diff options
Diffstat (limited to '42142.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 42142.txt | 6770 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 6770 deletions
diff --git a/42142.txt b/42142.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8b0d347..0000000 --- a/42142.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6770 +0,0 @@ - A YOUNG INVENTOR'S PLUCK - - - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: A Young Inventor's Pluck - or The Mystery of the Willington Legacy -Author: Arthur M. Winfield -Release Date: February 20, 2013 [EBook #42142] -Language: English -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A YOUNG INVENTOR'S PLUCK *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover] - - - - -[Illustration: "I'LL TRY MY BEST," REPLIED JACK, TAKING UP HIS KIT OF -TOOLS.] - - - - - A Young - Inventor's Pluck - - OR - - THE MYSTERY OF THE - WILLINGTON LEGACY - - - BY - Arthur M. Winfield, - - - - Author of "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," - "THE MISSING TIN BOX," "SCHOOLDAYS OF - FRED HARLEY," etc. - - - - NEW YORK -- AKRON, O. -- CHICAGO - THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO. - 1901 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1901, - BY - THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO. - - - - - INTRODUCTION - - -_My Dear Boys and Girls:_-- - -"A YOUNG INVENTOR'S PLUCK" relates the adventures of a wide-awake -American lad of a mechanical turn of mind, who suddenly finds himself -thrown upon his own resources and compelled to support not only himself, -but likewise his sister. - -Jack Willington's path is no easy one to tread. The bank in which the -sister and brother have their little store of money deposited fails, and -with this comes the shutting down of the tool works in which our hero is -employed. To add to the lad's troubles, there is a large fire in the -town and the youth is accused of incendiarism. - -But Jack and his sister Deb are not without friends, and the fact that -the boy is an inventor and has almost ready the model of a useful and -valuable invention, aids him to secure his release, and then he goes -forth to run down his enemies and to solve the mystery connected with a -rich family legacy. - -Generally speaking, life in a factory town is thought to be dull and -monotonous, whereas the truth is, that it is usually full of interest -and not devoid of excitement of a peculiar kind. In this tale I have -tried to picture life in such a place truthfully, with all of its lights -and its shadows, and I hope that my story will prove more or less -instructive in consequence. - -Affectionately your friend, - ARTHUR M. WINFIELD. - - - - - CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER I. - THE SHUT DOWN - -CHAPTER II. - FOR THE SAKE OF HOME - -CHAPTER III. - A RESULT OF A FIRE - -CHAPTER IV. - BAD NEWS FOR DEB - -CHAPTER V. - FINDING BAIL - -CHAPTER VI. - HOME ONCE MORE - -CHAPTER VII. - INTO THE RIVER - -CHAPTER VIII. - SOMETHING ABOUT THE MODEL - -CHAPTER IX. - MR. BENTON MAKES TROUBLE - -CHAPTER X. - DRIVEN FROM HOME - -CHAPTER XI. - ON THE RIVER ROAD - -CHAPTER XII. - JACK'S DANGEROUS POSITION - -CHAPTER XIII. - OVER THE FALLS - -CHAPTER XIV. - MAX POOLER'S MEG - -CHAPTER XV. - THE MISER OF THE ISLAND - -CHAPTER XVI. - ON BOARD THE "KITTY" - -CHAPTER XVII. - MEG TO THE RESCUE - -CHAPTER XVIII. - DEB AT THE MILL - -CHAPTER XIX. - IN CORRIGAN'S POWER - -CHAPTER XX. - MONT TELLS HIS STORY - -CHAPTER XXI. - CORRIGAN MAKES A MOVE - -CHAPTER XXII. - HEAPS OF MONEY - -CHAPTER XXIII. - THE MISER'S TREASURE - -CHAPTER XXIV. - A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST - -CHAPTER XXV. - CHASING ANDY MOSEY - -CHAPTER XXVI. - PAPERS OF GREAT VALUE - -CHAPTER XXVII. - "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"--CONCLUSION - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS. - - -"I'll try my best," replied Jack taking up his kit of tools . . . -Frontispiece - -"Well, sir, what is it?" he asked, hardly looking up - -Jack was soon as busy as a bee, putting the machines in running order -and overhauling other farming implements - -"Been tellin' sthories about me!" he exclaimed. "Sayin' I sthole yer -match-box an' set foire to old gray's house! Oi'll fix ye!" - -With a quick spring he gave the young man a push that sent him spinning -over backward - -The body came within his reach, and leaning over, he stayed its progress - -"Did you really go over them falls?" she continued, jerking her thumb in -the direction - -The miser of the island had lost his balance, and after vainly clutching -the air to save himself, had floundered into the water and mud below - -"I mean just this," replied Corrigan, catching her by the arm, "you are -my prisoner and must do as I say" - -With a strong push of his powerful arm, he sent the man flying into a -corner - - - - - A YOUNG INVENTOR'S PLUCK - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE SHUT DOWN - - -"Oh Jack! how blue you look!" - -"I feel blue, Deb," answered Jack Willington, as he entered the door of -his modest home and gave his sister the brotherly kiss he knew she was -expecting. - -"Is there something the matter up at the tool works, Jack?" - -"Yes, Deb. The works are going to shut down." - -"To shut down?" repeated the girl, her eyes wide open in affright, for -she knew only too well what such a calamity meant. "When will they -close?" - -"To-morrow. In fact we have quit on the regular work already." - -"And how long will the shut-down last?" - -"Nobody knows. I asked Mr. Johnson--he's the foreman, you know--and he -said he thought a month or six weeks, but he wasn't sure." - -"A month! Oh, Jack, it's an awfully long time!" - -And Deb Willington's face grew very grave. - -"I know it is--longer than I care to remain idle, even if I could afford -to, which I can't. But that's not the worst of it." - -"No?" - -"No; they didn't pay us for the last two weeks' work." - -"Why not?" - -"Johnson said that they wanted to pay off every man in full, and that -the figuring would take several days." - -"And you won't get any money till then?" - -"Not a cent. My private opinion is that the company is in some sort of -a financial difficulty, and only want to gain time. Mont didn't have a -word to say about it when I asked him, and, I imagine he knows a good -deal about his uncle's affairs." - -Deb cast down her eyes in a meditative way. - -"To-morrow is rent day," she said, after a pause. - -"I know it. I've been thinking of it all the way home. How much have -we got toward paying the six dollars?" - -"Three dollars and a half." And Deb brought forth the amount from her -small purse. - -"Humph! I don't see what's to be done," mused Jack, as he removed his -hat and sat down. "Mr. Hammerby will have to wait for his money." - -"Will he?" - -"I don't see what else he can do. But, aside from that, three dollars -and a half won't keep us a month. I'll have to look elsewhere for -work." - -Deborah and John Willington were orphans. Their father had died some ten -years before. He had been a strong, industrious and ingenious -machinist, of a quiet nature, and at his demise left his wife and two -children with a small property, which, however, was subject to a -mortgage of several hundred dollars. - -His widow found it no easy matter to get along. Jack was but seven years -of age and Deb five, and, of course, could do little or nothing, except -occasionally to "help mamma." - -Mrs. Willington in her reduced circumstances had taken in sewing, and -also opened a school for little children, and by these means had earned -a scanty living for her family. - -But it was not long before the strain began to tell upon the brave -woman. She was naturally delicate, and grew weaker slowly but surely, -until, eight years later, she quietly let slip the garment she was -making, folded her hands, and peacefully went to join her husband in the -Great Beyond. - -Deb and Jack were terribly startled when the sad event occurred. They -were utterly alone in the world. It was true that there were distant -relatives upon their mother's side, but they had always been too proud -to notice the Willington family, and now made no attempt to help the -orphans. - -Shortly after the mother's funeral, the mortgage on the homestead fell -due, and as it could not be met, the place went under the auctioneer's -hammer. - -Realty in Corney, as the factory town was called, was not booming at the -time, and, as a consequence, when all the costs were paid, only one -hundred dollars and the furniture remained as a start in life for the -two children. - -They had no home, no place to go. What was to be done? - -A kind neighbor spoke of adopting Deb, and another obtained for Jack a -job in the Tool Company's works. - -But the two would not separate. When Jack mentioned it, Deb sobbed and -clung to him, until he declared that she should remain with him no -matter what happened. - -At this time Jack earned eight dollars a week, and had the prospect of a -raise. With this amount they rented three rooms for six dollars a -month, and Deb, young as she was, took upon herself the important duties -of housekeeping. - -Things moved crudely at first, but it was so nice to be together, to -work for one another, that, excepting for their recent bereavement, -which still hung as a heavy cloud over their lives, they lived as -happily as "two bugs in a rug." - -Jack thought the world of his sister Deb. He was a rather silent -fellow, with a practical turn of mind, not given overmuch to fun making, -and his sister's bright and cheerful way was just what was needed to -lift his mind out of the drudge-rut into which it was wont to run. - -He spent all his evenings in her company, either at home or, when the -weather was fine, in strolling around Corney, or in attendance upon some -entertainment that did not cost much money, and which gave Deb keen -enjoyment. Sometimes, when he got the chance, he would do odd jobs at -his bench on the sly, and then, with the extra money thus earned, would -surprise Deb by buying her something which he knew she desired, but -which their regular means would not afford. - -Jack was now earning twelve dollars a week and they lived much more -comfortably than before. During the past three years they had saved -quite a neat sum, but a month of severe illness for Deb had now reduced -them to their original capital of one hundred dollars, which was -deposited in the Mechanics' Savings Bank of Corney--a sum that both had -decided should not be touched unless it became absolutely necessary. - -Young as he was, Jack understood the machinist's trade thoroughly. He -took a lively interest in his work, and the doing of jobs on his own -account had led him to erect a small workbench at home. - -Here he often experimented upon various improvements in machinery, -hoping at some time to invent that which might bring him in a -substantial return. - -One of his models--a planing machine attachment--was nearly completed, -and this had been considerably praised by Mr. Benton, a shrewd -speculator in inventions of various kinds. - -"I'm afraid we'll have to draw part of that hundred dollars from the -bank," observed Jack as the two were eating the neat supper Deb had -prepared. "I hate to do it, but I don't see any way out of it." - -"It does seem a shame, after we've kept it so long," returned his -sister. "But do as you think best. Only, Jack, dear, please don't -worry. It will all come out right in the end." - -Her brother had laid down his knife and fork and was resting his chin on -his hand in deep meditation. - -"You're right, Deb," he exclaimed starting up, "and I ought to be -thankful for what we have got, especially for having such a good little -sister to ease things up." - -"Say, Jack," suddenly began Deb, struck with an idea, "you are so handy -with the tools, why don't you open a little shop of your own? Wouldn't -it pay?" - -Jack's face brightened more than it had for many a day. - -"I'm glad you said that," he replied. "I've often thought of it. But I -hated to give up a certainty like my wages for----" - -"Yes, but now----" began Deb. - -"One misfortune gives me a chance to tempt another." He gave a sorry -little laugh. "Is that what you mean?" - -"You'll get along--never fear." - -"There ought to be a chance, true enough. I could sharpen tools, repair -lawn mowers and bicycles, and mend all sorts of things. There is no -such shop in Corney as yet, and it ought to pay." - -"How much would it cost to start?" asked Deb, with great interest. - -"I think fifty or sixty dollars would put me into shape to do small -work. I have most of the tools, and would only need a lathe and one or -two other things--that I could get second-hand." - -"I'll tell you what to do then," was Deb's conclusion; "to-morrow -morning, go down to the bank and draw out seventy-five dollars. Then -we'll pay the rent, and you can take the rest and try your luck." - -"Yes, but----" - -"No buts, Jack; I'm willing to put up with whatever comes--bad luck as -well as good. I'm sure you'll succeed." - -"If your good wishes count for anything, I certainly shall," exclaimed -Jack, earnestly. "I think I can rent a shop for ten dollars a month, -or, maybe, if I pay a little more, I can get one with living rooms -attached, which would be cheaper than hiring two places." - -"And nicer, too," returned Deb; "you wouldn't have to go so far for -dinner, and I could attend to customers while you were away." - -The pair talked in this strain for over an hour. His sister's sanguine -way of looking at the matter made the young machinist feel as if perhaps -the shut-down was not such a bad thing, after all, and might prove the -turning point to something better than they had ever before known. - -The next morning, for the first time in several years, Jack had -breakfast late. It was soon over, and then he put on his good clothes -and started for the bank. - -The streets were thronged with idle men. The Corney Tool Company -employed nearly a thousand persons--in fact, it was by far the principal -factory in the place--and to have all these employes thrown out of work -was a calamity discussed by everyone. - -The Mechanics' Savings Bank had been organized by Mr. Felix Gray, the -owner of the tool works, who presided over both places. He was a man of -fifty, with an unusually sharp and irritable disposition. - -As Jack approached the bank he noticed a large crowd collected in and -around the building. - -"I suppose, as they can't get their pay, they want to withdraw some of -their savings," was his thought as he drew nearer. - -An instant later a queer cry came from the interior of the bank, and it -was quickly taken up by those outside. - -"What is it?" asked the young machinist, of a bystander. - -"They've suspended payment," was the short reply. - -"What!" gasped Jack, in horror. "You don't mean it?" - -But at the same time the crowd cried out loudly, in angry tones: - -"The bank's burst! She's gone up for good! No money for the poor man! -We can all starve!" - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - FOR THE SAKE OF HOME - - -"Can this be possible? Has the bank really burst?" - -Over and over Jack asked himself the question. Then the words of the -crowd echoed and re-echoed through his ears. Yes, the bank had -suspended payment. There was no money for him--no money for anyone! - -"It's too bad!" he groaned. "What will Deb say?" - -The thought of his sister gave him another pang. Without money and -without work, how could he continue to take care of her? - -"Oh! Jack, me b'y, not wan pinny av me two hundred dollars will they -give me at all," exclaimed Andy Mosey, a fellow-workman, bitterly. - -"How did it happen?" asked the young machinist. - -"No wan knows. Oi guess old Gray is in a toight hole, an' is usin' the -bank's money to get him out." - -Andy Mosey was a heavy-set Irishman, with a bloated, red face and fiery -hair and beard. His work brought him into daily contact with the young -machinist, but Jack did not like the man, first on account of his -drinking habit, and secondly, because he suspected the Irishman of -having stolen from the pocket of his jumper a silver match safe--a -highly-valued Willington heirloom. - -"It's a bad business, and no mistake." - -The speaker was Dennis Corrigan, a pattern maker. He was a -brother-in-law to Mosey, but much more educated, and somewhat refined in -appearance as well. - -"Yes, indeed," returned Jack. - -"How do they expect us to live if they don't pay us our wages or let us -draw our savings either?" - -"Old Gray will pay dearly fer this," put in Andy Mosey, with a wicked -look in his eye; "oi'll vow he'll be moighty sorry for this day's worruk -ere long." - -Jack elbowed his way up the bank steps and into the building. The -cashier's window was closed, and behind the glass this notice was pasted -up: - - -"_Depositors are hereby notified that owing to the unexpected run upon -this bank, no further payments will be made until the more available -assets are converted into cash._" - - -The crowd were all talking loudly and excitedly, and Jack tried in vain -to obtain definite information concerning the cause for the suspension. - -At length, sick at heart, he returned to the sidewalk, where Andy Mosey, -the worse for several glasses of liquor, again addressed him. - -"Not wan pinny av me two hundred dollars, Jack, me b'y!" he repeated in -a heavy voice; "an' they call it a free counthry! Sure it's only free -fer rich people to rob the poor!" - -"It's rough," replied Jack. - -"Old Gray will pay dearly fer it, mark me wurruds!" - -"What will you do?" - -"Never moind, Jack, me b'y! Thrust Andy Mosey to get square wid the -ould villian!" - -Jack retraced his steps homeward with slow and unwilling steps. All his -bright hopes of the past hour had been dashed to naught. No money meant -no start in business, and with a thousand men idle what chances were -there of finding employment? - -"If I had a few dollars in my pocket I might try some other town," he -thought. "But without some money, it's hard lines, sure enough." - -Jack would not have felt it so much had he been alone, but with Deb -depending upon him, his responsibility seemed more than doubled. - -Their home was on the second floor of a large apartment house standing -upon one of the side streets of Corney. As Jack ascended the stairs he -heard talking in the kitchen. - -"Wonder who is here? Visitors of some kind," he thought. - -Entering, the young machinist found Mr. Hammerby, the house-agent, in -earnest conversation with Deb. - -Mr. Hammerby was a short, dapper business man, small in form, and a -person of few words. - -"Yes, I never allow a rent day to go by," he was saying. "People who -hire from me must expect to pay promptly." - -"But sometimes people fall ill, and get behind----" began Deb. - -"True, but that's not my fault, and I never--ah, here is your brother at -last. Good morning, Mr. Willington." - -"Good morning, Mr. Hammerby," returned Jack, soberly, and with a sinking -heart. "You came for the rent, I suppose." - -"Yes, sir, always prompt, you know," replied the agent, rubbing his -hands together. - -"I told him you had just gone to get the money," put in Deb. - -"I--I'm sorry, but I can't pay you today," said Jack, as calmly as he -could, but with a worried glance at his sister. - -"Oh, Jack, what has happened?" burst out Deb, growing pale. - -"The bank has stopped payment." - -"And you expected to get your money from that place?" asked Mr. -Hammerby. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Your sister told me you had gone out for it, but did not tell me -where." - -"Can't you get any money, Jack?" asked Deb, catching his arm. - -"Not a cent." - -The tears started in the girl's eyes. Here was indeed a blow. - -"Well, I'm sorry, but I must have the rent," said Mr. Hammerby, firmly. - -"I can't pay it," replied Jack. "If I had the money, nothing would -please me more. But I haven't got any pay for the past two weeks' work, -and I have but three dollars and a half, and that we must keep for -living purposes." - -"Humph! When do you propose to pay?" - -"In a few days. Just as soon as I get my money from the factory." - -"That won't suit me. If I don't have my money by to-night I'll serve -you a three-days' notice to quit." - -It may seem strange that Mr. Hammerby should be so hard upon his -tenants, but the truth was, he understood more of the factory and the -bank affairs than was generally known. - -He was well aware that it would be a long time before cash could be had -at either place. - -"But surely you wouldn't turn us out for being behind just this once!" -exclaimed Jack. "We have paid promptly for three years." - -"I can't make any allowance. It's pay or leave. I might have got more -than you pay for these rooms, but I let you have them at a low figure -because I thought you would be prompt." - -"But Mr. Gray owns this building," put in Deb, eagerly; "surely he will -not allow his own workmen, to whom money is due, to be put out." - -"He doesn't bother his head about it," returned Mr. Hammerby, with -assumed dignity. "He expects me to obey orders, and those orders are to -collect or give notice." - -"Well, I haven't the money," repeated Jack. - -"I'll step in in the morning," went on the agent, "and then it's money -or notice. Good day." - -And without further words Mr. Hammerby left the apartment. The minute -the door was closed Deb burst into tears. - -"They will set us into the street!" she sobbed. "Was ever a person so -cruel before! Oh, Jack, what shall we do? What shall we do?" - -Jack sank into a chair without replying. His mind was busy trying to -devise some means of averting the blow that appeared so imminent. Though -it cut him to the heart to see his sister so distressed, he could offer -her no comforting hope. - -"I'm going up to see Mr. Gray," he said, finally, "I'll tell him just -how the matter stands. I don't believe if he knew the particulars that -he would let Mr. Hammerby put us out." - -"If he did he'd be the hardest-hearted man in Corney," declared Deb, -between her sobs. - -For Jack to think, was to act, and in a few seconds he was ready to -depart. - -"Shall I go along?" asked his sister, hesitatingly. - -"I guess not. You can meet me at the corner if you like," replied Jack. - -Mr. Gray's residence was situated in the fashionable part of the town. -It was an elegant establishment throughout, and Jack was not a little -awed by the sumptuous surroundings. - -He was ushered into the hall, and found himself among half a dozen -others, all awaiting an interview with the manufacturer. - -It was fully half an hour before he was told to enter the library. He -found Mr. Felix Gray seated at a desk which was deep with letters and -documents. - -The manufacturer was a stout man of fifty, with a certain sullen, -bull-dog cast of countenance. - -"Well, sir, what is it?" he asked, hardly looking up. - -[Illustration: "WELL, SIR, WHAT IS IT?" HE ASKED, HARDLY LOOKING UP.] - -In a brief but clear manner Jack stated his case. Mr. Gray hardly heard -him out. - -"Mr. Willington," he said sharply, "I never interfere with my agents' -doings. They have entire charge. Besides, it would be folly for me to -make your case an exception. If I did so, any other tenant might ask -the same privilege." - -"Yes, but if you would only give me an order for some of the money due -me, or for my savings----" began the young machinist, growing desperate. - -Mr. Gray drew himself up. - -"You must get that in the regular way," he returned coolly. "I never -make exceptions to my rules. Good morning." - -And before he could realize it, Jack was out on the street again with -bitter defeat written in every line of his handsome face. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - A RESULT OF A FIRE - - -At the corner Jack met Deb, whose anxiety had caused her to follow him -close to the Gray mansion. - -"My! how long you've been!" she exclaimed, and then with a keen glance -into his face: "Did he---- Did he----" - -"He said he couldn't do a thing, that it was all in the agent's hands," -burst out Jack, "He is meaner than mean. He will let that man put us -out even when he owes us more than the amount of the rent. Well, it may -be law, but it isn't justice and he shall not do it!" - -And the young machinist shut his teeth in grim determination. - -"If you can't get the money from the bank, I suppose you can't go into -business for yourself," said Deb, when they reached home. - -"That's true enough. Before the shut-down I might have borrowed money, -but now I guess all our friends need every cent they have." - -"Can't we raise some?" Deb's eyes wandered around the apartment. Jack -gave a dry little laugh. - -"Not on this stuff," he replied. "But we're not reduced to that yet." -He walked over to where the model he was working on stood. "Wish this -was finished. I believe I can make a neat sum out of this invention." - -"How long will it take to complete it?" - -"Can't tell. It depends on one's ideas. But I'm going out." - -"Where?" - -"To look for work." - -In a moment Jack had descended to the sidewalk. He found the streets -swarming with people, and as he had before thought, with a thousand men -idle, what chance was there of getting work? Finding that every place -in Corney was full he determined to try Redrock, another manufacturing -town, situated on the Camel Falls river, several miles below the present -place. The road between the two places followed the river bank. As Jack -trudged along close to the water, he heard a sudden cry for help. - -Looking ahead he saw that one of the rear wheels of a wagon had come -off, and the driver, horses and vehicle were all in danger of being -dumped into the stream. It was but a moment's work for the young -machinist to rush up, and by catching the horses' heads, to turn them in -such a way that the turnout righted itself in the center of the road. - -"Thank you, young man!" exclaimed the aged farmer, who was driving, as -he sprang to the ground. "That was a narrow escape, and no mistake." - -"Your wagon is pretty well damaged," observed Jack as he examined the -shattered axle. - -"Well, troubles never come singly." replied Farmer Farrell, for such -was his name. "This morning something got into the patent rake so it -wouldn't work; then the grindstone got cranky, and now this. But thanks -to Providence, I'm safe. I reckon I'll have to go back for the other -rig, though. Going my way?" - -"Yes, sir. I'm bound for Redrock to look for work." - -As the two walked along, Jack related what had happened in Corney. - -"Well, I declare! I'm lucky any way," declared Farmer Farrell, "I got -my money out of the bank a month ago. It's too bad, though, for you. -What did you say you were?" - -"I'm a machinist," replied Jack, and then suddenly: "Perhaps I can fix -up your patent rake and your grindstone. I'll do a good job and won't -overcharge you." - -To this Farmer Farrell, who was taken by Jack's appearance, agreed, and -a few minutes later led the way up a lane to a well-stocked farm. - -Down in the barn the young machinist found the things that needed -repairing. He looked everything over carefully. - -"I'll bring my tools to-morrow and fix them up," he said. "If I get -work in Redrock I'll do the work early in the morning or after I quit." - -"And the cost?" - -"About five or six dollars." - -"Cheap enough. Go ahead." - -"I will. I'll be on hand early in the morning and do a good job," -replied Jack. - -The young machinist met with no success at Redrock, and returned in an -hour to Corney. Deb was pleased to hear that some work, at least, had -been procured. - -"It will pay the rent anyway," said Jack, "and that's something. -Perhaps, too, it may get me some more jobs like it." - -"That's so," replied Deb, her face brightening. - -In the evening Jack worked on his model. But he went to bed at ten -o'clock, so as to be up early the next morning. - -"Jack! Jack! Wake up!" - -It was Deb's voice from the next room that aroused him in the middle of -the night. - -"There is a big fire over on the hill," she continued, "just look out of -the window." - -But Jack was already up. - -"You're right!" he replied. "It's a whopper, too!" he continued, as the -flames shot skyward, making all as bright as day. "I'll have to go," he -added. - -"Must you?" - -"Certainly, it's my duty to serve." - -For Jack was a duly enlisted member of the Corney Volunteer Fire -Department. - -He hurried into his clothing as rapidly as possible, and jumped down the -stairs three at a time. - -"Don't get hurt!" called Deb after him. - -The engine house was but a few blocks away. When Jack arrived there, he -found that the machine had been dragged out into the street but no -further. - -"Why don't you catch hold?" he called to a crowd of men who stood on the -sidewalk. - -"It's old Gray's house!" exclaimed one man, "and it can burn to the -ground for all I care." - -"He don't help us; now let him help himself," put in another. - -"Oh, pshaw! It won't do any good to act that way!" said Jack. "Come, -catch hold like men." - -Jack was naturally a leader, and when he grasped the rope three other -young fellows followed, and in a moment the engine was on its way. - -"It's too bad it's Mr. Gray's house," thought the machinist. "It will -make him harder-hearted than ever." - -He gave no thought as to how the conflagration had originated, and did -his best to get the engine to the spot. - -But, as has been stated, the place was up hill, and by the time they had -made their way along the unpaved road, the fire had gained such headway -that it was useless to pour water on the burning building, and all -attention was directed to saving the adjoining property. - -The heat was intense, and Jack, who was often at the nozzle of the hose, -suffered greatly from this and the smoke. - -In an hour the fire was declared under control, and a little later the -order came to take up the hose and go home. - -Jack worked with a will. He had done his duty, and now he was anxious -to return, tell Deb all about it, and get to bed again. - -While helping to wind the hose upon its carriage, he was suddenly -approached by Mr. Gray, accompanied by a stranger. - -"There he is!" were Mr. Gray's first words, addressed to the stranger. - -The man laid his hand upon Jack's shoulder. - -"I want you," he said, quietly. - -"What for?" asked Jack. - -"I arrest you for setting fire to Mr. Gray's house," was the startling -reply. - -"Arrest me!" exclaimed the young machinist. "What do you mean? I never -set fire to any one's house." - -"Oh, yes, you did," put in the manufacturer. "Only you didn't expect to -be caught." - -"It's false, I----" - -"It's true. You shall suffer heavily for this night's work," went on -Mr. Gray, bitterly. "We'll see if the law allows tenants who won't pay -their rents to set their landlords' houses on fire! Watch him Parker, -don't let him escape you!" - -"Mr. Gray, I never----" began Jack. - -"Come along," broke in the officer, roughly. "You can do your talking in -the morning." - -And without further words Jack was marched off to the Corney jail. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - BAD NEWS FOR DEB - - -After her brother Jack had gone, Deb stood by the window a long time, -watching the progress of the fire. She beheld the flames shoot up, -heard the shrill whistle of the engines, and the shouts of the firemen, -and finally saw the light subside. - -She opened the window, and from the conversation of the passers-by she -learned that it was Mr. Felix Gray's mansion that had been burned. - -The little bronze clock upon the kitchen shelf struck four. - -"Jack will be returning soon," she thought, "and he'll be awfully tired, -too." - -An hour passed. She had put on a loose wrapper and sat in the rocker, -moving gently forward and backward. Presently the curly head began to -nod, and after one or two feeble attempts to rouse up, Deb sank calmly -into the land of dreams. - -When she awoke, she found it was broad daylight, and the tread of many -feet upon the pavement outside told that work had already begun. - -"Eight o'clock!" exclaimed the girl. "What can keep Jack so long?" - -Then the thought struck her that her brother had returned and retired -without waking her, but a glance revealed the empty bed. - -Deb's face blanched a trifle as the idea crossed her mind that maybe -something had happened, after all. Fires were such dreadful things, -with falling chimneys and half-burned staircases, and Jack was so -daring, and so ready to risk his life for the benefit of others. - -"I'll go down to Mrs. Snitzer's and find out about it," was her -conclusion, and locking the door she descended the stairs. - -Mrs. Snitzer was a German woman, who, with her husband and three -stalwart sons, occupied the floor below. She was a stout, kindly-faced -woman of about fifty, had been Deb's neighbor for a year, and took a -genuine interest in the girl and her brother. - -"Your brudder no got home yet from der fire?" she said, after Deb had -stated the object of her morning call; "I thought der fire vas out long -ago. Mine boys come home, and vent to ped again, aput five o'clock. Da -don't work now, so da say: 'Mudder, ve take a goot sleep for vonce in -our lifes;'" she added, with a broad smile. - -"Jack's out of work, too," said Deb, soberly. - -"Yah? Vat a shame! Nefer mind, it don't last forefer. Come, have some -coffee mit me. My man ist gone out for the baber. He come back soon." - -The good woman set out one of her low chairs, and knowing that Mrs. -Snitzer's invitations were genuine, the girl sat down, and allowed -herself to be helped to a bowl of the steaming beverage, accompanied by -several slices of sugared zweibach. - -Just as the two were finishing Mr. Snitzer came in, paper in hand. - -His face grew troubled upon seeing Deb. - -"I vas sorry for you," he said, approaching her. - -"Sorry for me?" repeated the girl, with a puzzled look. "Why, Mr. -Snitzer?" - -"Gracious! Didn't you hear?" returned the man, dropping his paper in -astonishment. - -"Hear what?" faltered Deb. - -Mr. Snitzer spoke in German to his wife, who jumped to her feet. - -"Nein! nein!" exclaimed the woman, vehemently. "He nefer done dot--nefer -in his whole life!" - -And then as gently as possible Mrs. Snitzer related how Jack had been -accused by Mr. Felix Gray of setting fire to the mansion, and was now -languishing in the town jail. - -Deb's outburst was dreadful to behold. She threw herself upon the old -German woman's breast and sobbed as if her heart would break. Her -Jack--her own dear brother, in prison! The only one she had in the wide -world taken away from her, and sent to a criminal's cell! It was too -horrible to realize. - -"How cruel of them to do it!" she moaned. "And he is innocent, too. He -was home when the fire broke out;" and she shook her head in despair. - -"Of course he didn't do it," said Mr. Snitzer. "All der men say so. -Jack vas as steady as anypody. I dink it vas some of der hot-headed men -vas guilty." - -"So don't cry, my dear girl," added Mrs. Snitzer, sympathetically. "It -vill come out all right by der end;" and she took one corner of her -clean gingham apron and wiped the tear-stained cheeks. - -"Where is the--the jail?" asked Deb presently, in a low voice. - -Mr. Snitzer described its location. - -"You don't vas going there!" exclaimed the German woman. - -"Yes, I am," declared the girl, resolutely, with a sudden, strong look -in her beautiful eyes. - -"But it vas a terrible bad blace," Mrs. Snitzer ventured to remark. - -"I don't care," replied Deb. "I won't mind going where Jack is. I must -see if I can't do something for him." - -Deb ran up stairs. Her heart was full of fear, and beat wildly. - -She exchanged her wrapper for a suitable dress, and arranged her hair. -As she was adjusting her hat, there was a knock on the door, and -thinking Mrs. Snitzer had come up, she bid the person enter. - -"Ah, just in time, I see!" was the exclamation, made in Mr. Hammerby's -voice. - -Deb's face clouded even more than before. - -"Oh, dear, you here?" she ejaculated in vexed tones. - -"Yes; on hand, as I always am," replied the agent, removing his hat. "I -suppose you are ready with the rent?" - -"No, I haven't the money," replied Deb. Somehow it was all she could -manage to say. - -"Your brother was unable to raise the amount?" - -"He hasn't had time to try." - -"I'm sorry, but as I said before 'business is business,' and I'll have -to serve the notice," and drawing a paper from his pocket, Mr. Hammerby -handed it over. - -It was a regular notice drawn up in due form, demanding that in three -days they quit the place. - -Deb read it, but in her excitement did not notice that the avaricious -agent had dated it one day back. - -"And must we leave in three days?" she faltered. - -"Most assuredly--unless you raise the cash." - -"But where will we go?" continued the girl hopelessly. - -"That's for you to decide," was the answer. Mr. Hammerby had gone -through so many "scenes," as he termed them, that the evident suffering -of the person he addressed did not affect him. - -"But we haven't got anywhere to go," burst out Deb. - -"Well, that's not my fault, is it?" - -"No, but----" - -"Then it's pay or leave," was the cold reply. - -"What's up now, Mr. Hammerby?" asked a quiet voice from the hallway. - -It was the nephew of the tool manufacturer who had come. His name was -Monteray Gray--the Monteray being generally shortened to Mont. He was a -young man of twenty, and kept the books for the shipping department of -the tool works. - -"What, Mr. Gray, is that you?" exclaimed the agent, taken back at the -sudden interruption. "Oh, it's only the same old story of no money for -the landlord," he added. - -Mont looked at Deb. He knew both her and Jack very well. - -"I am sorry to hear it," he said, with a pained face. - -"It's all because of the shut-down at the factory," explained Deb, who, -for a purely womanly reason wanted to set herself right with the young -man. - -In a few short words she made him acquainted with the situation. -Involuntarily Mont's hand went down in his pocket, and then he suddenly -remembered that he had no money with him. - -"See here, Mr. Hammerby," he said, "you had better take this notice -back. There is no doubt that you will get your money." - -"Can't do it," replied the agent, with a decided shake of the head. - -"But my uncle would never consent to having them put out," persisted the -young man. - -"Mr. Gray's orders are to give notice to any one who doesn't pay," -returned Mr. Hammerby, grimly; "I'm only doing as directed." - -"But this is an outrage!" exclaimed Mont. "My uncle virtually owes Mr. -Willington twenty odd dollars, and here you intend to put him out for a -few dollars rent." - -"You can see your uncle about it, if you wish. I shall stick to my -orders." - -"Then you won't stop this notice?" - -"No." - -"Very well," replied Mont, quietly. - -"I'm hired to do certain things, and I'm going to do them," continued -the agent. "Besides, I just heard this morning that this fellow is -locked up for setting fire to your uncle's house. I should not think -that you would care to stick up for him," he went on. - -"But I do care," returned the young man, with a sudden show of spirit. -"He is a friend of mine, and I don't believe him guilty." - -"Humph! Well, maybe. It's none of my business; all I want is the rent, -and if they can't pay they must leave," said Mr. Hammerby, bluntly. -"Good morning," he continued to Deb, and without waiting for more words, -turned and left the apartment. - -"I am sorry that my uncle has such a hard-hearted man for his agent," -observed Mont to Deb with a look of chagrin on his face. - -"So am I," she replied, and then suddenly; "Oh, Mont, Jack is----" - -"I know all about it," he interrupted. "I've just been down to see him. -He gave me this note for you," and Mont handed the note to Deb. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - FINDING BAIL - - -Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door -clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, -with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest. - -He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before. The various -misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had -surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was -arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for -two hours to save. - -He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him. -He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, -perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer's library the -afternoon previous. - -"I suppose he thinks I did it out of revenge," thought the young -machinist; "but then there are men--like Andy Mosey, for instance--who -have threatened far more than I. Guess I can clear myself--by an alibi, -or some such evidence." - -Nevertheless, he chafed under the thought of being a prisoner, and felt -decidedly blue when Deb entered his mind. What would his sister think -of his absence, and what would she say when told what had happened? - -"Maybe I can send her word," he said to himself, and knocked loudly upon -the door. - -The watchman was just asleep on a sofa in an adjoining room and did not -hear him. - -Failing to attract attention in this way, Jack began to kick, and so -vigorously did he apply his heels that he awoke the sleeper with such a -start that he came running to the spot instantly. - -"Can I send a message home?" asked the young machinist. - -"Not till morning," was the surly reply; "is that all you want?" - -"Yes. Isn't there any way at all?" persisted Jack. "I have a sister -who will worry over my absence." - -The man gaped and opened his eyes meditatively. - -"You might if you was willing to pay for it," he replied, slowly. - -"I have no money with me," replied Jack, feeling in his pockets to make -sure. - -"Have to wait till morning then," was the short reply, and the young -machinist was once more left alone. - -He was utterly tired out, and in the course of half an hour fell into a -troubled slumber, from which he did not awaken until called. - -"Some one to see you," were the watchman's words, and the door opened to -admit Mont Gray. - -Mont was a tall, thin young man. He had a large brow, deep, dark eyes, -and a strangely earnest face. He was quiet in his way, attended -punctually to his office duties, and was on much better terms with the -hands at the tool works than his uncle had ever been. He was the only -son of Mr. Felix Gray's youngest brother, who had died a widower some -twelve years before--died, some said, and put out of the way, others -whispered. That there was some mystery connected with those times was -certain. Rumor had it that Felix Gray had crowded his brother out of -the business in which he originally owned a half share. This -transaction was followed by Monterey Gray's sudden disappearance. Felix -Gray gave it as his opinion that his brother had departed for Australia, -a place of which he had often spoken. - -Young Mont--he was named after his father--had been taken to live with -his uncle, who kept bachelor's hall in fine style. - -The boy got along as best he could under the sharp guardianship of Mr. -Felix Gray, who, as soon as he could, placed Mont at one of the desks, -where he was now allowed to earn his board and four dollars a week. - -His position at the tool works brought him into daily contact with Jack; -and, during the past two years, a warm friendship had sprung up between -them. He knew all about the young machinist's ambition, and had spent -many an evening at the Willingtons' apartments watching Jack work, and -chatting to Deb, with whom, as is known, he was on good terms. - -"Hello, Mont!" exclaimed Jack, "what brings you here? Did your uncle -send you?" - -"Send me!" said the young man. "No, indeed! he doesn't even suspect I'm -here; if he did he would raise a row, sure." - -"Then you don't believe I'm guilty?" began Jack, somewhat relieved. - -"Humph! Nonsense! I only wonder uncle Felix thinks so," returned Mont. -"It seems to me that the evidence of a match safe is a mighty slim one." - -This was news to the young machinist. - -"Why, what about a match safe?" he asked. - -"Didn't you hear?" was Mont's question, in surprise. "They found a -match safe with your last name on it, in the basement." - -Jack sprang up in astonishment. - -"Was it a small silver safe, with a bear's head on one side, and a -lion's on the other?" he asked. - -"Yes; then it is yours?" - -"Yes, it's mine. But I haven't seen it for nearly a month," burst out -the young machinist. "I missed it out of my pocket, and suspected Andy -Mosey of having taken it, though I could not prove it. But I see it all -now. Mosey was speaking of revenge up at the bank yesterday morning, -and he has done the deed, and used my property to throw suspicion on -me." - -"But he wouldn't do such a mean thing unless he had a grudge against -you," remarked Mont. - -"He has several of them. More than once, when he was drunk, and came -interfering around my work, I threatened to report him. Besides, I have -the job he always thought his son Mike should have." - -"I see. But can you prove that he had the safe?" - -"I don't think I can. But I believe I can prove that I lost it, and was -home when the fire started?" - -"Does Deb know you are here?" asked Mont, suddenly. - -"Not unless some one else has let her know. Will you take her a note?" - -"Certainly; I was going to suggest that very thing. I intended to call -on her." - -Jack took the sheet of paper that Mont supplied and wrote a few words of -cheer to his sister. - -"I'll tell her the particulars," said the young man, as he pocketed the -letter. "Is there anything else you want done?" - -"Nothing now. Maybe there will be later on." - -"I'll do what I can for you," continued Mont, "even if my uncle doesn't -like it;" and he stepped out of the cell. - -Half an hour later Jack was brought out for examination. The court room -was crowded with the now idle men, and many were the expressions of -sympathy for the young machinist, and denunciation for Mr. Felix Gray's -hasty action. - -The tool manufacturer himself did not appear. The officer who made the -arrest said that the excitement of the past two days had made the -plaintiff quite ill. - -The hearing was a brief one. The match safe was the only evidence -produced against Jack, and as he had no means of proving his innocence -then and there, it was decided to hold him to wait the action of the -grand jury, three weeks later. Bail was fixed at one thousand -dollars--a sum that was thought amply sufficient to keep any one from -becoming his bondsman. - -Meanwhile, Mont had delivered the note, as already recorded, and while -being led out of the court room, Jack recognized the young man in the -crowd, and an instant later found Deb at his side. - -"Oh, Jack!" was all the poor girl could say, and clinging to his arms, -she began to sob outright. - -To see Deb cry made the young machinist feel worse than did his -incarceration. He drew his sister to one side--away from the public -gaze, and comforted her the best he could. - -But the thought of going to prison was too terrifying to be subdued. - -"Three weeks before they will hear what you have to say!" she exclaimed. -"If you could only find that Mosey!" - -"But he has left," put in Mont; "I tried everywhere to find him. Maybe -you can get bail." - -"I can't get it while I'm in prison," returned Jack, gloomily. - -"I'll take you anywhere you wish to go," said the under-sheriff, who had -him in charge. He was a married man, had daughters of his own, and -Deb's anguish went straight to his heart. - -Jack thought a moment. "Perhaps I might get Mr. Benton to go on my -bond," he said. - -The man he referred to was the wealthy speculator who had examined the -model and praised the invention. - -"But he would want security. Perhaps I'd have to sign over my rights to -him," he continued with a sigh. - -"It would be a shame to do that," said Mont. "You expect so much from -the patent." - -"But you wouldn't lose it unless you ran away," put in Deb; "and of -course you're not going to do that." - -Jack gave another sigh. - -"I'll go and see him anyway," he said. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - HOME ONCE MORE - - -A little later Jack and Mont separated, and in company with the -constable, the young machinist called on Mr. Benton at the Coney House. - -The speculator listened attentively to Jack's story. He was shrewd, a -close reader of human nature, and thought he saw a chance of securing a -bargain or of placing the embryo inventor under obligation to him. - -"Tell you what I'll do," he said. "Give me a paper securing to me your -invention if you don't turn up at the proper time, and I'll go your -bond, providing----" and here Mr. Benton paused. - -"What?" asked Jack eagerly. - -"Providing you give me a half interest in it now." - -Jack staggered back. - -"A half interest?" - -"That's what I said." - -"But, sir----" - -"You haven't got to accept my offer if you don't wish to," was the -apparent indifferent reply. - -Had he thought only of himself Jack would have refused. To give up that -for which he had worked for years was terribly hard. - -But Deb, dear Deb, what would become of her if he did not accept? - -"I'll do it," he said, shortly. And then, with a sudden thought: "But -you must give me a money consideration." - -"How much?" asked the man of means. - -"One hundred dollars." Jack knew Mr. Benton would offer less. - -"Too much! I'll give you twenty-five." - -"No; a hundred." - -"Make it fifty. I can't spare a cent more. Besides, the thing may not -be worth a dollar." - -"Or several thousand," put in Jack. "But I accept the offer." - -"Very well. I'll pay you the money to-morrow. I'm short to-day." - -Knowing that with all his sharp business practice Mr. Benton was a man -of his word, the young machinist did not object to waiting for his cash. - -In his excitement he forgot all about Mr. Hammerby and the rent that -must be paid. - -It was fully an hour before the necessary papers were drawn up and -signed, and then with hasty steps Jack made his way home. - -Deb met him at the door, and at once he had to give her the particulars -of what had been done. - -"Never mind, anything is better than having you in prison," she said -when he had finished. "And it may be just as well to have Mr. Benton for -a partner now as to give him the chance of getting the whole thing later -on." - -Deb was delighted to learn that they were to receive fifty dollars in -cash the next day. - -"I'll be so glad to get rid of that horrid agent," she declared, and -showed Jack the notice to quit. - -In looking it over he discovered that it had been dated the day before. - -"The mean fellow!" he exclaimed. "He thinks to get us out one day -sooner than the law allows. Won't he be astonished when I pull out the -roll of bills and pay him?" - -In anticipation of the money soon to be received, and in honor of Jack's -release, Deb prepared quite an elaborate dinner. - -It nearly took her breath away when she discovered that the outlay -footed up to nearly a dollar--a large sum for them. But then her -brother did delight in cutlets, with potatoes and green corn, and -somehow the table wouldn't have looked complete without some stewed -prunes and a pudding-dessert--the latter just fixed to tickle Jack's -palate. - -During the meal Mont slipped in, and was compelled to sit down with -them. He was delighted to see the young machinist free, but shook his -head over the price that had been paid for liberty. - -"What do you intend to do now?" he asked. - -"Find Andy Mosey, if I can, and have him arrested," replied Jack. "It -is the only way, I believe, that I can clear myself." - -"It isn't likely you will find him," remarked the young man. "He will -no doubt keep shady for a while." - -"I shan't look for him to-day, excepting to strike a clue," was the -young machinist's reply. - -After the meal was finished, and Mont had gone, Jack announced his -intention to do the repairs that he had promised Farmer Farrell. - -"I might as well do them at once," he said to Deb, "it will be several -dollars in pocket, and we need all the money we can get now. If this -case goes to trial I'll have to hire a lawyer, and they charge heavily." - -"So, I've heard," replied Deb, "but I wouldn't mind that if only you get -free." - -"I'll try my best," replied Jack taking up his kit of tools. - -"When will you be back?" she asked as he started to go. - -"I can't say. It depends on the job. Don't worry if it is late." - -"All right; I'll keep the supper warm till you come." - -So young, and yet a perfect housekeeper! - -"She'll make some fellow a good wife one of these days," said Jack to -himself as he strode along. - -It was a fine day, and the walk by the river side was a delightful one, -but the young machinist scarcely noticed the surroundings. His mind was -busy with the numerous difficulties that had risen round him, and he -endeavored to lay out a definite plan of action by which to extricate -himself. - -When he arrived at the farm, he found his acquaintance of the previous -day hard at work on the patent rake, which he had taken almost entirely -apart. - -"Just in time, young man!" exclaimed farmer Farrell, wiping the -perspiration from his brow; "I thought, seeing as how you didn't come -this morning, I'd see what I could do myself. But the job's a leetle -too much for me. I've got the pesky thing apart and can't put two -pieces together again." - -"That's because you don't understand machinery and haven't the tools," -replied the young machinist, and taking off his coat, he set to work at -once. - -He picked out the worn screws and bolts and substituted the new ones -which he had brought. Then he sorted out the various parts in their -proper order, and examined each critically. - -"This bit of iron that guides the pressure spring is warped," he -remarked. "Did the rake pull hard when the left side was lower than the -right?" - -"Yes, and squeaked, too." - -"Then, that's the cause of it, and all the oil in the world wouldn't -help it." - -"Can you fix it?" asked the farmer, anxiously. - -"I can if I can get a hot fire," replied Jack. - -"I'll start it up at once," returned farmer Farrell, and he disappeared -into the house. - -When he had the fire well under way, Jack heated the part, and gave it -the proper shape. Then he put the machine together, adjusted it -carefully, and oiled the parts. - -"Guess it's all right now," he said, lifting it over. - -"We'll soon see," returned the farmer. Going to the barn he brought out -one of the horses and hitched him to the machine. Then he mounted the -seat and drove up and down the field several times. - -"Works like a charm!" he declared. "You understand your trade and no -mistake. How much for the job?" - -This question was a stickler to Jack. He did not wish to ask too much, -and he could not afford to ask too little. - -"They would charge you three dollars at the machine shops," he said. - -"Then I suppose that's what it's worth," continued the farmer. He was a -whole-souled man, and was taken by Jack's outspoken manner. "But -there's the other things to do yet," he continued. - -"I know it; so we'll put this job at two dollars," said the young -machinist. - -"Never mind, I'm satisfied to pay three," laughed farmer Farrell. "Come -into the barn; I've found quite a lot of stuff that needs doctoring, and -I want you to put everything in first-class shape." - -"I'll do my best." - -Farmer Farrell led the way, and Jack was soon as busy as a bee, putting -the machines in running order and overhauling other farming implements. - -[Illustration: JACK WAS SOON AS BUSY AS A BEE, PUTTING THE MACHINES IN -RUNNING ORDER AND OVERHAULING OTHER FARMING IMPLEMENTS.] - -"Why didn't you stop this morning?" asked the farmer, presently. He had -intended going reaping, but Jack's handy use of tools interested him and -made him linger. - -In an easy manner that did not interfere with his work, the young -machinist narrated the particulars of what had occurred to detain him. - -"Well, now, that beats all! Trouble piling right up on top of ye! -Wonder if I don't know this Mosey," continued the farmer, reflectively. -"Is he a short man with a red beard?" - -"Yes." - -"Didn't he use to work over to Redrock?" - -"I believe he did." - -"Then I reckon I do. He's a bad egg. I used to sell the company he -worked for hay for packing, and Mosey used to weigh it. Several times, -when I was sure it was correct, he reported short, and when I spoke to -him about it, he said it would never be right until I made it right with -him, or, in other words, paid him for his good will." - -"How did it turn out?" asked Jack, interested in the story. - -"Oh, I spoke of it to the owners, but they believed his side of the -story, and I lost their trade. But, all the same, he was discharged a -month later for being drunk. If I ain't mistaken, I saw him pass early -yesterday morning." - -"I just wish I could lay hands on him," returned the young machinist; "I -don't believe he would keep out of the way if he wasn't guilty." - -"Maybe I'll see him," said the farmer. "If I do I'll watch him, and let -you know." - -It was close on to six o'clock when Jack finished the work. During the -afternoon he had done jobs for which he asked five dollars, and farmer -Farrell, who knew that he would have been charged twice as much in the -town, paid the bill without a murmur. - -Ten minutes later, with his kit under his arm, and the new five-dollar -bill tucked safely in his vest pocket, the young machinist started for -home. - -The sun was setting, and the road, shaded for its greater part by large -trees, was growing dark rapidly. - -About midway of the distance to Corney stood an old mill, abandoned -several years before, whose disused water-wheel still hung idly over the -swiftly flowing river beneath. - -It was a ghostly looking structure, and having the reputation of being -haunted, was seldom visited, except by adventurous tourists and by -amateur photographers, who remained at a safe distance to take views of -the really picturesque locality. - -As Jack passed the mill, he saw a man approach from the opposite -direction. Judge of his astonishment when he recognized the individual -as Andy Mosey! - -He had seen the young machinist at the same instant, and turning rapidly -from the road, he darted to one side of the mill. - -For a second Jack stood still, hardly able to move. But he quickly -recovered, and dropping his kit, which was heavy, he started in pursuit. - -"He shall not escape me," he resolved. "He is larger than I, but I am -not afraid to meet him face to face." - -There was a large shed attached to the mill, and entering this, the -young machinist looked carefully around to see if he could find any -trace of the man. But a brief search assured him that the place had not -been disturbed for months. - -Passing through the partly open door, he entered the lower floor of the -mill, and found himself in the presence of Dennis Corrigan, Mosey's -brother-in-law. - -"What do you want here?" demanded Corrigan, springing up from the bench -upon which he had been seated. - -Jack could hardly form a proper reply. With two men against him, he -realized that he was in a bad fix. - -"Why, I didn't know that you were here, Corrigan," he began. "I -thought----" - -Jack never finished the sentence. He heard a noise behind him, but -before he could turn to see what it was, he received a cruel blow on the -head, and then all became a dark, terrible blank. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - INTO THE RIVER - - -Slowly and painfully, with a dull ache in his head, and an uncertain -look in his eyes, Jack returned to his senses. A thin stream of blood -trickled down his neck, and putting up his hand he felt a large lump -under the hair. - -"It must have been Mosey who struck me," was his first thought as he -gathered his scattered faculties together. "Well, thank God, he didn't -kill me." - -It was some time before he felt any desire to rise, and when he finally -did so, he found himself weaker than he had anticipated. - -"The coward!" was the young machinist's comment. "To strike me -unawares. I knew he disliked me, but hasn't he wronged me enough -already?" - -Jack did not know--nor, indeed, could he have understood--the bitter -hatred the Irishman bore him. - -The only pride of Andy Mosey's life was his bull pup and his son Mike, -and to have the young machinist occupying a position he thought his son -should have, had always been more than this hot-tempered fellow was -inclined to bear. - -The place in which Jack found himself was totally dark, whether because -it had no windows, or because it was night, he could not tell. - -He groped around, and seeing a ray of light coming up from beneath, -applied his eye to what proved to be a knot-hole in the floor. - -He was surprised to find the river flowing directly below, and knew at -once that he was in the lowest part of the old mill, opposite the -ancient wheel. - -"They must have carried me here," he said to himself. "I wonder how -long ago?" - -He felt his way along the walls, and at last reached the door. He was -on the point of lifting the latch, when it was thrown open, and by the -the rays of a lantern that at first dazzled him, he saw himself -confronted by Dennis Corrigan and Andy Mosey. - -"So ye'v cum to yer sinses at last, have ye?" was Mosey's greeting, as -he set down the lantern. "Ye wint down moighty easy, so ye did." - -"I'd like to know what right you have to treat me in this shameful -manner," demanded Jack, indignantly. - -"Never moind," returned the Irishman; "it will teach ye a lesson not to -tell lying stories about me." - -"I haven't said anything but what I believe to be true," replied Jack, -pointedly. - -"Sure, now, is that raly so? Well, ye can suffer for thinking wrong," -continued Mosey. "Oi niver----" - -"Oh, stop your everlasting jaw!" broke in Corrigan, who was more -practical in his way than his brother-in-law. "Never mind what you've -done, and what you haven't done. The question is, what are we to do -with the boy, now he's here?" - -The Irishman scratched his head. - -"It won't do to let him go," he said. - -"Suppose we search his pockets," suggested Corrigan. - -Jack uttered an exclamation. - -"What do you mean?" he demanded; "you wouldn't dare?" - -Corrigan laughed. The young machinist did not yet know that this man -was at heart a thorough villain. - -"Wait and see," he remarked, coolly. "Put your back to the door, Andy, -and don't let him escape." - -Corrigan was a heavily built and powerful man, and in his present -condition Jack knew that he was no match for such an opponent. - -"What do you want?" asked the young machinist. - -"Want to see what you have with you. Come, show up." - -Jack's head still ached from the rough treatment it had received. He -did not wish to court another such blow, and so did as demanded. - -A knife, ten cents, the five-dollar bill farmer Farrell had given him, -and a copy of his agreement with Mr. Benton were all the articles of -value that he carried. - -"Here's something for you, Andy," observed Corrigan, tossing over the -ten-cent piece. "The price of a drink." - -Corrigan quietly slipped the five-dollar bill into his own clothes. -Then opening the agreement, he held it near the lantern and read it -carefully. It seemed to interest him greatly, and muttering something -to himself, he shoved it into the inside pocket of his coat. - -"Do you intend to rob me outright?" exclaimed Jack, whose blood boiled -at such treatment. - -"If that's what you call it, I suppose we do," was Corrigan's reply. - -The young machinist was now becoming more used to the situation, and he -determined to submit no longer. He noticed that Mosey had unconsciously -moved to one side, and watching his chance, he sprang for the door. - -But Corrigan was too quick for him, and with a reach of his long arm he -caught the young machinist by the collar, and held him until Mosey had -again reached the door. - -Jack's grit was up and he wrestled with all his strength. He caught his -antagonist by the waist, and literally threw him to the floor. - -"Hit him. Andy, hit him!" screamed Corrigan, trying to regain his feet. - -Mosey approached Jack with the same stick he had used in the first -encounter. The young machinist caught the blow upon the left arm, and -retaliated by landing one square from the shoulder on the Irishman's -nasal organ. He did not believe in pugilism, but knew something of the -art of self-defense; and used his knowledge to good advantage. - -He followed up the first blow by another, and had just gained the door -for the second time, when Corrigan, with a vile exclamation, seized the -heavy brass lantern, and swinging it over his head, brought it down with -all force upon Jack's neck. - -The blow half stunned the young machinist, and before he could recover -he was on his back, with Corrigan on top of him. - -"Phat shall we do?" asked Mosey in bewilderment. Jack's unexpected -attack had surprised and dismayed him. - -"Get that rope upstairs," gasped Corrigan, who was well-nigh winded; -"we'll bind him so tight that he won't give us any more trouble." - -The Irishman disappeared for a few moments. - -When he returned he held a stout cord in his hand, with which the two -bound the young machinist securely, hands and feet. - -"We'll leave him here for the present," said Corrigan, when they had -finished their work. "Come on," and taking up the lantern, which in -spite of its rough usage still remained lit, he led the way up stairs -followed by Mosey. - -"Well, I'm in a pretty fix, and no mistake," was Jack's mental decision -when alone. "So far, my exertions to gain freedom haven't amounted to -anything. But if they think that I'm going to give up already, they are -mistaken." - -He tugged at the cords, and by a strong effort managed, though not -without painful squeezing, to pull his feet free. - -His hands, however, were placed altogether too closely to allow of a -similar proceeding, and he endeavored to find some means of cutting the -fastening. - -He remembered that the latch of the door was a rusty one, and rough on -its lower side. Walking over to this, he began to rub the cord along -the edge in the hope of severing it, but the improvised saw--if it might -be called such--was not a handy tool, and half an hour passed before he -made any material progress. - -"It's mighty slow work," he said to himself: "but it's bound to wear -away sooner or later." - -Presently a heavy step sounded outside on the stairs, and a moment later -Andy Mosey pitched into the room. - -He was in a sad state of intoxication, and his face was red with anger. - -"Been tellin' foine sthories about me!" he exclaimed. "Saying I sthole -yer match-box an' set foire to old Gray's house! Oi'll fix ye!" - -[Illustration: "BEEN TELLIN' FOINE STHORIES ABOUT ME!" HE EXCLAIMED. -"SAYIN' I STHOLE YER MATCH-BOX AN' SET FOIRE TO OLD GRAY'S HOUSE! OI'LL -FIX YE!"] - -He held a heavy stick in his hand, and as he spoke he brought it down -with full force on Jack's head. The young machinist went down like a -shot. - -"Tellin' loies about me!" continued Mosey, as he dragged the half -senseless body to the water's edge. - -"Help! Help!" cried Jack, in a feeble voice. - -But his cries were of no avail, and the next instant the young machinist -was being swept by the rushing tide down the stream, to the roaring -falls below. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - SOMETHING ABOUT THE MODEL - - -Deb grew anxious when seven o'clock came and Jack did not put in an -appearance. Under ordinary circumstances, she would not have minded it, -but the events of the past two days combined to make her worry more than -usual. She sat by the window, watching the stream of people returning -from work, and then, when it was half after the hour, put on her hat and -descended to the street below. - -She walked slowly in the direction of the Redrock road, in hope of -meeting her brother. At the end of three blocks, she came face to face -with Mont Gray, who had just been finishing up some accounts at the tool -works. - -"Where are you going, may I ask?" he said, with a smile. - -"To meet Jack," replied Deb. "He ought to be home by this time." - -"Perhaps the work took longer than he expected," observed the young man. -"You know he hates to leave a job until it's done." - -"Oh, I know that. But I wish he would come, anyway; I can't bear to -have him away now." - -"Depend upon it, he can take good care of himself," added Mont. "Come, -shall I walk home with you?" - -"I suppose I might as well go," returned the girl, slowly, and turned -back. "Oh, I'm so awfully nervous," she added. - -"Your troubles have been too much for you," he answered, kindly. "They -would have been for almost any one." - -Though Mont's capital was, as we know, rather limited, he was anxious to -help Deb and Jack all he could. Yet he hardly knew how to broach the -subject. - -"Did you--did Mr. Hammerby call again?" he asked, hesitatingly. - -"Yes, and gave us a three days' notice to quit," replied the girl. -"He----" - -"He shall not put you out!" exclaimed the young man, vehemently. "It's -an outrage! It's bad enough for my uncle to believe your brother -guilty, but to put you out----" - -"But we are not going," continued Deb. - -"I don't blame you. If I can help you----?" he began. - -"No, you don't understand," returned Deb, quickly. "It's real good of -you to offer help, but we don't need it," and she told him of the money -Mr. Benton was to pay over on the following morning. - -"I'm glad to hear you're going to get some cash out of that man," -remarked Mont. "Although even so, he made a sharp bargain with Jack." - -A few minutes later they reached the house. - -"Will you come up?" asked Deb. - -"I haven't time," he replied. "I've got to do an errand for my uncle. -Maybe afterward, if I have a chance I'll take a look for Jack, and come -up with him." - -"Oh, I wish you would," she returned, "I know it's dreadfully silly for -me to be so easily worried, but I can't help it." - -"Oh, it's all right, I suppose. If I was in his place maybe I'd like to -be worried about, too," and away went Mont, whistling quite a merry air. - -The young girl entered the kitchen and lit the lamp. It was now -half-past eight, and as the people of the neighborhood were hard -workers. who retired early, the streets were comparatively quiet. - -She left the supper dishes upon the table, and putting some extra coal -into the stove, set the tea and other things so that they might keep -warm. - -It was a dreary evening for her. She did not care much to read--actual -life interested her far more than books--and now all her thoughts were -centered on Jack. - -"It's a pretty long walk from that farmer's place," she kept saying to -herself. "But he will come soon, oh, he must come soon." - -Her reflections were broken by hearing an unknown step upon the stairs, -followed by a sharp rap at the door. - -Hardly knowing whom to expect at this hour of the night, she bade the -person enter. - -The newcomer was Dennis Corrigan! - -Deb did not know the man. She had seen him on the streets, but though -he was fairly well dressed, she was not taken by his general appearance. - -"Does Jack Willington live here?" asked Corrigan, with a hasty glance -around the kitchen, to see who might be present. - -"Yes, sir," replied Deb, and then realizing that the man might have news -for her, she continued quickly: "Did he send you?" - -"Yes, Miss. He said I was to get a model that he had here." - -This assertion surprised the girl. What in the world could Jack want -with his model this time of night? - -"Where is my brother?" she asked. - -Corrigan was not prepared to answer this question. - -"He is--down the street," he stammered. - -"Where?" - -"Why--down in McGlory's saloon." - -This reply was a fatal blunder for Corrigan, who by a little scheme of -his own, had proposed to get the model into his possession without any -difficulty. - -"In McGlory's saloon!" repeated Deb, in amazement. "Why, Jack doesn't -drink." - -"Oh, yes, he does--once in a while," replied Corrigan, glibly. - -"You're mistaken!" returned Deb, sharply. "What does he want the model -for?" - -She was growing a trifle suspicious. The article in question was -valuable, and just now doubly so. - -"I don't know what he's going to do with it. Got it handy?" - -Involuntarily Deb glanced over to where the model stood covered with a -cloth. She regretted the action an instant after, for Corrigan's eyes -watched her closely. - -"How far is that saloon from here?" she asked. - -"Only a few blocks." - -"Queer he didn't come for it himself." - -"He was too busy. He asked me to go for him, and sent this paper as an -order. He said you'd know all about it," replied Corrigan, and he -handed out the agreement he had stolen from Jack. - -Deb recognized the paper at once. Jack must certainly have given it to -the man, and yet, for a reason she could not explain, she felt that all -was not right. - -One thing she remembered; her brother had repeatedly cautioned her not -to let outsiders examine the model under any plea. To place it, -therefore, in a stranger's hands seemed a risk she did not care to -assume. - -"What's the matter?" asked Corrigan, as Deb still hesitated. "Ain't it -all right?" - -He was growing uneasy, fearful of being interrupted just at the moment -when the prize was almost within his grasp. - -"I would rather have my brother come for it himself," said the girl -finally. - -"He can't come; he's too busy," persisted the intruder. - -"It wouldn't take long to get it if he is only a few blocks away." - -"Yes, but he doesn't want to leave. He has a chance of selling it to a -man for big money, and he's afraid the man may back out if he leaves -him." - -Deb was sorely perplexed. The man might be speaking the truth, in which -case she did not for the world wish Jack to lose the chance of striking -a bargain. - -"So I'll take it right along at once," continued Corrigan, stepping over -to where the model stood. - -But, at this instant, a bright idea came into the girl's head. She knew -that she could trust Mr. Snitzer, or one of his sons, and was sure that -any one of them would do her a favor willingly. - -"You need not take so much trouble," she exclaimed, stepping between the -man and the model. "Just leave the address of the place, and I will send -it up at once." - -This was a staggerer for Corrigan, and he knew not how to answer. - -"No, I'll take it myself," he replied, roughly. - -His words sent a dreadful chill to Deb's heart. In an instant she -realized the man's true object, and her own helpless condition. - -"What do you mean?" she cried in terror. - -"I mean that if you won't give me the model I'll take it." - -The words had hardly been uttered before Deb gave a terrible scream. - -"Stop your noise!" hissed Corrigan, jumping to her side, and clapping -his hand over her mouth. - -The girl struggled to escape, but she was as a feather in this powerful -fellow's arms, and half fainting, she felt herself borne into the next -room, and the door locked upon her. - -Then she heard Corrigan pick up the model, and hurry down the stairs and -out of the house. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - MR. BENTON MAKES TROUBLE - - -"Help! Help!" - -"Vas is dot?" exclaimed Mrs. Snitzer, who had been dozing in the rocking -chair awaiting her son's return. - -"Sounds like some von vas in troubles," replied her husband, from the -sofa. - -Both sprang to their feet and hurried to the door. - -Mrs. Snitzer had scarcely opened it when a man rushed past her and out -of the front hall-way. - -"Help! Help!" - -"It vas Deb, for sure!" cried the German woman, and she ascended the -stairs as fast as her portly form would permit, closely followed by her -husband. - -It took but a moment to pass through the kitchen and unlock the door of -the adjoining chamber. They found Deb half dead from fright, and vainly -endeavoring to escape. - -"Oh, Mrs. Snitzer, a man has just stolen Jack's model!" gasped the poor -girl. "He ran down stairs." - -"Ve saw him," put in Mr. Snitzer. "I go me after him," he continued, -hurrying off as rapidly as his legs would move. - -"Oh, what will Jack say when he hears that it's gone!" moaned Deb. - -"Tell me apout it," said the kindly German woman. - -She took the excited girl in her arms, and stroking the soft, curly -hair, tried to calm Deb as best she could. - -In a nervous voice the girl told her story. She was on the verge of -hysterics, and it was only Mrs. Snitzer's quick sense of comprehension -that enabled her fully to understand the situation. - -In about ten minutes Mr. Snitzer returned. The look upon his face told -plainly that he had failed in the pursuit. - -"It vas no use," he said, "I couldn't see nodding of him;" and he -dropped into a chair exhausted. - -Deb's grief was hard to witness. It was bad enough to have Jack away, -but to have some one steal his precious model, the idea of his life, was -too dreadful to contemplate. - -"I shall never get over it," she sobbed; "I ought to have been more -careful!" - -Mrs. Snitzer let her cry it out. Experience had taught her that it -would do no good to check the flow of tears. She motioned her husband -to leave, while she herself made preparations to stay all night. - -As the hours wore on Deb for a while forgot the model in her anxiety -concerning Jack's welfare. As long as she could remember, her brother -had never remained away over night, and whether by premonition or -otherwise, she was positive something dreadful had happened. - -With the first break of day she was on the watch. She prepared no -breakfast, nor did she touch that which the German woman generously -offered. - -Deb wandered up and down the street for two hours. - -Still no Jack. - -She visited the neighbors. Had this one seen him? No. Perhaps that -one had? Not since yesterday morning. - -Suddenly she grew very pale, and with faltering steps approached the -jail. - -The doorkeeper greeted her with evident surprise. - -"What brings you here this morning?" he asked. - -"My brother has been missing since last night," replied Deb, in a -choking voice, "and I thought that perhaps you had--had locked him up -again!" - -"Why, no. Haven't seen him since he left," replied the man. "Missing, -eh!" He gave a low whistle, "Hope he hasn't jumped his bail." - -"What do you mean?" - -"Run away to escape trial." - -"Jack wouldn't do that." - -"Can't tell. Fellows do unexpected things sometimes. So you don't know -where he's gone?" - -"No." - -The doorkeeper reflected for a moment. - -"Didn't he accuse somebody else of being the cause of the fire?" he -asked. - -"Yes, sir; he was almost certain it was done by a man named Mosey." - -"And I believe this Mosey couldn't be found?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then maybe your brother has a clue, and is on the man's track." - -This put the affair in a new light. - -"Perhaps you are right," said Deb, slowly. - -"Guess I am. Hope so, anyway." - -"Thank you." - -The girl breathed more freely when she got to the street. There was a -good deal of consolation in what the doorkeeper had said. - -She walked over toward the tool works, and saw Mont at one of the -windows. A second later the young man came out with a packet of -letters. - -"I've just finished what remained of the work," he said. "Now I won't -have hardly anything to do until we start up again." - -He was surprised to learn that Jack had not yet put in his appearance. - -"The doorkeeper must be right," he observed reflectively. "Who it was -though, that stole the model, I can't imagine. Tell you what I'll do. -I'll post these letters, and then walk out to that farmer's place and -find out what I can." - -When Deb returned home she found a man and a boy in the hall, waiting -for her. - -"Are you Miss Willington?" asked the man, politely. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then I'm sorry, but unless you are able to pay the rent that is due, I -have orders to put you out of the house." - -Deb shrunk back in horror. - -"Out of the house?" she repeated! - -"Yes, ma'am, Mr. Hammerby served you with a three days' notice to quit, -I believe?" - -"He did--two days ago." - -"Three days----" - -"No, only two." - -"Will you please let me see the paper?" - -"He dated it a day back," explained Deb. - -The man shrugged his shoulders. - -"If he did, you should have complained of it at the time. I am a -constable, and we people always go by the paper. I'm sorry to disturb -you." - -"Where will you--you put us?" faltered the girl, with a white face. - -"Set your goods in the street," was the matter-of-fact reply. The -constable was old in the service, and many cruel scenes had hardened his -heart. - -"Into the street!" wailed the poor girl. - -"That's what I said, unless, of course, you can raise the eight dollars -that's due." - -"I haven't it now. But my brother expected to get fifty dollars from a -man for an interest in an invention of his." - -"When?" - -"To-day. But my brother is away." - -"Can't you get it?" - -"Perhaps I can," replied Deb, hesitatingly. "I'll try, anyway. Will you -wait till I come back?" - -"Certainly," replied the constable, and he took a chair, and began to -read the morning paper that he had brought with him. - -While Deb was getting ready for her urgent errand, there was a noise -outside, and Mr. Benton himself appeared. - -"Where is your brother?" he demanded, without any preliminary -salutation. - -"I don't know, sir," replied the girl, her breath almost taken away by -the suddenness of the question. - -"They told me he was missing," continued the speculator. "I suppose -that you have the model safe?" - -"No, sir. It was stolen last evening." - -Deb began to cry again. Mr. Benton caught her arm roughly. - -"I don't believe a word you say!" he exclaimed, in harsh tones. "It's -only a plot to do me out of my rights! But it won't work, understand -that, it won't work. Either you must produce the model, or else I'll -have you arrested for fraud!" - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - DRIVEN FROM HOME - - -Deb looked at Mr. Benton in horror. It was only after several seconds -that she fully realized the terrible accusation which he had brought -against her. - -"A plot!" she faltered. "What do you mean?" - -"Only this," continued Mr. Benton, "your brother has run away to escape -trial, and he has taken the model with him. You have helped him to do -this. But it won't work. I pay my way, and a bargain's a bargain. If -I have to pay the thousand dollars, I'll have the model or I'll know the -reason why." - -"But how do you know Jack has run away?" - -"If he hasn't, where is he?" - -"He went to a job in the country yesterday morning and hasn't returned -yet." - -"And you expect me to believe that story?" sneered the speculator. - -"It's the truth," replied Deb, bursting into tears. "I'm sure Jack will -come back. The model was stolen by a man who said my brother had sent -him for it." - -"And are you positive that your brother did not send him for it?" - -"Almost, sir, because the man ran away with it when I promised to send -it by some one else." - -"Humph! Well, we'll see; I'll let the matter rest until to-morrow, and -then we'll have a settlement." - -With these words Mr. Benton pulled his hat more tightly than usual over -his small, round head, and tripped down the stairs and out of the -building. - -Deb's heart sank like a clod. Her last hope was gone. She had counted -on getting help from the speculator, and the result had been directly -the opposite. - -"Rec'on you won't get anything out of him," was the constable's grim -comment. He had listened in silence to the brief interview, and now -arose to continue his disagreeable but necessary duty. - -"Isn't there any way at all of having this thing stopped?" asked the -girl, bitterly. - -"No; unless you get the money," was the man's reply, and pulling off his -coat, he took up a couple of chairs, and marched down stairs. - -Deb jumped up and followed him. Her heart beat wildly, and something in -her throat nearly choked her. What could she do? Her thoughts ran to -Mrs. Snitzer. She knew the kind German woman needed money as much as -any of the tool works people did, but perhaps she could give some help, -or offer some advice. - -She flew to the door of her neighbor's apartments, and knocked eagerly. -No answer came, and then she knocked more loudly than ever. - -Suddenly she remembered that Mrs. Snitzer had signified her intention of -taking her whole family to her brother's farm for a few days, and -possibly until the end of the shut-down. - -"It's no use, they're all gone!" she sighed. "There is no help to be -had!" - -Meanwhile the constable worked rapidly. In his time he had been in -situations where the neighbors had interfered with him, and he wished to -get away as soon as possible. - -Soon there was quite a respectable stock of furniture and other -household effects piled upon the sidewalk. Deb packed up the smaller -stuff as fast as she could--the china and crockery in baskets, and the -clothing and linen in the two old family trunks. Truth to admit, the -constable did not hurry her a bit more than he could help. - -Presently Deb went below to see that no one should walk away with some -of their belongings. Her eyes were red and swollen, and a more wretched -girl could not have been found in all Corney. - -As she sat down on one of the upturned wash tubs she wondered what she -was to do. She had no neighbors, and with the exception of the Snitzers -they were all strangers to her--they on their part deeming her "stuck -up," and perhaps rejoicing to see her placed in her present humiliating -position. - -The wild hope of Jack's return came constantly to her mind, and twice -she ran down to the corner vainly straining her eyes to catch sight of -his well-known form. - -"If I had only accepted Mont's aid," she thought, "I wonder where I -could find him?" - -Presently the constable brought down the very last of the goods, and -locking up the rooms, went away. - -"Why, Deb, I declare, I didn't know you were going to move. You didn't -say anything of it last Sunday. How lucky I came before you were gone! -or, perhaps, how unlucky to come when you are all upside down. Never -mind, go right ahead, and don't pay any attention to me. It's an awful -job, isn't it? I haven't experienced moving in ten years, but I -remember well that I didn't get straightened out for two months, and -then it took twice that long to get accustomed to the new place. Where -did you say you were moving to?" - -And having thus delivered herself in one breath, the speaker, a -middle-aged lady, who wore blue glasses, and was slightly deaf, took -Deb's hand in a quick, nervous grasp, and peered into the care-worn -face. - -"Oh, Miss Parks, we are not moving at all!" cried out the girl, laying -her head on her Sunday-school teacher's shoulder. - -"Glad I called?" queried Miss Parks, misunderstanding her. "Well, now, -seeing things as they are, I didn't expect it. But, maybe I can help -you. I'm not overdressed, so just tell me what to do, and I'll go right -to work. Hasn't the truck-man come yet?" - -"We--are--not--moving," repeated Deb, putting her mouth close to Miss -Parks's ear. - -"No? Why--why--then something dreadful has happened, all your furniture -out here on the sidewalk, with the dust a-blowing on 'em. What is -it--fire? That's a dreadful thing. Even if things are not burned up, -the smoke gets in 'em, and you can't get it out." - -"It isn't fire," returned the unhappy girl, "it's because we can't pay -the rent." - -"Oh, dear!" Miss Parks was all sympathy at once. "I thought your -brother was doing pretty well now," she added. - -"So he was. But the tool works have shut down, and we can't get a cent -from the bank." - -The elderly maiden caught at the words. - -"The bank! Isn't it awful. They wouldn't give me mine, yesterday, and -I wanted it the worst way, too. But tell me about your trouble." - -In a few words, spoken as plainly as possible, Deb poured her tale into -the lady's ear. - -"I heard about your brother being arrested for the fire," remarked Miss -Parks. "But I didn't believe it. Mr. Long says Jack is such a good -fellow, and such an excellent scholar." - -"I'm glad you think so," burst out the girl. "Oh, Miss Parks, if people -only knew Jack as well as I do, they wouldn't say such horrid things -about him." - -"Well, dear, we all have our trials, and must ask Him to help us bear -them," replied the elderly maiden, with sincere piety. "But about the -rent. How much is it?" - -"Six dollars." - -"Not much, truly. But it's more than I have, or I'd pay it in a minute. -Have you any money at all?" - -"Not over three dollars." - -Miss Parks drew out her pocketbook, and examined the contents. - -"Just a dollar," she exclaimed. "I declare we are both poor, with money -in the bank, too." She paused a moment in deep thought. "I'll tell you -what you might do." - -"What?" asked Deb, eagerly. - -"Move your things down to my house. I'll let you have the back bedroom -and attic, and when you're settled we'll see what is to be done. Jack -will be back before a great while, I'm certain." - -Miss Parks was entirely alone in the world. The house that she occupied -was her own, left her by an invalid uncle, whom she had nursed -constantly during the last four years of his life. She was a -dress-maker, and a lady's companion, and earned a fair living--a goodly -portion of which found its way to charity and the church--for she was a -devout Christian, and an earnest worker in the cause. - -"Oh, thank you!" cried Deb, a heavy weight taken from her mind. "But -won't it be inconvenient for you?" - -"Not a bit. In fact I think I'll enjoy company." - -"Then I'll accept your offer," continued the girl, "And I think it is -real good of you to let me come." - -Miss Parks bent down and kissed the tired cheeks. - -"You're a good girl, Deb," she said. "You don't deserve such a trial as -this." - -A little later a truckman was engaged who speedily transferred the -household goods to Deb's new home. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - ON THE RIVER ROAD - - -Mont Gray hastened to the Corney postoffice with all possible speed. -For his own sake, as well as for Deb's he wished to dispatch his -business as quickly as possible, so as to devote the remainder of the -day to hunting up Jack. - -He was afraid that something out of the ordinary had befallen his -friend. He had not wished to add to Deb's already deep anxiety, but he -knew Jack too well to imagine that the young machinist would willfully -keep his sister in ignorance of his whereabouts. - -This feeling upon the young man's part might not have been so strong had -all other surroundings been more tranquil. But since the shut-down at -the tool works the air had been filled with murmurs of -dissatisfaction--augmented largely by the suspension of the bank, and -everywhere there prevailed a vague feeling that something was about to -happen. - -One thing was certain. Not a single one of his employes were satisfied -with Mr. Felix Gray's management, and there were plenty of hot-headed -men who wished him joy over his burnt mansion. - -It did not take Mont long to post the letters, and then he struck out at -once for the Farrell place. - -It was a glorious morning, bright and clear, and when he reached the -Redrock road he found the birds singing as merrily as could be. - -In spite of the unpleasant things that had happened, Mont felt -wonderfully light-hearted, the secret of which was that he was doing -something for Deb--a service which he knew she would appreciate, and one -which, therefore, he was more than willing to do. - -As the young man walked along the river bank whistling cheerily to -himself he espied a man coming toward him. - -A moment later he recognized the individual as Andy Mosey. - -"Wonder what he is doing out here," said Mont to himself. "Perhaps the -prison keeper was right, and Jack is on his track--may be watching his -chance to get evidence to convict him." When the discovery took place -Mont was at a spot where the road ran close to the bank, and here he -waited for the Irishman to come up. - -As Mosey approached, it was easy to see that he had been drinking -heavily. In truth it was but the continuance of his potations of the -previous day. - -"He had better take care, or he'll go over the bank, sure," was the -young man's mental observation, as he watched the reeling form. - -As Mosey drew nearer Mont noticed that his eyes were deeply sunken, and -that despite the drink, his face looked pale and haggard. - -"Possibly he is worried over his wrongdoings," thought Mont, hitting -more truth than he imagined. "It's a pity such a strong fellow can't -keep from liquor." - -The Irishman shuffled directly toward Mont, without apparently noticing -him. - -"Hello," exclaimed the young man, sharply. "Where bound?" - -The Irishman started up in surprise. - -"Where you--hic--goin'?" he asked. - -"I'm looking for Jack Willington. Have you seen him?" - -Mosey gave a shudder. The remembrance of that awful scene in the old -mill still hung in his mind. - -"No--hic--no," he answered hastily. "Oi haven't see the b'y for two -days," and he gave a lurch outward. - -"Take care!" exclaimed Mont. "If you tumble over that bank you'll never -get out again." - -The Irishman drew as far away as possible from the water. - -"You're roight, Mont, me b'y," he mumbled. "It's sure death, and -no--hic--foolin'." - -"So you're certain that you haven't seen Jack?" continued Mont. "He has -been out here I know." - -The effect of his last words was a truly astonishing one. With a cry of -drunken rage, Mosey sprang toward him, his eyes blazing with fury. - -"Ye can't come it over--hic--me!" he shouted. "Ye think ye're schmart, -but yo're left this--hic--toime." - -"What do you mean?" ejaculated Mont. - -The extraordinary change in the Irishman's manner nearly dumbfounded -him. - -"Ye know well enough." - -"Then you have seen him?" exclaimed the young man. "Oh, I see. He -knows a thing or two about you, and----" - -"He don't know--hic--nothin',--now," hiccoughed the Irishman. The -liquor had muddled his brain. - -"What!" gasped Mont, with a sudden sense of horror. "You--you----" he -began. - -He was standing with his heels against a small rock that overhung the -bank. - -"Ye can foind out fer--hic--yerself!" snarled Mosey, and with a quick -spring he gave the young man a push that sent him spinning over -backward. Mont tried to catch hold of the rock, but the smooth surface -slipped from under his hands. He grasped the small bushes--they came -out by the roots. He felt himself going down--down;--the glint of the -sunshine upon the water sparkled in his face and then? - -[Illustration: WITH A QUICK SPRING HE GAVE THE YOUNG MAN A PUSH THAT -SENT HIM SPINNING OVER BACKWARD.] - -Mosey got down flat on the rocks and crawling to the edge, peered over -the bank. He saw Mont's hat rise to the surface, and float swiftly -along with the bounding stream. - -"He's gone!" he muttered, hoarsely, after waiting for further signs of -his victim. "Gone to the bottom!" - -He crawled back to the middle of the road, and arose to his feet. - -The awful occurrence had for the time sobered him, and he moved forward -without a stagger. - -"Bad worruk Oi'm doin'!" he muttered to himself. "Phat will Dennis say?" - -The thought of his brother-in-law's possible condemnation of his actions -made him shiver. He turned and slowly retraced his steps from whence he -had come. He had not quite reached the spot when Corrigan's voice -sounded in his ear. - -"Where have you been?" he demanded. - -"Oi thought Oi'd go to Corney, but Oi changed me moind," was Mosey's -reply. - -"Good thing you did. They want you up there." - -"Phat for?" - -Mosey had stopped at the door, and now looked at his brother-in-law -sharply. - -"Oh, for setting fire to Gray's house," said Corrigan, with a laugh. - -"Oh, Oi thought----" the Irishman suddenly checked himself. "Say, Oi -didn't see ye on the road," he continued. - -"I came up by the back way," replied Corrigan. - -"Phy?" - -Corrigan made no reply. To tell the truth, he did not wish Mosey to -know that he had stolen Jack's model, and that precious article was now -safely hidden in the loft of the mill. - -"Phy don't ye answer me question?" continued Andy Mosey. - -"Oh, I thought I'd try the other way for a change," said Corrigan, as -lightly as possible. "How is the young fellow?" he continued, changing -the subject. - -"He's--he's gone," faltered Mosey. "He--he had a mishap, and fell into -the wather." - -"Drowned?" - -"Yes." - -Corrigan gave a whistle of surprise. He was on the point of asking the -particulars, but suddenly changed his mind. - -"Well, I'm glad he's out of the way," he declared. - -Mosey walked into the mill, and sat down on a bench, the picture of fear -and misery. Corrigan did not pay any further attention to him, but went -upstairs and examined the model he had stolen. - -"It is a beautiful piece of work!" was his mental comment, "and if I -only work it right I'll make a neat stake out of it!" he added as he hid -it away again. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - JACK'S DANGEROUS POSITION - - -Meanwhile how had Jack fared? - -His last cry for help had been cut short by his plunge into the river. -With his hands still bound tightly behind him, he felt himself sink many -feet, and then a few seconds later he regained the surface, and shook -the water from his face. He found that the swiftly flowing tide had -carried him several rods from the old mill, and well out toward -mid-stream. - -"I'm surely lost!" he said to himself with a shudder. "The falls are -not more than a quarter of a mile below, and when I reach there----" - -A shiver finished the sentence. In time past he had heard of several -persons being carried over, and not one had lived to tell the story. -What hope was there then for him? - -He remembered that half way to the falls the stream narrowed -considerably where the tide rushed with a roar that was deafening, and -there were several huge rocks. Perhaps, if he could gain one of these, -when morning came he might devise some means of escape. - -He tried his best to slip off the cord from his wrists, which was the -same cord that had been fastened to his feet, and which now dragged a -considerable distance behind him. But the hemp was water soaked, and -cut into his flesh until it bled. - -On and on he was carried. It seemed that every instant the speed -increased. It was useless to cry out--no one was near, even if indeed, -his voice should reach the shore. His mind was filled with countless -anxious thoughts. What would his friends think of his absence? What -would Mont say? What would Deb do if he was lost? - -Thinking of his dear sister was more painful than aught else, and he -uttered a sincere prayer that his life might be spared, for her sake, if -not for his own. - -Presently, through the gloom came the noise of the water as it washed -over and around the rocks below. - -He lifted his head as high as possible, and strained his eyes to get a -view of the situation, but water and foam were alone in sight. - -Nearer and nearer he was now drawing. The water bubbled all around. -Then like a flash a black object loomed to the right. - -He struggled with all his power to gain it. Kicking and plunging, his -side struck a rock. - -He tried to grasp it, but it slipped. Another and still another passed. -The water surged on all sides. - -Suddenly his feet touched bottom. He threw himself with all his force -against the current. - -"Now or never!" were his thoughts. "For home and Deb!" - -He flung his body to one side where a sharp rock stuck out of the water -but a few inches, and, half turning, he threw his arm partly over it. - -His feet were swept from under him, and as the cord upon his wrists -still refused to part, his shoulder was nearly dislocated by the strain -that was thus brought to bear. - -Beside the sharp rock was another, and drawing a long breath, he -gradually worked his way until he lay flat upon its surface. - -This new resting place was not more than seven feet in length by three -in width, yet to Jack it seemed a perfect island, so much more -preferable was it to the cold water of the stream. - -The young machinist lay quiet for a long time. - -He was utterly exhausted, and it was no easy task to recover the wind -that had been knocked out of him. - -After a while, he turned over and sat up. He was afraid to try -standing, fearful of losing his footing. - -In the semi-darkness he calculated that the rocks leading to either -shore were fully fifteen or twenty feet away--a distance which, in such -a place as this, was as bad as a mile, so far as reaching them was -concerned. - -"If it was only a little lighter I might throw out the rope and catch -fast somewhere," he said to himself. "As it is, I suppose I'll have to -wait till morning." - -But waiting was far from agreeable. Had he been sure of eventually -escaping, it would have been different, but the doubt of this rendered -his mind extremely uneasy. - -Nearly an hour passed. It grew darker, and one by one the stars came -out. - -Ceaselessly the water tumbled and roared, as if it knew not the meaning -of rest. - -As we know, he had had but little sleep the night before, and now he was -fagged out. Several times his eyes closed and his head nodded, but he -always came to his senses. - -"It will never do to go to sleep here?" he exclaimed. "Guess I'll try -shouting. It will keep me awake, if nothing else." - -He used his lungs to their full capacity, yet his voice was no stronger -than the bleating of a lamb in a hurricane. - -"No one will ever hear me," was his dismal comment, and then he stopped. - -Another hour slowly passed. - -To Jack it seemed like an age. He was getting benumbed by the cold -water, and his limbs were stiff and sore. How long would it last? How -long could it last? - -Another hour! - -It must surely be morning soon--he had been there certainly a full night -already. Why didn't it grow light? - -His eyes closed for a moment--more from exhaustion than sleep--and then -they closed again. - -Why, what was this? - -Here he was safe at home! There was the supper table waiting, and Deb, -in her neat, white apron, pouring out the tea! Now they sat down -together and began to eat, when, hold up--there was a fire somewhere. -Was it in their home? Yes, it must be for the fireman was at the window -with a hose--and it was Mr. Gray! The water struck Jack in the ear. - -"Help! help! I----" - -The young machinist awoke in horror. He had slipped from the rock, and -was again being madly whirled down the stream! - -Oh! the agony of that moment! Why had he allowed himself to fall -asleep? - -Nothing but certain death now stared him in the face! - -In the dim dawn he looked ahead and saw the line of white that marked -the last of the breakwater above the awful descent. - -"I'm gone, sure!" he sighed. "Good-by to home and Deb!" - -On he swept with ever-increasing speed. The lofty brink was only a -hundred feet away--now it was seventy-five--now fifty! - -With a terrible cry he flung himself back, as if to ward off that which -was inevitable. - -Stop--what was this? The cord that was dragging behind him tightened; -it grew tighter still--it stopped his progress! - -"If it only holds!" was his one thought. - -He waited, and looked back to see how the hemp had become fastened, but -the surface of the water was without a break. - -It held, and as it gradually tightened more and more, there slowly arose -to the top, the limb of a huge tree that had probably been carried down -the stream by the spring freshet. - -The knot at the end of the rope had dragged itself fast in a notch -between two of the smaller branches, and before it could loose itself, -Jack caught the larger branch, and locked his feet tightly around it. - -His weight threw the tree still more on its side, and this placed him -high and dry several feet above the surface, and about a rod above the -falls! - -The position was a terrifying one. It made him dizzy to look at the -boiling water as it fell, and the vortex below was awful to contemplate. - -"I suppose this tree won't stick fast forever," he thought, "and even if -it does, how can I ever hope to reach shore from here?" - -How long he remained in this trying position, with life on one side, and -death on the other, Jack never knew. He clung fast as never before, and -to secure himself still further, tied the rope fast to the tree and to -his own body. - -It was now broad daylight. Surely some one passing on either shore -would see and assist him. - -But hour after hour dragged along, and no one came. It was getting -toward noon, and the sun sent a glare all over the sparkling water. - -What was this dark object that was floating so rapidly toward him? - -A man! - -The young machinist uttered an exclamation. The body came within his -reach, and leaning over, he stayed its progress. - -[Illustration: THE BODY CAME WITHIN HIS REACH, AND LEANING OVER, HE -STAYED ITS PROGRESS] - -The form was limp and motionless, the eyes closed. - -Jack turned it over. - -"Mont Gray!" he shrieked. "Oh, Mont, Mont, are you dead?" - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - OVER THE FALLS - - -Jack was never so amazed in his life as when he discovered that the -pale, senseless form that he had dragged upon the tree beside him was no -less a person than his friend, Mont Gray. But at that moment, he did -not stop to question how the young man had gotten into a position -similar to his own. His one thought was whether or not his friend was -alive. - -He placed the body as comfortably as possible on the fork of the tree, -and then watched eagerly for some sign of life. - -There was a cut upon Mont's brow, and presently a few drops of blood -oozed from the wound, and trickled down his cheek. - -Jack took this as a good sign, and he was not mistaken, for a few -seconds later the young man gave a deep sigh, and slowly opened his -eyes. - -"Where am I?" he asked, faintly. - -"Here with me, Mont," replied the young machinist, bending over him. -"Don't you know me?" - -"Jack!" was the low response. "Oh, how my head hurts! Where are we?" - -"On the river." - -"We are?" Mont attempted to rise, but Jack pushed him back. "Oh, I -remember now!" he continued, shuddering. - -"Remember what?" asked the young machinist, eagerly. - -"The push Mosey gave me over the bank. My head struck a rock, and I -don't know what happened after that. Where did you say we are?" - -"In the middle of the river, just above the falls." - -"How in the world did we get here? Oh, I see! You came out to rescue -me!" - -"No, I didn't. Mosey pitched me from the old mill last night, and I've -been in the water ever since. I saw your body floating along, and -without knowing who it was, caught hold and landed you here." - -"You've saved my life," exclaimed Mont, fervently. "I'll never forget -that, Jack!" - -"I don't know whether I've saved your life or not," returned the young -machinist, seriously. "It depends on whether we can reach shore or not; -we are close to the falls, and liable to go over at any minute." - -Mont pulled himself to a sitting position. - -"Better take care!" cried Jack, "or you'll fall off. I am tied fast, -and you are not. Here, take this end of the rope and bind yourself." - -"Never mind. I'm all right now," replied the young man, as he viewed -the situation. "It is a tight scrape, and no mistake," he added. -"Wonder how this tree is wedged fast? Must be between the rocks." - -"Yes, and it won't hold fast forever," returned Jack. - -"We must reach shore, if possible, without delay." - -"Easier said than done. Now if we had a rope----" - -"Will this do?" - -"No; it isn't long enough. Hello! something's giving way already!" - -At that instant the trunk of the tree quivered, and moved a foot or so -nearer the falls. - -"Hold fast for your life!" Jack called; "perhaps it has broken loose!" - -He had hardly uttered the words before the tree snapped its fastenings -and swept toward the falls. - -"Give me your hand, Mont," continued Jack, in a loud voice, seeing that -his friend could not secure a good hold. - -But before the young man could comply the tree turned over, and both -were immersed. - -In another instant, the willow, for such it was, had reached the brink. -Here it hesitated for a moment, and then with a sharp sound it dove over -the madly boiling mass into the maelstrom below! - -The noise was terrific. Jack held on, closing his eyes, and forgetting -everything. - -He felt himself go down, down--and still further. The water rang in his -ears, and many colors flickered in his mind's eye. The pressure from -above was tremendous. - -Ten seconds passed. He felt his senses leaving him. Mont's body bumped -against him, and unconsciously he threw his own body partly around that -of his friend. - -Then all became a dim, dark uncertainty. The willow did not remain -under the falls long. The rush of water soon forced it out into the -stream below, and once there, it shot along, bearing upon its topmost -branches two human bodies. - -It drifted in mid-stream, gradually diminishing its speed, until an -island stopped its further progress. - -It struck upon a sandy shore, and the upper end swung gently around, -catching fast in some overhanging bushes. - -The bright sun shone down upon the scene as tranquilly as ever. Its -warm rays apparently revived Jack, for, with a deep shudder--like one -awakening from a horrible dream--the young machinist opened his eyes and -endeavored to take in the situation. - -He felt as if he had been pulled and beaten until not a spot was left in -his body that did not ache. The rope was gone from his wrists, hands and -face were cut, and his clothing was torn in a dozen places. - -Yet he did not mind all this. He had a certain sense of security--a -knowledge that he had passed through a great peril in safety--that more -than outbalanced his present sufferings. - -Suddenly he thought of Mont. He started up to discover his friend lying -near, his face deadly white, and his head hanging over the branch like a -lump of lead. - -Jack saw that they were close to shore--where, he did not know nor care, -and gathering all his remaining strength, he clasped Mont in his arms, -and made a leap for solid ground. - -He reached the shore, deposited his friend's body on the grass, and -then, unable longer to stand, sank down beside the young man. - -The moments dragged wearily along. Jack felt himself growing stronger, -and by pure grit he arose and turned all his attention to Mont. - -"Looks as if he was dead!" was the young machinist's awful thought. "I -never saw a drowned man, but he is fearfully quiet. Yet, if there's a -spark of life left in him, I'll fan it up if I kill myself doing it." - -He knelt down, and taking off Mont's coat, unloosened his collar. Then -he rolled him on his back, raising the lower part of the body as high as -possible, which caused the water to run from Mont's mouth in a stream. - -After this he moved his friend's arms backward and forward to induce -respiration, and was rewarded presently by seeing the young man give a -gulp and a gasp for breath. - -"Thank heaven for that!" ejaculated Jack. "It's a good sign," and with -strengthened hopes he continued his efforts. - -It was fully half an hour before Mont came to himself and sat up. He, -too, was bewildered at the situation. - -"Where are we?" he asked, after a long silence, in which both sought to -regain their strength. - -"I think we are on Blackbird Island," replied Jack, slowly. "That is -just below the falls, you know." - -"Did we drift here?" - -"I suppose so. I don't know any more than you. I came to my senses on -the tree only a little while ago." - -Mont rolled over on his back and drew a long breath. - -"I'm tremendously tired," he explained. "Do you know anything of this -place?" - -"I have often heard of it, but was never here before. I wonder if -anyone lives here?" - -"Don't know. It looks rather wild." - -"Tell you what we'll do," said Jack. "We'll rest here in the sun for a -while and let our clothes dry, and then explore the place and see what -means we can find of reaching the mainland." - -Mont agreed, and making themselves as comfortable as possible, the two -boys rested for over an hour, each in the meantime relating to the other -his experience. - -"Mosey is a bad egg," was Mont's conclusion; "I suppose he thinks that -he has sent us both to our death," and then he told Jack about the -stolen model. - -The young machinist was much worried. - -"It must have been Corrigan," he said, as he arose, and put on his coat. -"I wonder what he expects to do with such booty?" - -"Sell it if he can," replied the young man. "Hello!" he exclaimed, as he -happened to glance up. "Here comes some one. A girl, I declare! What -is she doing in this wilderness?" - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - MAX POOLER'S MEG. - - -The girl who approached was a tall, gaunt creature, certainly not over -ten years of age, yet with a knowing look of worldly experience in her -pinched face and furtive black eyes. - -She was sparingly dressed in an ill-fitting calico gown of ancient -pattern. Her feet were bare and on her head rested a dilapidated -sunbonnet. She carried a large pail on one arm, and made her way to a -gushing spring but a few feet away from where Jack and Mont were -reclining. - -She started back in surprise upon seeing the pair, and as they sprang to -their feet she made a hasty move as if to retreat. - -"Don't run away, please," called out Jack. "We won't hurt you." - -Thus reassured, the overgrown child--for she was naught else--stopped -short, shyly swinging the empty pail from one hand to the other. - -"Who're you?" she asked abruptly, as the young machinist came up. - -"I'm Jack Willington, and this is my friend, Mont Gray." - -"How'd you come here?" was the second question, asked as abruptly as the -first. - -"We had the misfortune to be carried over the falls," replied Jack. - -The girl tossed her pretty, but by no means clean nose, in the air. - -"Them falls?" she asked, pointing her long, thin finger to the mighty -volume of water up the river. - -"Yes." - -She gave a contemptuous snicker. - -"You can't stuff no such stories down me!" she ejaculated. "Them falls! -You couldn't live a minnit in 'em! Think I believe such lies?" - -"It's the truth, whether you believe it or not," put in Mont, "We were -on that tree"--he pointed it out--"and that saved us. See, our clothes -are still wet." - -The girl was silent, more convinced by their genteel appearance, than by -what was said, that she was being told the truth. - -"What is your name?" asked Jack, curiously. He had never met such a -unique character before. - -"Meg," was the laconic reply. - -"Meg? Meg what?" - -"No, not Meg what; only Meg." - -"But what is your other name?" - -"Hain't got none." - -"Oh, but you must have," put in Mont. He, too, was becoming interested. - -"Never did--leastwise, never knowed it, anyway," and Meg grew sober for -a moment. - -"Do you live here?" asked Jack. - -"Yep." - -"Alone?" - -"Nope. I live with Mr. Pooler." - -"Who is he?" - -The girl eyed the young machinist in surprise. - -"Why, I thought everybody knew him," she said. "He's the man who owns -this island." - -"What, the whole of it?" exclaimed Mont, in astonishment. - -"Yep." - -"And you live here with him?" continued Jack. - -"Yep. Have always." - -"Any one else here besides you and him?" - -"Not now. His wife used to, but she died last winter." - -"I suppose you keep house for him?" - -"Yep." - -A faint smile accompanied the monosyllable this time. - -"It's rather hard work for a girl like you," Jack remarked. - -Meg tossed back her head. - -"Hard! 