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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..40ca8e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50224 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50224) diff --git a/old/50224-0.txt b/old/50224-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cd369a7..0000000 --- a/old/50224-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3725 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp, by Robert Shaler - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp - -Author: Robert Shaler - -Release Date: October 15, 2015 [EBook #50224] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS AT MOBILIZATION CAMP *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE BOY SCOUTS - AT - MOBILIZATION CAMP - - - BY - ROBERT SHALER - - AUTHOR OF “THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE SIGNAL CORPS,” “THE BOY SCOUTS OF - PIONEER CAMP,” ETC., ETC. - - - NEW YORK - HURST & COMPANY - PUBLISHERS - - Copyright, 1918, by - Hurst & Co., Inc. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER. PAGE. - I Good Luck 5 - II A Breakdown on the Road 18 - III Rising Suspicions 30 - IV The Hold-up 39 - V An Echo from the Past 48 - VI The Burning Bridge 62 - VII The Accusation 73 - VIII In the Mobilization Camp 84 - IX the Disappearance of Felix 95 - X Bud Morgan on the Scent 106 - XI The Value of a Good Reputation 117 - XII The Search Squad 128 - XIII The House by the Roadside 140 - XIV A Successful Round-up 149 - - - - - The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp - - - - - CHAPTER I - GOOD LUCK - - -“Honest Injun, Hugh, I never wanted to go anywhere half so much as I do -right now to drop in at that State camp where the militia has started -mobilizing.” - -“Just so, Bud, and, to tell you the truth, I’m feeling the same way -myself. Ever since we scouts waved good-bye to our gallant Battery K -some five miles up the road, and watched the last gun, caisson and -supply wagon disappear over the crown of Kettledrum Hill, I’ve had that -picture in my mind.” - -“Say, I wager things are just _humming_ over at that same camp, Hugh,” -sighed the first boy in faded khaki, “Bud” Morgan by name, and a member -of Oakvale’s famous Boy Scout Troop. - -“They certainly must be,” admitted his comrade, who wore the insignia of -rank that marks not only a patrol leader, but an assistant scout master -as well. “This morning’s paper says that besides our fellows, there is a -full regiment already in camp, not to mention other commands, such as -the Engineers’, Signal Corps and Red Cross detachments.” - -“Don’t forget to count the Aviation Squad, Hugh,” added Bud, eagerly. -“You know, I’m head over ears interested in the birdmen and their -doings, as well as in signaling, surveying and inventions.” - -“Yes, it certainly must be a glorious sight,” Hugh said enviously. “To -tell you the truth, old fellow, I’m lying awake nights trying to think -up some reasonable excuse for paying a flying visit to the concentration -camp.” - -“Anyhow,” remarked Bud, brightening up a little, “we can squeeze some -satisfaction out of the fact that the scouts had a heap to do with -getting Battery K off to the camp with their roster on a full war -footing.”[1] - -“We’ve undertaken an all-summer job helping to run the Pastor farm for -the crippled old man, so his boy, Corporal Tony, could go to the Mexican -border with his company. That’s one way scouts can help Uncle Sam when -trouble comes along. It’s partly on account of that promise I’m holding -back about leaving Oakvale.” - -“Oh! so far as that goes, Hugh,” said Bud, slyly, after the manner of a -tempter, “you’ve got the programme all laid out, and Alec Sands could -take your place for a week. The site for the camp we expect to start up -there near the Pastor farm has been arranged, so the boys would make the -hike, and then be handy in getting the hay crop cut, and have it taken -to the barn inside of ten days. If you took a notion, Hugh, don’t you -think the two of us might manage to get away? Try hard and think up some -good excuse for making the trip. A dozen people here in Oakvale would -want to send messages and packages to their boys, you know.” - -Hugh Hardin laughed at the entreating manner of his companion. They were -standing at the time in front of the post office building, where people -kept coming and going in squads and singly, for that was one of the -busiest places in the mill town of Oakvale. - -Hugh and Bud both belonged to the _Wolf_ Patrol of the troop, which was -in a most flourishing condition, having four full patrols, and another -well along. These enterprising lads of Oakvale had been more or less in -the limelight for several seasons past. Circumstances had allowed them -to engineer quite a number of really successful enterprises that were -one and all to their credit. Those readers who may be only making their -acquaintance with Hugh and his friends in this story, if at all curious -to know what some of those stirring adventures were, should secure -previous volumes in this series, and enjoy reading accounts of scout -activities as related therein. - -One thing certain, those same enterprising and ambitious scouts had -succeeded in convincing the most skeptical persons that the coming to -town of such an organization had been the means of a regeneration among -the boys of Oakvale. Many things had been tolerated under the old order, -with the familiar excuse that “boys will be boys, and you must expect -them to play practical pranks, and do all manner of shocking things in -order to work off their extra enthusiasm,” but such outbreaks were quite -unknown in these later days. The reason was that a new means for -allowing the high-spirited lads to “let off steam” had been found. - -On the morning the call of the President came summoning the National -Guard to mobilize, with a view to being sworn into the service of the -Government, so as to proceed forthwith to the Mexican border, and guard -the same against aggression, it sent a thrill across the entire country -from the Atlantic to the Pacific. - -Tens of thousands of young fellows flocked to the armories, and the most -intense excitement followed, as hurried preparations were started -looking toward increasing these various military organizations from a -peace to a war footing. - -Oakvale had a battery of four guns, together with such equipment as was -necessary for utilizing these field pieces; but just then it happened, -as in many similar organizations, that the roster contained just enough -names to prevent the company from being disbanded under the law by the -State authorities. - -Consequently a feverish hunt began to enlist new units, or, what was -better yet, former members who had left the ranks to sign again, so as -to swell the number to a high level of which the town might be proud. - -In this little drama it chanced that Hugh and his fellow scouts bore -themselves right handsomely, so that it was chiefly owing to their manly -efforts that a number of former members came forward again to put their -names down. - -After a very eventful period of preparation, which lasted for several -days, Battery K had started for the mobilization camp. As connections on -the railroad did not happen to favor them, they concluded to make the -trip overland, knowing that it would take less than two full days, and -must prove of considerable benefit to both men and horses in the way of -practice, which they greatly needed. - -Once more Oakvale had settled down to the humdrum monotony of customary -life. Things resumed their former conditions, but after the feverish -outburst of patriotism people found it difficult to attend to business. -They missed the faces of those gallant young fellows who had gone to -serve their country. So, too, they found things terribly dull after all -that exhilarating music which the fine Oakvale brass band had provided -while the battery lay encamped on the grass-covered public square. They -missed the enlisting officers’ tent, surrounded day and evening by a -curious throng, where the khaki-clad men urged their friends to sign the -muster roll so as to bring the local company up to a war footing. - -Some of the boys had been inconsolable ever since they watched the last -of the troop vanish over the hill, as Hugh had described. Being -ambitious and patriotic lads, they would have liked nothing better than -a chance to accompany those artillerymen to camp, and even to the far -distant Southwest border where the followers of the Mexican bandit, -Villa, were threatening further bold raids across the international -line. - -Never dreaming of having their ardent wishes suddenly realized, the two -boys continued to stand there, chatting of scout affairs in general, and -what they expected to do while in camp in particular. Bud, upon turning -his head, discovered something which he communicated to Hugh in his -breezy fashion: - -“Unless I miss my guess, Hugh, we’re going to hear some news worth -while. There’s our comrade, Blake Merton, heading this way like a -schooner with all sails set. He looks considerably worked up, too. I -wonder what ails him? Perhaps something’s happened to keep him from -joining the bunch when we start on our hike tomorrow for that camp up -near the Pastor farm?” - -Hugh, taking a look, remarked calmly: - -“We’ll soon know what’s up, for he’s heading our way, and making signals -that he wants us to wait for him. I hope it hasn’t anything to do with -that case of scarlet fever my folks were talking about this morning, -because it happens that the Werner house is close to where Blake lives. -If one of his younger sisters came down with the disease they’d have to -quarantine the Mertons, and so Blake couldn’t go with us.” - -“Wee whiz! that _would_ be tough luck—with vacation just starting in!” -the sympathetic Bud went on to say. - -“Hello! Hugh!” remarked the newcomer as he arrived, partly out of breath -from hurrying so fast, and looking excited as well, “I’ve been searching -for you all over town. They put me on several false scents, but I’m -awful glad to find you at last!” - -“What’s the trouble, Blake?” asked the patrol leader; for, although the -Merton boy belonged to the _Hawk_ Patrol, somehow, when he wanted -counsel and advice, he turned to the assistant scout master rather than -to Walter Osborne, who was the _Hawk_ leader. - -Blake glanced toward Bud, and then, as though making up his mind, -quickly exclaimed: - -“I guess Bud can be depended on to keep a secret as tight as a drum, and -so I’m going to speak up. Fact is, Hugh, I’m in a peck of trouble about -my cousin, Felix Platt.” - -“Oh! I remember that he went away with the battery, being a member of -the same,” Hugh observed. “What ails Felix? Has his mother fallen sick, -and ought he come home again before being mustered into Uncle Sam’s -service?” - -Blake Merton shook his head. - -“No, it isn’t that, Hugh, worse than that, even, I should say!” he -declared. - -“Well, you’ve got us worked up, all right, Blake,” exclaimed Bud, -feverishly, “so please explain what you mean when you say that. I hope -your cousin hasn’t gone and done something wrong?” - -“He’s made a fool of himself, I’m sorry to say, and stands a good chance -of losing all his uncle’s property. You must know that Uncle Reuben is -his guardian as well, and has made his will in favor of Felix, so as to -cut off that bad son of his who disgraced him several times.” - -“Yes, we know all about what Luther Gregory has done to worry his -father,” admitted Bud, encouragingly. “But Reuben isn’t any blood -relation of yours, is he?” - -“Oh! no, though Felix happens to be my second cousin. You see, they had -some warm words the night before the battery left town, and Felix, being -a hot-blooded young fellow, said something he shouldn’t, and which has -cut Uncle Reuben to the quick. Just this morning the old gentleman had -his lawyer, Judge Marshall, to change his will once more, cutting off -Felix. The good old judge managed to coax him to wait a bit; and so -Uncle Reuben has vowed that if he doesn’t receive an apology from Felix -by sundown of tomorrow, nothing will keep him from doing as he -threatens, much as he has cared for the boy since his own son failed -him. Yes, he threatens to leave every dollar of his big fortune to -charity.” - -“That’s too bad,” mused Hugh, shaking his head, for he had always liked -Felix, who was a pretty fine sort of a young chap, as they go in these -days. “But how is it you come to know about this matter, Blake?” - -“Just this way, Hugh,” came the ready reply. “Uncle Reuben made Judge -Marshall promise that he wouldn’t communicate with Felix, or send him -any direct word; but, having the best interests of all parties at stake, -and, believing the old man would secretly applaud his action if ever he -knew it, the judge called to me over the wire to drop in right away and -see him. Then he told me about it, not suggesting a single thing, mind -you, but leaving it up to me to do what I thought best, because he knew -how fond of Felix I’ve always been.” - -“Well, then,” said Hugh, beaming on him, “why don’t you get busy, and -write Felix a letter right away, explaining the case, and begging him to -send the apology? By now he’s cooled down, and ten chances to one is -mighty sorry for speaking as he did.” - -“Hugh, I thought of that the first thing, but what if the letter didn’t -reach him?” objected Blake, frowning as he spoke. - -“You could register it, or send with a quick delivery stamp,” remarked -Bud. - -“Even then there would always be a lot of uncertainty about it,” -continued the other, stubbornly. - -“Evidently, then, you’ve got some other dandy scheme up your sleeve!” -exclaimed Bud, suspiciously. “Let’s hear about it, Blake, if you need -any advice.” - -“Well, I’ve always believed that when you want anything done, the only -safe way is to do it yourself. You remember the bird telling her young -ones in the nest that so long as the farmer depended on his relatives -and friends to help cut the wheat there was no need for worry; but when -finally he told his son they’d start in and do the job themselves the -mother bird admitted it was time for flitting. Now, Hugh, I’ve got a -hunch that if only you’d go along with me to give advice, I’d make a -start for the mobilization camp right away, and tell Felix face to face -what a fool he has been, as well as fetch back a letter for Uncle Reuben -that would heal all the bitter feelings in the old gentleman’s heart. -What do you say to that, Hugh?” - - - - - CHAPTER II - A BREAKDOWN ON THE ROAD - - -Hugh and Bud exchanged glances, and then the latter burst into a laugh. - -“Blake, bless your heart, of course Hugh will be glad to go along with -you over to the big State camp so you can tell Felix what a silly he’s -made of himself. You know, scouts are always ready to perform a good -deed, and bringing Uncle Reuben and his favorite nephew together again -would be just bully. And, say, you’ve got to count me in the deal, -ditto, understand?” - -“Why, I don’t know just how that might be?” stammered Blake; when -energetic Bud broke in upon him with a vigor that would brook no -refusal. - -“I’ll tell you several reasons for my going along, Blake,” he said, -tapping one finger after another. “First off, it happens that Hugh and -myself were just saying we only wanted some half-way decent excuse for -deserting the other fellows right now, and heading straight for the big -camp. Then, secondly, I c’n get a sort of decent old car in which we -could make the run, if nothing happened to ditch us on the road. Then, -last, but far from least, I want to go! And that settles it.” - -“All right, Bud,” agreed the other, carried away by this enthusiasm and -desire to serve a comrade in trouble, “what you say goes. That idea -about the car is a good one. Hugh, you haven’t told me what you think -yet; please help me out of this pickle, won’t you?” - -“Oh! just as Bud here remarked,” laughed the patrol leader. “I’m like a -hungry fish biting at the first baited hook I see ahead of me. I -certainly do want to go over to that mobilization camp the worst way, -and the only thing that kept me from starting was the want of a decent -excuse. Now that a comrade has called on me to assist him, there’s no -further reason for holding back!” - -“Bully for you, Hugh!” exclaimed Bud Morgan, beaming happily on his two -comrades. - -“I just knew I could depend on you to help me tide over this trouble, -Hugh,” said Blake, grasping the other’s hand, and squeezing it warmly. -“Now that we’ve got all that fixed, let’s make the necessary -arrangements as soon as we can; time counts in a game like this; and, -besides, I’ve got certain reasons for fearing there may be -interruptions.” - -He did not choose to enter into any explanation for these rather strange -words, seeing which Hugh presently went on to say: - -“I’ll get in touch with Alec Sands, the leader of the _Otters_, and tell -him that he must take charge of things for some days while I’m away. -Alec can see about the hike tomorrow; making camp up there near the -Pastor farm; and even starting in at the hay-cutting if we’re not back -in time. Fortunately, Alec knows considerable along the line of farm -work; and then, too, old Mr. Pastor can coach the boys.” - -“But, Hugh, please don’t drop a hint about why you’ve got to go over to -the big camp,” pleaded Blake. “You see, it might happen to get to the -ears of Uncle Reuben, and offend him. That’s got to be a dead secret -between the three of us until I can put a letter from Felix in his -guardian’s hand, and know the old gentleman’s really forgiven him for -his hasty words.” - -“We’ll both shake hands with you on that, Blake,” said Hugh, wishing to -make sure that Bud would be willing to take the same vow of secrecy on -himself. - -When this operation had been completed, Blake appeared to be much -relieved. - -“How long do you expect it will take you to see Alec, and arrange other -things, Hugh?” he asked. - -“Oh!” the patrol leader immediately replied, “so far as that goes, I -believe an hour ought to cover everything, such as telling my folks at -home, and getting Alec to take charge. How about you two?” - -“I can do it in far less time,” admitted Blake. - -“Same here, unless the old car has to be fixed in some way. Generally -the tires aren’t holding any too well,” explained Bud. “But, then, a -fellow mustn’t look a gift horse in the mouth; all it’ll cost us is the -gas and lubricating oil. We c’n fix that up among us easy enough, eh, -boys?” - -So it was agreed that they should rendezvous at a certain spot as soon -as possible. If Hugh could accomplish his several errands in any shorter -time so much the better, he remarked. The three boys hastened away in as -many different directions, each one making all possible speed, for their -hearts were evidently in the work that now engaged their attention. - -So well did luck stand by them, that before three-quarters of an hour -had passed by the trio met again at the appointed place. Each carried a -small package, and, besides, Bud had driven up in a rather dilapidated -looking old car that doubtless had a past history, and now quite out of -the running where speed was considered a prime requisite. - -Still, as Bud himself had remarked, it was not polite to be too -particular of a gift. The car might carry them in safety over the forty -miles or more that lay between Oakvale and the mobilization camp; then, -again, they might have a few punctures or blowouts, for the tires were -certainly in poor condition. - -Hugh looked the machine over, and raised his eyebrows expressively; -whereat Bud hastened to say: - -“Don’t condemn the old rattletrap yet awhile, Hugh. Sometimes things -turn out mighty deceptive, you remember. She’s seen heaps of service in -her day, for a fact, and been pretty dependable, too, I wager. May be -she’ll behave scrumptuously for us on this trip. We’re going on an -errand of mercy, and deserve encouragement, for a fact. Jump in, -fellows, and we’ll get started.” - -So they were soon off. The car groaned and wheezed when power was -applied, and Blake looked pretty anxious until finally they began to -move along the road out of Oakvale at a fair clip. - -“Say, she seems to go pretty decent, after all!” declared the driver, -for Bud, likewise Hugh, knew much about the mechanism of cars, and could -pilot one as well as any boy around Oakvale. Blake was a novice at such -things. - -“We must be making as much as ten miles an hour right now!” laughed -Hugh. - -“Which rate of speed, if continued, would fetch us to the camp in less -than five hours, wouldn’t it?” demanded the now sanguine Blake. - -“Oh! well, the worst is yet to come!” grinned Bud Morgan. “You see, -we’re going on the level now, and there happens to be some pretty tough -old hills which have to be surmounted before we reach our haven. Hills -can play hob with most old worn-out cars. I’m not boasting any yet, -Blake, you notice; hold your horses, and we’ll see what happens.” - -For some little time they continued to move along fairly well, and a -number of miles were placed behind them. Indeed, they had even managed -to climb several good-sized elevations; and, although once it seemed as -though the machinery was about to give up with a last groan, clever Bud -managed to pull the machine to the top of the rise, so that they could -coast down the declivity, which they did in great style. - -“She can run like a bird, once you cut the power off, and let her -coast,” shrilled the enthusiastic pilot, as they continued to “scoot” -along the level below. - -“Whee! but look what’s ahead of us?” cried Blake, in an appalled tone. - -“Oh! that hill isn’t half as bad as it seems,” Bud told him. “I’m going -to take it on the run, and get to the top, all right, watch me!” - -He made an heroic effort to accomplish the end he had in view, and, in -fact, did manage to negotiate more than three-fourths of the climb. Then -suddenly the engine gave up the ghost, and only through a frantic use of -the brake did the pilot keep the car from starting backward down the -steep incline. - -“Well, here we are, held up!” he remarked, calmly; “it’s up to me to get -busy and see what’s wrong.” - -“I’ll help you to it, Bud,” Hugh told him, stripping off his coat, and -donning one of the old linen dusters Bud had thoughtfully fetched along -for just this purpose, since he suspected they would find good use for -it. - -They were a busy bunch for the next hour, the two boys most of the time -working under the car and Blake hovering near, growing more and more -anxious as the precious minutes slipped past. - -“How far have we come, do you reckon, Hugh?” he asked once. - -“I should say about seventeen miles,” the other replied, after mental -figuring; “though that’s only a guess, because we don’t happen to have -any way of telling. This car isn’t equipped with a cyclometer, you know, -or any other thing that costs money. I’m surprised that the tires have -held out so well.” - -“That isn’t much more than one-third of the way to camp, either,” -declared Blake, disconsolately. “I’m wondering what I could do in case, -after all your work, you fail to coax the poor old engine into going -again. It’ll be too bad if we get to the camp too late to carry that -letter back to Uncle Reuben in time; for he is a terrible man to keep -his word, and he’ll make that new will tomorrow night as sure as -anything, unless he hears from Felix by sundown.” - -“Well, if it comes to the worst,” Hugh told him, soothingly, “you could -wire Uncle Reuben to hold up, and that a letter was on the way with an -ample apology. I suppose you don’t have any doubt about Felix giving you -such a letter, Blake?” - -“No, I don’t, Hugh. Not that he cares so much about the old gentleman’s -money, because, you see, he has some of his own coming to him in another -year or so; but Felix is a good-hearted fellow, and really cares a heap -for his guardian.” - -Meanwhile, Bud Morgan was working with all his might, trying to locate -and cure the engine trouble. Bud was a very determined fellow, as his -chums had learned many a time in the past. Once he set his mind on -accomplishing anything he would persist everlastingly at the job, even -when it seemed next door to hopeless. - -“I’m beginning to get on to it, boys, I want to tell you,” he finally -said, as he crawled out from under the car so as to stretch his cramped -limbs, and wipe the perspiration from his forehead with a bandanna that -had once upon a time been a beautiful red, but was now sadly faded. - -“But almost two hours have slipped by since our plug engine balked on -us,” complained Blake Merton, painfully. “Not that I’m trying to rub it -into you fellows, because both of you are doing the work, while a -greenhorn like me has to sit around and grunt, and count the minutes. If -only some other motorist would come along about now maybe he might be -able to lend us a hand.” - -“Wish to gracious one would show up,” sighed Bud. “What a fellow doesn’t -know about pesky engines like this would fill a book. Another pilot -might just happen to be familiar with this particular kind of trouble. -‘Many men, many minds,’ you remember. But don’t think I’m going to give -it up. There’s a little of the old U. S. Grant about me, and I purpose -‘fighting it out on this line if it takes all summer.’” - -“That’s a bully way of looking at it, Bud, and I give you lots of -credit,” said Blake, shrugging his shoulders. “If we stick here until -tomorrow I might just as well head back toward Oakvale, for all the good -a visit to camp will do me.” - -“Listen!” warned Hugh, holding up a finger. - -“Ginger! some one coming, as sure as anything!” ejaculated Bud, looking -inexpressibly relieved. - -The plain sound of an approaching car could now be heard. It was also -coming from the same direction as their course had just covered, that -is, from distant Oakvale. - -“I can see him starting to take the hill,” announced Blake, eagerly, -“and, say, if it is only a flivver, it tackles the rise as if no ascent -had any terrors for it. One man is in the little car, but, then, he may -be an angel in disguise. I hope so, I certainly do.” - -So the trio of anxious scouts waited for the coming of the lone motorist -whose small car was already courageously mounting the elevation. - - - - - CHAPTER III - RISING SUSPICIONS - - -The oncoming car soon reached the spot where Hugh, Bud and Blake were -stalled. Hugh threw up his arm as a signal that they would be greatly -obliged to the party in the lone machine if he would stop for a brief -time to hear their tale of woe, and either assist them, or at least give -advice. - -The occupant of the little car was a dark-faced man of middle age with -what seemed to be a perpetual smile on his face, or was it a leer? Hugh -did not like his looks any too well, he confessed to himself. When -motorists are in trouble they have no business to find any fault with -the looks of a possible Moses who might lead them out of the wilderness. -Whether he is handsome or homely, pleasant-looking or a sour-visaged man -matters little if only he is accommodating. - -“We’re in a mess, it happens, sir,” Hugh commenced saying. - -“So I see,” sneered the man, looking suggestively at Bud’s grimy hands, -and then toward the stalled ramshackle car. - -“Our knowledge of mechanics isn’t all it should be,” continued Hugh, -determined not to be daunted by this poor beginning, “and if you could -spare five minutes to take a look at the cause of our trouble, perhaps -you might tell us how to remedy the same. I’m sure we’d feel under heavy -obligations, sir.” - -“We certainly would,” added Blake; “it’s of prime importance that we get -along just now, because we’re heading for the mobilization camp, on an -important errand, sir. Please oblige us, won’t you?” - -He tried to throw all the pathos possible into his application. Hugh -thought the man was laughing in his sleeve, so to say. At any rate, he -failed to make the first movement toward getting out of his still -throbbing car. - -As a general thing, motorists are most accommodating toward those in -distress. It seems to be a rule of the road that when the signal is -given, any one passing by must be adjudged next door to a criminal. A -fellow feeling makes all men who drive motors sympathize with one -another, for there is no telling just how soon they may themselves be in -dire need of the same help. - -“Sorry to say I’m in a desperate hurry myself, boys,” snapped the man, -between his set teeth. “I’d like to help you, but any delay just now -might cost me a big amount in money. I reckon you’ll get her going, some -way or other. At the worst, you could let her drop back down the hill. I -think there’s a farmhouse up that little dirt road half a mile or so -where you could stay over-night. So I’ll have to push along and leave -you. Sorry, too, for I’d like to help you.” - -With that he once more started along, and the three scouts stared after -him struggling under various emotions. - -“The mean skunk!” gritted Bud. “I’ll fix my old engine if it takes a -leg. Course, he might have shown me a better way, but I’m coming along.” - -Blake Merton was shaking his head as though some new thought had taken -possession of his mind. - -“This means _something_, I tell you, Hugh!” he burst out with. “It isn’t -just one of those accidents that bob up now and then. That chap was -chuckling to himself all the while, just because he had come on us -stalled here.” - -“What’s that?” asked Hugh, somewhat startled by such an assertion. “Why -should a stranger care whether a pack of scouts were held up with engine -trouble or not?” - -“I’ll try and tell you, Hugh,” came the quick reply, as Blake’s eyes -snapped. “I didn’t think to mention it before because—well, so many -other things chased through my brain, you know. But this is the same -fellow I saw talking to Luther Gregory.” - -“You mean the degenerate son of Uncle Reuben, the tough case he threw -over, and vowed never to have anything to do with again?” gasped Bud -Morgan, stopping when about to once more crawl under the stalled car. - -“No other,” came the quick reply. - -“Has he been seen again in Oakvale lately?” demanded Hugh. “I remember -that he got mixed up in some row, and his father paid the bill only on -condition that Luke promised to shake the dust of the home town off his -feet, and never show up again. If the slippery fellow hadn’t agreed to -this, Mr. Gregory was going to let the law take its course, for his -patience had reached the limit.” - -“Listen,” said Blake, earnestly. “I saw Luke this very morning while -getting my little package, after leaving you fellows, and going home to -say good-bye to my folks. I, too, was surprised to set eyes on him, -knowing about that promise to stay away from Oakvale. He was talking -with that very man we just saw pass us. Hugh, they seemed to be on good -terms, for I saw them shake hands as if to bind some sort of bargain. -Then Luke discovered me, and gave the other a nudge. I thought that man -stared mighty hard at me as I passed, just like he meant to remember my -face. Now, I’m wondering what all that could mean.” - -Hugh was silent for a brief spell. His mind was endeavoring to grapple -with the problem that confronted him. - -“It seems almost too big a thing to be true, Blake,” he finally -remarked; “but if Luke Gregory could have in some way learned what his -father was meaning to do about making another will, and cutting Felix -out entirely, why, he might think it worth his while to plot so as to -keep you from seeing your cousin in Battery K.” - -Bud Morgan whistled to indicate his deep interest in the matter. - -“Now, I happen to know that Luke Gregory used to be a right smart sort -of a chap when he lived in Oakvale,” Bud observed. “I wager he’s up to -just that kind of a game. However he could have learned the news we’ll -never find out. He may have a spy among the servants in the Gregory -house, some one who used to care for him when he lived at home, and who -reported the interview his father had with Judge Marshall. Then, again, -it might be that same spy followed the lawyer, and saw him talking with -Blake here.” - -“That’s pretty far-fetched,” admitted Hugh. “You must remember that it -was over the ’phone the judge asked Blake to come and see him. Possibly, -though, this spy in watching the lawyer’s house noticed Blake going in, -and guessed why he had been sent for. But, no matter, there seems to be -a chance that Luke _did_ know, and that he believes it to be to his -interest to prevent a meeting between Blake and Felix until the time set -has expired.” - -“It might be,” mused Blake, “that Luke has never stopped hoping he might -yet be able to make up with his father, and that he thinks his first -move should be to get Felix out of the running. This, then, would be too -good a chance to be lost. He has started that man toward the camp, -knowing about our coming. So, now, we can understand why he seemed to be -grinning all the while.” - -“It did seem to tickle him, seeing us stalled here, and likely to stay -for goodness knows how long,” admitted Bud, frowning. - -Hugh took more stock in the theory the longer he considered it. Although -at first it may have seemed far-fetched, just as he had remarked, -“familiarity did not breed contempt” in this case. - -“Well, there’s nothing to be done but, get our engine running again, if -we can,” he said, while Bud was hammering noisily under the body of the -car. “If, in the end, that fails, we’ll try and think up some other -scheme, for the more difficulties that crop up in our path, the more -stubborn we become.” - -“Oh! thank you for saying that, Hugh!” exclaimed Blake. “I know mighty -well that when you’ve set your teeth, and start in to win, something is -bound to come from it. I was beginning to get discouraged, but, say, -that’s passing away now, and I seem to be drawing in my second wind.” - -Just then there came a whoop from underneath the car. - -“Cheer up, fellows!” called out a muffled voice. - -“Do you think you’ve found out how to fix her up so she’ll work again, -Bud?” cried Blake, his face aglow with renewed hope. - -“Watch my smoke, that’s all,” was the reassuring reply, followed by -additional pounding; and presently Bud wriggled out from his confined -quarters, a sight to behold, so far as face and hands and discolored -duster were concerned; but Hugh paid little or no attention to these -things, because he saw that a huge grin decorated the greasy countenance -of his chum. - -Some more pottering followed. Then Bud gave the crank a few turns. There -was no response, and evidently the balky engine still declined to behave -itself. Nothing daunted, Bud tried a second, and then a third time. When -still once more he flirted with the crank there came a sudden roar, and -sure enough the car rocked under the pulsations of the conquered motor. - -“Hurrah! you’ve done it, Bud, sure you have!” cried the happy Blake, as -he danced up and down in his excitement. - -“Wait till I get these things back again, and wipe some of this mess -from my face and hands,” said the mechanic, “and then we’ll start right -up the hill with a push that can do next door to anything.” - -“I really believe she’s working better than ever before,” suggested -Blake. - -“Well, considering what I did in cleaning things up,” grinned Bud, -holding out his grimy hands, “that isn’t to be wondered at. She was -fairly clogged with dirt. Give me just another minute, boys, and then -we’ll be on the jump!” - - - - - CHAPTER IV - THE HOLD-UP - - -“This is something like living,” Blake remarked, after they had easily -made the top of the hill, and were coasting down the other side with -increased celerity, though Bud apparently did not dare allow full speed -for fear lest something would happen to a dilapidated part of the worn -machinery, and cause a bad accident. - -All of them were pleased. Although much time had been lost, still, with -anything like decent luck, they should easily be able to make the camp -while the sun still hung above the western horizon. Blake asked for -nothing better. - -“That scamp in the flivver had nearly an hour’s start of us, boys,” -Blake later on observed. “By rights he ought to be ten miles and more -ahead of us, I say; but do you know I half thought I caught a glimpse of -his car when we came over the top of the last rise, and not so very far -away, either.” - -“I certainly heard a sound that might have been made by a car dashing -across a short bridge ahead, there,” admitted Hugh. - -“All of which looks queer to me,” continued Blake. “Do you think, Hugh, -he might have held back to see how we came out of that scrape? Would he -be figuring on doing something to hold us up on the way?” - -“I don’t know,” was the reply of the patrol leader. “All we can do is to -keep a good lookout as we go along, and fight shy of breakers. If only -Bud can keep that engine going, we’re bound to arrive, some time or -other. If that man tries to bother us, he may wish he hadn’t,” and the -light that shone in Hugh’s eyes as he said this told how he meant every -word. - -“Huh! he wouldn’t be the first fellow who felt sorry he’d fooled with -the scouts of Oakvale,” boasted Bud, with memories of previous exploits -crowding his brain. “If a silly bear will monkey with a buzz-saw, he c’n -expect to get hurt, that’s all.” - -“Pull up!” hastily ejaculated Hugh as he saw something glisten in the -road ahead of them. - -They had just started around a bend, and were going at a fair pace at -the time. Bud put on the brake, and the car speedily came to a stand, -but, alas! just a trifle too late to avoid the breakers. There was a -sudden explosion. - -“Gee! a tire’s busted!” cried Blake, in dire dismay. - -All of the boys jumped out, and it needed only one look to tell them the -truth, for the left front tire lay flat. - -“Glass!” snapped Bud, wrathfully, as he glanced around. “Just think of -anybody heaving a bottle overboard like that, when there are so many -stones around. Seems to me the least the rascal could have done would be -to throw the same into the bushes here.” - -Hugh was bending over as though deeply interested, and just then he -electrified his two companions by crying out: - -“It was no accident, after all, fellows, but a part of a cleverly -arranged plot! These bottles were fetched along purposely. They were -broken right on this rock, where you can see all the fine glass; and the -pieces were put on the road so that a car couldn’t pass along without -being terribly cut. See here, and here, and here!” - -Bud was furious. He gritted his teeth, and growled like a “bear with a -sore head,” as he himself afterwards explained it. - -“Hugh! you’re right, hang the luck if you ain’t!” he went on to say, as -he looked the ground over. “That miserable skunk laid the plot, and I’m -sorry to say it worked like a charm. See how he chose a place just -around a bend, so we mightn’t get warning in time by the sun glinting -from the broken glass? Oh! he’s a corker of a schemer, that chap is; and -I’d like to get my hands on him! Say, what I wouldn’t do to him would be -hardly worth mentioning.” - -“Forget all that, Bud,” cautioned wise Hugh. “That sort of talk never -mends cut tires. All of us must get busy, and see what we can do. -Luckily enough you made out to have an extra tire along, even if it’s a -tough proposition. Let’s make the change in double-quick time.” - -All the while they worked the boys exchanged opinions, and if that man -could only have heard what they thought of him surely his ears would -have burned. - -“One thing certain,” Hugh was saying later on, as the job progressed -fairly well, “this thing has settled the question about his being -interested in keeping us out of the mobilization camp.” - -“Just what it has, Hugh,” admitted Blake, jubilantly. “When once you -know what you’re up against, the chances of winning out are stronger; -anyway, that’s always been my opinion.” - -“Have you cleaned off the road ahead of us, Blake?” asked Bud, “because -we’ll be on the move again as soon as I get a little more air in this -tire.” - -“I walked along the road for a hundred yards,” replied the other, “and -found no more of the glass. I reckon he bunched it all around here, so -we couldn’t dodge running smack into the same.” - -“After this,” said Bud, grimly, “I’ll slow up whenever we come to a -turn. You never can tell what a wretch like that may have fixed around -the bend. Once bit, twice shy, isn’t a bad motto. I don’t mean to get -trapped in the same way again, if I know it.” - -“So I was right, wasn’t I?” Blake remarked, with a touch of satisfaction -in his voice, “when I said I felt sure I had seen that flivver a mile or -two ahead of us, when it should have been at least ten miles further -along?” - -“That’s correct, Blake,” assented Hugh; “your eyes told you the truth. -All of us will have to keep on the watch right along. The man who could -play such a mean trick on people in a car with such bad tires as this -one has would be equal to anything, in my opinion. Ready now, Bud?” - -“Yes, and that tire seems to be pretty snug,” came from the hard-worked -pilot, who, however, never once complained, for Bud was not a shirker, -if he did have certain faults of his own to contend with. “I only hope -the others don’t turn out to have been cut so they’ll go back on us -sooner or later. Glass like this is a bad proposition when you’re -running on worn rubber.” - -Once more they were moving along. How keenly they kept their eyes on the -lookout for further trouble ahead could be detected by the manner in -which all three forgot to observe the scenery around them, the dusty -road monopolizing their attention. - -As the minutes continued to slip past they had the satisfaction of -knowing that they were putting the miles behind them. Five and more had -been dropped since that last accident. Blake asked further questions -concerning the probable distance over which they had now come, and as -usual Hugh was able to give a conservative guess. - -“All of twenty-five miles from Oakvale by now, I should say,” he -announced. “If you want to know how I’m able to say that, let me -explain. I have a rough map of the country up here. I copied it hastily -from one they had at the recruiting tent, for you know the battery must -have come along this same road we’re now on. A mile back we saw a -crossroads. That was marked on the map with the figures twenty-four; so -after all it was easy to add another mile to that score; and there you -are.” - -“Only for your long head in making a rough copy of that road map, Hugh,” -declared the admiring Blake, “we would certainly be up against it now. -Well, that leaves some fifteen or twenty more miles. Can we fetch it by -sundown, do you believe, Bud?” - -“Oh! easy going!” came the flippant reply, though accompanied by a side -wink in the direction of Hugh, which was possibly intended to convey the -meaning that the aforesaid result could be attained if they were -fortunate, and met with no further mishaps such as had already delayed -them on two occasions. - -“I think we’re coming to some sort of village,” observed Hugh, later on, -“for I can see a small house on one side of the road, with some chickens -and a dog in the way. Slow up, Bud; we don’t want to race through here, -and be hauled up for exceeding the speed limit; or else have to stop and -pay for some silly hens that were bound to get under our wheels.” - -Several cottages were passed. Then they came to a stretch of woodland, -beyond which, doubtless, the town proper lay, for they could see signs -of smoke rising, and there was also a sound as of an engine working in -some sort of mill. - -Suspecting no immediate trouble, the boys were running along quite -smoothly when, without the slightest warning, they received a sudden -shock. Again it came to them just around a bend in the road, though Bud -had kept his word, and was moving slowly at the time. - -A rope was stretched directly across from one tree to another. To make -the hold-up even more positive, a log had been rolled out, and lay -there, blocking the road, so that even should a swiftly-going car have -broken the rope, it was bound to come to grief against that other -obstacle. - -“Pull up, Bud! quick!” almost shrieked Blake Merton, but he might just -as well have spared himself the trouble of letting out this frantic -appeal, for the driver had his car well under control, and was easily -able to bring it to a halt some ten feet away from the obstructions. - -No sooner had they halted than a gruff voice was heard calling out: - -“Throw up your hands and surrender, you three young raskels! I’ve got -yuh covered, all right, and yuh might as well give in peaceable like, -because you’re up against the strong arm of the law!” - - - - - CHAPTER V - AN ECHO FROM THE PAST - - -The boys, following up this rasping voice, stared to see the figure that -broke out of the scrub close to the barrier, and approached them. No -wonder they almost felt their breath taken away, for had this been a -scene from some ridiculous motion picture play, the representative of -the majesty of the law as met with in a country marshal or constable, -could not have seemed more ridiculous. - -The man was old, and spare of figure. He was dressed in gray garments, -and wore a large soft hat built after the Western sombrero model. It had -a gilt cord around the crown, and was tilted up rakishly on one side. -Even to the glistening nickel star, that decorated his left breast, was -this representative of law and order, gotten up to shame one of those -stage sheriffs at whose antics youngsters in the cheap “movies” scream -with laughter. - -“Don’t laugh, fellows, on your lives!” whispered Hugh, instantly, afraid -lest rash Bud, for instance, should break out into a loud roar that -would seriously offend the officer, and mean further trouble for them. - -He raised his hands, as did the other two boys, though Blake was -complaining after his customary fashion. - -“But, say, we couldn’t have broken any speed law, Mister, because you -saw yourself we were just fairly _crawling_ along?” he protested, -weakly. - -The officer was holding a tremendous horse pistol of an ancient vintage; -it had an ominous look, and doubtless could give a fair account of -itself if fired, for they made good weapons in old-time days. - -“I never said as how yuh was pinched for speedin’, did I?” he went on to -observe, with a grim smile hovering about his stern mouth, while his -beady eyes continued to rove from one boyish face to another. “Huh! I -guess now it’s somethin’ a heap worse nor _that_ you’re wanted for. -Where did yuh git this car?” - -“Why, it belongs back in Oakvale,” stammered Bud, hardly knowing what it -meant when the man with the nickel star shot this question directly at -him as the pilot of the expedition, or at least the one who was handling -the wheel. - -“K’rect. That corresponds with the information I had given tuh me,” -continued their strange captor, nodding his head until his goatee made -him resemble a pugnacious billy-goat. - -Hugh instantly began to see a faint glimpse of light. Something about -the words which the constable had just uttered gave him a suspicion as -to the possible truth. He began to take a deeper interest in the -hold-up, which could turn out to be of an altogether different character -from what they had up to that moment believed. - -“My friend,” he started to say, giving the constable one of his frank -smiles, “after all, don’t you think you may have made a mistake in -holding us up as you have? Honest, now, do we look like fellows who -would steal a car; and even if we ever had such a scheme afoot, wouldn’t -we be apt to pick out a machine worth taking, rather than a rattle-trap -like this ramshackle thing?” - -The constable somehow seemed a bit impressed. There might have been that -in the manly bearing of the boy who was speaking, as well as something -in his voice that touched a responsive chord in his old heart. He -stroked his straggly chin whiskers with his unemployed hand, and -continued to ogle the three lads so eagerly leaning toward him from the -car. - -“Uh! waal, it does seem like yuh’d be a passel o’ fools tuh grab a -rattle-trap car as this un when yuh might a had your pick. But then he -says tuh me there was a reason why yuh did it.” - -“Oh! then some one put you wise to our coming along this road, did -they?” Bud flashed out. “Guess we can hit on the skunk, all right, -Mister. He was a little ornery reptile, wasn’t he, with a grin on his -black face all the time? Tell me, doesn’t that cover his description all -right, sir?” - -“My name is Eben Wheezer, and I am the reg’lar authorized constable of -Halletsburg,” the other went on to explain. “I’m free to confess that I -was give a pointer concernin’ yuh boys. Mebbe it’s jest a lark you’re -playin’, but, all the same, when a car has been taken without the -owner’s knowledge or permission, the eye of the law looks on it as a -_bony fide_ theft. It becomes the duty of a constable to pinch the -offenders.” - -“Listen, Mr. Wheezer, please,” urged Hugh. “Delay of even an hour would -mean a serious thing to us just now. We are on our way to the -mobilization camp, and it is of extreme importance that we get there -some time this evening. That man you talked with seems to be an enemy of -ours. He is connected with a scamp back in Oakvale who would be glad if -we failed to get to the camp, because it might mean money in his pocket. -He has already done his best to knock us out, even filling the roadway -with glass from broken bottles, so as to cut our weak tires, and keep us -from getting on.” - -“Which happened, too, as you can see if you glimpse that tire we’re -carrying, and which is slashed something terrible,” interjected Bud, -impulsively. - -The country constable was interested, seeing which Hugh returned to the -attack on the principle that when you have the enemy started a vigorous -offensive should be carried out to get him on the run. - -“Besides, Mr. Wheezer,” Hugh went on to say, confidingly, “we are, as -you see, scouts. Our uniforms will tell you that, our badges too; and, -if you want, I can show you a number of clippings from the papers that -tell of certain things of merit the Oakvale scouts have done in the -past.” - -“By gum! what’s that shiny medal you’re wearin’, son, stand fur?” -suddenly demanded the constable, fixing his glittering eyes on Hugh’s -left breast. “She looks a heap like the real stuff to me, an’ gold, at -that!” - -Hugh at once took it off and passed it over. If ever he felt proud on -account of the possession of such a fine medal, that time was then and -there, because he believed it was going to save himself and chums a good -deal of trouble and time. - -The constable put on a pair of glasses with huge horn rims, and peered -at the inscription, turning the neat little medal over in his hands. -When he looked again at the owner there was a marked interest in his -thin and pinched face. - -“Tell me, air yuh this same Hugh Hardin it speaks of here?” he demanded, -hoarsely, taking a step nearer the halted car. - -“That happens to be my name, sir,” replied Hugh. - -“Did yuh git this here medal fur savin’ lives when that flood was -rampagin’ through the town of Lawrence?” continued the officer, his -voice now showing signs of hoarseness that might have come from excess -emotion. - -“Why, yes. Several of my chums and I were visiting there when that dam -up the valley broke, and the bridge over the river was carried away. We -had a pretty lively time of it during the few days we were detained -there, on account of no trains running. We managed to hold out a helping -hand to some of the poor people caught in the flood. You know, sir, -that’s what scouts live for, to assist others not so well off as -themselves.” - -Eben Wheezer heard the boy through. Then he did a number of queer -things, first of all ramming that ancient pistol out of sight in one of -his pockets, and then actually holding out a thin and trembling hand to -Hugh. - -“Say, son, I want tuh shake hands with yuh, that’s what I do!” he -startled them by saying, enthusiastically. “This hold-up is all off, yuh -understand. I was an old fool tuh take that rascal’s seegar, and b’lieve -half he says tuh me ’bout some boys comin’ along the road here as how he -reckoned had stole a car, and that there was likely tuh be a reward -offered fur their apprehension, which I might jest as well rake in as -the next un. But I kin see it all now, an’ I’m right glad tuh meet up -with Hugh Hardin.” - -“What do you know about me, Mr. Wheezer?” asked the patrol leader, -flushing at the same time with pleasure as he felt the cordial grip of -that lean hand. - -“Oh! only this, son,” laughed the old constable, pumping the boy’s hand -as though he might be the milkman making up a deficiency in his cans, -“it happens that I had an ole wife a visitin’ over there in Lawrence at -the time that dam broke. Yes, and, what’s more, she told me it was a boy -named Hugh Hardin that kim along with some other scouts in a rowboat and -saved her from a house that was a-floatin’ off in the flood. Huh! think -I’d ever forgit _that_ name when it belonged to the lad who kept me from -bein’ a forlorn widower? This here is a joyous occasion for me, I tell -yuh.” - -Bud gave a whoop, and danced around like a crazy thing. - -“Talk to me about bread cast upon the waters returning before many -days,” he was crying excitedly. “Did anybody ever hear the equal of -this! See, Hugh, how your good deeds repay you heaps of times over. We -thought we had run across another enemy, and he turns out to be a bully -sort of a friend. Won’t you shake hands with me, Mr. Wheezer, even if I -wasn’t lucky enough to be in that bunch that did such good work at -Lawrence—the honor of that exploit goes to Hugh, here, Billy Worth and -Monkey Stallings. But, then, we’re all chums, you know, sir, and in the -same boat.” - -The delighted constable was only too glad to oblige Bud, and so warm was -his grip that possibly the other felt a tinge of regret at insisting -upon being given a hand-shake. Blake Merton felt that it would not do -for him to be left out in the cold, so he had to grimace and bear it -when Eben got to working his lean fingers. - -Indeed, all of the boys felt they had good reason for feeling thankful. -What had threatened to prove a disaster and promised to overwhelm their -plans was now working in their favor. The wearing of his badge, given by -Scout Headquarters to those members of the organization who have saved -human life at great peril to themselves, had turned out to be a most -wonderful blessing to them. Instead of being held up, perhaps thrust -into a miserable country lock-up until the next day, with their plans -ruined, they were now free to proceed along their way. - -Hugh did not want to lose any more time than could be avoided, so -instead of entering into a long conversation with the constable, he -hastened to say: - -“If we were not in such a great hurry, Mr. Wheezer, it would give me -great pleasure to stop over with you, and visit your home, to meet your -wife. I reckon I would know her again if I saw her. I’d be glad to tell -you the story of what happened over in Lawrence when the flood swept -down the valley. But we have a big stake in trying to make that camp by -tonight. One of my chums here has a cousin in the battery who stands to -lose a fortune if we are kept back; and the man who hired that rascal -you met hopes to win it. So you’ll excuse us if we say good-bye now, and -thank you for being so kind.” - -The constable had already removed the log from the road, and now he -unfastened his stout rope from the tree to which he had attached it. - -“No apologies needed, son,” he hastened to say, cheerily. “Yuh knows -your business best, and if yuh chase after it in the same way yuh won -your spurs over tuh Lawrence, I reckons now yuh’ll upset all the -kalculations o’ thet schemer. Good-bye an’ good luck tuh yuh, boys!” - -He waved his official hand to them as they shot forward, and the last -Blake saw of the odd, though good-hearted country constable, he was -standing there in the road looking after the retreating car, and still -waving his sombrero, while that bright nickel star on his manly breast -gleamed in the rays of the westering sun. - -“Congratulations, Hugh!” cried Blake, bubbling over with delight over -their recent narrow escape. “They say chickens come home to roost, and -that good deeds will pay a fellow back a thousand fold. Well, I want to -tell you there never was such a positive illustration of their truth as -this.” - -“The best of it is,” laughed Hugh, happily, “that no matter how much our -enemy plots against us, something comes along to upset all his -calculations. He thought we were stuck there all afternoon, with an -engine out of joint, but Bud here fooled him. Then there was that broken -bottle game, which did hold us up a bit; but in spite of a slit tire we -got started again. Last, but far from least, he fixed up this clever -trick of telling the old constable three boys had stolen a car, and were -coming along the road a ways back; also hinting that there might be a -good reward offered for capturing the rascals and holding them -over-night in the town cooler. But again our luck held good, and we -slipped through.” - -“I’m satisfied now,” asserted Blake Merton, “that nothing is going to -keep us from getting there some time tonight. I’ll hunt up Felix right -away, talk to him like a Dutch uncle, get him to write that letter, and -then the first thing in the morning we can start back home again.” - -“If anything goes wrong with the car, we’ll find some other way of -returning, make up your mind to that, Blake,” Hugh assured him. - -It was in this happy frame of mind that the three scouts passed through -the little town of Hallettsburg, and continued onward. As they went they -could frequently discover plain signs that to their practiced eyes -assured them the battery had traversed the same road they were now on. -Perhaps a boy untrained in the art of using his eyes, and seeing small -things that told a story, would never have been able to accomplish this -thing; but Hugh, Bud and Blake had served their time at studying -woodcraft, as practiced by the Indians from the days of Daniel Boone, -and they knew dozens of things that would, when noticed and examined, -tell an interesting story. - -The sun was getting pretty low in the west, and evening was coming on. -It was about the last quarter of the moon, which had been full on the -fifteenth of the month, so that no help from this source could be -expected until toward midnight, when the silvery remnant would be seen -rising in the East. That was one reason why the boys were anxious to be -getting on as fast as they dared chance it, because, once night settled -in, their progress would be blocked. - -“The sun’s going down, Hugh,” announced Blake, with a touch of dismay in -his voice. - -“That’s all very true,” replied the scout master, “but we’ll have half -an hour of light yet, perhaps more, and I think we ought to make the -camp in that time!” - - - - - CHAPTER VI - THE BURNING BRIDGE - - -“Hugh!” called out Blake Merton a short time later, “did you see that -light flash up ahead of us there?” - -“Just what I did,” came the immediate reply. - -“Do you think it could be one of the camp fires of the boys, a sort of -vidette post, you might say?” further questioned Blake, eagerly. - -“There it goes again, as sure as you live!” ejaculated Bud Morgan at the -wheel, “and, say, it’s a fire, all right—growing stronger all the while. -I wonder what it can mean for us?” - -“We’ll soon find out,” remarked Hugh, confidently. “We’re advancing, and -will come to a clear stretch in a minute or so, where the trees happen -to be sparse, and we can see ahead.” - -“Perhaps, after all, it’s only some cabin alongside the road, with the -people doing their cooking outdoors,” observed Bud. “I saw that done -heaps of times when my folks took me down to Florida that winter I was -sick.” - -Their curiosity grew by leaps and bounds as they proceeded along the -road. The closer they drew to the scene of the illumination, the more -puzzled all of the boys found themselves. - -Then suddenly it broke upon them. They must have turned a bend in the -road, for just as though a wave of a magician’s wand had caused the -picture to appear before their eyes, they saw it all. - -“Oh! look at that, will you?” shrilled Blake, aghast at the vision. -“It’s a bridge afire!” - -“It sure is!” echoed Bud, staring as though he could hardly believe his -eyes. - -“See how the flames are creeping along the wooden sides!” continued the -Merton boy, hysterically. “Why, they look like red snakes, that’s what -they do. Hugh, what can we do to get across that river if the bridge -goes down?” - -“I can’t tell you just yet, Blake!” snapped the other. “Let her out some -more, Bud. Never mind the risk to the old plug of an engine; we’ve _got_ -to get there so as to fight that fire, or we’ll be dished. I know what -stream that is, and it’s a deep one, too, far too deep for us to ever -hope to ford it with this car. Faster, Bud, faster, I tell you!” - -Bud Morgan never accepted anything that bordered on a dare. He had held -in thus far principally because he knew Hugh would not be apt to -countenance speed when it necessitated additional risk. Now he “let out -another notch,” as he himself would have expressed it. - -The old car shambled along with dizzying celerity, making all manner of -ridiculous sounds, as though protesting against such haste. Still -nothing happened to indicate another breakdown; and at least they were -advancing toward the burning bridge with accelerated speed. - -All the while Hugh was wondering what could have caused the fire. It was -very strange, he concluded, that a country bridge should take a notion -to start up in a blaze like this, and just when it became a most -important link in their drive to the concentration camp. - -So they arrived on the scene. Bud was evidently for trying to run the -gantlet with a mad rush, but Hugh called upon him to draw up short, -which he did, stopping the car close to the near end of the wooden -structure. - -“We might have made it, Hugh!” urged Bud, reproachfully, as though he -regretted the cautious policy of the scout master. - -“But there would always be a chance that our gas tank would explode!” -cried Hugh; “look how the flames are driven straight across the bridge -by the wind. Then the fire is along both sides, so we’d have to run a -regular gantlet. No, Bud, old fellow, we couldn’t afford to take the -chances. Out with you all, and let’s see if we can’t save the old bridge -yet.” - -“Go to it, boys!” shouted Bud, instantly on the move, for he was a lad -of action, and never happier than when doing things. - -“Work on the windward side first!” ordered Hugh, with the sagacity that -leadership in an energetic scout organization is apt to bestow upon any -wideawake youth. “Here, snatch up these old lap-robes, and souse them in -the water. If you beat at the flames just as we did when the woods on -fire that time, you’ll find they can be mastered. Everybody get busy!” - -“Whoop! watch my smoke, will you!” cried Bud, starting off with a rush. - -There chanced to be some old lap-robes in the car that Bud had managed -to secure, not of any great value, to be sure, so far as things of -beauty went, but bound to be of great value in an emergency like the -present. Each of the three scouts managed to secure possession of one of -these, and it required but a brief time to submerge the same in the -swift flowing and deep stream. - -With this soaking cloth in hand the energetic boys started to fight the -fire, slapping at the running flames as they curled along the side of -the bridge in long spirals that resembled creeping snakes. - -When three lively fellows get started at a task of this sort it is -wonderful what remarkable progress they can attain. With each stout blow -it seemed as though the fire that was threatening to demolish the entire -wooden structure received a serious setback. The boys fought their way -completely across the bridge, which was not of any great length. - -“Good enough for us!” cried the panting Bud. “We’ve licked that line of -skirmishers; do we tackle the other side now, Hugh?” - -“One good turn deserves another, so go for it!” advised the leader, -setting a pace himself that kept the others hustling to continue in the -same class. - -Success is always encouraging, and, having found that they could get the -better of those creeping flames, the three boys fought all the harder, -determined to crush the fire completely. - -“A little more elbow grease, boys, and victory is going to perch on our -banner!” Bud was crying, while he slapped that scorched laprobe again -and again on the railing of the bridge, even mopping up the floor with -it when occasion demanded. - -The boys were past masters at this sort of thing. They had served their -time at it on another occasion, when the woods, catching fire not many -miles from Oakvale, they had been called upon to help save certain -isolated farmhouses and crops that were threatened with destruction.