ned in a whisper.</p> + +<p>The clerk, at the boys’ request, placed a glass +of the steaming liquid close to Jim’s hand as it +rested on the marble counter. Jim opened his +eyes, looked at the beverage, glanced at the four +chums waiting expectantly and then—closed his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +eyes again without reaching for the chocolate.</p> + +<p>“He’s lost his chance,” Fenn said. “I’ll drink +it myself.”</p> + +<p>He did so, and, as the boys were leaving, Jim +appeared to rouse from his slumber. He seemed +to remember the chocolate, for he put out his +hand as if to grasp it. His fingers closed on the +empty air.</p> + +<p>“Did I drink it?” he asked of the chums, who +stood laughing at him.</p> + +<p>“Must have,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>“I don’t remember,” Jim said, in puzzled +tones. “But it’s all right. I’m sleepy to-day. +Is the tower still—?” Then the exertion of +talking seemed to be too much for him, and he +closed his eyes again.</p> + +<p>“Come on,” said Ned. “I’ve got to get home +and make arrangements for my New York trip.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, and I must find out when I can go,” +Bart added. “We can have jolly sport there, +fellows.”</p> + +<p>There were several family councils that night. +Ned’s plans were all made, and he had but to pack +his trunk, ready to leave on the following Monday +morning. The other chums, though, had to +consult their relatives. It was inconvenient for +some to let the boys go Tuesday, and Thursday<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +did not suit any better. Finally a compromise +was made and Wednesday, following the Monday +on which Ned was to start, was fixed on.</p> + +<p>Then came an announcement which changed the +plans of the boys to some extent. Late Saturday +afternoon it was stated that the damage to +the school had been greater than was at first supposed. +It would be impossible to make repairs so +that classes might assemble the second week in +January, and the institution was to close for a +month. Not until February first, President Williamson +stated, would the school open again.</p> + +<p>“Say, this will just suit us!” cried Ned as he +and his chums discussed the news that night. +“We can stay so much longer. I know my aunt +will be glad to see us, and the longer vacation we +have the better she will like it. She’s fond of +boys. All hers are grown up. She said I was to +come and stay a month if I wanted to.”</p> + +<p>“Fine!” exclaimed Bart. “I’ll have to pack +a few more clothes in my trunk if we are to be +gone longer than we first calculated.”</p> + +<p>“So will I,” cried Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Then it’s all settled,” said Ned. “I’ll go +Monday and you follow Wednesday. You can +find your way to the house I guess. It’s on West +Forty-fourth street. Here’s the number. I’ll be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +there to welcome you. Won’t we have fun +though! I’ve never been in New York.”</p> + +<p>The others had not either, and they spent some +time discussing the pleasant prospects ahead of +them.</p> + +<p>Monday morning they all went down to the +depot to see Ned off.</p> + +<p>“Good-bye until Wednesday,” he called to his +chums as they stood on the platform waving their +hands to him. “I’ll meet you in New York sure.”</p> + +<p>But it was a long time before Ned kept his +promise.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>STARTLING NEWS</h3> + + +<p>The issue of the Darewell <i>Advertiser</i> that +Monday afternoon contained some startling information. +The three chums were standing in front +of the drug store talking of their prospective trip +when a newsboy ran past calling:</p> + +<p>“Extra! Extra! Full account of the blowing +up of the school tower with dynamite!”</p> + +<p>“What’s that he’s yelling?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“He said something about the school tower +and dynamite,” replied Fenn. “Trying to sell +his papers I guess.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s get one and see if it’s a fake,” suggested +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Here boy! Give me one!” cried Bart, and +the lad handed him a sheet, damp with paste from +the press.</p> + +<p>Staring at the three chums in big black letters +was the heading:</p> + +<p class="noi center"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +SCHOOL TOWER DYNAMITED!<br /> +Not Blown Down by Gale of Wind as First<br /> +Supposed.<br /> +BELIEVED TO BE BOYS’ WORK!<br /> +Investigation Has Been Ordered by President<br /> +Williamson of the Board of Education.<br /> +FOUR LADS SUSPECTED!<br /> +</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you think of that!” exclaimed +Bart when he had finished reading the head-lines. +“Isn’t that the limit?”</p> + +<p>“Limit! It’s the strangest thing I ever heard +of,” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>“Somebody has been stuffing the reporter,” +suggested Fenn. “Let’s read the rest of it.”</p> + +<p>Looking over Bart’s shoulders the two other +lads read the account. It told in vivid language +how the fact was discovered that the tower had +been blown down by an explosive. Those nearest +the tower when the crash came told of hearing a +dull boom, that was not caused by the wind. Then +came the sound as the bricks fell through the corner +of the roof of the auditorium.</p> + +<p>“But if other evidence was wanting,” the article +went on, “it is easily found in the dials of the +clock that was in the tower. The white faces +bear the black marks of powder and an analysis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +which has been made shows the stains to have +been caused by some powerful explosive, the exact +nature of which is being kept secret by the authorities.</p> + +<p>“It is understood from a reliable source, however, +that dynamite was used, a small quantity +being placed in the top of the tower. It is said +that part of a dynamite cartridge has been found +but this is denied by the police.</p> + +<p>“That the work was that of mischievous boys, +who, possibly did not appreciate the seriousness of +their deed, is the opinion of the school authorities. +This is borne out by the fact that a boy confessed +to having carried off one of the powder-marked +dials of the clock. Why he did this has not been +disclosed, but Mr. Williamson has secured an admission +from him that he did take the dial from +the debris of the wrecked tower. This dial the +president of the board has secured, together with +the other three.</p> + +<p>“It is alleged that four boys, who are often +seen in each others’ company, and who have, before +this, taken part in more or less harmless +tricks, are suspected of blowing down the tower. +One of them, it can be asserted on the highest +authority, had the clock dial. An investigation +has been started by the school authorities, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +four boys in question, including the one who took +the dial from the wreckage, will be called on to +tell what they know. If the evidence, after a +thorough sifting, points to them, it is understood +that criminal action will be taken.”</p> + +<p>“Did you ever hear the like?” cried Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Wait, here’s something more,” said Bart. He +pointed to a few lines of type at the bottom of +the article. They read:</p> + +<p>“Just as we are going to press we learn that +one of the four suspected lads has hurriedly left +town.”</p> + +<p>“Come on!” cried Bart. “I’m going to make +him take that back.”</p> + +<p>“Make who take what back?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why the editor of this paper. Can’t you see +who he’s referring to in that last line? He means +Ned! He means that Ned’s run away for fear +he’ll be arrested! He means us when he says +‘four boys often seen in each others’ company!’ +He’s accusing the Darewell Chums of blowing up +the tower! Come on, we’ll make him deny this +if he has to get out an extra!”</p> + +<p>“Go slow,” advised Frank.</p> + +<p>“Go slow! Yes, that’s always your way! +Wait and let him say all he wants to about us! I +guess not!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +“I say we’d better wait,” Frank went on +quietly. “Of course you know, and I know, none +of us had anything to do with the blowing up of +the tower. I don’t believe it was blown up. I +believe the wind did it, and some one has imagined +all this and given the reporter a story of what he +thinks is the truth. At the same time the school +authorities may be going to have an investigation. +It’s their privilege. Now if we go to the editor’s +office and raise a row folks at once will jump to +the conclusion that we had some hand in the explosion. +Besides, it doesn’t say we are suspected.”</p> + +<p>“It as good as says so,” Bart exclaimed. +“Everyone will know they mean us.”</p> + +<p>“At the same time the article doesn’t say so. +That editor is cute enough for that. He doesn’t +want a libel suit on his hands.”</p> + +<p>“It might as well call us by the names,” Bart +insisted. “Besides, that refers to Ned as plain +as can be, and he isn’t here to defend himself. +It’s our duty to go.”</p> + +<p>“I tell you you’ll only make things worse if +you go to the office of the paper,” Frank insisted. +“The editor will ask you if you think the article +refers to you. You’ll say it does, and he’ll say, in +effect, ‘if the shoe fits put it on.’ These newspaper +men are no fools. They have some basis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +for what they write. Besides, you know I did +take the dial.”</p> + +<p>“So you did,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Did you give it back to Mr. Williamson?” +asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I took it to the store as he asked me to.”</p> + +<p>“But you didn’t make any admissions, did +you?”</p> + +<p>“How could I? There were none to make. +You were with me when he asked me about the +clock face and you heard all I said. When I left +the dial in the store he was not there. I haven’t +seen him since. The reporter is drawing on his +imagination I guess for considerable of this.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder if they are going to have an investigation?” +said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go and see Mr. Williamson,” suggested +Fenn. “We can show him the article and he can +tell us what to do. I think that’s the best plan.”</p> + +<p>The other two chums agreed to this, and, each +one having purchased a paper containing the startling +news, they went to the hardware store of the +president of the Board of Education.</p> + +<p>Mr. Williamson was talking to some other +members of the board, in his private office, when +the boys entered the store. They sent word they +wanted to see him, and in a little while, his visitors<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +having gone, the president invited the chums in.</p> + +<p>“Well, boys,” he began, “what can I do for +you?”</p> + +<p>“This article,” began Bart. “It seems to—”</p> + +<p>“I have read it,” Mr. Williamson interrupted.</p> + +<p>“Do you suspect us?” demanded Bart.</p> + +<p>“That is hardly a fair question,” Mr. Williamson +replied. “I shall probably be called upon to +preside at the investigation and I can not discuss +the case in advance of the hearing. I will say +this however: We believe some boy or boys blew +up the tower, little thinking of the terrible danger +to which he subjected the entire school and that +audience. We have no direct evidence, as yet, +but we expect to get some. I may add that a +hearing will be held to-night, and I would like +you boys to be there. I understand Ned Wilding +has gone to New York.”</p> + +<p>“He went this morning,” replied Bart, “but +he had planned to go long before this thing happened. +We are going to join him Wednesday.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed?” and Mr. Williamson looked a little +surprised.</p> + +<p>“What time is the hearing?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“At eight o’clock, in my office here.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be on hand,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +All the members of the Board of Education, +the school janitor, the chief of police, a detective, +the fathers of Bart and Fenn, and Frank’s uncle +were at the hearing. There was much testimony +in an informal way, to the effect that the tower +was wrecked by an explosion and not by the +wind. So much was easily proved.</p> + +<p>The next thing was to discover who had done +the deed. The janitor said he had seen a boy +hanging around the tower just before the entertainment +began, but he could not give a good description. +It might fit half the boys in Darewell.</p> + +<p>There was no direct evidence against the chums. +Bart had bought some powder in Mr. Williamson’s +store a few days before the explosion, but +he testified it was for his gun, which evidence was +corroborated by Mr. Keene. The taking away +of the clock dial by Frank was dwelt upon, and +there seemed a disposition to make much of it, but +the boy’s uncle bore out Frank’s statement that +the dial had been placed among a lot of other +relics and ornaments in his nephew’s room, and +was not hidden away as though Frank wished to +conceal any evidence. Ned’s sudden trip was explained, +though it was manifest that some of the +school commissioners looked with disfavor on it.</p> + +<p>The affair ended, as far as the four chums<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +were concerned, in a sort of Scotch verdict of “not +proven.”</p> + +<p>“Does that end this inquiry?” asked Mr. +Keene.</p> + +<p>“For the time being,” replied Mr. Williamson.</p> + +<p>“Then I demand that this committee issue a +statement that there is not the slightest evidence +against my son and his chums.”</p> + +<p>“We will do nothing of the sort!” exclaimed +Mr. Williamson.</p> + +<p>“Then I shall take legal steps to compel you +to.”</p> + +<p>“And I will join you,” declared Mr. Masterson.</p> + +<p>“This investigation will be continued later,” +Mr. Williamson went on. “We have not finished. +We are going to have some expert detectives +here. Then perhaps we shall discover who +perpetrated this outrage.”</p> + +<p>“You may rest assured it was none of these +boys,” said Mr. Dent. “I know my nephew and +I know his chums too well even to suspect them.”</p> + +<p>“That is all at present,” the president of the +board remarked. “The meeting is adjourned.”</p> + +<p>“But it leaves these boys under a cloud,” objected +Mr. Keene.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry but that cannot be helped,” was +Mr. Williamson’s reply.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>NED’S BUSINESS VENTURE</h3> + + +<p>Meanwhile Ned Wilding was speeding on the +fast train toward New York. The first part of the +journey was no novelty to him, as he had been +over that part of the line before. Soon, however, +he noticed a change in the scenery and was kept +busy watching the landscape as it seemed to fly +past the windows.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if I’ll have time to attend to that +little matter of business before I go to Uncle +Kenfield’s house,” said Ned to himself as he leaned +back in his seat and pulled a bundle of papers +from his pocket. “Let’s see what the address is.”</p> + +<p>Ned began to turn over the pages of a booklet +which he selected from among his bundle of +documents.</p> + +<p>“Skem & Skim, 111 Broadway,” he read. +“I’ll just drop down there before I go to uncle’s +house and buy my stock. Just think of me being +a stockholder in the Mt. Olive Oil Well Corporation, +Limited. Capital ten million dollars,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +surplus and undivided profits five millions. It +must be a great concern.”</p> + +<p>Ned gave himself up to pleasant thoughts and +looked out of the window. Perhaps he saw himself +a millionaire riding in his private car. For +Ned was going to do some business on his own +account—the first he had ever done.</p> + +<p>When he learned that he was to visit his aunt +and uncle in New York he decided to put into +operation a plan he had long had in mind; ever +since, in fact, he got the thousand dollars damages +which were paid to him and his chums by Mr. +Ricka, as told in the first volume of this “Darewell +Chums Series.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilding, after much solicitation on Ned’s +part, had allowed his son to take one hundred +dollars of the money to invest in any way he saw +fit, subject to certain restrictions.</p> + +<p>“I’ll not let you buy gold bricks with it, of +course,” Mr. Wilding had said, “and I advise +you not to invest it in alleged counterfeit money +or ‘green goods.’ But anything else in reason +you may do. It’s your first real business venture, +and it will be good for you to learn by experience. +I had to when I was a boy.”</p> + +<p>“How about buying oil stock?” Ned had +asked. “I have been reading that up lately.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +Mr. Wilding smiled behind the paper he was +reading.</p> + +<p>“I warned you against gold bricks,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but this is a legitimate oil business,” Ned +replied. “The company advertises in the best +magazines, and is only selling stock low for a few +days. By February first it is going to five dollars +a share. It’s only fifty cents now. Why, they +have testimonials from prominent men, and an +expert writes that the oil wells of the Mt. Olive +concern are the richest ever seen. They have +one well that runs a hundred barrels a day and +they haven’t it half bored yet.”</p> + +<p>“Ned,” said Mr. Wilding, and he spoke a little +gravely, “I’m not going to stand in your way. +I’ve allowed you to take that hundred dollars to +invest as you please. Now I’m not going to advise +you. If I did I might as well invest the +money myself. I want you to learn to be a business +man and the best way to learn is by experience, +though it isn’t always the easiest way. +If you want to buy stock in that oil company do +so. If you get ‘bitten’ you do so with your eyes +open.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you think it’s a good investment, +father?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not going to say. Sometimes those concerns<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +pay well, and again they do not. It’s an +operation such as business men enter into every +day, and in this case, as far as you are concerned, +it is legitimate, since you are going to buy the stock +outright, and not speculate in it by buying on a +margin. As I said, I will not advise you. Buy +that stock if you want to, and I’ll say nothing +which ever way the cat jumps. It’s your money +and you will have to foot the bill. I wouldn’t +risk more than a hundred dollars though.”</p> + +<p>“That will give me two hundred shares at fifty +cents each,” Ned replied, figuring on the back of +an envelope. “If it goes to five dollars a share +I’ll make nine hundred dollars profit. That +would be fine!”</p> + +<p>“So you’ve decided to buy it, eh?”</p> + +<p>“I think so. I’ll get it when I go to New +York to Uncle Kenfield’s house.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, Ned. You may do so. Only remember +one thing, just repeat to yourself that old +proverb about counting your chickens before +they’re hatched.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, well, I may not make nine hundred dollars, +but I’m bound to clear some profit. The +stock can’t go much below fifty cents a share,” +Ned remarked hopefully.</p> + +<p>“That’s your lookout,” his father replied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +“Now that you’ve got it settled I’ll draw a hundred +dollars of your thousand and give it to you +before you start for New York.”</p> + +<p>It was this transaction Ned had in mind as he +was on his way to the great city. He read the +account of the oil concern from circulars which +had been mailed to him in Darewell a few weeks +ago. There were big sheets of statistics, prospectuses +glittering with gold printing, finely engraved +sample stock certificates and a mass of +figures that showed the impossibility of the Mt. +Olive oil wells producing any less than the highest +possible number of barrels per day.</p> + +<p>“If this turns out all right I’ll get the other +boys to invest some of their money,” Ned said to +himself.</p> + +<p>Ned reached New York safely about noon. He +had his dinner in a restaurant near the station and +then, leaving his trunk until he could have it sent +to his uncle’s house, and carrying only a small +valise, he went to the office of the oil concern.</p> + +<p>He had little difficulty in finding it, once a policeman +had directed him to Broadway. He was +hardly prepared for the beautifully furnished office +into which he stepped. There was heavy carpet +on the floor, the chandeliers, glowing with electric +lights, seemed of solid gold. There were brass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +and mahogany railings, big rosewood desks, telephones +on the desks, stock tickers clicking in one +corner, and three girls clicking on typewriters in +another corner. On every side were evidence of +a big and rushing business.</p> + +<p>“Well, sir, what can we do for you? Who are +you from?” asked a clerk, from behind a brass +grating, as Ned entered.</p> + +<p>“I came to buy some stock,” the boy replied.</p> + +<p>“Who for? Speak quick! This is our busy +day!”</p> + +<p>“For myself,” Ned replied.</p> + +<p>“Come, no joking. I haven’t any time to +waste. Got an order from a broker? Hand it +over with the check.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t any order and I haven’t any check,” +Ned made reply, somewhat sharply, for the clerk’s +manner nettled him. “I came in here to buy some +stock on my own account. I’ve got the cash here, +but if you don’t want—”</p> + +<p>“What is it?” asked a large, pompous man, +with a florid face and a white moustache, coming +from an inner office.</p> + +<p>“This boy says he wants to buy some stock,” +the clerk replied.</p> + +<p>The florid man looked at Ned sharply.</p> + +<p>“You mean this gentleman comes in here to invest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +in the Mt. Olive Oil Well Corporation,” the +florid man went on quickly. “Certainly, my dear +sir,” and he shot a meaning look at the clerk. +“Skem & Skim will be happy to transact any business +you may entrust them with. Step in here, +please,” and he held the door open for Ned to +enter the inner office.</p> + +<p>That was even more richly furnished than the +outer one. Ned sat in an upholstered chair that +seemed to smother him, so far down did it let him +sink.</p> + +<p>“Now, my dear sir, what can we do for you?” +and the man looked at Ned.</p> + +<p>“I have a hundred dollars to invest in your oil +well.”</p> + +<p>The man seemed a little disappointed.</p> + +<p>“Hum, yes, of course. Well, at the present +market rate that will give you two hundred shares. +You are in luck, my dear sir. We are going to +put the price at a dollar a share in the morning. +In fact we were going to advance it this afternoon. +I will have your certificate made out at once.” He +took the money, which Ned held out, and touched +a button on his desk. A young man entered. +“Make out a certificate for two hundred shares +for this gentleman, er—let’s see—I’m afraid I +didn’t catch your name when you mentioned it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +As Ned had not mentioned it the gentleman’s +inability to catch it might easily be forgiven.</p> + +<p>Ned supplied the necessary information, and +the clerk withdrew. Another entered a moment +later. He seemed much excited:</p> + +<p>“Just had a wire from Colonel Janders,” he +said. “The Black Cat well has increased fifty +barrels a day, Mr. Skem!”</p> + +<p>“Good!” exclaimed the florid gentleman. +“Tell Mr. Skim at once, and put the stock up to +a dollar a share. You got in just in time,” he +added, turning to Ned, and our hero thought so +himself.</p> + +<p>As the last clerk withdrew another one came in.</p> + +<p>“Got an order from Mr. Johnson for five +thousand shares,” he announced. “Shall I let +him have ’em at fifty?”</p> + +<p>“Sorry to disoblige Mr. Johnson, who is a +very good friend of mine,” said Mr. Skem, “but +I shall have to charge him a dollar. I guess he’ll +pay it. The stock will go to two dollars a share +before the end of the week.”</p> + +<p>The first clerk came back with a finely engraved +certificate, on which the name “Edward Wilding” +was written in a flourishing hand.</p> + +<p>“There you are,” said Mr. Skem. “I hope +you will take some more stock soon. If you invest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +before the end of the week I will, as a special +favor to you, make the price seventy-five cents.”</p> + +<p>Ned had half a mind to invest another hundred +dollars, but he thought he had better write to his +father first. Then, with the precious certificate in +his pocket, he started for his uncle’s house, +planning to stop on the way and order his trunk +sent up.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>IN TROUBLE</h3> + + +<p>By inquiring from a policeman Ned found +which elevated road to take in order to get to his +uncle’s residence. As he found the station was +close to the office of the oil company, he decided +he would go direct to Mr. Kenfield’s home and +arrange later to have his trunk sent up. He knew +his uncle had a telephone, and thought the baggage +could be sent for by an order over the wire. This +would save him a long trip back to the station.</p> + +<p>When Ned reached the address on West Forty-fourth +street he was admitted by a maid, who +asked him whom he wished to see.</p> + +<p>“Is my uncle in?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Oh, so you’re the little lad from Darewell,” +the girl exclaimed, with a smile, though Ned did +not think he quite came under the category of +“little.” The maid asked him to come in and, +as soon as he entered the hall, he saw that the +place was in confusion. Several trunks stood +about, some half full, others empty, while on chairs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +and sofas in the reception hall and parlor were +piles of clothing.</p> + +<p>“Is anything the matter?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Kenfield has suddenly been called to +Europe,” the girl said. “He has to go aboard +the steamer to-night, and he must pack up at once. +He has gone down town on a matter of business +but he’ll soon be back. Your aunt is expecting +you. She’s upstairs. I’ll show you.”</p> + +<p>The girl led Ned to Mrs. Kenfield’s room.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Ned, I had forgotten all about you!” +his aunt exclaimed. “I’m so glad to see you, but +I’m sorry we’re so upset. However, it will be +over in a few hours, and when your uncle is off on +the steamer you and I can sit down and talk. I +want you to tell me all about Darewell and how +your father is. I haven’t seen him in so long! +My! but you’re the perfect image of him. How +are you?”</p> + +<p>“Very well, aunt,” Ned replied. “Can I do +anything to help you?”</p> + +<p>“No, we are almost packed, or, rather your +uncle is. He has to take quite a lot of things, as +he doesn’t know how long he may have to stay. +Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll see about another +trunk.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenfield returned to the house in about an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +hour and warmly welcomed his nephew. He expressed +regret at the necessity which so unexpectedly +called him abroad, and said his trip could not +be postponed.</p> + +<p>“But you will have a good time with your +aunt,” he added with a smile. “She knows as +much about New York as I do, and will have +more opportunities to take you around.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I had better telegraph the other boys +not to come,” suggested Ned. “It may inconvenience +you.”</p> + +<p>“No, no; let them come and welcome!” exclaimed +Mrs. Kenfield. “I love boys. We’ll +have a fine time. I have lots of room, and I +want you and your chums to enjoy this visit to +New York.”</p> + +<p>That night Mr. Kenfield, bidding his wife and +nephew good-bye, went aboard the vessel which +was to sail early in the morning to take advantage +of the tide.</p> + +<p>“Well, I suppose your uncle is well out on the +ocean by this time,” remarked Mrs. Kenfield, after +a somewhat late breakfast which she and Ned +ate alone in the handsome dining room. “Now, +Ned, will you excuse me for a few hours? I +have some shopping to do, and I know you +wouldn’t want to be going through the stores while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +I stop at the bargain counters,” and she laughed. +“Try and make yourself at home here. Mary +will get lunch for you, in case I am not back in +time. To-morrow your chums will be here, and +we must plan to entertain them.”</p> + +<p>Ned said he would be glad to take a rest during +the morning, and, after his aunt had left he went +to the library to read. He could not get interested +in books, however, with the big city of New York +at hand.</p> + +<p>“I think I’ll go out and get a paper, and see +how my oil stock is getting along,” he said. +“Maybe it’s advanced some more.”</p> + +<p>Telling Mary, the maid, where he was going, +and remarking that he would soon be back, Ned +went out into the street. It was rather cold, but +the sun was shining brightly and most of the snow +had been cleared away. Ned got a paper and +turned to the financial page. There, sure enough +was the name, Mt. Olive Oil, and it was quoted at +one dollar a share. Ned did not notice that it +was in the column of “unlisted securities,” together +with other stock of corporations, some selling +as low as ten cents a share.</p> + +<p>“I’m getting rich,” Ned murmured to himself. +“Guess I’ll take another look at that certificate.”</p> + +<p>He pulled it from his pocket, and, as he stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +in the street reading it over he suddenly exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“They’ve made a mistake. It’s only for one +hundred shares instead of two hundred. I must +go right down to the office and have it straightened +out. It’s probably a clerical error.”</p> + +<p>Though he said this to himself, it was with a +vague feeling of uneasiness that Ned boarded a +car to go to the offices of Skem & Skim. It must +be an error, he repeated to himself, over and over +again. Still he remembered what his father had +said about “fake” companies. But this one had +seemed substantial, and their offices certainly indicated +that they did a big business. Ned was deposited +by the elevator in the corridor opposite the +glittering offices of Skem & Skim. He observed +a number of persons standing before the entrance +door.</p> + +<p>“I tell you I will go in!” Ned heard one excited +man exclaim. “They’ve got a thousand +dollars of my money and I want it back.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and they’ve got five hundred of mine,” +another man chimed in.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry, gentlemen,” replied a third voice. +“But the offices are closed. No one can go in +until after an investigation.”</p> + +<p>“By whose orders are they closed?” asked the +man who had mentioned the thousand dollars.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +“By the orders of the United States postal authorities,” +was the answer. “A fraud order has +been issued against Skem & Skim, and there is a +warrant for their arrest on a charge of using the +mails to swindle. They skipped out just before +we got here this morning.”</p> + +<p>“Can’t we get our money?” inquired half a +dozen anxious ones.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not,” was the reply from a small +but determined looking man who stood before the +door. “My assistant and I have charge of the +offices. As soon as we can learn anything definite +we will let you know.”</p> + +<p>“Did they both get away?” asked some one +of the postoffice inspector, for such the man in +charge was.</p> + +<p>“Yes, both Skem and Skim.”</p> + +<p>“Their names ought to be Scheme and Skin,” +said a man in a corner. “They skinned me out +of three hundred dollars.”</p> + +<p>“Any chance of getting ’em?” was the next inquiry +of the inspector.</p> + +<p>“We hope so. We are also looking for a +young fellow who is supposed to hold two hundred +shares of this wild-cat oil stock in the Mt. Olive +well. As far as we can learn he is the only stockholder +outside of Skem & Skim, and of course he’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +liable if there’s any money in the concern. He +may have a lot of the cash, which the firm got on +other deals, salted away somewhere. He’s the +one we want as badly as we do the other two. A +young chap too, but as slick as they make ’em I’m +told, even if he is a stranger here.”</p> + +<p>Ned listened in wonder. He thought of his +two hundred shares, and of the certificate in his +pocket. He wondered if, by any possibility, he +could be the one wanted.</p> + +<p>“Who is this young fellow?” some one in the +crowd asked.</p> + +<p>“That’s what we’d like to find out,” the inspector +replied. “He only got into New York +yesterday, so one of my detectives informs me. +Came from up state, or out west I hear. He’s +the one I want, for he can tell a lot about this +business. If I can lay hands on him I’ll clap him +into a cell quicker than he can say Jack Robinson.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder if he can mean me?” Ned thought, +and his heart beat rapidly. “I came from up +state yesterday. I got into New York yesterday, +and I have two hundred shares of the Mt. Olive +stock—at least I paid for ’em. But I don’t know +any more about this business than the man in the +moon. Still they may not believe me. I wonder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +if they would arrest me? Maybe it was against +the law to buy the stock of a fraudulent concern. +I wonder what I’d better do?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” the inspector went on, speaking to +the angry and defrauded investors, “once let me +get my hands on this young fellow who has those +two hundred shares and I’ll clear up some of this +mystery. He and Skem & Skim worked the trick +among themselves and now you gentlemen can +whistle for your money.”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to get one chance at that young fellow!” +exclaimed the man who had lost the thousand +dollars.</p> + +<p>“So would I!” chimed in the others.</p> + +<p>“They wouldn’t even give me an opportunity +to explain,” thought Ned. “They’d lock me up +at once, though I’m entirely innocent. I’m going +to get away from here!”</p> + +<p>Then, while the angry men were still talking to +the postal inspector, Ned turned and hurried off. +He was afraid to go down in the elevator lest the +attendant might recognize him as the youth who +was at the offices the day before, so he walked +down the ten flights of stairs.</p> + +<p>“I must hurry and tell my aunt all about it,” +Ned thought. “She will know what I ought to +do.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>ADRIFT IN NEW YORK</h3> + + +<p>Puzzled, worried and not a little frightened at +what the outcome of his investment might be, +Ned boarded an elevated train for his aunt’s home. +He was sure the inspector had referred to him, +and, though he knew he had done nothing wrong, +yet he admitted he was ignorant of the laws regarding +stocks and bonds, and might have, unknowingly, +acted illegally.</p> + +<p>He had read of cases where the stockholders in +a fraudulent concern were liable for the corporation’s +debts, and, in fancy, he saw a suit started +against himself. As he was a minor he thought +his father would have to stand the damage. Poor +Ned was in a highly nervous state when he went +up the steps of his aunt’s home.</p> + +<p>He began to imagine there might be a policeman +waiting for him in the hall. He looked +around as he reached the front door, expecting to +see a blue-coated officer close at his heels. That<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +there was a general alarm sent out for him he felt +positive.</p> + +<p>Something in Mary’s manner, as she opened the +door in response to his ring, told him there was +trouble in the house. The girl’s eyes showed she +had been crying.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Master Ned!” she exclaimed as he entered. +“Isn’t it awful! To think of the trouble!”</p> + +<p>“Why, how did you hear?” asked the boy, +wondering if in the parlor there was an officer to +arrest him.</p> + +<p>“Why, ’twas a message we got, to be sure.”</p> + +<p>“Then the postoffice authorities sent a letter +here?” asked Ned, somewhat relieved to find he +would not have to break to his aunt what he believed +would be terrible news.</p> + +<p>“No, dear,” Mrs. Kenfield called down from +the head of the stairs. “It wasn’t a letter from +the postoffice, it was a telegram. I have received +bad news.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, aunt, it wasn’t my fault at all!” burst +out Ned. “I didn’t know about it, or I’d never +have come to New York.”</p> + +<p>“Of course it isn’t your fault,” his aunt said. +“How could you know about it when I only got +the telegram myself a little while ago? As for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +your coming to New York, that couldn’t be helped. +Of course it’s too bad. But you can pay me another +visit.”</p> + +<p>Ned thought she meant he must hurry away to +escape arrest.</p> + +<p>“Are you almost packed up, Mrs. Kenfield?” +asked Mary.</p> + +<p>“Yes, almost. I shall want a little help. I +must go at once.”</p> + +<p>“Why—what—are you—I don’t understand—” +began Ned.</p> + +<p>“Of course, just like women, to begin at the +wrong end,” said Mrs. Kenfield, and Ned’s heart +beat fast. He wondered if his aunt was going to +reproach him for bringing disgrace on the family. +He thought she would have to flee the city too, +in order to avoid arrest. How he wished his +uncle was at home to advise and help them.</p> + +<p>“Do you have to go, aunt?” he asked. “Can’t +I let ’em take me? I don’t mind.”</p> + +<p>“No, it’s very good of you to offer, Ned. But +I must go. They need me to help nurse her.”</p> + +<p>“Help nurse,” repeated Ned, wondering if he +had heard aright.</p> + +<p>“Yes, didn’t Mary tell you? We have just +received a telegram from my niece Jane Alden in +Chicago. She has typhoid fever and I must go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +to her at once. She has no other relatives living +and I must take care of her. I shall have to start +at once and, as there is no telling when I will +come back I must close up the house.”</p> + +<p>“Close up the house,” Ned said.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it will make lots of trouble, and I am +so sorry that it will spoil the pleasure of yourself +and your chums. But there is no help for it. I +think you had better go back home, Ned. You +and your friends can come and spend two months +here next summer.”</p> + +<p>“Is Mary going too?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Mary is going to stay with some relatives in +Long Island until I come back. I have sent a +cablegram explaining matters to your uncle and it +will be waiting for him when his ship arrives on +the other side. Oh, poor dear Jane! I hope her +case is not a severe one. It is lucky I know how +to nurse. She never could get along without me. +I am sorry for you, Ned.”</p> + +<p>Ned felt sorry for himself but he did not feel +like inflicting his own troubles on his aunt. Still +he did want some instructions about what he had +better do. He was all upset and did not know +whether to go home at once or wait until his aunt +had started. He half resolved to tell her what +had happened and ask her advice.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +“Maybe she can send me to uncle’s lawyer and +he can help me,” he said to himself. His aunt +came downstairs at that moment and he decided +to make an attempt to gain an idea of how to +proceed.</p> + +<p>“Do you know anything about stocks, aunt?” +asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Stocks? Mercy, no! I leave all that to your +uncle. I have trouble enough—”</p> + +<p>The door bell rang and Mrs. Kenfield opened +it. A boy handed her a telegram. Her hands +shook as she opened it.</p> + +<p>“Jane is worse,” she said as she read the second +brief dispatch. “I must hurry off soon. Now +Ned, I can’t tell you how sorry I am, but you had +better arrange to go home at once. I will take +the noon train for Chicago. What time can you +get one back to Darewell?”</p> + +<p>“At four this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>“Then you had better take it. Mary, hurry +packing those trunks. Then get your own things +ready.”</p> + +<p>“Mine are all packed, Mrs. Kenfield,” the girl +replied.</p> + +<p>“All right then. See that the house is well +locked up. Don’t leave any victuals around where +they will spoil. Shut all the blinds and fasten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +the windows well. You can go any time you are +ready, Mary.”</p> + +<p>“I was going to the station with you and help +you carry your valise.”</p> + +<p>“Ned can do that. His train doesn’t go until +four o’clock; can’t you, Ned?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, aunt.”</p> + +<p>Ned’s chance to ask advice was gone for, following +the receipt of the second telegram, his aunt +was so excited about getting ready that he had no +heart to bother her with his affair. He started +every time the door bell rang, fearing the police +might have traced him to his aunt’s house and +would arrest him at any moment.</p> + +<p>An expressman, who had been telephoned for, +took two trunks belonging to Mrs. Kenfield. +They were to go to Chicago. Mary’s was also +shipped to her friends in Long Island. Ned was +glad he had left his at the depot, as it could be +checked back to his home from there.</p> + +<p>Mary departed about ten o’clock. The house +had been darkened by the closing of the shutters +so that it was necessary to light the gas. Mrs. +Kenfield went about making sure that all the doors +were fastened.</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” she said to +Ned. “To think of your holiday being spoiled!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +“Don’t worry about that, aunt,” said the boy. +“It couldn’t be helped.”</p> + +<p>In fact he was thinking less about his broken +holiday than he was about his own plight in the +stock transaction. He felt the certificate rustle +in his pocket when he moved, and he had half a +mind to throw it away. But he feared lest doing +that, even with the tearing of it into small bits, +might lead to his discovery. He was too worried +and excited to be able to think clearly.</p> + +<p>“I guess we are all ready,” his aunt remarked +as she stood in the hall. She had a small valise to +carry, and Ned had the one he had brought from +home.</p> + +<p>“Be sure and explain to your father how it +happened,” Mrs. Kenfield said. “Tell him about +your uncle’s unexpected trip to Europe and about +Jane Alden. He knew her quite well when he +was a young man. Now I guess we will start. I +like to be in plenty of time for my train. I hate +to hurry at the last minute.”</p> + +<p>Together they left the house, Ned carrying both +valises. They boarded the elevated which ran +near Mrs. Kenfield’s house and were soon on their +way to the station where Ned’s aunt was to take +her train.</p> + +<p>The boy saw her safely aboard and bade her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +good-bye. She told him to write to her, and gave +him her Chicago address.</p> + +<p>“Tell your chums how sorry I was to disappoint +them,” she called to Ned as her train rolled +out of the depot.</p> + +<p>“I will,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>Then, left alone as he was in the big city, he felt +a sense of fear, and hardly knew what to do.</p> + +<p>“Guess I’d better go straight back to Darewell +and tell dad all about it,” he said to himself.</p> + +<p>He was soon in the station at which he had +arrived the day previous, and where he had left +his trunk. As he was going to the baggage room, +to have it rechecked to Darewell, he caught sight +of a man who seemed strangely familiar to him. +The man had his back toward Ned, but when he +turned the boy saw it was the postal inspector who +had been at the offices of Skem & Skim.</p> + +<p>“He’s after me!” thought Ned. “He’s on +my track! I must not let him see me.”</p> + +<p>He turned suddenly away so the man could not +observe his face. The inspector was talking to a +policeman, and Ned overheard the bluecoat ask:</p> + +<p>“Have you sent the telegram?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, they’ll be on the watch for him if he +goes back home,” was the reply. “They’ll nab +him as soon as he gets off the train. If he calls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +for his baggage the agent here will hold him and +notify me.”</p> + +<p>Ned hurried from the depot and ran up the +street as if the officer was after him. The last +way of escape seemed closed.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE CHUMS ARRIVE</h3> + + +<p>Darewell never had known such excitement +as followed the destruction of the school tower.</p> + +<p>Of course all the doings in Mr. Williamson’s +store leaked out, and, though there were not lacking +those who accused the four chums of, at least, +knowing something about the matter, there were +others who felt sure they had had nothing to do +with it.</p> + +<p>“I just wish I had a chance to nurse that mean +Mr. Williamson!” exclaimed Alice, when her +brother had told her of the hearing. “I’d fix +him.”</p> + +<p>“What would you do?”</p> + +<p>“I’d cover him with the hottest mustard plasters +I could make, and I’ve got a good formulæ +for some powerful ones. Then I’d fasten ’em on +with bandages so they couldn’t come off. The +idea of accusing you boys!”</p> + +<p>“He didn’t exactly accuse us,” said Bart. +“That’s the trouble. If he did we could demand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +a legal trial and be found not guilty in short order. +As it is we’re suspected and can’t prove our innocence.”</p> + +<p>“What are they going to do about it?”</p> + +<p>“Why nothing at present, and I’m glad of it. +Frank, Fenn, and I are going to New York +Wednesday and we don’t care what they do until +we come back.”</p> + +<p>“But, Bart, doesn’t that look like running +away?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care what it looks like. It’s the first +chance we have ever had of going to a big city +like that and we may never have another, so we’re +going. They can talk all they want to, and fix the +tower up to suit themselves.”</p> + +<p>From the preparations Bart and his two chums +made for their journey to New York, one would +have thought they were going to Europe. They +were at the station about an hour ahead of train +time Wednesday morning, and a number of their +boy friends were present to see them off. Going +to New York was somewhat of a novelty in Darewell, +especially when three boys went at once to +visit the rich aunt of another local lad.</p> + +<p>Amid a chorus of good-byes the boys got aboard +and soon they were speeding toward the big city. +They arrived at the same depot where Ned had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +left the train two days before, and looked around +for a possible sight of their chum.</p> + +<p>“Was he going to meet us here?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“No, he said we were to go right to his aunt’s +house,” replied Fenn. “Bart has the address; +haven’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, on Forty-fourth street.”</p> + +<p>“East or west?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Neither one, just plain Forty-fourth street.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure he said east,” Fenn remarked.</p> + +<p>“I think it was west,” Frank replied.</p> + +<p>“Let’s flip a coin,” said Fenn. “Heads is east +and tails is west.”</p> + +<p>It came down heads, and, following a policeman’s +directions they started for that section of +the city. They reached it, after no little trouble +for they took the wrong car once.</p> + +<p>“Doesn’t look like a very nice neighborhood,” +said Fenn as they started along East Forty-fourth +street. “Still I guess New York is so crowded +you can’t have much of a choice.”</p> + +<p>They found the number on East Forty-fourth +street, but at the first sight of the big apartment +house they knew they had made a mistake, since +Ned had told them his aunt lived in a house all +to herself, which is quite a distinction in New +York.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +“Now for the other side of the city,” said +Frank, as after diligent inquiry, they learned Mrs. +Kenfield did not live in the neighborhood they +first tried. They boarded a car and were soon at +Ned’s uncle’s home.</p> + +<p>“Looks as if it was shut up,” remarked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I hope we haven’t made another mistake,” +said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“It’s the right number and it’s the right street,” +replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and Mrs. Kenfield lives here,” put in +Frank.</p> + +<p>“How can you tell?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“There’s the name on the door plate,” Frank +answered pointing to the silver plate worked in +black letters with the name: “Paul Kenfield.”</p> + +<p>“Ring the bell harder,” suggested Fenn, when +no one had answered in response to Bart’s first +attempt.</p> + +<p>“It’s an electric bell, and can ring only so +hard,” Bart answered.</p> + +<p>They rang several times and waited.</p> + +<p>“The blinds are all closed,” spoke Frank, looking +up at the windows.</p> + +<p>“Folks in New York often do that,” replied +Bart. “If his aunt wasn’t home Ned would have +sent us word.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +Just then a woman in the next house came to +her door.</p> + +<p>“Are you looking for Mr. Kenfield?” she +asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes, ma’am,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“He sailed for Europe Monday.”</p> + +<p>“For Europe?” repeated Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Is Mrs. Kenfield at home?”</p> + +<p>“No, I saw her leave the house yesterday just +before noon. She told me she had a telegram +that some relative was quite ill and she had to +go to Chicago. Her servant girl has gone also. +The house is shut up.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>HUNTING FOR NED</h3> + + +<p>For a few seconds the boys did not know what +to do. They stood on the steps looking blankly +at one another. The woman observed them.</p> + +<p>“Were you expecting to call on Mrs. Kenfield?” +she asked sympathetically, as she observed +they were strangers in New York.</p> + +<p>“We came here to visit our chum, Ned Wilding,” +said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“That must have been the boy who went off +with Mrs. Kenfield,” the woman went on. She +described Ned so the chums had no difficulty in +knowing it was he whom she had seen.</p> + +<p>“You say he went off with Mrs. Kenfield?” +asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes, just before noon yesterday. He was +carrying two valises, one had a red mark on it.”</p> + +<p>“That’s Ned’s satchel,” said Fenn. “That +was some red paint he got on it the day we went +over to Jones’s Corners to play ball. One of the +fellows daubed it on for a joke.”</p> + +<p>“And he didn’t come back?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +“No,” replied the woman. “There has been +no one at home since Mrs. Kenfield went away. +I understand she is going to stay in Chicago for +some time. Her niece is quite ill.”</p> + +<p>“Well, this is queer,” remarked Bart. “I wonder +what we had better do.”</p> + +<p>“If you want to leave a message with me I’ll +give it to Mrs. Kenfield when she returns,” the +neighbor went on.</p> + +<p>“We’re much obliged to you,” said Bart, “but +I’m afraid that would do little good. Mrs. Kenfield +does not know us. Ned is her nephew and +when she invited him to stay with her she said he +could ask his chums to spend part of the time +with him. Well, we’re his chums, but where is +Ned?”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure he didn’t come back here,” the woman +continued. “I have been watching the house +pretty constantly ever since Mrs. Kenfield went +away, as she asked me to notify any tradesmen, +who might call, that she was gone, but that they +could send their bills to the house by mail and +they would be forwarded to her. I can, however, +give you her Chicago address.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know as that would be of any use, +though we’re much obliged to you,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it would!” exclaimed Bart. “We can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +wire her and ask where Ned went. She’ll probably +know.”</p> + +<p>“Has she got to Chicago yet?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“It’s about twenty-four hours since she started,” +replied Bart. “Even a comparatively slow train +would make it in that time. If you’ll give us Mrs. +Kenfield’s address,” he went on, “we’ll wire her.”</p> + +<p>The neighbor gave the boys the desired information +and, since there was nothing more they +could do at the closed house, save stare at the tight +shutters, they started for the nearest telegraph office.</p> + +<p>“If I can do anything for you boys, let me +know,” the woman said to them as they were leaving. +“I am Mrs. Rowland. I have two boys of +my own, and, if you need any further help in +locating your chum, they will be glad to aid you.”</p> + +<p>They thanked Mrs. Rowland, but for whose +information they would have been more in the +dark than they were, regarding Ned’s strange disappearance.</p> + +<p>“I had no idea people were so neighborly in +New York,” said Frank. “I read somewhere +that in this city no one ever knew who lived next +door to him.”</p> + +<p>“Lucky we got some sort of a starting point,” +said Bart. “Now to send the telegram.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +A few minutes later they found a place where +scores of instruments were clicking away and forwarded +this message, addressed to Mrs. Kenfield:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Ned’s chums arrived to find house closed. No +trace of Ned. Understand he went away with +you. Can you tell us where he is now?”</p></div> + +<p>They told the clerk they would call for the +answer in about two hours, as they wanted to allow +plenty of time for a reply.</p> + +<p>“Meanwhile we’ll go and get dinner,” suggested +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Let’s check our valises somewhere,” proposed +Bart. “I’m tired lugging mine around.”</p> + +<p>“Leave ’em at the station where our trunks +are,” Frank put in. “We may have to start +back home soon, and they’ll be handy for us there.”</p> + +<p>“Too far away,” objected Fenn. “Here’s a +good place.”</p> + +<p>He pointed to a newsstand built under one of +the elevated railroad stations, where a sign was +displayed, announcing small parcels would be +checked for ten cents. They left their grips, receiving +little brass tags in return, and then went +to a restaurant where they had dinner.</p> + +<p>“Lets go back and see if there’s an answer to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +our message,” suggested Fenn, after they had +walked around a bit. Back they went to the telegraph +office, and found there was a reply. Bart’s +hands trembled slightly as he tore open the envelope. +The message from Mrs. Kenfield was a +short one. It read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Ned started for home after leaving me.”</p></div> + +<p>“Might have known it,” remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Of course,” put in Fenn. “What else could +he do? He wouldn’t stay in New York, where +he doesn’t know a soul, after his aunt and uncle +left.”</p> + +<p>“Then I s’pose the only thing for us to do is to +follow Ned back to Darewell,” suggested Bart. +“Here’s an end to our holiday. Too bad!”</p> + +<p>“Why need we go back?” asked Frank. +“We’re here in New York. It may be many +years before we have another chance like this. +We have enough money to last us a week or more, +even if we have to stay at a hotel.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Why not spend a week in New York anyhow?” +Frank went on. “It’s too bad Ned has +gone home. He’d stay with us if he was here. +We can go to a cheap hotel and have almost as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +much fun as if we were at Ned’s uncle’s house. +What’s the use going right back home?”</p> + +<p>“I believe you’re right,” came from Bart. +“We’ll stay a while and see what New York looks +like. Might as well spend some of that money for +hotel bills as anything else. I’ve heard they rob +you in New York, but I guess we can look out +for ourselves.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s telegraph back to Darewell,” suggested +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“What for?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“To see if Ned got there safely. If he did +maybe he’ll come here and join us.”</p> + +<p>“Good idea,” commented Frank. “Write out +another message. Send it to Ned’s father. He’ll +get it quicker at the bank than Ned would at the +house.”</p> + +<p>A little later this message, signed by Bart, went +clicking over the wires to Darewell.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Is Ned home? His uncle and aunt called +away unexpectedly and he started back for Darewell. +Answer.”</p></div> + +<p>The boys said they would call in an hour for a +reply. They spent the time wandering about the +streets. Now, as it was approaching evening, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +thoroughfares were filled with hurrying throngs. +They found the telegram from Darewell waiting +for them when they went back to the office. It +was from Mr. Wilding and read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Ned not home. What is the trouble? +Can’t you locate him in New York? Try. Will +come on in the morning.”</p></div> + +<p>“Ned has disappeared,” said Bart in strange +tones, as he let the telegram fall to the floor.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>DOWN THE ROPE</h3> + + +<p>When Ned started on a run up the street, after +seeing in the station the man he believed was seeking +to arrest him, he had no definite idea where +he was going. All he cared about was to get out +of the inspector’s sight.</p> + +<p>“I can’t go back home,” he reasoned as he +hurried on, seeking to lose himself in the crowd. +“If I do they’ll arrest me as soon as I leave the +train. I can’t bring disgrace on my father that +way, though I am innocent of any intentional +wrong-doing. Besides if it was known that I +bought this stock it might injure his reputation at +the bank. They might think he advised me to do +it, and the bank doesn’t allow its officials to do +that sort of business.”</p> + +<p>Ned slowed his pace down from a run to a +rapid walk, as he noticed that several persons were +looking curiously at him. He did not want to +attract attention.</p> + +<p>“What had I better do?” he asked himself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +“If I stay here I’m liable to arrest any moment. +If I go home I’m sure of it as soon as I get off +the train, as every one at the depot knows me. +But they don’t here,” he added, as a thought came +to him. “That’s one good thing. I’m an utter +stranger in New York. The only persons who +know me are my uncle and aunt. They are far +enough off. Of course there’s Mary the servant +girl, but I guess she’s not liable to meet me. Besides, +she wouldn’t know the police wanted me. +Then there’s Mr. Skem, but I guess he’s too busy +himself, dodging the officers, to be found in this +vicinity.</p> + +<p>“That’s the best thing to do,” Ned decided. +“I’ll stay in New York until—well until something +happens. But the worst of it is I can’t even +write to the folks at home. I can’t let them know +what has occurred. I wonder what the boys will +do when they come and find the house closed? If +I send a letter to father the postal authorities can +trace where it came from and get me. A telegram +would be as bad. I’m just like a prisoner +who can’t communicate with his friends. The +only thing to do is to stick it out until something +happens. If they would only arrest Skem & Skim +maybe their testimony would clear me. But I +guess they’re not likely to catch them. I’ve got<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +to stick it out alone and it’s going to be hard +work.”</p> + +<p>By this time Ned felt he was far enough away +from the depot to render capture in the immediate +future out of the question. He felt he could risk +walking a little slower, for it was no joke to +hurry along a mile or more carrying his valise, +even though it was not a large one.</p> + +<p>“I believe I’m hungry,” he said, as he came in +front of a small restaurant. He had taken no +food since breakfast and it was now about four +o’clock in the afternoon. “I’ll feel better after +I’ve eaten. Besides I’ve got to stay somewhere +to-night. I must look for a hotel.”</p> + +<p>He did feel more encouraged after he had +dined, and, on inquiring of the cashier in the restaurant, +where he could find a cheap but decent +hotel, was directed to the Imperial a few blocks +distant, back toward the station. Ned thought +this would be safe enough.</p> + +<p>“I’d better take an account of stock,” he remarked +to himself as he started for the hotel. +“Most of my clothes are in the trunk, and so is +the check dad gave me to have uncle cash. I can’t +get at that, and I guess I wouldn’t if I could. I’d +have to endorse it to cash it, and when I wrote my +name whoever saw it might tell the police.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +Ned’s imagination probably made things seem +worse than they really were, but he was unaccustomed +to city ways, and the memory of the inspector’s +words, and the angry men who had lost +money through Skem & Skim acted as an incentive +for him to do everything possible to avoid arrest, +which he felt would follow any disclosure of his +identity, such as would result from endorsing a +check.</p> + +<p>“The only clothes I’ve got are on me,” Ned +went on, continuing the process of “stock taking.” +He had a change of underwear and some clean +collars, cuffs and handkerchiefs in his valise, and +about ten dollars in bills. In his pocketbook he +carried five dollars and there was a little change +in his overcoat.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got to sail pretty close to the wind,” he +told himself. “Fifteen dollars isn’t going very +far in New York. I must get work to do until +this thing blows over, or something happens. +That’s what I’ll do. I’ll look for a job to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>The hotel at which Ned arrived a few minutes +later did not look very inviting. Still, he reflected, +he was not in a position to be particular. +It was a five-storied building, and on both sides +of it, were shops for the sale of various articles.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +“Can you give me a cheap room?” asked Ned +of the clerk behind the desk.</p> + +<p>“Sell you one, you mean I guess,” was the man’s +reply as he went on with the operation of cleaning +his finger nails. “We don’t give ’em away.”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to engage a room for the night,” Ned +went on.</p> + +<p>“Dollar’s the cheapest we’ve got.”</p> + +<p>“That will do.”</p> + +<p>“Register,” the clerk said, swinging the book +around in front of Ned, and handing him a pen +which he dipped into the dirty ink bottle. Then +he went on with his manicuring.</p> + +<p>“I must sign my name,” thought Ned. “No +I can’t do that! They might trace me!” He +felt the rustle of the stock certificate in his pocket +as he took the pen. What was he to do?</p> + +<p>“Is it necessary to register?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Course it is,” replied the clerk looking at him +curiously. “That’s the law. Everybody who +stops at a hotel has to put their name on the book. +What’s the matter? You ain’t afraid to register, +are you? Don’t look as though you’d committed +a murder or had robbed some one,” and the clerk +grinned at his joke.</p> + +<p>“No, of course not,” Ned replied, his heart +thumping away under his overcoat. Then he resolved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +to put on the book a fictitious name. He +hesitated a moment and inscribed: “Thomas +Seldon,” in a large hand as unlike as possible +from his own usual small writing.</p> + +<p>“Thomas Seldon, eh?” queried the clerk as he +turned the book around once more. “Where you +from? That has to go down.”</p> + +<p>Once more Ned hesitated. What should he +answer.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter? Forget where you live?” +the clerk asked.</p> + +<p>“No. It’s Perryville, New York,” replied +Ned, taking a name at random, as he had the one +he signed in the book.</p> + +<p>The clerk told him to write it down, and after +this was done the number 113 was placed after +his name.</p> + +<p>“Hope you’re not superstitious,” the clerk remarked.</p> + +<p>“Why?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“There’s a thirteen in your room number.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t mind that.”</p> + +<p>“Some folks do,” the clerk continued. “But +that’s the only dollar room we’ve got left. +Front!”</p> + +<p>A boy answered the ring of the bell which the +clerk touched, and, taking Ned’s grip led the way.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +A rattling, shaking elevator, of an antiquated type, +carried Ned and his guide to the fifth floor. The +young porter opened the door of a small room +and set Ned’s grip down inside of it.</p> + +<p>“Here’s where you bunk,” he remarked.</p> + +<p>Ned had read of the necessity for tips in New +York, and handed the boy a dime. The lad +seemed to welcome it.</p> + +<p>“T’anks,” he said.</p> + +<p>“What’s that rope for?” asked Ned, as he +noticed one in a corner of his room.</p> + +<p>“Fire escape. New law. All rooms has to +have ’em,” the boy replied. “If the shebang goes +up you drop the rope out of the window and slide +down. Your window’s right over the back yard +and there’s a gate that leads out into a side street.”</p> + +<p>“Do they have many fires?” asked Ned, feeling +a bit nervous.</p> + +<p>“Many? Every day ten or a dozen.”</p> + +<p>“I mean around here?”</p> + +<p>“Ain’t had none since I worked here, but when +this place goes it’ll go quick. It’s about a thousand +years old, I guess.”</p> + +<p>When the boy had gone Ned looked out of +the window. It overlooked the rear yard of the +hotel, a place filled with boxes, barrels and all +sorts of rubbish. The rope was fastened to an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +iron ring in the wall, and looked stout enough to +hold several men. It was long enough to reach +to the ground, as Ned could see.</p> + +<p>“Hope I don’t have to use it,” he thought.</p> + +<p>Leaving his valise in his room, Ned went downstairs, +again, the old elevator taking considerable +time on the trip.</p> + +<p>“I’ll look around a bit, have some supper and +then go to bed,” he decided. “Maybe my luck +will change to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>Ned after walking about the streets for awhile +went back to the same restaurant where he had +dined before, as he did not fancy the looks of his +hotel well enough to eat there. He strolled about +through the brilliantly lighted streets after supper +pondering on his curious plight, and then went +back to the Imperial.</p> + +<p>As he approached the desk to get to the elevator +he saw a stout man in close conversation with the +clerk. He could hear the latter, in reply to some +question, say:</p> + +<p>“Guess we haven’t got anybody here you want, +Jim. No new ones came except a kid. Queer +thing about him, though, I believe he’s registered +under the wrong name. Acts sort of funny.”</p> + +<p>“What name did he give?” asked the stout +man.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +“‘Never’—‘ever’—no, that isn’t it but it’s +something like that. ‘Seldom’—that’s it—no +it isn’t either—‘Seldon,’ that’s it. ‘Thomas Seldon.’ +I sized him up for a queer one.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll have to get a look at him,” the stout man +went on. “I don’t know as we have any call for +him, but it’s best to be on the safe side.”</p> + +<p>Ned felt his knees beginning to shake. He +wondered who the big man might be. Just then +the youthful porter sauntered toward him. Ned +had come to a halt half way up the lobby of the +hotel.</p> + +<p>“Pipe off that guy?” asked the boy in a friendly +whisper, with a nod at the stout man. Ned understood +the question to mean “Do you know who +that man is?” and he answered that he did not.</p> + +<p>“One of the detectives from the Central Office. +The sleuths come here same as at other +hotels, every once in a while, to see if anybody +they want might happen to be on hand. Guess he +won’t land anybody this time, though, about a +week ago—”</p> + +<p>But Ned did not stop to listen. The stairway +was in front of him, and he could get to his room +without the clerk or the detective seeing him.</p> + +<p>As he started up the stairs, intending to go to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +his apartment and hide, for he had left the key +in the lock, the boy-porter called after him:</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you take the cage?”</p> + +<p>“The elevator’s too slow,” Ned answered, trying +to keep his voice from trembling. He was +afraid the men might hear him. But they did not, +and, walking swiftly he was soon in his room.</p> + +<p>“What shall I do?” poor Ned asked himself. +He seemed hounded on every side. “I must get +away from here,” he thought. “The clerk suspects +me! Perhaps that detective has a description +of me! I must sneak out, and yet—I can’t +go. I haven’t paid for my room!”</p> + +<p>Then he caught sight of the rope fire escape. +An idea came to him.</p> + +<p>“I’ll slide down the rope to the ground,” he +murmured. “That’s the way. I can get off +without any one seeing me, and I’ll go to another +hotel.”</p> + +<p>He loosened the rope, which was looped upon +a hook, and looked down into the yard. All was +dark and quiet there. He tied his valise to the +end of the rope and lowered it. The little thud +of the satchel as it landed and slipped from the +noose of the rope told him it was in the yard. +Then, having left a dollar bill pinned to one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +of the pillows of the bed, Ned put on his hat +and overcoat, and, taking a firm hold of the rope +stepped out of the window and went down, hand +over hand. It was a trick he had often performed, +though it was hard to descend the five +stories. At last his feet touched the ground, and +he breathed a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>“Now to take my valise and skip,” he said in +a whisper. “That was pretty well done.”</p> + +<p>He stooped over to loosen his satchel from the +rope. His fingers encountered nothing but the +hempen strands.</p> + +<p>“My valise is gone!” he exclaimed.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>IN THE LODGING HOUSE</h3> + + +<p>Ned felt around on the ground. He thought +the valise might have slipped from the rope and +rolled away into some corner of the yard. He +got down on his knees and crawled about, looking +among boxes and barrels, as well as he could in +the darkness. But the valise was gone.</p> + +<p>“Where in the world could it have disappeared +to?” Ned asked himself. “I came down within +three minutes after I lowered it to the ground.”</p> + +<p>There was a gate, opening from the yard to the +street, and Ned decided some one had either seen +or heard the valise drop and had slipped in and +stolen it.</p> + +<p>“Now I am in a pickle,” the lad murmured. +“No baggage, not even a clean collar, only a little +over four dollars left” (for he had taken one +from his pocketbook to leave for his room rent), +“and I can’t even tell the police I’ve been robbed. +If I do they’ll question me and find out I’m wanted +for that stock matter. I certainly am up against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +it. But I guess I’d better get away from here. +That detective may go to my room, discover that +I’ve gone, and make a search.”</p> + +<p>Ned peered out of the gate. The street was +deserted at that moment. With a hasty look up +at the window of his room he had just left, and +from which the rope still dangled, Ned, in worse +plight than he had been before, hurried away. +Once more he felt himself an outcast, without a +place to go.</p> + +<p>“When they see that rope they’ll suspect I’m +some sort of a criminal,” he reflected bitterly. +“What a lot of trouble a fellow can get into without +meaning it,” he reflected. “This is the last +time I’ll ever buy stocks or bonds on my own +responsibility. I guess dad can manage finances +until I learn the ropes a little better.”</p> + +<p>He walked on, not knowing whither he was +bound. He emerged from the side street to one +of the main thoroughfares. There he mingled +with the crowds, believing, that for the present +at least, he was safe from pursuit.</p> + +<p>“But I’ve got to stay somewhere to-night,” he +told himself. “I can’t walk the streets forever. I +wonder if there isn’t some place where I can get a +bed without having to answer a lot of questions +about myself?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +As he walked along an illuminated sign, on a +building across the street, attracted his attention. +It informed those who cared to know that the +place was the “Owl Lodging House,” and that +single beds could be had for fifteen cents a night, +or a room including the privilege of a bath, for +twenty-five cents.</p> + +<p>“That about fits my pocketbook,” Ned reasoned. +“Twenty-five cents a night is cheaper than +a dollar, and I’ve got to be saving. I wonder if +it’s clean? It seems like living in a tenement +house, but I s’pose lots of men have to. I’ll try +it anyhow. If I don’t like the looks of it I can +leave.”</p> + +<p>He walked up the stairs. Certainly the place +would not have taken a prize for cleanliness but +then, Ned reflected, beggars must not be choosers. +He emerged into a big room, lighted by several +gas jets, and seemingly filled with men in chairs +who were lolling about in all sorts of attitudes. +Some were asleep and some were reading newspapers. +As Ned stood irresolutely gazing on the +scene his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp +voice.</p> + +<p>“Well, young man, do you want a room or a +bed?”</p> + +<p>“Have you any rooms left?” asked Ned, turning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +to see a man staring at him from a small window +in an office built against one side of the apartment.</p> + +<p>“Lots of ’em,” replied the clerk of the lodging +house. “Twenty-five cents. Pay in advance. +This isn’t the Waldorf-Astoria.”</p> + +<p>Ned handed a quarter through the half circular +opening and received in return a key with a big +brass tag.</p> + +<p>“Do I register?” asked Ned, hoping that +he would not have to put down another false +name.</p> + +<p>“Register nothin’,” the clerk replied. “They +go by numbers here. Yours is seventeen,” and +Ned, looking at the tag on his key, saw what the +clerk meant.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad there’s no thirteen in this,” the boy +thought. “How do I get to my room?” he +asked.</p> + +<p>“Right along the corridor. You can’t miss it. +Go on until you strike the right number and go in. +Do you snore?”</p> + +<p>“No. Why?”</p> + +<p>“Because there is a man in the next room to +you who says he’ll punch my face in, if I put any +one near him who snores. It’s all right. Go +ahead. If you want a bath it’s the last room at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +the end of the hall, but you have to furnish your +own soap and towels.”</p> + +<p>“That settles the bath question,” thought Ned; +“that is unless I dry myself on a pocket handkerchief, +and I guess I’d better save that.”</p> + +<p>“Lock your door,” the clerk called after him. +“We’re not responsible for anything stolen from +the rooms.”</p> + +<p>Ned had not expected much for twenty-five +cents, and the small room, the little narrow iron +cot, and the scanty supply of coverings did not disappoint +him. The room was merely separated +from the others, in the row of which it was, by +partitions that did not extend all the way to the +ceiling. Ned sat down on the chair and gazed +about him. He could hear men in the next rooms +breathing heavily. It was rather chilly for there +was no fire in the bedrooms.</p> + +<p>“I can use my overcoat for a blanket,” Ned +inadvertently spoke aloud. The next moment a +voice, from the room on his left startled him.</p> + +<p>“Hello, in seventeen!” called a man.</p> + +<p>“Well?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Do you snore?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“All right. If you do there’ll be trouble. I’m +a light sleeper.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +Ned wondered who his unseen questioner was, +but he was too tired to care much.</p> + +<p>He undressed, and crawled into bed. His +overcoat answered well for a blanket, and soon +he began to feel warm and drowsy, in spite of his +strange surroundings.</p> + +<p>He must have slept for several hours when he +was suddenly awakened by a pounding on his +door.</p> + +<p>“What is it? Is the place afire?” he called, +sitting up in bed.</p> + +<p>“Fire nothing! I want my money you took!” +It was the voice of the man who had asked him +if he snored.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t your money,” Ned answered, thinking +the man might be a lunatic.</p> + +<p>“Yes, you have! You sneaked into my room +and took it! I woke up just in time! Open the +door or I’ll break it down!”</p> + +<p>Ned sprang from his bed and turned the key. +The door flew open and a big man with a red +moustache entered.</p> + +<p>“Give me my money!” he demanded, striding +up to Ned.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>NED FLEES AGAIN</h3> + + +<p>“I tell you I haven’t your money!” exclaimed +Ned. “What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“You know what I mean well enough! I had +a lot of dollar bills under my pillow! You +sneaked in and took them! I want my money!”</p> + +<p>“And I tell you I haven’t it and didn’t take +it!” Ned repeated. “This is my room, and +you’d better get out of it!”</p> + +<p>“Not until I have my money! Where is it?”</p> + +<p>He lifted a pillow from Ned’s bed. Under it +were four one dollar bills which Ned had placed +there before he went to sleep.</p> + +<p>“Here’s part of it, anyhow!” the man exclaimed. +“I want the rest now! Fork it over!”</p> + +<p>“That’s my money!” cried Ned, as the red-moustached +man took the bills and stuffed them +into his pocket.</p> + +<p>“Your money! A likely story! Anybody +with as much money as that would never stop in a +place like this.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +“How did you happen to stop here then?” +asked Ned quickly.</p> + +<p>“Me? Why young impudence, I’m the proprietor +of this lodging house! I live here! That’s +why. Hey, Bill!” he called in a loud voice, +“come here. There’s trouble.”</p> + +<p>In answer to the summons a big man, evidently +the night porter or watchman, came shuffling down +the corridor.</p> + +<p>“What’s the trouble, boss?” he asked, and +Ned began to believe the man had spoken the +truth when he said he was the proprietor of the +place.</p> + +<p>“Why, here’s a kid comes into my room when +I’m asleep and takes my cash right from under my +pillow. I wake up just in time to see him sneak +back into his room and when I get him with the +goods on him he has the impudence to deny it. +There’s part of the cash,” and he showed Ned’s +money, “but I want the rest. Better call a policeman, +Bill.”</p> + +<p>“All right, boss. Just as you say,” and the +porter shuffled off.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say you’re going to have me +arrested on a charge of stealing your money?” +asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I am unless you give it up.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +“But I didn’t take it. It must have been some +one else, if you really were robbed. Why don’t +you look in some of the other rooms along here?”</p> + +<p>“Because I saw you come in here after you +were in my room, and had your hand under my +pillow.”</p> + +<p>“Couldn’t you be mistaken?”</p> + +<p>“Not much. I’ve been in this business too long. +’Tisn’t the first time I’ve been robbed, but it’s the +first time I got the thief and I’m goin’ to make an +example of you.”</p> + +<p>“You’re making a big mistake,” Ned said, trying +to speak bravely, but the accusation, unjust as +it was, coupled with his other misfortunes was +almost too much for him.</p> + +<p>“I’ll take the chances on that. Who are you, +anyhow? What’s your name, and where’d you +come from?”</p> + +<p>Ned hesitated. If he gave his real name it might +lead to trouble over the stock, in case the proprietor +carried out the threat to have him arrested. +He was not used to telling untruths and he was +afraid if he gave a false name he would soon betray +himself. Still it seemed the best thing to do +and would harm no one save himself.</p> + +<p>“My name’s George Anderson,” he said boldly. +“Where I came from is none of your affair.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +“Afraid to tell, eh? Well, the judge will soon +have it out of you.”</p> + +<p>It was quite cold now, and Ned, standing half +dressed as he was in the room, began to shiver. +He put on his clothes.</p> + +<p>“Guess that’s a wise thing to do,” the proprietor +of the lodging house remarked. “You’ll +get a ride in the hurry-up wagon soon.”</p> + +<p>The words struck a chill of terror to Ned’s +heart. Must he spend the rest of the night in a +cell? The man’s manner showed no relenting. +He either believed Ned had robbed him or was +insisting on the charge for some reason of his +own.</p> + +<p>“Are you in earnest about this?” asked Ned, +as he put on his hat and overcoat.</p> + +<p>“You can make up your mind to that,” was the +man’s answer. “It’ll be the jail for yours, in a +little while, if you don’t give me back my money. +It isn’t too late. I can fix it with the cop if you’ll +give up. Why look here, kid, they’ll search you +and find it on you. You haven’t had time to hide +it, and, besides, there’s no place in this room. You +must have it on you. Give it up and save trouble.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t your money,” Ned said boldly. +“Those bills you took from under the pillow were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +mine. You can search me now if you want to. +That is all the money I have except a little change +in my overcoat pocket,” and he showed the man.</p> + +<p>“That don’t go with me. I’m sure you robbed +me. I’ll not search you or you’d say I was up to +some game, and nobody ever said but what Jim +Cassidy was honest, though he does keep a cheap +lodging house. No, sir, the cop’ll search you.”</p> + +<p>Ned knew the officer would find nothing—except +the stock certificate. There was the trouble. +Ned thought every officer in New York had a +description of it and was looking for the boy who +carried it. No, he couldn’t allow himself to be +searched.</p> + +<p>“It’s cold!” exclaimed Cassidy suddenly, as he +shivered in his long nightrobe. “I’m goin’ to get +dressed. Better not try to run or I’ll nab you. +I’ll be in the next room.”</p> + +<p>He went into his own apartment and Ned could +hear him putting on his clothes. By the grunts +and puffs that ensued he judged Cassidy was having +hard work, as he was a large man, and putting +on a shirt was no easy matter.</p> + +<p>Then a daring plan came into Ned’s mind. In +spite of the excitement caused by the proprietor’s +entrance into his room and the loud talking that +followed the accusation, none of the other lodgers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +had gotten up. Even sending the porter for a +policeman had not excited any curiosity.</p> + +<p>Ned resolved to make his escape if possible. +He thought he could slip past Cassidy’s door and +down the stairs before Bill would return with a +policeman. He got upon the bed and looked over +the partition into Cassidy’s room. The proprietor +was putting on his shoes and had his back to +the door. There was a light at the far end of the +corridor, illuminating it dimly.</p> + +<p>Ned took off his own shoes, and, carrying them +in his hand stepped to the door of his room. He +stole softly into the corridor and was about to +slip past Cassidy’s room when the door of the +apartment opposite his opened just a crack and a +hoarse voice whispered:</p> + +<p>“Hey, cully! If youse wants t’ make a git-away, +go de other way an’ down de back stairs. +Youse kin slip around through de alley an’ inter +de street ’fore de cop comes. I heard what youse +said and ye sounds honest, an’ dat’s more’n ye kin +say fer a lot in dis joint. Quick, some one’s comin’ +up de front stairs!”</p> + +<p>Then, before Ned could thank his unknown +friend, the door was shut. Ned could hear Cassidy +getting up from the chair on which he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +seated himself to lace his shoes. There was not +a moment to spare.</p> + +<p>Making no sound in his stocking feet, Ned hurried +down the dark corridor, away from the front +of the building. He had to trust almost entirely +to feeling, as the gleam from the single lamp +farther toward the front stairs did not penetrate +thus far. He did not even know where the rear +flight was, but trusted to luck to find them. With +his hand stretched out in front of him, to avoid +running into any obstructions he went on as fast +as he could. Suddenly he turned a corner in the +passage and saw a dim light. Then he observed +a flight of stairs leading downward. He listened +a moment. Behind him he could hear the tramp +of heavy feet, and guessed that Bill had returned +with the policeman.</p> + +<p>Ned hurried down the stairs. He stopped only +long enough, when he reached the bottom, to put +his shoes on, but did not lace them. He only +tucked the ends of the strings into the tops so +they would not dangle and trip him if he had to +run. Then Ned stepped from the hallway into +the dark and deserted street. Once more, though +entirely innocent, he had been obliged to flee from +officers of the law.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +“It’s getting to be a habit with me,” he said +grimly, as he hurried along.</p> + +<p>What happened back in the lodging house he +did not know and he cared less. That his flight +would seem a confession of guilt he was sure; but +what did it matter?</p> + +<p>It was cold and dark and cheerless in the streets. +He was a night wanderer, with no place to go, +and, as far as he knew, not a friend in the big +city.</p> + +<p>“I guess I’ll have to walk the streets all night,” +poor Ned thought. “I haven’t much money left.” +He felt in the pocket of his overcoat, and counted +the change. There was less than a dollar.</p> + +<p>“Have to take fifteen cent beds after this,” he +remarked to himself. “As for eating I guess I’ll +have to cut that out altogether.”</p> + +<p>He walked through several thoroughfares. Not +a soul did he meet save once as he passed a policeman +the officer stared at him suspiciously. But +Ned still had his good clothes with him, and his +overcoat though crumpled from being used as a +bed-spread, made him look decent enough to pass +muster in the neighborhood where he was.</p> + +<p>“I think I’ll find another lodging house and +get a bed,” he said to himself. “I must get a +little rest if I am to look for work to-morrow.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +He had no difficulty in finding a place, for there +were many such nearby. He got a fifteen cent +bed, in a room where scores of other men and +youths were sleeping. His entrance excited no +comment, and, in fact, few were awake to notice +his arrival.</p> + +<p>Ned was so tired he fell asleep with most of +his clothes on. He had little fear of being robbed +for he had little left to take. He got a frugal +breakfast the next morning and started out to +search for work.</p> + +<p>But New York seemed to be overflowing with +men and boys on the same errand. Every place +where Ned applied, either from seeing a sign +“Boy Wanted,” or by getting the address from a +newspaper he bought, had been taken or else he +would not fill the bill. All day long he tramped, +spending a few cents for some buns and coffee at +a lunch stand. At night, tired and discouraged, +he went back to the lodging house where he had +last stayed, and again got a fifteen cent bed.</p> + +<p>“To-morrow’s Thursday,” thought Ned, as he +crawled under his overcoat, which he once more +used as a blanket. “I wonder if the boys arrived +to-day? What could they have thought +when they saw the house closed? Oh, I wish I +could find them. If this keeps on I’ll have to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +pawn my overcoat for something to eat, and it +looks as if it would snow to-morrow. What a +pickle I’m in!”</p> + +<p>Then, in spite of his troubles he fell asleep, for +he was very tired.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>OUT IN THE STORM</h3> + + +<p>The telegram from Ned’s father, which the +three chums received that Wednesday evening, +telling them their friend was not at his home in +Darewell, was a great shock to them.</p> + +<p>“Why,” remarked Bart, as he picked up the +message he had dropped, “it hardly seems possible. +I wonder where in the world he can be. He +starts for home but he never arrives.”</p> + +<p>“Are we sure he started for home?” asked +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why of course,” Fenn answered. “Didn’t +the telegram from Mrs. Kenfield say so?”</p> + +<p>“She would hardly know,” Frank went on. +“Ned’s train for Darewell wouldn’t leave until +four o’clock. The timetable shows that. According +to what the woman who lives next door to +Mrs. Kenfield told us, Ned’s aunt started away +before noon. Her train must have left about that +time, so Ned couldn’t have gotten away from New +York, if he left at all, until after his aunt had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +started for Chicago. Consequently though she +may have seen him leave the depot where she was, +with the intention of going back to Darewell, that’s +no proof that he really went back home.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” admitted Bart, struck with the +force of Frank’s reasoning. “But where then +can he be?”</p> + +<p>“That’s what we’ve got to find out,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“How are we going to do it?” Bart inquired.</p> + +<p>“I think Ned’s right here in New York,” Frank +went on. “Now look at it. His aunt goes away +unexpectedly and closes the house up. It would +seem natural for Ned to go back home, but we +find out he has not. He doesn’t know any one +else in this part of the country, or he would have +told us. Consequently he has not gone to any +other city. Therefore he must be in New York.”</p> + +<p>“But why would he stay here?” insisted Bart.</p> + +<p>“Probably for the same reason we’re going to, +in order to see the sights.”</p> + +<p>“Then why didn’t he send some word home to +let his father know?” Bart asked. “Mr. Wilding +wouldn’t be starting for New York if he knew +Ned was safe here. Ned hasn’t communicated +with his father, that’s sure.”</p> + +<p>“I forgot about that,” Frank admitted. “That +makes it look different.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +“Maybe something has happened to him,” suggested +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Don’t look for trouble, Stumpy,” remarked +Bart. “It’s bad enough as it is.”</p> + +<p>“However I still think Ned is in New York,” +Frank went on. “He may be sick or he may +have been hurt, which would prevent him communicating +with us, or with his father. But that he’s +in this city I’m sure. Now the thing for us to do +is to find him.”</p> + +<p>“But how?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“There are dozens of ways. We must communicate +with the police and ask their help.”</p> + +<p>“Ned wouldn’t like that,” interposed Bart. +“He’s not a criminal.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” Frank answered. “But the +police have to help find lots of persons who are +not criminals. If Ned’s in trouble we want to +know it as soon as possible so we can help him.”</p> + +<p>“Then the sooner we start the better,” suggested +Bart. “Where ought we to begin?”</p> + +<p>“Let’s ask the agent here at the station where +Ned’s train came in,” Frank said. “Perhaps he +may have noticed him.”</p> + +<p>“Not likely,” replied Bart. “Too many passengers +coming and going.”</p> + +<p>They made some inquiries, but, as Bart had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +said, there were too many arrivals and departures +for the agent to have taken particular note of a +boy among a thousand others.</p> + +<p>“That settles one end of it,” remarked Fenn, +as they were about to leave the depot. “Let’s +arrange to stop at some hotel. We’re going to +be here several days, very likely.”</p> + +<p>“So we are,” Frank replied. “Hold on! +Wait a minute! I’ve just thought of something.”</p> + +<p>“What?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“The baggage room. We can find out if there +are any trunks from Darewell, besides our own, +that have not been called for. Besides I know +Ned’s when I see it.”</p> + +<p>They hurried to the baggage agent and told +him what they wanted. He soon ascertained from +his records that four trunks had come in from +Darewell in the last few days. Three were those +of the three chums, which had arrived that +noon.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got one other,” the agent said. “It came +in Monday, and there are storage charges on it +now.”</p> + +<p>“Can we look at it?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>The agent showed it to them.</p> + +<p>“That’s Ned’s trunk!” cried Frank. “We’re +on the track. He hasn’t left New York, that’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +sure. Has any one called for that trunk?” he +asked the agent.</p> + +<p>“No, but I wish they would. It’s in the way +here.”</p> + +<p>“Could you let us know in case any one does +call?” Frank went on, giving his reasons for the +request. “We’ll pay you for your trouble.”</p> + +<p>“I s’pose I could. Where’ll you be?”</p> + +<p>“We ought to stop at some hotel near here,” +Frank suggested. “Then we can come here +quickly if we get a message.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know of a good hotel near here?” +asked Bart of the agent.</p> + +<p>“There’s the Imperial a few blocks up the +street. It’s not especially good, but it’s respectable. +I guess you could stop there.”</p> + +<p>“That will do,” Frank said. “We’ll get +rooms there. We will send for our trunks, and +you can telephone us in case that other one is +called for.”</p> + +<p>He gave the man a couple of dollars to pay for +his trouble, and for any telephone messages he +might have to send, and then the three chums +went to the same hotel where Ned had stopped.</p> + +<p>The same clerk was on duty who had been there +when Ned registered, and he seemed rather surprised +at the three well dressed youths who entered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +Usually the Imperial, in spite of its name, +did not attract such a class of patrons. The boys +bargained for three connecting rooms, and, as they +had plenty of money were given good apartments +on the second floor.</p> + +<p>“Register,” the clerk said, swinging the book +around to them.</p> + +<p>As Bart took the pen to write his name, he +looked at the book and gave a start.</p> + +<p>“I thought first that was Ned’s writing,” he +said as he looked where his chum, but a few hours +before had written “Thomas Seldon.”</p> + +<p>“Friend of yours?” asked the clerk quickly.</p> + +<p>“I thought first it looked like the writing of a +chum of mine,” Bart replied. “But it’s different +I see.”</p> + +<p>“Guess that chap doesn’t travel in your company,” +the clerk went on, as the other boys put +down their names.</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he’s a crook I guess,” and he told of the +discovery of Ned’s escape down the rope. “He +hasn’t done anything as far as we can learn,” the +clerk went on, “but his getting out that way +showed there was something wrong, though he +was honest enough to leave a dollar for his room, +which he didn’t occupy. However, the police<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +would like to get him just to see why he was in +such a hurry to get away.</p> + +<p>“Funny thing, too,” the clerk continued. “He +left his valise behind him. He must have lowered +it out of the window by the rope, or else he +threw it out. Anyway, just before we found out +that he had gone, our chef went out in the back +yard for a breath of air. He saw the valise lying +on the ground, but didn’t take notice of the rope. +He brought the satchel in and gave it to me. I +was talking to a detective at the desk, one who +comes in here every once in a while to see if there +are any suspicious characters. I was telling him +about this Seldon lad, just as the cook handed me +the grip. I recognized it as the one the boy had +when he came in, and got suspicious. We went +to his room, but he had skipped. We’ve got the +valise yet, but haven’t opened it. The police may +in a few days.”</p> + +<p>The boys slept soundly that night. They awoke +in the morning to find a heavy snow storm in +progress. They spent the day going from one +place to another, following the advice they got at +the office of the chief of police. But all to no +purpose. There was no trace of Ned. They +were out almost all day in the storm, which continued +to get worse as night approached.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +“There’s one thing we forgot,” said Frank, as +they prepared to go back to the hotel for the +night.</p> + +<p>“What?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“We should have let Mr. Wilding know where +we are stopping. You know he said he was coming +to New York. We must send him a wire. +If he has left Darewell, the bank will know his +address here, and forward it to us.”</p> + +<p>This plan, Frank’s chums decided, was a wise +one. They turned toward a telegraph office which +they had noticed near their hotel. As they were +going down a dark side street Bart, who was in +advance, stumbled over something and fell into a +snow drift.</p> + +<p>“Hurt yourself?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“No. It was like falling into a feather bed, +only it’s cold.”</p> + +<p>Just then something like a groan sounded from +the object Bart had stumbled over.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>The three boys bent over the object.</p> + +<p>“It’s a boy!” cried Frank. “He’s almost +frozen to death. Come on, fellows! We must +carry him to some shelter.”</p> + +<p>“Better take him to our hotel,” suggested Bart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +They picked up the boy, who was lying in a +drift of snow on the sidewalk, and hurried on with +him. Feeble moans came from between the unknown’s +white lips.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>NED’S PREDICAMENT</h3> + + +<p>When Ned awakened Thursday morning in +the lodging house and, on looking from the window +saw that it was snowing, his unpleasant position +came forcibly to him.</p> + +<p>“This is nice,” he reflected as he put on his +shoes. “It’s as cold as Greenland out of doors, +and I’m down to—let’s see what my cash capital +is, anyhow.”</p> + +<p>He fumbled in the change pocket of his overcoat, +and found a few coins.</p> + +<p>“Thirty cents,” he murmured as he looked at +them. “There’s enough for three five-cent meals, +and enough to pay for a bed to-night. I’ll need +the bed too, if this storm keeps up.”</p> + +<p>He finished dressing and went to the window to +look out. It was anything but a pleasant day on +which to look for work. The wind had blown +the snow into big drifts, and the white flakes were +still falling. It was cold too, as he could tell by +the draught that came in around the window.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +“Come now, everybody clear out!” called a +voice, and one of the porters of the lodging house +appeared with a pail and broom. “Got to clean up +the place. Fifteen cents doesn’t mean you fellers +can make a hotel of this place and hang around +all day. Clear out!”</p> + +<p>“Can’t we stay until it stops snowin’?” asked +one of the men, who were crowded around the +big stove in the sleeping room.</p> + +<p>“You kin if you pay for another night’s lodging,” +was the answer. “What do you think this +is, the Salvation Army or the Y. M. C. A.? If +you want free graft go there. You has to pay for +what you gits here. Clear out!”</p> + +<p>There was no help for it. Those who hoped +to remain in away from the storm, where it was at +least warm, though not very inviting, were doomed +to disappointment. A few, who had the money, +paid for another night’s lodging, which gave them +the privilege of remaining in during the day.</p> + +<p>Ned had half a notion to do this, but he reflected +he might find a place to work which would +be so far from the lodging house that he could not +conveniently return. So he decided to save his +money until he could find out what the day might +hold for him.</p> + +<p>With scores of other unfortunates he left the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +warm room and went out into the cold. He was +glad he was well clothed and that he still had his +overcoat. How long he could keep it, before he +would have to pawn it for food, he did not know. +He almost decided to go back to the hotel where +he had first stayed and see if they knew anything +about his valise. That had ten dollars in it. +Then the thought of the detective deterred him.</p> + +<p>“If I had the four dollars the lodging house +proprietor stole from me I’d think I was rich,” he +murmured. “But I wouldn’t dare go back after +it. He’d have me arrested sure! Though I +may have to submit to that to get a warm place to +sleep and something to eat, if I don’t get work +soon,” he added.</p> + +<p>It was very cold. As soon as Ned got out into +the street, where he could feel the full sweep of +the wind he shivered though his overcoat was a +thick one. The snow was blown into his face with +stinging force.</p> + +<p>“As long as it doesn’t make any difference which +way I go I may as well have the wind at my back,” +he reasoned as he turned and walked in the opposite +direction. “That’s more comfortable, at any +rate,” he continued. “Now I must get something +to eat, if it’s only a cup of coffee.”</p> + +<p>He walked on until he saw a restaurant. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +the window was a big gas stove on which a man, +in a white uniform and cap, was browning some +buckwheat cakes. They looked so good they made +Ned’s mouth fairly water.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to have some,” he decided. “It +will take fifteen cents, if I get coffee with them, +but it’s worth it. I’ll make this meal do for dinner +too. But supper—”</p> + +<p>Ned did not dare carry his thoughts further. +All he knew was that he was very hungry, and at +least he had money enough to pay for a simple +meal. Supper must take care of itself.</p> + +<p>“Maybe I can get a night’s lodging at some +free place, and save the rest of my money for +supper and breakfast to-morrow,” Ned thought to +himself as he entered the restaurant.</p> + +<p>He ordered a plate of the cakes and some coffee, +and could hardly wait until the girl had placed +them on the table in front of him. He got a +small pitcher of what passed for maple syrup, and +there was a plate of butter from which all at the +table helped themselves.</p> + +<p>Ned finished the cakes in short order. The coffee +was hot if nothing else, but Ned was surprised +at the small place in his big appetite which the +cakes filled. He almost felt like ordering more +but decided it would be rash to reduce his capital<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +to five cents. As it was now, when he had paid +for his breakfast, he would have fifteen cents left +out of the thirty.</p> + +<p>With the pasteboard check which the girl had +left at his plate, in his hand, Ned approached the +cashier’s desk in the front part of the restaurant. +His fingers went into the change pocket of his +overcoat, searching for the money. He could feel +nothing but the lining. A blank look came over +his face. He was sure he had put the money back +into that pocket as he finished counting it when he +sat on the edge of his bed. Yet it was not there. +Hurriedly he felt in all his other pockets.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile several customers behind him were +impatiently waiting to pay their checks.</p> + +<p>“One side,” said the cashier in a gruff tone, as +he saw Ned fumbling through his pockets. +“What’s the matter with you? Left your memory +home?”</p> + +<p>“I think I’ve lost my money,” Ned answered, +his voice trembling a little.</p> + +<p>“Then you’ve got another think coming,” the +clerk said in an ugly tone. “I’ve heard that story +before.”</p> + +<p>“What story?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“About forgetting your money. Left it in the +bank I s’pose, or home on the pianer, or you’ve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +got to have a check cashed. What is it, speak +quick, I’ve got no time to fool.”</p> + +<p>While he was talking, the man was busy making +change for other customers who walked past Ned.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean that you think I’m trying to +cheat you?” asked the boy.</p> + +<p>“I don’t mean anything if you pay for what +you’ve eaten. If you don’t pay—well—there’s +a cop just around the corner, and we’ve had your +same kind in here before.”</p> + +<p>By this time Ned stood alone in front of the +desk, as the line of waiting men had passed out.</p> + +<p>“I had my money when I came in here,” said +the boy. “Or at least I think I did. I had it a +little while before, I’m sure, for I counted it. +There was thirty cents—”</p> + +<p>“That’s what you look like now,” the cashier +interrupted, with a coarse laugh at his joke. +“It’ll be thirty days for yours if you don’t settle +up.”</p> + +<p>“But I haven’t got the money,” replied poor +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Then you shouldn’t have eaten anything. Do +you think we’re feedin’ beggars here?”</p> + +<p>“I thought I had the money when I ordered +the cakes,” Ned replied, staring helplessly at the +fifteen cent check in his hand.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +“Say, young feller, that’s too thin. It don’t +go here any more. I’ve been stung too often with +that yarn. You’ll pay for your grub or you’ll be +arrested, see? Have you got the money; yes or +no?”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t—but if—”</p> + +<p>“Yes, if we let you go you’ll stop in on your +way from the bank and give us a check! No you +don’t! A fellow gave me that song and dance last +week. Jim, call the cop,” and the cashier nodded +to one of the men waiters.</p> + +<p>“Are you going to have me arrested?” exclaimed +Ned.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I am. It’s a criminal offense to +order a meal, eat it, and not pay for it.”</p> + +<p>Ned did not know what to do.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>A QUEER IDENTIFICATION</h3> + + +<p>Stumbling through the snow drifts the three +chums bore the half-unconscious boy they had +picked up in the snow bank. They went as +quickly as they could, for they knew the need of +haste in the case of a person who had been exposed +to the cold and storm.</p> + +<p>“I wonder who he is?” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Whoever he is he’s pretty nearly dead,” replied +Frank. “I hope we’re not too late.”</p> + +<p>As they struggled into the lobby of the hotel +with their burden, the night clerk gazed curiously +at them.</p> + +<p>“What the matter?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Boy almost frozen,” replied Bart. “Send for +a doctor!”</p> + +<p>“Who’s going to pay him?” the clerk inquired.</p> + +<p>“We will!” Bart replied, somewhat indignantly.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right, needn’t get mad about it,” +the clerk exclaimed. “You’ll find there’s a lot of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +grafting in New York, and we have to be careful. +Here, I’ll help you with him.”</p> + +<p>“Take him up to my room,” Frank suggested, +as the clerk came from behind the desk and assisted +in supporting the boy, who was now unconscious. +“Mine is the largest apartment,” Frank +went on, “I can bunk in with one of you fellows.”</p> + +<p>“Telephone for Dr. Smithers,” the clerk called +to a helper as they placed the boy in the elevator. +“He’s just around the corner.”</p> + +<p>The lad was put to bed in Frank’s room, and +the clerk, who seemed a little sorry, for his question +about payment, brought in some rubber hot-water +bags which were placed about the silent +form under the coverlet.</p> + +<p>“We must thaw him out,” he said. “That’s +the best treatment I know of.”</p> + +<p>In a little while the doctor arrived. He said +the clerk had done the right thing and he ordered +some hot broth prepared.</p> + +<p>“Alice ought to be here,” remarked Bart. +“This would be just in her line.”</p> + +<p>“Wonder who he is?” asked Frank, as the +three boys were in Bart’s room, for the doctor, +and one of the women servants of the hotel, who +had volunteered for a nurse, were busy trying to +restore the boy to consciousness.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +“Probably some poor homeless wanderer,” replied +Fenn. “Tough luck, to be without a home +on a night like this.”</p> + +<p>“I only hope Ned isn’t in any such plight,” +spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>“Why should he be?” asked Fenn. “He had +plenty of money when he left home.”</p> + +<p>“You can never tell what will happen in New +York,” replied Fenn with a wise look, which, +though he did not appreciate it, was quite a truthful +remark.</p> + +<p>In about an hour Dr. Smithers came out. He +seemed well pleased with what he had accomplished.</p> + +<p>“I think we’ll pull him through,” he said, rubbing +his hands. “It was a close call. If you +had been five minutes later he would probably +have been past human aid.”</p> + +<p>“Could he tell you anything of himself, doctor?” +asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no. He has not yet fully recovered consciousness. +But he will be pretty well in the morning, +unless something unforeseen sets in. In the +meanwhile he must be kept perfectly quiet. On +no account must he be disturbed. One of the +chambermaids will watch him during the night. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +ventured to engage her as a sort of emergency +nurse.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” spoke Bart. “You can send +the bill to me, doctor, and we’ll pay for the nurse.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure that’s very good of you,” Dr. Smithers +went on, “to take so much interest in a boy +you never saw before, as I understand it.”</p> + +<p>“Can’t tell but we might want the same kind +of help ourselves, some day,” Frank remarked.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” the physician agreed. “Well, +now I believe I’ll go. He’ll get along all right I +think, and I’ll look in on him in the morning.”</p> + +<p>Frank and Bart arranged to occupy the latter’s +bed that night, as it was a large one. As Frank +went into his room, where the rescued boy was, to +get some clean clothing for the morning, he saw +the lad lying asleep, with the woman watching at +the head of the bed. The gas was turned low, +but a gleam from it struck on the cheek of the +sleeper. As Frank passed close by the bed he +looked down on the patient, and, as he did so, he +started. For there, on the right cheek of the boy, +was a small, but vivid red scar. Frank pointed to +it, before he knew what he was doing. The nurse, +seeing his gesture, looked up in alarm.</p> + +<p>“That mark!” whispered Frank. “Is it a +cut? Did he fall and hurt himself?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +“It’s an old scar,” the woman replied in a whisper. +“I noticed it when I was giving him some +medicine a while ago. Why?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing much; I thought it might be a cut,” +Frank replied as he hurried quietly from the room. +He found Bart and Fenn discussing the finding of +the boy. “Fellows,” began Frank suddenly as he +entered, “do you remember Mrs. Perry?”</p> + +<p>“You mean the woman whose place we stayed +at over night out of the blizzard?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“That’s it. Do you remember what she told +us about her son William who was lost?”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” answered Bart.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t she say he had a scar or something on +his face?”</p> + +<p>“A red scar on his right cheek,” replied Bart. +“Why?”</p> + +<p>“He’s in there!” declared Frank.</p> + +<p>“Are you dreaming?” asked Bart incredulously.</p> + +<p>Then Frank told his chums what he had +seen.</p> + +<p>“Of course there may be other boys besides +William Perry with red scars on their right +cheeks,” he added, “but I’m sure this is the son +of the widow, in the cabin in the woods. We can +find out in the morning.”</p> + +<p>“Why not now?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +“Doctor said he mustn’t be disturbed,” Frank +replied. “We’ll have to wait.”</p> + +<p>In the morning the boy was much better. The +doctor paid an early visit and pronounced him out +of danger, but advised that he be kept in bed a +day or so.</p> + +<p>“Now you chaps who rescued him had better +go in and tell him all about it,” the physician said +as he came from the room. “He’s all excited +with curiosity as to how he got here.”</p> + +<p>The boys paid the doctor, who said he would +not have to call again unless the patient had a relapse, +and then they went into the room where the +lad was. He was sitting up in bed alone, for the +chambermaid had gone.</p> + +<p>“Are you the boys who saved me?” was the +first question he asked.</p> + +<p>“We pulled you out of the snow, but I guess +the doctor did the real work of saving you, William +Perry!” exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” almost shouted the boy in bed.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you William Perry? Doesn’t your +mother live near Kirkville, and haven’t you two +sisters, Mary and Jane?” Frank went on earnestly, +for he had determined on a bold plan. +“Your mother wants you to come home,” he +added. “Your room is all ready for you. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +told us to tell you to come back, no matter what +had happened.”</p> + +<p>“Have you seen my mother?” asked the boy, +his eyes filling with tears. “Did she send you to +find me?”</p> + +<p>“Then you are William Perry!” exclaimed +Bart. “You guessed it, Frank!”</p> + +<p>“We saw your mother Thanksgiving day,” went +on Frank. “We were able to help her. We +found her cabin just in the nick of time, for we +were caught in a blizzard. So we have only paid +back, in a measure, what she did for us.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I am William Perry,” the boy admitted, +and now he made no effort to conceal his tears. +“It’s the first time I’ve used my name, though, in +many months. My poor mother! Yes, I will go +back to her. I’d go now, only—”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let the money part worry you,” said +Fenn eagerly. “We’ll lend you some.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve made a big failure of it all,” William +went on. “I ought not to go home.”</p> + +<p>“The more reason why you should,” interrupted +Frank.</p> + +<p>Then the waif told them his story. He had +started off to go to sea, in order to earn money for +his mother. But he only got as far as Boston. +Then, unable to stand the hard work he deserted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +the ship. Fearing to go home, because he thought +he might be arrested for leaving the vessel, he +tried to find work. He did manage to get odd +jobs here and there, and finally drifted to New +York.</p> + +<p>He found it was just as hard to earn a dollar +there as it had been in Boston. He could barely +get enough to buy himself food and he often went +hungry. Finally he managed to get a permanent +position, but he earned so little that he could only +just live on it. He had slept in lodging houses, +he said, and wore the poorest clothing he could +buy.</p> + +<p>“I was ashamed to go home without money,” +he went on, “or I would have gone back long ago. +I wanted to return with good clothes and gold +jingling in my pocket, as I had read, in books, of +boys doing. So I didn’t even write to let them +know where I was. Poor mother!” and William +sighed.</p> + +<p>“I lost my position a month ago. Since then +I have only managed to earn enough to live, and +it was hard work at times. I hadn’t had anything +to eat all day yesterday,” he went on, “and I was +cold and weak. I was on my way to the river, +thinking I could find a place on the wharves to +sleep, when I stumbled and fell into the snowbank.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +When I was down it felt so warm there I decided +to stay. I didn’t care what became of me.”</p> + +<p>“But you do now, don’t you?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Do I?” asked the boy eagerly. “Say, will +you lend me a stamp so I can write home to +mother?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll do better than that,” said Bart. “We’ll +send her a telegram.”</p> + +<p>When the message had been forwarded to Mrs. +Perry, telling her of the unexpected finding of her +wandering boy, the three chums told the waif their +reason for being in New York.</p> + +<p>“And you haven’t been able to find a trace of +Ned, eh?” asked William, musingly.</p> + +<p>“Not a trace,” replied Frank. “But don’t let +our troubles worry you. You must get strong +and hurry home to your mother.”</p> + +<p>“Say, let me help you!” exclaimed William +eagerly. “Maybe I can pay you back for your +kindness. I know New York like a book. I’ve +knocked all around it for the last six months. +Maybe I can locate Ned for you. I know lots of +places where fellows go when they’re down on +their luck, as I was. Let me help. Mother won’t +mind when I write and tell her I’m going to stay +here a few days longer, when she knows what it’s +for. I believe I can help you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +“Perhaps you can,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>So it was arranged that William was to stay +with the three chums at the hotel for a few days. +He was not to venture out until the next day, however, +as he was still weak.</p> + +<p>“Will you be all right if we leave you alone +here?” asked Frank a little later. “We want to +go out and make some inquiries.”</p> + +<p>“Sure. Go ahead,” replied William. “I’m so +happy now I’ll not be lonesome.”</p> + +<p>The three chums went to police headquarters to +ask if any news concerning Ned had been received, +but there was none for them. The sergeant behind +the desk tried to cheer them up by remarking +that “no news was good news.”</p> + +<p>“We must find him pretty soon,” Bart declared. +“If we don’t I’ll begin to believe something bad +has happened.”</p> + +<p>As they were walking along the Bowery, in the +neighborhood of the cheap variety theaters, they +were attracted by a flaming poster which announced +the various performers who could be seen +or heard. They paused and read it through. +There were men who imitated monkeys, trained +birds, strong men, women who sang, bands of musicians, +and at the bottom of the poster was the +announcement.</p> + +<p class="noi center"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +HEAR JOHN NEWTON, THE GREAT<br /> +BIRD WHISTLER.<br /> +</p> + +<p>“John Newton,” murmured Fenn. “That +name sounds familiar.”</p> + +<p>“Of course it does,” replied Frank. “That’s +the name of the chap who was expelled from our +high school last term.”</p> + +<p>“So it was. But this can’t be the same one.”</p> + +<p>“I think it is,” suggested Fenn. “Don’t you +remember, he said he was going to New York to +be an actor? I heard he had some sort of a job +in a theater. Maybe this is he. Let’s go in and +see.”</p> + +<p>They bought tickets and entered. The whistling +was the last thing on the program, the theater +being one where a “continuous performance” +was given. A boy came out on the stage and began +to whistle, giving imitations of various birds. +He did very well, but the three chums were more +interested in the identity of the lad than in his +performance.</p> + +<p>“It is John Newton, from Darewell,” whispered +Bart. “I never knew he could whistle like +that.”</p> + +<p>“He was always practicing at it,” declared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +Fenn, “but he’s improved a lot since I last heard +him in Darewell.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s find out if we can’t see him,” suggested +Frank, as they went from the theater and inquired +their way back of the scenes.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>NED SHOVELS SNOW</h3> + + +<p>A multitude of thoughts rushed through +Ned’s mind as he stood in the restaurant awaiting +the arrival of the policeman for whom the cashier +had sent. He could not imagine what had become +of his money. He knew his pockets had no +holes in them and he came to the conclusion he +must have dropped it on the bed in the lodging +house instead of putting it in his overcoat. But +he knew he must think of something besides the +lost money, as any moment the officer might appear +and take him to the police station.</p> + +<p>He looked across the street to where a man was +shoveling snow from the sidewalk. Then a bright +idea came to Ned. He turned to the cashier who +was looking at him vindictively and asked:</p> + +<p>“Can’t I shovel your walk off and pay for my +breakfast that way?”</p> + +<p>“Humph! That’s a different proposition,” the +cashier replied. “If you’re willing to do the +square thing, I guess we are, too. Only don’t try<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +any trick like that again. I s’pose if I let you take +a shovel you’ll not skip out with it?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not in the habit of stealing,” Ned answered +indignantly.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know anything about your habits,” the +man answered. “I only know a fellow worked +that game on me once and I don’t intend to be +caught again. I’ll give you thirty cents for cleaning +the walk. That’ll pay for your meal and be +fifteen cents over. You can take it or go to jail.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll take it,” Ned exclaimed. “Where’s the +shovel?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be watching you,” the clerk went on. “If +you try the sneaking act I’ll have the cop after +you.”</p> + +<p>“You needn’t be afraid,” rejoined Ned.</p> + +<p>The waiter came back to report that the policeman +would be there in a few minutes.</p> + +<p>“Go and tell him it’s all right,” the clerk said. +“The kid’s going to shovel the walk to pay for his +grub.”</p> + +<p>The waiter, not much relishing his second trip +through the storm, scowled at Ned as he passed +our hero, but the boy was so pleased at the escape +from his predicament that he did not mind the +waiter’s black looks.</p> + +<p>Ned made a good job of cleaning the walk.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +The snow was not falling so heavily now, though +the storm was far from being over.</p> + +<p>“I think I could get work at this if I only had +a shovel,” Ned thought as he put the finishing +touches on his task. “Maybe the clerk would +lend me this one.”</p> + +<p>He made the request when he went in to get his +pay.</p> + +<p>“I’ll leave the fifteen cents with you as security +for the shovel,” he said, when he had made his request.</p> + +<p>“That’s a hot one; fifteen cents security on a +dollar and a half shovel,” the clerk replied with a +laugh. “Still, you look honest, though I had my +doubts at first,” he added. “Go ahead, take the +shovel. Never mind about leaving the money. +You’ll need it to get dinner with. Bring the +shovel back to-night.”</p> + +<p>Thus was Ned started in business. He got several +jobs at cleaning sidewalks, and at noon had +earned two dollars. He went back to the restaurant, +returned the shovel and got dinner. The +cashier he had dealt with had gone, but the one +who had relieved him knew about the transaction. +When Ned had finished his fifteen cent dinner, for +that was all he allowed himself, the waitress +brought him a big piece of pie.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +“I didn’t order that,” he said, though he looked +at it longingly.</p> + +<p>“The cashier says it’s his treat,” the girl replied +with a smile, and Ned had no further compunctions +about eating it.</p> + +<p>“I told the other fellow you wouldn’t bring the +shovel back,” the cashier remarked as Ned paid +his check.</p> + +<p>“How do you mean?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Why the clerk, who was on duty here when you +ate breakfast, said he thought you would, and I +said I didn’t believe you would show up again. +I said if you did I’d give you some pie. See?”</p> + +<p>“Oh,” Ned answered with a laugh, “much +obliged.”</p> + +<p>That afternoon he bought a second-hand shovel +and went about looking for more walks to clean. +By night he had earned a dollar additional, which +gave him considerable more capital than he had +possessed since the episode at the hotel.</p> + +<p>“I’ll get a room at the lodging house to-night,” +he said as he finished a simple supper. “I don’t +like those beds all in a heap.”</p> + +<p>It was still snowing the next day, and though +Ned found the field pretty well covered by scores +of other men and boys, he managed to earn two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +dollars, which made him feel quite like a capitalist, +as he shut the door of his lodging-house room that +night.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The three chums, who wanted to find John +Newton had no trouble. They met him coming +from the rear of the theater, as he had done his +“turn,” and was not to go on again for three +hours.</p> + +<p>The “Bird Warbler” was as much surprised +to see his former acquaintances from Darewell as +they were to find him engaged at a theater.</p> + +<p>“I’m studying to be an actor,” John said, “but +it’s dull times now and I took this job. It pays +pretty well.”</p> + +<p>“I never knew you could whistle good enough +for this work,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“It comes natural I guess,” replied John. +“But what are you chaps doing in New York?”</p> + +<p>They told him, and Bart suggested that perhaps +John might happen to see Ned.</p> + +<p>“If I do I’ll let you know,” the “warbler” +replied. “Where are you stopping?”</p> + +<p>“At the Imperial,” replied Bart. “You might +telephone us if you hear anything of Ned.”</p> + +<p>“I will. Come and have a glass of soda with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +me,” John added, but the chums were too anxious +to keep on with their search to accept, and, bidding +the “warbler” good-bye they kept on.</p> + +<p>They got back to their rooms at noon, to find +that William Perry was up and dressed, and impatient +to go out.</p> + +<p>“I want to begin to help you,” he said. “Did +you see the clerk when you came in?”</p> + +<p>“No. Why?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“He’s anxious to tell you something. Says +they opened a valise a fellow left here and he +thinks it might contain a clew that would help +you.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it’s about Ned,” suggested Bart. +“Come on fellows.”</p> + +<p>“What did you say the name of your missing +friend was?” the clerk asked them, as the three +chums hurried down to his desk.</p> + +<p>“Ned Wilding,” answered Frank. “Why?”</p> + +<p>“You remember me telling you about that fellow +who slipped down the fire escape rope and lost +his valise?” the clerk asked. The boys said they +did. “Well, we opened it to-day, and the collars +are marked ‘N. W.’ I thought it might be a tip +for you.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s see the things in the satchel,” suggested +Fenn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +The clerk showed them to the chums. They +had no difficulty in identifying as Ned’s several +articles in the valise.</p> + +<p>“Then that writing was his, after all!” exclaimed +Frank. “Boys, we are on his track.”</p> + +<p>“But where can he be?” asked Bart. “We +only know he ran away from here. Why did he +leave in that fashion? Had he done something +he was afraid of?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps he suddenly went—” began Frank, +and then he stopped in seeming confusion.</p> + +<p>“What were you going to say?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Nothing,” Frank replied. “I made a mistake. +I think we’d better tell the police about +this.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so. I nearly forgot,” the clerk added. +“You are to go to police headquarters. A message +came over the telephone a little while ago.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they’ve found Ned!” exclaimed +Bart for they had left the telephone number of +their hotel with the sergeant at headquarters and +the official had promised he would telephone if he +had any news.</p> + +<p>“Hurry up!” cried Fenn. “Perhaps Ned is +there waiting for us.”</p> + +<p>“I only hope he is,” Frank remarked, and the +boys noticed he appeared gloomy and sad.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +“Wonder what ails Frank?” asked Bart of +Fenn, as they went to their rooms to get their coats +and hats.</p> + +<p>“A fit of the same old mysteriousness,” replied +Stumpy. “Don’t notice him and it will pass +over.”</p> + +<p>“Let me go to headquarters with you,” begged +William. “I want to help.”</p> + +<p>“Are you strong enough to go out?” asked +Bart. “It’s quite cold.”</p> + +<p>“Oh I’m used to that,” and the boy laughed.</p> + +<p>“But you—er—you have no overcoat,” said +Fenn, wishing when it was too late he had not +mentioned it.</p> + +<p>“I’m used to that too,” William replied.</p> + +<p>“Would you mind if we loaned you money +enough to get a coat?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>William thought for a moment.</p> + +<p>“I’m ever so much obliged to you,” he said. +“You’ve done more for me now than I can ever +repay.”</p> + +<p>“Then a little more won’t hurt,” said Fenn +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>The overcoat was purchased, and the four boys +went to police headquarters.</p> + +<p>“Gentleman waiting to see you,” the sergeant +said. “Seems terribly upset about something.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +They went into an anteroom and found Mr. +Wilding. He had been in New York since early +Thursday morning, but had been unable to locate +the boys, since the finding of William in the snow +had taken from the minds of the three chums all +thoughts of sending the telegram to Darewell, +telling Ned’s father of their address.</p> + +<p>“I knew there was something we should have +attended to, but I couldn’t think what it was,” Bart +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Have you any news?” asked Mr. Wilding +eagerly after explaining he had obtained the address +of the chums from the police sergeant who +offered to telephone to them.</p> + +<p>“Just a little,” replied Fenn and he told of the +finding of Ned’s valise. Then all went over the +situation, but the prospect seemed no brighter than +ever.</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you what we ought to do,” declared +William.</p> + +<p>“What?” asked Mr. Wilding anxiously.</p> + +<p>“We ought to make a regular search of all the +lodging houses and other places. I’ve slept in lots +of ’em. That’s where men and boys go when they +have only a little money, and I guess your son +hadn’t much when he lost his valise.”</p> + +<p>“I believe you’re right!” exclaimed Ned’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +father. “It is a good suggestion. I will hire +some private detectives to help in the search.”</p> + +<p>“And I’ll do all I can,” said William, whose +story had been told to Mr. Wilding.</p> + +<p>“My poor boy,” Ned’s father murmured. “I +wonder where he can be.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you fret!” exclaimed William. +“We’ll find him for you,” and he spoke so hopefully +that Mr. Wilding smiled for the first time +since he had left home.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that he would stay at a hotel +near police headquarters while the four boys would +remain at the Imperial as there was a bare chance +Ned would return.</p> + +<p>“Now here’s where I get busy,” declared William, +as they left the police station.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>CASSIDY CATCHES NED</h3> + + +<p>A systematic search of the lodging houses was +begun that afternoon. But it was harder and +more baffling work than any one had imagined.</p> + +<p>John Newton gave them unexpected aid. As +he had much time to himself he offered to go with +them to the different lodging houses in the evenings, +and give his whistling imitations of birds.</p> + +<p>“What good will that do?” asked Bart. +“Does he think Ned will hear him and come from +hiding?”</p> + +<p>“Not that,” explained Fenn, to whom John had +told his scheme. “But when he’s whistling there’s +sure to be a crowd around him, and, if Ned is in +the place, he’ll join the others and we may see him. +I think it’s a good plan.”</p> + +<p>The others did also, and, for several evenings +John amused the inmates of the lodging houses +with his whistling. As Fenn had said, crowds +gathered about him, and the three chums looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +eagerly through them for a sight of Ned.</p> + +<p>It was perhaps one of the best plans the boys +could have adopted, for in their eagerness to hear +the “Bird Warbler” the unfortunate lads and +men who were forced to the shelter of the places +crowded close up around John Newton. In this +way Bart and his companions could scrutinize at +short range nearly every person in the throng.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you getting tired of it?” asked Bart +one evening when they were starting out for a +large lodging house on the Bowery.</p> + +<p>“I don’t mind it a bit,” replied John. “I’d +do more than this to help find Ned. Besides, it’s +a good advertisement for me. You see the fellows +in these places hear me, and when they see +my name on the theatrical bill boards they’ll come +in. You can’t get too much advertising when +you’re an actor,” and John looked quite important.</p> + +<p>There was a larger crowd than usual in the +lodging house that night. John made his way +to the front of the room. At first no one paid +any attention to the entrance of himself and his +friends. But, as soon as John began an imitation +of a mocking bird, there was a stir.</p> + +<p>“That sounds just like it used to when I was +a boy!” exclaimed an old man. “Many and +many’s the mornin’ I’ve heard them birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +Can you do a song-sparrow imitation, sonny?”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” replied John, and he trilled some sweet +high notes.</p> + +<p>“My but that’s fine!”</p> + +<p>From that John proceeded to imitate a robin +and a bob-o-link. He had scarcely finished with +the last before there was a stir in one corner of +the room. It seemed as if some one was trying +to get out.</p> + +<p>“Maybe Ned’s there!” exclaimed Bart to Fenn. +“Go over and take a look.”</p> + +<p>Fenn edged his way through the crowd, but +found, instead of some one trying to get out, it +was a man trying to make his way closer to where +the whistler was. From his appearance the man +seemed to have just awakened from a sound sleep +on a couple of chairs.</p> + +<p>“Where are they?” he exclaimed. “Let me +get at ’em!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked several.</p> + +<p>“I want to catch those birds!” the recently +awakened sleeper said, rubbing his eyes. “I can +put ’em in cages and sell ’em. I haven’t made +any money lately, now’s my chance. Get out of +my way, can’t you? I used to trap birds when I +was a boy. These are fine singers.”</p> + +<p>John had not yet caught sight of the man making<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +his way toward him. The “Warbler” was +giving an imitation of a blackbird, and he managed +to send out his notes with such skill that it +really sounded as if the bird was in a different +part of the room from where the whistler stood. +The notes appeared to come from a window in +the corner.</p> + +<p>“I can get him! Look out!” cried the man.</p> + +<p>He made a dash for the window, and at that, +John, who was now aware of what was going on, +changed the whistling to the notes of a bluebird.</p> + +<p>This time the tones were so directed as to seem +to come from a window on the other side of the +room, and the man turned to make a dash in that +direction.</p> + +<p>“Why, there’s two birds!” he exclaimed. +“I’ll catch ’em all!”</p> + +<p>No sooner had he reached the second window +than John changed the tune to that made by a +bullfinch, and the man, listening, thought the bird +was in the back of the apartment. He made his +way there, the crowd parting to let him through, +and laughing, the meanwhile, at the deluded man’s +actions.</p> + +<p>John was concealed from view by the throng +packed close about him, or the man would have +discovered the trick at once. As it was he thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +sure there were several birds in the room. When +he got to the rear the notes of the feathered songster +seemed more distinct than ever. The man +climbed up on a chair to peer behind the window +curtain, and, as he did so, John, whose vocal abilities +were not alone limited to birds, let out a +croak like a big frog.</p> + +<p>“That’s no bird!” exclaimed the man in disgust, +as the crowd broke into a laugh at him. +“Am I dreaming or what’s the matter? Is this +place haunted?”</p> + +<p>Then he caught sight of John, who was just +puckering up his lips to again imitate a bird.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s you, is it?” the man exclaimed. +“Well you’re a good one, all right, to fool me. +I used to live in the woods and I know birds +pretty well.”</p> + +<p>“That’s where I learned to imitate ’em; in the +woods,” said John, glad of a chance to rest, for +his lips and mouth were aching from the strain.</p> + +<p>“Can you whistle tunes?” the man asked him.</p> + +<p>“A little.”</p> + +<p>“Give us some music then. I like a good +jolly song; and we’ll join in the chorus.”</p> + +<p>Then John poured forth his melody in a series +of popular songs, for he was a good whistler, +aside from his power to mimic, and, for half an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +hour the lodging house rang with the voices of the +men, led by John’s shrill notes.</p> + +<p>All this while Bart and the others kept a close +lookout for Ned. They did not see him, and, +when it was evident that all the inmates of the +place had come under their scrutiny, the boys left, +their mission unsuccessful. And so it was for several +evenings.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Ned, all unconscious of the search +being made for him, was puzzling his brains as to +what he had better do. He was in no immediate +danger of starving, as there were several snowstorms, +and he earned enough to pay for his room +and live frugally. Still he knew his father and +chums would worry but he did not feel he dare +communicate with them. He bought the papers +each day, and saw several references to the swindling +operations of Skem & Skim. They had not +been arrested yet, it stated, and search was being +made for them and for a young fellow who was +believed to have helped them in their operations by +dealing in a number of shares of oil stock.</p> + +<p>“That means me,” thought Ned, as he read it. +“I’ve got to lay low yet.”</p> + +<p>So he went his weary way, fearing arrest every +moment, yet feeling rather secure now that a week +had passed and he had not been apprehended. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +found several odd jobs to do when there was no +snow to shovel and so managed to make enough to +live on.</p> + +<p>The four boys and Mr. Wilding kept up their +search. The police and private detectives did +what they could but to no purpose. Personals +were inserted in the papers, begging Ned to communicate +with his father, but Ned never thought +of looking for them.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, William, who had adopted the +plan of walking about the streets in the hope of +seeing Ned, whom he knew by description and a +photograph, paused in front of a commission store, +where a youth about his own age was helping to +move boxes of oranges from a truck. Something +about the lad attracted William’s attention.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if that’s Ned?” he said to himself. +“He looks just like the boys told me he would and +like that photograph Mr. Wilding had. Still I +wouldn’t like to make a mistake. I must get +closer.”</p> + +<p>He pretended to be searching for a number on +the building, and so approached near to the boy +helping unload the crates.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet it is Ned,” William said to himself +with conviction. “I’m going to ask him. He +can’t any more than say no.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +He sauntered up to the young fellow, and, with +an air of unconcern asked:</p> + +<p>“Do you know anyone around here named Ned +Wilding? I’m looking for him.”</p> + +<p>The boy, carrying a crate of oranges, jumped +so he almost dropped the fruit. Then he looked +sharply at William. His face grew pale, and William +was sure he had found Ned.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t got time to talk,” was the rather gruff +answer made by the boy with the crate. “I’m +busy,” and then he hurried into the store with the +box.</p> + +<p>“Fooled again,” thought William. He waited +until the boy came out again, and this time he was +sure it was the missing youth. But now he decided +on a different plan.</p> + +<p>“Evidently, if it is Ned, he doesn’t want to be +known,” thought William. “Something’s gone +wrong with him. My only chance is in getting +some of his chums here to identify him. I +must telephone to one of them. They may be at +the hotel. If not I’ll leave word for them to +come here as soon as they get back. Mr. Wilding +too! I must ’phone him! Then I’ll remain on +the watch until some one arrives.”</p> + +<p>There was a telephone pay-station across the +street, and William sent his two messages from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +there. Neither of the three chums was in, nor was +Mr. Wilding, but at both hotels the clerks said +they would deliver the messages promptly.</p> + +<p>“Now to wait until they come,” said William +as he left the booth.</p> + +<p>Just then, as he was looking at the boy, who +was still carrying in the crates, he saw a big man +with a red moustache approach him. William +was not near enough to hear what the man said, +but he noted that the boy seemed frightened.</p> + +<p>“Ah I’ve caught you, haven’t I?” exclaimed +the man, and Ned (for as William suspected the +boy carrying in the oranges was the missing +youth) looked up with a start. “I’ll teach you +to steal my money and run away.”</p> + +<p>He grabbed Ned by the arm and shook him +roughly.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t take your money, Mr. Cassidy!” exclaimed +the boy, as he recognized the lodging +house keeper.</p> + +<p>“What did you run away for? I’m on to your +game. Now you can come along with me and +work out what you stole from me, or I’ll hand you +over to the first officer I meet. What are you +going to do?”</p> + +<p>What was poor Ned to do? He was in dire +straits. Still it seemed better to go with Cassidy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +than to make a scene on the street and be arrested. +He wanted that least of all things.</p> + +<p>“I’ll go with you,” he said, “though you have +no right to make me, and I didn’t take your +money.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked the fruit man, +who had hired Ned to assist in unloading the +truck.</p> + +<p>“Nothing much,” replied Cassidy. “This lad +owes me some money and I’ll make him work it +out.”</p> + +<p>“That’s your affair,” the fruit man replied. +“He’s earned half a dollar working for me. +Here it is.”</p> + +<p>He was about to hand it to Ned, but Cassidy +took it.</p> + +<p>“I’ll apply that on account,” he said grimly, +as he marched Ned away.</p> + +<p>The whole affair had occurred so suddenly that +Ned did not know what to do. He was in a sort +of dream. The appearance of Cassidy, the confiscation +of the half dollar and the lodging house +keeper’s evident intention of holding the boy to +account for a theft he had never committed, made +Ned think he was doomed to misfortune, no matter +what he did to avoid it.</p> + +<p>Then followed a natural desire to escape. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +knew Cassidy had no right to take him into custody, +and he felt the injustice of it keenly. The +man held him loosely by the coat sleeve, and +marched him along through the streets. Several +persons turned to look at the spectacle, but no +one ventured to interfere. New Yorkers have +formed the habit of not taking much interest in +affairs that do not concern them directly.</p> + +<p>As they were crossing a narrow street in one +of the thickly settled tenement districts a horse, +attached to a wagon, and rapidly driven, bore +down on them. Ned, with the instinct of a quick +runner, started to dash ahead. Cassidy, who +moved slower, pulled back toward the curb, to +let the steed pass. The movement separated Ned +from his captor, for Cassidy’s hold on the boy’s +sleeve was broken. Ned was free!</p> + +<p>The horse and wagon was now between him +and the man. The boy gave a hasty glance back, +and saw Cassidy standing on the crossing, ready +to dash forward as soon as the wagon should pass. +He could not go around it because of vehicles +on either side.</p> + +<p>“Here’s my chance!” exclaimed Ned as he +dashed forward and ran down the other side of +the street.</p> + +<p>An instant later the wagon had passed and Cassidy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +was after him. But the start Ned had he +used to good advantage. He was fleet of foot +and he had an object in making speed, such as he +had never had before. Somewhat to his surprise +Cassidy did not shout to him to stop, and made +no outcry.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if he’s afraid to let people know +he’s after me?” thought Ned.</p> + +<p>The truth of it was, Cassidy wanted to save +his breath for running. Also, he did not want +to raise too much disturbance in his pursuit of +Ned. He knew he had no right to take the boy +into custody, and, though he knew he could cause +his arrest on the false charge, that would not +bring back the money Cassidy thought Ned had +stolen. It was the money, or its equivalent, the +lodging house keeper was after.</p> + +<p>So he decided to try to catch Ned without aid +from outside sources if possible. With this in +view he started after the fugitive without raising +an alarm, though the streets were well filled.</p> + +<p>Ned made good time. He speeded down the +thoroughfare until he came to where another intersected +it, and turned the corner. This put him +out of Cassidy’s view.</p> + +<p>The second street was not so thronged as the +one he had just left, and Ned had a chance to run<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +better. But there was this disadvantage, that he +was more closely observed. On the crowded avenue +a running lad attracts little attention, but when +more plainly in sight, as Ned now was, he becomes +an object of interest.</p> + +<p>As he ran he looked back over his shoulder to +see if Cassidy was in sight. Past several houses +Ned kept on, and his pursuer did not appear +around the corner. Then, just as he came in +front of a big tenement house Ned saw Cassidy +some distance in the rear.</p> + +<p>“I guess I’ll go in here!” thought the boy. +“Maybe I can slip out of the back before he gets +here and that will fool him. I’m going to try!”</p> + +<p>He darted into the hallway, but, before he had +gone three steps he collided with an old man who, +at that instant, was coming from his room into +the corridor. The shock threw the old man down, +and Ned could scarcely retain his balance.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me!” he exclaimed, pausing, when he +had recovered his equilibrium, to help the aged +man to his feet. “I’m sorry,” and then he +started to run through the hallway.</p> + +<p>“Here! Vait a minute!” the man exclaimed. +“Are you tryin’ to rob me? I dinks you are a +t’eef! Hold on! Vait until I see if you haf +taken my vatch!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +“I haven’t taken anything of yours!” cried +Ned. “I’m in a hurry!”</p> + +<p>He was almost at the end of the hall, and saw +that it opened into a sort of court. Abutting on +that was another tenement.</p> + +<p>“Vait! You vas a t’eef!” cried the old man, +and he set up such a yelling that doors on either +side of the corridor opened, and men and women +stuck their heads forth, all demanding to know +what the matter was.</p> + +<p>“I’m done for now!” thought Ned. “If Cassidy +comes past here he’ll be sure to hear the excitement, +and they’ll tell him I ran through!”</p> + +<p>Still he determined not to give up. He dashed +on into the court, leaving behind the aged man +who was now the centre of an excited throng.</p> + +<p>“He vos a t’eef! He knocked me down! He +vouldn’t vait until I looked to see if I am robbed!” +was the burden of the aged one’s cry. “Call de +police! He vos a t’eef!”</p> + +<p>Ned ran across the open space and into the +other tenement house. The hallway there seemed +deserted, but he knew it would not be so long, +when the cries from the other house had aroused +the inmates.</p> + +<p>“If I can only get through the corridor, and +into the other street I can fool Cassidy,” Ned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +reasoned. “I seem to be having all my bad luck +at once.”</p> + +<p>He had almost reached the front door, for it +was the back entrance of the structure that he +had gone in, and he thought he saw freedom before +him, when there sounded behind him a cry of:</p> + +<p>“Stop thief! Stop thief!”</p> + +<p>This is enough to arouse excitement anywhere, +but in a New York tenement nothing can sooner +be calculated to draw the inmates from their rooms, +than such an alarm, unless, indeed, it be one of fire.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the first cry resounded through +the corridor than the hall was swarming with people. +Ned found his way blocked, the more effectually +when one woman ran to the front door +and closed it.</p> + +<p>“I’ve caught you!” she exclaimed. “I’ll teach +you to rob honest people, even if they are poor!”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t robbed anybody!” cried Ned, as he +saw the throng in front of him, and heard the +tramp of many feet in his rear.</p> + +<p>“Stop him! Hold him!” cried half a score.</p> + +<p>Ned looked about him. There seemed to be +no way of escape. He was standing near the +flight of stairs leading to the upper stories of +the second tenement. There was a little clear +space in front of him, as the crowd before him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +was composed mostly of women, who were a little +timid about approaching too closely to a “thief” +even if he was only a lad.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to chance it,” thought Ned. “If +I can get to the roof I can cross to some other +house, and go down a scuttle hole, perhaps, and +so reach the street. Or I can hide until the excitement +blows over.”</p> + +<p>With this in mind he suddenly grasped the +balustrade near which he was. With a jump and +a swing he was over it and part way up the stairs. +Then he began to run, while the crowd below +him, surprised at his sudden escape, set up a chorus +of yells.</p> + +<p>But Ned had a good start. He took the steps +three at a time, and was soon at the top. Then +he essayed the next flight, and so on until he found +himself on the roof, which was a big, wide stretch +of tin. It was used as a place for hanging out +clothes, and was easy of access from the top hallway.</p> + +<p>Below him Ned could hear the shouts and cries, +and the tramp of many feet.</p> + +<p>“Which way shall I go?” he asked himself, as +he paused for an instant. “Guess it can’t make +much difference.”</p> + +<p>He turned to the left and ran along until he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +came to a stairway several houses further along. +The door of this was open, and he went down. +He had fairly distanced his pursuers, for none +of them were yet on the roof.</p> + +<p>“I’ll get to the street and leave ’em behind,” +the boy reasoned. “Everyone will be in the +house looking for me, and the street will be deserted.”</p> + +<p>In this Ned was almost right, for when, after +hurrying down several flights of stairs, he reached +the thoroughfare, the only person in sight in the +immediate neighborhood was a colored man putting +in coal. He seemed to be so busily engaged +that he had no time to waste in pursuit, so, after +a hasty glance from the front door of the tenement, +Ned went out.</p> + +<p>But in this he reckoned without his host. The +colored man, looking up from his shoveling, saw +Ned. The lad’s wild and disheveled appearance +raised the man’s suspicions. Besides he had heard +of the chase after the thief.</p> + +<p>“I’ll cotch you!” he cried, leaping from his +wagon. “I’ll get you!”</p> + +<p>Ned, who was, by this time, running past where +the coal wagon was backed up to the curb, turned +out to avoid the negro, who, with outstretched +arms was advancing toward him. In his anxiety<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +to avoid the coal man, Ned did not notice an +open hole down which the black diamonds were +being shoveled. Before he could save himself +he had plunged into it.</p> + +<p>Lucky for the boy the cellar underneath was +almost full, the coal coming to within a few feet +of the sidewalk, so when Ned toppled in he only +went down a little ways. There he was, his head +and shoulders sticking up above the pavement, +while his feet and legs were buried in the pile of +coal underneath.</p> + +<p>“Now I’ve got you!” yelled the colored man, +as he ran up to Ned, and hauled him from the +hole. “I’ve got you! What’d you steal?”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t steal anything,” Ned answered. +“It’s all a mistake. Please let me go!”</p> + +<p>“Hold him!” cried Cassidy, appearing at that +moment from the front entrance of the house, up +the stairs of which Ned had dashed a few minutes +before. “Don’t let him get away!”</p> + +<p>“He’ll not get away,” replied the negro.</p> + +<p>Cassidy came up and took charge of Ned. +Quite a crowd gathered, but the lodging house +keeper answered none of the many questions asked +him.</p> + +<p>“Guess he’s a detective,” was the general whisper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +that went around, and Cassidy did not correct +it.</p> + +<p>“You come with me!” he said to Ned. +“Don’t try any of your tricks again, or it’ll be +the worse for you.”</p> + +<p>And he marched Ned off.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>BAFFLED AGAIN</h3> + + +<p>William, coming across the street to take up a +position, where he could watch the lad he suspected +was Ned, puzzled his head over the scene +he had just witnessed.</p> + +<p>“I wonder what he went off with that man +for?” he said to himself. “Didn’t act as though +he wanted to, either. I’ll ask the fruit man.”</p> + +<p>He approached, and then the thought struck it +would be a good idea to apply for the job the other +boy had just left. He got it, for there was need +of hurry in unloading the fruit, as the day was +cold.</p> + +<p>“What was the matter with the other fellow?” +asked William carelessly as though it was of little +moment to him.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” the fruit man replied. “The +boy came along just like you and asked for a job. +I hired him and then along comes this fellow and +says the lad owes him money. It wasn’t any of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +my affair. Hustle those boxes in now, I don’t +want the oranges to freeze.”</p> + +<p>“Who was the man who took him away?” +asked William, as indifferently as he could, though +he was nervous with eagerness to hear the answer.</p> + +<p>“I never saw him before. It was none of my +affair, though I liked the looks of that boy, and I +didn’t care much for the man. But I’ve gotten +over the habit of interfering in other people’s business. +Come now, boy, hustle!”</p> + +<p>William went to work with an energy that +pleased his employer. The boy was beginning to +think he had made a mistake. He felt that he +should have followed the man, to see where he +took the lad he believed was Ned. But then, too, +he had telephoned Mr. Wilding and the chums +to meet him at the fruit store, and if he was not +there when they arrived, they would not know +what to make of it.</p> + +<p>“I can’t be in two places at once,” William +thought to himself. “I guess I’d better stay here +until some one comes. Then maybe I can trace +which way the man took the boy. Anyhow I’m +not sure it was Ned. I’ve never seen him, and it +wouldn’t do to make a mistake. He wouldn’t +admit he was Ned Wilding, but he acted to me as +though he was afraid of something.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +Thus musing, and puzzling over whether he +had done the right thing, William continued to +help unload the truck, keeping a sharp lookout for +Mr. Wilding or the three chums.</p> + +<p>The three boys arrived first. They came down +the street in a hurry looking for the place William +had described to the hotel clerk over the telephone.</p> + +<p>“There he is!” cried Bart, as he caught sight +of the boy they had pulled from the snow drift. +“Where’s Ned?” he added.</p> + +<p>“I’m not sure it was him,” William replied, +“but a man came and took him away half an hour +ago.”</p> + +<p>Then he rapidly explained what had taken place, +describing the boy he had seen.</p> + +<p>“That’s Ned sure enough,” Fenn exclaimed. +“Where in the world could he have gone to?”</p> + +<p>“And who was the man who said Ned owed +him money?” asked Frank. “I guess we’re on +the trail of the mystery.”</p> + +<p>“Hurry up, let’s see if we can’t find them,” +suggested Bart. “They can’t have gone very +far.”</p> + +<p>“One of us ought to stay here to meet Mr. +Wilding if he comes,” said Fenn. “The other +two can go with William to look for Ned and +the man.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +“Say, did I hire you to chin or to carry in +oranges?” asked the fruit man, suddenly appearing +in the doorway, and noting William talking to +the three boys.</p> + +<p>“Guess I’ll have to give up the job,” replied +William. “I’ve got to go with these boys.”</p> + +<p>“Say, there must be a hoodoo about this job,” +the fruit man exclaimed. “You’re the second boy +to give it up in less than an hour. What’s the +matter?”</p> + +<p>The boys did not think it necessary to explain. +It was arranged that Frank would stay in the +vicinity of the store to meet Mr. Wilding, if that +gentleman should arrive, and tell what had happened, +while William, with Bart and Fenn, tried +to trace Ned and the red-moustached man.</p> + +<p>“When Mr. Wilding comes I’ll take him to our +hotel,” said Frank. “There will be no use in remaining +here and we can wait for you there, as it’s +nearer than his.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” replied Bart. “We may have +some good news for you.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you do,” Frank said. “This thing is +getting on my nerves. I’m afraid we’ll never see +Ned again.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes we will,” put in Fenn cheerfully.</p> + +<p>William did not stop to ask any pay from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +fruit man for what work he had done, but hurried +off with the two chums in the direction taken by +Ned and the man who had led him away.</p> + +<p>“We’ll ask any policeman we meet,” suggested +Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid we’re on a sort of wild-goose +chase,” remarked William, “but it’s the best we +can do. If I had only been sure it was Ned I +would have followed him, without waiting for you, +but I wasn’t.”</p> + +<p>“If it was Ned,” said Bart, “I can’t understand +why he didn’t admit his identity.”</p> + +<p>“He must have had a good reason for it,” retorted +Fenn.</p> + +<p>Through the street they hurried, making inquiries +from policemen, and others whom they met, as +to whether Ned and the man had gone that way. +They got some traces, but in New York few persons, +even policemen, have time to take note of +those whom they have no special reason for keeping +in mind. As William had said, it was a sort +of wild-goose chase, and, when they had gone a +mile or more, they became convinced that it was +useless to continue any farther.</p> + +<p>“Baffled again,” remarked Bart. “This beats +me. I wonder what we are to do.”</p> + +<p>“Have to begin all over again,” declared William.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +“It was my fault. I should have followed +Ned.”</p> + +<p>“No, you did what you thought was best,” +Fenn replied.</p> + +<p>They returned to the hotel, to find Mr. Wilding +and Frank awaiting them. Mr. Wilding, who +had expected some news of his son, was deeply disappointed +when the three boys returned with none.</p> + +<p>“What in the world are we to do?” asked Mr. +Wilding. “We seem completely at a loss.”</p> + +<p>“There are a few more lodging houses to try,” +suggested William. “I’ll start out again this +evening. That’s when the places are full, and I +may get some trace of him.”</p> + +<p>No one could offer a better suggestion, and it +was arranged that Mr. Wilding should continue +the search with a private detective he had hired, +while William and Bart would make a tour of the +lodging houses. Fenn and Frank were to remain +at the Imperial Hotel.</p> + +<p>“There’s no telling when a message may come +from the baggage agent telling us that Ned has +called for his trunk,” Bart said, “and some one +ought to be ready to hurry to the depot. We’ll +have to divide our forces.”</p> + +<p>With little hope in their hearts, but with dogged +patience, and a determination to keep up the +search, William and Bart started out.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>NED A PRISONER</h3> + + +<p>Ned followed Cassidy through the streets, the +lodging-house keeper leading the way, and seemingly +in no fear that the boy would give him the +slip. As a matter of fact, Ned did not intend to +try to escape. He was, in a sense, a voluntary +prisoner now, as he knew, if he tried to run away +again, Cassidy would probably take after him and +raise such a disturbance that the police would interfere. +And Ned had his own reasons for not +wanting anything to do with the bluecoats.</p> + +<p>Afterwards he thought how senseless, in a measure, +his fears were, but at the time they loomed +up large before him, and caused him to do things +of which, otherwise, he would not have dreamed.</p> + +<p>“Hurry up!” exclaimed Cassidy when he and +Ned had been walking about half an hour. “I +haven’t got all day.”</p> + +<p>“What do you intend to do?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I intend to make you work out the value of +the money you stole from me. One of my porters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +has left and I have to have another. Instead of +hiring one I’ll make you do the work until you +square things.”</p> + +<p>“I never took your money!” declared Ned.</p> + +<p>“You’ve said that several times,” Cassidy exclaimed. +“I don’t want to hear it again. I saw +you, but I’m willing to give you a chance to reform. +No use calling in the police unless I have +to, but I will, if you don’t do as I tell you.”</p> + +<p>The man spoke earnestly, and not unkindly, and +Ned began to believe that Cassidy really believed +he stole the money, a thing the boy had not admitted +at first.</p> + +<p>“Some day you’ll find you’re wrong,” Ned said.</p> + +<p>“I guess not! Jim Cassidy doesn’t make mistakes,” +was the answer. “If I do I’ll pay you +back with interest.”</p> + +<p>They reached the lodging house where Ned had +stopped before, and whence he had escaped in the +night.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead up,” commanded Cassidy. “Get a +broom and a pail of water and scrub out the rooms. +I’ll allow you at the rate of a dollar and a half +a day. I had fifteen dollars under my pillow that +you took. I got four and a half of it back, counting +the fifty cents from the fruit man, and that +leaves ten dollars and a half you owe me. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +work seven days and I’ll call it square, and give +you your bed free at night. That’s more than +you deserve, but you’re young and I’ll give you a +chance.”</p> + +<p>Ned thought it was a pretty poor chance, considering +his innocence of the theft, but he decided +it was best not to answer. He got a pail and +broom, and, taking off his coat set to work cleaning +the dirty floor. Cassidy watched him a while +in silence and remarked:</p> + +<p>“I’ll be on the lookout, so don’t try to sneak +away.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll work my seven days,” Ned replied, trying +to hide the tears that would persist in coming +into his eyes. As he labored away the stock certificate, +in his inside pocket, rustled. All his trouble +dated from the acquisition of that, he reflected +bitterly, and it was a dearly bought bit of experience.</p> + +<p>All that afternoon Ned worked away, his heart +like lead. He longed for a sight of the faces of +his chums, and he wanted to hear from his father. +It seemed a very long time since he had left Darewell +so happy and filled with expectations of the +pleasures he and his friends would enjoy in New +York.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +“I wonder if the boys came?” Ned thought. +“I wonder what my father must think? Oh, I’ve +a good notion to write to him and ask him what to +do! I can’t stand it any longer!”</p> + +<p>Ned was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. +He had stood about all he could, and with the poor +food and the bad sleeping places, which were all +he could afford, his health was in danger.</p> + +<p>“Come now, no loafing!” exclaimed Cassidy’s +coarse voice, as Ned paused a moment in his scrubbing. +“When I pay a dollar and a half a day +I expect good, quick work. We don’t want any +idlers around here.”</p> + +<p>Wearily Ned began to move the wet broom over +the dirty boards. There were a number of unkempt +men engaged in the same occupation.</p> + +<p>“If my chums should see me now,” thought +Ned.</p> + +<p>He expected to be allowed to go to bed early +as he was tired, but when Cassidy had sent him +to a near-by, cheap restaurant, in company with +one of the other porters, for supper, Ned found, +on his return, that he was expected to clean out +the office.</p> + +<p>“Ten o’clock’s time enough to go to bed,” Cassidy +told him. “The work got behind when my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +other man left and it’s got to be made up. I don’t +want the Board of Health here, condemning the +place.”</p> + +<p>Even with all the cleaning that was done, it +looked as if the Board should take some action, +Ned thought.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile William and Bart had, that same +evening, visited several lodging houses. They +met with no success, though the proprietors described +boys who bore a resemblance to Ned, but +who had only stopped one night and had then disappeared.</p> + +<p>“We’ll find him,” said William, more cheerfully +than he felt.</p> + +<p>The two boys were walking down a side street, +approaching a lodging-house they intended to +visit. It was one they had not yet inspected. It +was about eight o’clock and was blowing up cold. +There was a feeling of snow in the air, and the +boys buttoned their coats closely around them.</p> + +<p>“Hope Ned doesn’t have to stay out in the +storm like I did,” said William.</p> + +<p>“So do I,” chimed in Bart. “I hate to think +about it.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll try this place,” William went on, as +they reached the entrance to the lodging house. +In the hallway a gas jet burned, and, as the lads<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +started up the stairs, they met a red moustached +man coming down. At the sight of him William +cried out:</p> + +<p>“There he is!”</p> + +<p>“Who?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“The man who took Ned away!”</p> + +<p>The next instant the two boys were besieging +Cassidy with questions. The lodging-house proprietor +looked bewildered a moment, and then, +gathering the import of what they wanted, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Oh, you’re chums of his, eh? Belong to the +same gang I s’pose? Well, you can’t come any +tricks on me! If that lad is your chum he stays +here until he’s worked out what he owes me!”</p> + +<p>“What does he owe you?” demanded Bart. +“Ned Wilding doesn’t need to owe anyone anything.”</p> + +<p>“He owes me the money he stole!” Cassidy +cried, “and I’m going to get it! Now, you fellows +skip out of here or I’ll call the police!”</p> + +<p>“Can’t we see Ned?” demanded William.</p> + +<p>“No, you can’t! He’s got to stay here a week. +Think I’m going to let you in and have you help +him git away the way he did after he took my +money?”</p> + +<p>“He never took your money!” cried Bart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +“Clear out!” exclaimed Cassidy.</p> + +<p>“Bart, you go get a policeman!” called William +suddenly. “We’ll see about this thing. +Telephone for Mr. Wilding and the boys!”</p> + +<p>“What will you do?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’ll stay on guard!” William replied, looking +Cassidy straight in the face. “He’s not going +to get Ned away from me again!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>NED IS FOUND—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Bart hurried down the stairs. Cassidy looked +after him, a little in doubt what to make of the +proceeding. Then he glanced at William.</p> + +<p>“Here, you get out of this!” he called roughly.</p> + +<p>“All right,” agreed William cheerfully. “It’s +your place, I admit, but you’ll sing a different tune +pretty soon. I’ll get out of the hallway but the +street is free, and I’ll be on guard there until this +thing is settled.”</p> + +<p>“You’re too fresh!” spluttered Cassidy, as he +turned and went back upstairs.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right! You’ll get what’s coming +to you pretty soon,” retorted William confidently, +as he went down to the street to await the return +of Bart with reinforcements.</p> + +<p>Bart soon got into communication with Mr. +Wilding, and with the two chums, at their hotel. +They said they would hurry to the lodging house, +and Mr. Wilding announced that he would bring a +detective from headquarters, rather than have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +boys ask a policeman to investigate the matter. +Meanwhile, Mr. Wilding advised Bart to keep +close watch on the lodging house.</p> + +<p>William and Bart now took up their positions +where they could observe the entrance to the place. +They did not know there was a rear stairway, but, +as Cassidy had no idea of spiriting Ned away, +desiring, in fact, to only keep him secure, there +was no need of guarding the back.</p> + +<p>It seemed a long time before Mr. Wilding arrived +with the detective. About the same time +Frank and Fenn got to the place.</p> + +<p>“I have told the detective all about it, as far +as we know the circumstances,” Mr. Wilding said. +“Are you sure Ned is in there, William?”</p> + +<p>“Almost positive,” was the answer. “The +man admitted as much. He says Ned stole money +from him and has to work to pay it back.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll soon see about it,” the detective put in. +“I know Cassidy. He’s a rough sort, but he’s +square I guess. Come on.”</p> + +<p>Up the stairs they went, the hearts of the boys +beating with anxiety. Mr. Wilding’s face showed +the strain he was under but, as for the detective, +he seemed to take it all as a matter of course. He +had seen too many similar scenes to be affected.</p> + +<p>The little party entered the main room of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +lodging house. Mr. Wilding pressed forward, +close behind the detective. Through the office +window he caught sight of a boy scrubbing the +floor. There was something dejected in the lad’s +appearance. Mr. Wilding looked a second time. +Then he called out:</p> + +<p>“Ned! My boy!”</p> + +<p>“Father!” cried Ned, and an instant later he +was locked in Mr. Wilding’s embrace, while the +tears, which he did not try to conceal, streamed +down his face.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” fairly yelled William. “We’ve +found him!” and he began dancing around the +room.</p> + +<p>At the sound of William’s cry Ned looked up +and saw his chums.</p> + +<p>“Why—why—where did you all come +from?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“We came after you,” replied Bart, “and a +fine chase you led us. Where in the world have +you been, Ned?”</p> + +<p>“Here! What’s all this row about in my +place?” asked Cassidy, hurrying up from the rear +of the resort. “You people have no right in +here.”</p> + +<p>“Easy, Cassidy,” advised the detective. +“What about that boy?” and he pointed to Ned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +“Oh, it’s you, Reilly,” said Cassidy, as he recognized +the officer. “Well, he robbed me!”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t!” retorted Ned, hotly.</p> + +<p>“That’s right, you didn’t kid!” exclaimed a +husky voice, and a man, in ragged clothing, shuffled +into the light. “He didn’t take your money, +Cassidy.”</p> + +<p>“Who did then?” asked the lodging-house +keeper.</p> + +<p>“It was Mike Jimson. I met him down the +street a while ago, and he told me. Thought it +was a good joke. He had a room next to you that +night and he slipped in while you were asleep. He +heard you accuse the kid here, but when the lad +got away he thought it was all right, and the next +day Mike lit out.”</p> + +<p>“Are you sure?” asked the detective.</p> + +<p>“Sure! Didn’t Mike tell me? He showed +me some of the money. He’s spent the rest.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll have him locked up!” Cassidy exclaimed. +“I wonder how I could have made that +mistake? I thought sure it was you who took my +money,” and he looked at Ned. “I’m sorry for +what I did.”</p> + +<p>Ned was too happy over the outcome to reply. +He held his father’s hand and his chums crowded +around him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +“Here,” said Cassidy suddenly, holding out +five one dollar bills to Ned.</p> + +<p>“What are they for?” asked Mr. Wilding.</p> + +<p>“Guess they’re his. Anyhow four and a half +belongs to him. The rest is interest. I took ’em +from under his pillow thinking they were mine. I +hope you’ll let this thing drop.”</p> + +<p>“You’ve made a serious mistake, Cassidy,” +Detective Reilly said. “You are liable to be +sued for damages.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you’ll not prosecute me,” whined the +lodging house keeper.</p> + +<p>“That’s a question we can settle later,” said +Mr. Wilding sternly. “Come, boys, let’s get +away from here. We will go to my hotel, and +then I’ll send a telegram to our friends in Darewell. +They are very anxious to hear from me.”</p> + +<p>“Will you arrest Mike and get my money back, +Reilly?” asked Cassidy.</p> + +<p>“Maybe, later,” the detective replied. “You +don’t deserve it, for the trouble you caused,” and +he followed Mr. Wilding and the boys to the +street.</p> + +<p>“But, Ned, it wasn’t that accusation that kept +you in hiding, was it?” asked his father as they +walked along.</p> + +<p>“No—no—” Ned answered with a look at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +the detective. “I guess I’m wanted on another +charge?”</p> + +<p>“Wanted on another charge? What in the +world do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Why I bought some stock in the Mt. Olive +Oil Well Company,” Ned explained, still eyeing +the detective. “I got it from the brokers, Skem +& Skim. I went back to have a mistake in the +figures corrected and I found the firm had fled and +the postal authorities were in charge of the offices. +I overheard the inspector say they wanted a young +fellow who had bought two hundred shares of the +stock and I knew it was me, so I ran away. I +didn’t want to be arrested.</p> + +<p>“But I don’t mind, now!” he went on, as he +drew the stock certificate from his pocket and +handed it to his father. “You can lock me up, +if you want to,” turning to the detective. “I’m +tired of dodging around.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s see that paper?” asked the officer, and +he took it to a light where he could read it. As +he looked it over a smile came to his face. “Well, +well, you certainly had a big scare for nothing,” he +remarked to Ned.</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“I know all about the case. I helped work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +on it. We located Skem & Skim in Boston and +they’re under arrest.”</p> + +<p>“But about me? About the two hundred +shares of stock that the inspector was talking +about?” asked Ned anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Two thousand shares was what he said I guess, +but you probably misunderstood him,” Mr. Reilly +went on. “Yes, there was a young fellow who +was mixed up in the transactions. He was a +holder of two thousand shares of the stock. All +there was in fact, and he was one of the main +ones in working the swindle. We’re looking for +him still. Why, my boy, this paper isn’t worth +anything. They cheated you. There isn’t any +stock in the Mt. Olive Oil Well Company except +the fake two thousand shares issued to John Denton, +which is the name of the other swindler we +want. And so you thought the inspector meant +you?”</p> + +<p>“I did, and that’s why I ran away. I didn’t +want to be arrested and bring disgrace on my +father.”</p> + +<p>“You poor boy!” exclaimed Mr. Wilding. +“But it’s all over now, Ned. How in the world +did you manage to live in the meanwhile?”</p> + +<p>Ned told them part of the story as they walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +to his father’s hotel, and the remainder of it he +related inside, from the time of his aunt’s departure +until they found him scrubbing the lodging-house +floor, including his escape down the rope.</p> + +<p>“And we have your valise!” exclaimed Fenn. +“It’s at our hotel.”</p> + +<p>“I thought some one came along and stole it,” +Ned replied. “I was afraid to ask about it for +fear I’d be arrested. I didn’t even dare go for +my trunk.”</p> + +<p>“That’s safe at the depot,” said Bart, “but +you’ll have to pay storage charges on it. Well, +well, how this thing has worked out!”</p> + +<p>“We’ve solved two mysteries instead of one,” +Frank remarked. “Here’s William ready to go +back to his mother,” and he told Ned who William +was.</p> + +<p>“So you’re the boy who was watching me this +afternoon when Cassidy came for me?” Ned +asked. “I was afraid you might be a detective, +and so I wouldn’t admit who I was.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll start for home in the morning,” declared +Mr. Wilding.</p> + +<p>“And maybe get into more trouble there,” put +in Fenn.</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Ned. “If there’s any more +trouble I want to get it all over with at once.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +“They suspect us of blowing up the school +tower!” exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>“Oh, that!” cried Mr. Wilding. “I guess +I forgot to tell you about that, I was so busy +thinking of Ned. That’s all cleared up!”</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“They found out it was done by a wicked boy +named Peter Sanderson. He thought it was a +joke to set off a dynamite cartridge, but he found +out it wasn’t. He’s been sent to the reform +school and his father has to pay a big bill for +damages. I got a letter from Fenn’s father this +morning, telling me all about it. So you boys can +go home with everything cleared up.”</p> + +<p>“And we’ll take William with us,” said +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes, of course. I guess William’s troubles +are over too. We need a boy in the bank, and I +think he will fill the bill,” and Mr. Wilding +laughed.</p> + +<p>They were all so excited that none of them +slept well that night, but they were up early and +started back for Darewell.</p> + +<p>Ned rather expected his father would express +regret at the loss of the hundred dollars, for Detective +Reilly said there was little chance of the +money ever being recovered. Mr. Wilding, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +did not refer to it, until Ned, anxious to +know how his parent felt, remarked:</p> + +<p>“I guess I’m not much of a business man, dad.”</p> + +<p>“Why so?” inquired Mr. Wilding with a +smile.</p> + +<p>“Why, I lost my hundred dollars the first +thing.”</p> + +<p>“Not exactly lost it, Ned, though you haven’t +got it. You can consider that you bought a hundred +dollars worth of experience, and I think you +got quite a lot for your money.”</p> + +<p>“I certainly did,” replied Ned with conviction.</p> + +<p>“By the way,” his father went on. “I got a +telegram from your aunt. Her niece in Chicago +is not as ill as was at first believed, and Mrs. +Kenfield is coming home soon. She wants you +boys to stay and visit her. Your uncle will be +home from Europe in another week.”</p> + +<p>“I think I’d rather go home for a while,” answered +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, everything came out all right,” remarked +Bart as he and Fenn sat together looking +from the car windows as they approached their +destination.</p> + +<p>“Yes, everything is right but Frank,” replied +Fenn. “He’s been acting strangely lately,” and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +he nodded toward his chum who sat alone in a +seat on the other side of the car.</p> + +<p>“I wonder what ails him?” Bart remarked.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to find out. It certainly is something +strange,” went on Fenn. What the mystery was +will be told in the third volume of this series, to be +called, “Frank Roscoe’s Secret.”</p> + +<p>A little later the train drew into the Darewell +depot. There was quite a crowd to welcome the +boys, for their story was partly known. Mr. +Wilding had telegraphed to the families of Ned’s +chums, that the mystery was solved and the trouble +at last ended.</p> + +<p>“Did you see any great actors, Fenn?” asked +Jennie as she greeted the boys. “Tell me all +about them.”</p> + +<p>“The only actor we saw was John Newton, the +‘Marvelous Bird Warbler,’” replied Fenn, “and +we left him there. He certainly can whistle.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, tell us all about it!” begged Alice. +“Did you see any accidents?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t have time,” her brother replied. “But +come on home. I want to see the folks.”</p> + +<p>There we will take leave of the boys and girls, +as they trooped up the platform, talking, laughing, +and asking and answering scores of questions. +Only two in the crowd were rather silent. Frank,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +who seemed gloomy and depressed, and William. +But William was only quiet because of the great +happiness he felt in knowing he would soon see his +mother and sisters, from whom he had been so +long separated. Two hours later he was with +them, telling all about the way the chums found +him, and of Ned’s disappearance so strangely +solved with his aid.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="noi center">THE END</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<div class="tnote"> +<p class="noi tntitle">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> + +<p>Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected.</p> + +<p>Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p> + +<p>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> + +<p>Changed Table of Contents page numbers to the actual page numbers +in the text, for Chapters XXVII (was 203, now 216), XXVIII (was 209, +now 222), and XXIX (was 216, now 229).</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Ned Wilding's Disappearance, by Allen Chapman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NED WILDING'S DISAPPEARANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 37673-h.htm or 37673-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/6/7/37673/ + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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. 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