'Tain't nothing; cookin' and cleanin' ain't. It's garden work -that's tough. Look at them hands." She dropped the pail and held them -up. "Been blistered lots of times hoein' and diggin'." - -"It's too bad," cried the young machinist, indignantly. "It ain't fair -to make you work like a slave." - -"What would you do if you was me?" asked the girl, with a hungry, -searching look in her eyes. - -For a moment Jack was nonplused. - -"I don't know," he replied, slowly; "I might, though, if I thought over -it. Are you a relative of his?" - -"Not's I know." - -"How long have you been here?" - -"Ever since I can remember. I didn't mind it so much when Mrs. Pooler -was alive, but since she died I hate it;" and Meg grated her teeth -tightly together. - -"Where is the house?" asked Mont. - -"Over yonder, through the trees." - -"Do you think you can get us something to eat?" continued the young man. -"We have been out since yesterday, and I'm as hungry as a stray dog." - -The girl hesitated. - -"We will pay you for it," Mont went on, feeling for his purse, which, -luckily, still remained in his pocket. - -"Guess I can," said Meg, finally. "Pooler ain't home; he went to the -mainland this morning. Did you really go over them falls?" she -continued, jerking her thumb in the direction. - -[Illustration: "DID YOU REALLY GO OVER THEM FALLS?" SHE CONTINUED, -JERKING HER THUMB IN THE DIRECTION.] - -"Yes, indeed we did. It was a terrible experience," replied the young -man with a shudder. - -"Must be. Never heard of 'em comin' out alive--'em as goes over, I -mean." - -"We are not anxious to try it again," Jack put in. - -The "house" consisted of a dilapidated cottage of two rooms and an -attic, almost wholly covered by grape vines. Meg led the way around to -the back, and motioned them to a bench under a big tree. - -"Better stay out here. It's cooler and nicer," she said. "I'll fetch a -table;" and in a few seconds she had done so, and placed it before them. - -"Don't take too much trouble," said Mont; "we are hungry enough to -tackle almost anything." - -"'Tain't no trouble--leastwise, not if there's money in it. Pooler -worships money." - -"Is he rich?" asked Jack. - -"Don't ask me!" replied Meg. "I've often heard the men say he was rich, -but I never see any money." - -"Doesn't he give you any?" - -"Not a cent. Say, how will coffee and bread, with some pickerel do? I -can get them ready in a few minutes." - -"First-rate," replied Mont. - -"Then just wait;" and Meg disappeared within the cottage. - -"Quite a smart lass," remarked Jack when they were alone. - -"Awfully wild, though," returned Mont; "I would like to see this Pooler. -Something runs in my mind concerning him--I can't exactly tell what." - -"I shouldn't wonder but what he misuses that girl awfully," added Jack, -with a shake of his head. - -It was not long before Meg returned with quite a substantial meal for -both. She set the things before them, and then stood by, ready for -further orders. - -"What does Mr. Pooler do for a living?" asked Mont, while eating. - -"Nothin' 'cept run his farm here," replied the girl. "He's gettin' -kinder old." - -"He is a farmer, then?" - -"Yep. That is, now. He used to work in the tool works at Corney." - -"He did?" exclaimed Mont, with interest. "I work there. How long ago -was this?" - -"I don't know exactly. I heard Mosey and him talkin' 'bout it." - -Jack dropped his knife and fork in astonishment. - -"Whom did you say?" he ejaculated. - -"Mosey," repeated Meg. "Do you know him?" - -"I think I do. Is his first name Andy?" - -"Yep." - -"Well, I'm stumped!" declared the young machinist. "Yes, I know him," he -continued bitterly. "And he'll know me, too, when we meet again." - -Jack meant all his manner implied. His blood boiled at the thought of -the Irishman, and the cowardly treatment he had received at the mill. - -"Does Mosey come here often?" he asked. - -"Not lately. He used to, him and two or three more. But I oughten to -tell you all this! Pooler'll beat me if he finds it out." - -"Not if I'm around!" replied Jack, stoutly. "But we will not mention -what you have told us." - -"Wish you wouldn't. But I don't care anyhow; I'm gettin' tired, and -sha'n't stay much longer." - -"What will you do?" asked Mont. - -"Run away," was the quick reply. - -"Where to?" - -"I don't know, and I don't care, either. Any place is as good as this, -I reckon." - -"Perhaps you can find some sort of a home in Corney," suggested the -young machinist. "You seem to be quite handy. I will help you if I -can." - -"And so will I," put in Mont. - -"I could do better if I had half a chance," asserted Meg, tapping the -ground with her foot. - -"May I ask what other men visit Mr. Pooler?" inquired the young man, -after a pause. - -"A man by the name of Corrigan sometimes comes with Mosey." - -"Corrigan!" - -Jack and Mont uttered the name together. Here was certainly news. Yet -they never dreamt of what was coming. - -"Any one else?" asked Jack. - -"A man used to come sometimes at night. Pooler thought I never saw him, -but I did--and heard who he was, too." - -"What was his name?" asked Mont, with just the slightest tremor in his -voice. - -"Mr. Gray--Felix, Pooler called him." - -Mont looked at Jack in deep perplexity. - -"There is surely a mystery here," he said. - -"You are right," returned the young machinist; "and who knows but what -it may concern both of us?" - -At this juncture Meg uttered an exclamation. - -"There's a boat comin' over!" she cried. "I guess it's Pooler gettin' -back!" - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - THE MISER OF THE ISLAND - - -Meg's conjecture was correct. It was Mr. Max Pooler who was the sole -occupant of the rowboat that was fast approaching the island. - -He pulled a quick stroke, and two minutes brought him to the shore, -where, beaching his craft, he jumped out, and walked rapidly toward the -cottage. - -He was a thin, sallow-complexioned man, with a low forehead and sunken -gray eyes. The expression upon his face, especially around his mouth, -was a pinched and hard one. - -He viewed Jack and Mont in surprise, not unmixed with disapproval, and -turned to the girl for an explanation. - -"How is this, Meg?" he asked, in a shrill, disagreeable tone of voice. -"Whom have you here?" - -"Two young men that drifted over the falls," replied the girl, who was -somewhat startled by his sudden coming. "I found 'em down by the -spring, all tuckered out." - -"Over the falls!" Max Pooler's face showed his incredulity. "Never -heard of it afore! When did it happen?" - -"We can't tell exactly," replied Jack. "We became unconscious, and came -to about an hour or so ago." - -"Humph!" The master of the island glanced at the table, where a good -portion of the food still remained. "Pretty good dinner you're givin' -'em, Meg," he continued. - -The girl was silent. She evidently did not like Max Pooler's remark, -and stood biting her finger nails in vexation. - -"We are willing to pay for what we've had," broke in Mont. "We were so -hungry that we couldn't wait till we got back to town, and so persuaded -this--this young lady to provide something for us." - -Max Pooler looked relieved. - -"Ah, that's all right then," he said, rubbing his hands together in -satisfaction. "Pay for what you get and owe no man, has always been my -motto, and I find it a very excellent one, too. Tell me something of -your adventures. And, by the way, is there anything else you wish?" - -"No, I'm done," replied the young machinist. - -He was thoroughly disgusted with the man's mean manner, though he did -not object to paying for what they had had. - -But Mont entered readily into conversation. He had eyed Max Pooler -keenly from his arrival, and noticed every action of the man. He -briefly related the particulars of what had happened on the river. For -obvious reasons he did not mention how either Jack or he had fallen into -such a position, nor did he mention any names. - -"Awful! terrible! truly remarkable!" were Max Pooler's comments. "But -did you see 'em?" he continued, in a tragic whisper. - -"See whom?" asked Jack, who was somewhat taken back by this sudden -change in the man's manner. - -"Why, the ghost in the falls," replied Max Pooler, earnestly, "It is the -spirit of a man who went over one night." - -Jack laughed. - -"We did not see it," he replied. "Besides, I don't believe in them." - -"Oh, but this is a ghost sure, I've seen him myself many a time in the -moonlight." - -"Maybe you saw the man go over, and imagined the rest," suggested Mont. -"Did you know him?" - -"Oh, no!" replied Max Pooler, starting. "No, indeed, I only heard it -was so. But the ghost is there. Sometimes it comes on the island!" - -"The man must be a little off on this subject," thought Jack, as he -watched Max Pooler's manner. - -"I guess there is too much water here to allow of any spirits," said -Mont, by way of a joke. - -"Never mind, I know what I know," replied Max Pooler, with a shake of -his head. "You were mighty lucky to get through safely." - -"I'll admit that," returned Jack, rising from the table. - -Mont also arose, and looked first at the man and then at the girl. - -"If you tell me what we owe you, I'll pay it," he said. - -Meg was silent. Had she had her own way she would have charged nothing. - -"Everything considered, I guess it's worth a quarter apiece," said Max -Pooler. "Provisions are frightfully high." - -"I'm well satisfied," replied Mont; and taking out his purse, he -withdrew a half dollar, and handed it over. "I am very much obliged to -you," he added to Meg. - -Max Pooler's eyes sparkled as they rested upon the shining silver. He -grasped the coin eagerly, and after examining it, stowed it carefully -away in his bosom. - -There was a pause. Now that he had their money, the owner of the island -was evidently anxious to have them take their departure. Both Jack and -Mont wished to see more of this old man, but neither could frame a -plausible excuse for remaining. - -"I suppose your friends will be anxious 'bout you," remarked Max Pooler, -by way of helping them off. - -Jack's thoughts instantly reverted to Deb, and he said no doubt they -would. - -"But we have no boat," he added, suddenly. "Can you lend us one?" - -"Only got the one I use," replied the old man, shortly. - -"I can take 'em over," put in Meg, eagerly. "'T won't take long." - -"We will pay you for the use of the boat," added Jack. - -The mention of pay immediately altered the matter in Max Pooler's eyes. - -"I'll do it for another quarter," he said. "Times are hard and one must -make his living." - -Jack made no reply. The closeness of the man disgusted him, and he paid -the amount without a word. - -Meg led the way toward the beach. Their backs were scarcely turned -before Max Pooler disappeared in the cottage. - -"The mean miser," burst out the girl, when they were beyond hearing, -"He's itchin' to put that seventy-five cents along with the rest of his -money! Hope you don't blame me for what he's done. Wouldn't have cost -you a cent if I'd have had my way!" - -"We were very thankful to get something," said Mont, "and were perfectly -willing to pay for it, too." - -Jack was silent. He half wished that Meg, interesting as she was, was -not present. He wished to talk with his friend over the odd news that -the last half hour had brought them. He was half inclined to question -the young girl further, but did not wish to excite her suspicion, and -was diplomatic enough not to get at it excepting in the direct way. - -Of one thing he was certain; there was a good deal below the surface -that did not yet show, and he determined that he would not drop the -matter until he had learned what it was. - -"Did you ever hear of a wrecked yacht around here?" suddenly asked Mont -of Meg. - -"Nope--that is," she hesitated. "What makes you ask that?" - -"Oh, I only wanted to know," replied the young man, apparently -unconcerned. - -"Pooler said I was never to speak of it," returned Meg. "He thinks I -don't know where it is, but I do." - -"Show it to us, will you?" asked Mont, eagerly. - -Meg shrank back. - -"It's haunted!" she exclaimed. "Besides, Pooler would kill me if he -found it out." - -"We'll never tell him, will we, Jack?" - -"Certainly not," replied the young machinist, to whom this new move was -only another mystery. - -"Besides, we intend to be your friends, you know," continued Mont. - -"Well, then, come on," replied Meg, finally. "I don't care if he likes -it or not. 'Taint a very nice place though." - -"Never mind. We can't find any worse or more dangerous places than we -have already gone through." - -Meg picked her way along one bank of the island for nearly a quarter of -a mile. Jack and Mont followed closely. - -The ground was covered with a rank growth of reeds and rushes, and in -many places was damp and slippery. - -At last they reached a deep cave that ran directly between a cluster of -twisted and bending willows. The spot was at the upper end of the -island, and in full view of the falls. - -Here, half hidden by the tall, undergrowth, rested the hull of a -dismantled yacht, bearing upon her weather-beaten stern the -half-obliterated name: - -"KITTY." - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - ON BOARD THE "KITTY" - - -"Hello!" exclaimed Jack, in astonishment. "I never knew such large craft -came here." - -"It's really haunted," replied Meg. "Mustn't go near it." - -The young machinist laughed. - -"Seems to me everything is haunted around here," he said, "Were you ever -on board?" - -"Nope, Pooler would kill me if I went. He's terrible when he's mad;" -and Meg shook her head as the memory of past trials arose in her mind. - -Meanwhile Mont had gone on ahead, and now, not without some difficulty, -reached the deck of the stranded vessel. Jack followed him, leaving the -girl behind. - -"Don't be long, please," called out Meg; "I don't like to stay here, and -besides, I've got to get back, you know." - -"We will stay only a few minutes," replied the young machinist. - -Mont had walked aft, and picking his way over the odds and ends that -littered the deck, Jack joined him. - -"Jack, do you know what I believe?" asked the young man, when they were -out of Meg's hearing. - -"What?" - -"I believe that this yacht was once my father's," replied Mont, -earnestly. "His was named the Kitty, and was last seen on this river, -above Corney. He used it to cruise around the lakes in." - -"Yes, but that was above the falls," returned Jack. "You don't -mean----" he began. - -"Yes, I do. The water was higher years ago, and I'm convinced that his -boat was caught in the stream and went over the falls." - -Jack stepped back in astonishment. - -"But he could never live through it," he cried. - -"He was never seen after that," returned the young man, gravely, "Yet we -came out alive," he added. "If he was on the boat he might have -escaped." - -Mont led the way carefully down the half-rotten companion way into the -cabin below. - -There the air was foul and stifling. It was totally dark, but Jack -stumbled around until he found a small window and threw open a shutter. - -A curious sight met their gaze. The place looked as if it had been left -immediately after a struggle, although this might have been caused by a -violent movement of the craft. A big armchair lay upset in one corner, -with a pile of books in another. On the table lay a pile of written and -printed papers, some of which had been swept to the floor, and were -covered with the ink from an upturned bottle, which, however, had dried -years before. Dust, mold and cobwebs were everywhere. - -Jack picked up some of the written matter and brushing off the dust -tried to read it. - -"It seems to be an agreement," he said to Mont, who was looking over his -shoulder. "An agreement about an invention, that----" - -"It is my father's handwriting!" exclaimed the young man, in an -unnatural voice; "I could tell it in a thousand." - -Jack turned the document over. - -"I guess you're right," he said. "It seems to relate to some -improvement in making tools." He looked at the title. "Gracious me!" - -"What is it?" cried Mont. - -"It is drawn up between the Gray Brothers of the first part, and Martin -Willington of the second!" - -"And Martin Willington----" began the young man. - -"Martin Willington was my father!" ejaculated the young machinist, in -great surprise. - -At that instant both heard Meg's voice calling loudly. - -"Better clear out. Here comes Pooler, and that Andy Mosey is with him!" - -Jack and Mont were startled by the unexpected cry from Meg. Both were -thoroughly absorbed in the document which the former had picked up from -the floor, and for an instant neither caught the full meaning of the -girl's announcement. - -"Andy Mosey!" repeated the young machinist, looking up from the agitated -reading of that faded manuscript. "How in the world did he get here?" - -"Heaven only knows!" ejaculated Mont. "Affairs seem to be all mixed, -and I give it up. One thing is certain: he and Pooler are close -friends." - -"Or else have a mutual interest at stake," was Jack's comment. "Just as -we two seem to have here," he continued, folding up the paper and -putting it in an inside pocket. - -"You're right. But what brings Mosey up to this end of the island?" - -"Perhaps he thinks to find one or both of our bodies," suggested the -young machinist. - -"Did you hear me?" called out Meg again. "Pooler and Mosey are comin', -and they've both got guns! Better skip out!" - -Meg's language was forcible even if not well chosen. In her anxiety to -do her two friends a good turn, she had overcome her dread of the -so-styled haunted craft, and approached to within a few feet of the -side, so that her shrill voice sounded plainly. - -"It's a shame to leave these things here," said Mont, as he too, stuffed -several papers in his pockets. "This boat was undoubtedly my father's -property, and I believe I'm entitled to whatever is here." - -"Certainly you are," replied Jack. "As it is, I intend to come back -myself. But we can't do much, now, and if those two men see us they may -make it very unpleasant, to say the least." - -"Wish we were armed. This is the first chance I have ever had of -learning the true state of my father's affairs, and how he died, and I -don't want to leave until I have sifted the matter thoroughly." - -Mont was already on the companionway, and Jack quickly followed him. - -"It's queer that Pooler should know that this stranded boat is here, and -yet not touch a thing on board," remarked the young machinist. "He -seems to be so close, it's a wonder he hasn't carried all the stuff -away." - -"You don't remember that he thinks this is haunted," replied Mont. - -Jack laughed. - -"Do you believe that yarn?" he asked. - -"Not altogether; yet the man is certainly a strange fellow." - -Meg was eagerly awaiting them on the shore. - -"I don't see Mosey and Pooler," said Jack, as he stepped to the rail and -looked over. - -"They're comin' through the woods," explained the young girl, hurriedly; -"I just saw 'em through the clearing ahead." - -"What brings them here?" asked Mont. - -"Don't know. Pooler comes only once in a great while, and I never knew -that Mosey to go anywhere but to the cottage." - -"Well, what shall we do?" asked the young man, turning to Jack. - -"Better get out of his way," suggested Meg. "He's a wicked man when he's -mad, and he'll be the maddest man in the district if he catches you two -on this boat." - -"Suppose we go below and hide," replied the young machinist. "It ought -to be an easy thing to do so on such a craft as this." - -"Just the idea!" exclaimed Mont. "How slow of me not to think of it." - -"But how about the girl?" - -"Ain't you goin'?" asked Meg impatiently. - -"No; we intend to hide on board," replied Jack. "We were just thinking -about you. I hope you won't tell Mr. Pooler where we are?" - -"Not unless you want me to." - -"Which we certainly do not." - -"Suppose you go back to the boat, and get it ready," replied the young -machinist after a moment's thought. "We may wish to leave in a hurry." - -"All right." - -"I can trust you?" he added, with a smile. - -"Trust me? Just you try me, that's all!" and with a toss of her head, -Meg darted away into the bushes, and was lost to sight. - -At the same instant Mont caught hold of Jack and dragged him behind the -cabin. - -"I just saw Mosey and this Pooler through those trees yonder!" he -exclaimed. "They'll be here in another moment!" - -"Let's go below at once. We want to get the 'lay of the land,' and -secure the best place we can," returned the young machinist, leading the -way back to the cabin. - -They found several staterooms, all but one of which were locked. The -open one seemed to be as inviting a place as any, and this they entered, -closing the door carefully behind them. - -They were none too soon, for hardly had they settled in the place before -they heard the two men clamber on board. - -The newcomers were evidently having a spirited confab, but as the deck -was thick, not a word could be heard below. Their heavy boots sounded -up and down the planking several times, and then the two in hiding heard -them come down into the cabin. - -"You must have been mistaken," Max Pooler was saying; "I know they were -on the island, but the girl rowed 'em to the mainland half an hour ago." - -"Oi say no," replied Mosey. "Oi seen them coming over here from me -boat. But why should they be on the island at all?" he continued with -apparent indifference. - -"They fell in the river and went over the falls." - -"And lived? Come now, Max----" - -"They say so, anyway. Of course I didn't believe the story. I guess -they're only a couple of young tramps," said the master of the island. -"But if they are still hanging around I want to know it." - -"Tramps!" burst out the Irishman. "Phat are ye talkin' about? Do ye -mane to say ye don't know who they are?" - -"Why no," replied Max Pooler in surprise. - -He had tried the doors of two of the staterooms, and was now walking -toward the others. - -"Well, thin, let me tell ye, one was Jack Willington, whose father got -up that machinery years ago----" - -"What!" - -"And the other wan was Monteray Gray's son." - -The miser of the island uttered a loud cry. - -"You are fooling!" he said, excitedly. - -"No, I ain't." - -"Why, I thought his son was dead, that he--he died here," continued Max -Pooler, with a white face. - -Mosey laughed, a cold, hard laugh. - -"Max, me b'y, ye can't kill that lad. If ye'd go out into the worruld -more ye'd larn more. Now his father----" - -The miser of the island grasped the Irishman fiercely by the shoulder. - -"Stop there!" he commanded; "I won't have it--remember that--I won't -have it!" - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - MEG TO THE RESCUE - - -The last part of Mosey and Max Pooler's conversation would no doubt have -greatly interested Jack and Mont had they heard it, but the truth was -that as soon as they saw the two men preparing to search the place, they -immediately sought for some means to escape. - -In one corner of the stateroom they found a small door leading by a -narrow passage to what, for the want of a better name, may be termed the -forecastle. Why it had been put there was not apparent--except, -perhaps, to allow a direct communication between the captain and the -men, but nevertheless, they used it, and when Max Pooler spoke so -sharply to Mosey, the two in hiding had again regained the deck, and did -not hear the short quarrel that followed. - -"Where to now?" asked Mont, "We can't stay here, that's certain." - -"There is Meg with the boat!" exclaimed Jack, pointing down the shore. -"Wonder if we can get her to come alongside without them finding it -out?" - -"We can try," replied the young man, and taking out his handkerchief, he -waved it vigorously. - -In an instant the young girl caught the signal, and came rowing up. - -"Where are they?" she asked, anxiously. - -"Down below," replied Jack in a whisper. "Don't make a noise or they -will hear you." - -"All right. Jump in, both of you." - -Mont and Jack were not slow in taking her advice. Both scrambled over -the rotten rail, and into the boat, which fortunately was rather roomy. - -"Shall I take the oars?" asked the young machinist, who, though not an -expert, could still handle the oars fairly well. - -"Nope. I can row better'n either of you. Off we go!" And with one -quick stroke this slender girl sent the craft far out on the water. - -Before she had time to take a dozen strokes Max Pooler appeared upon the -deck closely followed by Mosey. - -The surprise was great on both sides, and for an instant nothing was -said or done. - -"Come back, Meg!" called out Max Pooler, rushing to the rail as soon as -he had recovered from his astonishment. "Come back, or it will be the -worse for you!" - -"I'm goin' to row 'em over to the shore," replied the young girl. "It's -just what I started to do." - -The master of the island stamped his foot in rage. "You little good for -nothing! Bring that boat back without another word!" - -Meg continued to row without replying. - -"Do you intend to mind me?" screamed Max Pooler. "If you don't, as sure -as I live I'll shoot you!" and he drew up his gun as he spoke. - -"Hold up!" shouted Mont, fearful of harm coming to the girl. "We'll -come aboard." - -"No we won't!" put in Meg, with a strong show of spirit, "I said I'd -take you to the mainland, and I'll keep my word, shootin' or no -shootin'!" - -Max Pooler pulled back the hammer of the gun he carried. Seeing the -action Jack jumped up and placed himself directly in front of the girl. - -"Thanks," said Meg. "It's mighty good of you to try to save me, but I -don't want you to run such a risk. I've got to have it out with him -sooner or later, and now is as good a time as any," and she placed -herself again in range. - -"Did you hear what I said?" called Max Pooler, leaning over to make -himself heard: "I'll give you just five seconds to turn that----" - -Crack! - -As I have stated, the guardrail on the yacht was rotten, and under the -unusual weight, it gave way with a crash. - -Splash! - -The miser of the island had lost his balance, and after vainly clutching -the air to save himself, had floundered into the water and mud below! - -[Illustration: THE MISER OF THE ISLAND HAD LOST HIS BALANCE, AND AFTER -VAINLY CLUTCHING THE AIR TO SAVE HIMSELF, HAD FLOUNDERED INTO THE WATER -AND MUD BELOW.] - -"Hello!" exclaimed Jack. "There's an accident that's lucky for us." - -"He'll have all he can do to take care of himself," remarked Mont. - -"Serves him right," put in Meg, with a laugh. She had not taken the -whole affair very seriously. "Maybe it'll cool his blood." - -The three saw Mosey rush to Max Pooler's assistance, and then, without -waiting to see the outcome of the mishap, the girl again bent to the -oars, and sent the boat flying onward. - -"What do you intend to do?" asked Jack of Meg, as they neared the shore. -"You can't very well go back. I'll help you if I can." - -"I don't know," replied the young girl, in perplexity. "I've had enough -of life over there." - -"Suppose you go over to Farmer Farrell's with us, I think he will board -you for a few days anyway, and in the meantime you can find out what's -best to do." - -"I ain't got no money." - -"We'll make that all right," replied the young machinist. "But didn't -Pooler ever pay you anything?" - -"Pay me? Don't catch him giving out a cent if he can help it. All I -got was these duds--'em as was left when his wife died." - -"Not much, certainly," put in Mont, surveying the tattered and patched -dress. - -"Other folks earn money, and I guess I can, too, if I try," continued -Meg, as she ran the boat up the accustomed beaching place. - -"Certainly you can," declared Jack. - -"And have a better living than you had at the island," added the young -man. - -It was growing dusk when they stepped ashore. Meg tied the boat fast and -left the oars on the seats, certain that the craft would not remain -uncalled for long. - -It was but a short walk to Farmer Farrell's place. They found him -driving home the cows, and on the doorstep, joined by his wife, the two -honest people listened to what Jack and Mont had to say about themselves -and Meg. - -The girl stood in the background, much of her former shyness having -returned. At the conclusion of the tale, Mrs. Farrell took her hand -warmly. - -"Poor child! you've had a hard time of it, truly!" she said, "But you -sha'n't have any more trouble--at least, not for the present, eh, -father?" - -"No, we can keep her easily enough," replied her husband. "You want -help, Martha, summer coming on, with all the extra work." - -"And we'll pay you, too," continued Mrs. Farrell. - -"Oh, thank you!" exclaimed Meg. "You 're real kind. Maybe I can't do -things just right, but I guess I can learn, and you needn't give me a -cent till I do." - -"Then, that's settled," said Jack, somewhat pleased at having the matter -so easily arranged. - -"If only Pooler don't make me go back." - -"You say you're no relation of his?" asked Mont. - -"Not's I know. He always called me a picked-up." - -"Then just let him try it," put in Farmer Farrell, grimly. "I know the -man well. He pretends to own Blackbird Island, but he hain't got no -more title 'n I have." - -"And maybe I can get you a few dresses from my sister, and----" began -Jack. - -"Well, there, by Jinks!" exclaimed Farmer Farrell, jumping up from the -step upon which he had been sitting. "I almost forgot it, being so -interested in your story. Your sister was here looking for you." - -"Deb!" Jack was indeed astonished, and so was Mont. "What did she want -here? Looking for me?" - -"Yes; she's had a terrible time. Your model's stolen, and she's been -put out of the house for not paying the rent." - -The news startled the young machinist. In the excitement he had -forgotten all about Mr. Hammerby and the quit notice. - -"Did she say where she had moved to?" he asked anxiously. - -"No, she was in too much of a hurry. She was frightened half to death -on account of your being missing." - -"No doubt of it. Poor Deb! Her troubles are as bad as ours," remarked -Mont. - -"Which way did she go?" was the young machinist's question. - -"Toward home again," said Farrell; "I wanted her to stay the worst way -when I found out who she was, but she wouldn't think of it." - -"Maybe we can overtake her," suggested Mont. - -"We'll try, anyway," returned Jack. - -He was much worried over the fact that Deb had been compelled to vacate -the old home; and then he suddenly remembered that all of his money had -been stolen by Corrigan. - -"Without a home and without money," he thought dismally. "Well, thank -God, my life has been spared, and, as Deb said, 'maybe it will all come -out right in the end.'" - -Yet his heart was by no means light, as Mont and he set out for Corney. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - DEB AT THE MILL - - -The apartments which the kind-hearted Miss Parks allowed Deb to have -were small but pleasant, and the bright sunshine that strolled in the -back windows did much toward brightening up Deb's naturally lively -disposition. - -By the aid of the energetic elderly maiden the furniture from the former -Willington rooms was quickly set to rights, a good part of it being -stored in the garret until--when? - -Deb asked herself that question many times as she sat on the edge of the -bed, after Miss Parks had gone below. - -"If Jack was only here," she sighed. "Where can he have gone? I will -never, never believe he has run away, no matter what Mr. Benton or the -others say. Something has surely happened to him." - -It was not long before she decided to start on a regular search for her -brother, and going down stairs she told Miss Parks of her intention. - -"Well, dear, do just as you think best," was that lady's reply. "Where -do you intend to go?" - -"I shall visit that farmer's place first," replied the girl. "Perhaps -they can give me some information." - -"I hope so. But have a cup of tea before you leave?" - -"Thank you; I really don't care for it." - -"Oh, but you must," insisted the good lady. "It will do you a heap of -good. Just the thing to quiet your nerves." - -Rather than displease her friend, Deb finally consented; and spent ten -minutes in the back parlor, sipping the elderly maiden's favorite Young -Hyson. - -The girl was soon on her way. Farmer Farrell was well known throughout -the district, and it did not take her long to reach his place. - -She was thoroughly dismayed to learn that Jack had started for home at -sundown the day before. - -Not knowing where to go or what to do next, she retraced her steps -toward Corney. She was in no hurry, and wandered in deep and painful -contemplation, to one side of the road. - -Near the old mill she stumbled over a bundle that lay in the grass near -a tree. Without thinking, she was about to step over it, when something -about the cloth covering attracted her attention, and picking it up, she -was amazed to find that it was Jack's kit, wrapped in his overalls! - -"How in the world did that get here!" she exclaimed, and then turned -deathly white, as a horrible suspicion crossed her mind: "Oh, it could -never be! no, no, no, no!" - -She dropped the bundle and ran down to the water's edge. The spot was -just below the mill, and in a little cove, where the river was -comparatively quiet. - -Nothing was to be seen--nothing but the sparkle of the sun, and the -waving shadows cast by the trees overhead. - -"It's awfully lonely here," she said to herself. "If Jack came here----" - -She was startled to see the shadow of a man close beside her. Looking -up she gave a slight scream as she recognized the tall form of Corrigan. - -She did not know that the man had been watching her for some time, -revolving in his mind what he should say about Jack if asked any -questions. - -He advanced to her with a smiling face, ignoring entirely the way he had -treated her the previous evening. - -"Got tired of waiting for Jack to get back?" he asked. - -Deb was too much alarmed to offer a reply at once. - -"Yes--I am," she stammered. - -"Thought you would be. He ought to have sent you word," continued -Corrigan. "He sold the model I took, just as I told you he would," he -added. - -"Where is he?" asked the girl, thrown off her guard by the villain's -cool manner. - -"Around here somewhere. He's been here and over to Redrock twice since -yesterday. He got the contract to fix up the machinery in this old -mill. The man who bought it wants the job done as soon as possible, so -he went right to work. I'm helping him on the drawing. I'm a -draughtsman, you know." - -Deb did not know, nor was she aware that Corrigan's statement was purely -fictitious. - -"Where is Jack now?" she asked, turning over the plausibility of the -story in her mind. - -"Just went up the stream a ways, to catch the true drift of the tide," -replied Corrigan. "He thinks they will get more power if the wheel is -shifted around. Better come in the place and wait for him." - -Deb hesitated. In spite of all the man was saying, she hated to trust -him. Yet, if he was speaking the truth, certainly her treatment of him -the previous evening had not been right at all. - -"There are some benches inside," continued the fellow; "you are tired, I -can see, and the rest will do you good. Jack will land at the bottom -room." - -Rather reluctantly Deb followed the man into the building. - -"Here you are," he said, pulling a bench from the wall, and motioning -her to a seat. "You mustn't think I bear you a grudge for what you did -last night," he continued, pleasantly. - -The girl sat down without replying. The spot was near an open window, -and she strained her eyes to catch sight of any craft that might be -coming toward the mill. - -"Perhaps after all, it's all right, and I'm a silly goose to be so -worried," she thought; "it's just like Jack to take hold of the first -job that comes to hand. For all I know his silence may be caused by his -good luck." - -Yet when she remembered about being locked in and, later, turned out of -their home, she concluded it was a serious matter, and wondered what her -brother would say to that. - -It was fast turning to twilight, and the evening sun cast long -flickering rays across the rapid stream. Had her mind been tranquil, Deb -would have enjoyed the scene greatly, but now her one thought was upon -the boat she hoped would speedily appear. - -"Object to smoking?" asked Corrigan, after a brief spell of silence. - -"Oh, no, smoke as much as you please," replied the girl. - -Corrigan filled his pipe, and lighting it, sat down. He was by no means -a dull man, and to carry out his hastily formed deception, he began -making a few apparent calculations on a bit of paper which he held upon -his knee. - -He was waiting for Mosey to return from Blackbird Island. He expected -that his brother-in-law would see Max Pooler, and transact some private -business that interested the three, and from which he expected to -receive a neat sum of money. Several times Deb turned to watch Corrigan. - -"He seems sincere enough," she kept saying to herself, yet at the bottom -of her heart her uneasiness increased. The man hardly knew what to do. -On the impulse of the moment he had detained Deb, thinking that he might -in some way make her shield him from the punishment he knew he richly -deserved, yet now he was not sure he could manage her. - -A quarter of an hour, a very long quarter to Deb, passed. - -"My brother ought to be in sight," she said. "He ought to stop working. -It is getting late." - -"Maybe he's struck a new idea," replied Corrigan. "You know he hates to -give up unless a point is settled." - -Deb knew that this was true of Jack. But might not her brother go -straight home, without returning to the mill? - -"I guess I'll go up the road to meet him," she said, rising. - -Corrigan stepped over to the door. "No, you must stay here," he -replied, decidedly. - -"Why--why, what do you mean!" exclaimed Deb, turning pale. - -"I mean just this," replied Corrigan, catching her by the arm, "you are -my prisoner, and must do as I say." - -[Illustration: "I MEAN JUST THIS," REPLIED CORRIGAN, CATCHING HER BY THE -ARM, "YOU ARE MY PRISONER AND MUST DO AS I SAY."] - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - IN CORRIGAN'S POWER - - -For the moment after Corrigan made his assertion that Deb must do as he -said, the terrified girl could not speak. She stared at the man in -terror. - -"Wha--what do you mean?" she gasped at last. - -"You heard what I said," he answered coolly. "I want no nonsense from -you either." - -"But--but--what are you treating me so for?" - -"That's my business, Miss Willington." - -"And I must consider myself your prisoner?" she added, growing more pale -than ever. - -"That's it." - -"You have no right to keep me here." - -"Perhaps not, but you must remember that might makes right in some -cases." - -"Where is my brother Jack? I do not believe that you have told the -truth about him." - -"If you don't believe me, why do you want me to answer your questions?" -he returned with a wicked grin on his unshaven face. - -"You have harmed Jack in some way--I am sure of it!" - -"No, no! To tell you honestly I haven't the least idea where he is," -said Corrigan hastily. - -Under no circumstances did he wish to stand for the crimes which his -brother-in-law had committed. As it was, he felt that he had enough to -answer for on his own account. - -There was an awkward pause after this. Then of a sudden Deb started to -scream, but he quickly clapped his hand over her mouth. - -"None of that!" he said, roughly. "If you won't be quiet, do you know -what I'll have to do?" - -"I guess you are mean enough to do almost anything!" burst out poor Deb. - -"I'll have to gag you, that's what. I won't have you yelling for help, -remember that!" - -"But I do not wish to remain here!" insisted Deb, desperately. - -"Oh, pshaw! I won't hurt you. Sit down and keep quiet." - -But the girl could not compose herself and began to walk up and down the -mill floor. She wished to get to the door and edged in that direction, -but Corrigan quickly headed her off. - -"You come with me," he said, presently. "I ain't going to trust you -down here any more." - -"I shan't go a step with you," she answered, vehemently. "O, Mr. -Corrigan, please let me go! Please do!" And she clasped her hands and -held them out toward him. - -"Don't cut up so, Miss Willington. As I said before, I shan't harm a -hair of your head. But I must make you stay here for a while. Now come -with me." - -"But where do you wish me to go?" - -"There is a loft overhead. I must lock you up there, but only for a -little while." - -"But why are you doing this?" - -"As I said before, that must remain my business. Come." - -She shook her head. - -"I--I cannot!" she cried, and began to weep. - -Muttering something under his breath the villain caught her by the arms, -just as he had caught her when he had come for the model, and in a trice -he was carrying her up to the loft. She struggled as best she could but -this availed her nothing. - -"Now you keep quiet, or I'll surely gag you," he said, as he set her -down on the dusty floor. "If you start up any kind of a racket it will -be the worse for you." - -Having thus delivered himself, Corrigan went below again, closing the -door to the loft behind him and fastened one of the bolts which was -there to hold it in place. - -Left to herself, Deb stood dazed for a moment in the center of the -floor. Then she tottered to an empty box standing near and sank upon -this, the picture of misery and despair. - -What should she do? What could she do? - -Over and over she asked herself the questions, but without reaching a -satisfying answer. She was the prisoner of a wicked man, and to get -away from him appeared impossible. - -The loft was very dusty, and from overhead hung huge cobwebs full of -dirt and spiders. It was quite dark, for the only window was a little -affair overlooking the river and the four tiny panes of this were thick -with grime, the accumulation of years. - -At last she arose, and with a long-drawn sigh made her way toward the -window. It was nailed fast and could not be raised, so she had to -content herself with scraping some of the dirt from the glass and -looking through the spots thus afforded. - -She could see but little, and nothing which gave her satisfaction. -Below her was the broad and swift-flowing river, and beyond was a grassy -bank, backed up by brush and tall trees. No boat was in sight, nor any -human being. - -She listened attentively, and not hearing Corrigan began to wonder if he -had left the building. - -"If he has I must escape somehow," she told herself. "I wonder if I -can't pry open that door?" - -She knelt over the door and tried it with her bare hands. But this was -not sufficient, and getting up she looked around for something which -might prove useful to her. In a corner of the loft rested a rusty iron -bar, somewhat sharpened at one end. She brought this forth and after -inspecting it felt certain that it would prove just what was needed. - -Approaching the trapdoor she called out softly: - -"Mr. Corrigan! Mr. Corrigan, are you down there?" And then, receiving -no answer, she went on: "Mr. Corrigan, I must speak to you. Won't you -please listen?" - -Still the silence continued, and now her heart arose within her. He -must certainly have gone away, and if that was so, now was her time to -escape! - -Trembling with anxiety, Deb began to work away on the door with the iron -bar. At last she got the end of the bar in the crack of the door, and -then she began to pry the door upwards. At first it refused to budge, -but suddenly the bolt gave way and then the door came open with ease. - -She was at liberty, or at least liberty was within her grasp, and with -her heart thumping madly in her breast, she began to descend to the -floor below, bar in hand. Once she thought she heard a noise outside -and stopped short. What if that awful man should be coming back! But -the noise ceased and was not repeated, and she went on and soon stood at -the spot where he had first made her a prisoner. - -The door to the roadway was open, and poor Deb could hardly resist the -temptation to fly forth at the top of her speed. But then she -remembered that Corrigan might be within easy distance of the mill. If -that was so, and he caught sight of her, he would surely make after her. - -"I must watch my chance, and if he is around, I must get away on the -sly," was what she told herself. Curiously enough, while up in the -loft, she had not discovered Jack's model, which was tucked away out of -her sight. - -With bated breath she tiptoed her way to the open doorway and peered -forth. No one was in sight on the road, nor at the water's edge near -the mill. All was as silent as a tomb, save for the distant rushing of -the water over the rocks. - -Waiting no longer, Debt left the mill and started for the road. She was -still terribly frightened and ran on as if some great demon was after -her trying to clutch her shoulder. In her agitation she did not notice -a tree root growing in her pathway, and catching her foot in this, she -pitched headlong on the stones and grass. - -It was a cruel fall, and as she fell she could not keep back a cry of -alarm, followed by one of pain, for her elbow was hurt not a little. - -At the cry there was a crashing in the bushes overlooking the river at a -point above the mill, and a moment later Corrigan appeared. He had gone -out on a point of land to see if he could catch sight anywhere of Andy -Mosey. - -"What! did you get away?" he roared. - -"Let me go!" screamed Deb. "Oh, my elbow! Let me go!" - -"Let you go nothing!" he answered, and caught hold of her once more. -"Come back with me! Come back this minute!" - -"No, no!" she moaned. "I--I don't want to go back!" - -"But you shall go back," he answered. And despite her struggles he -lifted her into his arms once more and returned with her to the mill. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - MONT TELLS His STORY - - -As Jack and Mont journeyed on the way to Corney, the young machinist -noticed that the young man was rather silent, and when spoken to replied -only in monosyllables. - -"I suppose he's speculating about those papers and the stranded yacht," -thought Jack. "Perhaps they will be valuable to him when he comes to -settle up with his uncle. I'd just like to know what interest father -had in that tool machinery. Perhaps the patent is still ours, or a -royalty on it. As soon as I find Deb, and things are settled a bit, I'm -going to investigate the whole subject." - -Jack's surmise concerning Mont was correct. - -"What do you think of my uncle?" asked the young man, after a long -period of silence. - -"What do I think of him?" asked the young machinist in turn. "In what -way?" - -"Why, as to his dealings with people in general." - -"Well, I--I really, Mont, I don't want to say anything that will hurt -your feelings," stammered Jack, not wishing to be harsh with so dear a -friend, and yet determined to speak only the truth. - -"Never mind my feelings. Just speak your mind." - -Jack was silent a moment. - -"I think he's outrageously mean and close!" he burst out. "He doesn't -treat you, nor any one else in the tool works fairly! He's the hardest -master to work for in the town!" - -The young machinist could be blunt when the occasion demanded, and he -did not mince matters now. - -"I guess you are right," replied Mont, shaking his head affirmatively. -"And yet----" he hesitated. - -"What?" - -"I hardly dare say what is in my mind, Jack. But I want a friend's -advice." - -"And I'll give it willingly." - -"And keep the matter to yourself?" - -"Certainly, if you wish it." - -"Then I've got this to say about my uncle, Felix Gray," declared Mont. -"He is either treating me first-rate--which I don't believe--or else he -is the worst scoundrel in Corney!" - -Jack was dumfounded. - -"The worst scoundrel in Corney?" he repeated almost breathlessly. "You -surely don't mean it!" - -"Yes, I do," replied the young man, decidedly. - -"Don't think I say so hastily. I've thought over the matter a long -time. Things can't go on as they have much longer, and when the break -comes, I want somebody to know my side of the story." - -"Yes, go on." - -"In the first place, you must remember that Mr. Gray is not my full -uncle. He and my father were only half brothers, so we are not so -closely connected as people imagine." - -"That's so," replied Jack, trying to catch a glimpse of what his friend -was driving at. - -"My father was ten years younger than his step-brother," continued Mont, -slowly. "He was quite well off, having been left considerable money by -an old aunt, who always took a great interest in him. My uncle Felix -induced him, shortly after receiving his inheritance, to locate at -Corney, and both became equal partners in the tool works." - -"On your father's capital?" - -"So I imagined; his brother putting his experience and command of trade -against my father's money." - -"Then you really own a half interest in the works!" exclaimed Jack, in -surprise. - -"So I always believed. But listen. My father died suddenly, it was -said. I returned home in time to hear his will read. In this, his -property, without being specified, was left to me as the only surviving -member of the family, with Felix Gray as the sole executor and my -guardian." - -"It was a good deal to trust in his hands." - -"I suppose my father had unlimited confidence in his brother. I trusted -him, too, and continued at school for three years longer. - -"When seventeen years old I returned home, and asked him if I was not -old enough to take an active position at the works, and then he offered -me my present clerkship, and astonished me by asserting that my father -had squandered most of his wealth by extravagant living, and that -several hundred dollars was all there was remaining of my share." - -"And you think?" began the young machinist, who was beginning to see -through the situation. - -"What would you think, Jack?" asked the young man, earnestly. "My -father lived well--owned the yacht we just left, and all that--but was -on the whole, I've been told, a prudent man. Now you know my uncle, what -do you make of the matter?" - -"Did Mr. Gray ever offer to let you examine the accounts?" - -"Only those at the tool works, but not the private ones at home." - -"Then, to say the least, he is certainly not acting as a guardian -should," declared Jack. "And I think you would be perfectly justified -in demanding an examination." - -"That's your honest opinion?" - -"It is, Mont. If he is acting right he won't mind it, and if he isn't, -why the sooner you find it out the better. From my own experience I am -sure he would stoop pretty low to increase his wealth or position." - -"Yes, but that--that----" hesitated the young man, his face flushing. - -"I know what you mean," replied Jack quickly. "To deprive you of what's -yours is a crime punishable by imprisonment, and you hate to have such a -thing connected with any one in your family. But it's not your fault, -and you ought to have your rights." - -"Yes, but the publicity?" faltered Mont. - -"Oh, pshaw! you don't owe the public anything!" exclaimed the young -machinist, somewhat impatiently, so anxious was he to see Mont get his -rights. "Perhaps the affair can be settled privately." - -"I wish it could," returned the young man eagerly. "I would sacrifice a -good deal to have it done in that way." - -Mont's nature was a shrinking one. Had he been less diffident it is -probable that he would have demanded an account from Mr. Felix Gray long -before this. - -"How will you approach your uncle?" asked Jack. "Have you any proofs to -show that all is not right?" - -"I think I have. During the fire I helped carry out a desk from the -library, and the other fellow let his end fall, and burst open one of -the drawers. The contents rolled out on the ground, and in putting the -papers back I came across a bundle marked with my father's name. I was -at first going to put it with the rest, but as matters stand, changed my -mind, and pocketed it. I took it down to the office, but haven't been -able to examine it, except in a general way. And then those documents -from the yacht----" - -"Here they are," replied Jack, producing them. "You have some, too." - -"Yes, quite a bundle." - -Mont undid them, and tried to read some of the faded manuscript. - -"It's too dark to see much," he observed. "If I'm not mistaken, my -father wrote everything that is here." - -"It's queer that Pooler should leave all those things on the yacht -undisturbed," returned the young machinist. "One would think that such -a man as he would have ransacked the boat from stem to stern." - -"He certainly must have a reason,", said the young man. "Or else--I've -been thinking--he may be a little off in his mind. Did you notice what -a restless look his eyes had?" - -"Yes, as if he expected to be nabbed by some one." - -"What Mosey and Corrigan and my uncle do there beats me." - -"And then the yacht. Was your father on board when he died?" - -"I don't know. I always supposed he was at home, and never asked about -it." - -Both felt that for the present at least, the solution of this question -was beyond their power to reach, and they lapsed into silence. - -They were now near the old mill, and remembering the kit he had dropped -when he discovered Mosey, Jack made a search for it. - -"What are you looking for?" asked Mont. - -"My tools I dropped--gracious, listen!" - -A shrill, girlish voice penetrated the air, and fairly struck him to the -heart. - -"Help! Jack! Help!" - -"It's Deb!" he ejaculated. "She's in trouble!" and he ran toward the -old building, closely followed by Mont. - -It took but a few seconds to reach the place. The door was tightly -closed, but with one heavy kick the young machinist burst it open. - -They were astonished at the sight within. - -There was Corrigan--his red face redder than ever with rage--and in his -arms, her hair flying, and her dress plainly showing the effects of her -terrible struggle for liberty, was poor Deb! - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - CORRIGAN MAKES A MOVE - - -Both Jack and Mont had had surprising adventures in plenty, but both of -them agreed that none of them equaled the present one. - -The noise in the room prevented Corrigan from hearing their entrance, -and it was not until Jack's strong hand grasped his arm that he realized -the sudden intrusion, and let go his hold upon Deb. - -As for the poor girl, she was too exhausted to speak, but with a glad -look of recognition, sank back in a faint, supported by Mont, who sprang -forward to prevent her from falling to the floor. - -"You miserable coward!" exclaimed the young machinist, his blood boiling -at a fever heat. "What do you mean by holding my sister in this way?" - -With a strong push of his powerful arm he sent the man flying into a -corner. It was lucky that he had no weapon in his hands, or Corrigan's -career might have received a severe set back. - -[Illustration: WITH A STRONG PUSH OF HIS POWERFUL ARM, HE SENT THE MAN -FLYING INTO A CORNER.] - -"Are you hurt?" asked Mont of Deb, as the girl presently opened her -eyes, and gave a little gasp. - -"I--I think not," she replied, slowly. "Oh, how glad I am that both of -you came when you did!" - -"What brought you here?" asked the young man. - -"I was looking for Jack." - -Meanwhile Corrigan had risen to his feet, and stood in a corner, his -chagrin at being caught showing itself plainly upon his face. Jack -faced him, his hand clenched, ready to strike instantly, if necessary. - -"Well, what have you got to say for yourself?" demanded the young -machinist. - -Corrigan offered no reply. The sudden turn in affairs was something he -could not understand. He bit his lip and tried to put on a bold and -careless front, but the effort was a failure. - -"He stole your model, Jack!" cried Deb. - -"So I heard," replied her brother. "What have you done with my -property?" he added to Corrigan. - -"I haven't anything of yours," was Corrigan's cool reply. "It's all a -mistake." - -"No, it isn't, Jack; it's the truth," reiterated the girl earnestly. - -"You went into my house and took that model by force," continued the -young machinist. "You see, I know all about it, so you might as well -give up the thing at once." - -While speaking, Jack had unconsciously stepped to one side. With a -sudden movement Corrigan slipped past him, and made for the open door. - -But the young machinist was on the alert, and before the man could -realize it, he was sprawling on the floor, with Jack on top of him. - -By intuition, he appeared to feel that it would be useless to struggle, -and so lay perfectly still. - -"I've a good mind to bind you, hands and feet," said Jack. "Close that -door, will you, Mont?" he added to his friend. - -"Will you let me go if I give up the model?" panted Corrigan, who began -to feel the weight of Jack's heavy body upon his chest. - -"I don't know. But you've got to give it up, anyway." - -"I suppose it's hidden here," put in Mont. "That's probably the reason -he's hanging around the place." - -"Wherever it is you will never find it without being told," broke in -Corrigan. - -For well-known reasons he was anxious to get away. - -"Oh, let him go, Jack!" exclaimed Deb. "I don't care, now I've got -you--and Mont"--the last words with a grateful look at the young man, -that caused him to blush. Jack thought the matter over carefully. He -was not of a vindictive nature, and bore no personal ill-will against -Corrigan. - -"What do you think of it?" he whispered to Mont. - -"Might as well let him go if he gives up your property," replied the -young man. "It would be rather hard for us to manage him." - -"Then give up the model and you can leave," said the young machinist to -Corrigan. "But I never want you to come around me again." - -"Give me your word on letting me go if I give it up?" asked the man, -with an eager look. - -"Yes." - -"Come on, then." - -Corrigan led the way to the upper room of the mill. The little party of -three entered. - -"There it is," said the man, pointing to a corner; "you will find it up -there, back of that large beam," and he pointed to an angle in the roof, -about eight feet from the floor. - -"Give me a boost up, Mont," exclaimed Jack. - -The young man caught him by the hips, and held him up as best he could. - -"It's here, sure enough!" cried the young machinist, and from out of a -dim recess he brought forth the model, covered with dust and cobwebs. - -So interested were the two that they did not notice Corrigan back out -from the room and close the door behind him. - -"I'm glad it's safe!" exclaimed Jack, as he placed the precious burden -upon the floor. - -"I was afraid--Hello--what's that?" - -The creak of a bolt not used before sounded in his ears, and in an -instant he noticed the closed door. - -"He's gone!" ejaculated Mont, in astonishment. - -The young machinist sprang to the door and shook it vainly. - -"Trapped, by Jinks!" he exclaimed. "Here, quick! we'll break it down!" - -With all force both threw themselves against the wooden barrier. - -Unfortunately the door was an old-fashioned one, thick and solid, and it -stood firm. - -"We're caged and no mistake!" cried the young man, nearly breathless -from his repeated exertions. "Hist! Listen!" - -Pale as a sheet, Jack did as bidden. - -There was a struggle going on below. They heard Deb shriek several -times. - -"Great heavens, what is he doing?" continued Mont. - -"We must get out," exclaimed Jack determinedly. - -"Now! One, two, three!" - -Bang! - -The door groaned. It bent out at the bottom, but still held its own. - -"Try it again! Now!" - -Bang! Crash! - -A thin split through one of the panels, but that was all. Jack jumped -over to the model. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Mont, perplexed. - -"Cut our way out," was the reply. - -Taking a small screwdriver from his pocket, the young machinist loosened -one of the sharp knives of the miniature planer. As he did so there -came a scream from beyond the road. - -Jack was again back to the door. How rapidly the chips flew! Hurrah! -he had made a hole through! - -He put in his finger. - -"Can you reach the bolt?" asked the young man anxiously. - -"Not quite!" - -Again the chips flew. The hole grew larger. - -"Here, Mont, try your hand. It's smaller than mine." - -The young man did so. With a painful squeeze he pushed through the -opening, and catching the bolt by his thumb, drew it back. - -Jack then opened the door, and rushing out, jumped down the steps four -at a time. - -"Come on!" he called back to Mont, who was vainly endeavoring to release -his hand. "I think he's gone down the road." - -The young machinist was not long in reaching the outside. But once -there he came to a full stop. - -Neither his sister nor Corrigan were anywhere to be seen! - -In a few seconds Mont appeared, the back of his hand bleeding from the -scratch it had received. - -"Where are they?" he gasped, tying his handkerchief over the wound. - -"Blessed if I know!" exclaimed Jack. - -He ran to a bend in the road, and then back again. Not a soul to be -seen anywhere! - -Meanwhile, the young man examined the river bank. All was quiet and -undisturbed. The sun had set fully an hour before, and the twilight, -especially under the trees, was fast deepening. - -"We can't trace them in the dark," remarked Mont, as they stopped for -consideration. - -"We've got to do it," declared the young machinist; "I'm going to find -Deb if it takes a week." - -"Then I'm with you, Jack. Come on." - -"It runs in my mind that they must have taken that road," said Jack, as -he pointed to the one that led down the river. - -"Well, we might as well take that as any other," returned Mont. "He -must certainly have carried her in his arms, and--well, I declare! -Isn't that her hair ribbon?" and he picked up a streamer of brown from -the road-side. - -Jack examined it. - -"You're right," he replied, "We are on the direct way to overtake them. -Come!" - -Both started on a run. They soon passed the falls, and came to a clear -spot on the bank of the river. - -Mont uttered a cry. - -"Look! Look!" he exclaimed, pointing out in mid-stream. "There they -are in a boat; Corrigan is making for Blackbird Island!