[2] - -Breathing heavily, the three lads finally had the satisfaction of seeing -the last zigzag line of fire succumb to the vigor of their attack. -Still, Hugh would not be wholly satisfied. - -“Let’s go down and wet these rags again,” he told his chums, “and hunt -out every crack where the least bit of fire hides, so that after we go -on it isn’t going to spring up again.” - -“Might as well make a clean job of it while we’re about it,” agreed Bud, -as he followed Hugh down to the edge of the river, there to immerse -their “fighting togs” again in the water. - -As they walked along, carefully scanning both sides of the bridge for -any evidences of hidden peril, Bud once more broke out, voicing some -suspicion that he had evidently been harboring in his brain. - -“Hugh, don’t you think it’s mighty funny how this old bridge could get -afire? Suppose a threshing machine traction engine could have passed -over here lately; but, then, it’s too early in the season for anything -like that to be going around. If a man on a wagon threw a burning match -aside after lighting his pipe, would it start things to burning? Somehow -I just can’t believe this is an accident at all.” - -“Oh! do you really mean you suspect it was done _on purpose_, perhaps to -keep us from crossing this deep river, and making us miss connections -with the camp?” asked Blake, apparently thrilled with the thought. - -“I’m certain of it,” asserted Hugh, positively. “I’ll tell you why. Just -bend your heads closer here, and take a whiff where this rail has been -only a little charred; what does it smell like?” - -“Why, Hugh, it makes me think of home, when the girl is starting our oil -stove going!” - -“That’s a fact,” added Bud, gritting his teeth ferociously, “and -somebody’s gone and saturated both sides of this bridge with kerosene, -so as to give the fire a good send-off. Oh! the low-down wretch, what -wouldn’t I give to have a chance to choke him.” - -“Try it again over here, and you get the same odor,” Hugh observed, -impressively; “yes, and right there you can see where some of the stuff -spilled, for the spot looks greasy. He must have had a can of kerosene -along with him in his car for just such a purpose as this.” - -Each boy in turn dropped on his hands and knees, the better to take a -“sniff” at the discolored spot on the floor boards of the bridge that -had such a “close call.” As they once more regained their feet they -nodded their heads, unanimous in their opinion as to the origin of that -greasy mark. - -“Which shows that our good luck still haunts our footsteps,” Blake said, -trying to smile happily, though there was a deep-seated look of -apprehension to be detected in his eyes. - -Truth to tell, all of them were more or less impressed with the -malignity shown by this party whom they believed to be in the pay of -Luther Gregory. He was evidently bent upon earning the sum promised him -in case he, by hook or crook, prevented the boys from reaching the -mobilization camp until it was too late to secure that apology from the -quick-tempered Felix. - -“Well, do we cross over now, and move along our way?” asked Blake, -unable to conceal the anxiety he naturally felt because of these -numerous delays. - -“Nothing to hinder that I can see,” replied Hugh. - -“I’ll drive the old car across, presently, while you two wait for me at -the other side,” Bud said, as he climbed aboard. “Take a good look as -you go, and tell me if any of the flooring is burned through.” - -As they crossed over, Hugh and Blake kept a good lookout, and reported -all safe; so presently Bud, having coaxed the engine to start again -after some effort, joined his mates on the further side of the stream. - -“I certainly do hope,” ventured Blake Merton, with a sigh, as he -proceeded to settle down in his old seat again, “that we’ve run up -against the last obstacle. It’s certain that chap can’t think up much -more evil to turn against us.” - -“What’s coming now?” cried Bud. “I can hear shouts, and, Hugh, there -seems to be men running around that clump of undergrowth alongside the -road.” - -“I bet you there’s a village along there, and that the people have just -discovered the smoke of the fire here,” advanced Blake. “They know about -the bridge, and are coming to save it. They would have been just too -late if not for us.” - -“They ought to give us a vote of thanks, then, for our services,” said -Bud. - -“Listen to ’em shouting, will you?” continued Blake. “Why, it sounds to -me like they were real mad at something. Hugh, don’t it strike you that -way, too? Look at some of the fellows in the lead shaking their fists at -us, just as if we’d gone and done something mean. Gee whiz! I hope now -they don’t get the notion into their silly heads that _we_ started this -bridge to burning.” - -Quite a crowd was coming wildly toward them, consisting of men and boys, -though there were also a few energetic women. Some of them carried -clubs, and waved these in a suggestive fashion. - -“Sit tight,” warned Hugh, sternly; “it means that we’re up against it -again. Above all things, don’t do or say anything to start a fight!” - - - - - CHAPTER VII - THE ACCUSATION - - -If one of the three scouts entertained doubts as to the hostility of the -mob that came running along the country road, these were quickly -dispelled. In another minute the car was surrounded by an angry crowd. A -dozen voices shrilled at them, and sticks were shaken in their faces. - -“Stand back, everybody!” shouted a burly man, who seemed to be invested -with more or less authority. “I’m the sheriff of this county, it -happens, and I don’t allow any interference with my business. Three of -my posse being present, I call on them to stand by me. The rest of you -hold your peace. I’ll do what talking is necessary.” - -Hugh was glad to know this. He could deal with, a single individual, -where it was utterly impossible in the case of an excitable mob. So Hugh -hastened to speak up, addressing his remarks to the man of authority. - -“Will you kindly tell us what all the row is about?” he asked, -pleasantly. “We are heading for the camp where the State militia is -mobilizing, and, discovering this bridge afire, worked with all our -might to put out the flames. If you look at those dirty cloths lying -there, you’ll find that they were once lap-robes. We soaked them in the -water, and slapped the flames out as we were trained to do in fighting a -forest fire.” - -A few of the villagers may have been impressed with the words spoken by -Hugh, as well as his manly bearing; but they were vastly in the -minority. Most of those present were so worked up by anger that they -seemed blind to the facts. - -“Don’t believe him, Sheriff,” urged one man, venomously; “he’s only -lying. All boys’ll lie whenever they get a chanct. I know these here -scouts, how they like to strut around like heroes. And, Sheriff, you c’n -depend on it they set fire to our bridge just a purpose to make believe -they did a big thing whipping the flames out.” - -“That’s what he told us they’d like enough say,” called out another man, -whose small face and vinegary looks told of a mind that was below the -mediocre. “He says he saw ’em running around like they was pourin’ -something on the sides of the bridge from a bottle. Say, I kin smell -coal oil, by Jimminy crickets; if I can’t now.” - -“Lock the young rascals up, Sheriff!” - -“Larn ’em a lesson they’ll never forget. ’Cordin’ to my mind, there’s a -heap too much talk nowadays ’bout boys doin’ great stunts. It’s jest -upsot a lot o’ ’em, so they’re lookin’ around all the time for ways to -make people think they’re jest like little David when he knocked over -that Goliath chap long ago.” - -So several other men had their say. Hugh listened to it all, and waited -for an opportunity to get a chance to explain. He knew that he must -depend on the sheriff, and so he kept him in mind when he finally -started in to speak. - -“Please listen to me, Mr. Sheriff,” he began to say, impressively. “We -belong in the town of Oakvale, where you’ll find, if you telephone the -Chief of Police, that our reputation is gilt-edged. We are on our way to -the big camp over beyond the hills yonder, where Battery K, from -Oakvale, is located. We have very important business with one of the -members, who is a cousin of this boy here. It will cost him his -inheritance if we are unable to talk with him by tomorrow. There is a -man whose interest it is to keep us from doing this. He has tried -through an agent of his in a number of ways to hold us back; and, if you -wish, I would take pleasure in telling you all about these things. Sir, -we have good reason to believe that this setting fire to your bridge was -a part of his scheme to detain us.” - -“What’s that, boy?” asked the sheriff, hastily. “Can you tell us what -this man you’re speaking of looks like?” - -“A man passed us while we were fixing our engine on the road hours ago,” -Hugh readily explained, “and when we asked him to lend us a hand he said -he was in too big a hurry to stop. He seemed to be grinning all the -while, as though tickled at finding us in such a bad mess. We believe -that man is the agent sent out to hold us back from arriving at the camp -until it is too late to do any good.” - -“Was he a little man, with a sharp face, and eyes that glittered like a -snake’s?” called out one of the more friendly disposed men. - -“Yes, and he was in a flivver, a small machine with the top down,” -explained Bud, taking part in the affair now. “He wore a suit that -looked as near green as you could find, and had on a leather cap with -goggles pushed up above the peak.” - -The sheriff was impressed by what he heard. At the same time, he did not -appear disposed to drop the case against the three lads. Perhaps the -knowledge that some of those in the crowd refused to take any stock in -the story of the boys influenced him more or less; for murmurs were -heard rising here and there. - -“Don’t you believe half he says, Sheriff,” one man called out. - -“Boys c’n be all-fired tricky,” another remarked, sharply, “and he’s -certainly got a smooth tongue. Better run the lot of ’em in, and make -’em prove their innocence. That’s the best way to fix it, ’cordin’ to my -mind.” - -Hugh felt uneasy. If the sheriff were so disposed he could, of course, -lock them up on suspicion; and while nothing might eventually be done -toward convicting them for the crime of setting fire to the bridge, the -delay would cost them dear. - -But it happened that once more in their extremity fortune worked what -almost seemed like a miracle in their behalf. Hugh noticed that two -children had joined the crowd. He also knew that they had certainly not -come along the road with the runners, for they could never have kept -pace with the mob racing toward the river. - -A sudden thought struck him. He turned to the sheriff and began to -suggest a plan of action that would possibly prove the truth or falsity -of the charges against them. - -“Listen, Mr. Sheriff,” Hugh began. “I think that small boy and girl -there must have been somewhere near by, because they came up out of the -bushes here just now. Ask them questions, won’t you, sir, and find out -if they saw anything of what took place here? It may be they were in -hiding, and saw us come up while the bridge was burning. It’s only a -fair deal we want, sir, and I’m sure you’ll agree to that.” - -The sheriff was more impressed than ever with the bearing of the boy who -addressed him. Besides, the plea he advanced seemed very plausible. He -turned upon the two children, a bright-looking boy and girl of about -ten. They were barefooted. - -“Look here, Billy Burt, and you, too, Sally, were you hiding in the -bushes here when we came up?” - -“Yep, that’s what we was,” said the boy, urged to speak by sundry -punches in his side, given by the elbow of his girl companion. - -“Why did you hide there?” - -“We was skeered when we got here, and seen the fire,” came the answer. - -“Then the bridge was burning, was it, when you came along?” continued -the sheriff. - -“It shore was,” the boy told him, positively. - -“Were these boys around at that time?” - -The boy stared at Hugh and Blake and Bud, then he grinned. “Nixey, they -wasn’t. They kim hurryin’ along, and fit the fire like wildcats. Yuh -jest orter seen how they slashed and slashed around till every bit o’ -flames was done fur. Me’n Sally jest hid there in the bushes an’ watched -the fun. It was better’n the movin’ picture fire I seen down in -Hallettsburg.” - -“Huh! that ought to settle the case against us, I should think,” laughed -Bud as the boy finished his recital, which, though framed in -ungrammatical language, loomed as high as any speech ever delivered -before a judge in an appeal to free the accused before the bar. - -The sheriff threw up his hands. - -“Boys,” said he, briskly, “you win. Instead of plucking you, and running -you in for attempted arson, I’m goin’ to thank you most heartily on -behalf of the village of Scroggs Corners, which I happened to be -visiting this afternoon on business. Only for your efficient work we’d -have been a bridge shy tonight. Shake hands with me, and kindly excuse -my excess zeal that might have worked you all an injury.” - -Well, the boys bore no malice. They were only too happy to know that -nothing was going to interfere with their onward progress. In fact, they -felt as though victors in the brisk engagement between this clever foe -and themselves. It was likely to be the last expiring effort of the -unscrupulous schemer; after this he would have to give up the attempt to -keep them from the camp until sufficient time had elapsed to destroy all -hopes of Felix making his peace with his uncle. - -“If you could only manage to round up that smart rascal who did set this -fire, Mr. Sheriff,” Bud could not help saying, when shaking hands with -the official, now very friendly toward their cause, “it might be -possible to prove the crime against him. Perhaps you may discover he had -been carrying kerosene in his car, and that would be a strong piece of -evidence against him. He’s given us heaps of trouble, which is partly -why I’m showing such a rattlesnake spirit toward him.” - -“I mean to send word along the line, and round him up if he can be -headed,” the sheriff admitted, though Hugh really believed he had not -dreamed of such an idea until Bud made his suggestion. - -Of course, even those who had been most disposed to believe the boys -guilty of arson had now been convinced of their innocence by the -statement of the boy who had seen all that went on from his -hiding-place. So when Bud started the car once more there was no sign of -opposition; indeed, only cries of goodwill followed the scouts as they -proceeded. - -Passing through the village, which they found to be laboring under more -or less excitement, the trio continued on their course. Later on, when -they came to a steep hill, the engine balked again, so that half an hour -was lost in coaxing it to be good. - -Blake had been sighing with impatience through the operation. Once he -had even gone so far as to suggest that he and Hugh start on foot, since -it could only be a matter of a few miles at the most that lay between -them and their intended destination. The working mechanic, however, -nipped this scheme in the bud by declaring that he was getting the upper -hand of the balky engine, and hoped to be able to make a fresh start -before ten minutes more had passed. - -Still, that half-hour delay was fated to have some effect upon their -fortunes. - -When the engine trouble had been mastered, and they were again on the -way, Blake seemed content. The persistent manner in which his comrades -managed to meet each new crisis as it appeared, and win out through any -and every kind of trouble, elicited his ardent admiration. Blake was -ready to declare that the day’s reckoning would only redound to the -credit of scout efficiency. - -Hugh suspected that they were now close upon the big camp. He must have -caught certain sounds to tell him this. At least, as they drew near the -top of the slope, he bade both his chums keep on the lookout, because he -believed they were due for a pleasant surprise. - -Loud exclamations broke from their lips when, on reaching the summit, -they beheld a wonderful spectacle spread before them. Night was -gathering, and already the broad valley beyond the ridge lay in -semi-darkness, for the moon would not rise until very late. - -Scores, almost hundreds of fires, were burning a mile or more away, -looking weird to the startled eyes of the three scouts. They could also -discover a myriad of the same kind of khaki waterproof tents that -Battery K had used in Oakvale when endeavoring to drum up recruits at -the station in the public square. - -There lay the great mobilization camp of the State before them, with -some thousands of stalwart young men training so as to be accepted by -the Government for service along the far distant Mexico, where the -threatening shadow of war hovered. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - IN THE MOBILIZATION CAMP - - -“Well, this sure pleases me!” exclaimed Bud, as he stopped the car on -the summit of the ridge, so that they could feast their eyes on the -remarkable spectacle of all camp fires burning in the near distance. - -“It is wonderful,” breathed Blake, “and well worth all the trouble it’s -cost us to get here. I reckon that we must be close to the border of the -camp, and can expect to be held up by a sentry any minute.” - -“I’m going to start up my headlights going down this decline,” admitted -the pilot. “The more we drop into the valley the darker it’ll be; and we -can’t afford to meet with a smash-up at this stage of the game, when -we’ve about won out.” - -He took especial pains in going down the slope, and finally the bottom -was reached in safety. Here they were suddenly greeted with a gruff -command to halt, and discovered a soldier in khaki bearing a gun -standing alongside the road. - -“Say, this does look like war-times, doesn’t it?” said Blake, in a low -tone, “when you get hauled up by a vidette post. Hugh, please fix it so -we can go on.” - -Some conversation followed between Hugh and the guard. Then a -non-commissioned officer was called, and more talk ensued. Hugh had laid -out his plan in advance, and so sagaciously that in the end he was given -permission to move on, although a soldier was placed upon the footboard -of the car to accompany the scouts to the quarters of Battery K. - -Possibly the fact that they too wore the khaki had something to do with -their being allowed to enter the camp at this late hour, so long after -the time when soldiers were given a chance to see relatives and friends. -No matter what the reason, all of the boys felt as though they had won -fresh laurels in making that run from the home town in such a rack of a -car, and also being obliged to overcome baneful opposition of an -unscrupulous enemy. - -They followed the road and were soon amidst some of the glowing fires. -Here they found guardsmen sitting around, and eating their supper, which -had evidently been prepared by the company cooks according to the rules -that govern the summer training camps. - -So far as Hugh and his chums could see, they were a jolly crowd, -laughing and carrying on as though they did not have a care in the wide -world. Once the bitterness of parting from their loved ones had been -passed over, these healthy-minded young soldiers could play their part -like men, and meet every situation that was likely to arise. - -“I tell you I’m nearly tickled to death because I came,” Bud was saying -as they rolled along the road between two rows of fires that crackled -and sent up myriads of sparks. “Talk about camping out, this has got all -our experiences knocked to flinders. Why, there must be millions of -soldiers here in this big valley.” - -“Better say thousands, and be nearer the truth, Bud,” cautioned Blake. -“But it is a great sight, and one we’ll never forget, either. If a -fellow needed to have his patriotism stirred to the bone, he’d get it -done here. See how Old Glory is fastened up over that big tent yonder. -Now I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the colonel’s tent; or it might -even be Headquarters for the general in charge of all these forces of -the State.” - -“We’ve got to pass through the whole camp before we come to where -Battery K is located, so the sergeant said,” Hugh remarked, as they -moved slowly on. - -Numbers of the soldiers came forward to have a look at those in the car. -Possibly some of them may have entertained vague hopes that the -newcomers might turn out to be friends or relatives, urged to make the -trip by a desire to glimpse a dear face once more before the guardsmen -were ordered South. Hugh believed there was a wistful expression on many -of the faces he saw turned their way. - -As for Blake, he could hardly restrain his impatience. The fact that -inside of a comparatively few minutes more he was to see his cousin, and -that there was still plenty of time for accomplishing his mission before -another day dawned, filled him with ecstacy. - -“Don’t you think we must be nearly there, Hugh?” he would say, -pleadingly. “There couldn’t be any mistake now, could there, so that -we’re going the wrong way to strike our boys of Battery K? Are you sure -it’s directly along this road, Bud, we ought to keep on going?” - -“That’s what the _non-com._ told us,” replied the driver of the car, -“and we must abide by orders when we’re in a military camp. Besides, -we’ve got some one along with us to show us the way; so ease up, Blake, -or you’ll crack sure.” - -“Guess you’re right, Bud,” admitted the other, “and I’ll try to hold -myself in; but somehow I can’t feel dead sure till I’m shaking hands -with Felix, and know it’s going to be all right.” - -The fact of the matter was, as Hugh suspected, Blake was now beginning -to fear that his impulsive cousin might prove obdurate, after all, and -absolutely decline to humble himself so as to write a letter of apology -to his uncle and guardian. Of course this would settle the matter just -as positively as though that agent of Luther Gregory had succeeded in -holding them up by having them arrested and kept for twenty-four hours -in some village jail. - -“Look yonder, will you?” suddenly exclaimed Bud, nodding his head, and -using one hand to point to the left with, “there’s a battery of -field-pieces, but it isn’t the one from Oakland. Just beyond must be the -camp of the Engineers, because you can see a heap of picks and shovels -and such tools lying there. You know the Engineer Corps have to make -roads, build cook-houses, lay tent-floors for the officers’ quarters, -and do heaps of things like that. A fellow told me about it who used to -belong, and quit because he said it was such hard work.” - -“Look over on this side, Bud, and you’ll see something that tickles -you,” called out Blake. - -“The Signal Corps’ headquarters, I’ll be bound!” ejaculated the other in -sudden admiration. “See the wires they’ve run out. I warrant you every -command in the whole camp has a telephone in its headquarters, with a -Central station to boot. Now, if only I could run across the aviation -field, and see a few hangers for aeroplanes in evidence, I’d be happy.” - -“Oh! they’re further away, over to the right,” explained the soldier who -stood on the footboard of the car. “We have three ’planes working every -day now, and more coming along. My brother is one of the air pilots, you -know, so what I’m giving you is straight goods, boys.” - -They were by this time gradually approaching the other end of the great -camp, as could be told from the fact that the fires were becoming less -numerous beyond them. - -“Your battery lies just ahead of us now,” announced the soldier, who -seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the lay of the camp, and able to -direct any one to the location of each and every unit composing the -entire mobilization centre. - -Yes, they could already begin to see guns posted in a clump, or -“parked,” to use a military term. These seemed to have a familiar look -to the Oakvale scouts, because they had many times handled the -dull-finished modern field-pieces, doubtless envious of the luck of -those whom they chanced to know as members of the company. - -Leaving the car alongside the road, the boys followed after their guide, -who led them directly over to where the battery had its tents, -Immediately Hugh and his two chums began to recognize familiar faces. A -number of the men jumped to their feet and hurried toward the newcomers. -Hugh noticed that in some cases it was a look of sudden concern that -came upon the reddened faces of the young artillerymen; and he could -give a pretty good guess why this should be so. They were assailed with -sudden fears lest something terrible might have happened to those left -behind in the home town, and that the scouts had been dispatched to -carry the sad news. - -“Hello! Hugh. Hello, boys. What fetches you away off here?” called out -one of the Battery K members; and his question must have voiced what was -on the minds of several others, since they all waited anxiously to hear -what Hugh might say in reply. - -“We’ve come to have a little chat with Blake Merton’s cousin, Felix -Gregory, that’s all,” the patrol leader answered, at which something -like a look of relief passed over several faces. - -“Well, it must be something pretty important to fetch the three of you -forty and more miles in a car?” suggested one fellow. - -“Just what it is,” jauntily admitted Blake. “Now, can any of you direct -us to where we’ll find my cousin Felix?” - -“I was talking with him about half an hour back, but haven’t seen him -since, now you mention it!” one called out. - -“I’d advise you boys to look up Captain Barclay, and he’ll put you in -touch with Felix, who must be around somewhere, because we have orders -not to wander beyond bounds. There’s the captain’s tent over yonder, -Hugh.” - -The speaker was big Hank Partridge, a cousin of Lige Corbley, and quite -well known to Hugh. As the advice seemed sound, the scout master -immediately turned his face toward the tent thus pointed out. - -“Come along, boys, and we’ll see what the captain can do for us,” he -told his two mates, at the same time starting forward. - -Blake was by now beginning to have that worried expression steal back -upon his face. His old fears had awakened again, as was evidenced by the -remark he made almost immediately after they started toward the -captain’s tent. - -“It’s mighty queer, I think, how not a single one of all those fellows -could remember seeing my cousin inside of half an hour. Things have been -happening so contrary lately I’m beginning to be afraid that something -may have come along to whisk Felix out of the old camp here so I never -will find him.” - -“Oh! how silly to let yourself borrow trouble in that way, Blake,” Bud -told him, scornfully. “What could carry him off but an aeroplane, and -I’m pretty sure they haven’t yet got to ducking down in the heart of a -camp, and snatching a fellow up bodily. Just hold your horses, and we’ll -run on him pretty soon now.” - -They reached the tent of the commanding officer, where a sentry always -stood on guard. Hugh, knowing the rules that applied, asked to see -Captain Barclay, with whom he was, of course, well acquainted. In -another minute the captain himself came forth. - -He shook hands with Hugh and the other two scouts. Then the story was -briefly told, particular emphasis being laid on the numerous attempts -that had been made to keep them from meeting Felix Gregory. The officer -was, of course, deeply interested. To lose such a fortune as Uncle -Reuben owned would, he felt sure, be a calamity for any young fellow. - -“You deserve every encouragement, boys, after what you’ve done to save -Felix from the folly of his quick temper,” he told them at the close of -the recital. “I’m sure he must have been sorry long before. I know his -generous nature well. I’ll send out and have him come here to you. Then -Blake can talk with him aside, and, if my influence is worth anything, -you can depend on it I’ll only too gladly say a good word.” - -So he gave an order, and the soldier to whom it was delivered hastened -away. While he was gone the boys continued their chat with the captain. -Finally the messenger returned, made his salute to his superior officer, -and said something. Hugh was watching and saw the other look grave. -Blake clutched the arm of his chum when the captain of Battery K, -advancing slowly toward them, went on to explain. - -“Strange to say, boys, so far no one can be found who has seen Private -Gregory inside of half an hour. He seems to have mysteriously -disappeared; but, of course, he can be found, and if you will wait for -me here I’ll go the rounds myself and rout him out. Don’t worry while -I’m gone, for it’ll be all right.” - - - - - CHAPTER IX - THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FELIX - - -When the captain turned and left them again, the three scouts exchanged -uneasy glances. Blake suffered more than either of his chums, for his -heart had been wrapped up in his task. It meant much to him whether he -failed or won out in his self-imposed mission to the camp. - -“Hugh, do you know I expected something like this would happen,” was the -way he expressed himself. “Somehow, even when we had beaten that -scheming rascal at his game several times, I seemed to have a feeling -that in the end he might be too smart for us.” - -“Apparently, then,” remarked Bud Morgan, “you’ve already made up your -mind that this queer disappearance of your cousin Felix can be laid at -the door of the same man we had so much trouble with on the road, the -chap in the flivver?” - -“Doesn’t it stand to reason it must be that way?” demanded Blake. “Why -should Felix clear out of camp here otherwise? These fellows of Battery -K are in for the war, and wouldn’t desert for all the money going. Felix -is as loyal as they make ’em; he’d sooner cut his hand off than be -thought a coward or a quitter. So there’s only one way of explaining his -vanishing; which is through this man.” - -“How about it, Hugh?” and Bud turned toward the patrol leader, as had -become a chronic habit with most of the members of the troop whenever -anything arose to bother or mystify them. - -“All I can say as yet,” replied the other, steadily, “is that it begins -to look a whole lot that way. We had better wait a bit before deciding. -The captain may pick up some information that will give us a pointer. -Men don’t disappear from a mobilization camp, as easy as all this, -without leaving some traces behind them.” - -Blake shook his head dismally. Apparently he was losing heart, for so -many things had arisen to balk his ambition that the strain was telling -on him. - -“Well, all I can say is I wish this business was all over,” he observed, -plaintively, “and we were on our way back home with that precious letter -to Uncle Reuben. I tell you I’ll feel like shouting if we do win!” - -“Victory is always sweeter when you’ve had to fight hard to get it,” Bud -declared, with boyish philosophy. “Don’t we all remember that when we’ve -been up against a tough proposition, and had to take the bit between our -teeth before we could land? Never lose faith in what you’re doing, -Blake. For one thing, you’ve got a couple of comrades along that mean to -stand back of you through thick and thin. That ought to be some comfort -to you.” - -“It is, Bud, it certainly gives me a heap of satisfaction, the way both -of you stick to me. I’m going to take a brace up! We’ll get there yet, -we’ve just _got_ to, and that’s all there is about it.” - -Brave words, those, and possibly Blake Merton meant them, but, -nevertheless, there were times when that anxious look would creep over -his face again, as fresh difficulties kept piling up before them, and -the desired end seemed as far away as ever. - -They continued to stand there and talk for some little time, all the -while eagerly awaiting the return of the friendly captain, whom all of -them knew very well, since he was a prominent business man in Oakvale. - -“There he comes!” asserted Bud, suddenly. - -Blake lost color, and his hand trembled when he accidentally touched the -sleeve of Hugh’s khaki coat—perhaps, after all, it was through some -design that this contact came about, for a positive realization that the -scout master was standing by him must have given Blake renewed -confidence, of which he was evidently in great need just then. - -Captain Lawrence Barclay came hastily toward them. Hugh, discovering the -look of annoyance still on his face, guessed that he bore bad news. - -“Brace up, Blake, and show that you can stand whatever may be coming,” -he managed to say in a low tone to his companion. - -Then the commander of Battery K arrived. He was a bluff sort of a man, -not much given to beating around the bush when he had anything to say; -nor could he smooth over disagreeable news as some men might. - -“I’m sorry to report that young Gregory seems to have disappeared from -camp altogether,” he immediately remarked. “It is a most extraordinary -occurrence. In fact, several officers with whom I’ve spoken say they -would never have believed a man could vanish from the midst of a -thousand or two of his fellows, with sentries posted, and camp rules in -force. But I’ve sent out in every direction to find Gregory, but without -any success so far.” - -Both Blake and Bud left things pretty much to Hugh, knowing his ability -to handle such a case. Like a wise scout, the patrol leader immediately -began to ask questions, with the design of getting facts that might give -them a clue to the solution of the camp mystery. - -“Captain,” he started in to say, “would you mind telling us when Felix -Gregory was last seen about here?” - -“Several men seemed to agree on that point,” replied the accommodating -officer, “and I am inclined to say that it was just about half an hour -back. At the time he was talking with a civilian who had managed in some -way to gain permission to enter the camp in his car. From what I have -learned, I believe Felix appeared to be considerably excited while he -held this conversation with the stranger.” - -“Hugh, just as we suspected, it must have been that man!” gasped Blake. -Bud Morgan nodded his head, and pinched the other to keep him quiet. - -“Did any of them describe the man and his car, Captain?” continued Hugh. -“You remember what we told you about the party who gave us so much -trouble on the road? He was a small fellow, with a dark face, and snappy -eyes, and his car was one of that cheap class called a flivver. Does -that agree with what any of the men said, sir?” - -“It seems to cover the case exactly, Hugh,” the officer hastened to -admit; “and, taken in conjunction with your remarkable story, makes the -matter seem more mysterious than ever. Apparently, then, that man who -tried to prevent you from getting to camp, finding that all his schemes -had failed, turned another tack, and now aims to keep Felix from seeing -you. How he has been able to get him out of the camp beats me; it would -seem to be an impossible task.” - -Hugh was on his mettle now; his fighting blood aroused. The gleam in his -eyes told that, as he shut his teeth together with a snap, and went on -to say: - -“There will be some way of tracking them, and we’ll find it out by hook -or by crook, Captain Barclay. If that man succeeds in keeping Felix -hidden away for the next twenty-four hours our goose is cooked, because -then it’s going to be too late for any reconciliation between him and -his guardian. But there will be hours before that happens, and every -minute of that time the three of us here will be working like beavers to -find out the truth. We never give up until the last gasp; that’s a -slogan of the scouts, you know, sir.” - -“A mighty fine rule for any one to go by, I must say,” remarked the -officer, looking admiringly at the speaker’s flushed and determined -face. “I’ve heard lots of good things said about you Oakvale scouts, and -now I can understand why you’ve always met with such splendid success. I -want to say, Hugh, that you can count on me to render any assistance in -my power. What can I do for you now?” - -Hugh was equal to the occasion. Although he had had little time in which -to map out his course, owing to the sudden surprise by which they had -been confronted, he knew that one thing would be needed. - -“If you could manage it, Captain Barclay, so that we three might go -about camp without being held up, and put to a whole lot of -inconvenience, it would help us a heap.” - -“That can be arranged, I think, Hugh,” said the other, after a brief -period of reflection. “I’ll try and get the general to write out three -passes, such as they may be, and word them so that you’ll be likely to -have no trouble moving about. It is something unusual, of course, to -allow civilians to remain in camp at a time like this, especially over -night; but I think I can manage it all right.” - -Leaving the three lads again, the captain entered his tent to start -operations looking to securing the passes. There was more or less -sending of messages, possibly between Battery K and Headquarters, while -Hugh and his companions tried to possess their souls in patience. - -Finally, after a long delay, Captain Barclay again made his appearance, -and in his hand he bore several folded papers. - -“I’ve had more trouble than I expected, boys,” he told them pleasantly; -“but I believe everything is smoothed over now, and you will find little -trouble in moving about. Only a few newspaper correspondents have so far -been given the same privileges; but when the general learned what fine -things you scouts had to your credit in and around Oakvale, he obliged -me with his signature. Which shows again how a good reputation pays -every one a high rate of interest.” - -Each of the boys received one of the “passes” that would allow them to -wander at will through the mobilization camp for the next twenty-four -hours, the privilege expiring with the setting of the following day’s -sun; for after that time Hugh and his comrades would have no longer any -desire to remain there, since their mission before then must be either a -success or a failure. - -“You didn’t tell us what others thought of the disappearance of Felix -Gregory, Captain?” Hugh remarked, as though anxious to learn this fact, -since it might have a bearing on the solution of the mystery. - -“Well, I interviewed one man in particular who was rather chummy with -Felix,” replied the officer. “His name is Andrew Burtis, and you all -know him well. He told me he felt sure there was something on the mind -of Felix, for he brooded over something, and acted strangely for a -fellow of his happy disposition. In fact, it was Andrew who suggested -that possibly the young chap had gone out of his mind over some trouble, -and while in this condition had managed to leave the camp, for some -purpose or other.” - -“But we know what it was troubling Felix, sir, as we have told you,” -burst out Blake Merton, eagerly. “I guess he was worrying about that -quarrel with his uncle, because they had thought a good deal of each -other. But it would never cause Felix to go out of his mind, Captain, -you can believe me. No, that man was responsible for his going away; and -Hugh here will get on the track, some way or other, I’m certain.” - -“Well, you have my best wishes, boys,” said the officer. “I must leave -you now, as I have duties to look after; but if I can do anything to -assist you later on, be sure and look me up.” - -He shook hands most cordially with each one of them in turn, and there -could be no question about his sincerity when he made that assertion. -Left to themselves, the scouts faced a situation calculated to try their -mettle to the utmost. Poor Blake in particular looked woe-begone as he -turned a beseeching eye on Hugh, fully conscious that the last lingering -hope of finding his missing cousin rested with the scout leader’s dogged -pertinacity. Belonging to the _Wolf_ Patrol meant a good deal to Hugh -Hardin; for in a case of this kind he knew that it would be necessary to -emulate the example of the wolf that follows the track of a deer over -hill and through valley, hour after hour, day and night, until by sheer -persistence he has run the tired quarry to earth, and so secures the -meal he sought. - -So Hugh would never give up so long as a shred of hope remained. He was -determined to start out and seek for a clue capable of leading him to -success. Yet, after all, it happened that accident had considerable to -do with the final outcome of the big game upon which the three scouts -had embarked. - - - - - CHAPTER X - BUD MORGAN ON THE SCENT - - -“What’s our plan of campaign, Hugh?” asked Bud Morgan. - -“I was just going to say,” remarked the scout master, “that if we -separated, and covered as broad a field as possible, the chances for -picking up some sort of clue would be all the better. In that way we -could agree to meet here, say in an hour or so, and compare notes. Then -if by good luck one of us managed to strike a warm scent we could lay -out a scheme for taking up the trail. What do you say to that, fellows?” - -Both of the others admitted that what Hugh proposed would be the wisest -move. Doubtless, Blake would have been happier had Hugh decided to keep -him in his company; but, then, he was too proud to hint at such a thing. -Besides, he realized that the greater field they covered, just as Hugh -had said, the better would be their chances for picking up news. - -So they separated, with the understanding that in about an hour from -that time they were to come together again near the tent of Captain -Barclay, so as to compare notes and decide on the next step. - -Bud Morgan was more than eager to wander about the big, bustling camp. -There were a thousand interesting things he wanted to see for himself. -This was a golden opportunity which he meant to utilize to the utmost. -He had been yearning for just such a legacy of good luck; and it had -really come to him. That magical paper, signed by the general himself, -would allow him to move at will. If any sentinel challenged his right to -be amidst the tents of the assembled guardsmen representing the -sovereign power of the State, all he had to do was to flash that -document before his eyes, and the sight of the name signed at the end of -the pass would end the detention instantly. - -So Bud started forth with high hopes. He really meant to do all that lay -in his power to assist poor Blake find his missing relative; but, then, -while thus engaged there was no reason that Bud could see why he should -not have a look-in at those things in which his heart were was bound up. - -For a short while, then, he talked with some of the Battery K boys whom -he knew, and who were naturally delighted to see any face from the home -town. - -Bud managed to show nice discretion. He was averse to telling the story -of Felix, and his silly quarrel with his rich uncle and guardian to -every one; and so, when by a few judicious questions, he found that -those with whom he chatted had no information to give him, he soon broke -away and resumed his wanderings. - -In this fashion he soon exhausted the limited fund of information that -could be picked up among the artillerymen of Battery K. The result was -so meagre that Bud felt disgusted. He must branch out and seek other -fields. Far and wide he would continue his investigations, ask his -leading questions, and seek by every possible means in his power to get -a clue worth having. - -By degrees, however, his ambition began to wane. He met with so little -success that he began to allow himself to grow slack in his efforts. -Hugh would be almost certain to unearth some clue, for he most always -did accomplish whatever he set out to perform. Then Bud was wild to -spend a little time with the Aviation Corps, for deep down in his boyish -heart he cherished an ambition to some day be an air pilot. - -This would account for his fetching up in the distant section of the -camp where he had been told the aviation squad had their hangars. More -than half an hour had passed since parting from his chums, and Bud could -truly say that he had worked faithfully to unearth a few crumbs of -comfort for Blake. - -“I deserve a little recreation,” he told himself. “All work and no play -makes Jack a dull boy. I may never get another such a fine chance to -talk with fellows of the aviation class.” - -Having thus relieved his mind of any remorse he might have felt, Bud -hurried his steps, and before long found himself in the region of the -odd-looking hangars, or sheds, hastily constructed, in which several -aeroplanes rested when not in use. - -He had met with little obstruction thus far. Several times a sentinel -had stopped him, acting under orders, but the sight of the magic paper -had always sufficed to cause the man with the bayonet and gun to wave -him along; so that by this time Bud was under the impression he could go -anywhere he pleased. - -Arriving at the ground where the birdmen held forth, he found a number -of bronzed young fellows squatting around a fire, and swapping stories -of possible past experiences. As Bud came up and stood there, curious -glances were cast upon him. Perhaps most of them jumped to the -conclusion that he must be the representative of some important -newspaper, for Bud was a pretty husky sort of a fellow for his age; and -young blood is often sought after by the great metropolitan dailies. - -So Bud presently dropped down, and sat there listening. He drank in all -he heard those aviators saying. One of them, it seemed, had been across -the sea, and taken part in some of the dangerous forays, when Allied -aeroplanes made daring raids on fortified towns or military -concentration camps in the rear of the enemy forces, and his -reminiscences of the thrilling scenes upon which he had gazed held Bud -spellbound. - -Others in the little group had not been so fortunate in seeing actual -hostilities, but each man in turn narrated certain adventures that had -befallen him; for even in piping times of peace aviators meet with -perils calculated to make a stirring story. - -One man in particular interested Bud. At the time he hardly knew why -this should be so, for they were all strangers to him. Afterwards he was -inclined to believe there must have been some sort of intuition about -it, causing him to listen to everything this air pilot was saying. - -His name seemed to be Johnson, for Bud heard him called that several -times. The conversation had turned upon odd incidents connected with -meeting people under peculiar conditions, and as he listened Bud heard -Johnson saying: - -“Queer how people bob up that you’d never expect to meet. Now, today -while we were on the road here from the station, with the truck carrying -our ’plane, I had a thing like that happen to me. Two years back it came -about that I was flying at county fairs down in Florida. I did it as a -means for making ready money, because I wanted to get hold of a new -model hydroaeroplane that I was wild to own. My companion in the Fair -venture was a fellow I never really liked, though he certainly had -plenty of grit, and knew a heap about this flying business. - -“Well, we separated in the end, because I couldn’t stand for some of his -crooked ways. From that day to this I did not see him once; yet today, -when we passed a little old house on the road here from the railway -station, who should I see looking from the second-story window, and -staring at all the aviation squad moving along, but my former partner of -the Florida county fair flights. Which shows how small this old world -is, after all. Why, I wouldn’t have been any more surprised if I’d -landed on top of Mount Washington, and come face to face there with -Luther Gregory!” - -Bud almost fell over, he received such a shock at hearing the aviator -calmly mention that name. Luther Gregory, the wild son of Uncle Reuben, -the very man whose scheming had caused the scouts all that trouble while -on the road to the mobilization camp—it came to Bud almost like an -inspiration that in this astonishing way he had struck a clue. - -Through his brain chased a dozen brilliant thoughts. Why, if Luther -Gregory had really been the employer whose money had hired that clever -trickster in the flivver to do everything in his power to obstruct the -progress of Blake and his chums, didn’t it stand to reason that the -chief plotter must have come on the ground in order to have a hand in -the final attempt to keep Felix from making up with his uncle? - -Bud wanted to shake hands with himself, he felt so tickled. For some -little time he sat there and communed with himself, laying out various -plans whereby he and Hugh and Blake might yet win the game that had -seemed to be going against them. - -He was suddenly aroused by seeing Johnson getting on his feet, and -yawning, as if he felt sleepy, and thought of turning in, although -“taps” had not yet sounded. - -Bud came to a quick determination. He must have a little chat with the -air pilot, and learn a few facts from him. In order to accomplish his -end it would be necessary for him to relate the story of Felix, but he -could bind the other to secrecy. So he also arose and followed the -aviator. - -When a tap came on his shoulder, and Johnson turned to find himself -confronted by the boy, he may have noticed sitting near the fire, -listening, no doubt he felt a little curiosity as to why he had been -picked out for an interview. - -“Guess you’ve selected the wrong man, young fellow,” he went on to say -with a jolly laugh, “if you’re expecting a thrilling yarn for your -paper. Better tackle Tom Sherlock, who’s seen exciting adventures over -the big drink. He can spin you a story that will make your readers’ hair -stand on end.” - -“But I want to have a little chat with you, Mr. Johnson,” urged Bud. “I -would thank you to give me just a few minutes of your time. It is on a -matter that means a whole lot to a chum of mine. The queer part of it is -that the mention of Luke Gregory’s name by you is the whole cause of my -asking this favor.” - -The aviator, naturally enough, was surprised. - -“Well, you’ve managed to arouse my curiosity from the start, my boy!” he -exclaimed, heartily. “I’ll be only too glad to listen to anything you -may have to say. Come over here to my tent and sit down on a bench -there; we can talk better at our ease. Right from the beginning let me -say that if Luther Gregory has any share in your story, I’d wager it -isn’t going to be to his credit.” - -“You hit the nail right on the head when you say that, Mr. Johnson!” -declared Bud, mentally hugging himself with delight over the wonderful -success that had come his way. - -He started in by telling how he and Hugh had been trying to find some -reasonable excuse for visiting the mobilization camp, when Blake came -along and told about the unfortunate quarrel between Felix and his -uncle. Then Bud went on to relate how they had started for the camp in -the old car. Step by step he narrated the difficulties they had to -surmount, and how they felt positive most of their troubles came through -the plotting of the man in the flivver, and who had been seen talking in -a mysterious fashion with Luther Gregory in Oakvale. - -It was an altogether thrilling story, and the aviator listened with rapt -attention until Bud had come down to the point where he heard him -mention that name of Uncle Reuben’s profligate son, and tell how he had -actually seen him close to the border of the camp. - -“All I want you to tell me, Mr. Lawrence,” Bud wound up with, “is the -location of that little old house where Luther Gregory, you say, was -looking out of the second story window as your Aviation Corps passed -this afternoon. Don’t you see, if they have managed somehow to sneak -Felix out of camp, it stands to reason he would be taken to that place, -and kept hidden for twenty-four hours or so, until the time limit was -past. Oh! please tell me, so I can carry the news to my chums, who will -be tickled half to death to hear it.” - -The air pilot saw the point, and proceeded forthwith to enter into such -explanations that Bud felt sure he could not miss finding the place; and -after that he hastened to break away, being fairly wild to see Hugh, and -tell him the great news. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - THE VALUE OF A GOOD REPUTATION - - -When Bud presently arrived at the appointed rendezvous neither of his -comrades were in sight. He was nervously walking up and down when a few -minutes later Blake put in an appearance. - -Blake looked particularly woe-begone. Evidently all his efforts to pick -up a promising clue to the solution of the great mystery had failed -miserably. Seeing Bud’s nervous stride, he eyed him hungrily. - -“Something ails you, Bud, I’m sure it does from the way you act!” he -exclaimed, fresh hope struggling to gain a new grip on his heart. -“Please tell me if you’ve found out anything at all, because I haven’t -had the least bit of luck.” - -“Well, I’ve nosed around like a regular bloodhound on the scent,” -observed Bud, with perhaps a little pardonable pride, “and I reckon now -I’ve got some _important_ news for Hugh when he shows up here.” - -“Oh! have you found Felix?” burst from Blake, excitedly. - -“Er, hardly as strong as that,” admitted the other, “but I’ve run across -a man who saw Luther Gregory looking from the second-story window of a -house not two miles from the border of this camp, and only this -afternoon, in the bargain; which you’ll have to own up is some evidence -that he knows what’s happened to your cousin.” - -Blake proceeded forthwith to pump the hand of his wideawake chum as -though in this fashion alone could he show his sincere appreciation of -the wonderful news Bud had brought in. - -“There comes Hugh right now,” added Bud, with the smile of conscious -superiority spread across his face, “and there’ll be something doing -soon, believe me.” - -The scout master approached. He did not look particularly happy himself, -for, to tell the truth, Hugh had failed to succeed in finding any -conclusive evidence that promised to take them to where the absent Felix -might be found. When he saw how his two comrades were beckoning to -hasten his steps, and discovered their triumphant manner, Hugh lost no -time in joining them. - -“Glad to see that you’ve had more success this time than fell to my -lot,” was his salutation as he came up; “now string it off, and tell me -what’s happened to make you both look so oh-be-joyful.” - -Bud waited for no second invitation. It did not happen every day that he -was given such a splendid chance to shine in the limelight, and he would -not have been a genuine boy had he failed to take advantage of the -golden opportunity. So, in as terse terms as he could possibly summon to -the front, he told the story of how, after a myriad of efforts, he had -finally run across what seemed to be a most promising clue. - -Hugh listened and made little comment until the story had been ended. -Then he gripped the other’s hand. - -“Bud, old man, I’m beginning to think that the luck of this deal is -running strongly in your direction!” he exclaimed, heartily. “If that -master schemer of a Luther Gregory is close by, the man he hired must -know where to find him; and it stands to reason that if he succeeded in -bundling Felix out of camp, even if no one is able to tell how it could -be done, why the first thing he’d do would be to take him to that -house.” - -“Oh! and then all we’ve got to do,” broke in the delighted Blake, who -was hardly able to keep from dancing on his tiptoes, such was his -increasing happiness, “is to get a detail of the guardsmen, and go there -to arrest the whole bunch.” - -“Of course that’s our move,” admitted Hugh, “though we mustn’t be too -fast about carrying it out. The whole night is before us, you know. They -won’t hurt Felix, if our theory is correct. All they want to do is to -keep him out of our reach for twenty-four hours.” - -“But we ought to see Captain Barclay again, hadn’t we, Hugh?” questioned -Bud. - -“That would be our wisest move,” agreed the patrol leader, “because -we’ll need some help to round up those rascals; and it can only be -gotten through an order signed by our friend, the artillery captain.” - -“No sleep for me tonight, I wager,” said Blake; but somehow he seemed to -glory in the fact rather than put on a doleful expression. Action meant -a fresh possibility for a successful ending of his search. - -Hugh looked around him. The camp of the guardsmen still presented a -wonderfully fascinating picture in his eyes, even though some of the -tired militiamen had sought their tents in order to try and get a little -sleep, having had their rest broken more or less since leaving their -widely separated homes. - -“There’s the captain heading this way now!” exclaimed Bud, with sudden -zeal. “P’r’aps we had better tackle him while we have the chance, Hugh. -He’s got a heap of camp duties to look after, and, according to military -rules, they’d have to take precedence above any private business.” - -“Come on, then, and we’ll start the ball rolling,” the scout master -agreed. - -When Captain Barclay saw his trio of boy friends from Oakvale heading -toward him, he smiled amiably, and nodded his head. - -“Any good news, boys?” he immediately asked, showing that he still -remembered about their mission; “heard of Felix Gregory anywhere, and -was he visiting in some other part of the camp?” - -“No, sir, nothing can be learned about him from any of the men,” replied -Hugh, and then immediately adding: “Our chum here, Bud Morgan, happened -to learn something that we believe may offer a strong clue.” - -“Tell me about it, then,” the officer commanded. “I’m very interested in -the result of your noble mission; and this strange disappearance of an -enlisted man from camp is bothering some of us. I haven’t mentioned it -to any one higher up, but was just thinking of seeing the general about -it. Things like that reflect upon the management of a military camp, -where it is expected that discipline governs every movement, so that it -would appear to be impossible for a single individual to drop out. Now -proceed, please.” - -Hugh told the story, giving Bud due honors for having made the wonderful -discovery that Luther Gregory was hovering near by, evidently bent on -sharing some of the foul work with the man whom his money had hired. - -Captain Barclay asked several sharp questions. It could be seen that he -was intensely interested. Bud made haste to enlighten him on the points -that did not appear to be quite clear in his mind. - -“Just as you say, Hugh,” he finally remarked, decisively, “things begin -to look promising. The chances are ten to one that if Felix has been -coaxed or smuggled out of the camp here, he was taken to that lonely -house on the road. I believe I can remember noticing the place as we -passed from the station this afternoon, where I went to look after some -additional baggage that had been shipped by rail from the home town.” - -“You’ll help us, won’t you, Captain?” - -“I certainly will, to the full extent of my power,” came the hearty -response, “though before anything can really be done in the matter I -must have a talk with my commanding officer at Headquarters. Fortunately -there seems to be nothing of moment to demand my attention. So, if you -will once more wait for me here, I’ll see the general again. He was -interested in you before, after I had told him some things I knew, and -how Oakvale held the scouts in such high esteem.” - -“Oh! I hope he agrees to let you help us surround that house, and see if -Felix is held a prisoner there,” remarked Blake. - -“I don’t have the slightest doubt about the ultimate outcome,” said the -officer, “so far as the general’s co-operation goes. Whether we find -your cousin there or not is another thing; but I believe the chances are -fairly good. Look for me inside of half an hour, boys.” - -With that he hastened away, turning his back upon his comfortable tent -with its inviting camp cot, which must have appealed strongly to a tired -soldier. - -“Half an hour he said, didn’t he?” sighed Blake. “Gee whiz! that’s a -whole thirty long minutes. It’ll seem like a week to me, I guess. But -what’s the use looking a gift horse in the mouth. I ought to be thanking -my lucky stars that there’s such a bully chance ahead. I’m going to quit -grumbling.” - -“What do you expect he meant by saying the general was interested in us -as scouts, Hugh?” asked Bud. - -“Oh! just what he explained by telling us he’d mentioned some of the -things we Oakvale scouts had hung up to our credit,” the patrol leader -answered. “I suppose there are few troops in the East that can point -with pride to a record like ours. We’ve been a whole lot lucky to have -such chances to do things come along.” - -“At a time like this,” Bud continued, a look of satisfaction covering -his face, “it certainly does make a fellow feel good to know he hasn’t -any reason to be ashamed of his past record.” - -“There, I saw a soldier stop the captain and salute, after which he -handed him something,” Blake burst out with, excitedly. “Now Captain -Barclay is pointing straight toward us, boys; and see, he’s handed the -thing back again. Looks to me as if he had ordered him to deliver the -same to us. I wonder what under the sun it can be?” - -“We’ll soon know,” advised Bud, “because here comes the soldier; and by -the same token it’s Burch Shafter, Hugh, whom you got to join the -battery after convincing his mother it was a duty he owed his -country.”[3] - -They watched the man in uniform approach them with growing interest. It -struck the scouts as having some sort of connection with their mission -in the mobilization camp. Perhaps the young fellow was bringing them -fresh news—Blake even began to speculate upon the most improbable -things, to the extent of wondering whether this might not be some -audacious communication from Luther Gregory telling him that his quest -would be fruitless, and that he might just as well return to Oakvale, -since he could not find Felix within the given time. - -Then the artilleryman arrived. Young Shafter recognized them all, and he -looked particularly at Hugh with a gleam of affection in his eyes, -because the scout master had been mainly instrumental in getting his -mother’s consent to his enlistment. Nevertheless, he made a stiff -military salute upon first arriving, and then dropped his hand at his -side “at attention.” - -“Huh! that doesn’t go among old friends, Burch,” chuckled Bud. “Nobody’s -watching you now, so you c’n drop your camp manners, and be sociable.” - -With that he clutched the other’s hand and shook it. The “rookie” -laughed, and from that moment became companionable. Hugh and Blake in -turn greeted him; for up to then they had not chanced to run across -young Shafter, as he had been in another part of the camp, possibly sent -on official business. - -“Something was found in Felix Gregory’s tent, and they dispatched me -with it to the captain,” he went on to explain. “When he looked it over -he said Blake here ought to take charge of the same, and so I’m turning -it over to him.” - -When Blake glanced at the object that was placed in his hand he gave a -cry of astonishment. - -“Look here, Hugh, Bud!” he commenced to say, deeply moved, “it’s a -letter written by Felix, and sealed; and, would you believe it, the same -is directed to Uncle Reuben. Oh! I wonder now did Felix repent of his -own accord of those ugly things he said in his hasty temper, and write -to apologize? Wouldn’t that be a great thing, though, and a bully ending -of the whole silly affair?” - - - - - CHAPTER XII - THE SEARCH SQUAD - - -“Don’t be hasty about opening that letter, Blake,” cautioned the scout -master, who saw that such a move was indeed contemplated by his chum. - -Blake held his hand before he had started to tear an end off the sealed -envelope. - -“Why, I thought it would be only right to find out if Felix had said he -was sorry, Hugh,” he hastened to explain, looking somewhat disappointed. -“Because if things did turn out that way, you see I could get this -letter to Uncle Reuben, and then the object of our run up here to camp -would be accomplished.” - -“Yes, I understand all that, Blake,” answered the other, quietly, “but -we mustn’t forget that a seal should be considered inviolate, and a -letter like this not opened except as a last resort. He hadn’t mailed -it, and might reconsider writing the same, no matter what the contents -are. Then, again, you can’t be sure that he did repent, and was wanting -Uncle Reuben to forgive him.” - -Blake gave a big sigh. - -“I suppose you’re right about that, Hugh,” he admitted, reluctantly, -“though I’d certainly like to see what’s inside of this the worst kind.” - -“Better let Hugh keep it in his pocket,” suggested Bud. - -“Which means that maybe I might yield to a strong temptation and slit -the envelope open some time or other,” Blake remarked, quickly. “Well, -it might be just as good that I didn’t have the chance, so here, you -keep it, Hugh.” - -Accordingly, the patrol leader took the letter addressed to Mr. Reuben -Gregory at Oakvale. - -“I’ll tell you how we’ll settle this thing,” he proposed, thinking it -best to have it decided, and wishing to give poor Blake what measure of -comfort he could; “suppose we say we’ll leave the letter unopened until -nine tomorrow morning. Then, if nothing comes from our hunt for your -cousin tonight, and the mystery of his disappearance is still -unexplained, why, I’ll take chances and we’ll see what he wrote.” - -“All right, Hugh,” agreed Blake, instantly. “That’s about as good a -programme as we could arrange. Still, we have all admitted that it looks -promising that Felix went to the trouble of writing a letter to Uncle -Reuben, Something must have been worrying him—we’ve heard from one of -his comrades here that he hasn’t been himself ever since the battery -left Oakvale. It was an uneasy conscience, I’m sure; I know Felix pretty -well, and I’m certain that if he began to believe he had acted in a mean -way he would get no peace of mind until he had done all in his power to -rectify his error.” - -Apparently Blake was in a decidedly “chipper” frame of mind since this -last odd happening. He seemed to feel that things were finally working -out to serve their ends, and that success must soon perch on their -banner. - -“Well,” remarked the philosophical Bud, “nothing like having two strings -to your bow, I’ve always believed. Never put all your eggs in one -basket. Now, in case our little excursion along the road to the railway -station turns out a complete failure, you see we’ve always got this -letter to turn to.” - -“And, of course,” added Blake, “when the time limit has expired those -men won’t bother trying to hold poor Felix any longer. They’ll believe -their game is won, and turn him loose. Now, just ten minutes have -dragged by since Captain Barclay left us, and he said half an hour, -didn’t he?” - -All this was like so much Greek to young Shafter, and, seeing the look -of bewilderment on his face, Hugh took pity on him. Besides, since the -story was getting to be in general circulation through devious channels, -one guardsman taken into their confidence would not matter. Then, again, -the telling might serve to kill a little of the time that promised to -hang so heavily on their hands. - -Accordingly he started in to entertain Burch Shafter with a remarkable -story that held his attention closely all the way through. Hugh was not -the one to waste words, and so he kept “hewing close to the line” until -he had arrived at the point where they were waiting for Captain Barclay -to return with permission from Headquarters to take a detail of armed -men and ascertain who the inmates of that old house on the roadside -were; likewise, whether Private Gregory were detained there against his -will. - -“All I can say,” remarked the deeply interested listener, after the -stirring account of their adventures on the road had been brought to a -finish, “is that it beats the Dutch how you scouts do have thrilling -happenings come your way. Why, there’s a list as long as my arm of fine -things you fellows have done. Here you promise to add another laurel to -the wreath you’ve won. I take off my hat to Hugh Hardin and the boys of -Oakvale Troop. They are trump cards, every one of them, and that’s the -truth.” - -He suddenly remembered he was a soldier, and that his time could not be -called his own; so, saying a hasty good-bye, Burch Shafter strode away. -His coming, and what he had brought with him, had given them all new -reasons for gratitude, and the rainbow of promise was once more shining -brilliantly in the heavens above. - -The time dragged horribly after that, although they talked of many -things, so that Blake might not give way to impatience. There was a -never-ending source of delight in just glancing around them at all the -queer sights by which they found themselves surrounded, with veterans -and rookies carrying on a multitude of camp duties. Had it been in the -daytime instead of about nine o’clock at night, doubtless the visitors -would have witnessed a multitude of intensely interesting things, such -as are born of camp life, from comrades being shaved by fresh barbers, -to others engaged in taking their first lesson in the art of washing -their own clothes under very primitive conditions. - -Finally, when Blake had sighed for about the hundredth time, and Bud -himself took to yawning because of the inaction, Hugh announced that he -believed he had seen an officer hurrying in their direction. - -“Unless I’m greatly mistaken, it’s our friend the captain,” he added. - -“Sure it is, and no mistake,” chuckled Bud; while Blake drew in a long -breath that spelled relief because his “watchful waiting” period was -over. - -As the officer approached they took new hope upon seeing the look spread -upon his face. Surely he would not smile so broadly if he were bringing -them bad news. - -“It’s all right, boys, all right,” he told them, immediately. - -“Then the general has given permission for us to carry out the scheme, -has he, sir?” asked Hugh, greatly pleased. - -“He told me to take charge of it personally, and leave no stone unturned -to ascertain how Private Gregory could be taken out of the camp -undetected; also to bring before him those guilty of the outrage, if -they could be caught. That house, it seems, comes within the boundaries -of the camp, and hence any one living there, or occupying the premises, -is amenable to military discipline and rules.” - -“Then if by good luck we trap that schemer and good-for-nothing Luther -Gregory,” exclaimed Blake, rubbing his hands in joy, “it’s going to be -hard for him because he’s interfered with the liberty of one of Uncle -Sam’s recruits? Well, I guess on the whole he’ll get only what he -deserves, and I’ll be glad of it.” - -“Are you going with us, Captain?” asked Bud. - -“Yes, and I shall take a detail of men, so as to make doubly sure,” -explained the officer, as though he had mapped out his plan of campaign, -like a wise soldier, as he came along. “The moon will soon be rising, -and we may get some benefit of her light, though that does not matter -much.” - -He was told about the letter, and seemed to feel a good deal like Hugh -in that it had better not be opened, save as a last resort. If other -things failed them, and no signs of the missing Felix could be found, -then it would be time enough to think of breaking the seal. - -“You know,” he went on to say, particularly directing the words toward -Blake, whom he guessed had been the one desirous of reading the letter, -“there’s always a mean feeling comes on any one when you open a sealed -envelope surreptitiously. It’s like a thief breaking into a house in the -night; you think you’re doing something you ought to be ashamed of, no -matter how good your motives really are. So better let that rest until -all other hope has been abandoned.” - -“Yes,” added Bud, “and even at noon tomorrow we could telegraph to Uncle -Reuben we were on the road with a letter of apology, and he’d be only -too willing to wait for us to arrive before changing his will. I reckon -the old gentleman would be only too glad of a chance to meet a -compromise halfway, if he thinks as much of Felix as Blake Merton here -tells us he does.” - -“I want you to come with me over to the camp of the aviation boys,” said -Captain Barclay. “I have authority to enlist anyone I please in the -squad we shall take with us for duty, and that being the case it might -be just as well to have that party along who told you about Luther -Gregory.” - -“Johnston was his name, Captain,” explained Bud, “and I reckon he’s some -punkins of an aeroplane pilot, too, because he’s been giving daring -exhibitions in lots of county fairs down South last winter. From what he -said, I reckon Johnston will be glad to be in the bunch, because things -are getting kind of stale for him here, with so little material to work -with.” - -The captain left them for a short time. When he came back, three men -carrying guns followed at his heels. Blake surveyed their armament with -considerable interest, as though convinced by this time that the clouds -were gathering around the devoted heads of the two schemers who must -soon find themselves in the toils. - -“There’s the moon just peeping above the horizon, you see, boys,” the -captain remarked, as he joined the waiting trio of scouts. “It isn’t -more than ten o’clock, either, and we needn’t be in any hurry. Let’s -head across to where the aviation squad have their quarters, so as to -pick up Johnston, the air pilot.” - -As they were proceeding along, the clear notes of a bugle ascended from -some point close by, and never would Hugh and his chums forget the -peculiar effect produced upon them when, for the first time, they heard -“taps” sounded in a military camp while the grim shadow of impending war -was hovering over the land. It seemed to thrill them through and through -with its significance, for they could not help remembering how it is -this same sweet sad call that is invariably given over the grave of a -soldier when his comrades bury him with full military honors. - -When they finally arrived at the border of the camp, where lay the field -that was to be devoted to such aviation work as could be carried on with -the poor material on hand, Captain Barclay immediately sought the -officer in command of the squad, whom he chanced to already know. - -He found no trouble in securing permission to have the air pilot -Johnston join them, though, doubtless, the other wondered much what it -all meant, for there was no time to enter into full explanations. -Captain Barclay did promise to see him on the next day, and tell him an -interesting story connected with the visit of these three scouts from -his home town. - -Johnston recognized Bud, and readily agreed to lead the little -expedition to the house where he had seen his old associate in -aeronautics, Luther Gregory. As he had, it may be remembered, heard -pretty much the whole story of the adventure from Bud Morgan’s lips, at -the time the other was coaxing him to tell the location of the house -where he claimed to have seen Luther, the aviator did not express any -surprise, only satisfaction that his services had been thought worth -while securing. - -There being nothing else to detain them now, the captain gave the order -for marching, and the little company started forth. A sentry on the -border of the great camp challenged, and demanded the password, which -Captain Barclay whispered in his ear; and so with the last obstacle to -their progress removed they began to follow the road that led to the -railway station, possibly four miles away. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - THE HOUSE BY THE ROADSIDE - - -When Bud Morgan glanced back over his shoulder just as they struck the -road and were well launched on their night tramp, he could not help -thinking what a wonderful sight it was that greeted his admiring eyes. -Bud had always been a great hand for drinking in scenes that were -uncommon, and had been known to temporarily forget that he was engaged -in a running match, when from the top of a rise a vista of unusual -beauty burst upon his vision. - -The battered old moon was above the horizon now, and lay low in the -east. A myriad of camp fires flickered through the broad valley where -the State guardsmen were encamped, waiting to be sworn into the service -of Uncle Sam, and entrain for the distant border. All sorts of murmurous -sounds came floating to the ear, and formed a medley never to be -forgotten. - -Bud, finding that the others were fast leaving him in the lurch, -hastened to catch up with his chums; but he knew he would carry that -wonderful picture in memory as long as he lived. The very mention of a -mobilization camp would make him think of the soft dab of yellow in the -sky marking the rising moon, the glittering patches scattered about that -looked like giant fireflies; and the murmuring sound of many voices, -braying of mules, and kindred camp notes. - -But “taps” had sounded, and all this would presently die away, for -strict military regulations governed the uniformed community. - -Bud found a place alongside Blake, while Hugh strode on with Captain -Barclay and the aviator guide, Johnston. It was perfectly natural that -the two boys should desire to communicate while on the way. Blake in -particular wanted to find certain things, and as he could bend his head -close to that of his comrade, before they had been three minutes on the -road in company, he was whispering: - -“Bud, would you mind if I asked you something?” - -“Why, of course not, Blake,” replied the other in a soft tone, “only be -careful how you speak. Remember that we’re under the captain’s orders -now, and he told us not to say anything louder than a whisper. So fire -away.” - -No doubt Bud understood how very anxious the other must be, for Blake -had far more at stake in the successful outcome of their adventure than -either of his companions, hence the willingness of Bud to accommodate -him; for Blake was a pretty decent sort of fellow, as boys go, and well -liked by the Oakvale Troop. - -“Why, I only wanted to ask if you could give any kind of guess what the -programme is going to be after we get to that lonely house by the road?” -Blake asked, showing that, after all, it was more a desire to receive -some comforting assurance than a hope for knowledge that actuated him. - -“Oh! shucks! how c’n I tell that, Blake?” protested the other. “Just as -like as not we’ll first of all throw a loop around the old shanty, so -nobody c’n skip out, and then start in to comb it from attic to cellar. -All I’m hoping is that they don’t think to carry Felix further away in -that little flivver car, you know.” - -“Huh! say, Bud, d’ye know that’s just what’s been bothering me right -along,” admitted Blake. “Everything hinges on our finding that bunch -hiding at the house alongside the road. I wish we were there, so we’d -know the worst.” - -“Brace up, Blake,” said Bud, encouragingly. “I’ve got a hunch that it’s -all going to come off gilt-edged. Show your colors, old fellow, and -don’t forget that a scout can keep his fears under control.” - -After that Blake fell quiet. Perhaps he realized that it was foolish to -give way to these doubts, just as Bud meant to imply. Silently the -little detachment advanced along the road, the four armed soldiers -bringing up the rear. Once they were challenged, for videttes had been -posted even outside the limits of the big military camp, since strict -army rules prevailed, and in a hostile country this would be the -practice. The captain, however, gave the password in the ear of the man -who suddenly challenged them, and they were permitted to move along. - -After this had kept up for possibly fifteen minutes, the boys knew they -must be close upon the object of their search. Johnston had, in the -beginning, said it was less than two miles away, and hence, at any -moment now, they might expect to hear a low command to halt, after which -the captain would give directions governing their future movements. - -Eagerly, Blake was straining his eyes in hopes of discovering some sort -of house ahead. More than once he thought he had hit upon it, only to -find, upon drawing near, that a clump of trees formed the dark shadow -patch upon which his gaze had settled. - -But all things must have an end, and in due time the guide of the -expedition signified that they were now within stone’s throw of their -destination. The captain beckoned them to gather around him, after which -in whispers he designated every one’s part in the venture. - -The four privates were to circle the house, guarding every exit, whether -this be a door or window. Their orders were to hail first, and then, if -the fleeing party refused to halt, to shoot, though trying to “pepper” -the man’s legs rather than mortally injure him. - -As for the three scouts, they were to accompany the captain and -Johnston, whose intention it was to enter the building and arrest the -inmates. - -When Blake heard this he fairly quivered with an excess of emotion and -zeal. He was only too delighted at such a chance to be “in at the -death,” as he mentally termed it. How good it was of their friend the -captain to allow them this privilege. Most army officers would have -considered boys a nuisance, and, doubtless, ordered them to stay back -until things had shaped themselves, and the danger was past; but then -Captain Barclay lived in Oakvale, and knew just how bravely the scouts -had carried themselves on numberless occasions. - -All of them could see the house, for they were creeping forward again. -It happened to be upon the side of the road where the low-lying moon’s -rays did not fall, so that the shadows were fairly dense; but sharp eyes -could make it out. - -Blake was glad to notice that all seemed as still as death around the -place. So far as he could see, there was no sign of a light visible. If -the inmates were awake and burning a lamp, they must have first -carefully drawn the shades, and otherwise darkened the windows, for try -as Blake might, he failed to detect even a narrow shaft of illumination. - -A near-panic gripped the boy’s rapidly beating heart. He feared that -those they sought might not be at the roadhouse—that when the man in the -flivver had arrived with Felix in his car they may have continued the -flight, and by this time were many miles away. - -However, Blake’s fright was of short duration. He remembered what Bud -had said about mastering himself, and thus managed to get a firm grip on -his weak heart. - -Great care was taken while advancing to keep well in the shadow. -Although everything seemed so still about the place, there was no -telling whether the suspected inmates of the house were on guard or not. -For all they knew, hostile eyes might be peering out from some crack, -and ordinary caution required that they take just as much pains as -though they knew this for a certainty. - -By motions rather than even the lowest of words the captain stationed -his four men. He had evidently planned his every move, and there was to -be no hitch that would imperil the success of the enterprise. - -When the armed guards had been placed, the next thing was to approach -the door and knock. Blake again had a chilly feeling attack as he -realized that the crisis was now at hand, when success or failure would -follow. If repeated knocking went without any response, the chances were -the house had been abandoned, and that they would have had all their -trouble for their pains. Of course, though, Blake told himself, they -would give the place a thorough overhauling, so as to make sure those -they sought were not hiding. - -Well, there was one comfort that appealed to him. This lay in the letter -which Felix had written, and now in the possession of Hugh Hardin. If -the worst came they could open that, and always have a chance that it -would be what they wanted, an apology meant for Uncle Reuben’s eye. - -The captain had stepped boldly up to the door. Blake saw him place his -ear close to the panels, after trying the knob and finding that a key -had been turned in the lock, for the door refused to open. If Captain -Barclay detected the least sign of human occupancy, he gave no -indication of it; but he did knock loudly with his knuckles. - -Everybody listened intently. The four uniformed guards had been -cautioned to keep out of sight, and the shadows engulfed them. Had any -one peered from a window he would have been able to see nothing, unless -in some manner he managed to glimpse that little group on the stone step -before the door. - -But some person was certainly moving inside, for even Blake heard sounds -indicating such a thing. The officer waited a minute, and then again -thumped lustily on the panel. A glimmer of light was seen, telling them -that some one approached; then came the sound of a key turned in the -lock, after which the door swung partly open, revealing a man standing -there, holding a lighted lamp. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - A SUCCESSFUL ROUND-UP - - -“Don’t drop that lamp if you value your life!” called out Captain -Barclay, as he immediately covered the startled man with a weapon. - -“That’s him, Captain—it’s Luther Gregory!” shrilled Blake, forgetting -that as the captain lived in Oakvale he must also have known the other -in times gone by. - -Luther Gregory it was for a fact, and Hugh, upon discovering this, felt -a wave of relief rushing over him. He believed they were going to meet -with success in their undertaking, and that all would come out well. - -“What’s all this mean?” exclaimed the man who held the lamp. - -Hugh immediately started to relieve him of the light, for he was afraid -that a sudden desperate move toward escape might be inaugurated by the -plotter dropping the lamp, and causing either an explosion, or darkness -to cover the scene. - -“Only that you are under arrest, Gregory, charged with unlawfully taking -an enlisted man out of camp against his will.” - -With that the captain summoned one of the guards and placed him at the -side of the prisoner. When Luther Gregory saw this he laughed and -shrugged his shoulders after the fashion of a reckless man who, having -played for high stakes, sees his castles in the air falling in ruins, -and cares little what becomes of him. - -“Oh! the game is up, is it?” he called out. “Well, you won’t hear a -squeal from me. I haven’t done anything so terrible that the Government, -or the State, either, can hold me for it. Coaxing an enlisted man to -desert might seem a crime, but inviting him to visit you, and spend the -evening is another. You can’t prove a thing against me, try as hard as -you please.” - -“We’ll see about that later on,” said the officer, grimly. “Meanwhile -we’ll take a look through this house, and make the acquaintance of your -confederate in crime. Come with me, boys; fetch him in also, Private -Fielder, and keep a tight hold on his arm. Remember you are at liberty -to shoot if he tries to break away.” - -“I’m not so great a fool as to take such chances, Captain,” the other -told him. - -When from the hall they stepped into the adjoining room Blake gave -utterance to a low cry of mingled concern and joy, for the very first -thing his eyes discovered was a figure lying on a cot. He flew across -the apartment and bent down. - -“It’s Felix, boys, sure it is my cousin!” he called out. “Don’t you know -me, Felix? Oh! Hugh, what ails him, do you think? See how he stares at -me, just as if he didn’t recognize me one bit. Is he sick, Hugh; or have -those men done something to make him act so queerly?” - -The scout master knew. - -“I think they’ve given him some sort of drug, Blake,” he went on to say, -laying a hand on Blake’s shoulder, for he realized that the boy was -terribly wrought up. “He’s already recovering, and will be himself -soon.” - -“Is that the truth, Gregory?” demanded the captain, harshly frowning -upon the prisoner, who, however, was too clever to commit himself so -early in the game. - -“Why, the fact is,” he remarked, airily, with a light laugh, “Cousin -Felix commenced to act strangely soon after coming here to visit me. I -thought he was going to have a fit, and coaxed him to lie down there as -you see. He is getting better, though, and will be himself before very -long. But his mind is apt to be clouded, more or less; and I shouldn’t -be much surprised if he even got it into his silly head to think I had -something to do with his leaving the camp, and coming here to visit.” - -Captain Barclay understood what the sly schemer was aiming to do. He -smiled in a satirical way, and then remarked: - -“You’ll not be able to hoodwink the eyes of a judge and jury when you’re -placed on trial for this nasty business, Gregory. You’ve played a high -hand, but this time you’re going to get your reward, and see the inside -of a State’s prison. But let’s take a look around, and see what’s become -of your accomplice; for since I noticed his little car drawn under a -shed back of the house, I take it he must still be somewhere around.” - -At that Hugh and Bud began to take fresh interest in the case, though -Blake apparently had eyes only for his cousin, over whom he was bending, -trying to hold the attention of Felix by continual talking. The scout -instinct was strong in the makeup of the two lads, and no sooner had the -captain suggested a hunt to find the missing tool of the arch schemer -than they began to use their eyes in searching out every possible place -where a small man might conceal himself in an emergency. - -They had good reason to feel anything but kindly disposed toward that -man of the flivver. Not only did he curtly decline to assist them when -they had engine trouble, but had afterwards done everything in his power -to hold them up on the way to camp. The memory of the country constable -who believed them to be thieves running away with a car they had taken, -as well as what happened at the burning bridge, were things not -calculated to make them feel very friendly toward the unscrupulous man -who had been responsible for these various happenings. - -Hugh noticed almost immediately that while there was no blaze in the big -open fireplace, there did seem to be an unusual amount of soot on the -hearth. This must have given him his cue, for he stepped forward, bent -down, and tried to see up the wide-throated chimney. - -“See anything up there, Hugh?” asked Bud, close at his elbow. - -“Look at my face and tell me if you see little patches of black on it?” -demanded the scout master, turning his head to his comrade for -examination. - -“Just what there are, Hugh!” exclaimed the other, joyfully, “which -announces the fact that _somebody_ is up there in that chimney. How’ll -you get Mr. Coon to come down?” - -“Captain, please lend me your revolver,” said Hugh, in a loud voice, -purposely intended to pass up the chimney flue. “It’s got six cartridges -in the chambers hasn’t it, Captain? Well, they ought to be enough to -fetch him down, dead or alive.” - -Instantly there came a half-muffled groan, and then following an appeal: - -“Hold on please, don’t shoot! I’m coming down just as fast as I can. Oh! -I’m nearly choked to death with the soot up here. Wait for me, please!” - -More black stuff came down in a shower. Hugh stepped back, and with a -grin on his face, Bud followed suit. They heard considerable scratching -and puffing from inside the chimney, after which there came a thud. - -“Oh! what is it?” gasped Bud as he stared at a dusky object that huddled -there on the open hearth amidst the piles of soot. - -“It’s me,” piped up a half strangled voice. “Jones is my name, Pliny -Jones, and, as usual, playing in tough luck. I’ll turn State’s evidence, -gentlemen, if you can promise me immunity. But what I want most of all -just now is a plain drink of water, because I’m choking horribly. Please -accommodate a poor wretch, one of you boys.” - -Bud could not resist the appeal, though he was quivering with half -suppressed laughter, for it was decidedly comical to see what a sight -the small owner of the flivver had made of himself by crowding into the -recesses of the chimney—a negro could not have been any blacker, Bud -felt sure. - -By slow degrees Felix seemed to be coming out of his stupor. He had -already managed to recognize Blake Merton, though it was hard for him to -realize just where he was, and what had happened to him. In fact, his -mind was always in somewhat of a haze concerning the events of the last -few hours. - -He later on remembered being spoken to by the small man in the car, who -had found a way to enter the camp. The other had whispered to him that -he was the bearer of an important message from his Uncle Reuben; and as -Felix just then was mourning the recent unfortunate break with his -guardian, he gave a ready ear to a request to join the other at a -certain spot outside the limits of the camp, knowing he could get -permission to go there. - -He also remembered being told to lean forward, and take a look at some -paper held by the other, and that a sudden vertigo seized him as a -handkerchief was clapped over his face. After that it was all vague, -although he believed he had been stowed away in the small car, and -driven a short distance, and only now to awaken from a dream to find -Blake there. Some strange things taking place puzzled him greatly. - -It was difficult to believe that such a kidnaping could actually have -taken place, and yet the evidence of it lay before them. The captain had -the two prisoners taken away, to be confined in the guard house until -morning, when he expected to put their case in the hands of the -commanding general, who, being a lawyer himself, would know what to do -with them, so that they might be made to suffer for their miserable -work. - -Felix, having recovered in part, was taken in the small car to camp, the -scouts following after with Johnston the aviator, from whom Bud picked -up many hints as they strode along. - -Later on that same night Hugh, Blake and Bud gathered in a tent with the -genial captain, who was, of course, deeply interested in their affairs, -and anxious to see the outcome. - -Felix was also present, having by that time fully recovered from his -recent adventure, though still pale. Here the story was gone over again, -in order that the two listeners might get a full comprehension of the -facts. - -They seemed to be deeply interested as the recital progressed, now one -of the trio taking it upon himself to do the explaining, and then -another, until in the end everything had been made clear. - -“And now,” said Hugh, in conclusion, when they had come down to the -place where the capture of the schemers was effected at the roadside -house, “here’s the letter they found in your tent, Felix, addressed to -Uncle Reuben, and which you evidently meant to mail in the morning. -Blake was crazy to open it, and see how you felt toward your guardian, -but I held him back,—although we would have had to do it in case we -failed to find you by noon tomorrow. You can do as you please about -showing us what you wrote.” - -Felix never hesitated a moment, but, tearing an end from the envelope, -handed the enclosure to the scout master. - -“Read it out loud, please, Hugh,” he said simply, yet with a gleam of -pride and satisfaction in his voice and manner. - -Hugh hastened to do as he was told. The letter proved to be long, and -need not be given here, but it was certainly just what might have been -expected from a quick tempered lad like Felix, who often said things -hastily, and then bitterly repented of them afterwards. Hugh knew that -Uncle Reuben would treasure that manly apology as a most precious -document. - -“It’s all right, Felix; couldn’t be better!” cried Blake, seizing the -young guardsman’s hand and wringing it enthusiastically. “You’re going -to give me that letter, sealed in another envelope and addressed to -Uncle Reuben. Then first thing in the morning I’ll get him on the ’phone -and tell him all about it, so his mind will be easy in case anything -prevents us from getting back home by tomorrow night.” - -So it was all arranged. The captain joined in congratulating Felix over -the successful outcome of his escapade. - -“I hope this will be a lesson to you, my boy, all your life,” he told -him, seriously, as became a commanding officer, “and that you’ll learn -to bridle your tongue. Lots of trouble is caused in this world by people -saying things they’re sure to regret afterwards. But let me tell you, -Felix, you owe all your present condition of liberty and happiness to -these bright and bustling scout friends of yours. Once more Oakvale has -reason to be proud of her boys; and I mean that the story of this trip -to the mobilization camp isn’t kept like a light hidden under a bushel. -Others ought to hear about such praiseworthy work, in order that they -may emulate the example set by Hugh and his two chums.” - -The good captain would not hear of the scouts leaving the camp that -night. They could occupy a spare tent that he was only too happy to -offer them. The arrangement made with the commanding general would -answer for this; and, besides, in the morning he wanted them to meet the -“head boss” of the camp, who must hear the story of their late -adventures, for it happened that he had boys of his own who belonged to -a troop, and the general was deeply interested in all that concerned -scout activities. - -So we may leave Hugh and Bud and Blake there, to get what sleep they -could amidst such strange surroundings. In thus saying goodbye to the -boys of the Oakvale Troop, however, it is with the assurance that such -active fellows cannot rest long without engaging in further ventures -which will demand our attention, and necessitate another volume to tell -the story of their successes. - - - THE END. - - - - - Footnotes - - -[1]See “The Boy Scouts’ Rally to the Colors.” - -[2]See “The Boy Scouts as Forest Fire Fighters.” - -[3]See “The Boy Scouts’ Rally to the Colors.” - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Added a Table of Contents based on chapter headings. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings, - dialect, and name inconsistencies unchanged. - ---Note that the villain “Luke” Gregory suddenly assumes the alias - “Luther” for no explicitly stated reason. - ---Note that the recruit Mr. “Johnson” becomes Mr. “Johnston” (with a - passing fling as “Mr. Lawrence”.) - ---Note that one of the books mentioned in footnotes, “The Boy Scouts’ - Rally to the Colors.”, apparently was never published. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp, by -Robert Shaler - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS AT MOBILIZATION CAMP *** - -***** This file should be named 50224-0.txt or 50224-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/2/50224/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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} - div.bcat dl dd { margin-left:4em; max-width:21em; } - div.bcat dl dt { text-indent:-2em; margin-left:2em; } - -.clear { clear:both; } -.htab { margin-left:8em; } - /* MAXWIDTH FOR JUVENILE BOOKS */ - p, blockquote, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre { text-align:justify; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre.internal dl { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - blockquote { max-width:23em; } - - - div.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; } -/* book advertisements */ - p.bkad {font-size:125%; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.bkpr {font-size:90%; } - p.bkrv { } - dl.blist dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.blist, dl.biblio { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp, by Robert Shaler - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp - -Author: Robert Shaler - -Release Date: October 15, 2015 [EBook #50224] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS AT MOBILIZATION CAMP *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp" width="500" height="752" /> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>THE BOY SCOUTS -<br /><span class="smallest">AT</span> -<br />MOBILIZATION CAMP</h1> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">BY</span> -<br />ROBERT SHALER</p> -<p class="center smaller">AUTHOR OF “THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE SIGNAL CORPS,” “THE BOY SCOUTS OF PIONEER CAMP,” ETC., ETC.</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="smaller">NEW YORK</span> -<br />HURST & COMPANY -<br /><span class="smaller">PUBLISHERS</span></p> -<p class="center smaller"><span class="sc">Copyright, 1918, by -<br />Hurst & Co., Inc.</span></p> -</div> -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="jl"><span class="small">CHAPTER.</span></span> <span class="small">PAGE.</span></dt> -<dt><span class="cn">I </span><a href="#c1">Good Luck</a> 5</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">II </span><a href="#c2">A Breakdown on the Road</a> 18</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">III </span><a href="#c3">Rising Suspicions</a> 30</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IV </span><a href="#c4">The Hold-up</a> 39</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">V </span><a href="#c5">An Echo from the Past</a> 48</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VI </span><a href="#c6">The Burning Bridge</a> 62</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VII </span><a href="#c7">The Accusation</a> 73</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VIII </span><a href="#c8">In the Mobilization Camp</a> 84</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IX </span><a href="#c9">the Disappearance of Felix</a> 95</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">X </span><a href="#c10">Bud Morgan on the Scent</a> 106</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XI </span><a href="#c11">The Value of a Good Reputation</a> 117</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XII </span><a href="#c12">The Search Squad</a> 128</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIII </span><a href="#c13">The House by the Roadside</a> 140</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIV </span><a href="#c14">A Successful Round-up</a> 149</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_5">5</div> -<h1 title="">The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp</h1> -<h2 id="c1">CHAPTER I -<br /><span class="small">GOOD LUCK</span></h2> -<p>“Honest Injun, Hugh, I never wanted to -go anywhere half so much as I do right now -to drop in at that State camp where the militia -has started mobilizing.”</p> -<p>“Just so, Bud, and, to tell you the truth, I’m -feeling the same way myself. Ever since we -scouts waved good-bye to our gallant Battery -K some five miles up the road, and watched -the last gun, caisson and supply wagon disappear -over the crown of Kettledrum Hill, I’ve -had that picture in my mind.”</p> -<p>“Say, I wager things are just <i>humming</i> -over at that same camp, Hugh,” sighed the -first boy in faded khaki, “Bud” Morgan by -name, and a member of Oakvale’s famous Boy -Scout Troop.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_6">6</div> -<p>“They certainly must be,” admitted his comrade, -who wore the insignia of rank that marks -not only a patrol leader, but an assistant scout -master as well. “This morning’s paper says -that besides our fellows, there is a full regiment -already in camp, not to mention other -commands, such as the Engineers’, Signal -Corps and Red Cross detachments.”</p> -<p>“Don’t forget to count the Aviation Squad, -Hugh,” added Bud, eagerly. “You know, I’m -head over ears interested in the birdmen and -their doings, as well as in signaling, surveying -and inventions.”</p> -<p>“Yes, it certainly must be a glorious sight,” -Hugh said enviously. “To tell you the truth, -old fellow, I’m lying awake nights trying to -think up some reasonable excuse for paying a -flying visit to the concentration camp.”</p> -<p>“Anyhow,” remarked Bud, brightening up a -little, “we can squeeze some satisfaction out -of the fact that the scouts had a heap to do -with getting Battery K off to the camp with -their roster on a full war footing.”<a class="fn" id="fr_1" href="#fn_1">[1]</a></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_7">7</div> -<p>“We’ve undertaken an all-summer job helping -to run the Pastor farm for the crippled -old man, so his boy, Corporal Tony, could go -to the Mexican border with his company. -That’s one way scouts can help Uncle Sam -when trouble comes along. It’s partly on account -of that promise I’m holding back about -leaving Oakvale.”</p> -<p>“Oh! so far as that goes, Hugh,” said Bud, -slyly, after the manner of a tempter, “you’ve -got the programme all laid out, and Alec Sands -could take your place for a week. The site -for the camp we expect to start up there near -the Pastor farm has been arranged, so the boys -would make the hike, and then be handy in -getting the hay crop cut, and have it taken to -the barn inside of ten days. If you took a -notion, Hugh, don’t you think the two of us -might manage to get away? Try hard and -think up some good excuse for making the -trip. A dozen people here in Oakvale would -want to send messages and packages to their -boys, you know.”</p> -<p>Hugh Hardin laughed at the entreating -manner of his companion. They were standing -at the time in front of the post office building, -where people kept coming and going in -squads and singly, for that was one of the -busiest places in the mill town of Oakvale.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_8">8</div> -<p>Hugh and Bud both belonged to the <i>Wolf</i> -Patrol of the troop, which was in a most flourishing -condition, having four full patrols, and -another well along. These enterprising lads -of Oakvale had been more or less in the limelight -for several seasons past. Circumstances -had allowed them to engineer quite a number -of really successful enterprises that were one -and all to their credit. Those readers who -may be only making their acquaintance with -Hugh and his friends in this story, if at all -curious to know what some of those stirring -adventures were, should secure previous volumes -in this series, and enjoy reading accounts -of scout activities as related therein.</p> -<p>One thing certain, those same enterprising -and ambitious scouts had succeeded in convincing -the most skeptical persons that the -coming to town of such an organization had -been the means of a regeneration among the -boys of Oakvale. Many things had been tolerated -under the old order, with the familiar -excuse that “boys will be boys, and you must -expect them to play practical pranks, and do -all manner of shocking things in order to work -off their extra enthusiasm,” but such outbreaks -were quite unknown in these later days. -The reason was that a new means for allowing -the high-spirited lads to “let off steam” -had been found.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<p>On the morning the call of the President -came summoning the National Guard to -mobilize, with a view to being sworn into the -service of the Government, so as to proceed -forthwith to the Mexican border, and guard -the same against aggression, it sent a thrill -across the entire country from the Atlantic to -the Pacific.</p> -<p>Tens of thousands of young fellows flocked -to the armories, and the most intense excitement -followed, as hurried preparations were -started looking toward increasing these various -military organizations from a peace to a -war footing.</p> -<p>Oakvale had a battery of four guns, together -with such equipment as was necessary for -utilizing these field pieces; but just then it -happened, as in many similar organizations, -that the roster contained just enough names -to prevent the company from being disbanded -under the law by the State authorities.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<p>Consequently a feverish hunt began to enlist -new units, or, what was better yet, former -members who had left the ranks to sign -again, so as to swell the number to a high level -of which the town might be proud.</p> -<p>In this little drama it chanced that Hugh -and his fellow scouts bore themselves right -handsomely, so that it was chiefly owing to -their manly efforts that a number of former -members came forward again to put their -names down.</p> -<p>After a very eventful period of preparation, -which lasted for several days, Battery K -had started for the mobilization camp. As -connections on the railroad did not happen to -favor them, they concluded to make the trip -overland, knowing that it would take less than -two full days, and must prove of considerable -benefit to both men and horses in the way of -practice, which they greatly needed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<p>Once more Oakvale had settled down to the -humdrum monotony of customary life. Things -resumed their former conditions, but after the -feverish outburst of patriotism people found -it difficult to attend to business. They missed -the faces of those gallant young fellows who -had gone to serve their country. So, too, they -found things terribly dull after all that exhilarating -music which the fine Oakvale brass -band had provided while the battery lay encamped -on the grass-covered public square. -They missed the enlisting officers’ tent, surrounded -day and evening by a curious throng, -where the khaki-clad men urged their friends -to sign the muster roll so as to bring the local -company up to a war footing.</p> -<p>Some of the boys had been inconsolable ever -since they watched the last of the troop vanish -over the hill, as Hugh had described. Being -ambitious and patriotic lads, they would have -liked nothing better than a chance to accompany -those artillerymen to camp, and even to -the far distant Southwest border where the -followers of the Mexican bandit, Villa, were -threatening further bold raids across the international -line.</p> -<p>Never dreaming of having their ardent -wishes suddenly realized, the two boys continued -to stand there, chatting of scout affairs -in general, and what they expected to do while -in camp in particular. Bud, upon turning his -head, discovered something which he communicated -to Hugh in his breezy fashion:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>“Unless I miss my guess, Hugh, we’re going -to hear some news worth while. There’s -our comrade, Blake Merton, heading this way -like a schooner with all sails set. He looks -considerably worked up, too. I wonder what -ails him? Perhaps something’s happened to -keep him from joining the bunch when we -start on our hike tomorrow for that camp up -near the Pastor farm?”</p> -<p>Hugh, taking a look, remarked calmly:</p> -<p>“We’ll soon know what’s up, for he’s heading -our way, and making signals that he wants -us to wait for him. I hope it hasn’t anything -to do with that case of scarlet fever my -folks were talking about this morning, because -it happens that the Werner house is close to -where Blake lives. If one of his younger -sisters came down with the disease they’d have -to quarantine the Mertons, and so Blake -couldn’t go with us.”</p> -<p>“Wee whiz! that <i>would</i> be tough luck—with -vacation just starting in!” the sympathetic Bud -went on to say.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<p>“Hello! Hugh!” remarked the newcomer as -he arrived, partly out of breath from hurrying -so fast, and looking excited as well, “I’ve been -searching for you all over town. They put -me on several false scents, but I’m awful glad -to find you at last!”</p> -<p>“What’s the trouble, Blake?” asked the patrol -leader; for, although the Merton boy belonged -to the <i>Hawk</i> Patrol, somehow, when he -wanted counsel and advice, he turned to the -assistant scout master rather than to Walter -Osborne, who was the <i>Hawk</i> leader.</p> -<p>Blake glanced toward Bud, and then, as -though making up his mind, quickly exclaimed:</p> -<p>“I guess Bud can be depended on to keep -a secret as tight as a drum, and so I’m going -to speak up. Fact is, Hugh, I’m in a peck of -trouble about my cousin, Felix Platt.”</p> -<p>“Oh! I remember that he went away with -the battery, being a member of the same,” -Hugh observed. “What ails Felix? Has his -mother fallen sick, and ought he come home -again before being mustered into Uncle Sam’s -service?”</p> -<p>Blake Merton shook his head.</p> -<p>“No, it isn’t that, Hugh, worse than that, -even, I should say!” he declared.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>“Well, you’ve got us worked up, all right, -Blake,” exclaimed Bud, feverishly, “so please -explain what you mean when you say that. I -hope your cousin hasn’t gone and done something -wrong?”</p> -<p>“He’s made a fool of himself, I’m sorry to -say, and stands a good chance of losing all -his uncle’s property. You must know that -Uncle Reuben is his guardian as well, and has -made his will in favor of Felix, so as to cut off -that bad son of his who disgraced him several -times.”</p> -<p>“Yes, we know all about what Luther Gregory -has done to worry his father,” admitted -Bud, encouragingly. “But Reuben isn’t any -blood relation of yours, is he?”</p> -<p>“Oh! no, though Felix happens to be my second -cousin. You see, they had some warm -words the night before the battery left town, -and Felix, being a hot-blooded young fellow, -said something he shouldn’t, and which has -cut Uncle Reuben to the quick. Just this -morning the old gentleman had his lawyer, -Judge Marshall, to change his will once more, -cutting off Felix. The good old judge managed -to coax him to wait a bit; and so Uncle -Reuben has vowed that if he doesn’t receive -an apology from Felix by sundown of tomorrow, -nothing will keep him from doing as he -threatens, much as he has cared for the boy -since his own son failed him. Yes, he threatens -to leave every dollar of his big fortune to -charity.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>“That’s too bad,” mused Hugh, shaking his -head, for he had always liked Felix, who was -a pretty fine sort of a young chap, as they go -in these days. “But how is it you come to -know about this matter, Blake?”</p> -<p>“Just this way, Hugh,” came the ready reply. -“Uncle Reuben made Judge Marshall -promise that he wouldn’t communicate with -Felix, or send him any direct word; but, having -the best interests of all parties at stake, -and, believing the old man would secretly applaud -his action if ever he knew it, the judge -called to me over the wire to drop in right -away and see him. Then he told me about it, -not suggesting a single thing, mind you, but -leaving it up to me to do what I thought best, -because he knew how fond of Felix I’ve always -been.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>“Well, then,” said Hugh, beaming on him, -“why don’t you get busy, and write Felix a -letter right away, explaining the case, and begging -him to send the apology? By now he’s -cooled down, and ten chances to one is mighty -sorry for speaking as he did.”</p> -<p>“Hugh, I thought of that the first thing, -but what if the letter didn’t reach him?” objected -Blake, frowning as he spoke.</p> -<p>“You could register it, or send with a quick -delivery stamp,” remarked Bud.</p> -<p>“Even then there would always be a lot of -uncertainty about it,” continued the other, -stubbornly.</p> -<p>“Evidently, then, you’ve got some other -dandy scheme up your sleeve!” exclaimed Bud, -suspiciously. “Let’s hear about it, Blake, if -you need any advice.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>“Well, I’ve always believed that when you -want anything done, the only safe way is to do -it yourself. You remember the bird telling -her young ones in the nest that so long as the -farmer depended on his relatives and friends -to help cut the wheat there was no need for -worry; but when finally he told his son they’d -start in and do the job themselves the mother -bird admitted it was time for flitting. Now, -Hugh, I’ve got a hunch that if only you’d go -along with me to give advice, I’d make a start -for the mobilization camp right away, and tell -Felix face to face what a fool he has been, as -well as fetch back a letter for Uncle Reuben -that would heal all the bitter feelings in the -old gentleman’s heart. What do you say to -that, Hugh?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<h2 id="c2">CHAPTER II -<br /><span class="small">A BREAKDOWN ON THE ROAD</span></h2> -<p>Hugh and Bud exchanged glances, and then -the latter burst into a laugh.</p> -<p>“Blake, bless your heart, of course Hugh -will be glad to go along with you over to the -big State camp so you can tell Felix what a -silly he’s made of himself. You know, scouts -are always ready to perform a good deed, and -bringing Uncle Reuben and his favorite -nephew together again would be just bully. -And, say, you’ve got to count me in the deal, -ditto, understand?”</p> -<p>“Why, I don’t know just how that might -be?” stammered Blake; when energetic Bud -broke in upon him with a vigor that would -brook no refusal.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>“I’ll tell you several reasons for my going -along, Blake,” he said, tapping one finger after -another. “First off, it happens that Hugh and -myself were just saying we only wanted some -half-way decent excuse for deserting the other -fellows right now, and heading straight for -the big camp. Then, secondly, I c’n get a sort -of decent old car in which we could make the -run, if nothing happened to ditch us on the -road. Then, last, but far from least, I want to -go! And that settles it.”</p> -<p>“All right, Bud,” agreed the other, carried -away by this enthusiasm and desire to serve -a comrade in trouble, “what you say goes. -That idea about the car is a good one. Hugh, -you haven’t told me what you think yet; please -help me out of this pickle, won’t you?”</p> -<p>“Oh! just as Bud here remarked,” laughed -the patrol leader. “I’m like a hungry fish biting -at the first baited hook I see ahead of me. -I certainly do want to go over to that mobilization -camp the worst way, and the only thing -that kept me from starting was the want of a -decent excuse. Now that a comrade has called -on me to assist him, there’s no further reason -for holding back!”</p> -<p>“Bully for you, Hugh!” exclaimed Bud -Morgan, beaming happily on his two comrades.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>“I just knew I could depend on you to help -me tide over this trouble, Hugh,” said Blake, -grasping the other’s hand, and squeezing it -warmly. “Now that we’ve got all that fixed, -let’s make the necessary arrangements as soon -as we can; time counts in a game like this; and, -besides, I’ve got certain reasons for fearing -there may be interruptions.”</p> -<p>He did not choose to enter into any explanation -for these rather strange words, seeing -which Hugh presently went on to say:</p> -<p>“I’ll get in touch with Alec Sands, the leader -of the <i>Otters</i>, and tell him that he must take -charge of things for some days while I’m away. -Alec can see about the hike tomorrow; making -camp up there near the Pastor farm; and even -starting in at the hay-cutting if we’re not back -in time. Fortunately, Alec knows considerable -along the line of farm work; and then, -too, old Mr. Pastor can coach the boys.”</p> -<p>“But, Hugh, please don’t drop a hint about -why you’ve got to go over to the big camp,” -pleaded Blake. “You see, it might happen to -get to the ears of Uncle Reuben, and offend -him. That’s got to be a dead secret between -the three of us until I can put a letter from -Felix in his guardian’s hand, and know the old -gentleman’s really forgiven him for his hasty -words.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<p>“We’ll both shake hands with you on that, -Blake,” said Hugh, wishing to make sure that -Bud would be willing to take the same vow of -secrecy on himself.</p> -<p>When this operation had been completed, -Blake appeared to be much relieved.</p> -<p>“How long do you expect it will take you -to see Alec, and arrange other things, Hugh?” -he asked.</p> -<p>“Oh!” the patrol leader immediately replied, -“so far as that goes, I believe an hour ought -to cover everything, such as telling my folks -at home, and getting Alec to take charge. How -about you two?”</p> -<p>“I can do it in far less time,” admitted -Blake.</p> -<p>“Same here, unless the old car has to be -fixed in some way. Generally the tires aren’t -holding any too well,” explained Bud. “But, -then, a fellow mustn’t look a gift horse in the -mouth; all it’ll cost us is the gas and lubricating -oil. We c’n fix that up among us easy -enough, eh, boys?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>So it was agreed that they should rendezvous -at a certain spot as soon as possible. If -Hugh could accomplish his several errands in -any shorter time so much the better, he remarked. -The three boys hastened away in as -many different directions, each one making all -possible speed, for their hearts were evidently -in the work that now engaged their attention.</p> -<p>So well did luck stand by them, that before -three-quarters of an hour had passed by -the trio met again at the appointed place. -Each carried a small package, and, besides, -Bud had driven up in a rather dilapidated looking -old car that doubtless had a past history, -and now quite out of the running where speed -was considered a prime requisite.</p> -<p>Still, as Bud himself had remarked, it was -not polite to be too particular of a gift. The -car might carry them in safety over the forty -miles or more that lay between Oakvale and -the mobilization camp; then, again, they might -have a few punctures or blowouts, for the -tires were certainly in poor condition.</p> -<p>Hugh looked the machine over, and raised -his eyebrows expressively; whereat Bud hastened -to say:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>“Don’t condemn the old rattletrap yet -awhile, Hugh. Sometimes things turn out -mighty deceptive, you remember. She’s seen -heaps of service in her day, for a fact, and -been pretty dependable, too, I wager. May be -she’ll behave scrumptuously for us on this trip. -We’re going on an errand of mercy, and deserve -encouragement, for a fact. Jump in, -fellows, and we’ll get started.”</p> -<p>So they were soon off. The car groaned -and wheezed when power was applied, and -Blake looked pretty anxious until finally they -began to move along the road out of Oakvale -at a fair clip.</p> -<p>“Say, she seems to go pretty decent, after -all!” declared the driver, for Bud, likewise -Hugh, knew much about the mechanism of -cars, and could pilot one as well as any boy -around Oakvale. Blake was a novice at such -things.</p> -<p>“We must be making as much as ten miles -an hour right now!” laughed Hugh.</p> -<p>“Which rate of speed, if continued, would -fetch us to the camp in less than five hours, -wouldn’t it?” demanded the now sanguine -Blake.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>“Oh! well, the worst is yet to come!” grinned -Bud Morgan. “You see, we’re going on the -level now, and there happens to be some pretty -tough old hills which have to be surmounted -before we reach our haven. Hills can play -hob with most old worn-out cars. I’m not -boasting any yet, Blake, you notice; hold your -horses, and we’ll see what happens.”</p> -<p>For some little time they continued to move -along fairly well, and a number of miles were -placed behind them. Indeed, they had even -managed to climb several good-sized elevations; -and, although once it seemed as though -the machinery was about to give up with a last -groan, clever Bud managed to pull the machine -to the top of the rise, so that they could -coast down the declivity, which they did in -great style.</p> -<p>“She can run like a bird, once you cut the -power off, and let her coast,” shrilled the enthusiastic -pilot, as they continued to “scoot” -along the level below.</p> -<p>“Whee! but look what’s ahead of us?” cried -Blake, in an appalled tone.</p> -<p>“Oh! that hill isn’t half as bad as it seems,” -Bud told him. “I’m going to take it on the -run, and get to the top, all right, watch me!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>He made an heroic effort to accomplish the -end he had in view, and, in fact, did manage -to negotiate more than three-fourths of the -climb. Then suddenly the engine gave up the -ghost, and only through a frantic use of the -brake did the pilot keep the car from starting -backward down the steep incline.</p> -<p>“Well, here we are, held up!” he remarked, -calmly; “it’s up to me to get busy and see -what’s wrong.”</p> -<p>“I’ll help you to it, Bud,” Hugh told him, -stripping off his coat, and donning one of the -old linen dusters Bud had thoughtfully fetched -along for just this purpose, since he suspected -they would find good use for it.</p> -<p>They were a busy bunch for the next hour, -the two boys most of the time working under -the car and Blake hovering near, growing -more and more anxious as the precious minutes -slipped past.</p> -<p>“How far have we come, do you reckon, -Hugh?” he asked once.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>“I should say about seventeen miles,” the -other replied, after mental figuring; “though -that’s only a guess, because we don’t happen -to have any way of telling. This car isn’t -equipped with a cyclometer, you know, or any -other thing that costs money. I’m surprised -that the tires have held out so well.”</p> -<p>“That isn’t much more than one-third of -the way to camp, either,” declared Blake, disconsolately. -“I’m wondering what I could do -in case, after all your work, you fail to coax -the poor old engine into going again. It’ll be -too bad if we get to the camp too late to carry -that letter back to Uncle Reuben in time; for -he is a terrible man to keep his word, and he’ll -make that new will tomorrow night as sure as -anything, unless he hears from Felix by sundown.”</p> -<p>“Well, if it comes to the worst,” Hugh told -him, soothingly, “you could wire Uncle Reuben -to hold up, and that a letter was on the -way with an ample apology. I suppose you -don’t have any doubt about Felix giving you -such a letter, Blake?”</p> -<p>“No, I don’t, Hugh. Not that he cares so -much about the old gentleman’s money, because, -you see, he has some of his own coming -to him in another year or so; but Felix is -a good-hearted fellow, and really cares a heap -for his guardian.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>Meanwhile, Bud Morgan was working with -all his might, trying to locate and cure the -engine trouble. Bud was a very determined -fellow, as his chums had learned many a time -in the past. Once he set his mind on accomplishing -anything he would persist everlastingly -at the job, even when it seemed next door -to hopeless.</p> -<p>“I’m beginning to get on to it, boys, I want -to tell you,” he finally said, as he crawled out -from under the car so as to stretch his cramped -limbs, and wipe the perspiration from his forehead -with a bandanna that had once upon a -time been a beautiful red, but was now sadly -faded.</p> -<p>“But almost two hours have slipped by since -our plug engine balked on us,” complained -Blake Merton, painfully. “Not that I’m trying -to rub it into you fellows, because both of -you are doing the work, while a greenhorn like -me has to sit around and grunt, and count the -minutes. If only some other motorist would -come along about now maybe he might be able -to lend us a hand.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>“Wish to gracious one would show up,” -sighed Bud. “What a fellow doesn’t know -about pesky engines like this would fill a book. -Another pilot might just happen to be familiar -with this particular kind of trouble. ‘Many -men, many minds,’ you remember. But don’t -think I’m going to give it up. There’s a little -of the old U. S. Grant about me, and I purpose -‘fighting it out on this line if it takes all -summer.’”</p> -<p>“That’s a bully way of looking at it, Bud, -and I give you lots of credit,” said Blake, -shrugging his shoulders. “If we stick here -until tomorrow I might just as well head back -toward Oakvale, for all the good a visit to -camp will do me.”</p> -<p>“Listen!” warned Hugh, holding up a finger.</p> -<p>“Ginger! some one coming, as sure as anything!” -ejaculated Bud, looking inexpressibly -relieved.</p> -<p>The plain sound of an approaching car could -now be heard. It was also coming from the -same direction as their course had just covered, -that is, from distant Oakvale.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>“I can see him starting to take the hill,” announced -Blake, eagerly, “and, say, if it is only -a flivver, it tackles the rise as if no ascent had -any terrors for it. One man is in the little car, -but, then, he may be an angel in disguise. I -hope so, I certainly do.”</p> -<p>So the trio of anxious scouts waited for the -coming of the lone motorist whose small car -was already courageously mounting the elevation.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<h2 id="c3">CHAPTER III -<br /><span class="small">RISING SUSPICIONS</span></h2> -<p>The oncoming car soon reached the spot -where Hugh, Bud and Blake were stalled. -Hugh threw up his arm as a signal that they -would be greatly obliged to the party in the -lone machine if he would stop for a brief time -to hear their tale of woe, and either assist -them, or at least give advice.</p> -<p>The occupant of the little car was a dark-faced -man of middle age with what seemed to -be a perpetual smile on his face, or was it a -leer? Hugh did not like his looks any too well, -he confessed to himself. When motorists are -in trouble they have no business to find any -fault with the looks of a possible Moses who -might lead them out of the wilderness. -Whether he is handsome or homely, pleasant-looking -or a sour-visaged man matters little -if only he is accommodating.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>“We’re in a mess, it happens, sir,” Hugh -commenced saying.</p> -<p>“So I see,” sneered the man, looking suggestively -at Bud’s grimy hands, and then toward -the stalled ramshackle car.</p> -<p>“Our knowledge of mechanics isn’t all it -should be,” continued Hugh, determined not to -be daunted by this poor beginning, “and if you -could spare five minutes to take a look at the -cause of our trouble, perhaps you might tell -us how to remedy the same. I’m sure we’d -feel under heavy obligations, sir.”</p> -<p>“We certainly would,” added Blake; “it’s of -prime importance that we get along just now, -because we’re heading for the mobilization -camp, on an important errand, sir. Please -oblige us, won’t you?”</p> -<p>He tried to throw all the pathos possible into -his application. Hugh thought the man was -laughing in his sleeve, so to say. At any rate, -he failed to make the first movement toward -getting out of his still throbbing car.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>As a general thing, motorists are most accommodating -toward those in distress. It -seems to be a rule of the road that when the -signal is given, any one passing by must be -adjudged next door to a criminal. A fellow -feeling makes all men who drive motors sympathize -with one another, for there is no telling -just how soon they may themselves be in -dire need of the same help.</p> -<p>“Sorry to say I’m in a desperate hurry myself, -boys,” snapped the man, between his set -teeth. “I’d like to help you, but any delay just -now might cost me a big amount in money. I -reckon you’ll get her going, some way or other. -At the worst, you could let her drop back down -the hill. I think there’s a farmhouse up that -little dirt road half a mile or so where you -could stay over-night. So I’ll have to push -along and leave you. Sorry, too, for I’d like -to help you.”</p> -<p>With that he once more started along, and -the three scouts stared after him struggling -under various emotions.</p> -<p>“The mean skunk!” gritted Bud. “I’ll fix -my old engine if it takes a leg. Course, he -might have shown me a better way, but I’m -coming along.”</p> -<p>Blake Merton was shaking his head as -though some new thought had taken possession -of his mind.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>“This means <i>something</i>, I tell you, Hugh!” -he burst out with. “It isn’t just one of those -accidents that bob up now and then. That chap -was chuckling to himself all the while, just -because he had come on us stalled here.”</p> -<p>“What’s that?” asked Hugh, somewhat startled -by such an assertion. “Why should a -stranger care whether a pack of scouts were -held up with engine trouble or not?”</p> -<p>“I’ll try and tell you, Hugh,” came the quick -reply, as Blake’s eyes snapped. “I didn’t think -to mention it before because—well, so many -other things chased through my brain, you -know. But this is the same fellow I saw talking -to Luther Gregory.”</p> -<p>“You mean the degenerate son of Uncle -Reuben, the tough case he threw over, and -vowed never to have anything to do with -again?” gasped Bud Morgan, stopping when -about to once more crawl under the stalled car.</p> -<p>“No other,” came the quick reply.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>“Has he been seen again in Oakvale lately?” -demanded Hugh. “I remember that he got -mixed up in some row, and his father paid the -bill only on condition that Luke promised to -shake the dust of the home town off his feet, -and never show up again. If the slippery fellow -hadn’t agreed to this, Mr. Gregory was -going to let the law take its course, for his patience -had reached the limit.”</p> -<p>“Listen,” said Blake, earnestly. “I saw Luke -this very morning while getting my little package, -after leaving you fellows, and going home -to say good-bye to my folks. I, too, was surprised -to set eyes on him, knowing about that -promise to stay away from Oakvale. He was -talking with that very man we just saw pass us. -Hugh, they seemed to be on good terms, for I -saw them shake hands as if to bind some sort -of bargain. Then Luke discovered me, and -gave the other a nudge. I thought that man -stared mighty hard at me as I passed, just like -he meant to remember my face. Now, I’m -wondering what all that could mean.”</p> -<p>Hugh was silent for a brief spell. His mind -was endeavoring to grapple with the problem -that confronted him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<p>“It seems almost too big a thing to be true, -Blake,” he finally remarked; “but if Luke -Gregory could have in some way learned what -his father was meaning to do about making -another will, and cutting Felix out entirely, -why, he might think it worth his while to plot -so as to keep you from seeing your cousin in -Battery K.”</p> -<p>Bud Morgan whistled to indicate his deep -interest in the matter.</p> -<p>“Now, I happen to know that Luke Gregory -used to be a right smart sort of a chap -when he lived in Oakvale,” Bud observed. “I -wager he’s up to just that kind of a game. -However he could have learned the news we’ll -never find out. He may have a spy among the -servants in the Gregory house, some one who -used to care for him when he lived at home, -and who reported the interview his father had -with Judge Marshall. Then, again, it might be -that same spy followed the lawyer, and saw -him talking with Blake here.”</p> -<p>“That’s pretty far-fetched,” admitted Hugh. -“You must remember that it was over the -’phone the judge asked Blake to come and see -him. Possibly, though, this spy in watching -the lawyer’s house noticed Blake going in, and -guessed why he had been sent for. But, no -matter, there seems to be a chance that Luke -<i>did</i> know, and that he believes it to be to his -interest to prevent a meeting between Blake -and Felix until the time set has expired.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>“It might be,” mused Blake, “that Luke has -never stopped hoping he might yet be able to -make up with his father, and that he thinks -his first move should be to get Felix out of the -running. This, then, would be too good a -chance to be lost. He has started that man -toward the camp, knowing about our coming. -So, now, we can understand why he seemed to -be grinning all the while.”</p> -<p>“It did seem to tickle him, seeing us stalled -here, and likely to stay for goodness knows -how long,” admitted Bud, frowning.</p> -<p>Hugh took more stock in the theory the -longer he considered it. Although at first it -may have seemed far-fetched, just as he had -remarked, “familiarity did not breed contempt” -in this case.</p> -<p>“Well, there’s nothing to be done but, get -our engine running again, if we can,” he said, -while Bud was hammering noisily under the -body of the car. “If, in the end, that fails, we’ll -try and think up some other scheme, for the -more difficulties that crop up in our path, -the more stubborn we become.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>“Oh! thank you for saying that, Hugh!” -exclaimed Blake. “I know mighty well that -when you’ve set your teeth, and start in to -win, something is bound to come from it. I -was beginning to get discouraged, but, say, -that’s passing away now, and I seem to be -drawing in my second wind.”</p> -<p>Just then there came a whoop from underneath -the car.</p> -<p>“Cheer up, fellows!” called out a muffled -voice.</p> -<p>“Do you think you’ve found out how to fix -her up so she’ll work again, Bud?” cried Blake, -his face aglow with renewed hope.</p> -<p>“Watch my smoke, that’s all,” was the reassuring -reply, followed by additional pounding; -and presently Bud wriggled out from his -confined quarters, a sight to behold, so far as -face and hands and discolored duster were -concerned; but Hugh paid little or no attention -to these things, because he saw that a huge -grin decorated the greasy countenance of his -chum.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>Some more pottering followed. Then Bud -gave the crank a few turns. There was no -response, and evidently the balky engine still -declined to behave itself. Nothing daunted, -Bud tried a second, and then a third time. -When still once more he flirted with the crank -there came a sudden roar, and sure enough -the car rocked under the pulsations of the conquered -motor.</p> -<p>“Hurrah! you’ve done it, Bud, sure you -have!” cried the happy Blake, as he danced -up and down in his excitement.</p> -<p>“Wait till I get these things back again, and -wipe some of this mess from my face and -hands,” said the mechanic, “and then we’ll -start right up the hill with a push that can do -next door to anything.”</p> -<p>“I really believe she’s working better than -ever before,” suggested Blake.</p> -<p>“Well, considering what I did in cleaning -things up,” grinned Bud, holding out his grimy -hands, “that isn’t to be wondered at. She was -fairly clogged with dirt. Give me just another -minute, boys, and then we’ll be on the -jump!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<h2 id="c4">CHAPTER IV -<br /><span class="small">THE HOLD-UP</span></h2> -<p>“This is something like living,” Blake remarked, -after they had easily made the top -of the hill, and were coasting down the other -side with increased celerity, though Bud apparently -did not dare allow full speed for fear -lest something would happen to a dilapidated -part of the worn machinery, and cause a bad -accident.</p> -<p>All of them were pleased. Although much -time had been lost, still, with anything like decent -luck, they should easily be able to make the -camp while the sun still hung above the western -horizon. Blake asked for nothing better.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>“That scamp in the flivver had nearly an -hour’s start of us, boys,” Blake later on observed. -“By rights he ought to be ten miles -and more ahead of us, I say; but do you know -I half thought I caught a glimpse of his car -when we came over the top of the last rise, -and not so very far away, either.”</p> -<p>“I certainly heard a sound that might have -been made by a car dashing across a short -bridge ahead, there,” admitted Hugh.</p> -<p>“All of which looks queer to me,” continued -Blake. “Do you think, Hugh, he might have -held back to see how we came out of that -scrape? Would he be figuring on doing something -to hold us up on the way?”</p> -<p>“I don’t know,” was the reply of the patrol -leader. “All we can do is to keep a good -lookout as we go along, and fight shy of breakers. -If only Bud can keep that engine going, -we’re bound to arrive, some time or other. -If that man tries to bother us, he may wish -he hadn’t,” and the light that shone in Hugh’s -eyes as he said this told how he meant every -word.</p> -<p>“Huh! he wouldn’t be the first fellow who -felt sorry he’d fooled with the scouts of Oakvale,” -boasted Bud, with memories of previous -exploits crowding his brain. “If a silly bear -will monkey with a buzz-saw, he c’n expect to -get hurt, that’s all.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>“Pull up!” hastily ejaculated Hugh as he -saw something glisten in the road ahead of -them.</p> -<p>They had just started around a bend, and -were going at a fair pace at the time. Bud put -on the brake, and the car speedily came to a -stand, but, alas! just a trifle too late to avoid -the breakers. There was a sudden explosion.</p> -<p>“Gee! a tire’s busted!” cried Blake, in dire -dismay.</p> -<p>All of the boys jumped out, and it needed -only one look to tell them the truth, for the -left front tire lay flat.</p> -<p>“Glass!” snapped Bud, wrathfully, as he -glanced around. “Just think of anybody heaving -a bottle overboard like that, when there -are so many stones around. Seems to me the -least the rascal could have done would be to -throw the same into the bushes here.”</p> -<p>Hugh was bending over as though deeply -interested, and just then he electrified his two -companions by crying out:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<p>“It was no accident, after all, fellows, but -a part of a cleverly arranged plot! These bottles -were fetched along purposely. They were -broken right on this rock, where you can see -all the fine glass; and the pieces were put on -the road so that a car couldn’t pass along without -being terribly cut. See here, and here, -and here!”</p> -<p>Bud was furious. He gritted his teeth, and -growled like a “bear with a sore head,” as he -himself afterwards explained it.</p> -<p>“Hugh! you’re right, hang the luck if you -ain’t!” he went on to say, as he looked the -ground over. “That miserable skunk laid the -plot, and I’m sorry to say it worked like a -charm. See how he chose a place just around -a bend, so we mightn’t get warning in time -by the sun glinting from the broken glass? -Oh! he’s a corker of a schemer, that chap -is; and I’d like to get my hands on him! Say, -what I wouldn’t do to him would be hardly -worth mentioning.”</p> -<p>“Forget all that, Bud,” cautioned wise -Hugh. “That sort of talk never mends cut -tires. All of us must get busy, and see what -we can do. Luckily enough you made out to -have an extra tire along, even if it’s a tough -proposition. Let’s make the change in double-quick -time.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>All the while they worked the boys exchanged -opinions, and if that man could only -have heard what they thought of him surely -his ears would have burned.</p> -<p>“One thing certain,” Hugh was saying later -on, as the job progressed fairly well, “this -thing has settled the question about his being -interested in keeping us out of the mobilization -camp.”</p> -<p>“Just what it has, Hugh,” admitted Blake, -jubilantly. “When once you know what you’re -up against, the chances of winning out are -stronger; anyway, that’s always been my opinion.”</p> -<p>“Have you cleaned off the road ahead of -us, Blake?” asked Bud, “because we’ll be on -the move again as soon as I get a little more -air in this tire.”</p> -<p>“I walked along the road for a hundred -yards,” replied the other, “and found no more -of the glass. I reckon he bunched it all around -here, so we couldn’t dodge running smack into -the same.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>“After this,” said Bud, grimly, “I’ll slow up -whenever we come to a turn. You never can -tell what a wretch like that may have fixed -around the bend. Once bit, twice shy, isn’t a -bad motto. I don’t mean to get trapped in the -same way again, if I know it.”</p> -<p>“So I was right, wasn’t I?” Blake remarked, -with a touch of satisfaction in his voice, -“when I said I felt sure I had seen that flivver -a mile or two ahead of us, when it should have -been at least ten miles further along?”</p> -<p>“That’s correct, Blake,” assented Hugh; -“your eyes told you the truth. All of us will -have to keep on the watch right along. The -man who could play such a mean trick on people -in a car with such bad tires as this one has -would be equal to anything, in my opinion. -Ready now, Bud?”</p> -<p>“Yes, and that tire seems to be pretty snug,” -came from the hard-worked pilot, who, however, -never once complained, for Bud was not -a shirker, if he did have certain faults of his -own to contend with. “I only hope the others -don’t turn out to have been cut so they’ll go -back on us sooner or later. Glass like this is -a bad proposition when you’re running on -worn rubber.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>Once more they were moving along. How -keenly they kept their eyes on the lookout for -further trouble ahead could be detected by the -manner in which all three forgot to observe -the scenery around them, the dusty road monopolizing -their attention.</p> -<p>As the minutes continued to slip past they -had the satisfaction of knowing that they were -putting the miles behind them. Five and -more had been dropped since that last accident. -Blake asked further questions concerning -the probable distance over which they had -now come, and as usual Hugh was able to give -a conservative guess.</p> -<p>“All of twenty-five miles from Oakvale by -now, I should say,” he announced. “If you -want to know how I’m able to say that, let me -explain. I have a rough map of the country -up here. I copied it hastily from one they -had at the recruiting tent, for you know the -battery must have come along this same road -we’re now on. A mile back we saw a crossroads. -That was marked on the map with the -figures twenty-four; so after all it was easy -to add another mile to that score; and there -you are.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>“Only for your long head in making a rough -copy of that road map, Hugh,” declared the -admiring Blake, “we would certainly be up -against it now. Well, that leaves some fifteen -or twenty more miles. Can we fetch it by sundown, -do you believe, Bud?”</p> -<p>“Oh! easy going!” came the flippant reply, -though accompanied by a side wink in the direction -of Hugh, which was possibly intended -to convey the meaning that the aforesaid result -could be attained if they were fortunate, -and met with no further mishaps such as had -already delayed them on two occasions.</p> -<p>“I think we’re coming to some sort of village,” -observed Hugh, later on, “for I can see -a small house on one side of the road, with -some chickens and a dog in the way. Slow up, -Bud; we don’t want to race through here, and -be hauled up for exceeding the speed limit; -or else have to stop and pay for some silly -hens that were bound to get under our wheels.”</p> -<p>Several cottages were passed. Then they -came to a stretch of woodland, beyond which, -doubtless, the town proper lay, for they could -see signs of smoke rising, and there was also -a sound as of an engine working in some sort -of mill.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>Suspecting no immediate trouble, the boys -were running along quite smoothly when, -without the slightest warning, they received a -sudden shock. Again it came to them just -around a bend in the road, though Bud had -kept his word, and was moving slowly at the -time.</p> -<p>A rope was stretched directly across from -one tree to another. To make the hold-up even -more positive, a log had been rolled out, and -lay there, blocking the road, so that even should -a swiftly-going car have broken the rope, it -was bound to come to grief against that other -obstacle.</p> -<p>“Pull up, Bud! quick!” almost shrieked -Blake Merton, but he might just as well have -spared himself the trouble of letting out this -frantic appeal, for the driver had his car well -under control, and was easily able to bring it -to a halt some ten feet away from the obstructions.</p> -<p>No sooner had they halted than a gruff voice -was heard calling out:</p> -<p>“Throw up your hands and surrender, you -three young raskels! I’ve got yuh covered, all -right, and yuh might as well give in peaceable -like, because you’re up against the strong arm -of the law!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<h2 id="c5">CHAPTER V -<br /><span class="small">AN ECHO FROM THE PAST</span></h2> -<p>The boys, following up this rasping voice, -stared to see the figure that broke out of the -scrub close to the barrier, and approached -them. No wonder they almost felt their -breath taken away, for had this been a scene -from some ridiculous motion picture play, the -representative of the majesty of the law as -met with in a country marshal or constable, -could not have seemed more ridiculous.</p> -<p>The man was old, and spare of figure. He -was dressed in gray garments, and wore a -large soft hat built after the Western sombrero -model. It had a gilt cord around the crown, -and was tilted up rakishly on one side. Even -to the glistening nickel star, that decorated his -left breast, was this representative of law and -order, gotten up to shame one of those stage -sheriffs at whose antics youngsters in the -cheap “movies” scream with laughter.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>“Don’t laugh, fellows, on your lives!” whispered -Hugh, instantly, afraid lest rash Bud, -for instance, should break out into a loud roar -that would seriously offend the officer, and -mean further trouble for them.</p> -<p>He raised his hands, as did the other two -boys, though Blake was complaining after his -customary fashion.</p> -<p>“But, say, we couldn’t have broken any -speed law, Mister, because you saw yourself -we were just fairly <i>crawling</i> along?” he protested, -weakly.</p> -<p>The officer was holding a tremendous horse -pistol of an ancient vintage; it had an ominous -look, and doubtless could give a fair account -of itself if fired, for they made good -weapons in old-time days.</p> -<p>“I never said as how yuh was pinched for -speedin’, did I?” he went on to observe, with -a grim smile hovering about his stern mouth, -while his beady eyes continued to rove from -one boyish face to another. “Huh! I guess -now it’s somethin’ a heap worse nor <i>that</i> you’re -wanted for. Where did yuh git this car?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>“Why, it belongs back in Oakvale,” stammered -Bud, hardly knowing what it meant -when the man with the nickel star shot this -question directly at him as the pilot of the -expedition, or at least the one who was handling -the wheel.</p> -<p>“K’rect. That corresponds with the information -I had given tuh me,” continued their -strange captor, nodding his head until his -goatee made him resemble a pugnacious billy-goat.</p> -<p>Hugh instantly began to see a faint glimpse -of light. Something about the words which -the constable had just uttered gave him a suspicion -as to the possible truth. He began to -take a deeper interest in the hold-up, which -could turn out to be of an altogether different -character from what they had up to that moment -believed.</p> -<p>“My friend,” he started to say, giving the -constable one of his frank smiles, “after all, -don’t you think you may have made a mistake -in holding us up as you have? Honest, -now, do we look like fellows who would steal -a car; and even if we ever had such a scheme -afoot, wouldn’t we be apt to pick out a machine -worth taking, rather than a rattle-trap like this -ramshackle thing?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>The constable somehow seemed a bit impressed. -There might have been that in the -manly bearing of the boy who was speaking, -as well as something in his voice that touched -a responsive chord in his old heart. He stroked -his straggly chin whiskers with his unemployed -hand, and continued to ogle the three -lads so eagerly leaning toward him from the -car.</p> -<p>“Uh! waal, it does seem like yuh’d be a passel -o’ fools tuh grab a rattle-trap car as this -un when yuh might a had your pick. But then -he says tuh me there was a reason why yuh -did it.”</p> -<p>“Oh! then some one put you wise to our -coming along this road, did they?” Bud flashed -out. “Guess we can hit on the skunk, all right, -Mister. He was a little ornery reptile, wasn’t -he, with a grin on his black face all the time? -Tell me, doesn’t that cover his description all -right, sir?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>“My name is Eben Wheezer, and I am the -reg’lar authorized constable of Halletsburg,” -the other went on to explain. “I’m free to -confess that I was give a pointer concernin’ -yuh boys. Mebbe it’s jest a lark you’re playin’, -but, all the same, when a car has been taken -without the owner’s knowledge or permission, -the eye of the law looks on it as a <i>bony fide</i> -theft. It becomes the duty of a constable to -pinch the offenders.”</p> -<p>“Listen, Mr. Wheezer, please,” urged Hugh. -“Delay of even an hour would mean a serious -thing to us just now. We are on our way to -the mobilization camp, and it is of extreme -importance that we get there some time this -evening. That man you talked with seems to -be an enemy of ours. He is connected with -a scamp back in Oakvale who would be glad if -we failed to get to the camp, because it might -mean money in his pocket. He has already -done his best to knock us out, even filling the -roadway with glass from broken bottles, so as -to cut our weak tires, and keep us from getting -on.”</p> -<p>“Which happened, too, as you can see if you -glimpse that tire we’re carrying, and which -is slashed something terrible,” interjected Bud, -impulsively.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>The country constable was interested, seeing -which Hugh returned to the attack on the -principle that when you have the enemy started -a vigorous offensive should be carried out to -get him on the run.</p> -<p>“Besides, Mr. Wheezer,” Hugh went on to -say, confidingly, “we are, as you see, scouts. -Our uniforms will tell you that, our badges -too; and, if you want, I can show you a number -of clippings from the papers that tell of certain -things of merit the Oakvale scouts have -done in the past.”</p> -<p>“By gum! what’s that shiny medal you’re -wearin’, son, stand fur?” suddenly demanded -the constable, fixing his glittering eyes on -Hugh’s left breast. “She looks a heap like the -real stuff to me, an’ gold, at that!”</p> -<p>Hugh at once took it off and passed it over. -If ever he felt proud on account of the possession -of such a fine medal, that time was then -and there, because he believed it was going to -save himself and chums a good deal of trouble -and time.</p> -<p>The constable put on a pair of glasses with -huge horn rims, and peered at the inscription, -turning the neat little medal over in his hands. -When he looked again at the owner there was -a marked interest in his thin and pinched face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>“Tell me, air yuh this same Hugh Hardin -it speaks of here?” he demanded, hoarsely, taking -a step nearer the halted car.</p> -<p>“That happens to be my name, sir,” replied -Hugh.</p> -<p>“Did yuh git this here medal fur savin’ -lives when that flood was rampagin’ through -the town of Lawrence?” continued the officer, -his voice now showing signs of hoarseness -that might have come from excess emotion.</p> -<p>“Why, yes. Several of my chums and I -were visiting there when that dam up the valley -broke, and the bridge over the river was -carried away. We had a pretty lively time of -it during the few days we were detained there, -on account of no trains running. We managed -to hold out a helping hand to some of the -poor people caught in the flood. You know, -sir, that’s what scouts live for, to assist others -not so well off as themselves.”</p> -<p>Eben Wheezer heard the boy through. Then -he did a number of queer things, first of all -ramming that ancient pistol out of sight in -one of his pockets, and then actually holding -out a thin and trembling hand to Hugh.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<p>“Say, son, I want tuh shake hands with yuh, -that’s what I do!” he startled them by saying, -enthusiastically. “This hold-up is all off, -yuh understand. I was an old fool tuh take -that rascal’s seegar, and b’lieve half he says -tuh me ’bout some boys comin’ along the road -here as how he reckoned had stole a car, and -that there was likely tuh be a reward offered -fur their apprehension, which I might jest as -well rake in as the next un. But I kin see it -all now, an’ I’m right glad tuh meet up with -Hugh Hardin.”</p> -<p>“What do you know about me, Mr. Wheezer?” -asked the patrol leader, flushing at the -same time with pleasure as he felt the cordial -grip of that lean hand.</p> -<p>“Oh! only this, son,” laughed the old constable, -pumping the boy’s hand as though he -might be the milkman making up a deficiency -in his cans, “it happens that I had an ole wife -a visitin’ over there in Lawrence at the time -that dam broke. Yes, and, what’s more, she -told me it was a boy named Hugh Hardin -that kim along with some other scouts in a -rowboat and saved her from a house that was -a-floatin’ off in the flood. Huh! think I’d ever -forgit <i>that</i> name when it belonged to the lad -who kept me from bein’ a forlorn widower? -This here is a joyous occasion for me, I tell -yuh.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>Bud gave a whoop, and danced around like -a crazy thing.</p> -<p>“Talk to me about bread cast upon the waters -returning before many days,” he was crying -excitedly. “Did anybody ever hear the -equal of this! See, Hugh, how your good deeds -repay you heaps of times over. We thought -we had run across another enemy, and he turns -out to be a bully sort of a friend. Won’t you -shake hands with me, Mr. Wheezer, even if I -wasn’t lucky enough to be in that bunch that -did such good work at Lawrence—the honor -of that exploit goes to Hugh, here, Billy -Worth and Monkey Stallings. But, then, we’re -all chums, you know, sir, and in the same -boat.”</p> -<p>The delighted constable was only too glad -to oblige Bud, and so warm was his grip that -possibly the other felt a tinge of regret at insisting -upon being given a hand-shake. Blake -Merton felt that it would not do for him to -be left out in the cold, so he had to grimace and -bear it when Eben got to working his lean fingers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>Indeed, all of the boys felt they had good -reason for feeling thankful. What had threatened -to prove a disaster and promised to overwhelm -their plans was now working in their -favor. The wearing of his badge, given by -Scout Headquarters to those members of the -organization who have saved human life at -great peril to themselves, had turned out to be -a most wonderful blessing to them. Instead -of being held up, perhaps thrust into a miserable -country lock-up until the next day, with -their plans ruined, they were now free to proceed -along their way.</p> -<p>Hugh did not want to lose any more time -than could be avoided, so instead of entering -into a long conversation with the constable, he -hastened to say:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>“If we were not in such a great hurry, Mr. -Wheezer, it would give me great pleasure to -stop over with you, and visit your home, to -meet your wife. I reckon I would know her -again if I saw her. I’d be glad to tell you the -story of what happened over in Lawrence -when the flood swept down the valley. But we -have a big stake in trying to make that camp -by tonight. One of my chums here has a -cousin in the battery who stands to lose a fortune -if we are kept back; and the man who -hired that rascal you met hopes to win it. So -you’ll excuse us if we say good-bye now, and -thank you for being so kind.”</p> -<p>The constable had already removed the log -from the road, and now he unfastened his -stout rope from the tree to which he had attached -it.</p> -<p>“No apologies needed, son,” he hastened to -say, cheerily. “Yuh knows your business best, -and if yuh chase after it in the same way yuh -won your spurs over tuh Lawrence, I reckons -now yuh’ll upset all the kalculations o’ thet -schemer. Good-bye an’ good luck tuh yuh, -boys!”</p> -<p>He waved his official hand to them as they -shot forward, and the last Blake saw of the -odd, though good-hearted country constable, -he was standing there in the road looking after -the retreating car, and still waving his sombrero, -while that bright nickel star on his -manly breast gleamed in the rays of the westering -sun.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>“Congratulations, Hugh!” cried Blake, bubbling -over with delight over their recent narrow -escape. “They say chickens come home to -roost, and that good deeds will pay a fellow -back a thousand fold. Well, I want to tell -you there never was such a positive illustration -of their truth as this.”</p> -<p>“The best of it is,” laughed Hugh, happily, -“that no matter how much our enemy plots -against us, something comes along to upset all -his calculations. He thought we were stuck -there all afternoon, with an engine out of joint, -but Bud here fooled him. Then there was -that broken bottle game, which did hold us up -a bit; but in spite of a slit tire we got started -again. Last, but far from least, he fixed up -this clever trick of telling the old constable -three boys had stolen a car, and were coming -along the road a ways back; also hinting that -there might be a good reward offered for capturing -the rascals and holding them over-night -in the town cooler. But again our luck held -good, and we slipped through.”</p> -<p>“I’m satisfied now,” asserted Blake Merton, -“that nothing is going to keep us from -getting there some time tonight. I’ll hunt up -Felix right away, talk to him like a Dutch -uncle, get him to write that letter, and then -the first thing in the morning we can start -back home again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>“If anything goes wrong with the car, we’ll -find some other way of returning, make up -your mind to that, Blake,” Hugh assured him.</p> -<p>It was in this happy frame of mind that -the three scouts passed through the little town -of Hallettsburg, and continued onward. As -they went they could frequently discover plain -signs that to their practiced eyes assured them -the battery had traversed the same road they -were now on. Perhaps a boy untrained in -the art of using his eyes, and seeing small -things that told a story, would never have been -able to accomplish this thing; but Hugh, Bud -and Blake had served their time at studying -woodcraft, as practiced by the Indians from -the days of Daniel Boone, and they knew -dozens of things that would, when noticed -and examined, tell an interesting story.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>The sun was getting pretty low in the west, -and evening was coming on. It was about the -last quarter of the moon, which had been full -on the fifteenth of the month, so that no help -from this source could be expected until -toward midnight, when the silvery remnant -would be seen rising in the East. That was -one reason why the boys were anxious to be -getting on as fast as they dared chance it, because, -once night settled in, their progress -would be blocked.</p> -<p>“The sun’s going down, Hugh,” announced -Blake, with a touch of dismay in his voice.</p> -<p>“That’s all very true,” replied the scout master, -“but we’ll have half an hour of light yet, -perhaps more, and I think we ought to make -the camp in that time!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<h2 id="c6">CHAPTER VI -<br /><span class="small">THE BURNING BRIDGE</span></h2> -<p>“Hugh!” called out Blake Merton a short -time later, “did you see that light flash up -ahead of us there?”</p> -<p>“Just what I did,” came the immediate -reply.</p> -<p>“Do you think it could be one of the camp -fires of the boys, a sort of vidette post, you -might say?” further questioned Blake, eagerly.</p> -<p>“There it goes again, as sure as you live!” -ejaculated Bud Morgan at the wheel, “and, -say, it’s a fire, all right—growing stronger -all the while. I wonder what it can mean -for us?”</p> -<p>“We’ll soon find out,” remarked Hugh, confidently. -“We’re advancing, and will come to -a clear stretch in a minute or so, where the -trees happen to be sparse, and we can see -ahead.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>“Perhaps, after all, it’s only some cabin -alongside the road, with the people doing their -cooking outdoors,” observed Bud. “I saw that -done heaps of times when my folks took me -down to Florida that winter I was sick.”</p> -<p>Their curiosity grew by leaps and bounds -as they proceeded along the road. The closer -they drew to the scene of the illumination, the -more puzzled all of the boys found themselves.</p> -<p>Then suddenly it broke upon them. They -must have turned a bend in the road, for just -as though a wave of a magician’s wand had -caused the picture to appear before their eyes, -they saw it all.</p> -<p>“Oh! look at that, will you?” shrilled Blake, -aghast at the vision. “It’s a bridge afire!”</p> -<p>“It sure is!” echoed Bud, staring as though -he could hardly believe his eyes.</p> -<p>“See how the flames are creeping along the -wooden sides!” continued the Merton boy, hysterically. -“Why, they look like red snakes, -that’s what they do. Hugh, what can we do -to get across that river if the bridge goes -down?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>“I can’t tell you just yet, Blake!” snapped -the other. “Let her out some more, Bud. -Never mind the risk to the old plug of an engine; -we’ve <i>got</i> to get there so as to fight that -fire, or we’ll be dished. I know what stream -that is, and it’s a deep one, too, far too deep -for us to ever hope to ford it with this car. -Faster, Bud, faster, I tell you!”</p> -<p>Bud Morgan never accepted anything that -bordered on a dare. He had held in thus far -principally because he knew Hugh would not -be apt to countenance speed when it necessitated -additional risk. Now he “let out another -notch,” as he himself would have expressed it.</p> -<p>The old car shambled along with dizzying -celerity, making all manner of ridiculous -sounds, as though protesting against such -haste. Still nothing happened to indicate another -breakdown; and at least they were advancing -toward the burning bridge with accelerated -speed.</p> -<p>All the while Hugh was wondering what -could have caused the fire. It was very -strange, he concluded, that a country bridge -should take a notion to start up in a blaze like -this, and just when it became a most important -link in their drive to the concentration camp.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>So they arrived on the scene. Bud was evidently -for trying to run the gantlet with a mad -rush, but Hugh called upon him to draw up -short, which he did, stopping the car close to -the near end of the wooden structure.</p> -<p>“We might have made it, Hugh!” urged -Bud, reproachfully, as though he regretted the -cautious policy of the scout master.</p> -<p>“But there would always be a chance that -our gas tank would explode!” cried Hugh; -“look how the flames are driven straight across -the bridge by the wind. Then the fire is along -both sides, so we’d have to run a regular gantlet. -No, Bud, old fellow, we couldn’t afford -to take the chances. Out with you all, and -let’s see if we can’t save the old bridge yet.”</p> -<p>“Go to it, boys!” shouted Bud, instantly on -the move, for he was a lad of action, and never -happier than when doing things.</p> -<p>“Work on the windward side first!” ordered -Hugh, with the sagacity that leadership -in an energetic scout organization is apt to -bestow upon any wideawake youth. “Here, -snatch up these old lap-robes, and souse them -in the water. If you beat at the flames just -as we did when the woods on fire that time, -you’ll find they can be mastered. Everybody -get busy!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>“Whoop! watch my smoke, will you!” cried -Bud, starting off with a rush.</p> -<p>There chanced to be some old lap-robes in -the car that Bud had managed to secure, not of -any great value, to be sure, so far as things -of beauty went, but bound to be of great value -in an emergency like the present. Each of the -three scouts managed to secure possession of -one of these, and it required but a brief time -to submerge the same in the swift flowing and -deep stream.</p> -<p>With this soaking cloth in hand the energetic -boys started to fight the fire, slapping -at the running flames as they curled along the -side of the bridge in long spirals that resembled -creeping snakes.</p> -<p>When three lively fellows get started at a -task of this sort it is wonderful what remarkable -progress they can attain. With each stout -blow it seemed as though the fire that was -threatening to demolish the entire wooden -structure received a serious setback. The boys -fought their way completely across the bridge, -which was not of any great length.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>“Good enough for us!” cried the panting -Bud. “We’ve licked that line of skirmishers; -do we tackle the other side now, Hugh?”</p> -<p>“One good turn deserves another, so go for -it!” advised the leader, setting a pace himself -that kept the others hustling to continue in -the same class.</p> -<p>Success is always encouraging, and, having -found that they could get the better of those -creeping flames, the three boys fought all the -harder, determined to crush the fire completely.</p> -<p>“A little more elbow grease, boys, and victory -is going to perch on our banner!” Bud was -crying, while he slapped that scorched laprobe -again and again on the railing of the -bridge, even mopping up the floor with it when -occasion demanded.</p> -<p>The boys were past masters at this sort of -thing. They had served their time at it on -another occasion, when the woods, catching -fire not many miles from Oakvale, they had -been called upon to help save certain isolated -farmhouses and crops that were threatened -with destruction.<a class="fn" id="fr_2" href="#fn_2">[2]</a></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>Breathing heavily, the three lads finally had -the satisfaction of seeing the last zigzag line -of fire succumb to the vigor of their attack. -Still, Hugh would not be wholly satisfied.</p> -<p>“Let’s go down and wet these rags again,” -he told his chums, “and hunt out every crack -where the least bit of fire hides, so that after -we go on it isn’t going to spring up again.”</p> -<p>“Might as well make a clean job of it while -we’re about it,” agreed Bud, as he followed -Hugh down to the edge of the river, there to -immerse their “fighting togs” again in the -water.</p> -<p>As they walked along, carefully scanning -both sides of the bridge for any evidences of -hidden peril, Bud once more broke out, voicing -some suspicion that he had evidently been harboring -in his brain.</p> -<p>“Hugh, don’t you think it’s mighty funny -how this old bridge could get afire? Suppose -a threshing machine traction engine could have -passed over here lately; but, then, it’s too early -in the season for anything like that to be going -around. If a man on a wagon threw a -burning match aside after lighting his pipe, -would it start things to burning? Somehow -I just can’t believe this is an accident at all.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>“Oh! do you really mean you suspect it -was done <i>on purpose</i>, perhaps to keep us from -crossing this deep river, and making us miss -connections with the camp?” asked Blake, apparently -thrilled with the thought.</p> -<p>“I’m certain of it,” asserted Hugh, positively. -“I’ll tell you why. Just bend your heads -closer here, and take a whiff where this rail -has been only a little charred; what does it -smell like?”</p> -<p>“Why, Hugh, it makes me think of home, -when the girl is starting our oil stove going!”</p> -<p>“That’s a fact,” added Bud, gritting his -teeth ferociously, “and somebody’s gone and -saturated both sides of this bridge with kerosene, -so as to give the fire a good send-off. -Oh! the low-down wretch, what wouldn’t I -give to have a chance to choke him.”</p> -<p>“Try it again over here, and you get the -same odor,” Hugh observed, impressively; -“yes, and right there you can see where some -of the stuff spilled, for the spot looks greasy. -He must have had a can of kerosene along -with him in his car for just such a purpose as -this.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<p>Each boy in turn dropped on his hands and -knees, the better to take a “sniff” at the discolored -spot on the floor boards of the bridge -that had such a “close call.” As they once -more regained their feet they nodded their -heads, unanimous in their opinion as to the -origin of that greasy mark.</p> -<p>“Which shows that our good luck still -haunts our footsteps,” Blake said, trying to -smile happily, though there was a deep-seated -look of apprehension to be detected in his eyes.</p> -<p>Truth to tell, all of them were more or less -impressed with the malignity shown by this -party whom they believed to be in the pay of -Luther Gregory. He was evidently bent upon -earning the sum promised him in case he, by -hook or crook, prevented the boys from reaching -the mobilization camp until it was too late -to secure that apology from the quick-tempered -Felix.</p> -<p>“Well, do we cross over now, and move -along our way?” asked Blake, unable to conceal -the anxiety he naturally felt because of -these numerous delays.</p> -<p>“Nothing to hinder that I can see,” replied -Hugh.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>“I’ll drive the old car across, presently, -while you two wait for me at the other side,” -Bud said, as he climbed aboard. “Take a good -look as you go, and tell me if any of the flooring -is burned through.”</p> -<p>As they crossed over, Hugh and Blake kept -a good lookout, and reported all safe; so presently -Bud, having coaxed the engine to start -again after some effort, joined his mates on -the further side of the stream.</p> -<p>“I certainly do hope,” ventured Blake Merton, -with a sigh, as he proceeded to settle down -in his old seat again, “that we’ve run up against -the last obstacle. It’s certain that chap can’t -think up much more evil to turn against us.”</p> -<p>“What’s coming now?” cried Bud. “I can -hear shouts, and, Hugh, there seems to be men -running around that clump of undergrowth -alongside the road.”</p> -<p>“I bet you there’s a village along there, and -that the people have just discovered the smoke -of the fire here,” advanced Blake. “They know -about the bridge, and are coming to save it. -They would have been just too late if not -for us.”</p> -<p>“They ought to give us a vote of thanks, -then, for our services,” said Bud.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<p>“Listen to ’em shouting, will you?” continued -Blake. “Why, it sounds to me like they -were real mad at something. Hugh, don’t it -strike you that way, too? Look at some of -the fellows in the lead shaking their fists at -us, just as if we’d gone and done something -mean. Gee whiz! I hope now they don’t get -the notion into their silly heads that <i>we</i> started -this bridge to burning.”</p> -<p>Quite a crowd was coming wildly toward -them, consisting of men and boys, though there -were also a few energetic women. Some of -them carried clubs, and waved these in a suggestive -fashion.</p> -<p>“Sit tight,” warned Hugh, sternly; “it -means that we’re up against it again. Above -all things, don’t do or say anything to start a -fight!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<h2 id="c7">CHAPTER VII -<br /><span class="small">THE ACCUSATION</span></h2> -<p>If one of the three scouts entertained doubts -as to the hostility of the mob that came running -along the country road, these were quickly -dispelled. In another minute the car was surrounded -by an angry crowd. A dozen voices -shrilled at them, and sticks were shaken in -their faces.</p> -<p>“Stand back, everybody!” shouted a burly -man, who seemed to be invested with more -or less authority. “I’m the sheriff of this -county, it happens, and I don’t allow any interference -with my business. Three of my -posse being present, I call on them to stand by -me. The rest of you hold your peace. I’ll -do what talking is necessary.”</p> -<p>Hugh was glad to know this. He could deal -with, a single individual, where it was utterly -impossible in the case of an excitable mob. So -Hugh hastened to speak up, addressing his remarks -to the man of authority.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>“Will you kindly tell us what all the row is -about?” he asked, pleasantly. “We are heading -for the camp where the State militia is -mobilizing, and, discovering this bridge afire, -worked with all our might to put out the flames. -If you look at those dirty cloths lying there, -you’ll find that they were once lap-robes. We -soaked them in the water, and slapped the -flames out as we were trained to do in fighting -a forest fire.”</p> -<p>A few of the villagers may have been impressed -with the words spoken by Hugh, as -well as his manly bearing; but they were vastly -in the minority. Most of those present were -so worked up by anger that they seemed blind -to the facts.</p> -<p>“Don’t believe him, Sheriff,” urged one man, -venomously; “he’s only lying. All boys’ll lie -whenever they get a chanct. I know these -here scouts, how they like to strut around like -heroes. And, Sheriff, you c’n depend on it -they set fire to our bridge just a purpose to -make believe they did a big thing whipping -the flames out.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>“That’s what he told us they’d like enough -say,” called out another man, whose small face -and vinegary looks told of a mind that was below -the mediocre. “He says he saw ’em running -around like they was pourin’ something -on the sides of the bridge from a bottle. Say, -I kin smell coal oil, by Jimminy crickets; if I -can’t now.”</p> -<p>“Lock the young rascals up, Sheriff!”</p> -<p>“Larn ’em a lesson they’ll never forget. -’Cordin’ to my mind, there’s a heap too much -talk nowadays ’bout boys doin’ great stunts. -It’s jest upsot a lot o’ ’em, so they’re lookin’ -around all the time for ways to make people -think they’re jest like little David when he -knocked over that Goliath chap long ago.”</p> -<p>So several other men had their say. Hugh -listened to it all, and waited for an opportunity -to get a chance to explain. He knew that -he must depend on the sheriff, and so he kept -him in mind when he finally started in to speak.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>“Please listen to me, Mr. Sheriff,” he began -to say, impressively. “We belong in the town -of Oakvale, where you’ll find, if you telephone -the Chief of Police, that our reputation is gilt-edged. -We are on our way to the big camp -over beyond the hills yonder, where Battery K, -from Oakvale, is located. We have very important -business with one of the members, who -is a cousin of this boy here. It will cost him -his inheritance if we are unable to talk with -him by tomorrow. There is a man whose interest -it is to keep us from doing this. He has -tried through an agent of his in a number of -ways to hold us back; and, if you wish, I would -take pleasure in telling you all about these -things. Sir, we have good reason to believe -that this setting fire to your bridge was a part -of his scheme to detain us.”</p> -<p>“What’s that, boy?” asked the sheriff, hastily. -“Can you tell us what this man you’re -speaking of looks like?”</p> -<p>“A man passed us while we were fixing our -engine on the road hours ago,” Hugh readily -explained, “and when we asked him to lend -us a hand he said he was in too big a hurry -to stop. He seemed to be grinning all the -while, as though tickled at finding us in such -a bad mess. We believe that man is the agent -sent out to hold us back from arriving at the -camp until it is too late to do any good.”</p> -<p>“Was he a little man, with a sharp face, -and eyes that glittered like a snake’s?” called -out one of the more friendly disposed men.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>“Yes, and he was in a flivver, a small machine -with the top down,” explained Bud, taking -part in the affair now. “He wore a suit -that looked as near green as you could find, -and had on a leather cap with goggles pushed -up above the peak.”</p> -<p>The sheriff was impressed by what he heard. -At the same time, he did not appear disposed -to drop the case against the three lads. Perhaps -the knowledge that some of those in the -crowd refused to take any stock in the story -of the boys influenced him more or less; for -murmurs were heard rising here and there.</p> -<p>“Don’t you believe half he says, Sheriff,” -one man called out.</p> -<p>“Boys c’n be all-fired tricky,” another remarked, -sharply, “and he’s certainly got a -smooth tongue. Better run the lot of ’em in, -and make ’em prove their innocence. That’s -the best way to fix it, ’cordin’ to my mind.”</p> -<p>Hugh felt uneasy. If the sheriff were so -disposed he could, of course, lock them up on -suspicion; and while nothing might eventually -be done toward convicting them for the -crime of setting fire to the bridge, the delay -would cost them dear.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>But it happened that once more in their extremity -fortune worked what almost seemed -like a miracle in their behalf. Hugh noticed -that two children had joined the crowd. He -also knew that they had certainly not come -along the road with the runners, for they could -never have kept pace with the mob racing -toward the river.</p> -<p>A sudden thought struck him. He turned -to the sheriff and began to suggest a plan of -action that would possibly prove the truth or -falsity of the charges against them.</p> -<p>“Listen, Mr. Sheriff,” Hugh began. “I -think that small boy and girl there must have -been somewhere near by, because they came up -out of the bushes here just now. Ask them -questions, won’t you, sir, and find out if they -saw anything of what took place here? It may -be they were in hiding, and saw us come up -while the bridge was burning. It’s only a fair -deal we want, sir, and I’m sure you’ll agree to -that.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>The sheriff was more impressed than ever -with the bearing of the boy who addressed him. -Besides, the plea he advanced seemed very -plausible. He turned upon the two children, a -bright-looking boy and girl of about ten. They -were barefooted.</p> -<p>“Look here, Billy Burt, and you, too, Sally, -were you hiding in the bushes here when we -came up?”</p> -<p>“Yep, that’s what we was,” said the boy, -urged to speak by sundry punches in his side, -given by the elbow of his girl companion.</p> -<p>“Why did you hide there?”</p> -<p>“We was skeered when we got here, and -seen the fire,” came the answer.</p> -<p>“Then the bridge was burning, was it, when -you came along?” continued the sheriff.</p> -<p>“It shore was,” the boy told him, positively.</p> -<p>“Were these boys around at that time?”</p> -<p>The boy stared at Hugh and Blake and Bud, -then he grinned. “Nixey, they wasn’t. They -kim hurryin’ along, and fit the fire like wildcats. -Yuh jest orter seen how they slashed -and slashed around till every bit o’ flames was -done fur. Me’n Sally jest hid there in the -bushes an’ watched the fun. It was better’n -the movin’ picture fire I seen down in Hallettsburg.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>“Huh! that ought to settle the case against -us, I should think,” laughed Bud as the boy -finished his recital, which, though framed in -ungrammatical language, loomed as high as -any speech ever delivered before a judge in -an appeal to free the accused before the bar.</p> -<p>The sheriff threw up his hands.</p> -<p>“Boys,” said he, briskly, “you win. Instead -of plucking you, and running you in for attempted -arson, I’m goin’ to thank you most -heartily on behalf of the village of Scroggs -Corners, which I happened to be visiting this -afternoon on business. Only for your efficient -work we’d have been a bridge shy tonight. -Shake hands with me, and kindly excuse my -excess zeal that might have worked you all an -injury.”</p> -<p>Well, the boys bore no malice. They were -only too happy to know that nothing was going -to interfere with their onward progress. -In fact, they felt as though victors in the brisk -engagement between this clever foe and themselves. -It was likely to be the last expiring -effort of the unscrupulous schemer; after this -he would have to give up the attempt to keep -them from the camp until sufficient time had -elapsed to destroy all hopes of Felix making -his peace with his uncle.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<p>“If you could only manage to round up that -smart rascal who did set this fire, Mr. Sheriff,” -Bud could not help saying, when shaking hands -with the official, now very friendly toward -their cause, “it might be possible to prove the -crime against him. Perhaps you may discover -he had been carrying kerosene in his car, and -that would be a strong piece of evidence -against him. He’s given us heaps of trouble, -which is partly why I’m showing such a rattlesnake -spirit toward him.”</p> -<p>“I mean to send word along the line, and -round him up if he can be headed,” the sheriff -admitted, though Hugh really believed he had -not dreamed of such an idea until Bud made -his suggestion.</p> -<p>Of course, even those who had been most -disposed to believe the boys guilty of arson had -now been convinced of their innocence by the -statement of the boy who had seen all that -went on from his hiding-place. So when Bud -started the car once more there was no sign -of opposition; indeed, only cries of goodwill -followed the scouts as they proceeded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>Passing through the village, which they -found to be laboring under more or less excitement, -the trio continued on their course. -Later on, when they came to a steep hill, the -engine balked again, so that half an hour was -lost in coaxing it to be good.</p> -<p>Blake had been sighing with impatience -through the operation. Once he had even gone -so far as to suggest that he and Hugh start -on foot, since it could only be a matter of a -few miles at the most that lay between them -and their intended destination. The working -mechanic, however, nipped this scheme in the -bud by declaring that he was getting the upper -hand of the balky engine, and hoped to be able -to make a fresh start before ten minutes more -had passed.</p> -<p>Still, that half-hour delay was fated to have -some effect upon their fortunes.</p> -<p>When the engine trouble had been mastered, -and they were again on the way, Blake seemed -content. The persistent manner in which his -comrades managed to meet each new crisis as -it appeared, and win out through any and -every kind of trouble, elicited his ardent admiration. -Blake was ready to declare that the -day’s reckoning would only redound to the -credit of scout efficiency.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>Hugh suspected that they were now close -upon the big camp. He must have caught certain -sounds to tell him this. At least, as they -drew near the top of the slope, he bade both -his chums keep on the lookout, because he believed -they were due for a pleasant surprise.</p> -<p>Loud exclamations broke from their lips -when, on reaching the summit, they beheld a -wonderful spectacle spread before them. -Night was gathering, and already the broad -valley beyond the ridge lay in semi-darkness, -for the moon would not rise until very late.</p> -<p>Scores, almost hundreds of fires, were burning -a mile or more away, looking weird to the -startled eyes of the three scouts. They could -also discover a myriad of the same kind of -khaki waterproof tents that Battery K had -used in Oakvale when endeavoring to drum up -recruits at the station in the public square.</p> -<p>There lay the great mobilization camp of -the State before them, with some thousands -of stalwart young men training so as to be -accepted by the Government for service along -the far distant Mexico, where the threatening -shadow of war hovered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<h2 id="c8">CHAPTER VIII -<br /><span class="small">IN THE MOBILIZATION CAMP</span></h2> -<p>“Well, this sure pleases me!” exclaimed -Bud, as he stopped the car on the summit of -the ridge, so that they could feast their eyes -on the remarkable spectacle of all camp fires -burning in the near distance.</p> -<p>“It is wonderful,” breathed Blake, “and -well worth all the trouble it’s cost us to get -here. I reckon that we must be close to the -border of the camp, and can expect to be held -up by a sentry any minute.”</p> -<p>“I’m going to start up my headlights going -down this decline,” admitted the pilot. “The -more we drop into the valley the darker it’ll be; -and we can’t afford to meet with a smash-up -at this stage of the game, when we’ve about -won out.”</p> -<p>He took especial pains in going down the -slope, and finally the bottom was reached in -safety. Here they were suddenly greeted with -a gruff command to halt, and discovered a soldier -in khaki bearing a gun standing alongside the road.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>“Say, this does look like war-times, doesn’t -it?” said Blake, in a low tone, “when you get -hauled up by a vidette post. Hugh, please fix -it so we can go on.”</p> -<p>Some conversation followed between Hugh -and the guard. Then a non-commissioned officer -was called, and more talk ensued. Hugh -had laid out his plan in advance, and so sagaciously -that in the end he was given permission -to move on, although a soldier was placed -upon the footboard of the car to accompany -the scouts to the quarters of Battery K.</p> -<p>Possibly the fact that they too wore the -khaki had something to do with their being allowed -to enter the camp at this late hour, so -long after the time when soldiers were given -a chance to see relatives and friends. No matter -what the reason, all of the boys felt as -though they had won fresh laurels in making -that run from the home town in such a rack of -a car, and also being obliged to overcome baneful -opposition of an unscrupulous enemy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>They followed the road and were soon -amidst some of the glowing fires. Here they -found guardsmen sitting around, and eating -their supper, which had evidently been prepared -by the company cooks according to the -rules that govern the summer training camps.</p> -<p>So far as Hugh and his chums could see, -they were a jolly crowd, laughing and carrying -on as though they did not have a care in -the wide world. Once the bitterness of parting -from their loved ones had been passed -over, these healthy-minded young soldiers -could play their part like men, and meet every -situation that was likely to arise.</p> -<p>“I tell you I’m nearly tickled to death because -I came,” Bud was saying as they rolled -along the road between two rows of fires that -crackled and sent up myriads of sparks. “Talk -about camping out, this has got all our experiences -knocked to flinders. Why, there -must be millions of soldiers here in this big -valley.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>“Better say thousands, and be nearer the -truth, Bud,” cautioned Blake. “But it is a -great sight, and one we’ll never forget, either. -If a fellow needed to have his patriotism -stirred to the bone, he’d get it done here. See -how Old Glory is fastened up over that big -tent yonder. Now I wouldn’t be surprised if -that was the colonel’s tent; or it might even be -Headquarters for the general in charge of all -these forces of the State.”</p> -<p>“We’ve got to pass through the whole camp -before we come to where Battery K is located, -so the sergeant said,” Hugh remarked, as they -moved slowly on.</p> -<p>Numbers of the soldiers came forward to -have a look at those in the car. Possibly some -of them may have entertained vague hopes -that the newcomers might turn out to be -friends or relatives, urged to make the trip by -a desire to glimpse a dear face once more before -the guardsmen were ordered South. -Hugh believed there was a wistful expression -on many of the faces he saw turned their way.</p> -<p>As for Blake, he could hardly restrain his -impatience. The fact that inside of a comparatively -few minutes more he was to see his -cousin, and that there was still plenty of time -for accomplishing his mission before another -day dawned, filled him with ecstacy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>“Don’t you think we must be nearly there, -Hugh?” he would say, pleadingly. “There -couldn’t be any mistake now, could there, so -that we’re going the wrong way to strike our -boys of Battery K? Are you sure it’s directly -along this road, Bud, we ought to keep on going?”</p> -<p>“That’s what the <i>non-com.</i> told us,” replied -the driver of the car, “and we must abide by -orders when we’re in a military camp. Besides, -we’ve got some one along with us to -show us the way; so ease up, Blake, or you’ll -crack sure.”</p> -<p>“Guess you’re right, Bud,” admitted the -other, “and I’ll try to hold myself in; but somehow -I can’t feel dead sure till I’m shaking -hands with Felix, and know it’s going to be all -right.”</p> -<p>The fact of the matter was, as Hugh suspected, -Blake was now beginning to fear that -his impulsive cousin might prove obdurate, -after all, and absolutely decline to humble himself -so as to write a letter of apology to his -uncle and guardian. Of course this would settle -the matter just as positively as though that -agent of Luther Gregory had succeeded in -holding them up by having them arrested and -kept for twenty-four hours in some village -jail.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>“Look yonder, will you?” suddenly exclaimed -Bud, nodding his head, and using one -hand to point to the left with, “there’s a battery -of field-pieces, but it isn’t the one from -Oakland. Just beyond must be the camp of -the Engineers, because you can see a heap of -picks and shovels and such tools lying there. -You know the Engineer Corps have to make -roads, build cook-houses, lay tent-floors for the -officers’ quarters, and do heaps of things like -that. A fellow told me about it who used to -belong, and quit because he said it was such -hard work.”</p> -<p>“Look over on this side, Bud, and you’ll see -something that tickles you,” called out Blake.</p> -<p>“The Signal Corps’ headquarters, I’ll be -bound!” ejaculated the other in sudden admiration. -“See the wires they’ve run out. I -warrant you every command in the whole camp -has a telephone in its headquarters, with a -Central station to boot. Now, if only I could -run across the aviation field, and see a few -hangers for aeroplanes in evidence, I’d be -happy.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>“Oh! they’re further away, over to the -right,” explained the soldier who stood on the -footboard of the car. “We have three ’planes -working every day now, and more coming -along. My brother is one of the air pilots, you -know, so what I’m giving you is straight goods, -boys.”</p> -<p>They were by this time gradually approaching -the other end of the great camp, as could -be told from the fact that the fires were becoming -less numerous beyond them.</p> -<p>“Your battery lies just ahead of us now,” -announced the soldier, who seemed to be thoroughly -acquainted with the lay of the camp, -and able to direct any one to the location of -each and every unit composing the entire -mobilization centre.</p> -<p>Yes, they could already begin to see guns -posted in a clump, or “parked,” to use a military -term. These seemed to have a familiar -look to the Oakvale scouts, because they had -many times handled the dull-finished modern -field-pieces, doubtless envious of the luck of -those whom they chanced to know as members -of the company.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>Leaving the car alongside the road, the boys -followed after their guide, who led them directly -over to where the battery had its tents, -Immediately Hugh and his two chums began -to recognize familiar faces. A number of the -men jumped to their feet and hurried toward -the newcomers. Hugh noticed that in some -cases it was a look of sudden concern that came -upon the reddened faces of the young artillerymen; -and he could give a pretty good guess -why this should be so. They were assailed -with sudden fears lest something terrible -might have happened to those left behind in -the home town, and that the scouts had been -dispatched to carry the sad news.</p> -<p>“Hello! Hugh. Hello, boys. What fetches -you away off here?” called out one of the Battery -K members; and his question must have -voiced what was on the minds of several -others, since they all waited anxiously to hear -what Hugh might say in reply.</p> -<p>“We’ve come to have a little chat with Blake -Merton’s cousin, Felix Gregory, that’s all,” the -patrol leader answered, at which something -like a look of relief passed over several faces.</p> -<p>“Well, it must be something pretty important -to fetch the three of you forty and -more miles in a car?” suggested one fellow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>“Just what it is,” jauntily admitted Blake. -“Now, can any of you direct us to where we’ll -find my cousin Felix?”</p> -<p>“I was talking with him about half an hour -back, but haven’t seen him since, now you mention -it!” one called out.</p> -<p>“I’d advise you boys to look up Captain Barclay, -and he’ll put you in touch with Felix, -who must be around somewhere, because we -have orders not to wander beyond bounds. -There’s the captain’s tent over yonder, Hugh.”</p> -<p>The speaker was big Hank Partridge, a -cousin of Lige Corbley, and quite well known -to Hugh. As the advice seemed sound, the -scout master immediately turned his face -toward the tent thus pointed out.</p> -<p>“Come along, boys, and we’ll see what the -captain can do for us,” he told his two mates, -at the same time starting forward.</p> -<p>Blake was by now beginning to have that -worried expression steal back upon his face. -His old fears had awakened again, as was evidenced -by the remark he made almost immediately -after they started toward the captain’s -tent.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>“It’s mighty queer, I think, how not a single -one of all those fellows could remember -seeing my cousin inside of half an hour. -Things have been happening so contrary lately -I’m beginning to be afraid that something may -have come along to whisk Felix out of the old -camp here so I never will find him.”</p> -<p>“Oh! how silly to let yourself borrow trouble -in that way, Blake,” Bud told him, scornfully. -“What could carry him off but an aeroplane, -and I’m pretty sure they haven’t yet got to -ducking down in the heart of a camp, and -snatching a fellow up bodily. Just hold your -horses, and we’ll run on him pretty soon now.”</p> -<p>They reached the tent of the commanding -officer, where a sentry always stood on guard. -Hugh, knowing the rules that applied, asked -to see Captain Barclay, with whom he was, -of course, well acquainted. In another minute -the captain himself came forth.</p> -<p>He shook hands with Hugh and the other -two scouts. Then the story was briefly told, -particular emphasis being laid on the numerous -attempts that had been made to keep them -from meeting Felix Gregory. The officer was, -of course, deeply interested. To lose such a -fortune as Uncle Reuben owned would, he felt -sure, be a calamity for any young fellow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>“You deserve every encouragement, boys, -after what you’ve done to save Felix from the -folly of his quick temper,” he told them at the -close of the recital. “I’m sure he must have -been sorry long before. I know his generous -nature well. I’ll send out and have him come -here to you. Then Blake can talk with him -aside, and, if my influence is worth anything, -you can depend on it I’ll only too gladly say a -good word.”</p> -<p>So he gave an order, and the soldier to whom -it was delivered hastened away. While he was -gone the boys continued their chat with the -captain. Finally the messenger returned, made -his salute to his superior officer, and said something. -Hugh was watching and saw the other -look grave. Blake clutched the arm of his -chum when the captain of Battery K, advancing -slowly toward them, went on to explain.</p> -<p>“Strange to say, boys, so far no one can be -found who has seen Private Gregory inside of -half an hour. He seems to have mysteriously -disappeared; but, of course, he can be found, -and if you will wait for me here I’ll go the -rounds myself and rout him out. Don’t worry -while I’m gone, for it’ll be all right.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<h2 id="c9">CHAPTER IX -<br /><span class="small">THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FELIX</span></h2> -<p>When the captain turned and left them -again, the three scouts exchanged uneasy -glances. Blake suffered more than either of -his chums, for his heart had been wrapped -up in his task. It meant much to him whether -he failed or won out in his self-imposed mission -to the camp.</p> -<p>“Hugh, do you know I expected something -like this would happen,” was the way he expressed -himself. “Somehow, even when we -had beaten that scheming rascal at his game -several times, I seemed to have a feeling that -in the end he might be too smart for us.”</p> -<p>“Apparently, then,” remarked Bud Morgan, -“you’ve already made up your mind that -this queer disappearance of your cousin Felix -can be laid at the door of the same man -we had so much trouble with on the road, the -chap in the flivver?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -<p>“Doesn’t it stand to reason it must be that -way?” demanded Blake. “Why should Felix -clear out of camp here otherwise? These fellows -of Battery K are in for the war, and -wouldn’t desert for all the money going. Felix -is as loyal as they make ’em; he’d sooner -cut his hand off than be thought a coward or -a quitter. So there’s only one way of explaining -his vanishing; which is through this man.”</p> -<p>“How about it, Hugh?” and Bud turned -toward the patrol leader, as had become a -chronic habit with most of the members of the -troop whenever anything arose to bother or -mystify them.</p> -<p>“All I can say as yet,” replied the other, -steadily, “is that it begins to look a whole lot -that way. We had better wait a bit before -deciding. The captain may pick up some information -that will give us a pointer. Men -don’t disappear from a mobilization camp, as -easy as all this, without leaving some traces -behind them.”</p> -<p>Blake shook his head dismally. Apparently -he was losing heart, for so many things had -arisen to balk his ambition that the strain was -telling on him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>“Well, all I can say is I wish this business -was all over,” he observed, plaintively, “and -we were on our way back home with that -precious letter to Uncle Reuben. I tell you I’ll -feel like shouting if we do win!”</p> -<p>“Victory is always sweeter when you’ve had -to fight hard to get it,” Bud declared, with boyish -philosophy. “Don’t we all remember that -when we’ve been up against a tough proposition, -and had to take the bit between our teeth -before we could land? Never lose faith in -what you’re doing, Blake. For one thing, -you’ve got a couple of comrades along that -mean to stand back of you through thick and -thin. That ought to be some comfort to you.”</p> -<p>“It is, Bud, it certainly gives me a heap of -satisfaction, the way both of you stick to me. -I’m going to take a brace up! We’ll get there -yet, we’ve just <i>got</i> to, and that’s all there is -about it.”</p> -<p>Brave words, those, and possibly Blake -Merton meant them, but, nevertheless, there -were times when that anxious look would -creep over his face again, as fresh difficulties -kept piling up before them, and the desired end -seemed as far away as ever.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>They continued to stand there and talk for -some little time, all the while eagerly awaiting -the return of the friendly captain, whom -all of them knew very well, since he was a -prominent business man in Oakvale.</p> -<p>“There he comes!” asserted Bud, suddenly.</p> -<p>Blake lost color, and his hand trembled -when he accidentally touched the sleeve of -Hugh’s khaki coat—perhaps, after all, it was -through some design that this contact came -about, for a positive realization that the scout -master was standing by him must have given -Blake renewed confidence, of which he was -evidently in great need just then.</p> -<p>Captain Lawrence Barclay came hastily -toward them. Hugh, discovering the look of -annoyance still on his face, guessed that he -bore bad news.</p> -<p>“Brace up, Blake, and show that you can -stand whatever may be coming,” he managed -to say in a low tone to his companion.</p> -<p>Then the commander of Battery K arrived. -He was a bluff sort of a man, not much given -to beating around the bush when he had anything -to say; nor could he smooth over disagreeable -news as some men might.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<p>“I’m sorry to report that young Gregory -seems to have disappeared from camp altogether,” -he immediately remarked. “It is a -most extraordinary occurrence. In fact, several -officers with whom I’ve spoken say they -would never have believed a man could vanish -from the midst of a thousand or two of his -fellows, with sentries posted, and camp rules -in force. But I’ve sent out in every direction -to find Gregory, but without any success so -far.”</p> -<p>Both Blake and Bud left things pretty much -to Hugh, knowing his ability to handle such -a case. Like a wise scout, the patrol leader -immediately began to ask questions, with the -design of getting facts that might give them -a clue to the solution of the camp mystery.</p> -<p>“Captain,” he started in to say, “would you -mind telling us when Felix Gregory was last -seen about here?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>“Several men seemed to agree on that point,” -replied the accommodating officer, “and I am -inclined to say that it was just about half an -hour back. At the time he was talking with -a civilian who had managed in some way to -gain permission to enter the camp in his car. -From what I have learned, I believe Felix appeared -to be considerably excited while he held -this conversation with the stranger.”</p> -<p>“Hugh, just as we suspected, it must have -been that man!” gasped Blake. Bud Morgan -nodded his head, and pinched the other to keep -him quiet.</p> -<p>“Did any of them describe the man and his -car, Captain?” continued Hugh. “You remember -what we told you about the party who -gave us so much trouble on the road? He was -a small fellow, with a dark face, and snappy -eyes, and his car was one of that cheap class -called a flivver. Does that agree with what -any of the men said, sir?”</p> -<p>“It seems to cover the case exactly, Hugh,” -the officer hastened to admit; “and, taken in -conjunction with your remarkable story, makes -the matter seem more mysterious than ever. -Apparently, then, that man who tried to prevent -you from getting to camp, finding that all -his schemes had failed, turned another tack, -and now aims to keep Felix from seeing you. -How he has been able to get him out of the -camp beats me; it would seem to be an impossible -task.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>Hugh was on his mettle now; his fighting -blood aroused. The gleam in his eyes told that, -as he shut his teeth together with a snap, and -went on to say:</p> -<p>“There will be some way of tracking them, -and we’ll find it out by hook or by crook, Captain -Barclay. If that man succeeds in keeping -Felix hidden away for the next twenty-four -hours our goose is cooked, because then it’s -going to be too late for any reconciliation between -him and his guardian. But there will -be hours before that happens, and every minute -of that time the three of us here will be -working like beavers to find out the truth. We -never give up until the last gasp; that’s a slogan -of the scouts, you know, sir.”</p> -<p>“A mighty fine rule for any one to go by, I -must say,” remarked the officer, looking admiringly -at the speaker’s flushed and determined -face. “I’ve heard lots of good things -said about you Oakvale scouts, and now I can -understand why you’ve always met with such -splendid success. I want to say, Hugh, that -you can count on me to render any assistance -in my power. What can I do for you now?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>Hugh was equal to the occasion. Although -he had had little time in which to map out his -course, owing to the sudden surprise by which -they had been confronted, he knew that one -thing would be needed.</p> -<p>“If you could manage it, Captain Barclay, so -that we three might go about camp without -being held up, and put to a whole lot of inconvenience, -it would help us a heap.”</p> -<p>“That can be arranged, I think, Hugh,” said -the other, after a brief period of reflection. -“I’ll try and get the general to write out three -passes, such as they may be, and word them -so that you’ll be likely to have no trouble moving -about. It is something unusual, of course, -to allow civilians to remain in camp at a time -like this, especially over night; but I think I -can manage it all right.”</p> -<p>Leaving the three lads again, the captain -entered his tent to start operations looking to -securing the passes. There was more or less -sending of messages, possibly between Battery -K and Headquarters, while Hugh and his companions -tried to possess their souls in patience.</p> -<p>Finally, after a long delay, Captain Barclay -again made his appearance, and in his hand -he bore several folded papers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>“I’ve had more trouble than I expected, -boys,” he told them pleasantly; “but I believe -everything is smoothed over now, and you will -find little trouble in moving about. Only a few -newspaper correspondents have so far been -given the same privileges; but when the general -learned what fine things you scouts had -to your credit in and around Oakvale, he -obliged me with his signature. Which shows -again how a good reputation pays every one a -high rate of interest.”</p> -<p>Each of the boys received one of the -“passes” that would allow them to wander at -will through the mobilization camp for the -next twenty-four hours, the privilege expiring -with the setting of the following day’s sun; -for after that time Hugh and his comrades -would have no longer any desire to remain -there, since their mission before then must be -either a success or a failure.</p> -<p>“You didn’t tell us what others thought of -the disappearance of Felix Gregory, Captain?” -Hugh remarked, as though anxious to learn -this fact, since it might have a bearing on the -solution of the mystery.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>“Well, I interviewed one man in particular -who was rather chummy with Felix,” replied -the officer. “His name is Andrew Burtis, -and you all know him well. He told me -he felt sure there was something on the mind -of Felix, for he brooded over something, and -acted strangely for a fellow of his happy disposition. -In fact, it was Andrew who suggested -that possibly the young chap had gone -out of his mind over some trouble, and while -in this condition had managed to leave the -camp, for some purpose or other.”</p> -<p>“But we know what it was troubling Felix, -sir, as we have told you,” burst out Blake Merton, -eagerly. “I guess he was worrying about -that quarrel with his uncle, because they had -thought a good deal of each other. But it -would never cause Felix to go out of his mind, -Captain, you can believe me. No, that man was -responsible for his going away; and Hugh -here will get on the track, some way or other, -I’m certain.”</p> -<p>“Well, you have my best wishes, boys,” said -the officer. “I must leave you now, as I have -duties to look after; but if I can do anything -to assist you later on, be sure and look me up.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<p>He shook hands most cordially with each one -of them in turn, and there could be no question -about his sincerity when he made that assertion. -Left to themselves, the scouts faced -a situation calculated to try their mettle to -the utmost. Poor Blake in particular looked -woe-begone as he turned a beseeching eye on -Hugh, fully conscious that the last lingering -hope of finding his missing cousin rested with -the scout leader’s dogged pertinacity. Belonging -to the <i>Wolf</i> Patrol meant a good deal to -Hugh Hardin; for in a case of this kind he -knew that it would be necessary to emulate -the example of the wolf that follows the track -of a deer over hill and through valley, hour -after hour, day and night, until by sheer persistence -he has run the tired quarry to earth, -and so secures the meal he sought.</p> -<p>So Hugh would never give up so long as a -shred of hope remained. He was determined -to start out and seek for a clue capable of -leading him to success. Yet, after all, it happened -that accident had considerable to do with -the final outcome of the big game upon which -the three scouts had embarked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<h2 id="c10">CHAPTER X -<br /><span class="small">BUD MORGAN ON THE SCENT</span></h2> -<p>“What’s our plan of campaign, Hugh?” -asked Bud Morgan.</p> -<p>“I was just going to say,” remarked the -scout master, “that if we separated, and covered -as broad a field as possible, the chances -for picking up some sort of clue would be all -the better. In that way we could agree to -meet here, say in an hour or so, and compare -notes. Then if by good luck one of us managed -to strike a warm scent we could lay out -a scheme for taking up the trail. What do you -say to that, fellows?”</p> -<p>Both of the others admitted that what Hugh -proposed would be the wisest move. Doubtless, -Blake would have been happier had Hugh -decided to keep him in his company; but, then, -he was too proud to hint at such a thing. Besides, -he realized that the greater field they -covered, just as Hugh had said, the better -would be their chances for picking up news.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>So they separated, with the understanding -that in about an hour from that time they were -to come together again near the tent of Captain -Barclay, so as to compare notes and decide -on the next step.</p> -<p>Bud Morgan was more than eager to wander -about the big, bustling camp. There were -a thousand interesting things he wanted to see -for himself. This was a golden opportunity -which he meant to utilize to the utmost. He -had been yearning for just such a legacy of -good luck; and it had really come to him. That -magical paper, signed by the general himself, -would allow him to move at will. If any sentinel -challenged his right to be amidst the tents -of the assembled guardsmen representing the -sovereign power of the State, all he had to do -was to flash that document before his eyes, and -the sight of the name signed at the end of -the pass would end the detention instantly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<p>So Bud started forth with high hopes. He -really meant to do all that lay in his power -to assist poor Blake find his missing relative; -but, then, while thus engaged there was no reason -that Bud could see why he should not have -a look-in at those things in which his heart -were was bound up.</p> -<p>For a short while, then, he talked with some -of the Battery K boys whom he knew, and who -were naturally delighted to see any face from -the home town.</p> -<p>Bud managed to show nice discretion. He -was averse to telling the story of Felix, and -his silly quarrel with his rich uncle and guardian -to every one; and so, when by a few judicious -questions, he found that those with -whom he chatted had no information to give -him, he soon broke away and resumed his wanderings.</p> -<p>In this fashion he soon exhausted the limited -fund of information that could be picked up -among the artillerymen of Battery K. The -result was so meagre that Bud felt disgusted. -He must branch out and seek other fields. Far -and wide he would continue his investigations, -ask his leading questions, and seek by every -possible means in his power to get a clue worth -having.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<p>By degrees, however, his ambition began to -wane. He met with so little success that he -began to allow himself to grow slack in his -efforts. Hugh would be almost certain to unearth -some clue, for he most always did accomplish -whatever he set out to perform. Then -Bud was wild to spend a little time with the -Aviation Corps, for deep down in his boyish -heart he cherished an ambition to some day -be an air pilot.</p> -<p>This would account for his fetching up in -the distant section of the camp where he had -been told the aviation squad had their hangars. -More than half an hour had passed since parting -from his chums, and Bud could truly say -that he had worked faithfully to unearth a few -crumbs of comfort for Blake.</p> -<p>“I deserve a little recreation,” he told himself. -“All work and no play makes Jack a -dull boy. I may never get another such a fine -chance to talk with fellows of the aviation -class.”</p> -<p>Having thus relieved his mind of any remorse -he might have felt, Bud hurried his -steps, and before long found himself in the region -of the odd-looking hangars, or sheds, hastily -constructed, in which several aeroplanes -rested when not in use.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>He had met with little obstruction thus far. -Several times a sentinel had stopped him, acting -under orders, but the sight of the magic -paper had always sufficed to cause the man -with the bayonet and gun to wave him along; -so that by this time Bud was under the impression -he could go anywhere he pleased.</p> -<p>Arriving at the ground where the birdmen -held forth, he found a number of bronzed -young fellows squatting around a fire, and -swapping stories of possible past experiences. -As Bud came up and stood there, curious -glances were cast upon him. Perhaps most of -them jumped to the conclusion that he must -be the representative of some important newspaper, -for Bud was a pretty husky sort of a -fellow for his age; and young blood is often -sought after by the great metropolitan dailies.</p> -<p>So Bud presently dropped down, and sat -there listening. He drank in all he heard -those aviators saying. One of them, it seemed, -had been across the sea, and taken part in -some of the dangerous forays, when Allied -aeroplanes made daring raids on fortified -towns or military concentration camps in the -rear of the enemy forces, and his reminiscences -of the thrilling scenes upon which he -had gazed held Bud spellbound.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>Others in the little group had not been so -fortunate in seeing actual hostilities, but each -man in turn narrated certain adventures that -had befallen him; for even in piping times of -peace aviators meet with perils calculated to -make a stirring story.</p> -<p>One man in particular interested Bud. At -the time he hardly knew why this should be so, -for they were all strangers to him. Afterwards -he was inclined to believe there must -have been some sort of intuition about it, causing -him to listen to everything this air pilot -was saying.</p> -<p>His name seemed to be Johnson, for Bud -heard him called that several times. The conversation -had turned upon odd incidents connected -with meeting people under peculiar conditions, -and as he listened Bud heard Johnson -saying:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<p>“Queer how people bob up that you’d never -expect to meet. Now, today while we were -on the road here from the station, with the -truck carrying our ’plane, I had a thing like -that happen to me. Two years back it came -about that I was flying at county fairs down -in Florida. I did it as a means for making -ready money, because I wanted to get hold of -a new model hydroaeroplane that I was wild to -own. My companion in the Fair venture was -a fellow I never really liked, though he certainly -had plenty of grit, and knew a heap -about this flying business.</p> -<p>“Well, we separated in the end, because I -couldn’t stand for some of his crooked ways. -From that day to this I did not see him once; -yet today, when we passed a little old house -on the road here from the railway station, who -should I see looking from the second-story -window, and staring at all the aviation squad -moving along, but my former partner of the -Florida county fair flights. Which shows how -small this old world is, after all. Why, I -wouldn’t have been any more surprised if I’d -landed on top of Mount Washington, and come -face to face there with Luther Gregory!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<p>Bud almost fell over, he received such a -shock at hearing the aviator calmly mention -that name. Luther Gregory, the wild son of -Uncle Reuben, the very man whose scheming -had caused the scouts all that trouble while -on the road to the mobilization camp—it came -to Bud almost like an inspiration that in this -astonishing way he had struck a clue.</p> -<p>Through his brain chased a dozen brilliant -thoughts. Why, if Luther Gregory had really -been the employer whose money had hired that -clever trickster in the flivver to do everything -in his power to obstruct the progress of Blake -and his chums, didn’t it stand to reason that -the chief plotter must have come on the ground -in order to have a hand in the final attempt to -keep Felix from making up with his uncle?</p> -<p>Bud wanted to shake hands with himself, he -felt so tickled. For some little time he sat there -and communed with himself, laying out various -plans whereby he and Hugh and Blake -might yet win the game that had seemed to be -going against them.</p> -<p>He was suddenly aroused by seeing Johnson -getting on his feet, and yawning, as if he felt -sleepy, and thought of turning in, although -“taps” had not yet sounded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>Bud came to a quick determination. He -must have a little chat with the air pilot, and -learn a few facts from him. In order to accomplish -his end it would be necessary for him -to relate the story of Felix, but he could bind -the other to secrecy. So he also arose and followed -the aviator.</p> -<p>When a tap came on his shoulder, and Johnson -turned to find himself confronted by the -boy, he may have noticed sitting near the fire, -listening, no doubt he felt a little curiosity as -to why he had been picked out for an interview.</p> -<p>“Guess you’ve selected the wrong man, -young fellow,” he went on to say with a jolly -laugh, “if you’re expecting a thrilling yarn for -your paper. Better tackle Tom Sherlock, -who’s seen exciting adventures over the big -drink. He can spin you a story that will make -your readers’ hair stand on end.”</p> -<p>“But I want to have a little chat with you, -Mr. Johnson,” urged Bud. “I would thank -you to give me just a few minutes of your -time. It is on a matter that means a whole -lot to a chum of mine. The queer part of it -is that the mention of Luke Gregory’s name -by you is the whole cause of my asking this -favor.”</p> -<p>The aviator, naturally enough, was surprised.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>“Well, you’ve managed to arouse my curiosity -from the start, my boy!” he exclaimed, -heartily. “I’ll be only too glad to listen to anything -you may have to say. Come over here -to my tent and sit down on a bench there; we -can talk better at our ease. Right from the -beginning let me say that if Luther Gregory -has any share in your story, I’d wager it isn’t -going to be to his credit.”</p> -<p>“You hit the nail right on the head when -you say that, Mr. Johnson!” declared Bud, -mentally hugging himself with delight over the -wonderful success that had come his way.</p> -<p>He started in by telling how he and Hugh -had been trying to find some reasonable excuse -for visiting the mobilization camp, when Blake -came along and told about the unfortunate -quarrel between Felix and his uncle. Then -Bud went on to relate how they had started -for the camp in the old car. Step by step he -narrated the difficulties they had to surmount, -and how they felt positive most of their troubles -came through the plotting of the man in -the flivver, and who had been seen talking in -a mysterious fashion with Luther Gregory in -Oakvale.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<p>It was an altogether thrilling story, and the -aviator listened with rapt attention until Bud -had come down to the point where he heard -him mention that name of Uncle Reuben’s -profligate son, and tell how he had actually -seen him close to the border of the camp.</p> -<p>“All I want you to tell me, Mr. Lawrence,” -Bud wound up with, “is the location of that -little old house where Luther Gregory, you say, -was looking out of the second story window -as your Aviation Corps passed this afternoon. -Don’t you see, if they have managed somehow -to sneak Felix out of camp, it stands to reason -he would be taken to that place, and kept -hidden for twenty-four hours or so, until the -time limit was past. Oh! please tell me, so I -can carry the news to my chums, who will be -tickled half to death to hear it.”</p> -<p>The air pilot saw the point, and proceeded -forthwith to enter into such explanations that -Bud felt sure he could not miss finding the -place; and after that he hastened to break -away, being fairly wild to see Hugh, and tell -him the great news.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<h2 id="c11">CHAPTER XI -<br /><span class="small">THE VALUE OF A GOOD REPUTATION</span></h2> -<p>When Bud presently arrived at the appointed -rendezvous neither of his comrades -were in sight. He was nervously walking up -and down when a few minutes later Blake put -in an appearance.</p> -<p>Blake looked particularly woe-begone. Evidently -all his efforts to pick up a promising -clue to the solution of the great mystery had -failed miserably. Seeing Bud’s nervous stride, -he eyed him hungrily.</p> -<p>“Something ails you, Bud, I’m sure it does -from the way you act!” he exclaimed, fresh -hope struggling to gain a new grip on his heart. -“Please tell me if you’ve found out anything at -all, because I haven’t had the least bit of luck.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>“Well, I’ve nosed around like a regular -bloodhound on the scent,” observed Bud, with -perhaps a little pardonable pride, “and I reckon -now I’ve got some <i>important</i> news for Hugh -when he shows up here.”</p> -<p>“Oh! have you found Felix?” burst from -Blake, excitedly.</p> -<p>“Er, hardly as strong as that,” admitted -the other, “but I’ve run across a man who -saw Luther Gregory looking from the second-story -window of a house not two miles from -the border of this camp, and only this afternoon, -in the bargain; which you’ll have to own -up is some evidence that he knows what’s happened -to your cousin.”</p> -<p>Blake proceeded forthwith to pump the -hand of his wideawake chum as though in this -fashion alone could he show his sincere appreciation -of the wonderful news Bud had -brought in.</p> -<p>“There comes Hugh right now,” added Bud, -with the smile of conscious superiority spread -across his face, “and there’ll be something doing -soon, believe me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>The scout master approached. He did not -look particularly happy himself, for, to tell the -truth, Hugh had failed to succeed in finding -any conclusive evidence that promised to take -them to where the absent Felix might be -found. When he saw how his two comrades -were beckoning to hasten his steps, and discovered -their triumphant manner, Hugh lost -no time in joining them.</p> -<p>“Glad to see that you’ve had more success -this time than fell to my lot,” was his salutation -as he came up; “now string it off, and tell -me what’s happened to make you both look so -oh-be-joyful.”</p> -<p>Bud waited for no second invitation. It did -not happen every day that he was given such -a splendid chance to shine in the limelight, and -he would not have been a genuine boy had he -failed to take advantage of the golden opportunity. -So, in as terse terms as he could possibly -summon to the front, he told the story -of how, after a myriad of efforts, he had finally -run across what seemed to be a most promising -clue.</p> -<p>Hugh listened and made little comment until -the story had been ended. Then he gripped -the other’s hand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<p>“Bud, old man, I’m beginning to think that -the luck of this deal is running strongly in your -direction!” he exclaimed, heartily. “If that -master schemer of a Luther Gregory is close -by, the man he hired must know where to find -him; and it stands to reason that if he succeeded -in bundling Felix out of camp, even if -no one is able to tell how it could be done, why -the first thing he’d do would be to take him -to that house.”</p> -<p>“Oh! and then all we’ve got to do,” broke -in the delighted Blake, who was hardly able to -keep from dancing on his tiptoes, such was -his increasing happiness, “is to get a detail of -the guardsmen, and go there to arrest the -whole bunch.”</p> -<p>“Of course that’s our move,” admitted -Hugh, “though we mustn’t be too fast about -carrying it out. The whole night is before -us, you know. They won’t hurt Felix, if our -theory is correct. All they want to do is to -keep him out of our reach for twenty-four -hours.”</p> -<p>“But we ought to see Captain Barclay again, -hadn’t we, Hugh?” questioned Bud.</p> -<p>“That would be our wisest move,” agreed -the patrol leader, “because we’ll need some help -to round up those rascals; and it can only be -gotten through an order signed by our friend, -the artillery captain.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>“No sleep for me tonight, I wager,” said -Blake; but somehow he seemed to glory in the -fact rather than put on a doleful expression. -Action meant a fresh possibility for a successful -ending of his search.</p> -<p>Hugh looked around him. The camp of the -guardsmen still presented a wonderfully fascinating -picture in his eyes, even though some -of the tired militiamen had sought their tents -in order to try and get a little sleep, having had -their rest broken more or less since leaving -their widely separated homes.</p> -<p>“There’s the captain heading this way now!” -exclaimed Bud, with sudden zeal. “P’r’aps -we had better tackle him while we have the -chance, Hugh. He’s got a heap of camp duties -to look after, and, according to military rules, -they’d have to take precedence above any private -business.”</p> -<p>“Come on, then, and we’ll start the ball rolling,” -the scout master agreed.</p> -<p>When Captain Barclay saw his trio of boy -friends from Oakvale heading toward him, he -smiled amiably, and nodded his head.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_122">122</div> -<p>“Any good news, boys?” he immediately -asked, showing that he still remembered about -their mission; “heard of Felix Gregory anywhere, -and was he visiting in some other part -of the camp?”</p> -<p>“No, sir, nothing can be learned about him -from any of the men,” replied Hugh, and then -immediately adding: “Our chum here, Bud -Morgan, happened to learn something that we -believe may offer a strong clue.”</p> -<p>“Tell me about it, then,” the officer commanded. -“I’m very interested in the result of -your noble mission; and this strange disappearance -of an enlisted man from camp is -bothering some of us. I haven’t mentioned it -to any one higher up, but was just thinking of -seeing the general about it. Things like that -reflect upon the management of a military -camp, where it is expected that discipline governs -every movement, so that it would appear -to be impossible for a single individual to drop -out. Now proceed, please.”</p> -<p>Hugh told the story, giving Bud due honors -for having made the wonderful discovery -that Luther Gregory was hovering near by, -evidently bent on sharing some of the foul work -with the man whom his money had hired.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>Captain Barclay asked several sharp questions. -It could be seen that he was intensely -interested. Bud made haste to enlighten him -on the points that did not appear to be quite -clear in his mind.</p> -<p>“Just as you say, Hugh,” he finally remarked, -decisively, “things begin to look promising. -The chances are ten to one that if -Felix has been coaxed or smuggled out of the -camp here, he was taken to that lonely house -on the road. I believe I can remember noticing -the place as we passed from the station -this afternoon, where I went to look after some -additional baggage that had been shipped by -rail from the home town.”</p> -<p>“You’ll help us, won’t you, Captain?”</p> -<p>“I certainly will, to the full extent of my -power,” came the hearty response, “though before -anything can really be done in the matter -I must have a talk with my commanding officer -at Headquarters. Fortunately there -seems to be nothing of moment to demand my -attention. So, if you will once more wait for -me here, I’ll see the general again. He was interested -in you before, after I had told him -some things I knew, and how Oakvale held -the scouts in such high esteem.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_124">124</div> -<p>“Oh! I hope he agrees to let you help us -surround that house, and see if Felix is held -a prisoner there,” remarked Blake.</p> -<p>“I don’t have the slightest doubt about the -ultimate outcome,” said the officer, “so far as -the general’s co-operation goes. Whether we -find your cousin there or not is another thing; -but I believe the chances are fairly good. -Look for me inside of half an hour, boys.”</p> -<p>With that he hastened away, turning his -back upon his comfortable tent with its inviting -camp cot, which must have appealed -strongly to a tired soldier.</p> -<p>“Half an hour he said, didn’t he?” sighed -Blake. “Gee whiz! that’s a whole thirty long -minutes. It’ll seem like a week to me, I guess. -But what’s the use looking a gift horse in the -mouth. I ought to be thanking my lucky stars -that there’s such a bully chance ahead. I’m -going to quit grumbling.”</p> -<p>“What do you expect he meant by saying -the general was interested in us as scouts, -Hugh?” asked Bud.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>“Oh! just what he explained by telling us -he’d mentioned some of the things we Oakvale -scouts had hung up to our credit,” the patrol -leader answered. “I suppose there are few -troops in the East that can point with pride to -a record like ours. We’ve been a whole lot -lucky to have such chances to do things come -along.”</p> -<p>“At a time like this,” Bud continued, a look -of satisfaction covering his face, “it certainly -does make a fellow feel good to know he hasn’t -any reason to be ashamed of his past record.”</p> -<p>“There, I saw a soldier stop the captain and -salute, after which he handed him something,” -Blake burst out with, excitedly. “Now Captain -Barclay is pointing straight toward us, -boys; and see, he’s handed the thing back again. -Looks to me as if he had ordered him to deliver -the same to us. I wonder what under the sun -it can be?”</p> -<p>“We’ll soon know,” advised Bud, “because -here comes the soldier; and by the same token -it’s Burch Shafter, Hugh, whom you got to -join the battery after convincing his mother it -was a duty he owed his country.”<a class="fn" id="fr_3" href="#fn_3">[3]</a></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>They watched the man in uniform approach -them with growing interest. It struck the -scouts as having some sort of connection with -their mission in the mobilization camp. Perhaps -the young fellow was bringing them fresh -news—Blake even began to speculate upon the -most improbable things, to the extent of wondering -whether this might not be some audacious -communication from Luther Gregory -telling him that his quest would be fruitless, -and that he might just as well return to Oakvale, -since he could not find Felix within the -given time.</p> -<p>Then the artilleryman arrived. Young -Shafter recognized them all, and he looked -particularly at Hugh with a gleam of affection -in his eyes, because the scout master had been -mainly instrumental in getting his mother’s -consent to his enlistment. Nevertheless, he -made a stiff military salute upon first arriving, -and then dropped his hand at his side “at attention.”</p> -<p>“Huh! that doesn’t go among old friends, -Burch,” chuckled Bud. “Nobody’s watching -you now, so you c’n drop your camp manners, -and be sociable.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<p>With that he clutched the other’s hand and -shook it. The “rookie” laughed, and from that -moment became companionable. Hugh and -Blake in turn greeted him; for up to then they -had not chanced to run across young Shafter, -as he had been in another part of the camp, -possibly sent on official business.</p> -<p>“Something was found in Felix Gregory’s -tent, and they dispatched me with it to the captain,” -he went on to explain. “When he looked -it over he said Blake here ought to take charge -of the same, and so I’m turning it over to him.”</p> -<p>When Blake glanced at the object that was -placed in his hand he gave a cry of astonishment.</p> -<p>“Look here, Hugh, Bud!” he commenced to -say, deeply moved, “it’s a letter written by Felix, -and sealed; and, would you believe it, the -same is directed to Uncle Reuben. Oh! I wonder -now did Felix repent of his own accord of -those ugly things he said in his hasty temper, -and write to apologize? Wouldn’t that be a -great thing, though, and a bully ending of the -whole silly affair?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<h2 id="c12">CHAPTER XII -<br /><span class="small">THE SEARCH SQUAD</span></h2> -<p>“Don’t be hasty about opening that letter, -Blake,” cautioned the scout master, who saw -that such a move was indeed contemplated by -his chum.</p> -<p>Blake held his hand before he had started -to tear an end off the sealed envelope.</p> -<p>“Why, I thought it would be only right to -find out if Felix had said he was sorry, Hugh,” -he hastened to explain, looking somewhat disappointed. -“Because if things did turn out -that way, you see I could get this letter to Uncle -Reuben, and then the object of our run up -here to camp would be accomplished.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<p>“Yes, I understand all that, Blake,” answered -the other, quietly, “but we mustn’t forget -that a seal should be considered inviolate, -and a letter like this not opened except as a -last resort. He hadn’t mailed it, and might -reconsider writing the same, no matter what -the contents are. Then, again, you can’t be -sure that he did repent, and was wanting Uncle -Reuben to forgive him.”</p> -<p>Blake gave a big sigh.</p> -<p>“I suppose you’re right about that, Hugh,” -he admitted, reluctantly, “though I’d certainly -like to see what’s inside of this the worst kind.”</p> -<p>“Better let Hugh keep it in his pocket,” suggested -Bud.</p> -<p>“Which means that maybe I might yield to -a strong temptation and slit the envelope open -some time or other,” Blake remarked, quickly. -“Well, it might be just as good that I didn’t -have the chance, so here, you keep it, Hugh.”</p> -<p>Accordingly, the patrol leader took the letter -addressed to Mr. Reuben Gregory at Oakvale.</p> -<p>“I’ll tell you how we’ll settle this thing,” he -proposed, thinking it best to have it decided, -and wishing to give poor Blake what measure -of comfort he could; “suppose we say we’ll -leave the letter unopened until nine tomorrow -morning. Then, if nothing comes from our -hunt for your cousin tonight, and the mystery -of his disappearance is still unexplained, why, -I’ll take chances and we’ll see what he wrote.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>“All right, Hugh,” agreed Blake, instantly. -“That’s about as good a programme as we -could arrange. Still, we have all admitted that -it looks promising that Felix went to the -trouble of writing a letter to Uncle Reuben, -Something must have been worrying him—we’ve -heard from one of his comrades here -that he hasn’t been himself ever since the battery -left Oakvale. It was an uneasy conscience, -I’m sure; I know Felix pretty well, -and I’m certain that if he began to believe he -had acted in a mean way he would get no peace -of mind until he had done all in his power to -rectify his error.”</p> -<p>Apparently Blake was in a decidedly “chipper” -frame of mind since this last odd happening. -He seemed to feel that things were finally -working out to serve their ends, and that success -must soon perch on their banner.</p> -<p>“Well,” remarked the philosophical Bud, -“nothing like having two strings to your bow, -I’ve always believed. Never put all your eggs -in one basket. Now, in case our little excursion -along the road to the railway station turns -out a complete failure, you see we’ve always -got this letter to turn to.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<p>“And, of course,” added Blake, “when the -time limit has expired those men won’t bother -trying to hold poor Felix any longer. They’ll -believe their game is won, and turn him loose. -Now, just ten minutes have dragged by since -Captain Barclay left us, and he said half an -hour, didn’t he?”</p> -<p>All this was like so much Greek to young -Shafter, and, seeing the look of bewilderment -on his face, Hugh took pity on him. Besides, -since the story was getting to be in general circulation -through devious channels, one guardsman -taken into their confidence would not matter. -Then, again, the telling might serve to -kill a little of the time that promised to hang -so heavily on their hands.</p> -<p>Accordingly he started in to entertain Burch -Shafter with a remarkable story that held his -attention closely all the way through. Hugh -was not the one to waste words, and so he kept -“hewing close to the line” until he had arrived -at the point where they were waiting for Captain -Barclay to return with permission from -Headquarters to take a detail of armed men -and ascertain who the inmates of that old -house on the roadside were; likewise, whether -Private Gregory were detained there against -his will.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_132">132</div> -<p>“All I can say,” remarked the deeply interested -listener, after the stirring account of -their adventures on the road had been brought -to a finish, “is that it beats the Dutch how -you scouts do have thrilling happenings come -your way. Why, there’s a list as long as my -arm of fine things you fellows have done. Here -you promise to add another laurel to the -wreath you’ve won. I take off my hat to Hugh -Hardin and the boys of Oakvale Troop. They -are trump cards, every one of them, and that’s -the truth.”</p> -<p>He suddenly remembered he was a soldier, -and that his time could not be called his own; -so, saying a hasty good-bye, Burch Shafter -strode away. His coming, and what he had -brought with him, had given them all new reasons -for gratitude, and the rainbow of promise -was once more shining brilliantly in the -heavens above.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<p>The time dragged horribly after that, although -they talked of many things, so that -Blake might not give way to impatience. There -was a never-ending source of delight in just -glancing around them at all the queer sights by -which they found themselves surrounded, with -veterans and rookies carrying on a multitude -of camp duties. Had it been in the daytime instead -of about nine o’clock at night, doubtless -the visitors would have witnessed a multitude -of intensely interesting things, such as are -born of camp life, from comrades being shaved -by fresh barbers, to others engaged in taking -their first lesson in the art of washing their -own clothes under very primitive conditions.</p> -<p>Finally, when Blake had sighed for about the -hundredth time, and Bud himself took to yawning -because of the inaction, Hugh announced -that he believed he had seen an officer hurrying -in their direction.</p> -<p>“Unless I’m greatly mistaken, it’s our friend -the captain,” he added.</p> -<p>“Sure it is, and no mistake,” chuckled Bud; -while Blake drew in a long breath that spelled -relief because his “watchful waiting” period -was over.</p> -<p>As the officer approached they took new hope -upon seeing the look spread upon his face. -Surely he would not smile so broadly if he were -bringing them bad news.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>“It’s all right, boys, all right,” he told them, -immediately.</p> -<p>“Then the general has given permission for -us to carry out the scheme, has he, sir?” asked -Hugh, greatly pleased.</p> -<p>“He told me to take charge of it personally, -and leave no stone unturned to ascertain how -Private Gregory could be taken out of the -camp undetected; also to bring before him -those guilty of the outrage, if they could be -caught. That house, it seems, comes within -the boundaries of the camp, and hence any one -living there, or occupying the premises, is -amenable to military discipline and rules.”</p> -<p>“Then if by good luck we trap that schemer -and good-for-nothing Luther Gregory,” exclaimed -Blake, rubbing his hands in joy, “it’s -going to be hard for him because he’s interfered -with the liberty of one of Uncle Sam’s -recruits? Well, I guess on the whole he’ll get -only what he deserves, and I’ll be glad of it.”</p> -<p>“Are you going with us, Captain?” asked -Bud.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<p>“Yes, and I shall take a detail of men, so -as to make doubly sure,” explained the officer, -as though he had mapped out his plan of campaign, -like a wise soldier, as he came along. -“The moon will soon be rising, and we may get -some benefit of her light, though that does not -matter much.”</p> -<p>He was told about the letter, and seemed to -feel a good deal like Hugh in that it had better -not be opened, save as a last resort. If other -things failed them, and no signs of the missing -Felix could be found, then it would be time -enough to think of breaking the seal.</p> -<p>“You know,” he went on to say, particularly -directing the words toward Blake, whom -he guessed had been the one desirous of reading -the letter, “there’s always a mean feeling -comes on any one when you open a sealed envelope -surreptitiously. It’s like a thief breaking -into a house in the night; you think you’re -doing something you ought to be ashamed of, -no matter how good your motives really are. -So better let that rest until all other hope has -been abandoned.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_136">136</div> -<p>“Yes,” added Bud, “and even at noon tomorrow -we could telegraph to Uncle Reuben we -were on the road with a letter of apology, and -he’d be only too willing to wait for us to arrive -before changing his will. I reckon the old gentleman -would be only too glad of a chance to -meet a compromise halfway, if he thinks as -much of Felix as Blake Merton here tells us -he does.”</p> -<p>“I want you to come with me over to the -camp of the aviation boys,” said Captain Barclay. -“I have authority to enlist anyone I -please in the squad we shall take with us for -duty, and that being the case it might be just as -well to have that party along who told you -about Luther Gregory.”</p> -<p>“Johnston was his name, Captain,” explained -Bud, “and I reckon he’s some punkins -of an aeroplane pilot, too, because he’s been -giving daring exhibitions in lots of county -fairs down South last winter. From what he -said, I reckon Johnston will be glad to be in -the bunch, because things are getting kind of -stale for him here, with so little material to -work with.”</p> -<p>The captain left them for a short time. -When he came back, three men carrying guns -followed at his heels. Blake surveyed their -armament with considerable interest, as though -convinced by this time that the clouds were -gathering around the devoted heads of the two -schemers who must soon find themselves in the -toils.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<p>“There’s the moon just peeping above the -horizon, you see, boys,” the captain remarked, -as he joined the waiting trio of scouts. “It -isn’t more than ten o’clock, either, and we -needn’t be in any hurry. Let’s head across to -where the aviation squad have their quarters, -so as to pick up Johnston, the air pilot.”</p> -<p>As they were proceeding along, the clear -notes of a bugle ascended from some point -close by, and never would Hugh and his chums -forget the peculiar effect produced upon them -when, for the first time, they heard “taps” -sounded in a military camp while the grim -shadow of impending war was hovering over -the land. It seemed to thrill them through and -through with its significance, for they could -not help remembering how it is this same sweet -sad call that is invariably given over the grave -of a soldier when his comrades bury him with -full military honors.</p> -<p>When they finally arrived at the border of -the camp, where lay the field that was to be -devoted to such aviation work as could be carried -on with the poor material on hand, Captain -Barclay immediately sought the officer in -command of the squad, whom he chanced to already -know.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_138">138</div> -<p>He found no trouble in securing permission -to have the air pilot Johnston join them, -though, doubtless, the other wondered much -what it all meant, for there was no time to enter -into full explanations. Captain Barclay -did promise to see him on the next day, and -tell him an interesting story connected with the -visit of these three scouts from his home town.</p> -<p>Johnston recognized Bud, and readily agreed -to lead the little expedition to the house where -he had seen his old associate in aeronautics, -Luther Gregory. As he had, it may be remembered, -heard pretty much the whole story of -the adventure from Bud Morgan’s lips, at the -time the other was coaxing him to tell the location -of the house where he claimed to have -seen Luther, the aviator did not express any -surprise, only satisfaction that his services had -been thought worth while securing.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<p>There being nothing else to detain them now, -the captain gave the order for marching, and -the little company started forth. A sentry on -the border of the great camp challenged, and -demanded the password, which Captain Barclay -whispered in his ear; and so with the last -obstacle to their progress removed they began -to follow the road that led to the railway station, -possibly four miles away.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<h2 id="c13">CHAPTER XIII -<br /><span class="small">THE HOUSE BY THE ROADSIDE</span></h2> -<p>When Bud Morgan glanced back over his -shoulder just as they struck the road and were -well launched on their night tramp, he could -not help thinking what a wonderful sight it -was that greeted his admiring eyes. Bud had -always been a great hand for drinking in -scenes that were uncommon, and had been -known to temporarily forget that he was engaged -in a running match, when from the top -of a rise a vista of unusual beauty burst upon -his vision.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<p>The battered old moon was above the horizon -now, and lay low in the east. A myriad -of camp fires flickered through the broad valley -where the State guardsmen were encamped, -waiting to be sworn into the service of Uncle -Sam, and entrain for the distant border. All -sorts of murmurous sounds came floating to -the ear, and formed a medley never to be forgotten.</p> -<p>Bud, finding that the others were fast leaving -him in the lurch, hastened to catch up with -his chums; but he knew he would carry that -wonderful picture in memory as long as he -lived. The very mention of a mobilization -camp would make him think of the soft dab -of yellow in the sky marking the rising moon, -the glittering patches scattered about that -looked like giant fireflies; and the murmuring -sound of many voices, braying of mules, and -kindred camp notes.</p> -<p>But “taps” had sounded, and all this would -presently die away, for strict military regulations -governed the uniformed community.</p> -<p>Bud found a place alongside Blake, while -Hugh strode on with Captain Barclay and the -aviator guide, Johnston. It was perfectly natural -that the two boys should desire to communicate -while on the way. Blake in particular -wanted to find certain things, and as he -could bend his head close to that of his comrade, -before they had been three minutes on the -road in company, he was whispering:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_142">142</div> -<p>“Bud, would you mind if I asked you something?”</p> -<p>“Why, of course not, Blake,” replied the -other in a soft tone, “only be careful how you -speak. Remember that we’re under the captain’s -orders now, and he told us not to say -anything louder than a whisper. So fire -away.”</p> -<p>No doubt Bud understood how very anxious -the other must be, for Blake had far more at -stake in the successful outcome of their adventure -than either of his companions, hence -the willingness of Bud to accommodate him; -for Blake was a pretty decent sort of fellow, -as boys go, and well liked by the Oakvale -Troop.</p> -<p>“Why, I only wanted to ask if you could give -any kind of guess what the programme is going -to be after we get to that lonely house by -the road?” Blake asked, showing that, after -all, it was more a desire to receive some comforting -assurance than a hope for knowledge -that actuated him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>“Oh! shucks! how c’n I tell that, Blake?” -protested the other. “Just as like as not we’ll -first of all throw a loop around the old shanty, -so nobody c’n skip out, and then start in to -comb it from attic to cellar. All I’m hoping -is that they don’t think to carry Felix further -away in that little flivver car, you know.”</p> -<p>“Huh! say, Bud, d’ye know that’s just what’s -been bothering me right along,” admitted -Blake. “Everything hinges on our finding -that bunch hiding at the house alongside the -road. I wish we were there, so we’d know -the worst.”</p> -<p>“Brace up, Blake,” said Bud, encouragingly. -“I’ve got a hunch that it’s all going to come -off gilt-edged. Show your colors, old fellow, -and don’t forget that a scout can keep his fears -under control.”</p> -<p>After that Blake fell quiet. Perhaps he realized -that it was foolish to give way to these -doubts, just as Bud meant to imply. Silently -the little detachment advanced along the road, -the four armed soldiers bringing up the rear. -Once they were challenged, for videttes had -been posted even outside the limits of the big -military camp, since strict army rules prevailed, -and in a hostile country this would be -the practice. The captain, however, gave the -password in the ear of the man who suddenly -challenged them, and they were permitted to -move along.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<p>After this had kept up for possibly fifteen -minutes, the boys knew they must be close upon -the object of their search. Johnston had, in -the beginning, said it was less than two miles -away, and hence, at any moment now, they -might expect to hear a low command to halt, -after which the captain would give directions -governing their future movements.</p> -<p>Eagerly, Blake was straining his eyes in -hopes of discovering some sort of house -ahead. More than once he thought he had hit -upon it, only to find, upon drawing near, that -a clump of trees formed the dark shadow patch -upon which his gaze had settled.</p> -<p>But all things must have an end, and in due -time the guide of the expedition signified that -they were now within stone’s throw of their -destination. The captain beckoned them to -gather around him, after which in whispers he -designated every one’s part in the venture.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>The four privates were to circle the house, -guarding every exit, whether this be a door or -window. Their orders were to hail first, and -then, if the fleeing party refused to halt, to -shoot, though trying to “pepper” the man’s -legs rather than mortally injure him.</p> -<p>As for the three scouts, they were to accompany -the captain and Johnston, whose intention -it was to enter the building and arrest the -inmates.</p> -<p>When Blake heard this he fairly quivered -with an excess of emotion and zeal. He was -only too delighted at such a chance to be “in -at the death,” as he mentally termed it. How -good it was of their friend the captain to allow -them this privilege. Most army officers -would have considered boys a nuisance, and, -doubtless, ordered them to stay back until -things had shaped themselves, and the danger -was past; but then Captain Barclay lived -in Oakvale, and knew just how bravely the -scouts had carried themselves on numberless -occasions.</p> -<p>All of them could see the house, for they -were creeping forward again. It happened to -be upon the side of the road where the low-lying -moon’s rays did not fall, so that the -shadows were fairly dense; but sharp eyes -could make it out.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_146">146</div> -<p>Blake was glad to notice that all seemed as -still as death around the place. So far as he -could see, there was no sign of a light visible. -If the inmates were awake and burning a lamp, -they must have first carefully drawn the -shades, and otherwise darkened the windows, -for try as Blake might, he failed to detect even -a narrow shaft of illumination.</p> -<p>A near-panic gripped the boy’s rapidly beating -heart. He feared that those they sought -might not be at the roadhouse—that when the -man in the flivver had arrived with Felix in his -car they may have continued the flight, and by -this time were many miles away.</p> -<p>However, Blake’s fright was of short duration. -He remembered what Bud had said -about mastering himself, and thus managed -to get a firm grip on his weak heart.</p> -<p>Great care was taken while advancing to -keep well in the shadow. Although everything -seemed so still about the place, there was no -telling whether the suspected inmates of the -house were on guard or not. For all they knew, -hostile eyes might be peering out from some -crack, and ordinary caution required that they -take just as much pains as though they knew -this for a certainty.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<p>By motions rather than even the lowest of -words the captain stationed his four men. He -had evidently planned his every move, and -there was to be no hitch that would imperil the -success of the enterprise.</p> -<p>When the armed guards had been placed, -the next thing was to approach the door and -knock. Blake again had a chilly feeling attack -as he realized that the crisis was now at -hand, when success or failure would follow. -If repeated knocking went without any response, -the chances were the house had been -abandoned, and that they would have had all -their trouble for their pains. Of course, -though, Blake told himself, they would give -the place a thorough overhauling, so as to -make sure those they sought were not hiding.</p> -<p>Well, there was one comfort that appealed -to him. This lay in the letter which Felix had -written, and now in the possession of Hugh -Hardin. If the worst came they could open -that, and always have a chance that it would -be what they wanted, an apology meant for -Uncle Reuben’s eye.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_148">148</div> -<p>The captain had stepped boldly up to the -door. Blake saw him place his ear close to -the panels, after trying the knob and finding -that a key had been turned in the lock, for -the door refused to open. If Captain Barclay -detected the least sign of human occupancy, he -gave no indication of it; but he did knock -loudly with his knuckles.</p> -<p>Everybody listened intently. The four uniformed -guards had been cautioned to keep out -of sight, and the shadows engulfed them. Had -any one peered from a window he would have -been able to see nothing, unless in some manner -he managed to glimpse that little group -on the stone step before the door.</p> -<p>But some person was certainly moving inside, -for even Blake heard sounds indicating -such a thing. The officer waited a minute, -and then again thumped lustily on the panel. -A glimmer of light was seen, telling them that -some one approached; then came the sound of -a key turned in the lock, after which the door -swung partly open, revealing a man standing -there, holding a lighted lamp.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<h2 id="c14">CHAPTER XIV -<br /><span class="small">A SUCCESSFUL ROUND-UP</span></h2> -<p>“Don’t drop that lamp if you value your -life!” called out Captain Barclay, as he immediately -covered the startled man with a -weapon.</p> -<p>“That’s him, Captain—it’s Luther Gregory!” -shrilled Blake, forgetting that as the captain -lived in Oakvale he must also have known -the other in times gone by.</p> -<p>Luther Gregory it was for a fact, and Hugh, -upon discovering this, felt a wave of relief -rushing over him. He believed they were going -to meet with success in their undertaking, -and that all would come out well.</p> -<p>“What’s all this mean?” exclaimed the man -who held the lamp.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>Hugh immediately started to relieve him of -the light, for he was afraid that a sudden -desperate move toward escape might be inaugurated -by the plotter dropping the lamp, -and causing either an explosion, or darkness -to cover the scene.</p> -<p>“Only that you are under arrest, Gregory, -charged with unlawfully taking an enlisted -man out of camp against his will.”</p> -<p>With that the captain summoned one of the -guards and placed him at the side of the prisoner. -When Luther Gregory saw this he -laughed and shrugged his shoulders after the -fashion of a reckless man who, having played -for high stakes, sees his castles in the air falling -in ruins, and cares little what becomes of -him.</p> -<p>“Oh! the game is up, is it?” he called out. -“Well, you won’t hear a squeal from me. I -haven’t done anything so terrible that the Government, -or the State, either, can hold me for -it. Coaxing an enlisted man to desert might -seem a crime, but inviting him to visit you, and -spend the evening is another. You can’t prove -a thing against me, try as hard as you please.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<p>“We’ll see about that later on,” said the officer, -grimly. “Meanwhile we’ll take a look -through this house, and make the acquaintance -of your confederate in crime. Come with me, -boys; fetch him in also, Private Fielder, and -keep a tight hold on his arm. Remember you -are at liberty to shoot if he tries to break -away.”</p> -<p>“I’m not so great a fool as to take such -chances, Captain,” the other told him.</p> -<p>When from the hall they stepped into the -adjoining room Blake gave utterance to a low -cry of mingled concern and joy, for the very -first thing his eyes discovered was a figure -lying on a cot. He flew across the apartment -and bent down.</p> -<p>“It’s Felix, boys, sure it is my cousin!” he -called out. “Don’t you know me, Felix? Oh! -Hugh, what ails him, do you think? See how -he stares at me, just as if he didn’t recognize -me one bit. Is he sick, Hugh; or have those -men done something to make him act so -queerly?”</p> -<p>The scout master knew.</p> -<p>“I think they’ve given him some sort of -drug, Blake,” he went on to say, laying a hand -on Blake’s shoulder, for he realized that the -boy was terribly wrought up. “He’s already -recovering, and will be himself soon.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<p>“Is that the truth, Gregory?” demanded the -captain, harshly frowning upon the prisoner, -who, however, was too clever to commit himself -so early in the game.</p> -<p>“Why, the fact is,” he remarked, airily, with -a light laugh, “Cousin Felix commenced to act -strangely soon after coming here to visit me. -I thought he was going to have a fit, and -coaxed him to lie down there as you see. He -is getting better, though, and will be himself -before very long. But his mind is apt to be -clouded, more or less; and I shouldn’t be much -surprised if he even got it into his silly head -to think I had something to do with his leaving -the camp, and coming here to visit.”</p> -<p>Captain Barclay understood what the sly -schemer was aiming to do. He smiled in a -satirical way, and then remarked:</p> -<p>“You’ll not be able to hoodwink the eyes of -a judge and jury when you’re placed on trial -for this nasty business, Gregory. You’ve -played a high hand, but this time you’re going -to get your reward, and see the inside of a -State’s prison. But let’s take a look around, -and see what’s become of your accomplice; for -since I noticed his little car drawn under a shed -back of the house, I take it he must still be -somewhere around.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<p>At that Hugh and Bud began to take fresh -interest in the case, though Blake apparently had -eyes only for his cousin, over whom he was -bending, trying to hold the attention of Felix -by continual talking. The scout instinct was -strong in the makeup of the two lads, and no -sooner had the captain suggested a hunt to -find the missing tool of the arch schemer than -they began to use their eyes in searching out -every possible place where a small man might -conceal himself in an emergency.</p> -<p>They had good reason to feel anything but -kindly disposed toward that man of the flivver. -Not only did he curtly decline to assist -them when they had engine trouble, but had -afterwards done everything in his power to -hold them up on the way to camp. The memory -of the country constable who believed them -to be thieves running away with a car they -had taken, as well as what happened at the -burning bridge, were things not calculated to -make them feel very friendly toward the unscrupulous -man who had been responsible for -these various happenings.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>Hugh noticed almost immediately that while -there was no blaze in the big open fireplace, -there did seem to be an unusual amount of -soot on the hearth. This must have given him -his cue, for he stepped forward, bent down, and -tried to see up the wide-throated chimney.</p> -<p>“See anything up there, Hugh?” asked -Bud, close at his elbow.</p> -<p>“Look at my face and tell me if you see little -patches of black on it?” demanded the scout -master, turning his head to his comrade for -examination.</p> -<p>“Just what there are, Hugh!” exclaimed the -other, joyfully, “which announces the fact that -<i>somebody</i> is up there in that chimney. How’ll -you get Mr. Coon to come down?”</p> -<p>“Captain, please lend me your revolver,” -said Hugh, in a loud voice, purposely intended -to pass up the chimney flue. “It’s got six cartridges -in the chambers hasn’t it, Captain? -Well, they ought to be enough to fetch him -down, dead or alive.”</p> -<p>Instantly there came a half-muffled groan, -and then following an appeal:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>“Hold on please, don’t shoot! I’m coming -down just as fast as I can. Oh! I’m nearly -choked to death with the soot up here. Wait -for me, please!”</p> -<p>More black stuff came down in a shower. -Hugh stepped back, and with a grin on his -face, Bud followed suit. They heard considerable -scratching and puffing from inside the -chimney, after which there came a thud.</p> -<p>“Oh! what is it?” gasped Bud as he stared -at a dusky object that huddled there on the -open hearth amidst the piles of soot.</p> -<p>“It’s me,” piped up a half strangled voice. -“Jones is my name, Pliny Jones, and, as usual, -playing in tough luck. I’ll turn State’s evidence, -gentlemen, if you can promise me immunity. -But what I want most of all just -now is a plain drink of water, because I’m -choking horribly. Please accommodate a poor -wretch, one of you boys.”</p> -<p>Bud could not resist the appeal, though he -was quivering with half suppressed laughter, -for it was decidedly comical to see what a sight -the small owner of the flivver had made of -himself by crowding into the recesses of the -chimney—a negro could not have been any -blacker, Bud felt sure.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>By slow degrees Felix seemed to be coming -out of his stupor. He had already managed to -recognize Blake Merton, though it was hard -for him to realize just where he was, and what -had happened to him. In fact, his mind was always -in somewhat of a haze concerning the -events of the last few hours.</p> -<p>He later on remembered being spoken to by -the small man in the car, who had found a -way to enter the camp. The other had whispered -to him that he was the bearer of an -important message from his Uncle Reuben; -and as Felix just then was mourning the recent -unfortunate break with his guardian, he gave -a ready ear to a request to join the other at -a certain spot outside the limits of the camp, -knowing he could get permission to go there.</p> -<p>He also remembered being told to lean forward, -and take a look at some paper held by -the other, and that a sudden vertigo seized -him as a handkerchief was clapped over his -face. After that it was all vague, although he -believed he had been stowed away in the small -car, and driven a short distance, and only now -to awaken from a dream to find Blake there. -Some strange things taking place puzzled -him greatly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>It was difficult to believe that such a kidnaping -could actually have taken place, and yet -the evidence of it lay before them. The captain -had the two prisoners taken away, to be -confined in the guard house until morning, -when he expected to put their case in the hands -of the commanding general, who, being a lawyer -himself, would know what to do with them, -so that they might be made to suffer for their -miserable work.</p> -<p>Felix, having recovered in part, was taken -in the small car to camp, the scouts following -after with Johnston the aviator, from whom -Bud picked up many hints as they strode along.</p> -<p>Later on that same night Hugh, Blake and -Bud gathered in a tent with the genial captain, -who was, of course, deeply interested in their -affairs, and anxious to see the outcome.</p> -<p>Felix was also present, having by that time -fully recovered from his recent adventure, -though still pale. Here the story was gone -over again, in order that the two listeners -might get a full comprehension of the facts.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_158">158</div> -<p>They seemed to be deeply interested as the -recital progressed, now one of the trio taking -it upon himself to do the explaining, and then -another, until in the end everything had been -made clear.</p> -<p>“And now,” said Hugh, in conclusion, when -they had come down to the place where the -capture of the schemers was effected at the -roadside house, “here’s the letter they found -in your tent, Felix, addressed to Uncle Reuben, -and which you evidently meant to mail in the -morning. Blake was crazy to open it, and see -how you felt toward your guardian, but I held -him back,—although we would have had to do -it in case we failed to find you by noon tomorrow. -You can do as you please about showing -us what you wrote.”</p> -<p>Felix never hesitated a moment, but, tearing -an end from the envelope, handed the enclosure -to the scout master.</p> -<p>“Read it out loud, please, Hugh,” he said -simply, yet with a gleam of pride and satisfaction -in his voice and manner.</p> -<p>Hugh hastened to do as he was told. The -letter proved to be long, and need not be given -here, but it was certainly just what might have -been expected from a quick tempered lad like -Felix, who often said things hastily, and then -bitterly repented of them afterwards. Hugh -knew that Uncle Reuben would treasure that -manly apology as a most precious document.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<p>“It’s all right, Felix; couldn’t be better!” -cried Blake, seizing the young guardsman’s -hand and wringing it enthusiastically. “You’re -going to give me that letter, sealed in another -envelope and addressed to Uncle Reuben. -Then first thing in the morning I’ll get him on -the ’phone and tell him all about it, so his mind -will be easy in case anything prevents us from -getting back home by tomorrow night.”</p> -<p>So it was all arranged. The captain joined -in congratulating Felix over the successful outcome -of his escapade.</p> -<p>“I hope this will be a lesson to you, my boy, -all your life,” he told him, seriously, as became -a commanding officer, “and that you’ll learn to -bridle your tongue. Lots of trouble is caused -in this world by people saying things they’re -sure to regret afterwards. But let me tell -you, Felix, you owe all your present condition -of liberty and happiness to these bright and -bustling scout friends of yours. Once more -Oakvale has reason to be proud of her boys; -and I mean that the story of this trip to the -mobilization camp isn’t kept like a light hidden -under a bushel. Others ought to hear about -such praiseworthy work, in order that they -may emulate the example set by Hugh and his -two chums.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_160">160</div> -<p>The good captain would not hear of the -scouts leaving the camp that night. They -could occupy a spare tent that he was only too -happy to offer them. The arrangement made -with the commanding general would answer -for this; and, besides, in the morning he -wanted them to meet the “head boss” of the -camp, who must hear the story of their late -adventures, for it happened that he had boys -of his own who belonged to a troop, and the -general was deeply interested in all that concerned -scout activities.</p> -<p>So we may leave Hugh and Bud and Blake -there, to get what sleep they could amidst such -strange surroundings. In thus saying goodbye -to the boys of the Oakvale Troop, however, -it is with the assurance that such active -fellows cannot rest long without engaging in -further ventures which will demand our attention, -and necessitate another volume to tell the -story of their successes.</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">THE END.</span></p> -<h2>Footnotes</h2> -<div class="fnblock"><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_1" href="#fr_1">[1]</a>See “The Boy Scouts’ Rally to the Colors.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_2" href="#fr_2">[2]</a>See “The Boy Scouts as Forest Fire Fighters.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_3" href="#fr_3">[3]</a>See “The Boy Scouts’ Rally to the Colors.” -</div> -</div> -<h2 id="tn">Transcriber’s Notes</h2><ul><li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Added a Table of Contents based on chapter headings.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings, dialect, and name inconsistencies unchanged.</li> -<li>Note that the villain “Luke” Gregory suddenly assumes the alias “Luther” for no explicitly stated reason.</li> -<li>Note that the recruit Mr. “Johnson” becomes Mr. “Johnston” (with a passing fling as “Mr. Lawrence”.)</li> -<li>Note that one of the books mentioned in footnotes, “The Boy Scouts’ Rally to the Colors.”, apparently was never published.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li></ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp, by -Robert Shaler - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS AT MOBILIZATION CAMP *** - -***** This file should be named 50224-h.htm or 50224-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/2/50224/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp - -Author: Robert Shaler - -Release Date: October 15, 2015 [EBook #50224] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS AT MOBILIZATION CAMP *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE BOY SCOUTS - AT - MOBILIZATION CAMP - - - BY - ROBERT SHALER - - AUTHOR OF "THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE SIGNAL CORPS," "THE BOY SCOUTS OF - PIONEER CAMP," ETC., ETC. - - - NEW YORK - HURST & COMPANY - PUBLISHERS - - Copyright, 1918, by - Hurst & Co., Inc. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER. PAGE. - I Good Luck 5 - II A Breakdown on the Road 18 - III Rising Suspicions 30 - IV The Hold-up 39 - V An Echo from the Past 48 - VI The Burning Bridge 62 - VII The Accusation 73 - VIII In the Mobilization Camp 84 - IX the Disappearance of Felix 95 - X Bud Morgan on the Scent 106 - XI The Value of a Good Reputation 117 - XII The Search Squad 128 - XIII The House by the Roadside 140 - XIV A Successful Round-up 149 - - - - - The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp - - - - - CHAPTER I - GOOD LUCK - - -"Honest Injun, Hugh, I never wanted to go anywhere half so much as I do -right now to drop in at that State camp where the militia has started -mobilizing." - -"Just so, Bud, and, to tell you the truth, I'm feeling the same way -myself. Ever since we scouts waved good-bye to our gallant Battery K -some five miles up the road, and watched the last gun, caisson and -supply wagon disappear over the crown of Kettledrum Hill, I've had that -picture in my mind." - -"Say, I wager things are just _humming_ over at that same camp, Hugh," -sighed the first boy in faded khaki, "Bud" Morgan by name, and a member -of Oakvale's famous Boy Scout Troop. - -"They certainly must be," admitted his comrade, who wore the insignia of -rank that marks not only a patrol leader, but an assistant scout master -as well. "This morning's paper says that besides our fellows, there is a -full regiment already in camp, not to mention other commands, such as -the Engineers', Signal Corps and Red Cross detachments." - -"Don't forget to count the Aviation Squad, Hugh," added Bud, eagerly. -"You know, I'm head over ears interested in the birdmen and their -doings, as well as in signaling, surveying and inventions." - -"Yes, it certainly must be a glorious sight," Hugh said enviously. "To -tell you the truth, old fellow, I'm lying awake nights trying to think -up some reasonable excuse for paying a flying visit to the concentration -camp." - -"Anyhow," remarked Bud, brightening up a little, "we can squeeze some -satisfaction out of the fact that the scouts had a heap to do with -getting Battery K off to the camp with their roster on a full war -footing."[1] - -"We've undertaken an all-summer job helping to run the Pastor farm for -the crippled old man, so his boy, Corporal Tony, could go to the Mexican -border with his company. That's one way scouts can help Uncle Sam when -trouble comes along. It's partly on account of that promise I'm holding -back about leaving Oakvale." - -"Oh! so far as that goes, Hugh," said Bud, slyly, after the manner of a -tempter, "you've got the programme all laid out, and Alec Sands could -take your place for a week. The site for the camp we expect to start up -there near the Pastor farm has been arranged, so the boys would make the -hike, and then be handy in getting the hay crop cut, and have it taken -to the barn inside of ten days. If you took a notion, Hugh, don't you -think the two of us might manage to get away? Try hard and think up some -good excuse for making the trip. A dozen people here in Oakvale would -want to send messages and packages to their boys, you know." - -Hugh Hardin laughed at the entreating manner of his companion. They were -standing at the time in front of the post office building, where people -kept coming and going in squads and singly, for that was one of the -busiest places in the mill town of Oakvale. - -Hugh and Bud both belonged to the _Wolf_ Patrol of the troop, which was -in a most flourishing condition, having four full patrols, and another -well along. These enterprising lads of Oakvale had been more or less in -the limelight for several seasons past. Circumstances had allowed them -to engineer quite a number of really successful enterprises that were -one and all to their credit. Those readers who may be only making their -acquaintance with Hugh and his friends in this story, if at all curious -to know what some of those stirring adventures were, should secure -previous volumes in this series, and enjoy reading accounts of scout -activities as related therein. - -One thing certain, those same enterprising and ambitious scouts had -succeeded in convincing the most skeptical persons that the coming to -town of such an organization had been the means of a regeneration among -the boys of Oakvale. Many things had been tolerated under the old order, -with the familiar excuse that "boys will be boys, and you must expect -them to play practical pranks, and do all manner of shocking things in -order to work off their extra enthusiasm," but such outbreaks were quite -unknown in these later days. The reason was that a new means for -allowing the high-spirited lads to "let off steam" had been found. - -On the morning the call of the President came summoning the National -Guard to mobilize, with a view to being sworn into the service of the -Government, so as to proceed forthwith to the Mexican border, and guard -the same against aggression, it sent a thrill across the entire country -from the Atlantic to the Pacific. - -Tens of thousands of young fellows flocked to the armories, and the most -intense excitement followed, as hurried preparations were started -looking toward increasing these various military organizations from a -peace to a war footing. - -Oakvale had a battery of four guns, together with such equipment as was -necessary for utilizing these field pieces; but just then it happened, -as in many similar organizations, that the roster contained just enough -names to prevent the company from being disbanded under the law by the -State authorities. - -Consequently a feverish hunt began to enlist new units, or, what was -better yet, former members who had left the ranks to sign again, so as -to swell the number to a high level of which the town might be proud. - -In this little drama it chanced that Hugh and his fellow scouts bore -themselves right handsomely, so that it was chiefly owing to their manly -efforts that a number of former members came forward again to put their -names down. - -After a very eventful period of preparation, which lasted for several -days, Battery K had started for the mobilization camp. As connections on -the railroad did not happen to favor them, they concluded to make the -trip overland, knowing that it would take less than two full days, and -must prove of considerable benefit to both men and horses in the way of -practice, which they greatly needed. - -Once more Oakvale had settled down to the humdrum monotony of customary -life. Things resumed their former conditions, but after the feverish -outburst of patriotism people found it difficult to attend to business. -They missed the faces of those gallant young fellows who had gone to -serve their country. So, too, they found things terribly dull after all -that exhilarating music which the fine Oakvale brass band had provided -while the battery lay encamped on the grass-covered public square. They -missed the enlisting officers' tent, surrounded day and evening by a -curious throng, where the khaki-clad men urged their friends to sign the -muster roll so as to bring the local company up to a war footing. - -Some of the boys had been inconsolable ever since they watched the last -of the troop vanish over the hill, as Hugh had described. Being -ambitious and patriotic lads, they would have liked nothing better than -a chance to accompany those artillerymen to camp, and even to the far -distant Southwest border where the followers of the Mexican bandit, -Villa, were threatening further bold raids across the international -line. - -Never dreaming of having their ardent wishes suddenly realized, the two -boys continued to stand there, chatting of scout affairs in general, and -what they expected to do while in camp in particular. Bud, upon turning -his head, discovered something which he communicated to Hugh in his -breezy fashion: - -"Unless I miss my guess, Hugh, we're going to hear some news worth -while. There's our comrade, Blake Merton, heading this way like a -schooner with all sails set. He looks considerably worked up, too. I -wonder what ails him? Perhaps something's happened to keep him from -joining the bunch when we start on our hike tomorrow for that camp up -near the Pastor farm?" - -Hugh, taking a look, remarked calmly: - -"We'll soon know what's up, for he's heading our way, and making signals -that he wants us to wait for him. I hope it hasn't anything to do with -that case of scarlet fever my folks were talking about this morning, -because it happens that the Werner house is close to where Blake lives. -If one of his younger sisters came down with the disease they'd have to -quarantine the Mertons, and so Blake couldn't go with us." - -"Wee whiz! that _would_ be tough luck--with vacation just starting in!" -the sympathetic Bud went on to say. - -"Hello! Hugh!" remarked the newcomer as he arrived, partly out of breath -from hurrying so fast, and looking excited as well, "I've been searching -for you all over town. They put me on several false scents, but I'm -awful glad to find you at last!" - -"What's the trouble, Blake?" asked the patrol leader; for, although the -Merton boy belonged to the _Hawk_ Patrol, somehow, when he wanted -counsel and advice, he turned to the assistant scout master rather than -to Walter Osborne, who was the _Hawk_ leader. - -Blake glanced toward Bud, and then, as though making up his mind, -quickly exclaimed: - -"I guess Bud can be depended on to keep a secret as tight as a drum, and -so I'm going to speak up. Fact is, Hugh, I'm in a peck of trouble about -my cousin, Felix Platt." - -"Oh! I remember that he went away with the battery, being a member of -the same," Hugh observed. "What ails Felix? Has his mother fallen sick, -and ought he come home again before being mustered into Uncle Sam's -service?" - -Blake Merton shook his head. - -"No, it isn't that, Hugh, worse than that, even, I should say!" he -declared. - -"Well, you've got us worked up, all right, Blake," exclaimed Bud, -feverishly, "so please explain what you mean when you say that. I hope -your cousin hasn't gone and done something wrong?" - -"He's made a fool of himself, I'm sorry to say, and stands a good chance -of losing all his uncle's property. You must know that Uncle Reuben is -his guardian as well, and has made his will in favor of Felix, so as to -cut off that bad son of his who disgraced him several times." - -"Yes, we know all about what Luther Gregory has done to worry his -father," admitted Bud, encouragingly. "But Reuben isn't any blood -relation of yours, is he?" - -"Oh! no, though Felix happens to be my second cousin. You see, they had -some warm words the night before the battery left town, and Felix, being -a hot-blooded young fellow, said something he shouldn't, and which has -cut Uncle Reuben to the quick. Just this morning the old gentleman had -his lawyer, Judge Marshall, to change his will once more, cutting off -Felix. The good old judge managed to coax him to wait a bit; and so -Uncle Reuben has vowed that if he doesn't receive an apology from Felix -by sundown of tomorrow, nothing will keep him from doing as he -threatens, much as he has cared for the boy since his own son failed -him. Yes, he threatens to leave every dollar of his big fortune to -charity." - -"That's too bad," mused Hugh, shaking his head, for he had always liked -Felix, who was a pretty fine sort of a young chap, as they go in these -days. "But how is it you come to know about this matter, Blake?" - -"Just this way, Hugh," came the ready reply. "Uncle Reuben made Judge -Marshall promise that he wouldn't communicate with Felix, or send him -any direct word; but, having the best interests of all parties at stake, -and, believing the old man would secretly applaud his action if ever he -knew it, the judge called to me over the wire to drop in right away and -see him. Then he told me about it, not suggesting a single thing, mind -you, but leaving it up to me to do what I thought best, because he knew -how fond of Felix I've always been." - -"Well, then," said Hugh, beaming on him, "why don't you get busy, and -write Felix a letter right away, explaining the case, and begging him to -send the apology? By now he's cooled down, and ten chances to one is -mighty sorry for speaking as he did." - -"Hugh, I thought of that the first thing, but what if the letter didn't -reach him?" objected Blake, frowning as he spoke. - -"You could register it, or send with a quick delivery stamp," remarked -Bud. - -"Even then there would always be a lot of uncertainty about it," -continued the other, stubbornly. - -"Evidently, then, you've got some other dandy scheme up your sleeve!" -exclaimed Bud, suspiciously. "Let's hear about it, Blake, if you need -any advice." - -"Well, I've always believed that when you want anything done, the only -safe way is to do it yourself. You remember the bird telling her young -ones in the nest that so long as the farmer depended on his relatives -and friends to help cut the wheat there was no need for worry; but when -finally he told his son they'd start in and do the job themselves the -mother bird admitted it was time for flitting. Now, Hugh, I've got a -hunch that if only you'd go along with me to give advice, I'd make a -start for the mobilization camp right away, and tell Felix face to face -what a fool he has been, as well as fetch back a letter for Uncle Reuben -that would heal all the bitter feelings in the old gentleman's heart. -What do you say to that, Hugh?" - - - - - CHAPTER II - A BREAKDOWN ON THE ROAD - - -Hugh and Bud exchanged glances, and then the latter burst into a laugh. - -"Blake, bless your heart, of course Hugh will be glad to go along with -you over to the big State camp so you can tell Felix what a silly he's -made of himself. You know, scouts are always ready to perform a good -deed, and bringing Uncle Reuben and his favorite nephew together again -would be just bully. And, say, you've got to count me in the deal, -ditto, understand?" - -"Why, I don't know just how that might be?" stammered Blake; when -energetic Bud broke in upon him with a vigor that would brook no -refusal. - -"I'll tell you several reasons for my going along, Blake," he said, -tapping one finger after another. "First off, it happens that Hugh and -myself were just saying we only wanted some half-way decent excuse for -deserting the other fellows right now, and heading straight for the big -camp. Then, secondly, I c'n get a sort of decent old car in which we -could make the run, if nothing happened to ditch us on the road. Then, -last, but far from least, I want to go! And that settles it." - -"All right, Bud," agreed the other, carried away by this enthusiasm and -desire to serve a comrade in trouble, "what you say goes. That idea -about the car is a good one. Hugh, you haven't told me what you think -yet; please help me out of this pickle, won't you?" - -"Oh! just as Bud here remarked," laughed the patrol leader. "I'm like a -hungry fish biting at the first baited hook I see ahead of me. I -certainly do want to go over to that mobilization camp the worst way, -and the only thing that kept me from starting was the want of a decent -excuse. Now that a comrade has called on me to assist him, there's no -further reason for holding back!" - -"Bully for you, Hugh!" exclaimed Bud Morgan, beaming happily on his two -comrades. - -"I just knew I could depend on you to help me tide over this trouble, -Hugh," said Blake, grasping the other's hand, and squeezing it warmly. -"Now that we've got all that fixed, let's make the necessary -arrangements as soon as we can; time counts in a game like this; and, -besides, I've got certain reasons for fearing there may be -interruptions." - -He did not choose to enter into any explanation for these rather strange -words, seeing which Hugh presently went on to say: - -"I'll get in touch with Alec Sands, the leader of the _Otters_, and tell -him that he must take charge of things for some days while I'm away. -Alec can see about the hike tomorrow; making camp up there near the -Pastor farm; and even starting in at the hay-cutting if we're not back -in time. Fortunately, Alec knows considerable along the line of farm -work; and then, too, old Mr. Pastor can coach the boys." - -"But, Hugh, please don't drop a hint about why you've got to go over to -the big camp," pleaded Blake. "You see, it might happen to get to the -ears of Uncle Reuben, and offend him. That's got to be a dead secret -between the three of us until I can put a letter from Felix in his -guardian's hand, and know the old gentleman's really forgiven him for -his hasty words." - -"We'll both shake hands with you on that, Blake," said Hugh, wishing to -make sure that Bud would be willing to take the same vow of secrecy on -himself. - -When this operation had been completed, Blake appeared to be much -relieved. - -"How long do you expect it will take you to see Alec, and arrange other -things, Hugh?" he asked. - -"Oh!" the patrol leader immediately replied, "so far as that goes, I -believe an hour ought to cover everything, such as telling my folks at -home, and getting Alec to take charge. How about you two?" - -"I can do it in far less time," admitted Blake. - -"Same here, unless the old car has to be fixed in some way. Generally -the tires aren't holding any too well," explained Bud. "But, then, a -fellow mustn't look a gift horse in the mouth; all it'll cost us is the -gas and lubricating oil. We c'n fix that up among us easy enough, eh, -boys?" - -So it was agreed that they should rendezvous at a certain spot as soon -as possible. If Hugh could accomplish his several errands in any shorter -time so much the better, he remarked. The three boys hastened away in as -many different directions, each one making all possible speed, for their -hearts were evidently in the work that now engaged their attention. - -So well did luck stand by them, that before three-quarters of an hour -had passed by the trio met again at the appointed place. Each carried a -small package, and, besides, Bud had driven up in a rather dilapidated -looking old car that doubtless had a past history, and now quite out of -the running where speed was considered a prime requisite. - -Still, as Bud himself had remarked, it was not polite to be too -particular of a gift. The car might carry them in safety over the forty -miles or more that lay between Oakvale and the mobilization camp; then, -again, they might have a few punctures or blowouts, for the tires were -certainly in poor condition. - -Hugh looked the machine over, and raised his eyebrows expressively; -whereat Bud hastened to say: - -"Don't condemn the old rattletrap yet awhile, Hugh. Sometimes things -turn out mighty deceptive, you remember. She's seen heaps of service in -her day, for a fact, and been pretty dependable, too, I wager. May be -she'll behave scrumptuously for us on this trip. We're going on an -errand of mercy, and deserve encouragement, for a fact. Jump in, -fellows, and we'll get started." - -So they were soon off. The car groaned and wheezed when power was -applied, and Blake looked pretty anxious until finally they began to -move along the road out of Oakvale at a fair clip. - -"Say, she seems to go pretty decent, after all!" declared the driver, -for Bud, likewise Hugh, knew much about the mechanism of cars, and could -pilot one as well as any boy around Oakvale. Blake was a novice at such -things. - -"We must be making as much as ten miles an hour right now!" laughed -Hugh. - -"Which rate of speed, if continued, would fetch us to the camp in less -than five hours, wouldn't it?" demanded the now sanguine Blake. - -"Oh! well, the worst is yet to come!" grinned Bud Morgan. "You see, -we're going on the level now, and there happens to be some pretty tough -old hills which have to be surmounted before we reach our haven. Hills -can play hob with most old worn-out cars. I'm not boasting any yet, -Blake, you notice; hold your horses, and we'll see what happens." - -For some little time they continued to move along fairly well, and a -number of miles were placed behind them. Indeed, they had even managed -to climb several good-sized elevations; and, although once it seemed as -though the machinery was about to give up with a last groan, clever Bud -managed to pull the machine to the top of the rise, so that they could -coast down the declivity, which they did in great style. - -"She can run like a bird, once you cut the power off, and let her -coast," shrilled the enthusiastic pilot, as they continued to "scoot" -along the level below. - -"Whee! but look what's ahead of us?" cried Blake, in an appalled tone. - -"Oh! that hill isn't half as bad as it seems," Bud told him. "I'm going -to take it on the run, and get to the top, all right, watch me!" - -He made an heroic effort to accomplish the end he had in view, and, in -fact, did manage to negotiate more than three-fourths of the climb. Then -suddenly the engine gave up the ghost, and only through a frantic use of -the brake did the pilot keep the car from starting backward down the -steep incline. - -"Well, here we are, held up!" he remarked, calmly; "it's up to me to get -busy and see what's wrong." - -"I'll help you to it, Bud," Hugh told him, stripping off his coat, and -donning one of the old linen dusters Bud had thoughtfully fetched along -for just this purpose, since he suspected they would find good use for -it. - -They were a busy bunch for the next hour, the two boys most of the time -working under the car and Blake hovering near, growing more and more -anxious as the precious minutes slipped past. - -"How far have we come, do you reckon, Hugh?" he asked once. - -"I should say about seventeen miles," the other replied, after mental -figuring; "though that's only a guess, because we don't happen to have -any way of telling. This car isn't equipped with a cyclometer, you know, -or any other thing that costs money. I'm surprised that the tires have -held out so well." - -"That isn't much more than one-third of the way to camp, either," -declared Blake, disconsolately. "I'm wondering what I could do in case, -after all your work, you fail to coax the poor old engine into going -again. It'll be too bad if we get to the camp too late to carry that -letter back to Uncle Reuben in time; for he is a terrible man to keep -his word, and he'll make that new will tomorrow night as sure as -anything, unless he hears from Felix by sundown." - -"Well, if it comes to the worst," Hugh told him, soothingly, "you could -wire Uncle Reuben to hold up, and that a letter was on the way with an -ample apology. I suppose you don't have any doubt about Felix giving you -such a letter, Blake?" - -"No, I don't, Hugh. Not that he cares so much about the old gentleman's -money, because, you see, he has some of his own coming to him in another -year or so; but Felix is a good-hearted fellow, and really cares a heap -for his guardian." - -Meanwhile, Bud Morgan was working with all his might, trying to locate -and cure the engine trouble. Bud was a very determined fellow, as his -chums had learned many a time in the past. Once he set his mind on -accomplishing anything he would persist everlastingly at the job, even -when it seemed next door to hopeless. - -"I'm beginning to get on to it, boys, I want to tell you," he finally -said, as he crawled out from under the car so as to stretch his cramped -limbs, and wipe the perspiration from his forehead with a bandanna that -had once upon a time been a beautiful red, but was now sadly faded. - -"But almost two hours have slipped by since our plug engine balked on -us," complained Blake Merton, painfully. "Not that I'm trying to rub it -into you fellows, because both of you are doing the work, while a -greenhorn like me has to sit around and grunt, and count the minutes. If -only some other motorist would come along about now maybe he might be -able to lend us a hand." - -"Wish to gracious one would show up," sighed Bud. "What a fellow doesn't -know about pesky engines like this would fill a book. Another pilot -might just happen to be familiar with this particular kind of trouble. -'Many men, many minds,' you remember. But don't think I'm going to give -it up. There's a little of the old U. S. Grant about me, and I purpose -'fighting it out on this line if it takes all summer.'" - -"That's a bully way of looking at it, Bud, and I give you lots of -credit," said Blake, shrugging his shoulders. "If we stick here until -tomorrow I might just as well head back toward Oakvale, for all the good -a visit to camp will do me." - -"Listen!" warned Hugh, holding up a finger. - -"Ginger! some one coming, as sure as anything!" ejaculated Bud, looking -inexpressibly relieved. - -The plain sound of an approaching car could now be heard. It was also -coming from the same direction as their course had just covered, that -is, from distant Oakvale. - -"I can see him starting to take the hill," announced Blake, eagerly, -"and, say, if it is only a flivver, it tackles the rise as if no ascent -had any terrors for it. One man is in the little car, but, then, he may -be an angel in disguise. I hope so, I certainly do." - -So the trio of anxious scouts waited for the coming of the lone motorist -whose small car was already courageously mounting the elevation. - - - - - CHAPTER III - RISING SUSPICIONS - - -The oncoming car soon reached the spot where Hugh, Bud and Blake were -stalled. Hugh threw up his arm as a signal that they would be greatly -obliged to the party in the lone machine if he would stop for a brief -time to hear their tale of woe, and either assist them, or at least give -advice. - -The occupant of the little car was a dark-faced man of middle age with -what seemed to be a perpetual smile on his face, or was it a leer? Hugh -did not like his looks any too well, he confessed to himself. When -motorists are in trouble they have no business to find any fault with -the looks of a possible Moses who might lead them out of the wilderness. -Whether he is handsome or homely, pleasant-looking or a sour-visaged man -matters little if only he is accommodating. - -"We're in a mess, it happens, sir," Hugh commenced saying. - -"So I see," sneered the man, looking suggestively at Bud's grimy hands, -and then toward the stalled ramshackle car. - -"Our knowledge of mechanics isn't all it should be," continued Hugh, -determined not to be daunted by this poor beginning, "and if you could -spare five minutes to take a look at the cause of our trouble, perhaps -you might tell us how to remedy the same. I'm sure we'd feel under heavy -obligations, sir." - -"We certainly would," added Blake; "it's of prime importance that we get -along just now, because we're heading for the mobilization camp, on an -important errand, sir. Please oblige us, won't you?" - -He tried to throw all the pathos possible into his application. Hugh -thought the man was laughing in his sleeve, so to say. At any rate, he -failed to make the first movement toward getting out of his still -throbbing car. - -As a general thing, motorists are most accommodating toward those in -distress. It seems to be a rule of the road that when the signal is -given, any one passing by must be adjudged next door to a criminal. A -fellow feeling makes all men who drive motors sympathize with one -another, for there is no telling just how soon they may themselves be in -dire need of the same help. - -"Sorry to say I'm in a desperate hurry myself, boys," snapped the man, -between his set teeth. "I'd like to help you, but any delay just now -might cost me a big amount in money. I reckon you'll get her going, some -way or other. At the worst, you could let her drop back down the hill. I -think there's a farmhouse up that little dirt road half a mile or so -where you could stay over-night. So I'll have to push along and leave -you. Sorry, too, for I'd like to help you." - -With that he once more started along, and the three scouts stared after -him struggling under various emotions. - -"The mean skunk!" gritted Bud. "I'll fix my old engine if it takes a -leg. Course, he might have shown me a better way, but I'm coming along." - -Blake Merton was shaking his head as though some new thought had taken -possession of his mind. - -"This means _something_, I tell you, Hugh!" he burst out with. "It isn't -just one of those accidents that bob up now and then. That chap was -chuckling to himself all the while, just because he had come on us -stalled here." - -"What's that?" asked Hugh, somewhat startled by such an assertion. "Why -should a stranger care whether a pack of scouts were held up with engine -trouble or not?" - -"I'll try and tell you, Hugh," came the quick reply, as Blake's eyes -snapped. "I didn't think to mention it before because--well, so many -other things chased through my brain, you know. But this is the same -fellow I saw talking to Luther Gregory." - -"You mean the degenerate son of Uncle Reuben, the tough case he threw -over, and vowed never to have anything to do with again?" gasped Bud -Morgan, stopping when about to once more crawl under the stalled car. - -"No other," came the quick reply. - -"Has he been seen again in Oakvale lately?" demanded Hugh. "I remember -that he got mixed up in some row, and his father paid the bill only on -condition that Luke promised to shake the dust of the home town off his -feet, and never show up again. If the slippery fellow hadn't agreed to -this, Mr. Gregory was going to let the law take its course, for his -patience had reached the limit." - -"Listen," said Blake, earnestly. "I saw Luke this very morning while -getting my little package, after leaving you fellows, and going home to -say good-bye to my folks. I, too, was surprised to set eyes on him, -knowing about that promise to stay away from Oakvale. He was talking -with that very man we just saw pass us. Hugh, they seemed to be on good -terms, for I saw them shake hands as if to bind some sort of bargain. -Then Luke discovered me, and gave the other a nudge. I thought that man -stared mighty hard at me as I passed, just like he meant to remember my -face. Now, I'm wondering what all that could mean." - -Hugh was silent for a brief spell. His mind was endeavoring to grapple -with the problem that confronted him. - -"It seems almost too big a thing to be true, Blake," he finally -remarked; "but if Luke Gregory could have in some way learned what his -father was meaning to do about making another will, and cutting Felix -out entirely, why, he might think it worth his while to plot so as to -keep you from seeing your cousin in Battery K." - -Bud Morgan whistled to indicate his deep interest in the matter. - -"Now, I happen to know that Luke Gregory used to be a right smart sort -of a chap when he lived in Oakvale," Bud observed. "I wager he's up to -just that kind of a game. However he could have learned the news we'll -never find out. He may have a spy among the servants in the Gregory -house, some one who used to care for him when he lived at home, and who -reported the interview his father had with Judge Marshall. Then, again, -it might be that same spy followed the lawyer, and saw him talking with -Blake here." - -"That's pretty far-fetched," admitted Hugh. "You must remember that it -was over the 'phone the judge asked Blake to come and see him. Possibly, -though, this spy in watching the lawyer's house noticed Blake going in, -and guessed why he had been sent for. But, no matter, there seems to be -a chance that Luke _did_ know, and that he believes it to be to his -interest to prevent a meeting between Blake and Felix until the time set -has expired." - -"It might be," mused Blake, "that Luke has never stopped hoping he might -yet be able to make up with his father, and that he thinks his first -move should be to get Felix out of the running. This, then, would be too -good a chance to be lost. He has started that man toward the camp, -knowing about our coming. So, now, we can understand why he seemed to be -grinning all the while." - -"It did seem to tickle him, seeing us stalled here, and likely to stay -for goodness knows how long," admitted Bud, frowning. - -Hugh took more stock in the theory the longer he considered it. Although -at first it may have seemed far-fetched, just as he had remarked, -"familiarity did not breed contempt" in this case. - -"Well, there's nothing to be done but, get our engine running again, if -we can," he said, while Bud was hammering noisily under the body of the -car. "If, in the end, that fails, we'll try and think up some other -scheme, for the more difficulties that crop up in our path, the more -stubborn we become." - -"Oh! thank you for saying that, Hugh!" exclaimed Blake. "I know mighty -well that when you've set your teeth, and start in to win, something is -bound to come from it. I was beginning to get discouraged, but, say, -that's passing away now, and I seem to be drawing in my second wind." - -Just then there came a whoop from underneath the car. - -"Cheer up, fellows!" called out a muffled voice. - -"Do you think you've found out how to fix her up so she'll work again, -Bud?" cried Blake, his face aglow with renewed hope. - -"Watch my smoke, that's all," was the reassuring reply, followed by -additional pounding; and presently Bud wriggled out from his confined -quarters, a sight to behold, so far as face and hands and discolored -duster were concerned; but Hugh paid little or no attention to these -things, because he saw that a huge grin decorated the greasy countenance -of his chum. - -Some more pottering followed. Then Bud gave the crank a few turns. There -was no response, and evidently the balky engine still declined to behave -itself. Nothing daunted, Bud tried a second, and then a third time. When -still once more he flirted with the crank there came a sudden roar, and -sure enough the car rocked under the pulsations of the conquered motor. - -"Hurrah! you've done it, Bud, sure you have!" cried the happy Blake, as -he danced up and down in his excitement. - -"Wait till I get these things back again, and wipe some of this mess -from my face and hands," said the mechanic, "and then we'll start right -up the hill with a push that can do next door to anything." - -"I really believe she's working better than ever before," suggested -Blake. - -"Well, considering what I did in cleaning things up," grinned Bud, -holding out his grimy hands, "that isn't to be wondered at. She was -fairly clogged with dirt. Give me just another minute, boys, and then -we'll be on the jump!" - - - - - CHAPTER IV - THE HOLD-UP - - -"This is something like living," Blake remarked, after they had easily -made the top of the hill, and were coasting down the other side with -increased celerity, though Bud apparently did not dare allow full speed -for fear lest something would happen to a dilapidated part of the worn -machinery, and cause a bad accident. - -All of them were pleased. Although much time had been lost, still, with -anything like decent luck, they should easily be able to make the camp -while the sun still hung above the western horizon. Blake asked for -nothing better. - -"That scamp in the flivver had nearly an hour's start of us, boys," -Blake later on observed. "By rights he ought to be ten miles and more -ahead of us, I say; but do you know I half thought I caught a glimpse of -his car when we came over the top of the last rise, and not so very far -away, either." - -"I certainly heard a sound that might have been made by a car dashing -across a short bridge ahead, there," admitted Hugh. - -"All of which looks queer to me," continued Blake. "Do you think, Hugh, -he might have held back to see how we came out of that scrape? Would he -be figuring on doing something to hold us up on the way?" - -"I don't know," was the reply of the patrol leader. "All we can do is to -keep a good lookout as we go along, and fight shy of breakers. If only -Bud can keep that engine going, we're bound to arrive, some time or -other. If that man tries to bother us, he may wish he hadn't," and the -light that shone in Hugh's eyes as he said this told how he meant every -word. - -"Huh! he wouldn't be the first fellow who felt sorry he'd fooled with -the scouts of Oakvale," boasted Bud, with memories of previous exploits -crowding his brain. "If a silly bear will monkey with a buzz-saw, he c'n -expect to get hurt, that's all." - -"Pull up!" hastily ejaculated Hugh as he saw something glisten in the -road ahead of them. - -They had just started around a bend, and were going at a fair pace at -the time. Bud put on the brake, and the car speedily came to a stand, -but, alas! just a trifle too late to avoid the breakers. There was a -sudden explosion. - -"Gee! a tire's busted!" cried Blake, in dire dismay. - -All of the boys jumped out, and it needed only one look to tell them the -truth, for the left front tire lay flat. - -"Glass!" snapped Bud, wrathfully, as he glanced around. "Just think of -anybody heaving a bottle overboard like that, when there are so many -stones around. Seems to me the least the rascal could have done would be -to throw the same into the bushes here." - -Hugh was bending over as though deeply interested, and just then he -electrified his two companions by crying out: - -"It was no accident, after all, fellows, but a part of a cleverly -arranged plot! These bottles were fetched along purposely. They were -broken right on this rock, where you can see all the fine glass; and the -pieces were put on the road so that a car couldn't pass along without -being terribly cut. See here, and here, and here!" - -Bud was furious. He gritted his teeth, and growled like a "bear with a -sore head," as he himself afterwards explained it. - -"Hugh! you're right, hang the luck if you ain't!" he went on to say, as -he looked the ground over. "That miserable skunk laid the plot, and I'm -sorry to say it worked like a charm. See how he chose a place just -around a bend, so we mightn't get warning in time by the sun glinting -from the broken glass? Oh! he's a corker of a schemer, that chap is; and -I'd like to get my hands on him! Say, what I wouldn't do to him would be -hardly worth mentioning." - -"Forget all that, Bud," cautioned wise Hugh. "That sort of talk never -mends cut tires. All of us must get busy, and see what we can do. -Luckily enough you made out to have an extra tire along, even if it's a -tough proposition. Let's make the change in double-quick time." - -All the while they worked the boys exchanged opinions, and if that man -could only have heard what they thought of him surely his ears would -have burned. - -"One thing certain," Hugh was saying later on, as the job progressed -fairly well, "this thing has settled the question about his being -interested in keeping us out of the mobilization camp." - -"Just what it has, Hugh," admitted Blake, jubilantly. "When once you -know what you're up against, the chances of winning out are stronger; -anyway, that's always been my opinion." - -"Have you cleaned off the road ahead of us, Blake?" asked Bud, "because -we'll be on the move again as soon as I get a little more air in this -tire." - -"I walked along the road for a hundred yards," replied the other, "and -found no more of the glass. I reckon he bunched it all around here, so -we couldn't dodge running smack into the same." - -"After this," said Bud, grimly, "I'll slow up whenever we come to a -turn. You never can tell what a wretch like that may have fixed around -the bend. Once bit, twice shy, isn't a bad motto. I don't mean to get -trapped in the same way again, if I know it." - -"So I was right, wasn't I?" Blake remarked, with a touch of satisfaction -in his voice, "when I said I felt sure I had seen that flivver a mile or -two ahead of us, when it should have been at least ten miles further -along?" - -"That's correct, Blake," assented Hugh; "your eyes told you the truth. -All of us will have to keep on the watch right along. The man who could -play such a mean trick on people in a car with such bad tires as this -one has would be equal to anything, in my opinion. Ready now, Bud?" - -"Yes, and that tire seems to be pretty snug," came from the hard-worked -pilot, who, however, never once complained, for Bud was not a shirker, -if he did have certain faults of his own to contend with. "I only hope -the others don't turn out to have been cut so they'll go back on us -sooner or later. Glass like this is a bad proposition when you're -running on worn rubber." - -Once more they were moving along. How keenly they kept their eyes on the -lookout for further trouble ahead could be detected by the manner in -which all three forgot to observe the scenery around them, the dusty -road monopolizing their attention. - -As the minutes continued to slip past they had the satisfaction of -knowing that they were putting the miles behind them. Five and more had -been dropped since that last accident. Blake asked further questions -concerning the probable distance over which they had now come, and as -usual Hugh was able to give a conservative guess. - -"All of twenty-five miles from Oakvale by now, I should say," he -announced. "If you want to know how I'm able to say that, let me -explain. I have a rough map of the country up here. I copied it hastily -from one they had at the recruiting tent, for you know the battery must -have come along this same road we're now on. A mile back we saw a -crossroads. That was marked on the map with the figures twenty-four; so -after all it was easy to add another mile to that score; and there you -are." - -"Only for your long head in making a rough copy of that road map, Hugh," -declared the admiring Blake, "we would certainly be up against it now. -Well, that leaves some fifteen or twenty more miles. Can we fetch it by -sundown, do you believe, Bud?" - -"Oh! easy going!" came the flippant reply, though accompanied by a side -wink in the direction of Hugh, which was possibly intended to convey the -meaning that the aforesaid result could be attained if they were -fortunate, and met with no further mishaps such as had already delayed -them on two occasions. - -"I think we're coming to some sort of village," observed Hugh, later on, -"for I can see a small house on one side of the road, with some chickens -and a dog in the way. Slow up, Bud; we don't want to race through here, -and be hauled up for exceeding the speed limit; or else have to stop and -pay for some silly hens that were bound to get under our wheels." - -Several cottages were passed. Then they came to a stretch of woodland, -beyond which, doubtless, the town proper lay, for they could see signs -of smoke rising, and there was also a sound as of an engine working in -some sort of mill. - -Suspecting no immediate trouble, the boys were running along quite -smoothly when, without the slightest warning, they received a sudden -shock. Again it came to them just around a bend in the road, though Bud -had kept his word, and was moving slowly at the time. - -A rope was stretched directly across from one tree to another. To make -the hold-up even more positive, a log had been rolled out, and lay -there, blocking the road, so that even should a swiftly-going car have -broken the rope, it was bound to come to grief against that other -obstacle. - -"Pull up, Bud! quick!" almost shrieked Blake Merton, but he might just -as well have spared himself the trouble of letting out this frantic -appeal, for the driver had his car well under control, and was easily -able to bring it to a halt some ten feet away from the obstructions. - -No sooner had they halted than a gruff voice was heard calling out: - -"Throw up your hands and surrender, you three young raskels! I've got -yuh covered, all right, and yuh might as well give in peaceable like, -because you're up against the strong arm of the law!" - - - - - CHAPTER V - AN ECHO FROM THE PAST - - -The boys, following up this rasping voice, stared to see the figure that -broke out of the scrub close to the barrier, and approached them. No -wonder they almost felt their breath taken away, for had this been a -scene from some ridiculous motion picture play, the representative of -the majesty of the law as met with in a country marshal or constable, -could not have seemed more ridiculous. - -The man was old, and spare of figure. He was dressed in gray garments, -and wore a large soft hat built after the Western sombrero model. It had -a gilt cord around the crown, and was tilted up rakishly on one side. -Even to the glistening nickel star, that decorated his left breast, was -this representative of law and order, gotten up to shame one of those -stage sheriffs at whose antics youngsters in the cheap "movies" scream -with laughter. - -"Don't laugh, fellows, on your lives!" whispered Hugh, instantly, afraid -lest rash Bud, for instance, should break out into a loud roar that -would seriously offend the officer, and mean further trouble for them. - -He raised his hands, as did the other two boys, though Blake was -complaining after his customary fashion. - -"But, say, we couldn't have broken any speed law, Mister, because you -saw yourself we were just fairly _crawling_ along?" he protested, -weakly. - -The officer was holding a tremendous horse pistol of an ancient vintage; -it had an ominous look, and doubtless could give a fair account of -itself if fired, for they made good weapons in old-time days. - -"I never said as how yuh was pinched for speedin', did I?" he went on to -observe, with a grim smile hovering about his stern mouth, while his -beady eyes continued to rove from one boyish face to another. "Huh! I -guess now it's somethin' a heap worse nor _that_ you're wanted for. -Where did yuh git this car?" - -"Why, it belongs back in Oakvale," stammered Bud, hardly knowing what it -meant when the man with the nickel star shot this question directly at -him as the pilot of the expedition, or at least the one who was handling -the wheel. - -"K'rect. That corresponds with the information I had given tuh me," -continued their strange captor, nodding his head until his goatee made -him resemble a pugnacious billy-goat. - -Hugh instantly began to see a faint glimpse of light. Something about -the words which the constable had just uttered gave him a suspicion as -to the possible truth. He began to take a deeper interest in the -hold-up, which could turn out to be of an altogether different character -from what they had up to that moment believed. - -"My friend," he started to say, giving the constable one of his frank -smiles, "after all, don't you think you may have made a mistake in -holding us up as you have? Honest, now, do we look like fellows who -would steal a car; and even if we ever had such a scheme afoot, wouldn't -we be apt to pick out a machine worth taking, rather than a rattle-trap -like this ramshackle thing?" - -The constable somehow seemed a bit impressed. There might have been that -in the manly bearing of the boy who was speaking, as well as something -in his voice that touched a responsive chord in his old heart. He -stroked his straggly chin whiskers with his unemployed hand, and -continued to ogle the three lads so eagerly leaning toward him from the -car. - -"Uh! waal, it does seem like yuh'd be a passel o' fools tuh grab a -rattle-trap car as this un when yuh might a had your pick. But then he -says tuh me there was a reason why yuh did it." - -"Oh! then some one put you wise to our coming along this road, did -they?" Bud flashed out. "Guess we can hit on the skunk, all right, -Mister. He was a little ornery reptile, wasn't he, with a grin on his -black face all the time? Tell me, doesn't that cover his description all -right, sir?" - -"My name is Eben Wheezer, and I am the reg'lar authorized constable of -Halletsburg," the other went on to explain. "I'm free to confess that I -was give a pointer concernin' yuh boys. Mebbe it's jest a lark you're -playin', but, all the same, when a car has been taken without the -owner's knowledge or permission, the eye of the law looks on it as a -_bony fide_ theft. It becomes the duty of a constable to pinch the -offenders." - -"Listen, Mr. Wheezer, please," urged Hugh. "Delay of even an hour would -mean a serious thing to us just now. We are on our way to the -mobilization camp, and it is of extreme importance that we get there -some time this evening. That man you talked with seems to be an enemy of -ours. He is connected with a scamp back in Oakvale who would be glad if -we failed to get to the camp, because it might mean money in his pocket. -He has already done his best to knock us out, even filling the roadway -with glass from broken bottles, so as to cut our weak tires, and keep us -from getting on." - -"Which happened, too, as you can see if you glimpse that tire we're -carrying, and which is slashed something terrible," interjected Bud, -impulsively. - -The country constable was interested, seeing which Hugh returned to the -attack on the principle that when you have the enemy started a vigorous -offensive should be carried out to get him on the run. - -"Besides, Mr. Wheezer," Hugh went on to say, confidingly, "we are, as -you see, scouts. Our uniforms will tell you that, our badges too; and, -if you want, I can show you a number of clippings from the papers that -tell of certain things of merit the Oakvale scouts have done in the -past." - -"By gum! what's that shiny medal you're wearin', son, stand fur?" -suddenly demanded the constable, fixing his glittering eyes on Hugh's -left breast. "She looks a heap like the real stuff to me, an' gold, at -that!" - -Hugh at once took it off and passed it over. If ever he felt proud on -account of the possession of such a fine medal, that time was then and -there, because he believed it was going to save himself and chums a good -deal of trouble and time. - -The constable put on a pair of glasses with huge horn rims, and peered -at the inscription, turning the neat little medal over in his hands. -When he looked again at the owner there was a marked interest in his -thin and pinched face. - -"Tell me, air yuh this same Hugh Hardin it speaks of here?" he demanded, -hoarsely, taking a step nearer the halted car. - -"That happens to be my name, sir," replied Hugh. - -"Did yuh git this here medal fur savin' lives when that flood was -rampagin' through the town of Lawrence?" continued the officer, his -voice now showing signs of hoarseness that might have come from excess -emotion. - -"Why, yes. Several of my chums and I were visiting there when that dam -up the valley broke, and the bridge over the river was carried away. We -had a pretty lively time of it during the few days we were detained -there, on account of no trains running. We managed to hold out a helping -hand to some of the poor people caught in the flood. You know, sir, -that's what scouts live for, to assist others not so well off as -themselves." - -Eben Wheezer heard the boy through. Then he did a number of queer -things, first of all ramming that ancient pistol out of sight in one of -his pockets, and then actually holding out a thin and trembling hand to -Hugh. - -"Say, son, I want tuh shake hands with yuh, that's what I do!" he -startled them by saying, enthusiastically. "This hold-up is all off, yuh -understand. I was an old fool tuh take that rascal's seegar, and b'lieve -half he says tuh me 'bout some boys comin' along the road here as how he -reckoned had stole a car, and that there was likely tuh be a reward -offered fur their apprehension, which I might jest as well rake in as -the next un. But I kin see it all now, an' I'm right glad tuh meet up -with Hugh Hardin." - -"What do you know about me, Mr. Wheezer?" asked the patrol leader, -flushing at the same time with pleasure as he felt the cordial grip of -that lean hand. - -"Oh! only this, son," laughed the old constable, pumping the boy's hand -as though he might be the milkman making up a deficiency in his cans, -"it happens that I had an ole wife a visitin' over there in Lawrence at -the time that dam broke. Yes, and, what's more, she told me it was a boy -named Hugh Hardin that kim along with some other scouts in a rowboat and -saved her from a house that was a-floatin' off in the flood. Huh! think -I'd ever forgit _that_ name when it belonged to the lad who kept me from -bein' a forlorn widower? This here is a joyous occasion for me, I tell -yuh." - -Bud gave a whoop, and danced around like a crazy thing. - -"Talk to me about bread cast upon the waters returning before many -days," he was crying excitedly. "Did anybody ever hear the equal of -this! See, Hugh, how your good deeds repay you heaps of times over. We -thought we had run across another enemy, and he turns out to be a bully -sort of a friend. Won't you shake hands with me, Mr. Wheezer, even if I -wasn't lucky enough to be in that bunch that did such good work at -Lawrence--the honor of that exploit goes to Hugh, here, Billy Worth and -Monkey Stallings. But, then, we're all chums, you know, sir, and in the -same boat." - -The delighted constable was only too glad to oblige Bud, and so warm was -his grip that possibly the other felt a tinge of regret at insisting -upon being given a hand-shake. Blake Merton felt that it would not do -for him to be left out in the cold, so he had to grimace and bear it -when Eben got to working his lean fingers. - -Indeed, all of the boys felt they had good reason for feeling thankful. -What had threatened to prove a disaster and promised to overwhelm their -plans was now working in their favor. The wearing of his badge, given by -Scout Headquarters to those members of the organization who have saved -human life at great peril to themselves, had turned out to be a most -wonderful blessing to them. Instead of being held up, perhaps thrust -into a miserable country lock-up until the next day, with their plans -ruined, they were now free to proceed along their way. - -Hugh did not want to lose any more time than could be avoided, so -instead of entering into a long conversation with the constable, he -hastened to say: - -"If we were not in such a great hurry, Mr. Wheezer, it would give me -great pleasure to stop over with you, and visit your home, to meet your -wife. I reckon I would know her again if I saw her. I'd be glad to tell -you the story of what happened over in Lawrence when the flood swept -down the valley. But we have a big stake in trying to make that camp by -tonight. One of my chums here has a cousin in the battery who stands to -lose a fortune if we are kept back; and the man who hired that rascal -you met hopes to win it. So you'll excuse us if we say good-bye now, and -thank you for being so kind." - -The constable had already removed the log from the road, and now he -unfastened his stout rope from the tree to which he had attached it. - -"No apologies needed, son," he hastened to say, cheerily. "Yuh knows -your business best, and if yuh chase after it in the same way yuh won -your spurs over tuh Lawrence, I reckons now yuh'll upset all the -kalculations o' thet schemer. Good-bye an' good luck tuh yuh, boys!" - -He waved his official hand to them as they shot forward, and the last -Blake saw of the odd, though good-hearted country constable, he was -standing there in the road looking after the retreating car, and still -waving his sombrero, while that bright nickel star on his manly breast -gleamed in the rays of the westering sun. - -"Congratulations, Hugh!" cried Blake, bubbling over with delight over -their recent narrow escape. "They say chickens come home to roost, and -that good deeds will pay a fellow back a thousand fold. Well, I want to -tell you there never was such a positive illustration of their truth as -this." - -"The best of it is," laughed Hugh, happily, "that no matter how much our -enemy plots against us, something comes along to upset all his -calculations. He thought we were stuck there all afternoon, with an -engine out of joint, but Bud here fooled him. Then there was that broken -bottle game, which did hold us up a bit; but in spite of a slit tire we -got started again. Last, but far from least, he fixed up this clever -trick of telling the old constable three boys had stolen a car, and were -coming along the road a ways back; also hinting that there might be a -good reward offered for capturing the rascals and holding them -over-night in the town cooler. But again our luck held good, and we -slipped through." - -"I'm satisfied now," asserted Blake Merton, "that nothing is going to -keep us from getting there some time tonight. I'll hunt up Felix right -away, talk to him like a Dutch uncle, get him to write that letter, and -then the first thing in the morning we can start back home again." - -"If anything goes wrong with the car, we'll find some other way of -returning, make up your mind to that, Blake," Hugh assured him. - -It was in this happy frame of mind that the three scouts passed through -the little town of Hallettsburg, and continued onward. As they went they -could frequently discover plain signs that to their practiced eyes -assured them the battery had traversed the same road they were now on. -Perhaps a boy untrained in the art of using his eyes, and seeing small -things that told a story, would never have been able to accomplish this -thing; but Hugh, Bud and Blake had served their time at studying -woodcraft, as practiced by the Indians from the days of Daniel Boone, -and they knew dozens of things that would, when noticed and examined, -tell an interesting story. - -The sun was getting pretty low in the west, and evening was coming on. -It was about the last quarter of the moon, which had been full on the -fifteenth of the month, so that no help from this source could be -expected until toward midnight, when the silvery remnant would be seen -rising in the East. That was one reason why the boys were anxious to be -getting on as fast as they dared chance it, because, once night settled -in, their progress would be blocked. - -"The sun's going down, Hugh," announced Blake, with a touch of dismay in -his voice. - -"That's all very true," replied the scout master, "but we'll have half -an hour of light yet, perhaps more, and I think we ought to make the -camp in that time!" - - - - - CHAPTER VI - THE BURNING BRIDGE - - -"Hugh!" called out Blake Merton a short time later, "did you see that -light flash up ahead of us there?" - -"Just what I did," came the immediate reply. - -"Do you think it could be one of the camp fires of the boys, a sort of -vidette post, you might say?" further questioned Blake, eagerly. - -"There it goes again, as sure as you live!" ejaculated Bud Morgan at the -wheel, "and, say, it's a fire, all right--growing stronger all the -while. I wonder what it can mean for us?" - -"We'll soon find out," remarked Hugh, confidently. "We're advancing, and -will come to a clear stretch in a minute or so, where the trees happen -to be sparse, and we can see ahead." - -"Perhaps, after all, it's only some cabin alongside the road, with the -people doing their cooking outdoors," observed Bud. "I saw that done -heaps of times when my folks took me down to Florida that winter I was -sick." - -Their curiosity grew by leaps and bounds as they proceeded along the -road. The closer they drew to the scene of the illumination, the more -puzzled all of the boys found themselves. - -Then suddenly it broke upon them. They must have turned a bend in the -road, for just as though a wave of a magician's wand had caused the -picture to appear before their eyes, they saw it all. - -"Oh! look at that, will you?" shrilled Blake, aghast at the vision. -"It's a bridge afire!" - -"It sure is!" echoed Bud, staring as though he could hardly believe his -eyes. - -"See how the flames are creeping along the wooden sides!" continued the -Merton boy, hysterically. "Why, they look like red snakes, that's what -they do. Hugh, what can we do to get across that river if the bridge -goes down?" - -"I can't tell you just yet, Blake!" snapped the other. "Let her out some -more, Bud. Never mind the risk to the old plug of an engine; we've _got_ -to get there so as to fight that fire, or we'll be dished. I know what -stream that is, and it's a deep one, too, far too deep for us to ever -hope to ford it with this car. Faster, Bud, faster, I tell you!" - -Bud Morgan never accepted anything that bordered on a dare. He had held -in thus far principally because he knew Hugh would not be apt to -countenance speed when it necessitated additional risk. Now he "let out -another notch," as he himself would have expressed it. - -The old car shambled along with dizzying celerity, making all manner of -ridiculous sounds, as though protesting against such haste. Still -nothing happened to indicate another breakdown; and at least they were -advancing toward the burning bridge with accelerated speed. - -All the while Hugh was wondering what could have caused the fire. It was -very strange, he concluded, that a country bridge should take a notion -to start up in a blaze like this, and just when it became a most -important link in their drive to the concentration camp. - -So they arrived on the scene. Bud was evidently for trying to run the -gantlet with a mad rush, but Hugh called upon him to draw up short, -which he did, stopping the car close to the near end of the wooden -structure. - -"We might have made it, Hugh!" urged Bud, reproachfully, as though he -regretted the cautious policy of the scout master. - -"But there would always be a chance that our gas tank would explode!" -cried Hugh; "look how the flames are driven straight across the bridge -by the wind. Then the fire is along both sides, so we'd have to run a -regular gantlet. No, Bud, old fellow, we couldn't afford to take the -chances. Out with you all, and let's see if we can't save the old bridge -yet." - -"Go to it, boys!" shouted Bud, instantly on the move, for he was a lad -of action, and never happier than when doing things. - -"Work on the windward side first!" ordered Hugh, with the sagacity that -leadership in an energetic scout organization is apt to bestow upon any -wideawake youth. "Here, snatch up these old lap-robes, and souse them in -the water. If you beat at the flames just as we did when the woods on -fire that time, you'll find they can be mastered. Everybody get busy!" - -"Whoop! watch my smoke, will you!" cried Bud, starting off with a rush. - -There chanced to be some old lap-robes in the car that Bud had managed -to secure, not of any great value, to be sure, so far as things of -beauty went, but bound to be of great value in an emergency like the -present. Each of the three scouts managed to secure possession of one of -these, and it required but a brief time to submerge the same in the -swift flowing and deep stream. - -With this soaking cloth in hand the energetic boys started to fight the -fire, slapping at the running flames as they curled along the side of -the bridge in long spirals that resembled creeping snakes. - -When three lively fellows get started at a task of this sort it is -wonderful what remarkable progress they can attain. With each stout blow -it seemed as though the fire that was threatening to demolish the entire -wooden structure received a serious setback. The boys fought their way -completely across the bridge, which was not of any great length. - -"Good enough for us!" cried the panting Bud. "We've licked that line of -skirmishers; do we tackle the other side now, Hugh?" - -"One good turn deserves another, so go for it!" advised the leader, -setting a pace himself that kept the others hustling to continue in the -same class. - -Success is always encouraging, and, having found that they could get the -better of those creeping flames, the three boys fought all the harder, -determined to crush the fire completely. - -"A little more elbow grease, boys, and victory is going to perch on our -banner!" Bud was crying, while he slapped that scorched laprobe again -and again on the railing of the bridge, even mopping up the floor with -it when occasion demanded. - -The boys were past masters at this sort of thing. They had served their -time at it on another occasion, when the woods, catching fire not many -miles from Oakvale, they had been called upon to help save certain -isolated farmhouses and crops that were threatened with destruction.[2] - -Breathing heavily, the three lads finally had the satisfaction of seeing -the last zigzag line of fire succumb to the vigor of their attack. -Still, Hugh would not be wholly satisfied. - -"Let's go down and wet these rags again," he told his chums, "and hunt -out every crack where the least bit of fire hides, so that after we go -on it isn't going to spring up again." - -"Might as well make a clean job of it while we're about it," agreed Bud, -as he followed Hugh down to the edge of the river, there to immerse -their "fighting togs" again in the water. - -As they walked along, carefully scanning both sides of the bridge for -any evidences of hidden peril, Bud once more broke out, voicing some -suspicion that he had evidently been harboring in his brain. - -"Hugh, don't you think it's mighty funny how this old bridge could get -afire? Suppose a threshing machine traction engine could have passed -over here lately; but, then, it's too early in the season for anything -like that to be going around. If a man on a wagon threw a burning match -aside after lighting his pipe, would it start things to burning? Somehow -I just can't believe this is an accident at all." - -"Oh! do you really mean you suspect it was done _on purpose_, perhaps to -keep us from crossing this deep river, and making us miss connections -with the camp?" asked Blake, apparently thrilled with the thought. - -"I'm certain of it," asserted Hugh, positively. "I'll tell you why. Just -bend your heads closer here, and take a whiff where this rail has been -only a little charred; what does it smell like?" - -"Why, Hugh, it makes me think of home, when the girl is starting our oil -stove going!" - -"That's a fact," added Bud, gritting his teeth ferociously, "and -somebody's gone and saturated both sides of this bridge with kerosene, -so as to give the fire a good send-off. Oh! the low-down wretch, what -wouldn't I give to have a chance to choke him." - -"Try it again over here, and you get the same odor," Hugh observed, -impressively; "yes, and right there you can see where some of the stuff -spilled, for the spot looks greasy. He must have had a can of kerosene -along with him in his car for just such a purpose as this." - -Each boy in turn dropped on his hands and knees, the better to take a -"sniff" at the discolored spot on the floor boards of the bridge that -had such a "close call." As they once more regained their feet they -nodded their heads, unanimous in their opinion as to the origin of that -greasy mark. - -"Which shows that our good luck still haunts our footsteps," Blake said, -trying to smile happily, though there was a deep-seated look of -apprehension to be detected in his eyes. - -Truth to tell, all of them were more or less impressed with the -malignity shown by this party whom they believed to be in the pay of -Luther Gregory. He was evidently bent upon earning the sum promised him -in case he, by hook or crook, prevented the boys from reaching the -mobilization camp until it was too late to secure that apology from the -quick-tempered Felix. - -"Well, do we cross over now, and move along our way?" asked Blake, -unable to conceal the anxiety he naturally felt because of these -numerous delays. - -"Nothing to hinder that I can see," replied Hugh. - -"I'll drive the old car across, presently, while you two wait for me at -the other side," Bud said, as he climbed aboard. "Take a good look as -you go, and tell me if any of the flooring is burned through." - -As they crossed over, Hugh and Blake kept a good lookout, and reported -all safe; so presently Bud, having coaxed the engine to start again -after some effort, joined his mates on the further side of the stream. - -"I certainly do hope," ventured Blake Merton, with a sigh, as he -proceeded to settle down in his old seat again, "that we've run up -against the last obstacle. It's certain that chap can't think up much -more evil to turn against us." - -"What's coming now?" cried Bud. "I can hear shouts, and, Hugh, there -seems to be men running around that clump of undergrowth alongside the -road." - -"I bet you there's a village along there, and that the people have just -discovered the smoke of the fire here," advanced Blake. "They know about -the bridge, and are coming to save it. They would have been just too -late if not for us." - -"They ought to give us a vote of thanks, then, for our services," said -Bud. - -"Listen to 'em shouting, will you?" continued Blake. "Why, it sounds to -me like they were real mad at something. Hugh, don't it strike you that -way, too? Look at some of the fellows in the lead shaking their fists at -us, just as if we'd gone and done something mean. Gee whiz! I hope now -they don't get the notion into their silly heads that _we_ started this -bridge to burning." - -Quite a crowd was coming wildly toward them, consisting of men and boys, -though there were also a few energetic women. Some of them carried -clubs, and waved these in a suggestive fashion. - -"Sit tight," warned Hugh, sternly; "it means that we're up against it -again. Above all things, don't do or say anything to start a fight!" - - - - - CHAPTER VII - THE ACCUSATION - - -If one of the three scouts entertained doubts as to the hostility of the -mob that came running along the country road, these were quickly -dispelled. In another minute the car was surrounded by an angry crowd. A -dozen voices shrilled at them, and sticks were shaken in their faces. - -"Stand back, everybody!" shouted a burly man, who seemed to be invested -with more or less authority. "I'm the sheriff of this county, it -happens, and I don't allow any interference with my business. Three of -my posse being present, I call on them to stand by me. The rest of you -hold your peace. I'll do what talking is necessary." - -Hugh was glad to know this. He could deal with, a single individual, -where it was utterly impossible in the case of an excitable mob. So Hugh -hastened to speak up, addressing his remarks to the man of authority. - -"Will you kindly tell us what all the row is about?" he asked, -pleasantly. "We are heading for the camp where the State militia is -mobilizing, and, discovering this bridge afire, worked with all our -might to put out the flames. If you look at those dirty cloths lying -there, you'll find that they were once lap-robes. We soaked them in the -water, and slapped the flames out as we were trained to do in fighting a -forest fire." - -A few of the villagers may have been impressed with the words spoken by -Hugh, as well as his manly bearing; but they were vastly in the -minority. Most of those present were so worked up by anger that they -seemed blind to the facts. - -"Don't believe him, Sheriff," urged one man, venomously; "he's only -lying. All boys'll lie whenever they get a chanct. I know these here -scouts, how they like to strut around like heroes. And, Sheriff, you c'n -depend on it they set fire to our bridge just a purpose to make believe -they did a big thing whipping the flames out." - -"That's what he told us they'd like enough say," called out another man, -whose small face and vinegary looks told of a mind that was below the -mediocre. "He says he saw 'em running around like they was pourin' -something on the sides of the bridge from a bottle. Say, I kin smell -coal oil, by Jimminy crickets; if I can't now." - -"Lock the young rascals up, Sheriff!" - -"Larn 'em a lesson they'll never forget. 'Cordin' to my mind, there's a -heap too much talk nowadays 'bout boys doin' great stunts. It's jest -upsot a lot o' 'em, so they're lookin' around all the time for ways to -make people think they're jest like little David when he knocked over -that Goliath chap long ago." - -So several other men had their say. Hugh listened to it all, and waited -for an opportunity to get a chance to explain. He knew that he must -depend on the sheriff, and so he kept him in mind when he finally -started in to speak. - -"Please listen to me, Mr. Sheriff," he began to say, impressively. "We -belong in the town of Oakvale, where you'll find, if you telephone the -Chief of Police, that our reputation is gilt-edged. We are on our way to -the big camp over beyond the hills yonder, where Battery K, from -Oakvale, is located. We have very important business with one of the -members, who is a cousin of this boy here. It will cost him his -inheritance if we are unable to talk with him by tomorrow. There is a -man whose interest it is to keep us from doing this. He has tried -through an agent of his in a number of ways to hold us back; and, if you -wish, I would take pleasure in telling you all about these things. Sir, -we have good reason to believe that this setting fire to your bridge was -a part of his scheme to detain us." - -"What's that, boy?" asked the sheriff, hastily. "Can you tell us what -this man you're speaking of looks like?" - -"A man passed us while we were fixing our engine on the road hours ago," -Hugh readily explained, "and when we asked him to lend us a hand he said -he was in too big a hurry to stop. He seemed to be grinning all the -while, as though tickled at finding us in such a bad mess. We believe -that man is the agent sent out to hold us back from arriving at the camp -until it is too late to do any good." - -"Was he a little man, with a sharp face, and eyes that glittered like a -snake's?" called out one of the more friendly disposed men. - -"Yes, and he was in a flivver, a small machine with the top down," -explained Bud, taking part in the affair now. "He wore a suit that -looked as near green as you could find, and had on a leather cap with -goggles pushed up above the peak." - -The sheriff was impressed by what he heard. At the same time, he did not -appear disposed to drop the case against the three lads. Perhaps the -knowledge that some of those in the crowd refused to take any stock in -the story of the boys influenced him more or less; for murmurs were -heard rising here and there. - -"Don't you believe half he says, Sheriff," one man called out. - -"Boys c'n be all-fired tricky," another remarked, sharply, "and he's -certainly got a smooth tongue. Better run the lot of 'em in, and make -'em prove their innocence. That's the best way to fix it, 'cordin' to my -mind." - -Hugh felt uneasy. If the sheriff were so disposed he could, of course, -lock them up on suspicion; and while nothing might eventually be done -toward convicting them for the crime of setting fire to the bridge, the -delay would cost them dear. - -But it happened that once more in their extremity fortune worked what -almost seemed like a miracle in their behalf. Hugh noticed that two -children had joined the crowd. He also knew that they had certainly not -come along the road with the runners, for they could never have kept -pace with the mob racing toward the river. - -A sudden thought struck him. He turned to the sheriff and began to -suggest a plan of action that would possibly prove the truth or falsity -of the charges against them. - -"Listen, Mr. Sheriff," Hugh began. "I think that small boy and girl -there must have been somewhere near by, because they came up out of the -bushes here just now. Ask them questions, won't you, sir, and find out -if they saw anything of what took place here? It may be they were in -hiding, and saw us come up while the bridge was burning. It's only a -fair deal we want, sir, and I'm sure you'll agree to that." - -The sheriff was more impressed than ever with the bearing of the boy who -addressed him. Besides, the plea he advanced seemed very plausible. He -turned upon the two children, a bright-looking boy and girl of about -ten. They were barefooted. - -"Look here, Billy Burt, and you, too, Sally, were you hiding in the -bushes here when we came up?" - -"Yep, that's what we was," said the boy, urged to speak by sundry -punches in his side, given by the elbow of his girl companion. - -"Why did you hide there?" - -"We was skeered when we got here, and seen the fire," came the answer. - -"Then the bridge was burning, was it, when you came along?" continued -the sheriff. - -"It shore was," the boy told him, positively. - -"Were these boys around at that time?" - -The boy stared at Hugh and Blake and Bud, then he grinned. "Nixey, they -wasn't. They kim hurryin' along, and fit the fire like wildcats. Yuh -jest orter seen how they slashed and slashed around till every bit o' -flames was done fur. Me'n Sally jest hid there in the bushes an' watched -the fun. It was better'n the movin' picture fire I seen down in -Hallettsburg." - -"Huh! that ought to settle the case against us, I should think," laughed -Bud as the boy finished his recital, which, though framed in -ungrammatical language, loomed as high as any speech ever delivered -before a judge in an appeal to free the accused before the bar. - -The sheriff threw up his hands. - -"Boys," said he, briskly, "you win. Instead of plucking you, and running -you in for attempted arson, I'm goin' to thank you most heartily on -behalf of the village of Scroggs Corners, which I happened to be -visiting this afternoon on business. Only for your efficient work we'd -have been a bridge shy tonight. Shake hands with me, and kindly excuse -my excess zeal that might have worked you all an injury." - -Well, the boys bore no malice. They were only too happy to know that -nothing was going to interfere with their onward progress. In fact, they -felt as though victors in the brisk engagement between this clever foe -and themselves. It was likely to be the last expiring effort of the -unscrupulous schemer; after this he would have to give up the attempt to -keep them from the camp until sufficient time had elapsed to destroy all -hopes of Felix making his peace with his uncle. - -"If you could only manage to round up that smart rascal who did set this -fire, Mr. Sheriff," Bud could not help saying, when shaking hands with -the official, now very friendly toward their cause, "it might be -possible to prove the crime against him. Perhaps you may discover he had -been carrying kerosene in his car, and that would be a strong piece of -evidence against him. He's given us heaps of trouble, which is partly -why I'm showing such a rattlesnake spirit toward him." - -"I mean to send word along the line, and round him up if he can be -headed," the sheriff admitted, though Hugh really believed he had not -dreamed of such an idea until Bud made his suggestion. - -Of course, even those who had been most disposed to believe the boys -guilty of arson had now been convinced of their innocence by the -statement of the boy who had seen all that went on from his -hiding-place. So when Bud started the car once more there was no sign of -opposition; indeed, only cries of goodwill followed the scouts as they -proceeded. - -Passing through the village, which they found to be laboring under more -or less excitement, the trio continued on their course. Later on, when -they came to a steep hill, the engine balked again, so that half an hour -was lost in coaxing it to be good. - -Blake had been sighing with impatience through the operation. Once he -had even gone so far as to suggest that he and Hugh start on foot, since -it could only be a matter of a few miles at the most that lay between -them and their intended destination. The working mechanic, however, -nipped this scheme in the bud by declaring that he was getting the upper -hand of the balky engine, and hoped to be able to make a fresh start -before ten minutes more had passed. - -Still, that half-hour delay was fated to have some effect upon their -fortunes. - -When the engine trouble had been mastered, and they were again on the -way, Blake seemed content. The persistent manner in which his comrades -managed to meet each new crisis as it appeared, and win out through any -and every kind of trouble, elicited his ardent admiration. Blake was -ready to declare that the day's reckoning would only redound to the -credit of scout efficiency. - -Hugh suspected that they were now close upon the big camp. He must have -caught certain sounds to tell him this. At least, as they drew near the -top of the slope, he bade both his chums keep on the lookout, because he -believed they were due for a pleasant surprise. - -Loud exclamations broke from their lips when, on reaching the summit, -they beheld a wonderful spectacle spread before them. Night was -gathering, and already the broad valley beyond the ridge lay in -semi-darkness, for the moon would not rise until very late. - -Scores, almost hundreds of fires, were burning a mile or more away, -looking weird to the startled eyes of the three scouts. They could also -discover a myriad of the same kind of khaki waterproof tents that -Battery K had used in Oakvale when endeavoring to drum up recruits at -the station in the public square. - -There lay the great mobilization camp of the State before them, with -some thousands of stalwart young men training so as to be accepted by -the Government for service along the far distant Mexico, where the -threatening shadow of war hovered. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - IN THE MOBILIZATION CAMP - - -"Well, this sure pleases me!" exclaimed Bud, as he stopped the car on -the summit of the ridge, so that they could feast their eyes on the -remarkable spectacle of all camp fires burning in the near distance. - -"It is wonderful," breathed Blake, "and well worth all the trouble it's -cost us to get here. I reckon that we must be close to the border of the -camp, and can expect to be held up by a sentry any minute." - -"I'm going to start up my headlights going down this decline," admitted -the pilot. "The more we drop into the valley the darker it'll be; and we -can't afford to meet with a smash-up at this stage of the game, when -we've about won out." - -He took especial pains in going down the slope, and finally the bottom -was reached in safety. Here they were suddenly greeted with a gruff -command to halt, and discovered a soldier in khaki bearing a gun -standing alongside the road. - -"Say, this does look like war-times, doesn't it?" said Blake, in a low -tone, "when you get hauled up by a vidette post. Hugh, please fix it so -we can go on." - -Some conversation followed between Hugh and the guard. Then a -non-commissioned officer was called, and more talk ensued. Hugh had laid -out his plan in advance, and so sagaciously that in the end he was given -permission to move on, although a soldier was placed upon the footboard -of the car to accompany the scouts to the quarters of Battery K. - -Possibly the fact that they too wore the khaki had something to do with -their being allowed to enter the camp at this late hour, so long after -the time when soldiers were given a chance to see relatives and friends. -No matter what the reason, all of the boys felt as though they had won -fresh laurels in making that run from the home town in such a rack of a -car, and also being obliged to overcome baneful opposition of an -unscrupulous enemy. - -They followed the road and were soon amidst some of the glowing fires. -Here they found guardsmen sitting around, and eating their supper, which -had evidently been prepared by the company cooks according to the rules -that govern the summer training camps. - -So far as Hugh and his chums could see, they were a jolly crowd, -laughing and carrying on as though they did not have a care in the wide -world. Once the bitterness of parting from their loved ones had been -passed over, these healthy-minded young soldiers could play their part -like men, and meet every situation that was likely to arise. - -"I tell you I'm nearly tickled to death because I came," Bud was saying -as they rolled along the road between two rows of fires that crackled -and sent up myriads of sparks. "Talk about camping out, this has got all -our experiences knocked to flinders. Why, there must be millions of -soldiers here in this big valley." - -"Better say thousands, and be nearer the truth, Bud," cautioned Blake. -"But it is a great sight, and one we'll never forget, either. If a -fellow needed to have his patriotism stirred to the bone, he'd get it -done here. See how Old Glory is fastened up over that big tent yonder. -Now I wouldn't be surprised if that was the colonel's tent; or it might -even be Headquarters for the general in charge of all these forces of -the State." - -"We've got to pass through the whole camp before we come to where -Battery K is located, so the sergeant said," Hugh remarked, as they -moved slowly on. - -Numbers of the soldiers came forward to have a look at those in the car. -Possibly some of them may have entertained vague hopes that the -newcomers might turn out to be friends or relatives, urged to make the -trip by a desire to glimpse a dear face once more before the guardsmen -were ordered South. Hugh believed there was a wistful expression on many -of the faces he saw turned their way. - -As for Blake, he could hardly restrain his impatience. The fact that -inside of a comparatively few minutes more he was to see his cousin, and -that there was still plenty of time for accomplishing his mission before -another day dawned, filled him with ecstacy. - -"Don't you think we must be nearly there, Hugh?" he would say, -pleadingly. "There couldn't be any mistake now, could there, so that -we're going the wrong way to strike our boys of Battery K? Are you sure -it's directly along this road, Bud, we ought to keep on going?" - -"That's what the _non-com._ told us," replied the driver of the car, -"and we must abide by orders when we're in a military camp. Besides, -we've got some one along with us to show us the way; so ease up, Blake, -or you'll crack sure." - -"Guess you're right, Bud," admitted the other, "and I'll try to hold -myself in; but somehow I can't feel dead sure till I'm shaking hands -with Felix, and know it's going to be all right." - -The fact of the matter was, as Hugh suspected, Blake was now beginning -to fear that his impulsive cousin might prove obdurate, after all, and -absolutely decline to humble himself so as to write a letter of apology -to his uncle and guardian. Of course this would settle the matter just -as positively as though that agent of Luther Gregory had succeeded in -holding them up by having them arrested and kept for twenty-four hours -in some village jail. - -"Look yonder, will you?" suddenly exclaimed Bud, nodding his head, and -using one hand to point to the left with, "there's a battery of -field-pieces, but it isn't the one from Oakland. Just beyond must be the -camp of the Engineers, because you can see a heap of picks and shovels -and such tools lying there. You know the Engineer Corps have to make -roads, build cook-houses, lay tent-floors for the officers' quarters, -and do heaps of things like that. A fellow told me about it who used to -belong, and quit because he said it was such hard work." - -"Look over on this side, Bud, and you'll see something that tickles -you," called out Blake. - -"The Signal Corps' headquarters, I'll be bound!" ejaculated the other in -sudden admiration. "See the wires they've run out. I warrant you every -command in the whole camp has a telephone in its headquarters, with a -Central station to boot. Now, if only I could run across the aviation -field, and see a few hangers for aeroplanes in evidence, I'd be happy." - -"Oh! they're further away, over to the right," explained the soldier who -stood on the footboard of the car. "We have three 'planes working every -day now, and more coming along. My brother is one of the air pilots, you -know, so what I'm giving you is straight goods, boys." - -They were by this time gradually approaching the other end of the great -camp, as could be told from the fact that the fires were becoming less -numerous beyond them. - -"Your battery lies just ahead of us now," announced the soldier, who -seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the lay of the camp, and able to -direct any one to the location of each and every unit composing the -entire mobilization centre. - -Yes, they could already begin to see guns posted in a clump, or -"parked," to use a military term. These seemed to have a familiar look -to the Oakvale scouts, because they had many times handled the -dull-finished modern field-pieces, doubtless envious of the luck of -those whom they chanced to know as members of the company. - -Leaving the car alongside the road, the boys followed after their guide, -who led them directly over to where the battery had its tents, -Immediately Hugh and his two chums began to recognize familiar faces. A -number of the men jumped to their feet and hurried toward the newcomers. -Hugh noticed that in some cases it was a look of sudden concern that -came upon the reddened faces of the young artillerymen; and he could -give a pretty good guess why this should be so. They were assailed with -sudden fears lest something terrible might have happened to those left -behind in the home town, and that the scouts had been dispatched to -carry the sad news. - -"Hello! Hugh. Hello, boys. What fetches you away off here?" called out -one of the Battery K members; and his question must have voiced what was -on the minds of several others, since they all waited anxiously to hear -what Hugh might say in reply. - -"We've come to have a little chat with Blake Merton's cousin, Felix -Gregory, that's all," the patrol leader answered, at which something -like a look of relief passed over several faces. - -"Well, it must be something pretty important to fetch the three of you -forty and more miles in a car?" suggested one fellow. - -"Just what it is," jauntily admitted Blake. "Now, can any of you direct -us to where we'll find my cousin Felix?" - -"I was talking with him about half an hour back, but haven't seen him -since, now you mention it!" one called out. - -"I'd advise you boys to look up Captain Barclay, and he'll put you in -touch with Felix, who must be around somewhere, because we have orders -not to wander beyond bounds. There's the captain's tent over yonder, -Hugh." - -The speaker was big Hank Partridge, a cousin of Lige Corbley, and quite -well known to Hugh. As the advice seemed sound, the scout master -immediately turned his face toward the tent thus pointed out. - -"Come along, boys, and we'll see what the captain can do for us," he -told his two mates, at the same time starting forward. - -Blake was by now beginning to have that worried expression steal back -upon his face. His old fears had awakened again, as was evidenced by the -remark he made almost immediately after they started toward the -captain's tent. - -"It's mighty queer, I think, how not a single one of all those fellows -could remember seeing my cousin inside of half an hour. Things have been -happening so contrary lately I'm beginning to be afraid that something -may have come along to whisk Felix out of the old camp here so I never -will find him." - -"Oh! how silly to let yourself borrow trouble in that way, Blake," Bud -told him, scornfully. "What could carry him off but an aeroplane, and -I'm pretty sure they haven't yet got to ducking down in the heart of a -camp, and snatching a fellow up bodily. Just hold your horses, and we'll -run on him pretty soon now." - -They reached the tent of the commanding officer, where a sentry always -stood on guard. Hugh, knowing the rules that applied, asked to see -Captain Barclay, with whom he was, of course, well acquainted. In -another minute the captain himself came forth. - -He shook hands with Hugh and the other two scouts. Then the story was -briefly told, particular emphasis being laid on the numerous attempts -that had been made to keep them from meeting Felix Gregory. The officer -was, of course, deeply interested. To lose such a fortune as Uncle -Reuben owned would, he felt sure, be a calamity for any young fellow. - -"You deserve every encouragement, boys, after what you've done to save -Felix from the folly of his quick temper," he told them at the close of -the recital. "I'm sure he must have been sorry long before. I know his -generous nature well. I'll send out and have him come here to you. Then -Blake can talk with him aside, and, if my influence is worth anything, -you can depend on it I'll only too gladly say a good word." - -So he gave an order, and the soldier to whom it was delivered hastened -away. While he was gone the boys continued their chat with the captain. -Finally the messenger returned, made his salute to his superior officer, -and said something. Hugh was watching and saw the other look grave. -Blake clutched the arm of his chum when the captain of Battery K, -advancing slowly toward them, went on to explain. - -"Strange to say, boys, so far no one can be found who has seen Private -Gregory inside of half an hour. He seems to have mysteriously -disappeared; but, of course, he can be found, and if you will wait for -me here I'll go the rounds myself and rout him out. Don't worry while -I'm gone, for it'll be all right." - - - - - CHAPTER IX - THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FELIX - - -When the captain turned and left them again, the three scouts exchanged -uneasy glances. Blake suffered more than either of his chums, for his -heart had been wrapped up in his task. It meant much to him whether he -failed or won out in his self-imposed mission to the camp. - -"Hugh, do you know I expected something like this would happen," was the -way he expressed himself. "Somehow, even when we had beaten that -scheming rascal at his game several times, I seemed to have a feeling -that in the end he might be too smart for us." - -"Apparently, then," remarked Bud Morgan, "you've already made up your -mind that this queer disappearance of your cousin Felix can be laid at -the door of the same man we had so much trouble with on the road, the -chap in the flivver?" - -"Doesn't it stand to reason it must be that way?" demanded Blake. "Why -should Felix clear out of camp here otherwise? These fellows of Battery -K are in for the war, and wouldn't desert for all the money going. Felix -is as loyal as they make 'em; he'd sooner cut his hand off than be -thought a coward or a quitter. So there's only one way of explaining his -vanishing; which is through this man." - -"How about it, Hugh?" and Bud turned toward the patrol leader, as had -become a chronic habit with most of the members of the troop whenever -anything arose to bother or mystify them. - -"All I can say as yet," replied the other, steadily, "is that it begins -to look a whole lot that way. We had better wait a bit before deciding. -The captain may pick up some information that will give us a pointer. -Men don't disappear from a mobilization camp, as easy as all this, -without leaving some traces behind them." - -Blake shook his head dismally. Apparently he was losing heart, for so -many things had arisen to balk his ambition that the strain was telling -on him. - -"Well, all I can say is I wish this business was all over," he observed, -plaintively, "and we were on our way back home with that precious letter -to Uncle Reuben. I tell you I'll feel like shouting if we do win!" - -"Victory is always sweeter when you've had to fight hard to get it," Bud -declared, with boyish philosophy. "Don't we all remember that when we've -been up against a tough proposition, and had to take the bit between our -teeth before we could land? Never lose faith in what you're doing, -Blake. For one thing, you've got a couple of comrades along that mean to -stand back of you through thick and thin. That ought to be some comfort -to you." - -"It is, Bud, it certainly gives me a heap of satisfaction, the way both -of you stick to me. I'm going to take a brace up! We'll get there yet, -we've just _got_ to, and that's all there is about it." - -Brave words, those, and possibly Blake Merton meant them, but, -nevertheless, there were times when that anxious look would creep over -his face again, as fresh difficulties kept piling up before them, and -the desired end seemed as far away as ever. - -They continued to stand there and talk for some little time, all the -while eagerly awaiting the return of the friendly captain, whom all of -them knew very well, since he was a prominent business man in Oakvale. - -"There he comes!" asserted Bud, suddenly. - -Blake lost color, and his hand trembled when he accidentally touched the -sleeve of Hugh's khaki coat--perhaps, after all, it was through some -design that this contact came about, for a positive realization that the -scout master was standing by him must have given Blake renewed -confidence, of which he was evidently in great need just then. - -Captain Lawrence Barclay came hastily toward them. Hugh, discovering the -look of annoyance still on his face, guessed that he bore bad news. - -"Brace up, Blake, and show that you can stand whatever may be coming," -he managed to say in a low tone to his companion. - -Then the commander of Battery K arrived. He was a bluff sort of a man, -not much given to beating around the bush when he had anything to say; -nor could he smooth over disagreeable news as some men might. - -"I'm sorry to report that young Gregory seems to have disappeared from -camp altogether," he immediately remarked. "It is a most extraordinary -occurrence. In fact, several officers with whom I've spoken say they -would never have believed a man could vanish from the midst of a -thousand or two of his fellows, with sentries posted, and camp rules in -force. But I've sent out in every direction to find Gregory, but without -any success so far." - -Both Blake and Bud left things pretty much to Hugh, knowing his ability -to handle such a case. Like a wise scout, the patrol leader immediately -began to ask questions, with the design of getting facts that might give -them a clue to the solution of the camp mystery. - -"Captain," he started in to say, "would you mind telling us when Felix -Gregory was last seen about here?" - -"Several men seemed to agree on that point," replied the accommodating -officer, "and I am inclined to say that it was just about half an hour -back. At the time he was talking with a civilian who had managed in some -way to gain permission to enter the camp in his car. From what I have -learned, I believe Felix appeared to be considerably excited while he -held this conversation with the stranger." - -"Hugh, just as we suspected, it must have been that man!" gasped Blake. -Bud Morgan nodded his head, and pinched the other to keep him quiet. - -"Did any of them describe the man and his car, Captain?" continued Hugh. -"You remember what we told you about the party who gave us so much -trouble on the road? He was a small fellow, with a dark face, and snappy -eyes, and his car was one of that cheap class called a flivver. Does -that agree with what any of the men said, sir?" - -"It seems to cover the case exactly, Hugh," the officer hastened to -admit; "and, taken in conjunction with your remarkable story, makes the -matter seem more mysterious than ever. Apparently, then, that man who -tried to prevent you from getting to camp, finding that all his schemes -had failed, turned another tack, and now aims to keep Felix from seeing -you. How he has been able to get him out of the camp beats me; it would -seem to be an impossible task." - -Hugh was on his mettle now; his fighting blood aroused. The gleam in his -eyes told that, as he shut his teeth together with a snap, and went on -to say: - -"There will be some way of tracking them, and we'll find it out by hook -or by crook, Captain Barclay. If that man succeeds in keeping Felix -hidden away for the next twenty-four hours our goose is cooked, because -then it's going to be too late for any reconciliation between him and -his guardian. But there will be hours before that happens, and every -minute of that time the three of us here will be working like beavers to -find out the truth. We never give up until the last gasp; that's a -slogan of the scouts, you know, sir." - -"A mighty fine rule for any one to go by, I must say," remarked the -officer, looking admiringly at the speaker's flushed and determined -face. "I've heard lots of good things said about you Oakvale scouts, and -now I can understand why you've always met with such splendid success. I -want to say, Hugh, that you can count on me to render any assistance in -my power. What can I do for you now?" - -Hugh was equal to the occasion. Although he had had little time in which -to map out his course, owing to the sudden surprise by which they had -been confronted, he knew that one thing would be needed. - -"If you could manage it, Captain Barclay, so that we three might go -about camp without being held up, and put to a whole lot of -inconvenience, it would help us a heap." - -"That can be arranged, I think, Hugh," said the other, after a brief -period of reflection. "I'll try and get the general to write out three -passes, such as they may be, and word them so that you'll be likely to -have no trouble moving about. It is something unusual, of course, to -allow civilians to remain in camp at a time like this, especially over -night; but I think I can manage it all right." - -Leaving the three lads again, the captain entered his tent to start -operations looking to securing the passes. There was more or less -sending of messages, possibly between Battery K and Headquarters, while -Hugh and his companions tried to possess their souls in patience. - -Finally, after a long delay, Captain Barclay again made his appearance, -and in his hand he bore several folded papers. - -"I've had more trouble than I expected, boys," he told them pleasantly; -"but I believe everything is smoothed over now, and you will find little -trouble in moving about. Only a few newspaper correspondents have so far -been given the same privileges; but when the general learned what fine -things you scouts had to your credit in and around Oakvale, he obliged -me with his signature. Which shows again how a good reputation pays -every one a high rate of interest." - -Each of the boys received one of the "passes" that would allow them to -wander at will through the mobilization camp for the next twenty-four -hours, the privilege expiring with the setting of the following day's -sun; for after that time Hugh and his comrades would have no longer any -desire to remain there, since their mission before then must be either a -success or a failure. - -"You didn't tell us what others thought of the disappearance of Felix -Gregory, Captain?" Hugh remarked, as though anxious to learn this fact, -since it might have a bearing on the solution of the mystery. - -"Well, I interviewed one man in particular who was rather chummy with -Felix," replied the officer. "His name is Andrew Burtis, and you all -know him well. He told me he felt sure there was something on the mind -of Felix, for he brooded over something, and acted strangely for a -fellow of his happy disposition. In fact, it was Andrew who suggested -that possibly the young chap had gone out of his mind over some trouble, -and while in this condition had managed to leave the camp, for some -purpose or other." - -"But we know what it was troubling Felix, sir, as we have told you," -burst out Blake Merton, eagerly. "I guess he was worrying about that -quarrel with his uncle, because they had thought a good deal of each -other. But it would never cause Felix to go out of his mind, Captain, -you can believe me. No, that man was responsible for his going away; and -Hugh here will get on the track, some way or other, I'm certain." - -"Well, you have my best wishes, boys," said the officer. "I must leave -you now, as I have duties to look after; but if I can do anything to -assist you later on, be sure and look me up." - -He shook hands most cordially with each one of them in turn, and there -could be no question about his sincerity when he made that assertion. -Left to themselves, the scouts faced a situation calculated to try their -mettle to the utmost. Poor Blake in particular looked woe-begone as he -turned a beseeching eye on Hugh, fully conscious that the last lingering -hope of finding his missing cousin rested with the scout leader's dogged -pertinacity. Belonging to the _Wolf_ Patrol meant a good deal to Hugh -Hardin; for in a case of this kind he knew that it would be necessary to -emulate the example of the wolf that follows the track of a deer over -hill and through valley, hour after hour, day and night, until by sheer -persistence he has run the tired quarry to earth, and so secures the -meal he sought. - -So Hugh would never give up so long as a shred of hope remained. He was -determined to start out and seek for a clue capable of leading him to -success. Yet, after all, it happened that accident had considerable to -do with the final outcome of the big game upon which the three scouts -had embarked. - - - - - CHAPTER X - BUD MORGAN ON THE SCENT - - -"What's our plan of campaign, Hugh?" asked Bud Morgan. - -"I was just going to say," remarked the scout master, "that if we -separated, and covered as broad a field as possible, the chances for -picking up some sort of clue would be all the better. In that way we -could agree to meet here, say in an hour or so, and compare notes. Then -if by good luck one of us managed to strike a warm scent we could lay -out a scheme for taking up the trail. What do you say to that, fellows?" - -Both of the others admitted that what Hugh proposed would be the wisest -move. Doubtless, Blake would have been happier had Hugh decided to keep -him in his company; but, then, he was too proud to hint at such a thing. -Besides, he realized that the greater field they covered, just as Hugh -had said, the better would be their chances for picking up news. - -So they separated, with the understanding that in about an hour from -that time they were to come together again near the tent of Captain -Barclay, so as to compare notes and decide on the next step. - -Bud Morgan was more than eager to wander about the big, bustling camp. -There were a thousand interesting things he wanted to see for himself. -This was a golden opportunity which he meant to utilize to the utmost. -He had been yearning for just such a legacy of good luck; and it had -really come to him. That magical paper, signed by the general himself, -would allow him to move at will. If any sentinel challenged his right to -be amidst the tents of the assembled guardsmen representing the -sovereign power of the State, all he had to do was to flash that -document before his eyes, and the sight of the name signed at the end of -the pass would end the detention instantly. - -So Bud started forth with high hopes. He really meant to do all that lay -in his power to assist poor Blake find his missing relative; but, then, -while thus engaged there was no reason that Bud could see why he should -not have a look-in at those things in which his heart were was bound up. - -For a short while, then, he talked with some of the Battery K boys whom -he knew, and who were naturally delighted to see any face from the home -town. - -Bud managed to show nice discretion. He was averse to telling the story -of Felix, and his silly quarrel with his rich uncle and guardian to -every one; and so, when by a few judicious questions, he found that -those with whom he chatted had no information to give him, he soon broke -away and resumed his wanderings. - -In this fashion he soon exhausted the limited fund of information that -could be picked up among the artillerymen of Battery K. The result was -so meagre that Bud felt disgusted. He must branch out and seek other -fields. Far and wide he would continue his investigations, ask his -leading questions, and seek by every possible means in his power to get -a clue worth having. - -By degrees, however, his ambition began to wane. He met with so little -success that he began to allow himself to grow slack in his efforts. -Hugh would be almost certain to unearth some clue, for he most always -did accomplish whatever he set out to perform. Then Bud was wild to -spend a little time with the Aviation Corps, for deep down in his boyish -heart he cherished an ambition to some day be an air pilot. - -This would account for his fetching up in the distant section of the -camp where he had been told the aviation squad had their hangars. More -than half an hour had passed since parting from his chums, and Bud could -truly say that he had worked faithfully to unearth a few crumbs of -comfort for Blake. - -"I deserve a little recreation," he told himself. "All work and no play -makes Jack a dull boy. I may never get another such a fine chance to -talk with fellows of the aviation class." - -Having thus relieved his mind of any remorse he might have felt, Bud -hurried his steps, and before long found himself in the region of the -odd-looking hangars, or sheds, hastily constructed, in which several -aeroplanes rested when not in use. - -He had met with little obstruction thus far. Several times a sentinel -had stopped him, acting under orders, but the sight of the magic paper -had always sufficed to cause the man with the bayonet and gun to wave -him along; so that by this time Bud was under the impression he could go -anywhere he pleased. - -Arriving at the ground where the birdmen held forth, he found a number -of bronzed young fellows squatting around a fire, and swapping stories -of possible past experiences. As Bud came up and stood there, curious -glances were cast upon him. Perhaps most of them jumped to the -conclusion that he must be the representative of some important -newspaper, for Bud was a pretty husky sort of a fellow for his age; and -young blood is often sought after by the great metropolitan dailies. - -So Bud presently dropped down, and sat there listening. He drank in all -he heard those aviators saying. One of them, it seemed, had been across -the sea, and taken part in some of the dangerous forays, when Allied -aeroplanes made daring raids on fortified towns or military -concentration camps in the rear of the enemy forces, and his -reminiscences of the thrilling scenes upon which he had gazed held Bud -spellbound. - -Others in the little group had not been so fortunate in seeing actual -hostilities, but each man in turn narrated certain adventures that had -befallen him; for even in piping times of peace aviators meet with -perils calculated to make a stirring story. - -One man in particular interested Bud. At the time he hardly knew why -this should be so, for they were all strangers to him. Afterwards he was -inclined to believe there must have been some sort of intuition about -it, causing him to listen to everything this air pilot was saying. - -His name seemed to be Johnson, for Bud heard him called that several -times. The conversation had turned upon odd incidents connected with -meeting people under peculiar conditions, and as he listened Bud heard -Johnson saying: - -"Queer how people bob up that you'd never expect to meet. Now, today -while we were on the road here from the station, with the truck carrying -our 'plane, I had a thing like that happen to me. Two years back it came -about that I was flying at county fairs down in Florida. I did it as a -means for making ready money, because I wanted to get hold of a new -model hydroaeroplane that I was wild to own. My companion in the Fair -venture was a fellow I never really liked, though he certainly had -plenty of grit, and knew a heap about this flying business. - -"Well, we separated in the end, because I couldn't stand for some of his -crooked ways. From that day to this I did not see him once; yet today, -when we passed a little old house on the road here from the railway -station, who should I see looking from the second-story window, and -staring at all the aviation squad moving along, but my former partner of -the Florida county fair flights. Which shows how small this old world -is, after all. Why, I wouldn't have been any more surprised if I'd -landed on top of Mount Washington, and come face to face there with -Luther Gregory!" - -Bud almost fell over, he received such a shock at hearing the aviator -calmly mention that name. Luther Gregory, the wild son of Uncle Reuben, -the very man whose scheming had caused the scouts all that trouble while -on the road to the mobilization camp--it came to Bud almost like an -inspiration that in this astonishing way he had struck a clue. - -Through his brain chased a dozen brilliant thoughts. Why, if Luther -Gregory had really been the employer whose money had hired that clever -trickster in the flivver to do everything in his power to obstruct the -progress of Blake and his chums, didn't it stand to reason that the -chief plotter must have come on the ground in order to have a hand in -the final attempt to keep Felix from making up with his uncle? - -Bud wanted to shake hands with himself, he felt so tickled. For some -little time he sat there and communed with himself, laying out various -plans whereby he and Hugh and Blake might yet win the game that had -seemed to be going against them. - -He was suddenly aroused by seeing Johnson getting on his feet, and -yawning, as if he felt sleepy, and thought of turning in, although -"taps" had not yet sounded. - -Bud came to a quick determination. He must have a little chat with the -air pilot, and learn a few facts from him. In order to accomplish his -end it would be necessary for him to relate the story of Felix, but he -could bind the other to secrecy. So he also arose and followed the -aviator. - -When a tap came on his shoulder, and Johnson turned to find himself -confronted by the boy, he may have noticed sitting near the fire, -listening, no doubt he felt a little curiosity as to why he had been -picked out for an interview. - -"Guess you've selected the wrong man, young fellow," he went on to say -with a jolly laugh, "if you're expecting a thrilling yarn for your -paper. Better tackle Tom Sherlock, who's seen exciting adventures over -the big drink. He can spin you a story that will make your readers' hair -stand on end." - -"But I want to have a little chat with you, Mr. Johnson," urged Bud. "I -would thank you to give me just a few minutes of your time. It is on a -matter that means a whole lot to a chum of mine. The queer part of it is -that the mention of Luke Gregory's name by you is the whole cause of my -asking this favor." - -The aviator, naturally enough, was surprised. - -"Well, you've managed to arouse my curiosity from the start, my boy!" he -exclaimed, heartily. "I'll be only too glad to listen to anything you -may have to say. Come over here to my tent and sit down on a bench -there; we can talk better at our ease. Right from the beginning let me -say that if Luther Gregory has any share in your story, I'd wager it -isn't going to be to his credit." - -"You hit the nail right on the head when you say that, Mr. Johnson!" -declared Bud, mentally hugging himself with delight over the wonderful -success that had come his way. - -He started in by telling how he and Hugh had been trying to find some -reasonable excuse for visiting the mobilization camp, when Blake came -along and told about the unfortunate quarrel between Felix and his -uncle. Then Bud went on to relate how they had started for the camp in -the old car. Step by step he narrated the difficulties they had to -surmount, and how they felt positive most of their troubles came through -the plotting of the man in the flivver, and who had been seen talking in -a mysterious fashion with Luther Gregory in Oakvale. - -It was an altogether thrilling story, and the aviator listened with rapt -attention until Bud had come down to the point where he heard him -mention that name of Uncle Reuben's profligate son, and tell how he had -actually seen him close to the border of the camp. - -"All I want you to tell me, Mr. Lawrence," Bud wound up with, "is the -location of that little old house where Luther Gregory, you say, was -looking out of the second story window as your Aviation Corps passed -this afternoon. Don't you see, if they have managed somehow to sneak -Felix out of camp, it stands to reason he would be taken to that place, -and kept hidden for twenty-four hours or so, until the time limit was -past. Oh! please tell me, so I can carry the news to my chums, who will -be tickled half to death to hear it." - -The air pilot saw the point, and proceeded forthwith to enter into such -explanations that Bud felt sure he could not miss finding the place; and -after that he hastened to break away, being fairly wild to see Hugh, and -tell him the great news. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - THE VALUE OF A GOOD REPUTATION - - -When Bud presently arrived at the appointed rendezvous neither of his -comrades were in sight. He was nervously walking up and down when a few -minutes later Blake put in an appearance. - -Blake looked particularly woe-begone. Evidently all his efforts to pick -up a promising clue to the solution of the great mystery had failed -miserably. Seeing Bud's nervous stride, he eyed him hungrily. - -"Something ails you, Bud, I'm sure it does from the way you act!" he -exclaimed, fresh hope struggling to gain a new grip on his heart. -"Please tell me if you've found out anything at all, because I haven't -had the least bit of luck." - -"Well, I've nosed around like a regular bloodhound on the scent," -observed Bud, with perhaps a little pardonable pride, "and I reckon now -I've got some _important_ news for Hugh when he shows up here." - -"Oh! have you found Felix?" burst from Blake, excitedly. - -"Er, hardly as strong as that," admitted the other, "but I've run across -a man who saw Luther Gregory looking from the second-story window of a -house not two miles from the border of this camp, and only this -afternoon, in the bargain; which you'll have to own up is some evidence -that he knows what's happened to your cousin." - -Blake proceeded forthwith to pump the hand of his wideawake chum as -though in this fashion alone could he show his sincere appreciation of -the wonderful news Bud had brought in. - -"There comes Hugh right now," added Bud, with the smile of conscious -superiority spread across his face, "and there'll be something doing -soon, believe me." - -The scout master approached. He did not look particularly happy himself, -for, to tell the truth, Hugh had failed to succeed in finding any -conclusive evidence that promised to take them to where the absent Felix -might be found. When he saw how his two comrades were beckoning to -hasten his steps, and discovered their triumphant manner, Hugh lost no -time in joining them. - -"Glad to see that you've had more success this time than fell to my -lot," was his salutation as he came up; "now string it off, and tell me -what's happened to make you both look so oh-be-joyful." - -Bud waited for no second invitation. It did not happen every day that he -was given such a splendid chance to shine in the limelight, and he would -not have been a genuine boy had he failed to take advantage of the -golden opportunity. So, in as terse terms as he could possibly summon to -the front, he told the story of how, after a myriad of efforts, he had -finally run across what seemed to be a most promising clue. - -Hugh listened and made little comment until the story had been ended. -Then he gripped the other's hand. - -"Bud, old man, I'm beginning to think that the luck of this deal is -running strongly in your direction!" he exclaimed, heartily. "If that -master schemer of a Luther Gregory is close by, the man he hired must -know where to find him; and it stands to reason that if he succeeded in -bundling Felix out of camp, even if no one is able to tell how it could -be done, why the first thing he'd do would be to take him to that -house." - -"Oh! and then all we've got to do," broke in the delighted Blake, who -was hardly able to keep from dancing on his tiptoes, such was his -increasing happiness, "is to get a detail of the guardsmen, and go there -to arrest the whole bunch." - -"Of course that's our move," admitted Hugh, "though we mustn't be too -fast about carrying it out. The whole night is before us, you know. They -won't hurt Felix, if our theory is correct. All they want to do is to -keep him out of our reach for twenty-four hours." - -"But we ought to see Captain Barclay again, hadn't we, Hugh?" questioned -Bud. - -"That would be our wisest move," agreed the patrol leader, "because -we'll need some help to round up those rascals; and it can only be -gotten through an order signed by our friend, the artillery captain." - -"No sleep for me tonight, I wager," said Blake; but somehow he seemed to -glory in the fact rather than put on a doleful expression. Action meant -a fresh possibility for a successful ending of his search. - -Hugh looked around him. The camp of the guardsmen still presented a -wonderfully fascinating picture in his eyes, even though some of the -tired militiamen had sought their tents in order to try and get a little -sleep, having had their rest broken more or less since leaving their -widely separated homes. - -"There's the captain heading this way now!" exclaimed Bud, with sudden -zeal. "P'r'aps we had better tackle him while we have the chance, Hugh. -He's got a heap of camp duties to look after, and, according to military -rules, they'd have to take precedence above any private business." - -"Come on, then, and we'll start the ball rolling," the scout master -agreed. - -When Captain Barclay saw his trio of boy friends from Oakvale heading -toward him, he smiled amiably, and nodded his head. - -"Any good news, boys?" he immediately asked, showing that he still -remembered about their mission; "heard of Felix Gregory anywhere, and -was he visiting in some other part of the camp?" - -"No, sir, nothing can be learned about him from any of the men," replied -Hugh, and then immediately adding: "Our chum here, Bud Morgan, happened -to learn something that we believe may offer a strong clue." - -"Tell me about it, then," the officer commanded. "I'm very interested in -the result of your noble mission; and this strange disappearance of an -enlisted man from camp is bothering some of us. I haven't mentioned it -to any one higher up, but was just thinking of seeing the general about -it. Things like that reflect upon the management of a military camp, -where it is expected that discipline governs every movement, so that it -would appear to be impossible for a single individual to drop out. Now -proceed, please." - -Hugh told the story, giving Bud due honors for having made the wonderful -discovery that Luther Gregory was hovering near by, evidently bent on -sharing some of the foul work with the man whom his money had hired. - -Captain Barclay asked several sharp questions. It could be seen that he -was intensely interested. Bud made haste to enlighten him on the points -that did not appear to be quite clear in his mind. - -"Just as you say, Hugh," he finally remarked, decisively, "things begin -to look promising. The chances are ten to one that if Felix has been -coaxed or smuggled out of the camp here, he was taken to that lonely -house on the road. I believe I can remember noticing the place as we -passed from the station this afternoon, where I went to look after some -additional baggage that had been shipped by rail from the home town." - -"You'll help us, won't you, Captain?" - -"I certainly will, to the full extent of my power," came the hearty -response, "though before anything can really be done in the matter I -must have a talk with my commanding officer at Headquarters. Fortunately -there seems to be nothing of moment to demand my attention. So, if you -will once more wait for me here, I'll see the general again. He was -interested in you before, after I had told him some things I knew, and -how Oakvale held the scouts in such high esteem." - -"Oh! I hope he agrees to let you help us surround that house, and see if -Felix is held a prisoner there," remarked Blake. - -"I don't have the slightest doubt about the ultimate outcome," said the -officer, "so far as the general's co-operation goes. Whether we find -your cousin there or not is another thing; but I believe the chances are -fairly good. Look for me inside of half an hour, boys." - -With that he hastened away, turning his back upon his comfortable tent -with its inviting camp cot, which must have appealed strongly to a tired -soldier. - -"Half an hour he said, didn't he?" sighed Blake. "Gee whiz! that's a -whole thirty long minutes. It'll seem like a week to me, I guess. But -what's the use looking a gift horse in the mouth. I ought to be thanking -my lucky stars that there's such a bully chance ahead. I'm going to quit -grumbling." - -"What do you expect he meant by saying the general was interested in us -as scouts, Hugh?" asked Bud. - -"Oh! just what he explained by telling us he'd mentioned some of the -things we Oakvale scouts had hung up to our credit," the patrol leader -answered. "I suppose there are few troops in the East that can point -with pride to a record like ours. We've been a whole lot lucky to have -such chances to do things come along." - -"At a time like this," Bud continued, a look of satisfaction covering -his face, "it certainly does make a fellow feel good to know he hasn't -any reason to be ashamed of his past record." - -"There, I saw a soldier stop the captain and salute, after which he -handed him something," Blake burst out with, excitedly. "Now Captain -Barclay is pointing straight toward us, boys; and see, he's handed the -thing back again. Looks to me as if he had ordered him to deliver the -same to us. I wonder what under the sun it can be?" - -"We'll soon know," advised Bud, "because here comes the soldier; and by -the same token it's Burch Shafter, Hugh, whom you got to join the -battery after convincing his mother it was a duty he owed his -country."[3] - -They watched the man in uniform approach them with growing interest. It -struck the scouts as having some sort of connection with their mission -in the mobilization camp. Perhaps the young fellow was bringing them -fresh news--Blake even began to speculate upon the most improbable -things, to the extent of wondering whether this might not be some -audacious communication from Luther Gregory telling him that his quest -would be fruitless, and that he might just as well return to Oakvale, -since he could not find Felix within the given time. - -Then the artilleryman arrived. Young Shafter recognized them all, and he -looked particularly at Hugh with a gleam of affection in his eyes, -because the scout master had been mainly instrumental in getting his -mother's consent to his enlistment. Nevertheless, he made a stiff -military salute upon first arriving, and then dropped his hand at his -side "at attention." - -"Huh! that doesn't go among old friends, Burch," chuckled Bud. "Nobody's -watching you now, so you c'n drop your camp manners, and be sociable." - -With that he clutched the other's hand and shook it. The "rookie" -laughed, and from that moment became companionable. Hugh and Blake in -turn greeted him; for up to then they had not chanced to run across -young Shafter, as he had been in another part of the camp, possibly sent -on official business. - -"Something was found in Felix Gregory's tent, and they dispatched me -with it to the captain," he went on to explain. "When he looked it over -he said Blake here ought to take charge of the same, and so I'm turning -it over to him." - -When Blake glanced at the object that was placed in his hand he gave a -cry of astonishment. - -"Look here, Hugh, Bud!" he commenced to say, deeply moved, "it's a -letter written by Felix, and sealed; and, would you believe it, the same -is directed to Uncle Reuben. Oh! I wonder now did Felix repent of his -own accord of those ugly things he said in his hasty temper, and write -to apologize? Wouldn't that be a great thing, though, and a bully ending -of the whole silly affair?" - - - - - CHAPTER XII - THE SEARCH SQUAD - - -"Don't be hasty about opening that letter, Blake," cautioned the scout -master, who saw that such a move was indeed contemplated by his chum. - -Blake held his hand before he had started to tear an end off the sealed -envelope. - -"Why, I thought it would be only right to find out if Felix had said he -was sorry, Hugh," he hastened to explain, looking somewhat disappointed. -"Because if things did turn out that way, you see I could get this -letter to Uncle Reuben, and then the object of our run up here to camp -would be accomplished." - -"Yes, I understand all that, Blake," answered the other, quietly, "but -we mustn't forget that a seal should be considered inviolate, and a -letter like this not opened except as a last resort. He hadn't mailed -it, and might reconsider writing the same, no matter what the contents -are. Then, again, you can't be sure that he did repent, and was wanting -Uncle Reuben to forgive him." - -Blake gave a big sigh. - -"I suppose you're right about that, Hugh," he admitted, reluctantly, -"though I'd certainly like to see what's inside of this the worst kind." - -"Better let Hugh keep it in his pocket," suggested Bud. - -"Which means that maybe I might yield to a strong temptation and slit -the envelope open some time or other," Blake remarked, quickly. "Well, -it might be just as good that I didn't have the chance, so here, you -keep it, Hugh." - -Accordingly, the patrol leader took the letter addressed to Mr. Reuben -Gregory at Oakvale. - -"I'll tell you how we'll settle this thing," he proposed, thinking it -best to have it decided, and wishing to give poor Blake what measure of -comfort he could; "suppose we say we'll leave the letter unopened until -nine tomorrow morning. Then, if nothing comes from our hunt for your -cousin tonight, and the mystery of his disappearance is still -unexplained, why, I'll take chances and we'll see what he wrote." - -"All right, Hugh," agreed Blake, instantly. "That's about as good a -programme as we could arrange. Still, we have all admitted that it looks -promising that Felix went to the trouble of writing a letter to Uncle -Reuben, Something must have been worrying him--we've heard from one of -his comrades here that he hasn't been himself ever since the battery -left Oakvale. It was an uneasy conscience, I'm sure; I know Felix pretty -well, and I'm certain that if he began to believe he had acted in a mean -way he would get no peace of mind until he had done all in his power to -rectify his error." - -Apparently Blake was in a decidedly "chipper" frame of mind since this -last odd happening. He seemed to feel that things were finally working -out to serve their ends, and that success must soon perch on their -banner. - -"Well," remarked the philosophical Bud, "nothing like having two strings -to your bow, I've always believed. Never put all your eggs in one -basket. Now, in case our little excursion along the road to the railway -station turns out a complete failure, you see we've always got this -letter to turn to." - -"And, of course," added Blake, "when the time limit has expired those -men won't bother trying to hold poor Felix any longer. They'll believe -their game is won, and turn him loose. Now, just ten minutes have -dragged by since Captain Barclay left us, and he said half an hour, -didn't he?" - -All this was like so much Greek to young Shafter, and, seeing the look -of bewilderment on his face, Hugh took pity on him. Besides, since the -story was getting to be in general circulation through devious channels, -one guardsman taken into their confidence would not matter. Then, again, -the telling might serve to kill a little of the time that promised to -hang so heavily on their hands. - -Accordingly he started in to entertain Burch Shafter with a remarkable -story that held his attention closely all the way through. Hugh was not -the one to waste words, and so he kept "hewing close to the line" until -he had arrived at the point where they were waiting for Captain Barclay -to return with permission from Headquarters to take a detail of armed -men and ascertain who the inmates of that old house on the roadside -were; likewise, whether Private Gregory were detained there against his -will. - -"All I can say," remarked the deeply interested listener, after the -stirring account of their adventures on the road had been brought to a -finish, "is that it beats the Dutch how you scouts do have thrilling -happenings come your way. Why, there's a list as long as my arm of fine -things you fellows have done. Here you promise to add another laurel to -the wreath you've won. I take off my hat to Hugh Hardin and the boys of -Oakvale Troop. They are trump cards, every one of them, and that's the -truth." - -He suddenly remembered he was a soldier, and that his time could not be -called his own; so, saying a hasty good-bye, Burch Shafter strode away. -His coming, and what he had brought with him, had given them all new -reasons for gratitude, and the rainbow of promise was once more shining -brilliantly in the heavens above. - -The time dragged horribly after that, although they talked of many -things, so that Blake might not give way to impatience. There was a -never-ending source of delight in just glancing around them at all the -queer sights by which they found themselves surrounded, with veterans -and rookies carrying on a multitude of camp duties. Had it been in the -daytime instead of about nine o'clock at night, doubtless the visitors -would have witnessed a multitude of intensely interesting things, such -as are born of camp life, from comrades being shaved by fresh barbers, -to others engaged in taking their first lesson in the art of washing -their own clothes under very primitive conditions. - -Finally, when Blake had sighed for about the hundredth time, and Bud -himself took to yawning because of the inaction, Hugh announced that he -believed he had seen an officer hurrying in their direction. - -"Unless I'm greatly mistaken, it's our friend the captain," he added. - -"Sure it is, and no mistake," chuckled Bud; while Blake drew in a long -breath that spelled relief because his "watchful waiting" period was -over. - -As the officer approached they took new hope upon seeing the look spread -upon his face. Surely he would not smile so broadly if he were bringing -them bad news. - -"It's all right, boys, all right," he told them, immediately. - -"Then the general has given permission for us to carry out the scheme, -has he, sir?" asked Hugh, greatly pleased. - -"He told me to take charge of it personally, and leave no stone unturned -to ascertain how Private Gregory could be taken out of the camp -undetected; also to bring before him those guilty of the outrage, if -they could be caught. That house, it seems, comes within the boundaries -of the camp, and hence any one living there, or occupying the premises, -is amenable to military discipline and rules." - -"Then if by good luck we trap that schemer and good-for-nothing Luther -Gregory," exclaimed Blake, rubbing his hands in joy, "it's going to be -hard for him because he's interfered with the liberty of one of Uncle -Sam's recruits? Well, I guess on the whole he'll get only what he -deserves, and I'll be glad of it." - -"Are you going with us, Captain?" asked Bud. - -"Yes, and I shall take a detail of men, so as to make doubly sure," -explained the officer, as though he had mapped out his plan of campaign, -like a wise soldier, as he came along. "The moon will soon be rising, -and we may get some benefit of her light, though that does not matter -much." - -He was told about the letter, and seemed to feel a good deal like Hugh -in that it had better not be opened, save as a last resort. If other -things failed them, and no signs of the missing Felix could be found, -then it would be time enough to think of breaking the seal. - -"You know," he went on to say, particularly directing the words toward -Blake, whom he guessed had been the one desirous of reading the letter, -"there's always a mean feeling comes on any one when you open a sealed -envelope surreptitiously. It's like a thief breaking into a house in the -night; you think you're doing something you ought to be ashamed of, no -matter how good your motives really are. So better let that rest until -all other hope has been abandoned." - -"Yes," added Bud, "and even at noon tomorrow we could telegraph to Uncle -Reuben we were on the road with a letter of apology, and he'd be only -too willing to wait for us to arrive before changing his will. I reckon -the old gentleman would be only too glad of a chance to meet a -compromise halfway, if he thinks as much of Felix as Blake Merton here -tells us he does." - -"I want you to come with me over to the camp of the aviation boys," said -Captain Barclay. "I have authority to enlist anyone I please in the -squad we shall take with us for duty, and that being the case it might -be just as well to have that party along who told you about Luther -Gregory." - -"Johnston was his name, Captain," explained Bud, "and I reckon he's some -punkins of an aeroplane pilot, too, because he's been giving daring -exhibitions in lots of county fairs down South last winter. From what he -said, I reckon Johnston will be glad to be in the bunch, because things -are getting kind of stale for him here, with so little material to work -with." - -The captain left them for a short time. When he came back, three men -carrying guns followed at his heels. Blake surveyed their armament with -considerable interest, as though convinced by this time that the clouds -were gathering around the devoted heads of the two schemers who must -soon find themselves in the toils. - -"There's the moon just peeping above the horizon, you see, boys," the -captain remarked, as he joined the waiting trio of scouts. "It isn't -more than ten o'clock, either, and we needn't be in any hurry. Let's -head across to where the aviation squad have their quarters, so as to -pick up Johnston, the air pilot." - -As they were proceeding along, the clear notes of a bugle ascended from -some point close by, and never would Hugh and his chums forget the -peculiar effect produced upon them when, for the first time, they heard -"taps" sounded in a military camp while the grim shadow of impending war -was hovering over the land. It seemed to thrill them through and through -with its significance, for they could not help remembering how it is -this same sweet sad call that is invariably given over the grave of a -soldier when his comrades bury him with full military honors. - -When they finally arrived at the border of the camp, where lay the field -that was to be devoted to such aviation work as could be carried on with -the poor material on hand, Captain Barclay immediately sought the -officer in command of the squad, whom he chanced to already know. - -He found no trouble in securing permission to have the air pilot -Johnston join them, though, doubtless, the other wondered much what it -all meant, for there was no time to enter into full explanations. -Captain Barclay did promise to see him on the next day, and tell him an -interesting story connected with the visit of these three scouts from -his home town. - -Johnston recognized Bud, and readily agreed to lead the little -expedition to the house where he had seen his old associate in -aeronautics, Luther Gregory. As he had, it may be remembered, heard -pretty much the whole story of the adventure from Bud Morgan's lips, at -the time the other was coaxing him to tell the location of the house -where he claimed to have seen Luther, the aviator did not express any -surprise, only satisfaction that his services had been thought worth -while securing. - -There being nothing else to detain them now, the captain gave the order -for marching, and the little company started forth. A sentry on the -border of the great camp challenged, and demanded the password, which -Captain Barclay whispered in his ear; and so with the last obstacle to -their progress removed they began to follow the road that led to the -railway station, possibly four miles away. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - THE HOUSE BY THE ROADSIDE - - -When Bud Morgan glanced back over his shoulder just as they struck the -road and were well launched on their night tramp, he could not help -thinking what a wonderful sight it was that greeted his admiring eyes. -Bud had always been a great hand for drinking in scenes that were -uncommon, and had been known to temporarily forget that he was engaged -in a running match, when from the top of a rise a vista of unusual -beauty burst upon his vision. - -The battered old moon was above the horizon now, and lay low in the -east. A myriad of camp fires flickered through the broad valley where -the State guardsmen were encamped, waiting to be sworn into the service -of Uncle Sam, and entrain for the distant border. All sorts of murmurous -sounds came floating to the ear, and formed a medley never to be -forgotten. - -Bud, finding that the others were fast leaving him in the lurch, -hastened to catch up with his chums; but he knew he would carry that -wonderful picture in memory as long as he lived. The very mention of a -mobilization camp would make him think of the soft dab of yellow in the -sky marking the rising moon, the glittering patches scattered about that -looked like giant fireflies; and the murmuring sound of many voices, -braying of mules, and kindred camp notes. - -But "taps" had sounded, and all this would presently die away, for -strict military regulations governed the uniformed community. - -Bud found a place alongside Blake, while Hugh strode on with Captain -Barclay and the aviator guide, Johnston. It was perfectly natural that -the two boys should desire to communicate while on the way. Blake in -particular wanted to find certain things, and as he could bend his head -close to that of his comrade, before they had been three minutes on the -road in company, he was whispering: - -"Bud, would you mind if I asked you something?" - -"Why, of course not, Blake," replied the other in a soft tone, "only be -careful how you speak. Remember that we're under the captain's orders -now, and he told us not to say anything louder than a whisper. So fire -away." - -No doubt Bud understood how very anxious the other must be, for Blake -had far more at stake in the successful outcome of their adventure than -either of his companions, hence the willingness of Bud to accommodate -him; for Blake was a pretty decent sort of fellow, as boys go, and well -liked by the Oakvale Troop. - -"Why, I only wanted to ask if you could give any kind of guess what the -programme is going to be after we get to that lonely house by the road?" -Blake asked, showing that, after all, it was more a desire to receive -some comforting assurance than a hope for knowledge that actuated him. - -"Oh! shucks! how c'n I tell that, Blake?" protested the other. "Just as -like as not we'll first of all throw a loop around the old shanty, so -nobody c'n skip out, and then start in to comb it from attic to cellar. -All I'm hoping is that they don't think to carry Felix further away in -that little flivver car, you know." - -"Huh! say, Bud, d'ye know that's just what's been bothering me right -along," admitted Blake. "Everything hinges on our finding that bunch -hiding at the house alongside the road. I wish we were there, so we'd -know the worst." - -"Brace up, Blake," said Bud, encouragingly. "I've got a hunch that it's -all going to come off gilt-edged. Show your colors, old fellow, and -don't forget that a scout can keep his fears under control." - -After that Blake fell quiet. Perhaps he realized that it was foolish to -give way to these doubts, just as Bud meant to imply. Silently the -little detachment advanced along the road, the four armed soldiers -bringing up the rear. Once they were challenged, for videttes had been -posted even outside the limits of the big military camp, since strict -army rules prevailed, and in a hostile country this would be the -practice. The captain, however, gave the password in the ear of the man -who suddenly challenged them, and they were permitted to move along. - -After this had kept up for possibly fifteen minutes, the boys knew they -must be close upon the object of their search. Johnston had, in the -beginning, said it was less than two miles away, and hence, at any -moment now, they might expect to hear a low command to halt, after which -the captain would give directions governing their future movements. - -Eagerly, Blake was straining his eyes in hopes of discovering some sort -of house ahead. More than once he thought he had hit upon it, only to -find, upon drawing near, that a clump of trees formed the dark shadow -patch upon which his gaze had settled. - -But all things must have an end, and in due time the guide of the -expedition signified that they were now within stone's throw of their -destination. The captain beckoned them to gather around him, after which -in whispers he designated every one's part in the venture. - -The four privates were to circle the house, guarding every exit, whether -this be a door or window. Their orders were to hail first, and then, if -the fleeing party refused to halt, to shoot, though trying to "pepper" -the man's legs rather than mortally injure him. - -As for the three scouts, they were to accompany the captain and -Johnston, whose intention it was to enter the building and arrest the -inmates. - -When Blake heard this he fairly quivered with an excess of emotion and -zeal. He was only too delighted at such a chance to be "in at the -death," as he mentally termed it. How good it was of their friend the -captain to allow them this privilege. Most army officers would have -considered boys a nuisance, and, doubtless, ordered them to stay back -until things had shaped themselves, and the danger was past; but then -Captain Barclay lived in Oakvale, and knew just how bravely the scouts -had carried themselves on numberless occasions. - -All of them could see the house, for they were creeping forward again. -It happened to be upon the side of the road where the low-lying moon's -rays did not fall, so that the shadows were fairly dense; but sharp eyes -could make it out. - -Blake was glad to notice that all seemed as still as death around the -place. So far as he could see, there was no sign of a light visible. If -the inmates were awake and burning a lamp, they must have first -carefully drawn the shades, and otherwise darkened the windows, for try -as Blake might, he failed to detect even a narrow shaft of illumination. - -A near-panic gripped the boy's rapidly beating heart. He feared that -those they sought might not be at the roadhouse--that when the man in -the flivver had arrived with Felix in his car they may have continued -the flight, and by this time were many miles away. - -However, Blake's fright was of short duration. He remembered what Bud -had said about mastering himself, and thus managed to get a firm grip on -his weak heart. - -Great care was taken while advancing to keep well in the shadow. -Although everything seemed so still about the place, there was no -telling whether the suspected inmates of the house were on guard or not. -For all they knew, hostile eyes might be peering out from some crack, -and ordinary caution required that they take just as much pains as -though they knew this for a certainty. - -By motions rather than even the lowest of words the captain stationed -his four men. He had evidently planned his every move, and there was to -be no hitch that would imperil the success of the enterprise. - -When the armed guards had been placed, the next thing was to approach -the door and knock. Blake again had a chilly feeling attack as he -realized that the crisis was now at hand, when success or failure would -follow. If repeated knocking went without any response, the chances were -the house had been abandoned, and that they would have had all their -trouble for their pains. Of course, though, Blake told himself, they -would give the place a thorough overhauling, so as to make sure those -they sought were not hiding. - -Well, there was one comfort that appealed to him. This lay in the letter -which Felix had written, and now in the possession of Hugh Hardin. If -the worst came they could open that, and always have a chance that it -would be what they wanted, an apology meant for Uncle Reuben's eye. - -The captain had stepped boldly up to the door. Blake saw him place his -ear close to the panels, after trying the knob and finding that a key -had been turned in the lock, for the door refused to open. If Captain -Barclay detected the least sign of human occupancy, he gave no -indication of it; but he did knock loudly with his knuckles. - -Everybody listened intently. The four uniformed guards had been -cautioned to keep out of sight, and the shadows engulfed them. Had any -one peered from a window he would have been able to see nothing, unless -in some manner he managed to glimpse that little group on the stone step -before the door. - -But some person was certainly moving inside, for even Blake heard sounds -indicating such a thing. The officer waited a minute, and then again -thumped lustily on the panel. A glimmer of light was seen, telling them -that some one approached; then came the sound of a key turned in the -lock, after which the door swung partly open, revealing a man standing -there, holding a lighted lamp. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - A SUCCESSFUL ROUND-UP - - -"Don't drop that lamp if you value your life!" called out Captain -Barclay, as he immediately covered the startled man with a weapon. - -"That's him, Captain--it's Luther Gregory!" shrilled Blake, forgetting -that as the captain lived in Oakvale he must also have known the other -in times gone by. - -Luther Gregory it was for a fact, and Hugh, upon discovering this, felt -a wave of relief rushing over him. He believed they were going to meet -with success in their undertaking, and that all would come out well. - -"What's all this mean?" exclaimed the man who held the lamp. - -Hugh immediately started to relieve him of the light, for he was afraid -that a sudden desperate move toward escape might be inaugurated by the -plotter dropping the lamp, and causing either an explosion, or darkness -to cover the scene. - -"Only that you are under arrest, Gregory, charged with unlawfully taking -an enlisted man out of camp against his will." - -With that the captain summoned one of the guards and placed him at the -side of the prisoner. When Luther Gregory saw this he laughed and -shrugged his shoulders after the fashion of a reckless man who, having -played for high stakes, sees his castles in the air falling in ruins, -and cares little what becomes of him. - -"Oh! the game is up, is it?" he called out. "Well, you won't hear a -squeal from me. I haven't done anything so terrible that the Government, -or the State, either, can hold me for it. Coaxing an enlisted man to -desert might seem a crime, but inviting him to visit you, and spend the -evening is another. You can't prove a thing against me, try as hard as -you please." - -"We'll see about that later on," said the officer, grimly. "Meanwhile -we'll take a look through this house, and make the acquaintance of your -confederate in crime. Come with me, boys; fetch him in also, Private -Fielder, and keep a tight hold on his arm. Remember you are at liberty -to shoot if he tries to break away." - -"I'm not so great a fool as to take such chances, Captain," the other -told him. - -When from the hall they stepped into the adjoining room Blake gave -utterance to a low cry of mingled concern and joy, for the very first -thing his eyes discovered was a figure lying on a cot. He flew across -the apartment and bent down. - -"It's Felix, boys, sure it is my cousin!" he called out. "Don't you know -me, Felix? Oh! Hugh, what ails him, do you think? See how he stares at -me, just as if he didn't recognize me one bit. Is he sick, Hugh; or have -those men done something to make him act so queerly?" - -The scout master knew. - -"I think they've given him some sort of drug, Blake," he went on to say, -laying a hand on Blake's shoulder, for he realized that the boy was -terribly wrought up. "He's already recovering, and will be himself -soon." - -"Is that the truth, Gregory?" demanded the captain, harshly frowning -upon the prisoner, who, however, was too clever to commit himself so -early in the game. - -"Why, the fact is," he remarked, airily, with a light laugh, "Cousin -Felix commenced to act strangely soon after coming here to visit me. I -thought he was going to have a fit, and coaxed him to lie down there as -you see. He is getting better, though, and will be himself before very -long. But his mind is apt to be clouded, more or less; and I shouldn't -be much surprised if he even got it into his silly head to think I had -something to do with his leaving the camp, and coming here to visit." - -Captain Barclay understood what the sly schemer was aiming to do. He -smiled in a satirical way, and then remarked: - -"You'll not be able to hoodwink the eyes of a judge and jury when you're -placed on trial for this nasty business, Gregory. You've played a high -hand, but this time you're going to get your reward, and see the inside -of a State's prison. But let's take a look around, and see what's become -of your accomplice; for since I noticed his little car drawn under a -shed back of the house, I take it he must still be somewhere around." - -At that Hugh and Bud began to take fresh interest in the case, though -Blake apparently had eyes only for his cousin, over whom he was bending, -trying to hold the attention of Felix by continual talking. The scout -instinct was strong in the makeup of the two lads, and no sooner had the -captain suggested a hunt to find the missing tool of the arch schemer -than they began to use their eyes in searching out every possible place -where a small man might conceal himself in an emergency. - -They had good reason to feel anything but kindly disposed toward that -man of the flivver. Not only did he curtly decline to assist them when -they had engine trouble, but had afterwards done everything in his power -to hold them up on the way to camp. The memory of the country constable -who believed them to be thieves running away with a car they had taken, -as well as what happened at the burning bridge, were things not -calculated to make them feel very friendly toward the unscrupulous man -who had been responsible for these various happenings. - -Hugh noticed almost immediately that while there was no blaze in the big -open fireplace, there did seem to be an unusual amount of soot on the -hearth. This must have given him his cue, for he stepped forward, bent -down, and tried to see up the wide-throated chimney. - -"See anything up there, Hugh?" asked Bud, close at his elbow. - -"Look at my face and tell me if you see little patches of black on it?" -demanded the scout master, turning his head to his comrade for -examination. - -"Just what there are, Hugh!" exclaimed the other, joyfully, "which -announces the fact that _somebody_ is up there in that chimney. How'll -you get Mr. Coon to come down?" - -"Captain, please lend me your revolver," said Hugh, in a loud voice, -purposely intended to pass up the chimney flue. "It's got six cartridges -in the chambers hasn't it, Captain? Well, they ought to be enough to -fetch him down, dead or alive." - -Instantly there came a half-muffled groan, and then following an appeal: - -"Hold on please, don't shoot! I'm coming down just as fast as I can. Oh! -I'm nearly choked to death with the soot up here. Wait for me, please!" - -More black stuff came down in a shower. Hugh stepped back, and with a -grin on his face, Bud followed suit. They heard considerable scratching -and puffing from inside the chimney, after which there came a thud. - -"Oh! what is it?" gasped Bud as he stared at a dusky object that huddled -there on the open hearth amidst the piles of soot. - -"It's me," piped up a half strangled voice. "Jones is my name, Pliny -Jones, and, as usual, playing in tough luck. I'll turn State's evidence, -gentlemen, if you can promise me immunity. But what I want most of all -just now is a plain drink of water, because I'm choking horribly. Please -accommodate a poor wretch, one of you boys." - -Bud could not resist the appeal, though he was quivering with half -suppressed laughter, for it was decidedly comical to see what a sight -the small owner of the flivver had made of himself by crowding into the -recesses of the chimney--a negro could not have been any blacker, Bud -felt sure. - -By slow degrees Felix seemed to be coming out of his stupor. He had -already managed to recognize Blake Merton, though it was hard for him to -realize just where he was, and what had happened to him. In fact, his -mind was always in somewhat of a haze concerning the events of the last -few hours. - -He later on remembered being spoken to by the small man in the car, who -had found a way to enter the camp. The other had whispered to him that -he was the bearer of an important message from his Uncle Reuben; and as -Felix just then was mourning the recent unfortunate break with his -guardian, he gave a ready ear to a request to join the other at a -certain spot outside the limits of the camp, knowing he could get -permission to go there. - -He also remembered being told to lean forward, and take a look at some -paper held by the other, and that a sudden vertigo seized him as a -handkerchief was clapped over his face. After that it was all vague, -although he believed he had been stowed away in the small car, and -driven a short distance, and only now to awaken from a dream to find -Blake there. Some strange things taking place puzzled him greatly. - -It was difficult to believe that such a kidnaping could actually have -taken place, and yet the evidence of it lay before them. The captain had -the two prisoners taken away, to be confined in the guard house until -morning, when he expected to put their case in the hands of the -commanding general, who, being a lawyer himself, would know what to do -with them, so that they might be made to suffer for their miserable -work. - -Felix, having recovered in part, was taken in the small car to camp, the -scouts following after with Johnston the aviator, from whom Bud picked -up many hints as they strode along. - -Later on that same night Hugh, Blake and Bud gathered in a tent with the -genial captain, who was, of course, deeply interested in their affairs, -and anxious to see the outcome. - -Felix was also present, having by that time fully recovered from his -recent adventure, though still pale. Here the story was gone over again, -in order that the two listeners might get a full comprehension of the -facts. - -They seemed to be deeply interested as the recital progressed, now one -of the trio taking it upon himself to do the explaining, and then -another, until in the end everything had been made clear. - -"And now," said Hugh, in conclusion, when they had come down to the -place where the capture of the schemers was effected at the roadside -house, "here's the letter they found in your tent, Felix, addressed to -Uncle Reuben, and which you evidently meant to mail in the morning. -Blake was crazy to open it, and see how you felt toward your guardian, -but I held him back,--although we would have had to do it in case we -failed to find you by noon tomorrow. You can do as you please about -showing us what you wrote." - -Felix never hesitated a moment, but, tearing an end from the envelope, -handed the enclosure to the scout master. - -"Read it out loud, please, Hugh," he said simply, yet with a gleam of -pride and satisfaction in his voice and manner. - -Hugh hastened to do as he was told. The letter proved to be long, and -need not be given here, but it was certainly just what might have been -expected from a quick tempered lad like Felix, who often said things -hastily, and then bitterly repented of them afterwards. Hugh knew that -Uncle Reuben would treasure that manly apology as a most precious -document. - -"It's all right, Felix; couldn't be better!" cried Blake, seizing the -young guardsman's hand and wringing it enthusiastically. "You're going -to give me that letter, sealed in another envelope and addressed to -Uncle Reuben. Then first thing in the morning I'll get him on the 'phone -and tell him all about it, so his mind will be easy in case anything -prevents us from getting back home by tomorrow night." - -So it was all arranged. The captain joined in congratulating Felix over -the successful outcome of his escapade. - -"I hope this will be a lesson to you, my boy, all your life," he told -him, seriously, as became a commanding officer, "and that you'll learn -to bridle your tongue. Lots of trouble is caused in this world by people -saying things they're sure to regret afterwards. But let me tell you, -Felix, you owe all your present condition of liberty and happiness to -these bright and bustling scout friends of yours. Once more Oakvale has -reason to be proud of her boys; and I mean that the story of this trip -to the mobilization camp isn't kept like a light hidden under a bushel. -Others ought to hear about such praiseworthy work, in order that they -may emulate the example set by Hugh and his two chums." - -The good captain would not hear of the scouts leaving the camp that -night. They could occupy a spare tent that he was only too happy to -offer them. The arrangement made with the commanding general would -answer for this; and, besides, in the morning he wanted them to meet the -"head boss" of the camp, who must hear the story of their late -adventures, for it happened that he had boys of his own who belonged to -a troop, and the general was deeply interested in all that concerned -scout activities. - -So we may leave Hugh and Bud and Blake there, to get what sleep they -could amidst such strange surroundings. In thus saying goodbye to the -boys of the Oakvale Troop, however, it is with the assurance that such -active fellows cannot rest long without engaging in further ventures -which will demand our attention, and necessitate another volume to tell -the story of their successes. - - - THE END. - - - - - Footnotes - - -[1]See "The Boy Scouts' Rally to the Colors." - -[2]See "The Boy Scouts as Forest Fire Fighters." - -[3]See "The Boy Scouts' Rally to the Colors." - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Added a Table of Contents based on chapter headings. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings, - dialect, and name inconsistencies unchanged. - ---Note that the villain "Luke" Gregory suddenly assumes the alias - "Luther" for no explicitly stated reason. - ---Note that the recruit Mr. "Johnson" becomes Mr. "Johnston" (with a - passing fling as "Mr. Lawrence".) - ---Note that one of the books mentioned in footnotes, "The Boy Scouts' - Rally to the Colors.", apparently was never published. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Scouts at Mobilization Camp, by -Robert Shaler - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS AT MOBILIZATION CAMP *** - -***** This file should be named 50224.txt or 50224.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/2/50224/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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