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - HEAPS OF MONEY - - -Mont was right. Far out on the fast-darkening waters of the stream was -a small rowboat, with Corrigan at the oars, and poor Deb huddled up on -the stern seat. - -Jack's heart sank within him. - -"He's out of reach," he groaned. "Oh, what fools we were to let him -dupe us at the mill." - -"I suppose he was afraid to trust us to let him go," said the young man. -"Can't we do something?" he asked, disconsolately, as he stepped to the -top of a rock to get a better view. - -"Come down!" cried Jack, pulling him by the coat. "It's no use letting -him know that we have tracked him so far, or he'll do his best to -mislead us." - -"That is so," returned the young man, and he hurried into shelter. "I -suppose he intends to join Mosey and Pooler." - -"It's a good thing he didn't know we had been to the island," said Jack. -"Suppose we take Meg's boat and follow?" he added, suddenly. - -"We would never be able to cope with those three men. If we had arms it -might be different. But we haven't as much as a toy pistol." - -"Never mind, I'm going," was Jack's reply, and he made for the cove -where the craft had been left. - -"Then I'm with you," Mont returned, and he followed. - -At the water's edge both gave a cry of disappointment. - -The boat was gone! - -"Of course, Corrigan took it," said the young machinist. "He knew this -was the place to look for Pooler's boat." - -Mont shook his head dubiously. - -"I guess you're right. What's to be done now?" he asked, slowly. - -Jack cudgeled his brain for an instant. - -"I'll look around. There must be other boats. Of course we haven't any -right to take them, but we can't stand on ceremony in a case like this." - -He ran down the beach and soon came to a tiny craft tied to a fallen -tree. - -"Just the thing," he exclaimed, untying the boat and jumping in. "Tell -you what to do, Mont. I'll row out and keep them in sight, while you -run over to Farmer Farrell's for assistance. Get him to come, and other -help, too, if you can, and row directly for the landing. If you don't -find me there, fire a pistol shot, and I'll come as soon as I can." - -This hurried arrangement was agreed upon, and Mont made for the lane -that led to the farmer's homestead. - -Jack shipped the oars, and tired as he was, pulled manfully out into the -stream. The other boat was no longer in view, but he had carefully -noted the direction it had taken, and now headed exactly the same way. - -He pulled for five minutes or more, and then looked ahead. - -He was chagrined to find that the other craft was still out of sight. - -Resuming his seat, he redoubled his efforts, sending the spray flying in -all directions. - -Presently the island loomed up before him, and straining his eyes, he -sought for some signs of his sister and her abductor. - -But though he looked in all directions, and even rowed a considerable -distance up and down the irregular shore, not a thing was revealed. - -"Well, I'm stumped!" was his rather slangy but forcible exclamation. -"I'm positive they're not far off, and how I can be slipped in this -fashion gets me! Wonder if he has gone up to the cottage?" - -Jack ran the boat up the beach and landed. It was now very dark, and he -had no little difficulty in finding the right direction. - -Finally he struck the path, and three minutes' walk brought him to the -clearing. A bright light was burning in the cottage living-room, and -cautiously approaching one of the side windows, he peeped in. - -At the table, his head nodding sleepily, sat Mosey, with a glass and -bottle close at hand. - -"He must be alone," thought the young machinist. "Wonder where Pooler -is?" - -In his disappointment, he was about to return to the shore, when the -door leading to the garret stairway opened, and Corrigan appeared. - -He did not utter a word, but closing the door behind him, he locked it -carefully. - -Jack was pleased to see him. He instantly surmised that Deb had been -brought to the place, and was at the present instant probably locked up -in the room above. - -He was bound to rescue her at all hazards, and looked around for some -available weapon with which to defend himself if the occasion required. - -A small axe lay near the doorstep, and he picked it up. It was ah ugly -looking thing, and he felt better when he had it where it could be -brought into instant use. Both of the men were desperate -characters--one of them had tried to take his life--and he was resolved -to run no more risks. - -"Oi suppose we can't go back to Corney any more," remarked Mosey, as he -took the bottle and helped himself freely. "Ye'll be up fer stealin' -and----" - -"You'll be up for something worse," finished Corrigan, with a forced -laugh. "You're right, Andy. The place is getting too hot to hold us. -We'll have to clear out soon, I'm afraid. Where is Max?" - -"Gone to the cave." - -"What for?" - -"Oi don't know, leastwise he thinks Oi don't." - -"Which means that you do," remarked Corrigan, suggestively. - -Mosey unclosed one eye with great deliberation. - -"Oi do that," he replied slowly. - -"Do you think it's money, Andy?" asked the other, as he seated himself -on the edge of the table. - -"It's not anything else, Dennis, me b'y," was the reply. - -"How much do you expect to get from him?" - -"Not one cint. Oh, but he's a close-fisted miser. Oi know him!" and -the Irishman rubbed his chin savagely. "He owes me many a dollar, so he -does!" - -"Suppose we take what we ought to have by force," whispered Corrigan. -He was slightly pale and his lips twitched nervously. - -"Oi'm wid ye," replied Mosey, rising to his feet. "Oi was thinkin' of -the same thing myself. Max is no good any more. Come on!" - -With an uncertain step the Irishman moved toward the door. In an -instant Jack stepped behind the opposite side of the building. - -Corrigan followed his brother-in-law out, and both walked toward the -woods on the right. - -The young machinist watched them out of sight and then ran into the -cottage. - -Unlocking the stairway door, he mounted the steps hastily. - -"Deb! Deb!" - -"Oh, Jack! is that you?" came a voice from the darkness. - -"Yes. Where are you?" - -"Here, over here, this way!" - -Groping his way along the rafters, the young machinist soon held his -sister in his arms. In a trice he cut the straps with which Corrigan -had bound her. - -"Are you hurt?" he asked tenderly. - -"Oh, no, but I was awfully frightened!" declared the girl. She was -trembling like a frightened fawn, and clung to him closely as he carried -her down the ladder and into the open air. - -"We'll go over to the shore," said Jack; "I think Mont is there. He was -to follow me." - -When they reached the edge of the water, they found that the young man -had just landed. He was accompanied by Farmer Farrell, one of the hired -men, and Meg, who had insisted upon coming along to show the way. - -In a few words Jack introduced Deb, and related what had occurred. - -"And now I believe these men mean harm to this Max Pooler," he said in -conclusion. "If I knew the way to the cave I'd follow them at once." - -"I know the way," put in Meg. "Pooler thinks I don't, but I found it -out one rainy night by followin' him." - -"And will you show us?" asked Jack, eagerly. - -"Yep, if you want me to," replied the young girl. "Come on. 'Taint -far." - -"Hurry up, then. I have a feeling that every minute is valuable." - -Meg led off at once, Jack and Mont following first, with Farmer Farrell -close behind, and Deb helped along by the hired man, who lagged -considerably, having no desire to expose himself to possible harm. - -"'Taint very pleasant," said Meg, as they journeyed over rocks and -stumps, and through a copse of thick undergrowth, and then over a -shallow stream. - -Quarter of a mile brought them to a ravine, near the center of the -island. - -"Here we are!" exclaimed the young girl. "There's the mouth of the -cave." - -She pointed to a huge rock, split directly in the center. Without an -instant's hesitation, Jack entered, followed by the rest. - -Bang! - -A pistol shot rang out ahead! - -"They've shot him, sure?" exclaimed the young machinist, darting -forward. - -A turn in the passage brought him to a small square chamber hollowed out -of the rock, and furnished with a table and two chairs. - -He was utterly bewildered by the scene before him. - -On either side of the small opening stood Mosey and Corrigan, the former -with a smoking pistol in his hand. Between them lay Max Pooler, a wound -in his shoulder. - -But the scene upon the floor of the cave was what riveted Jack's -attention. There, scattered in every direction, were gold and silver -coins, amounting to many thousands of dollars. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE MISER'S TREASURE - - -As he stood in the cave on Blackbird Island, Jack thought he must be -dreaming--the smoke and shining gold and silver all dancing before his -eyes. - -Mechanically he moved forward and grasped hold of the pistol in Mosey's -hand. The Irishman was so astonished that he relinquished the weapon -without an effort. - -"Stand right where you are!" commanded Jack, and he pointed the pistol -so that it was nearly in range of both men. - -"Cornered!" cried Corrigan, as he looked toward the cave entrance, now -blocked by Farmer Farrell and his hired man, "and at the last minute, -too." - -Meanwhile, Mont had gone down on his knees, and was bending over the -prostrate form of Max Pooler, who was bleeding profusely from the wound -in his shoulder. - -Picking up one of the heavy cloth bags that had contained a part of the -scattered coin, the young man clapped it hastily over the bleeding spot, -tying it in position with his handkerchief--an action which checked the -flow considerably. - -"My gold! My precious gold and silver," shrieked Pooler, never deigning -to notice the effect of Mosey's hasty shot. "Put it back; put it back -in the bags! Oh, don't let them take it! It's mine! All mine!" he -whined. - -"Never mind," put in Jack. "Don't worry. What's yours shall remain -yours. Guess we have them safe, eh, Mr. Farrell?" he continued. - -"Looks so," replied the sturdy farmer. "Anyway, I reckon I can keep 'em -from going through this door--the pesky critters!" and, with his gun -ready for use, the farmer stationed himself in the middle of the -passageway, with Deb, Meg and the hired man behind him. - -"What's the cause of this row?" asked Jack, hardly knowing how to -proceed, the whole affair having happened so unexpectedly. - -He looked at Corrigan and then at Mosey, but both of these discomfited -individuals remained silent. - -"They were trying to rob me of my gold and silver," cried Pooler, "But -they sha'n't do it!" he added, vehemently. "It's mine, all mine." - -With his restless eyes rolling wildly, the miser--for Max Pooler was -naught else--reached out his uninjured arm, and clutching the pieces of -money within reach, stowed them away in his bosom. - -"Better keep quiet," suggested Mont, placing his hand on the bandaged -shoulder. "Your wound may be more serious than you think." - -Max Pooler started. - -"Do you--you think so?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. - -"Not being a doctor, I can't say anything certain. It depends on what -direction the bullet took." - -"Can I do anything?" put in Deb at this juncture. She had pushed her -way past the farmer, and now stood by the young man's side. - -"I guess not, Deb," Mont replied. "We haven't much at hand in the shape -of hospital supplies," he added, soberly. - -"Suppose we try to get him up to the house," suggested Farmer Farrell, -without removing his eyes from the two who had caused all the mischief. - -"I won't leave my gold and silver!" howled the miser. "Leave me here. -Never mind my arm; it will soon get well. Only take those two men -away." - -Max Pooler struggled to his feet. The movement caused him intense pain, -and he uttered a sharp groan. - -"We can't do as he wishes," said Jack to Mont. "He might die, and we -would never forgive ourselves." - -"I know it," replied the other. "But it will be a hard matter to -separate him from his money. Besides what shall we do with Mosey and -Corrigan?" - -"That's a sticker. If we had a rope I 'd bind them tighter than they -ever bound me." - -"There's a rope in that chest," put in the miser, who overheard the last -remark. "Tie 'em up--don't let 'em get away." - -"It's sorry ye'll be for sayin' that," exclaimed Mosey. "Oi'll -tell--hic--all----" - -Corrigan caught him by the arm. - -"Shut up!" he whispered in his ear. "Can't you see Max is excited? Let -him cool down. You will be getting us into a heap of trouble presently." - -The rope in the chest was long and heavy, and Jack picked it up with -considerable satisfaction. - -"You first, Mosey," he said, "and none of your fooling, mind." - -"That's all roight, Jack, me b'y. Oi'll not run a shtep. -Never--hic--moind the rope," returned the Irishman in his oiliest tones. - -"I won't trust you, Mosey," returned the young machinist firmly; and, -assisted by Mont, he tied the man's hands behind him, and his feet in -such a manner that he could barely take a walking step. - -"Now your turn," said Jack to Corrigan. - -"What are you going to tie me for?" asked that individual in pretended -surprise. "I didn't shoot him." - -"Perhaps not, but you were perfectly willing to have him shot. Come, -quick. I'm not going to argue all night." - -Corrigan saw that Jack's patience was exhausted, and that the young -machinist was not to be trifled with. He submitted without another -word. - -"Well, what's to do now," asked Farmer Farrell, when the job was -finished. - -"Suppose we row them over to the mainland and march them to Corney," -suggested Jack. "It's half-past eight now. We can reach there by ten." - -"I'll get my wagon, and we can drive over," returned the farmer. "But -what of this man here? We can't leave him." - -"Carry him up to the cottage," put in Meg, who had thus far been a -silent spectator of what was passing. "There's medicine there, lots of -it. It came from----" - -Max Pooler glared at the girl. - -"Shut up, will you?" he snarled. "How many times have I got to tell you -to make you mind?" - -"You can say what you please," replied the girl boldly, "and I will, -too. I've left the island for good, and don't care what you do." - -The miser turned pale with rage. - -"What!" he cried, harshly. "Leave me! Why, you good for nothin'----" - -In his anger he raised his wounded arm as if to strike. Jack sprang -forward to defend the young girl. - -But his caution was unnecessary, for at the same instant Max Pooler gave -a sharp gasp of pain, and wavering backward and forward for a second, -fell heavily to the floor. - -Deb and Meg both gave a shriek, Jack and Mont turned the wounded man -over on his back. - -"Is he--he dead?" asked Deb. She was white, and trembled all over. - -"No, only exhausted," replied Mont, after applying his ear to the -miser's breast. "His passions hold him completely under control." - -"Then he is to be more pitied than blamed," said the girl, -sympathetically. - -The wound had again commenced to bleed. Mont adjusted the bandage that -had become displaced, but this seemed to do little good. - -"I will run to the cottage, and get anything you want," put in Meg, -gazing with softened features at the unconscious form. - -"All right," replied Mont, and he named several things which he thought -might be used to advantage. "And don't forget plenty of linen, and some -cotton if you have it," he added. - -The young girl started off at once, and soon disappeared in the -darkness. - -Meanwhile the two prisoners were growing restless. - -"Guess me and the man can march the pesky critters down to the boat," -said Farmer Farrell, who was weary of watching the pair. "That is, if -you don't mind going through the woods with us," he continued to Jack. - -"Certainly, I'll go," answered the young machinist. "Will you stay -here, Deb?" - -"Yes, I may be needed," replied the girl. "We'll have to dress the -shoulder when Meg returns." - -A moment later the party started off, Mosey and Corrigan in the center, -with the hired man behind. - -Hardly had they left ere Max Pooler returned to his senses, and sitting -up, suddenly looked around. - -"Gone?" he ejaculated. "Did they leave my money? Did they leave me my -shining gold and silver?" - -"Yes, it's all there, so don't worry," replied Mont gently. "You must -keep quiet; it is bad for your shoulder when you move." - -Max Pooler lay back, and eyed the young man suspiciously. - -"You talk as if you meant well," he said, "but no one can be trusted -nowadays. Who are you?" - -"Oh, never mind that," replied the young man, "just keep quiet." - -"But I want to know your name," persisted the wounded man. - -"My name is Monterey Gray." - -The miser leaped to his feet, his teeth clenched, and his eyes rolling -frightfully. - -"It's a lie!" he shrieked. "Monterey Gray is dead!--died years ago! He -died on the yacht! I saw him. Oh, you can't fool me! His ghost is in -the falls, but he is dead; and his gold and silver--oh, you can't fool -me! This ain't his; it's mine, all mine!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST - - -The miser's wild and unexpected revelation was certainly a most -astonishing thing to Mont Gray. As we know, he had surmised that this -strange man knew much of the history of the past, and he had already -decided to put several questions to Max Pooler on the first available -opportunity. But such a statement as he had just heard took away his -breath, and he stared at the prostrate man, scarcely able to move. - -Deb, too, was astonished, but, woman-like, paid more attention to the -effect upon the young man than to what was said. - -"Oh, Mont, isn't it awful?" she exclaimed, catching him by the arm. -"What makes you so pale? What is that man talking about?" - -"I can't say, exactly," he replied, in an oddly unnatural voice. "My -father's death is a mystery to me. This man can unravel it, I suppose, -if he will," he added, as he knelt down, and turned Pooler once more on -his back. - -The face of the wounded man had lost all color, and his heart seemed to -have stopped beating. - -"If we only had some water it might help him," said Mont. "Although I -can't make anything out of a case like this." - -"There's a brook just outside," returned Deb. "Wonder if there is a cup -anywhere around?" - -In one corner he found a can, such as is used in preserving vegetables. -It was empty, and, taking it outside, she washed it thoroughly, and -returned with it full of pure, cold water, with which they bathed the -wounded man's head. - -"He is suffering more from the excitement than from the pistol shot," -observed the young man, as he worked away. - -"I suppose being surprised by those two men was the start of it," -replied Deb. - -The miser was rapidly regaining his color, and his forehead felt like -fire. Soaking the handkerchief in the can, the girl bound it over his -temples. - -Presently Pooler grew restless. He did not open his eyes, but moved his -body from side to side uneasily. - -"He is coming to," whispered Mont. "Perhaps you had better go outside. -He may become violent." - -"Never mind if he does," replied the girl; "I think I ought to stay, and -I won't care so long as you are here," and then, as Mont gave her a -grateful smile, Deb suddenly blushed and turned away her face. - -"My gold and silver! It's mine, all mine!" muttered Pooler to himself. -"Monterey Gray is dead, and it belongs to me, all, all, all!" He -gnashed his teeth. "Oh, why did I go on that accursed yacht--evil is -always sure to follow! My gold and silver! All mine!" - -A long silence followed, broken only by the irregular breathing of the -exhausted man. - -"He has passed into a stupor," said Mont. "How long it will last I -cannot tell." - -Presently Meg returned, carrying a number of bottles and bandages. - -"Brought all I could carry," she declared. "Hope there's what you want -there." - -Deb looked over the list and fixed up a dose which Mont poured down the -wounded man's throat. - -Meanwhile, Meg picked up the scattered coins and tied them up in the -various bags that lay upon the table. How much there was they could -form no estimate, but it would certainly run up to thousands of dollars. - -Evidently, Max Pooler had not dreamed of being surprised while counting -over his hoarded wealth, and the demands of Mosey and Corrigan, who -probably had some hold upon the miser, had led to an immediate quarrel. - -While Meg was still at work, Jack returned, somewhat flushed from -hurrying. - -"We don't know what to do with those two men," he said, after taking a -look at Pooler, who still rested quietly. "That hired man is afraid of -his own shadow, and Mr. Farrell hardly thinks he can manage them alone." - -"Suppose you go with them," suggested Mont. "I can get along here alone, -and when you come back you can bring a doctor." - -The young man's idea was thought by all to be a good one. - -"But what will you do?" asked the young machinist of his sister. - -"I'll do whatever you say, Jack," was Deb's reply. - -"I'll stay here, if it's best," put in Meg. "I ain't afraid of anything -on this island." - -"Perhaps you had better remain, too, Deb," said Jack. "I'll be back -with the doctor just as soon as I can." - -"Wonder if we can't get this man up to the cottage," put in Mont. "He'd -be much better off in his own bed than here." - -"We can, but carrying may make his wound worse," returned the young -machinist. - -"It isn't that which worries him the most. It's his money and his -conscience," declared the young man, as he eyed Pooler meditatively. - -"Then come; we'll lock hands and make an armchair for him to ride in." - -Not without considerable difficulty they raised the man between them. -He now uttered no sound, and his weight was that of a dead body. - -Meg led the way, carrying the lantern which she had taken from the cave. -Deb brought up the rear, her overskirt weighted down by as many of the -bags of the coin as she could carry, which Jack advised should be taken -along. - -It was a long and tedious walk, for the greater part in the dark. They -rested twice, and both Mont and Jack gave a sigh of relief when they -deposited their burden upon a temporary bed in the front room of the -cottage. - -"There, now you'll have to get along the best you can," said the young -machinist. "I suppose Mr. Farrell is wondering what keeps me so long. -Good night all;" and off he went toward the shore. - -Meg brought some extra blankets from the other beds, and Mont prepared a -resting place for the unconscious man, placing the wounded shoulder in -as comfortable a position as possible. - -"You had both better try to secure a little sleep," he said to the two -girls. "I can get along alone. If I need help I will call you." - -After some discussion both Deb and Meg retired to what had for many -years been the latter's resting place, a small chamber at one end of the -garret. - -Mont kept a constant eye upon his strange patient, frequently -rearranging the pillow, and watching that the bandage did not slip from -the shoulder. - -There was an anxious look in the young man's face as he moved about, and -it soon vented itself in a brief soliloquy. - -"This man knows all about the past," he whispered to himself. "He knew -my father, and he knows uncle Felix, I must help him to recover and, -there----" he rubbed his hand over his forehead; "If I only knew the -truth!" - -He noticed that the brow of the miser gradually grew hotter, and that -the man's restlessness increased every moment. - -"I don't know of anything else I can do," said Mont to himself. "I hope -Jack will hurry back with the doctor." - -It was not long before Max Pooler was tossing from side to side. - -"My gold and silver," murmured the feverish miser. "My shining gold and -silver! You shan't take it away! It's mine. Ask Felix Gray if it -ain't." - -Mont started. - -"What did you say?" he asked bending low over the tossing form. - -"Water, water!" moaned Pooler, paying no attention to the question. -"Give me a drink of water, I'm burning up!" - -Mont took up the pitcher which Meg had filled at the spring, and held it -to his lips. The miser took one sip, and then pushed it from him. - -"Ha! ha! you can't fool me!" he screamed. "You're in the water--the same -old face! Haven't I looked at it many a time from the deck of the Kitty? -But you're dead, yes dead, and you can't tell anything!" and he fell -back on the bed with a groan. - -"You must keep quiet," said Mont, who, to tell the truth, was highly -excited himself; "you are wounded in the shoulder, and will fare badly -if you don't take things easy." - -But Pooler either could or would not pay any attention to Mont's advice. -He kept muttering to himself--at one moment apparently in his right mind -and at the next talking at random. - -"Who did you say you were?" he asked during a lucid interval. - -The young man did not reply. He knew that under the circumstances to do -so would only excite the man. - -"Oh, I know--Monterey Gray. But you're not. Monterey Gray is dead," -and the miser chuckled. - -"You are thinking of my father," said Mont finally. - -Max Pooler glared at him. - -"'Tain't so!" he cried, and then, after a pause: "Who was that other -young man?" - -"My friend, Jack Willington." - -"Willington!" gasped Pooler, rising up. "Both of them; and they have -come to take away the money! But Monterey Gray and Martin Willington -are both dead, and the gold and silver is mine! Didn't I tell you so -before? It is all mine!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - CHASING ANDY MOSEY - - -Jack's thoughts were busy as he hurried toward the shore, where he -expected to meet farmer Farrell and the two prisoners. - -"Pooler acts mighty queer to say the least," he told himself. "I can't -make it out at all, excepting that I think we are on the edge of some -discovery of importance." - -It was dark under the trees, and he had to pick his way along as best he -could. Once he lost the path and came close to running into a small -brook flowing halfway across the island. - -Never for a moment did he imagine that either of the two prisoners could -get away from the farmer and his hired man. - -But in this he was mistaken. - -Corrigan was too tightly bound to help himself, but not so Andy Mosey. -The Irishman had been so near complete intoxication that it had not been -deemed necessary to make his bonds extra strong. - -But finding himself a close prisoner had sobered Mosey a good deal and -long before the shore was gained he made up his mind to escape if he -possibly could. - -With a cunning that he had heretofore failed to exhibit he began to act -as if he was more intoxicated than usual. - -"Look out, or you'll go down!" was the warning of the farmer. "And if -you do go down you can pick yourself up, for I shan't help you, -excepting with a kick." - -"Oi know me way," was Mosey's unsteady reply. "Oi'm comin'. Don't ye -worry about me." - -Just as the vicinity of the shore was gained Mosey slipped the bonds -from first one hand and then the other, taking care that not even his -brother-in-law should see him, for he was now thinking of saving himself -only. - -"Come, don't drag," came from farmer Farrell. "I am not going to stay -here all night." - -"Sure, an' Oi sthepped in a hole, the ould b'y take the luck!" -spluttered Mosey. "Oi'm comin' jhust as fast as Oi can!" - -The farmer moved on and so did Corrigan and the hired man. Farmer -Farrell had cautioned the hired man to keep an eye on Mosey, but the job -was not at all to the fellow's taste and he was thinking of nothing but -to get back home, where he had left a comfortable bed in the barn. - -At last Mosey thought he saw his opportunity and dropped further behind -than ever, acting as if he had lamed his foot. Then of a sudden he -darted behind some trees and crashed away through some bushes. - -"Hi! stop!" roared farmer Farrell. "Stop, or I'll fire on you!" - -To this Andy Mosey made no reply, but increased his speed, so that he -was soon quite a distance from the island shore. The farmer gazed -around in dismay, first at Corrigan and then at his hired man. - -"Go after him, you dunce!" he cried to the hired man. "I must watch -this rascal. Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on the other fellow?" - -"And I did, sir," was the weak answer. "He ran off before I knew it." - -"Well, after him, I say! Don't stand there like a block of wood!" - -"He--he may take it into his head to shoot me," faltered the hired man. - -"He hasn't any pistol, we disarmed him," returned the farmer, -frantically. "Are you going after him or not?" - -"I'll go, sir," said the hired man, and hurried off as far as the bushes -into which Mosey had first disappeared. But by that time the Irishman -was a good hundred yards away, and running as rapidly as his limbs would -carry him. - -In the bushes the hired man came to a halt. He pretended to look around, -but he did not venture a step further. - -"Do you see him?" called out farmer Farrell. - -"No, sir." - -"Why don't you follow him up?" - -"I don't know where he went to." - -"He went up the shore. Quick, follow him, or I'll discharge you -to-morrow morning." - -Thus threatened the hired man started up the shore and then moved in the -direction of the cottage, having a notion that Mosey might move in that -direction, although he might have known better. A minute later he heard -footsteps and came to a halt with his heart in his throat. - -"If he attacks me I'm a goner!" he groaned, and then saw that it was -Jack and not Mosey who was approaching. - -"O, sir, he's got away!" he cried, with a feeling of relief when he -recognized the young machinist. - -"Got away? Who?" questioned Jack, quickly. - -"The rascal named Mosey." - -"When?" - -"Just a few minutes ago, sir--when we were almost to the boat." - -"What of Corrigan?" - -"Mr. Farrell is watching him." - -"But Mosey was bound?" - -"I know it, sir. But he got away anyhow, and ran like a deer up the -shore." - -"Then he can't be far off," exclaimed Jack. "Were you after him?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"But if he went up the shore----" - -"I was a-thinking he might turn toward the cottage." - -"No, he didn't come this way." - -"Then he must have gone that way." - -"We must catch him," cried Jack, earnestly. "He has done too many wrong -deeds to be allowed to escape in this fashion. Come on, follow me." - -The young inventor pushed forward and the hired man came after him, but -at what he considered a safe distance in the rear. Soon Jack was -running up the shore at a point where there was a wide open field, which -Pooler had once used for growing wheat. - -As the young machinist came out on the edge of the field he saw a dark -form just leaving the open space at the opposite side. The form was -that of Mosey. - -"Stop, Mosey!" he cried, loudly. "Stop, it will be best for you!" - -The cry from Jack alarmed Andy Mosey more than ever, and he tried to run -with increased speed. But his first burst had been almost too much for -him, and he was panting loudly for breath. - -"Sure an' Oi can't make it afther all," he panted. "Bad cess to Jack -Willington fer followin' me! Oi wisht Oi had me pistol. Oi'd soon be -afther sthopin' his game!" - -But Mosey had nothing more than a sharp stone, which he had picked up in -the field, and at present he saw no way of using this, for Jack was too -far off. - -Feeling that he could not run much further, he looked around for some -place where he might hide. A gnarled tree with low-spreading branches -was not far away and to this he went and began to climb the trunk with -all possible speed. Soon he was some distance from the ground and then -he stretched himself on a limb and remained quiet. - -Crossing the field at his best speed, Jack darted in among the trees and -peered around sharply. Of course he could see nothing of Mosey, and he -moved on for a distance of a hundred feet or more. Then he came back -and stood directly under the tree in which the Irishman was hiding. In -the meantime the farmer's hired man came to a halt in the middle of the -field, ready to run at the first sign of danger. - -"Mosey!" called Jack. "Mosey, you might as well give yourself up. You -are bound to be caught sooner or later." - -He listened, but no reply came back. Then Jack walked around the tree. - -Now had the Irishman kept quiet he might have escaped the young -inventor, but his success at getting away made him extra bold, and not -knowing that the farm hand was near he resolved to do Jack a great -injury. Bringing the sharp stone from his pocket, he took careful aim -at Jack's head and let drive with all the force he could command. - -Had the stone landed as intended the young inventor might have been -killed, but as it was, on the instant that Mosey threw the missile Jack -took a step forward, thinking to go on another hunt for the Irishman. -Consequently the stone merely grazed his shoulder, doing hardly any -damage. - -Much startled, Jack leaped forward and then turned around. He did not -know exactly where Mosey was, but resolved to put on a bold front. - -"So that is where you are!" he cried. "Do you want me to put a bullet -through you?" - -"Bad luck to yez!" growled Mosey, much crestfallen. "No, don't shoot -me, Jack, me b'y. It--it was all a mistake. I thought ye was the -farmer, upon me wurrud." - -"Do you surrender?" - -"Yis, yis!" Andy Mosey had a wholesome fear of being shot, and he could -not see whether Jack had a pistol or not. - -"How many more rocks have you up there?" - -"Nary a wan, Jack, Oi only had the wan, upon me honor." - -"Then jump down here, and hold your hands over your head. If you try to -play me another trick I'll shoot you sure." - -With a groan Andy Mosey descended to the ground, and then held his hands -over his head. - -"Now turn around and march the way you came. And don't you dare to look -back," continued the young inventor. - -"But, Jack, me dear b'y----" - -"I am not your dear boy, Mosey, and I won't stop to parley with you." - -"But, Jack, I didn't----" - -"Stop it I say, and march. Or do you want to be in the fix Pooler is -in?" - -"No, no! I'll march, Jack; don't shoot!" And without further ado Andy -Mosey set off for the shore, with Jack behind him, and the farm hand -bringing up at a safe distance to one side. Presently the farm hand ran -ahead, to tell farmer Farrell of how matters now stood. - -As soon as the hired man had disappeared Andy Mosey tried to argue -again. - -"It's Corrigan's doin's----" he began. - -"Mosey, we won't talk now," said Jack at last, for he saw that the -Irishman's head was not as clear as it might have been. "If you want to -argue you can do it when we are in the boat." - -"But you'll be afther listenin' to me Jack, me b'y?" pleaded Mosey. - -"Perhaps." - -"I want to be friends wid ye." - -"You have a strange way of showing it." - -"It's the liquor, Jack, me b'y--bad cess to it." - -"Why don't you leave liquor alone then, Andy?" - -"Sure, an' it would be a good job done if I had niver touched a drap." - -"You've spoken the truth there." - -"If Oi iver git out av this hole Oi'll soign the pledge, so Oi will." - -"You might do worse." - -"Say the wurrud, Jack, me b'y, an' Oi'll soign it to-morrow," went on -Mosey, thinking he was winning the young inventor over. - -"I'll say nothing more at present, Andy, excepting that I want you to -get along to the shore, without further delay." - -"But Jack, if Oi----" - -"Not another word. March!" - -And then the march to the boat was resumed. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - PAPERS OF GREAT VALUE - - -It did not take Jack and Mosey very long to reach the shore. They found -Farmer Farrell, gun in hand, stalking up and down impatiently. He had -ordered Corrigan into the row-boat, and was lecturing him and the hired -man at the same time. - -"You've been a mighty long while coming," he remarked, as the dim rays -of the smoky lantern fell upon the young machinist's face. - -"I couldn't help it," replied Jack, and he briefly related what had -occurred to detain him so long. - -They embarked at once. The young machinist set out to do the rowing, -but was stopped by the farmer, who directed Tim, the hired man to take -the oars. - -"You're tired enough," said Farmer Farrell. "Besides, we must keep a -close eye on these two, or they'll be up to their pesky tricks afore we -know it." - -Tim pulled a good stroke. He was anxious to get out of such dangerous -company and be safe in his bed in the barn loft once more. - -"Isn't there some way we can fix this matter up?" asked Corrigan, after -a long period of thoughtful silence. - -"What do you mean?" asked Jack. - -"Why, buy ourselves off." - -"No, sir, not a bit of it," returned the young machinist, decidedly. - -Corrigan winced. The prospect of going to prison was not a particularly -inviting one. - -"Oi say, Jack, me b'y, if we give up yer model will ye be easy on us?" -put in Mosey, who did not know that that precious bit of property had -already been recovered. - -"I have it already," replied Jack; "I don't intend to be any harder on -you than you deserve," he continued. "You tried to take my friend's -life as well as mine, and also to set fire to Mr. Gray's house, and by -using the match-safe which belonged to me, cast suspicion on my -character, which has not yet been cleared away." - -"Who can prove I set foire to Felix Gray's place?" demanded the -Irishman, blusteringly. His tongue was clearer than it had been, but -his head was as muddled as ever. - -"Perhaps I can." - -"Ye can't, no how." - -"Well, we'll see, and it will go hard with you unless you can prove -otherwise." - -"Oi didn't do it. It was Dennis's work," howled Mosey, breaking down -completely. "Oi found the box and gave it ter him, and he kept it. -Didn't he stale the model, too, and run away wid yer sister? Oi niver -harmed a soul, save when I was in liquor," he whined. - -"It's a lie!" shouted Corrigan, in a rage. Had he been free he would -have struck down his confederate. - -"It ain't, it's true, every worrud of it," responded Mosey, doggedly. -"Ye always got me to do yer dirty worruk, and now yer want me to stand -all der blame. But Oi won't do it. Oi'll turn Queen's evidence first." - -"If you turn state's evidence you may save yourself a heap of trouble," -put in Farmer Farrell. - -"Oh, Oi'll do it, just mind me, if Oi don't," replied the Irishman, -quickly. He was thoroughly cowed, and his one thought was how to best -evade the clutches of the law. - -"You mean dog!" interrupted Corrigan, bitterly. "You shall pay dearly -for this;" and he grated his teeth together in rancor. - -"I don't think you will be able to harm him for a good while," sagely -remarked Farmer Farrell. - -Corrigan became silent at once, and as each one was busy with his own -thoughts, the rest of the trip was accomplished without further words. - -On reaching the shore the party repaired at once to Farmer Farrell's -place where Tim, glad to be home again, hitched up the team to the old -family wagon. - -"Is there a doctor anywhere near?" asked Jack; "I promised to send one -over to the island." - -"Dr. Melvin lives just up the road," replied the farmer. "We'll stop -and tell him, and Tim can row him over. Do you hear, Tim?" - -"Yes, sir," replied the farm hand. "To-morrow morning will do, I -suppose." - -"To-morrow morning!" repeated the farmer, in surprise. "No, indeed, -right away. And if you can't get Dr. Melvin, go over to Dr. Dell's and -take him straight to Pooler's cottage. Tell him that the man has a -bullet in his shoulder." - -Much as he disliked the job, the hired man did not dare to complain; so -with a heavy sigh he set off on his errand, traveling through the dark -as fast as his heavy boots would permit. - -The family wagon contained two seats. Farmer Farrell took the front -one, with Mosey beside him, while Jack, with Corrigan, sat in the rear, -and then the horses were started on the road to Corney. - -"We will stop at the old mill and get my model," said Jack, on the way. - -At the old structure everything was dark and deserted. - -"Say, Oi'll go along wid ye," said Mosey, as the young machinist -dismounted from his seat. "There's something there Oi want to show ye." - -Corrigan wished to interfere, but Jack, who believed that the Irishman -was now really inclined to render assistance, would not let him. - -"There are some papers that belong to Mr. Gray. Dennis stole them when -the house was burning," said Mosey, when he and Jack were alone. "Oi -can't read, but Dennis said they'd be worth money to us some day." - -"Where are they?" asked Jack, with interest. - -"Will you be aisy on me if Oi tell ye?" asked Mosey. - -"Perhaps I will." - -"Oi'll trust ye," replied Mosey. "They're up stairs, under the flure." - -They ascended the stairs, and taking up a board that Mosey pointed out, -Jack drew out a small, oblong packet. - -"I can't read it now," said the young machinist. "Come along. If the -contents are valuable I'll see that you get full credit for giving it -up." - -He put the packet in his pocket, and taking up the model, made the -Irishman precede him down to the wagon. They were soon on the way -again, the precious model safely stowed away in the front of the -vehicle. - -"I guess Mr. Benton will be rather surprised when he learns the true -state of affairs," thought Jack to himself. "But his treatment of Deb -was shameful, and I shall tell him so." - -As they passed an old barn near the outskirts of the town all heard a -loud cry, the scuffle of many feet, and then the door of the place burst -open. - -"Hello, what's all this?" exclaimed Jack. "Some one in trouble!" - -Through the open doorway sprang a tall man. He was but partly dressed, -and one side of his face bore a thick coating of black. He ran directly -toward the road, and was followed by a dozen or more men wearing masks. - -Seeing the wagon he made for it as fast as his legs would carry him. - -"Save me, save me!" he gasped. "Get me away from these villains, and I -will pay you well!" and in frantic haste he clambered over the wheel and -into the front of the vehicle. - -"What's the trouble!" asked Farmer Farrell in astonishment, while Jack -took up the gun. - -"They want to tar and feather me!" was the panting reply. "See they -made a beginning;" and the excited individual held his face up to view. - -"Mr. Gray!" ejaculated the young machinist. - -He had not time to say more, for at that instant Corrigan, taking -advantage of the excitement, hit Jack under the chin with his head, and -then leaped to the ground. In doing so he fell, but picked himself up -quickly, and hopped as fast as he could down the road. - -A second later the wagon was surrounded by the masked men, all armed and -gesticulating wildly. - -"Give him up, Willington!" they yelled. "Give up Gray, or we'll tar and -feather the lot of you!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"--CONCLUSION - - -It was a thrilling scene, the brawny men, their intended victim, the -would-be rescuers, all in confusion. - -One of the masked men attempted to pull Mr. Felix Gray to the ground, -but the tool manufacturer held fast to the front seat. - -"Stop that!" roared Farmer Farrell. - -"We want that man!" called out a person in the mob. - -"No, no! Save me! save me!" cried Mr. Gray, frantically. - -"We will not give him up," exclaimed Jack. "It's a shame to treat a dog -in this fashion!" - -"He threw us out of work. He won't give us our money. He wants to -starve us and our families," called out several. - -"Listen!" yelled Jack, as loud as he could. "Some of you know me. I -work in the tool works; I haven't got my money, and need it as badly as -any of you. But I say you'll never gain anything by acting this way. -Let Mr. Gray go." - -"We want him and we're going to have him," exclaimed the man at the -wagon, grimly, and he renewed his efforts to pull the tool manufacturer -from the seat. - -"You shall not," replied Jack, determinedly, and raising the gun, he hit -the man a sharp blow upon the hand, which made him instantly release his -hold. - -"Go for 'em, fellows!" the man howled out, shaking the injured member in -evident pain. - -The crowd began instantly to close in upon the wagon. Mosey, in the -excitement, tried his best to gain the ground, but Farmer Farrell had -taken the precaution to tie the Irishman's feet fast to the iron foot -rest, and he was unable to stir. - -"We must get out of this!" exclaimed Jack to the farmer. "Start up the -horses. Quick!" - -Farmer Farrell needed no further urging. Reaching over Mr. Gray's body, -he pulled up the reins, and struck first one and then the other of the -horses with his whip. - -With a bound the animals leaped forward. The man who had held a grip -upon the tool manufacturer's foot lost it, and slipped under the -vehicle--the hind wheel passing over his leg. - -The crowd uttered a loud cry, but were too late to stop the sudden -movement. One of the men caught hold of the tailboard of the wagon, but -a threatening shake from the young machinist's gun made him drop to the -ground. - -On they went, Farmer Farrell making the horses do their very best. - -Suddenly a pistol shot rang out, and Mosey gave a cry of pain. - -"Oi'm shot!" he cried, falling backward upon Jack. "They've murdered -me, so they have!" - -"Where are you hit?" asked the young machinist anxiously. - -"In the soide. Oi'm dy--in'----" - -Another pistol shot interrupted his speech. - -"Gitting kinder hot," cried the farmer. "Let me have the gun. Here, -hold the reins," and he gave them to Jack and took the weapon. "We'll -see what a dose of buckshot will do." - -Bang! - -The report was followed by several cries from behind. - -"That'll teach the pesky critters a lesson," observed the farmer, as he -resumed the reins. - -Even as he spoke, they saw a flash in the darkness to one side of the -road, followed instantly by the crack of a revolver. - -"I'm struck!" exclaimed Mr. Gray. "The villain has hit me in the -shoulder!" - -"Is it bad?" asked Jack in horror. - -"No, only a flesh wound, I guess," and the tool manufacturer drew a -sharp breath. "Drive on, don't stop!" - -The command was not needed. The team was now in full gallop, and three -minutes brought them into the heart of the town. - -"Straight home," replied Mr. Gray, in return to a question from Jack as -to where he should be taken. "And bring Mosey along, the doctor can -attend us both." - -This was done, and the family physician pronounced the Irishman's wound -quite serious. - -"Yours will heal rapidly," he said to the tool manufacturer. "But your -right arm will never be as good as it was. That workman may recover, -but it will take months." - -The sun was just rising when Jack, after a breakfast that Farmer -Farrell's wife had compelled him to eat, took the boat and rowed over to -Blackbird Island. - -Deb saw him coming and rushed out of the cottage to meet him. - -"Oh, Jack, such a time as we've had!" she sobbed. "The doctor is here, -and that Pooler just died." - -"Pooler dead?" ejaculated the young machinist, in amazement. - -He entered the back room. The doctor and Meg were there, the girl's -eyes swollen from crying. - -"Where is Mont?" he asked. - -Meg pointed to the other door. - -"He's in there too," she said, in a quivering voice. - -Jack entered the front chamber. Max Pooler's body lay on the cot, -covered with a white sheet. Beside it, on a low stool, with his face -buried in his hands, sat Mont. - -The young man's countenance was full of emotion. He took the young -machinist's hand in his own, and pulled the covering from the dead face -before them. - -"Listen, Jack," he said in a low voice, "I want to tell you an awful -secret. Before this man died, he confessed that he murdered my father. -He was very penitent, and he--he asked me to forgive him." - -"And you----" began Jack. - -"I did forgive him. It was hard, but how could I refuse a dying man?" - -"You did right," returned the young machinist. "But, oh, Mont, I'm so -sorry for you! Did he tell you how it came about?" - -"Yes. He used to be my father's clerk, and avarice led him to steal. -By some means he imagined my father knew of his doings, and was about to -have him arrested. Half crazed by this fear, he went on board my -father's yacht one night and cast her adrift while my father was -sleeping in the stateroom. The yacht went over the falls, and turned up -where we found her." - -"And your father?" - -"Was found dead in the cabin. He said my uncle suspected him, but as -Mr. Felix Gray was trying to rob me of my share of the tool works -property, he turned the tables, and threatened not only to expose him, -but to implicate him in the murder as well. My uncle has been paying -him money for years to keep him quiet, but part of this went to Mosey -and Corrigan as 'hush money,' so Pooler said. - -"It's a strange story," mused Jack. - -"But that isn't all," continued Mont. "Before he died Pooler proved to -me that about one-half of his treasure belonged really to you." - -"To me!" ejaculated the young machinist, in utter astonishment. - -Mont nodded. - -"Yes, to you," he said. "Pooler said my father held it in trust for -your father, who was not a good hand at investing money. The amounts -were the proceeds of several valuable inventions." - -"Then we are both rich," returned Jack, with a broad smile. "I am glad -of it, for Deb's sake!" he added, brightly. - -A little later the young machinist related what had happened on the -river road the night before. - -"And now we'll have the whole affair straightened out," he concluded. -"I believe your uncle has had all the ups and downs he cares for, and -will let you have your own without much opposition." - -"I trust so," replied Mont. "I do not care, as I said before, to make -the thing public, but it has gone far enough, and both of us must have -our rights." - -"And then I must get the fire and the model matters squared up and go to -work on a bigger scale," added Jack. "I declare I've had adventures -enough in the past four days to last me a lifetime!" - -Five years have passed since the above words were spoken. Mont is now -the sole owner of the Corney Tool Works, and the Mechanics' Savings Bank -is once again a flourishing institution. Mr. Felix Gray has relinquished -all rights to both, and is content to pass the remainder of his days in -helping his nephew along the road to fortune. - -Mosey recovered, and is now a steady workman. He has signed the pledge, -and intends to stick to it. Corrigan was never heard of after his jump -from the wagon, and no one has ever taken the trouble to find out what -became of him. - -Jack is now superintendent at the tool works, and besides his salary, -draws a handsome royalty from his father's and his own inventions. -Through Mr. Benton--who was profuse in his offers of help when he -learned the true state of affairs--the patent of the improved planer was -sold for four thousand dollars, of which half came to the young -machinist. - -Deb--Jack's best girl--is now Mrs. Monterey Gray, and though she lives -in one of the finest mansions of the town, is still the true and -faithful little housekeeper she always was. Meg, upon whom Mont has -settled a neat sum, lives with her, and Miss Parks is a frequent and -welcome visitor at the place. - -A few weeks ago, while visiting at Corney, I met Deb driving out to -Farmer Farrell's place, and asked her how her brother was getting on. - -"Jack? Why, I declare you'd hardly know him, he's so awfully tall! And -he's got a beard all over his face. Business is splendid, but then Jack -always said that any one who did right, and stuck to his work, would get -along!" - -And Deb is right. Do you not think so, gentle reader? - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A YOUNG INVENTOR'S PLUCK *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42142 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may -use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative -works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and -printed and given away - you may do practically _anything_ with public -domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, -especially commercial redistribution. - - - -The Full Project Gutenberg License - - -_Please read this before you distribute or use this work._ - -To protect the Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or -any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License available with this file or online at -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic works - - -*1.A.* By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the -terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all -copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in your possession. If -you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -*1.B.* "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things -that you can do with most Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works even -without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph -1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -*1.C.* The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of -Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works. Nearly all the individual works -in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you -from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating -derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project -Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the -Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting free access to electronic -works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg(tm) works in compliance with -the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg(tm) name -associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this -agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full -Project Gutenberg(tm) License when you share it without charge with -others. - - -*1.D.* The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg(tm) work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -*1.E.* Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -*1.E.1.* The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with - almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away - or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License - included with this eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org - -*1.E.2.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating -that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can -be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying -any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a -work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on -the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs -1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -*1.E.3.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and -distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and -any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg(tm) License for all works posted -with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of -this work. - -*1.E.4.* Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License terms from this work, or any files containing a -part of this work or any other work associated with Project -Gutenberg(tm). - -*1.E.5.* Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) License. - -*1.E.6.* You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg(tm) web site -(http://www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -*1.E.7.* Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg(tm) works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -*1.E.8.* You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works -provided that - - - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg(tm) works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - - - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg(tm) - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) - works. - - - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - - - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) works. - - -*1.E.9.* If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3. below. - -*1.F.* - -*1.F.1.* Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection. -Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, and the -medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but -not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription -errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a -defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -*1.F.2.* LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. -YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, -BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN -PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND -ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR -ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES -EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. - -*1.F.3.* LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -*1.F.4.* Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -*1.F.5.* Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -*1.F.6.* INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg(tm) -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg(tm) work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg(tm) - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg(tm)'s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection will remain -freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and -permanent future for Project Gutenberg(tm) and future generations. To -learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org . - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state -of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue -Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is -64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the -full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page -at http://www.pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where -we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any -statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside -the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways -including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, -please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. - - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg(tm) -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg(tm) eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg(tm) eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless -a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks -in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's eBook -number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected _editions_ of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg(tm), -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |