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diff --git a/old/51792-0.txt b/old/51792-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f89b39c..0000000 --- a/old/51792-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8819 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Debt of Honor, by Horatio Alger - -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: A Debt of Honor - The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West - -Author: Horatio Alger - -Illustrator: J. Watson Davis - -Release Date: April 19, 2016 [EBook #51792] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DEBT OF HONOR *** - - - - -Produced by Giovanni Fini, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: - -—Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected. - - -[Illustration: “Glad to see you, Gerald,” said Jack Amsden as the boy -descended from the stage.—Page 289.] - - - - - A DEBT OF HONOR. - - - THE STORY OF - GERALD LANE’S SUCCESS IN THE FAR WEST. - - - BY HORATIO ALGER, JR., - - _Author of “Joe’s Luck,” “Tom the Bootblack,” “Dan the - Newsboy,” “The Errand Boy,” etc., etc._ - - - With Five Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis. - - - A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, - 52-58 DUANE STREET, NEW YORK. - - - - - Copyright, 1900, by A. L. BURT - - A DEBT OF HONOR. - - BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. The Cabin in the Foothills 1 - - II. A Debt of Honor 15 - - III. Bradley Wentworth 22 - - IV. Comparing Notes 27 - - V. A Compact 34 - - VI. A Startling Discovery 42 - - VII. Tracking the Thief 50 - - VIII. Foiling a Thief 58 - - IX. Alone in the World 66 - - X. An Unexpected Visitor 75 - - XI. Jake Amsden Makes an Early Call, and Has - a Warm Reception 84 - - XII. An International Combat 93 - - XIII. A Victim of Injustice 101 - - XIV. Jake Amsden Turns Over a New Leaf 109 - - XV. Bradley Wentworth’s Morning Mail 116 - - XVI. A Letter from Jake Amsden 124 - - XVII. The Backwoods Hotel 132 - - XVIII. The Peters Family 140 - - XIX. Science Versus Strength 148 - - XX. Hitting the Bull’s-Eye 156 - - XXI. On the Steamer Rock Island 165 - - XXII. Bradley Wentworth Tries to Make Mischief 173 - - XXIII. Mr. Standish Receives a Commission 182 - - XXIV. A False Alarm 191 - - XXV. Gerald has an Unpleasant Adventure 199 - - XXVI. Tip and his Tricks 207 - - XXVII. Mr. Standish States his Business 212 - - XXVIII. Mr. Standish Gains a Barren Victory 216 - - XXIX. Gerald is Released 224 - - XXX. Tidings of the Fugitive 233 - - XXXI. The Young Runaways 238 - - XXXII. Arthur Grigson’s Treachery 242 - - XXXIII. Interviewing a Burglar 250 - - XXXIV. A Strange Meeting 258 - - XXXV. Thomas Hastings 267 - - XXXVI. Old Acquaintances 275 - - XXXVII. A Letter from Gulchville 283 - - XXXVIII. Gerald Sells his Patrimony 288 - - XXXIX. Conclusion 293 - - - - - A DEBT OF HONOR. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE CABIN IN THE FOOTHILLS. - - -OUR story opens in a cabin among the foothills of Colorado. It was -built of logs, and was not over twelve feet in height. In the center -was a door, with a small window on each side. Through the roof rose a -section of funnel, from which issued a slender cloud of smoke. - -Let us enter. - -The interior of the cabin is a surprise—being comfortably furnished, -while a carpet covers the floor. On one side is a bureau, a few -portraits are on the walls, a pine bedstead and an easy-chair, in -which is reclining a man of middle age whose wasted form and hollow -cheeks attest the ravages of consumption. From time to time he looked -wistfully toward the door, saying in a low voice: “Where is Gerald? He -is gone a long time.” - -Five minutes later the sound of hoofs was heard outside, and a boy of -sixteen galloped up from the canyon on the left, and, jumping off at -the portal, tethered his pony and pushed open the door of the cabin. He -was a marked contrast to the sick man, for he was strongly made, with -the hue of health in his ruddy cheeks, and a self-reliant, manly look -upon his attractive face. - -“How do you feel, father?” he asked gently. - -The sick man shook his head. - -“I shall never be any better, Gerald,” he answered slowly. - -“Don’t look on the dark side,” said Gerald. - -“See, I have brought you some medicine.” - -He took from the side pocket of his sack coat a bottle, which he placed -on the table. - -“There, father, that will do you good,” he said in a cheerful tone. - -“It may relieve me a little, Gerald, but I am past permanent help.” - -“Don’t say that, father!” said the boy, much moved. “You will live a -long time.” - -“No; I shall deceive myself with no such expectation. Don’t think I -fear death. It has only one bitterness for me.” - -The boy looked at his father inquiringly, anxiety wrinkling his brow. - -“It is,” resumed the sick man, “that I shall leave you unprovided for. -You will have to fight the battle of life alone.” - -“I am young and strong.” - -“Yes, but I would like to have left you in better condition. It is -possible I may do so. I wrote some time since to a man who is rich and -prosperous, and is under great obligations to me, telling him about you -and asking him, as I had a right to ask him, to befriend you.” - -Gerald looked surprised. - -“Why has he never helped you?” he asked. - -“Because—well, I have not perhaps urged the matter sufficiently,” he -said. - -“You say you did this man a service,” said Gerald. - -“Yes. I think the time has come when I should tell you what that -service is. Let me say in the outset that I saved his reputation at the -expense of my own. It was, I am afraid, a mistake, for it ruined my -life. But I was strongly tempted!” - -He paused. Gerald listened with painful interest. - -“You never told me much of your early life, father,” he said. - -“You have wondered, no doubt, why I left civilization and buried -myself-and you-in this out-of-the-way place?” - -“Yes, father, I have wondered, but I did not like to ask you.” - -“It is the fault of one man.” - -“The man whom you expect to befriend me, father?” - -“Yes.” - -“I don’t think I should like to be indebted to such a man,” said -Gerald, and a stern expression settled on his young face. “I should not -wish to accept any favors at his hands.” - -“Nor would you. It would not be a favor, but the payment of a sacred -debt. It would be reparation for a great wrong.” - -“But, father, the reparation ought to have been made to you, not to me.” - -“You are right, Gerald, but it is too late now.” - -“Why did you not take steps before to have this wrong righted?” - -“Because the world has misjudged me, and might misjudge me yet. This -man should have needed no prompting. He should have saved me all -trouble, and when he saw my life ruined, and my health shattered, he -ought to have done what he could to pay me for the great service I did -for him. I am afraid I was weak to yield to the temptation to help him -in the first place.” - -“Don’t say that, father,” put in Gerald. - -“Yes, I will not try to disguise the truth from you,” went on the old -man. “I was too pliant in this man’s hands. To be sure I committed -no crime, but then I allowed a false impression about myself to get -abroad, and I sometimes think that—that all that has happened since -has been my punishment.” - -“No, no, that cannot be true, father,” broke in the son. “I am sure all -the fault was on the other side. But have you never seen the man since?” - -“No, Gerald.” - -There was silence in the little cabin for a brief while then. The boy -was desirous to hear more, but the father seemed absorbed in meditation. - -“Father,” finally said Gerald. - -“Yes, my son,” rejoined the sick man, turning his gaze back to the boy -by his side. - -“Do you think the person of whom you speak is likely to befriend me?” - -“I do not know. He has behaved so ungenerously about the whole matter. -That is what makes me anxious.” - -“Will you tell me the name of this man, father?” - -“His name is Bradley Wentworth, and he lives in the town of Seneca, -Illinois, where he has large investments, and is a prominent man.” - -“Do you mind telling me how he injured you, father?” - -“That is my wish and my duty while I yet live. Fifteen years ago, when -we were both young men, we were in the employ of Dudley Wentworth, the -uncle of Bradley. We were both in the office, he occupying the more -lucrative position. I was married and had a modest, but comfortable, -home in Seneca, in the State of Illinois. He too had been three years -married, and had a son two years old.” - -“Were you friends?” - -“Not intimate friends, but we were on friendly terms. He had -extravagant habits and spent more money than I—a family man—could -afford to do. I had bought a house and lot, for which I agreed to pay -the sum of two thousand dollars. I was paying this by slow degrees, but -my salary was small, when the great temptation of my life came.” - -The sick man paused in exhaustion, but soon proceeded. - -“One evening Bradley Wentworth came to my house in a strange state of -excitement, and called me to the door, I asked him in, but he declined. -‘I want you to take a walk with me, Lane,’ he said. I demurred, for it -was a cold, damp evening, and suggested that it would be better to sit -down by the fire, inside. - -“‘No, no,’ he said impatiently, ‘what I have to say is most important, -and it must be kept a profound secret.’ - -“Upon this I agreed to his proposal. I took my hat, told your mother -that I would soon return, and went out with Wentworth. We had proceeded -but a few rods when he said, ‘Lane, I’m in a terrible scrape.’ - -“‘What is it?’ I asked. - -“‘Last week I forged a check on my uncle for five hundred dollars. It -was paid at the bank. To-morrow the bank will send in their monthly -statement, and among the checks will be the one I forged—’ - -“‘Good heavens! what induced you to do it?’ I asked. - -“‘I was in a tight place, and I yielded to sudden temptation,’ he -answered bitterly. - -“‘I advise you to go to your uncle early to-morrow and make a clean -breast of it.’ - -“‘It would not do,’ he replied, ‘the old man has the strictest ideas of -honor, and he would never forgive me.’ - -“‘It’s a bad position to be in,’ I said gravely. - -“‘The worst possible. You know that I am generally recognized as my -uncle’s heir, and he is worth three hundred thousand dollars. You see -that if my uncle finds out what has happened I am a ruined man, for he -will dismiss me from his employment with a tarnished name.’ - -“‘Indeed I feel for you, Bradley,’ I said. - -“‘You must do more,’ he replied; ‘you must save me.’ - -“‘But how can I do that?’ - -“‘By taking my crime upon yourself. You must acknowledge that you -forged the check.’ - -“‘What do you mean?’ I demanded sharply. ‘You want me to ruin my own -prospects?’ - -“‘It isn’t the same thing to you. You won’t lose your inheritance, but -only your place.’ - -“‘Only my place! How then can I live? Why should I dishonor my own name -and lose my reputation for you?’ - -“‘Because I will make it worth your while. Listen.’ - -“Then he proceeded to make me an offer. If I would consent to take -his guilt upon myself, he agreed to pay over to my wife five hundred -dollars annually out of his salary of fifteen hundred dollars, and -when he inherited his uncle’s estate, he furthermore agreed to pay -over to me twenty thousand dollars. It was this finally won me over -to his plan. To a poor man, struggling along on a small salary, and -with no hope of getting rich, twenty thousand dollars was a dazzling -temptation. It would make me comfortable for life. Besides, as he -urged, I should not have to wait for it long, for his uncle was already -seventy-one years old. Still, the service that I was called upon to -perform was so distasteful that I held out a long time. At last he sank -on his knees, and implored me in the name of friendship to consent. -After much hesitation, I agreed to do so upon one condition. - -“‘Name it!’ he said, in feverish excitement. - -“‘That you will sign a paper admitting that you forged the check, and -that I have agreed, though innocent, to bear the blame, in order to -screen you from your uncle’s anger.’ - -“Wentworth hesitated, but, seeing that I was firm, he led me to his own -room and drew up the paper. - -“‘Of course,’ he said, ‘this paper is not to be used.’ - -“‘Not unless you fail to carry out your agreement.’ - -“‘Of course,’ he said in an airy manner. - -“We then talked over the details of the scheme. It was decided that I -should leave town the next morning, and start for Canada. I began to -realize what I had done, and wished to beg off, but he implored me not -to desert him, and I weakly yielded. Then came the hardest trial of -all. You were an infant, and I must part from you and your mother for a -time at least. I must leave the village under a cloud, and this seemed -hard, for I had done no wrong. But I thought of the fortune that was -promised me, and tried to be satisfied. - -“I did not dare to tell your mother of the compact I had made. I simply -told her that I was going away on business for a few days, and did not -care to have my destination known. I told her that I would shortly -write her my reasons. She was not satisfied, but accepted my assurance -that it was necessary, and helped me pack. Early the next morning I -took a north bound train, and reached Montreal without hindrance. - -“I waited anxiously, and in a few days received the following letter: - - “‘MY DEAR LANE: - - “‘The murder’s out! The forged check has fallen into my uncle’s hands, - and he was in a great rage, you may be sure. Of course suspicion at - once fell upon you on account of your hasty flight. My uncle was at - first resolved upon having you arrested, but I succeeded in calming - him down. “The man must have been mad,” he said. “He has ruined - himself.” I pleaded for mercy, and he has authorized me to say that - he will not prosecute you, but he expects you some day to make good - the loss. This is out of consideration for your wife and child. You - are therefore at liberty to come back to the United States and obtain - employment. He will not interfere with you. Of course I will see that - the note is paid by installments and let him think that the money - comes from you. - - “‘My dear friend, you have done me an inestimable service. He - would not have been as lenient with me. At any rate, he would have - disinherited me. Now I am high in favor, and mean to retain the favor. - I shall not be insane enough again to risk the loss of a fortune - by weakly yielding to temptation. I have had a close shave, and am - sensible of it. I am sorry that your sacrifice was necessary, but - some day, probably not many years distant, you will be richly paid. - Meanwhile I have prevailed upon my uncle to hush up the matter and not - let it leak out. - - “‘I advise you to go to Chicago or some other Western city and obtain - employment. Then you can send for your family and wait patiently till - the tide turns and you become a moderately rich man. - - “‘BRADLEY WENTWORTH.’” - -“This letter comforted me. I went to Chicago and succeeded in securing -a position yielding me the same income as the one I had given up. -I sent for my wife, but did not venture to explain to her fully my -reasons for leaving Seneca. I feared that she would say something that -might injure Bradley Wentworth, so loyal was she to me.” - -“Did Mr. Wentworth send you the five hundred dollars he promised you -annually?” asked Gerald. - -“Yes; he would not have dared to omit doing so, for I had his written -confession, and this, if made known to his uncle, would have lost him -the estate. He wrote me, however, in a complaining tone, asking me to -let him reduce the sum to three hundred dollars, but this I positively -refused to do. I felt that my sacrifice was worth at least all that I -had stipulated to receive. - -“Five years passed, and old Mr. Wentworth died at the age of -seventy-six. As was expected, the whole of his large estate-three -hundred and twenty thousand dollars-was left to his nephew. - -“I waited anxiously for Bradley to redeem his promise. Three or four -weeks passed, and I heard nothing. I sat down, therefore, and wrote to -him, demanding that he should carry out his agreement. - -“Here is the letter I received in reply.” - -The sick man drew from his pocket a much worn document and handed it to -Gerald, who read it with indignation. - - “MR. WARREN LANE. - - “DEAR SIR: - - “I have received from you a letter, asking me to send you twenty - thousand dollars, alleging that some years since I promised to give - you that sum upon the death of my uncle. What I may have promised - while in a state of great excitement I do not remember. I certainly - don’t consider myself responsible for any rash and inconsiderate - words, and I am surprised that an honorable man should seek to hold - me to them. I am quite sure that my deceased uncle would not approve - any such gift to a stranger. I consider myself a steward of the large - fortune I have inherited, and should not feel justified in sending you - such a considerable portion of it. I think upon reflection you will - see the justice of my position. - - “I believe you claim to have some papers that you think may injure me. - I don’t think you will find among them any written promise to give - you twenty thousand dollars. If, however, you will send or bring the - papers you have, I will, out of kindness to an old acquaintance, give - you a thousand dollars for them. That is all that I will consent to - do, and I strongly advise you to accept this generous offer. After all - you did not suffer from losing your place in my uncle’s office. I need - only refer you to the annual sum which I sent you regularly, pinching - myself to do it. - - “Trusting you will see the matter in a reasonable light and accept the - very liberal offer which I have made you, though in nowise bound to do - so, I am, - - “Yours sincerely, - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A DEBT OF HONOR. - - -“WHAT do you think of that letter, Gerald?” asked his father, when the -boy had perused the epistle which had been handed to him. - -Gerald’s look of disgust answered for him. - -“I think it is thoroughly contemptible,” he said. “It is the worst case -of ingratitude I have heard of. Is Bradley Wentworth yet living?” - -“Yes; he is rich and prosperous.” - -“What did you do when you received his letter?” - -“I wrote him in scathing terms, declining his proposal to surrender the -paper for the paltry sum he offered. I reminded him of the good service -I had rendered him. I had undoubtedly saved him the estate. I had also -sacrificed more than I originally supposed, for I had learned two years -after my departure that Mr. Wentworth had intended to give me a small -interest in his business, which by this time would have made me a rich -man. Of course when he came to look upon me as a forger my chance was -lost.” - -“Did Bradley Wentworth know this also?” - -“Certainly he did. He knew better than any one the extent of the -sacrifice I had made for him, but when his uncle was dead and the -estate was securely his, he took advantage of this fact and treated me -as I have told you.” - -“Did you receive any answer to your second letter?” - -“Yes, but it only renewed the proposal contained in the first. He -requested me bluntly not to be a fool and declared that the papers were -not really worth even the small sum he offered for them.” - -“And what followed?” - -“I was at a loss what further steps to take. Then came the death of -your mother after a brief illness, and this quite broke me down. I -became sick, my business suffered, and finally I came to regard myself -as born to misfortune. Three years since I moved out here, and here we -have lived, if it can be called living, cut off from the advantages -of civilization. I begin to understand now that I acted a selfish and -unmanly part, and cut you off from the advantages of an education.” - -“I have studied by myself, father.” - -“Yes, but it would have been better to attend a school or academy.” - -“Your health has been better here.” - -“Yes; the pure air has been favorable to my pulmonary difficulties. -Probably I should have died a year since if I had not come out here.” - -“Then you were justified in coming.” - -“So far as my own interests are concerned; but I ought not have buried -you in this lonely and obscure place.” - -“Don’t think of me, father. Whatever I have lost I can make up in the -years to come, and it is a great deal to have you spared to me a little -longer.” - -“Dear Gerald!” said his father, regarding his son with affection. “You -are indeed a true and loyal son. I feel all the more under obligations -to secure your future. An unexpected hemorrhage may terminate my life -at any moment. Let me then attend at once to an imperative duty.” - -He drew from his pocket an envelope and extended it to Gerald. - -“This envelope,” he said, “contains two important documents—the -written confession of Bradley Wentworth, that it was he, not I, who -forged the check upon his uncle, and the last letter in which he -repudiates my claim upon him for the sum he agreed to pay me.” - -“You wish me to keep these, father?” said Gerald, as he took the -envelope containing the letter. - -“Yes. I wish you to guard them carefully. They give you a hold on -Bradley Wentworth. I leave you nothing but this debt of honor, but it -should bring you twenty thousand dollars. He can well afford to pay it, -for it brought him a fortune.” - -“What steps am I to take, father?” - -“I cannot tell. It may be well for you to consult some good lawyer. You -are young, but you have unusual judgment for your years. I must warn -you that an effort will probably be made by Bradley Wentworth, perhaps -through an agent, to get possession of these papers, which he knows are -in existence. Ten days since I wrote to him, and in such terms that I -should not be surprised if he would seek me out even here. If he comes, -it will be in the hope of securing the papers which I have placed in -your hands. Should you meet him here, don’t let him know that they are -in your possession.” - -Half an hour later Gerald set out slowly in the direction of a small -mountain lake a mile distant, with fishing tackle in hand. - -It was not so much that he wished to fish as to get a chance to think -over the important communication which had been made to him within the -last hour. He had often wondered why his father had buried himself -among the mountains, and had always concluded that it was wholly on -account of his health. Now he understood what it was that had darkened -his life and made him a melancholy recluse. The selfish greed of -one man had wrought this evil. To him, Gerald, was left the task of -obtaining redress for a great wrong. It was not so much the money -that influenced him, for youth is apt to be indifferent to worldly -considerations, but his heart was filled with resentment against this -man who had profited by his father’s sacrifice, and then deliberately -refused to fulfil the contract he had made. - -“It is only through his pocket he can suffer,” thought Gerald. “If it -is possible he shall be made to pay the last dollar that is rightfully -due my poor father.” - -He reached the shore of the lake, and, unfastening a boat which he -kept there for his own use, he pushed it out from the shore, and then -suffered it to float lazily over the smooth surface of the lake while -he prepared his fishing tackle. In the course of a couple of hours he -caught four beautiful lake trout, and with them as a trophy of his -skill he started for home, first securely fastening his boat. - -“Perhaps father will relish these,” he soliloquized. “I will cook them -as soon as I get home, and try to tempt his appetite.” - -Gerald had walked but a few rods, when he was hailed by a stranger. - -“Hallo, boy, do you live about here?” - -Gerald turned, and his glance rested upon a man of about his father’s -age, but shorter and more thick-set. He was well dressed, in city -rather than in country style, but his face wore an expression of -discontent and vexation. - -“Yes,” answered Gerald, “I live in this neighborhood.” - -“Then perhaps you can help me. I have lost my way. It serves me right -for venturing into such a wild country.” - -“Is there any particular place to which you wish to be guided, sir?” - -“If you mean towns, there don’t seem to be any. I wish to find a -man named Warren Lane, who I believe lives somewhere among these -mountains.” - -Gerald started, and looked intently at the stranger. He connected him -at once with his father’s story, and felt that he must be Bradley -Wentworth, the man who had ruined his father’s life. A natural feeling -of dislike sprang up in his breast, and he delayed replying. - -“Well,” said Wentworth irritably, “what are you staring at? Did you -never see a stranger before? How long are you going to keep me waiting? -Do you know such a man?” - -“Pardon me,” replied Gerald coldly; “but your question surprised me.” - -“Why should it?” - -“Because Warren Lane is my father.” - -“Ha!” exclaimed the other, eying the boy sharply. “You don’t look like -him.” - -“I am thought to resemble my mother’s family.” - -“Do you live near by?” - -“Yes, sir. Fifteen or twenty minutes will bring us to my father’s -house.” - -“Then I should like to go there at once. I want to get out of this -country as soon as possible.” - -“You have only to follow me,” and without another word Gerald started -off. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -BRADLEY WENTWORTH. - - -“ARE you back, Gerald?” - -“Yes, father, and I am going to surprise you. I have brought company -with me.” - -“Company! Whom can you have met in this wilderness?” - -“A man whom you used to know in early days.” - -“Not Bradley Wentworth?” said Mr. Lane eagerly. - -“Yes, Bradley Wentworth.” - -“Thank Heaven! I wanted to see him before I died. Where is he?” - -“Just outside. He is waiting to know if you will see him.” - -“Yes, yes; bring him in at once.” - -Gerald went to the door, and beckoned to Wentworth, who rose -immediately and passed into the cabin. - -“Bradley Wentworth,” said the invalid, looking up excitedly, “I am -glad to see you. I thank you for obeying my summons.” - -Even Wentworth, callous to suffering and selfish as he was, was shocked -by the fragile appearance of his old companion. - -“You look very weak,” he said. - -“Yes, Bradley. I am very weak. I stand at the portal of the unseen -land. My days are numbered. Any day may bring the end.” - -“I am shocked to see you in this condition,” and there was momentary -feeling in the tone of the world-hardened man. - -“Don’t pity me! I am not reluctant to die. Gerald, you may leave me -alone with Mr. Wentworth for a while. I wish to have some conversation -with him.” - -“Very well, father.” - -“Have you acquainted him with the incidents of our early life?” asked -Bradley Wentworth, referring to Gerald with a frown. - -“Not until this morning. Then, not knowing but I might be cut off -suddenly, and uncertain whether you would answer my call, I told him -the story.” - -“Better have left it untold!” said Wentworth with an uneasy look. - -“Nay, he was entitled to know, otherwise he might not have understood -why it was that I had buried him and myself here in this wilderness.” - -“He would have supposed that you came here for your health. I -understand that Colorado is very favorable to those having pulmonary -diseases.” - -“Yes, but he was entitled to know my past history. He was entitled to -know what a sacrifice I had made—for another.” - -Bradley Wentworth winced at this allusion, and his forehead -involuntarily contracted. - -“That is your way of looking at it,” he said abruptly. - -“It is the true way of looking at it,” rejoined the sick man firmly. - -“Hush!” said Wentworth, looking apprehensively towards the door of the -cabin. - -“Gerald knows all, and he is the only one to hear. But to resume: I -saved you from disgrace and disinheritance. I did so against my wishes, -because your need was so great, and you solemnly promised to provide -handsomely for me and mine when you came into your fortune.” - -“I was ready to promise anything in my extremity. You took advantage of -my position.” - -“The bargain I made was a fair one. It touches but one-sixteenth of the -fortune which you inherited. Bradley Wentworth, _it was and is a debt -of honor_!” - -“To talk of my giving you such a sum is perfect nonsense!” said -Wentworth roughly. - -“You did not regard it in that light fifteen years since,” returned the -sick man reproachfully. - -“Of course I admit that you did me a service, and I am ready to pay for -it. Give me the papers and I will give you a thousand dollars.” - -“A thousand dollars in repayment of my great sacrifice! Have riches -made you narrow and mean?” - -“Riches have not made me a fool!” retorted Wentworth. “Let me tell you -that a thousand dollars is no small sum. It will give that boy of yours -a great start in life. It is more than you and I had at his age.” - -“You have a son, have you not?” - -“Yes.” - -“How would you regard a thousand dollars as a provision for him?” - -“There is some difference between the position of my son and yours,” -said Wentworth arrogantly. - -“You are fortunate if your son equals mine in nobility of character.” - -“Oh, I have no doubt your son is a paragon,” said Wentworth with a -sneer. “But to the point! I will give you a thousand dollars and not a -cent more.” - -He had hardly finished this sentence when he started in affright. -Warren Lane fell back in his chair in a state of insensibility. - -[Illustration: Wentworth stepped hastily to the bureau, and opened the -drawers one after another in the hope of finding the documents.—Page -27.] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -COMPARING NOTES. - - -“IS he dead?” Wentworth asked himself, with sudden hope, for the demise -of Warren Lane would remove all danger. - -He bent forward, to see if the sick man yet breathed. - -“He’s only fainted,” he said to himself in disappointment. - -Then a cunning scheme flashed upon him. - -“Perhaps I can find the papers while he is unconscious,” he thought. - -He stepped hastily to the bureau, and opened the drawers one after -the other, peering here and there in the hope of seeing the important -documents. - -It was while he was thus occupied that Gerald opened the door. - -“What are you doing, Mr. Wentworth?” he asked in a clear, incisive -voice. - -Bradley Wentworth turned, and his face betrayed marks of confusion. - -“Your father has fainted,” he said, “and I am looking for some -restorative—have you any salts, or hartshorn?” - -Gerald hurried to his father’s chair in sudden alarm. - -“Father,” he said anxiously, and placed his hand on the insensible -man’s forehead. - -“Get some water,” said Wentworth—”bathe his face.” - -This seemed good advice, and Gerald followed it. In a short time his -father opened his eyes and looked about him in a dazed fashion. - -“How do you feel, father? What made you faint?” asked Gerald. - -“I dreamed that Bradley Wentworth was here, and that we had a -discussion. He—he would not agree to my terms.” - -“He is here,” said Gerald, and Wentworth came forward. - -“Then—it is all real.” - -“Yes,” said Wentworth, “but you are in no condition to talk. Let us -defer our conversation.” - -“Alas! I do not know how much time I have left——” - -“You can rely upon me to be a friend to your son, Lane.” - -“And yet——” - -“Don’t let us go into details. You are not strong enough to talk at -present. I am sure Gerald will agree with me.” - -“Yes, father,” said Gerald. “Mr. Wentworth is right. Wait till this -afternoon. I want to come in and cook the trout. It is high time for -dinner.” - -“You say well, Gerald,” put in Wentworth. “I don’t mind confessing that -I am almost famished. If there were a hotel near I wouldn’t encroach -upon your hospitality. As it is, I admit that a dinner of trout would -be most appetizing. And now, if you don’t mind, I will go outside and -smoke a cigar while your son is preparing it.” - -“That will be best, Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald approvingly. “If you -remain here father will be talking, and he has already exhausted his -strength.” - -“I will take a little walk,” said Wentworth, as he stepped out of the -cabin, “but I won’t be away more than half an hour.” - -“Very well, sir.” - -When Wentworth was at a safe distance Gerald advanced to his father’s -chair, and said in a low voice: “Father, I distrust that man. When I -came into the room he was searching the bureau drawer.” - -Warren Lane nodded. - -“He was after the papers,” he said. “He offered me a thousand dollars -for them.” - -“And you declined?” - -“Yes: I will not barter my son’s inheritance for a mess of pottage.” - -“I would rather have you do that, father, than have your last moments -disturbed.” - -“I will not permit myself to be disturbed. But, Gerald, I have one -warning to give you. When I am gone this man will leave no stone -unturned to get possession of those papers. _Don’t let him have them!_” - -“I won’t, father. You had better not let him know that I have them.” - -“I shall not, but he will guess it. You will need all your shrewdness -to defeat him.” - -“I will bear that in mind, father. Now dismiss the matter from your -thoughts. I know your wishes, and I understand the character of the man -who is your enemy and mine.” - -Warren Lane breathed a sigh of relief. - -“That lifts a burden from my mind,” he said. “I am glad I took you -into my confidence this morning. It was high time. I have done all I -could, and must leave the rest to Providence and your own judgment and -discretion.” - -“That’s right, father. You have taught me to rely upon myself. I am -ready and willing to paddle my own canoe.” - -“I hope you won’t make such a failure of life as I have, Gerald.” - -“Don’t say that, father. Rather let me hope that when I die I shall -leave behind me one who will love me as much as I love you.” - -Warren Lane regarded his son with affection. - -“You have my blessing, Gerald. May God bless you as you have blessed -me.” - -An hour later Bradley Wentworth re-entered the cabin. A table was -spread, and the appetizing odors of the trout were grateful to the -nostrils of the hungry man. With boiled potatoes, cornbread and coffee, -the meal was by no means to be despised. Seldom in his own luxurious -house had Bradley Wentworth so enjoyed a dinner. - -“You have a son, too, Wentworth,” remarked Warren Lane during the -progress of the meal. - -“Yes.” - -“How old is he?” - -“Seventeen.” - -“Then he is a year older than Gerald—I remember now he was about a -year old when Gerald was born. Is he living at home with his parents?” - -“He is at an academy preparing for Yale College.” - -“Ah!” said Warren Lane with a sigh, “he is enjoying the advantages I -would like to give my boy. Is he studious?” - -“Don’t ask me!” replied Wentworth bitterly. “He has developed a far -greater talent for spending money foolishly than for Latin or Greek.” - -“Being the son of a rich man, his temptations are greater than if, like -Gerald, he were born to poverty.” - -“Perhaps so, but his taste for drink does not result from the -possession of money. He has classmates quite as rich as he who are -perfectly steady, and doing credit to their families.” - -“He may yet turn out all right, Bradley,” said Mr. Lane, for the moment -forgetting their points of difference and only remembering that he and -Mr. Wentworth had been young men together. “Don’t be too stern with -him. It is best to be forbearing with a boy of his age.” - -“Forbearing! I try to be, but only last month bills were sent to me -amounting to five hundred dollars, run up by Victor within three -months.” - -Warren Lane inwardly thanked God that he had no fault to find with his -boy. Gerald had never given him a moment’s uneasiness. He had always -been a dutiful son. - -“After all,” he thought, “wealth can’t buy everything. I would not -exchange my poverty for Bradley Wentworth’s wealth, if I must also -exchange sons. Poverty has its compensations.” - -“You are still living in Chicago?” said Lane. - -“No; I have my office in Chicago, but I retain my residence in Seneca.” - -“Do you still keep up the factory?” - -“Yes. I do more business than my uncle ever did.” - -He said this in a complacent tone. - -“How unequally fortune is distributed!” thought Mr. Lane with an -involuntary sigh. “Still—I have Gerald!” - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -A COMPACT. - - -AFTER dinner Warren Lane complained of fatigue, and lay down. - -“I will talk with you to-morrow, Wentworth,” he said. “To-day I am too -tired.” - -“Very well,” assented Wentworth with some reluctance. “But I ought not -to remain here longer than to-morrow. My business requires me at home.” - -“To-morrow, then!” said Lane drowsily. - -“Shall we take a walk?” asked Wentworth, directing the question to -Gerald. - -“I don’t think I ought to leave my father. He doesn’t seem at all well.” - -“But you left him this morning.” - -“Yes, and perhaps he would spare me now, but I have a feeling that I -ought to stay with him. I should feel uneasy if I left him.” - -“Oh, well, do as you think best,” said Wentworth rather crossly. He -found the cabin insupportably dull, and would like to have wandered -around with Gerald as a guide. - -“I am sorry. I am afraid you will find time hang heavy on your hands.” - -“It can’t be helped!” said Wentworth dryly. “I came here at your -father’s request, and to-morrow I must start for home. I will take a -walk by myself.” - -He strolled out into the woods, taking his bearings, so as not to lose -the way. - -“Well, well, this will soon be over,” he said to himself. “Warren Lane -is doomed. If I could only get hold of those papers before he dies I -would leave the place content, and would not care if I never saw him or -Gerald again. Where can he keep them? If the boy hadn’t interrupted me -as he did, I might have found them. Does he keep them about his person, -I wonder?” - -He sauntered along for half an hour in a different direction from the -one he had taken in his earlier walk. - -“Not a house, or even a cabin!” he soliloquized. “This is indeed a -forlorn place. One couldn’t well get more out of the world. - -“Ha, here is a cabin and its owner,” he exclaimed a few moments later -as his eye lighted on a log hut in a small clearing. “It seems -pleasant to see a living being.” - -The owner referred to was a man of sturdy make, very dark as to -complexion, with coarse, black hair. He was roughly dressed, and was -smoking a pipe. Wentworth coughed to attract attention, and the man -looked up. - -“Who are you?” he demanded, surveying his visitor with a glance half -curious, half suspicious. - -“I am a stranger—just arrived,” answered Wentworth in a conciliatory -tone, for he did not feel the most absolute confidence in this man with -his brigandish look. - -“Ha, a tenderfoot!” - -“Well, I don’t know about that. My feet will be tender, though, if I -tramp round here much longer.” - -“Humph! Where might you be from?” - -“From Chicago.” - -“And what brings you here?” - -Bradley Wentworth did not quite like the man’s intrusive curiosity, but -he thought it policy not to betray his feeling. - -“I came to see a friend—a sick friend,” he answered, after a pause. - -“The old man that lives a mile east of here? He has a son.” - -“The same.” - -“So you are his friend!” - -“Yes, do you know him?” - -“Yes. I’ve seen him, but he ain’t much to look at. He ain’t my style.” - -“I should think not,” passed through Wentworth’s mind, but he was -tempted by curiosity to inquire: “What do you mean by that?” - -“Oh, he’s uppish—puts on frills, and so does his boy. I went round to -make a neighborly call, but he told me he didn’t feel like talking, -and left me on the outside of the cabin lookin’ like a fool!” and the -backwoodsman spat to express his disgust. - -“So he seemed to feel above you, did he?” - -“Looked like it, but Jake Amsden don’t knuckle down to nobody.” - -“Of course not. Why should you?” said Bradley Wentworth. - -“Stranger, I don’t know who you are, but you’re the right sort. I’ve -got some whisky inside. Will you drink?” - -“Thank you,” answered Wentworth hastily, “but I am out of health, and -my doctor won’t let me drink whisky. Thank you all the same!” - -“Oh, well, if you can’t, you can’t. You ain’t puttin’ on no frills, are -you?” - -“Not at all, my friend. If you’ll make room for me, I’ll sit down -beside you.” - -Jake Amsden was sitting on a log. He moved and made room for the -visitor. - -“Have you lived here long?” asked Wentworth sociably. - -“A matter of a few months.” - -“What do you find to do?” - -“Nothin’ much. I reckon I’m a fool to stay here much longer. I’ll be -makin’ tracks soon. Goin’ to stay long yourself?” - -“No. I am only here on a short visit. I may go to-morrow.” - -“How are you fixed?” asked Jake abruptly. - -“Well, I’ve got a little money,” answered Wentworth cautiously. - -“You couldn’t spare a chap a dollar, could you?” - -“Yes,” said Wentworth, as he took from his pocket a well filled wallet, -and after some search took from a roll of larger bills a one-dollar -note and handed it to his companion. - -If he had noticed the covetous look with which Jake Amsden regarded the -wallet, he would have recognized his mistake. But before he looked up, -Jake cunningly changed his expression, and said gratefully: “Thank you, -boss; you’re a gentleman.” - -Bradley Wentworth liked praise, especially where it was so cheaply -purchased, and said graciously: “You’re quite welcome, my good man.” - -“I’d like to grab the plunder,” thought Jake, but as he took in -Wentworth’s robust frame, he decided that he had better not act -inconsiderately. - -“I’m a poor man,” he said. “I never knowed what it was to have as much -money as you’ve got there.” - -“Very likely. There are more poor men in the world than rich ones. Not -that I am rich,” he added quickly, with habitual caution. - -“Is your friend rich?” queried Jake. “The sick man, I mean.” - -An idea came to Wentworth. - -“I don’t think he has much money,” he answered slowly, “but he has some -papers that are valuable.” - -“Some papers?” repeated Jake vacantly. “What sort of papers be they?” - -“Some papers that belong to me; my name is signed to them.” - -“How’d he get ’em, then?” - -“I don’t like to say, but they ought to be in my possession.” - -“Then why don’t you ask for them?” - -“I have.” - -“And he won’t give ’em to you?” - -“No; though I have offered a good sum of money for them?” - -“How much?” - -Bradley Wentworth was too sharp to mention the amount he had offered -Warren Lane. He was dealing with a character who took different views -of money. - -“I wouldn’t mind giving a hundred dollars to any one who would bring me -the papers,” he answered, looking Jake Amsden full in the face. - -“I’d like to make a hundred dollars,” muttered Jake. “Where does he -keep ’em?” - -“My friend, if I could answer that question, I should not require -any assistance, and I would save my hundred dollars. But I think it -probable that he keeps the papers somewhere in the cabin.” - -“How’d I know ’em?” - -“Can you read writing?” - -“Well, a little. I never went to no college,” said Jake, with a grin. - -“You probably know enough of writing to identify my signature. Do you -see this?” and he took from his pocket a paper to which his name was -attached. - -“Yes.” - -“Can you read the name?” - -Jake screwed up his face and pored over the signature. - -“B-r-a-d—Brad—l-e-y, Bradley.” - -“Yes, you are right so far. Now what is the other name?” - -“W-e-n-t, went—w-o-r-t-h. What’s that?” - -“Wentworth. My name is Bradley Wentworth.” - -“I see, boss. I made it out pretty good, considerin’ it is such a long -name?” - -“Yes,” answered Wentworth encouragingly; “you made it out very well.” - -“I’ll think of what you say, boss. That money’ll be sure, won’t it??” - -“Yes; it will be promptly paid.” - -“All right! You’re my style. Shake!” and he extended a hand which was -far from clean to the rich “tenderfoot.” - -Bradley Wentworth was fastidious, but he swallowed his disgust and -shook the other’s hand heartily. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A STARTLING DISCOVERY. - - -“HOW long is Mr. Wentworth going to stay here?” asked Gerald, when his -father had awakened from his nap. - -“I think he will go away to-morrow.” - -“What is his object in coming here?” - -“I sent for him. I wished to see if he would act a friendly part toward -you when I am gone.” - -“Do you think he will?” asked Gerald, dubiously. - -“He wants to buy the papers which I gave into your keeping for a -thousand dollars.” - -“So you told me.” - -“Shall I make the bargain, Gerald?” asked his father, earnestly. -“Remember, I leave you nothing except this poor cabin and its contents, -and eighty acres of land which I pre-empted from the government. By the -way, I must give you the paper attesting my ownership.” - -“Don’t trouble yourself about me, father. I am young and strong,” and -Gerald straightened up, and extended his muscular arm. “I ought to be -able to fight my way.” - -“I hope you can, Gerald. As you say, you are young and strong, and here -in this Western country a boy has a better chance than in the East. -Still, I should like to feel that you had some money to start with. -Now, a thousand dollars would be a large sum to one in your position.” - -“It might be considerable for me to receive, but it would be too little -for Mr. Wentworth to pay after all his obligations to you. No, father, -don’t take the money.” - -“This is your settled opinion, Gerald? You have considered carefully -all the risk you run, all the inconvenience that may come from poverty?” - -“Yes, father.” - -“I am glad you have no doubt on the subject. As for me, I have been in -great uncertainty.” - -“You need be so no longer, father.” - -“Then when Wentworth broaches the subject again I will tell him, both -for you and myself, that I decline his offer.” - -“Yes, father.” - -“I don’t think he will increase it.” - -“Nor do I.” - -“Very well, Gerald. I see that you comprehend the situation. Probably -Bradley Wentworth will return leaving us no better off for his visit.” - -“I have no doubt you are right, father.” - -“And yet you are not troubled?” - -“No, father, except about you. I am worried about your health.” - -“It will do no good, my dear boy. I am ready for the summons that is -sure to come soon.” - -Meanwhile Bradley Wentworth had left his questionable friend Jake -Amsden, and had been walking about on a tour of observation. He was -naturally a shrewd man, and had been forming an opinion about the -capabilities and prospects of the out-of-the-way locality in which he -now found himself. - -“I shouldn’t be surprised,” he reflected, “if at some day—not far -distant—a town might spring up on this spot. It is remarkable how soon -in this wonderful region the wilderness gives place to flourishing -settlements. I suppose land can be bought here for a song.” - -He took a further survey of the neighborhood, and made up his mind that -if a town were to spring up, Warren Lane’s land would be in the heart -of the future settlement. - -“He has chosen his land well. I didn’t think him so shrewd,” thought -Wentworth, “though perhaps it may have been mere chance. He was always -a visionary. Still, the fact remains that his land is in the best -location hereabouts.” - -Then it occurred to Wentworth that it would be a good speculation to -purchase the property. Doubtless Lane was unaware of its value, and -would sell for a trifle. - -“I could agree to let him occupy it as long as he lives,” reflected -Wentworth. “That won’t be long, and it may be some years before the -settlement starts. I think, upon the whole, I can make my visit pay, -however the other negotiation comes out.” - -Now that there seemed a prospect of turning a penny, Wentworth began to -find his stay in this remote place less tiresome. It was with a quick, -brisk step that he walked towards Warren Lane’s humble cabin, revolving -the new scheme in his mind. - -“I have been taking a long walk, Lane,” he said, as he re-entered the -house. - -“Have you?” said the sick man languidly. “I wish I were in a condition -to accompany you. I am afraid you found it lonely and uninteresting.” - -“Oh, no; it is a new country to me, you know. I have never been so far -West before. In fifty years from now I shouldn’t wonder if there might -be a town located here.” - -“In much less time than that.” - -“Oh, no, I think not. This is ‘the forest primeval,’ as Longfellow -calls it. It will be a great many years before a change comes over it. -Probably neither you nor I will live to see it.” - -“I shall not.” - -“Pardon me, Warren. I forgot your malady—I am thoughtless.” - -“Don’t apologize, Bradley. I am not disturbed by such references. I -understand very well how I am situated—how very near I am to the -unseen land. I have thought of it for a long, long time.” - -“And of course you are troubled about your son’s future?” - -“Yes, I admit that, though he tells me he has no anxieties.” - -“He is too young to understand what it is to be thrown on his own -resources.” - -“I think not. He is strong and self-reliant.” - -“Strength and self-reliance are good things, but a fair sum of money is -better. That emboldens me to mention to you a plan which has occurred -to me. You own the land about the cabin, do you not?” - -“Yes; I pre-empted it, and have a government title.” - -“So I supposed. Of course it will be of little value to Gerald. I -propose to buy it of you. How many acres are there in your holding?” - -“Eighty.” - -“I will give you two hundred dollars for it.” - -“I do not feel that I have a right to sell it. It belongs to Gerald.” - -“Not yet.” - -“It soon will.” - -“Of course if I buy it I do not wish to interfere with your occupation -of it as long as you live.” - -“No, I suppose not. There is no place for me to go. But I think the -land will some time be worth a good deal more than at present, and I -want Gerald to reap the benefit of it.” - -“I am offering you more than it is worth at present,” said Wentworth -impatiently. “Two hundred dollars for eighty acres makes two dollars -and a half an acre.” - -“I cannot sell the boy’s little patrimony,” said Mr. Lane firmly. - -“It seems to me he ought to be consulted. As you say, he will soon be -the owner.” - -At this moment Gerald entered the cabin. - -“Gerald,” said his father, “Mr. Wentworth has offered me two hundred -dollars for our little home, including the cabin and land. He thinks -you ought to be consulted in the matter.” - -“I don’t want to sell, father,” said Gerald. “This place is the only -home I have, and I don’t want to part with it.” - -“But the money will be very useful to you,” interrupted Wentworth, “and -from what your father says, money will be scarce with you.” - -“I suppose it will,” said Gerald with a steady look at the visitor, -“though it ought not to be if we had our rights. But, be that as it -may, I do not care to have the property sold.” - -Opposition only made Mr. Wentworth more eager. “I will give you two -hundred and fifty dollars,” he said. - -“It is of no use, Mr. Wentworth. This humble home is all father has to -leave me. For a time, at least, I wish to retain it.” - -Mr. Wentworth bit his lip, and was silent. He saw by the resolute face -of Gerald, so much stronger and firmer than his father’s, that it would -be of no use to prolong the discussion. - -The evening wore away. It was a question how the guest was to be -accommodated for the night. But Gerald settled the question. He had a -small single bed in one corner while his father occupied a larger one. -He surrendered his bed to the guest, and stretched himself out, fully -dressed, on a buffalo robe near the door. They retired early, as Gerald -and his father usually did. Mr. Wentworth did not ordinarily keep early -hours, but he had been fatigued by his walks during the day, partly -because he had traversed considerable ground, but partly on account of -the high altitude which made the air rarer, and exertion more difficult. - -All three slept soundly. Though his bed was a hard one, Gerald was no -child of luxury and rested peacefully. - -About seven o’clock Mr. Wentworth rose and dressed himself. Gerald -was already up, preparing breakfast. All at once he was startled by -an exclamation. Looking around he saw Bradley Wentworth examining his -pockets in a high state of excitement. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Gerald. - -“Matter enough!” returned the visitor. “I’ve been robbed during the -night, _and you_,” he added fiercely, with a furious glance at Gerald, -“_you are the thief_!” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -TRACKING THE THIEF. - - -GERALD blushed with indignation at the unexpected accusation. - -“What do you mean, Mr. Wentworth?” he demanded angrily. - -“I mean just what I say. During the night my wallet, which was full of -bank bills, has been stolen. Of course your father couldn’t have taken -it. There was no one else in the room except yourself.” - -“You are making a poor return for our hospitality,” said Gerald coldly. -“In what pocket did you keep your wallet?” - -“In the inside pocket of my coat.” - -“Look about on the floor. It may have slipped out.” - -Bradley Wentworth deigned to accept this suggestion. Both he and Gerald -looked about on the floor, but could discover no trace of the lost -article. - -“Just as I expected,” observed Wentworth in a significant tone. - -Gerald colored and felt mystified. - -“I don’t understand it,” he said slowly. - -“Probably the wallet walked off without hands,” sneered Wentworth. - -“It must have been taken,” said Gerald quietly, “but who could have -done it?” - -“Yes, who could have done it?” repeated Wentworth with another sneer. - -“I will trouble you to speak in a different tone,” said Gerald with -quiet dignity. “My father and I are poor enough, but no one ever -charged us with dishonesty.” - -Mr. Lane, awakening from sleep, heard the last words. - -“What is the matter? What has happened?” he asked dreamily. - -“Mr. Wentworth misses his pocketbook, father,” exclaimed Gerald. - -“How much money was there in your wallet, Bradley?” asked the sick man. - -“Nearly two hundred dollars.” - -“That is a great deal of money to lose. You are sure it was in your -pocket when you went to bed?” - -“Yes, I felt it there.” - -“Some one must have got into the cabin during the night.” - -“But the door was locked,” said Wentworth. - -“True, but there is a window near your bed. There was no fastening, -and it could be raised easily. And that reminds me,” he continued with -a sudden thought, “I waked up during the night, that is I partially -awakened, and thought I saw a figure near your bed in a stooping -position. It must have been the thief going through your pockets.” - -“Why didn’t you speak, father?” - -“Because I was more asleep than awake, and my mind was too torpid to -reason upon what I saw.” - -“Did the figure remind you of anyone, father? What was it like?” - -“A man of medium height, stout and broad-shouldered.” - -Bradley Wentworth started, and a sudden conviction flashed upon him. -The description tallied exactly with Jake Amsden, the man with whom he -had had a conference the day before. - -“Is there any such person who lives near by?” he asked. - -“Yes, a worthless, dissipated fellow named Jake Amsden.” - -“I think I caught sight of him yesterday during my walk. Is his hair -red?” - -“Yes. Did you speak to him?” - -“I spoke to him,” said Wentworth evasively, for he did not care to -mention the subject of their conversation. - -“Did he know where you were staying?” - -“I believe I mentioned it.” - -“And from your appearance doubtless he concluded that you had money.” - -“Possibly. Has he ever stolen anything from you?” - -“I am too poor to attract burglars. Besides, theft in this neighborhood -is a serious offense. Only last year a man living five miles away was -lynched for stealing a horse.” - -“This is an awkward loss for me,” said Wentworth. “If I were at home -I could step into a bank and get all the money I wanted. Here it is -different.” - -“Have you no money left? Did the wallet contain all you had?” - -“I have some besides in an inside pocket, but not as much as I may have -occasion to use. Is there any hope of recovering the wallet from this -man—that is, provided he has taken it?” - -“After breakfast I will go with you,” said Gerald, “and see if we can -find Jake Amsden. If we do we will make him give up the money.” - -“But will it be safe? He looks like a rough character.” - -“So he is; but the two of us ought to be more than a match for him.” - -“I have no arms.” - -“I will lend you my father’s pistol, and I have one of my own.” - -Gerald spoke so calmly, and seemed so cool and courageous that -Wentworth gave him a look of admiration. - -“That boy has more in him than I thought. He is no milk-and-water youth -as his father probably was. - -“Very well,” he said aloud. “I will accept your offer—that is, after -breakfast. I am afraid I shouldn’t muster up courage enough to meet -this rough fellow on an empty stomach. I don’t feel like giving up such -a sum of money without a struggle to recover it. Do you know Amsden?” - -“Yes; he has been in this vicinity almost as long as we have.” - -“Are you on friendly terms?” - -“We are not unfriendly, but he is not a man that I cared to be intimate -with.” - -“Will he be likely to leave the neighborhood with his booty?” asked -Wentworth anxiously. - -“No; he is not a coward, and will stay. Besides, he probably thinks -that he has covered his tracks, and will not be suspected.” - -Breakfast was prepared and eaten. As they rose from the table Gerald -said: “Now, Mr. Wentworth, I am at your service.” - -They took their way partly through woods till they reached the poor -cabin occupied by Jake Amsden. The door was open and they looked in. -But there was no sign of the occupant. - -“He is gone!” said Wentworth, in accents that betrayed his -disappointment. - -“I didn’t much expect he would be here,” said Gerald. - -“Have you any idea where he is?” - -“Yes; he is very fond of whisky, and there is a place at the foot of -the hill where drink can be obtained. It is kept by a negro, a man of -bad reputation.” - -“Then let us go there. There is no time to be lost,” said Wentworth, -anxiously. - -As they walked along Wentworth broached the old subject of selling the -cabin and the land attached. - -“I think you make a mistake, Gerald,” he said, “in not selling me the -cabin. Two hundred dollars would be very useful to you.” - -“The place is worth more.” - -“I offered you two hundred and fifty, and I stand by that offer.” - -“I may desire to sell it some time, but not at present.” - -“You don’t mean to remain here after your father dies?” - -“Please don’t refer to that, Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald with emotion. -“I don’t want to think of it.” - -“But you know he can’t recover.” - -“I know it, but I don’t like to think of it.” - -“This is only weakness. You ought to think of it, and be forming your -plans.” - -“Excuse me, Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald with sad dignity, “but I cannot -and will not speak of my father’s death at present. When God takes him -from me it will be time to consider what I shall do.” - -“Suit yourself,” said Bradley Wentworth stiffly, “but you must not -forget that I am your father’s friend, and——” - -“Are you my father’s friend?” asked Gerald with a searching look. - -“Of course I am,” answered Wentworth, coloring. “Hasn’t he told you we -were young men together?” - -“Yes, he has told me that.” - -“Then you understand it. I am his friend and yours.” - -“I am glad to hear it,” said Gerald gravely, “but there,” he added, -pointing to a low, one-story frame building, “is the place where Jake -Amsden probably came to buy liquor.” - -Over the entrance was a large board on which was painted in rude -characters: - - P. JOHNSON, - Saloon. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -FOILING A THIEF. - - -MR. PETER JOHNSON, the proprietor of the saloon, hearing voices, came -to the door. He was a dirty looking negro of medium size, dressed in a -shoddy suit, common enough in appearance, but with a look of cunning in -his small round eyes. - -“Good mornin’, gemmen,” he said rubbing his hands and rolling his eyes. -“What can I do for you dis mornin’?” - -“Has Jake Amsden been around here?” asked Gerald abruptly. - -“No, sir,” answered Peter. - -In spite of his answer there was a look in his eyes that belied his -statement. - -“You have seen nothing of him?” continued Gerald, sharply. - -“No, sir. What for should Jake Amsden come here for, Mr. Gerald?” - -“He might feel thirsty,” suggested Wentworth, “just as I am. Have you -got some good whisky?” - -“Yes, _sir_,” answered Peter briskly. - -“Well, go in and get a couple of glasses,” said Wentworth. - -“None for me,” commenced Gerald, but Wentworth gave him a quick look -that silenced him. He saw that his companion had an object in view. - -Wentworth made a motion to go in, but the negro interfered hastily. -“Stay where you are, gemmen, I’ll bring out de whisky.” - -“We can go in as well as not, and save you trouble,” said Wentworth, -and despite Peter’s opposition the two followed him in. - -They looked about scrutinizingly, but saw nothing to repay their search. - -There was a counter, such as is usually found in saloons, and Mr. -Johnson going behind this brought out glasses and a bottle of whisky. - -“Help yourselves, gemmen!” he said, but there was an uneasy look on his -face. - -Wentworth poured out a small quantity of whisky and drank it down. He -poured out a less quantity for Gerald, but the boy merely touched his -lips to the glass. - -“So you say Jake Amsden has not been here?” repeated Wentworth in a -loud voice. - -“No, stranger, no, on my word he hasn’t,” answered Peter earnestly. But -he was immediately put to confusion by a voice from behind the bar; a -voice interrupted by hiccoughs: “Who’s callin’ me? Is it you, Pete?” - -“Come out here, Jake,” said Wentworth, showing no surprise. “Come out -here, and have a drink with your friends.” - -The invitation was accepted. Jake, who was lying behind the counter -half stupefied, got up with some difficulty, and presented himself to -the company a by no means attractive figure. His clothes were even more -soiled than usual by contact with a floor that was seldom swept. - -Wentworth poured out a glass of whisky and handed it to the inebriate, -who gulped it down. - -“Now you drink with me!” stuttered Jake, who was too befuddled to -recognize the man who had treated him. - -“All right, Jake, old boy!” said Wentworth with assumed hilarity. - -He poured out for himself a teaspoonful of whisky, but did not -replenish Gerald’s glass, as Amsden was not likely to notice the -omission. - -“Now pay for it, Jake,” prompted Wentworth. - -“Never mind!” said Peter hastily, “’nother time will do!” - -“Jake has money. He doesn’t need credit,” said Wentworth. - -“Yes, I’ve got money,” stammered Amsden, and pulled out the wallet he -had stolen from Wentworth. - -“Give it to me, I’ll pay,” said Wentworth, and Jake yielded, not -knowing the full meaning of what was going on. - -“I take you to witness, Gerald,” said Wentworth, “this is my -pocketbook, which this man Amsden stole from me last night. I’ll keep -it.” - -“Stop there, gemmen!” said Pete Johnson. “Dat don’t go down. Dat wallet -belongs to Jake, I’ve seen him have it a dozen times. I won’t ’low no -stealin’ in my saloon.” - -“Be careful, Mr. Johnson,” said Wentworth sternly. “There are papers in -this wallet that prove my ownership. You evidently intended to relieve -Jake of the wallet when he was sleeping off the effects of the whisky. -If you make a fuss I’ll have you arrested as a confederate of Jake -Amsden in the robbing.” - -“’Fore Hebbin, massa!” said Peter, becoming alarmed, “I didn’t know -Jake stole the money.” - -“Did you ever know him have so much money before?” demanded Gerald. - -“Didn’t know but he might a had some money lef’ him,” said Peter -shrewdly. - -“Well, you know now. When this gentleman lay asleep in our cabin last -night Jake stole in and took his wallet.” - -“What’ll I do, gemmen? When Jake wakes up” (he had dropped on the -floor, where he was breathing hard with his eyes closed) “he’ll ’cuse -me of takin’ his money.” - -“Tell him that the man he stole it from came here and got it,” said -Gerald. - -Gerald and his companion left the saloon, leaving Peter Johnson quite -down in the mouth. His little game had been spoiled, for rightly -supposing that Jake did not know how much money there was in the -wallet, he had intended to abstract at least half the contents and -appropriate it to his own use. - -“Did he use much of your money, Mr. Wentworth?” asked Gerald. - -“I will examine and find out,” answered his companion. - -He sat down under the tree and took out the roll of bills. - -“Only five dollars are missing,” he said in a tone of satisfaction. - -“Have you a son?” asked Gerald. “I think I heard my father say you had -one somewhere near my own age.” - -“How old are you?” - -“Sixteen.” - -“My son—Victor—is seventeen. You have one advantage over him.” - -“What is that, sir?” - -“You are a poor man’s son.” - -“Do you consider that an advantage?” - -“Money is a temptation,” returned Bradley Wentworth slowly, “especially -to a boy. Victor knows that I am rich—that is, moderately rich,” he -added cautiously, “and he feels at liberty to spend money, often in -ways that don’t do him any good. He buys clothes extravagantly, but -that does no harm outside of the expense. I am sorry to say that he has -contracted a taste for drink, and has given several champagne suppers -to his friends. I suppose you don’t indulge yourself in that way,” -Wentworth added, with a faint smile. - -“I have heard of champagne, but I never tasted it,” returned Gerald. - -“You are as well off without it—nay, better. I noticed you merely -sipped the whisky at the place we just left.” - -“Yes; I knew your object in ordering it, and did not want to arouse -Peter’s suspicions, or I would not even have done that.” - -“So I supposed. I approve of your moderation. I do not myself drink -whisky, and indeed very little wine. Drink has no temptation for me. I -wish I could say as much for Victor. I presume, however, if you were in -his place, you would do the same.” - -“You are quite mistaken, Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald indignantly. - -“Well, perhaps so, but you can’t tell, for you have never been tried.” - -“I have never been tried, but I hate liquor of all kinds, and -drunkenness still more. The sight of Jake Amsden just now is enough to -sicken any one.” - -“True, he makes a beast of himself. I am not afraid Victor will ever -sink to his level; but I should be glad if he would abstain from -drinking altogether.” - -Bradley Wentworth rose from his recumbent position. - -“Shall we take a walk?” he said. - -“I would do so, but I don’t like to leave my father alone.” - -“He looked comfortable when we left the cabin.” - -“Yes, but he is subject to sudden attacks.” - -“And you have no doctor within a reasonable distance?” - -“No; but his attacks are always the same, and I know what to do for -him.” - -“We will walk to the cabin, and then, if he seems well, you might -venture to take a walk.” - -“Very well, Mr. Wentworth.” - -When they were within a few rods of his home, Gerald, impatient and -always solicitous about the invalid, ran forward, leaving Mr. Wentworth -to follow more slowly. - -The latter was startled when Gerald, pale and agitated, emerged from -the cabin and called out: “Oh, come quick, Mr. Wentworth. My father -has had a serious hemorrhage, and—” he choked, unable to finish the -sentence. - -Wentworth hurried forward and entered the cabin. Mr. Lane lay back in -his chair, gasping for breath. - -He opened his eyes when he heard Gerald’s voice. - -“I—am—glad—you—are—come, Gerald,” he gasped. “I think—the end has -come!” - -He did not utter another word, but in half an hour breathed his last! - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -ALONE IN THE WORLD. - - -TWO days afterward the simple burial took place. Mr Wentworth remained, -influenced by a variety of motives. He felt that with Warren Lane dead -all form of a demand upon him for the money he had once faithfully -agreed to pay had passed. Gerald might know something about it, but -what could a poor and friendless boy do against a rich manufacturer? -Still, if the boy had the papers, he might as well secure them for a -trifle. So as they sat in front of the cabin after the burial he said -suddenly: “What do you propose to do, Gerald?” - -“I don’t know,” answered Gerald sadly. - -“If you will go home with me, I will give you a place in my factory.” - -“I prefer to remain here for a time.” - -“But how will you live?” - -“I can hunt and fish, and as my wants are few I think I shall get -along.” - -“As your father and I were young men together, I should like to do -something for you.” - -“You can do something for me,” said Gerald significantly. - -“What is it you refer to?” - -“Keep the promise you made to my father fifteen years ago.” - -Bradley Wentworth looked uneasy. It was clear that the boy thoroughly -understood the compact. - -“What do you mean, Gerald?” he asked. - -“I mean that my father sacrificed his reputation to save yours. Through -him you obtained your inheritance and are to-day a rich man. For this -you solemnly agreed to give him twenty thousand dollars when you came -into your uncle’s fortune.” - -“You are laboring under a delusion, boy!” said Wentworth harshly. - -“You know better than that, Mr. Wentworth,” answered Gerald calmly. - -“You are certainly very modest in your demands. Twenty thousand -dollars, indeed!” - -“It was not I who fixed upon that sum, but yourself. As my father’s -sacrifice brought you over three hundred thousand dollars, it was a -good bargain for you.” - -“What have you to show in proof of this extraordinary claim of yours?” -demanded Wentworth, waiting eagerly for the answer. - -“Your confession over your own signature that you forged the check, a -crime attributed to my father, and confessing that he bore the blame to -screen you.” - -“Where is this paper?” demanded Wentworth, edging, as if unconsciously, -nearer the boy. - -“It is safe,” answered Gerald, rising and facing his companion. - -“Show it to me! I won’t believe in its existence unless you show it to -me.” - -“This is not the time to show it,” said Gerald. - -“I differ with you. This is the precise time to show it if you have it, -which I very much doubt.” - -“I will show it to you in due time, Mr. Wentworth. This is not the -right time, nor the right place.” - -“Have you it about you?” - -“I shall answer no more questions, Mr. Wentworth.” - -Wentworth eyed Gerald, doubting whether he should not seize him then -and there and wrest from him the paper if he proved to have it, but -there was something in the resolute look of the boy that daunted him, -man though he was, and he decided that it would be better to have -recourse to a little strategy. For this the boy would be less prepared -than for open force. - -“Look here, Gerald,” he said, moderating his tone and moving further -away, as if all thoughts of violence had left him, “I will have a few -plain words with you. If you have any paper compromising me in any way, -I will make it worth your while to give it to me. I remember that I was -in a little trouble, and being young made a mountain out of a molehill. -Still I don’t care to have it come out now, when I am a man of repute, -that I ever sowed wild oats like most young men. I will make you the -same offer that I did your father. Give me the paper and I will give -you a thousand dollars to start you in life. Think what such a sum will -be to a boy like you.” - -“I don’t think I care much for money, Mr. Wentworth,” responded Gerald. -“But my father left me this claim upon you as a sacred trust. I feel -that I owe it to his memory to collect it to the uttermost farthing.” - -Bradley Wentworth shrugged his shoulders. - -“You are about the most foolish boy I ever met,” he said. “You are -almost a pauper, yet you refuse a thousand dollars.” - -“I shall never be a pauper while I have my health and strength, Mr. -Wentworth.” - -“You must think me a fool to surrender so large a sum as twenty -thousand dollars on the demand of a half-grown boy like yourself!” - -“No, Mr. Wentworth. I was only trying to find out whether you were a -man of integrity!” - -“Do you dare to impugn my integrity?” demanded the manufacturer angrily. - -“A man of integrity keeps his engagements,” said Gerald briefly. - -Bradley Wentworth regarded Gerald with a fixed and thoughtful glance. -He had expected to twine the boy round his finger, but found that he -was more resolute than he expected. He exhibited a force of character -which his father had never possessed. - -Wentworth was not a patient man, and the boy’s perverseness, as -he called it, provoked him, and brought out his sterner and more -disagreeable qualities. - -“Boy,” he said harshly, “I have a piece of advice to give you.” - -“What is it, sir?” - -“Don’t make me your enemy! I came here intending to be your friend, and -you decline my advances.” - -“No, sir,” answered Gerald firmly. “I don’t consider that you act a -friendly part when you decline to carry out a solemn compact made with -my father.” - -“It is a delusion of his and yours,” returned Wentworth, “I can only -look upon your attitude as that of a blackmailer.” - -“No one has more contempt for a blackmailer than I,” said Gerald. “I -am old enough to understand the meaning of the term. If a man owed you -money, and you presented your claim, would you consider it blackmail?” - -“Certainly not.” - -“Then I need not defend myself from your charge.” - -“You and I take different views on this question, but it is of some -importance to you not to offend me.” - -“Why?” asked Gerald, looking straight into the eyes of his companion. - -“Because I am rich and powerful.” - -“And I am weak and poor?” - -“Precisely.” - -“What use do you propose to make of your power, Mr. Wentworth?” - -“To _crush_ you!” hissed the manufacturer. - -“Listen, boy, I am capable of being a good friend——” - -“As you were to my father,” suggested Gerald significantly. - -“As I was to your father, only he did not appreciate it.” - -“I don’t care to have such a friend.” - -“But I have something to add. I can be a bitter enemy when I am badly -treated.” - -“I suppose that is meant as a threat, Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald -calmly. - -“You can take it so.” - -“Then I have my answer ready. I care neither for your friendship nor -your enmity. I shall do what I consider right, and if my own conscience -approves I shall seek no other approval.” - -“You are very independent for a young boy, especially one in your -circumstances,” sneered Wentworth. - -“You may be right. I am independent, and I intend to remain so.” - -“Wait till you get older, and have been buffeted by the world. You will -understand then that you have made a serious mistake in repelling my -offer of help.” - -“Have you anything more to say to me, Mr. Wentworth?” - -“No, unless to add that I generally get even with those who oppose me. -Indeed, I have a great mind to chastise you here and now.” - -Gerald rose from his seat and confronted the angry man, but without -betraying any trace of excitement or fear. - -“You are probably more than a match for me physically, Mr. Wentworth,” -he said, “but if you undertake anything of that kind you will meet with -a determined resistance.” - -And as Wentworth looked into the boy’s resolute face he quite -understood that he spoke only the truth. - -“No,” he said, after a brief pause, “I will bide my time. You may -repent of your folly and decide to come to terms with me. If you -don’t——” - -He did not finish the sentence, for a man on horseback came galloping -up to the cabin. He checked his horse, and said inquiringly, “Is this -Mr. Bradley Wentworth?” - -“I am he,” answered Wentworth, rising. - -“Then here is a telegram for you. It came to Denver, and I have ridden -seventy miles to bring it to you.” - -Wentworth tore open the message. It contained these words: - -“Come home at once. The men are on strike. I can do nothing without -your authority. - - “MORGAN.” - -“This is from my foreman. I am summoned home,” said Wentworth, looking -up. “How soon can I leave here?” - -“At once. I engaged a wagon that will be here in fifteen minutes.” - -In fifteen minutes Bradley Wentworth set out on his return. His mind -was so much occupied with the serious news from home that he left -without a word to Gerald, who stood watching the conveyance till it -disappeared behind a bend in the cliff. - -“Now I am indeed alone!” he reflected, as his eyes rested sadly on the -poor cabin which he and his father had occupied for three years. “I am -alone in the world, with no friend, but with one powerful enemy.” - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR. - - -GERALD had often thought vaguely of the time when he would be left -alone. Between him and his father there had been an intimacy and mutual -dependence greater than usually exists between father and son. Now that -his father had passed away, a sudden feeling of desolation chilled the -boy’s spirits, and he asked himself what life had in store for him of -hope and happiness. But youth is buoyant, and Gerald was but sixteen. -He felt that he had something to live for. He would redeem his father’s -reputation, and instead of giving way to his feelings would fight -manfully the great battle of life. - -But how? To what should he turn? He began to consider his resources. -First and most available was money. He emptied his pockets, and took -account of his worldly wealth. It amounted to one dollar and sixty-five -cents, all told. - -“That isn’t much,” thought Gerald. “I shall have to go to work without -delay.” - -He prepared supper as usual, but had small heart to sit down to it -alone. Little as he liked Bradley Wentworth he would have been glad to -have his company till he could endure the thought of solitude. But he -was not destined to eat by himself. Going to the door of the cabin just -as his simple preparations were made, he caught sight of an approaching -figure. It was that of a stranger, a strong, robust man of little more -than thirty, with a florid face and dressed like an English tourist. - -“Hallo, there!” called out the stranger, as he caught sight of Gerald. - -“Hallo!” responded Gerald. - -“Is there any hotel round here?” - -“Not that I know of, sir.” - -“As I feared. I’ve been wandering round this confounded country till -I’ve got lost. It’s a beastly wilderness, that’s what it is.” - -Gerald smiled. His experience of men was limited, and he had never met -a British tourist before. - -“May I sit down awhile?” went on the newcomer. - -There was a long seat built against the cabin, with the wall of the -latter for a back. - -“Certainly, sir. I shall be glad of company.” - -“Do you live here?” - -“Yes, sir. I have lived here for three years.” - -“I should think you’d commit suicide, I should, upon my word. Does no -one live with you?” - -“Not now,” answered Gerald gravely. “My father died two days since.” - -“Oh, I beg your pardon, I do indeed,” said the Englishman in a tone of -sympathy. “It wasn’t an accident, was it?” - -“No, he had long been sick of consumption. I was feeling very lonely, -for he was only buried to-day.” - -“I hope I don’t intrude. I wouldn’t do that on any account.” - -“No; on the contrary I am glad to have company. I was about to sit down -to supper. If agreeable I shall be pleased to have you join me.” - -“Supper!” repeated the tourist with sudden animation. “It is the one -thing I have been longing for. I haven’t eaten a particle of food since -morning, and didn’t know where to find any, though my pocket is full of -money.” - -“I can’t offer you anything very inviting,” said Gerald, as he led the -way into the cabin. “I have some fish and potatoes, bread and coffee, -but I have neither milk nor butter.” - -“Don’t apologize, my young friend,” interposed the Englishman. “It is -a feast fit for the gods. I have an appetite that will make anything -palatable. But where do you get your bread? There can’t be any bakers’ -shops in this wilderness.” - -“There are not. I make my own bread.” - -“You don’t say so! And upon my word it is delicious.” - -“It is fortunate that you are hungry,” said Gerald with a smile. - -“No, ’pon honor, it isn’t that. It is really better than I often eat at -hotels. You really have talent as a cook.” - -“I don’t think so. I don’t care for cooking, but have taken it up from -necessity.” - -The tourist hadn’t exaggerated his appetite. He ate so heartily that -when the meal was concluded there wasn’t a crumb left. All the dishes -were empty. - -“I ought to apologize for my appetite,” he said, “but I have been -rambling about ever since breakfast, and I find the air here very -stimulating.” - -“Don’t think of apologizing!” returned Gerald. “I am glad you relished -my simple supper.” - -“Now, if I were only sure of a bed, I should feel quite easy in mind.” - -“I will gladly offer you a bed. This is the first night that I should -have been alone, and the solitude depressed me.” - -“I will accept your kind offer thankfully. But you ought to know whom -you are obliging.” - -The stranger drew from his pocket a card on which Gerald read the name: - - THE HON. NOEL BROOKE. - -“I should be glad to give you my card, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald, “but -here in this wilderness cards are not customary. My name is Gerald -Lane.” - -“I am delighted to know you, Mr. Lane,” said the tourist offering his -hand cordially. - -It seemed odd to Gerald to be called “Mr. Lane.” - -“If you don’t mind, Mr. Brooke,” he said, “please call me Gerald. I -never thought of myself as Mr. Lane.” - -“I will do so with pleasure, and it will seem easy and familiar, for I -have a _Cousin_ Gerald. His name, too, is not unlike yours. He is Lord -Gerald Vane, son of the Marquis of Dunbar.” - -“There is one essential difference,” said Gerald. “I am plain -Gerald—I can’t call myself a lord.” - -“Oh, you are all sovereigns in America,” laughed the Englishman, “and -that is higher than the title of lord.” - -“Perhaps you are a lord also?” suggested Gerald. - -“No, Gerald, not at present. My father has a title, but my elder -brother will inherit that. However, that is of little importance here.” - -“Have you been long in Colorado, Mr. Brooke?” - -“About a month. I was told it was the Switzerland of America. So after -visiting your principal cities and having seen your famous Niagara, I -pushed on out here, but I didn’t reckon on there being no hotels, or I -might have stayed away.” - -“There will be plenty of hotels in a few years. There are few -settlements as yet.” - -“Just so. Excuse my saying so, but until that time comes I should -rather keep away. And you have actually lived here for three years?” - -“Yes.” - -“But why come here when there are plenty of places where you would have -enjoyed greater advantages?” - -“We came here on account of my father’s health. He was in a -consumption, and the dry, clear air of this region is especially -favorable for any lung troubles.” - -“Did he experience benefit?” - -“Yes; he lived three years, when elsewhere he would probably have died -in twelve months.” - -“But now you won’t stay here? _You_ haven’t got consumption.” - -“Not that I am aware of,” answered Gerald with a smile. - -“Have you formed any plans?” - -“No; I have not had time.” - -“You ought to go to New York or Chicago. There would surely be an -opening in one of those cities for a clever boy like yourself.” - -“Thank you for the compliment. There is one good reason, however, why I -cannot follow your advice.” - -“Name it.” - -“Money is necessary, and my poor father was unable to leave me any.” - -“But this cabin?” - -“That indeed belongs to me and the eighty acres adjoining, but it would -be difficult to sell it, nor do I care to do so. Some day, when the -country is more settled, it may be worth much more than at present.” - -“You are right, Gerald. But you are not obliged to remain here. The -cabin and the land won’t run away.” - -“That’s true. I mean to leave it and go somewhere, but my plans are not -formed yet.” - -“Then let me help you form them. I want to make a prolonged tour in -this country, and I find it beastly dull without a companion. Come with -me!” - -“But, Mr. Brooke, I am poor. I have less than two dollars in my -possession.” - -“My dear fellow, what difference does that make?” - -“But I can’t travel without money.” - -“I offer you a position as my—private secretary, with a salary of—I -say now, I don’t know how much to pay you. We’ll call it four pounds a -week, twenty dollars in your money, if that is satisfactory.” - -“But, Mr. Brooke,” exclaimed Gerald in astonishment. “I don’t -understand the duties of a private secretary, and I can’t possibly be -worth that money.” - -“You won’t find your duties difficult. I call you my secretary, but -you’ll only have to keep me company.” - -“I will do that with pleasure, Mr. Brooke.” - -“Then it’s all settled, Gerald. Your hand upon it!” - -The two clasped hands, and Gerald felt that this new friend would be a -good offset for his powerful enemy. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -JAKE AMSDEN MAKES AN EARLY CALL, AND HAS A WARM RECEPTION. - - -THE next morning Gerald was up bright and early. He felt bound to -entertain his new employer, who was temporarily his guest, as royally -as possible. So he decided to make some fresh bread for breakfast, and -this would take him some time. Still all his preparations were made, -and breakfast all ready to be served before his companion awoke. - -“He must be pretty tired,” thought Gerald. “I won’t wake him up, for -his business isn’t very pressing, and he will be glad of a good long -rest.” - -He ate a little himself, for he had been up long enough to have a good -appetite, and seated himself on the settee in front of the cabin. - -It was a charming morning, and as Gerald sat there, he felt that he had -good reason to be thankful. Yesterday he had felt alone in the world, -and had very little idea how he was going to make a living, but to-day -he found himself with a bright prospect ahead, and the promise of an -income which would have been satisfactory to many of double his age. - -The state of the weather is apt to affect our spirits, and the clear -sunshine and cool bracing air had its effect on Gerald. From his seat -he could see at a distance of twenty-five miles the snowy top of -Pike’s Peak, looking on account of the clearness of the atmosphere not -more than five miles away. There were intermediate summits which, had -he been nearer, would have hidden the snowy crest of the grand old -mountain, but from where he was he could see clearly, rising above the -wooded slope. - -“Colorado may be a wilderness, but it has grand scenery!” thought -Gerald. “Some time I must go to the top of Pike’s Peak. The view from -there must be great.” - -He had entertained this wish before, but his father would not consent, -and, indeed as there was some danger of losing one’s way in case of a -sudden fog, his apprehensions were justified. - -“How peaceful and beautiful everything looks this morning,” thought -Gerald. - -But though Gerald was right, the peacefulness of the scene was soon -to be broken in upon by a human intruder on whom it produced no -impression. - -As Gerald sat in quiet contemplation the figure of a man approached -rapidly. When he came nearer Gerald recognized his visitor as Jake -Amsden. - -There was something hostile in Jake’s appearance, and there was an ugly -look on his face that indicated anything but friendship. - -“Hallo, you young rascal!” he called out roughly, when he arrived -within earshot. “Why don’t you answer me?” he continued as Gerald -remained silent. - -“I am no rascal, Mr. Amsden,” said Gerald in a dignified tone, “and I -don’t choose to be called one.” - -“Oh, you’re puttin’ on frills, are you?” retorted Jake, halting where -he stood, and eying the boy with evident malevolence. - -“If that’s what you call it, I am. If you will speak to me in a civil -manner I will answer you.” - -“Oh, you will, will you?” sneered Amsden. “You’ll answer me any way.” - -“Have you any business with me?” - -“Yes, I have. You don’t think I’d come round here so early in the -mornin’ if I hadn’t?” - -“I don’t know. I am not acquainted with your habits.” - -“Has the gentleman gone that was stoppin’ here?” - -“You mean Mr. Wentworth?” - -“Like as not. I don’t know his name.” - -“He went away yesterday.” - -Jake Amsden appeared to receive this answer with satisfaction. He -wanted to be sure that Gerald was alone and unprotected. - -“Ho ain’t comin’ back, is he?” - -“Not that I know of.” - -“Then you’re livin’ alone?” - -“My poor father is dead as you know. Yes, I am alone in the world.” - -“Look here, boy!” he commenced abruptly, “you asked me if I came on -business.” - -“Yes.” - -“Well, I have,” and the visitor eyed Gerald with a sinister glance. - -Gerald suspected that Jake had heard of his visit to Pete Johnson’s -saloon, and wanted to hold him responsible for the loss of the stolen -wallet. He was not alarmed, knowing, as Jake Amsden did not, that he -had a friend within call. - -“State your business,” he said calmly. - -“I’ll do just that. Gerald Lane, you’ve played me a mean trick.” - -“Go ahead! Tell me what it is.” - -“You came to Pete Johnson’s and stole a wallet full of money from me -when I was asleep. Now it ain’t no use your denyin’ that you was there, -for Pete Johnson told me all about it.” - -“I don’t intend to deny it. Mr. Wentworth and I called at Pete -Johnson’s saloon when you were lying under the counter.” - -“No matter where I was. I’m a gentleman, and if I choose to lie -down under the counter of my friend Pete Johnson, it’s none of your -business.” - -“Oh, I don’t care to interfere with you. You can lie there every night -if you like, so far as I am concerned.” - -“Of course I can, but that ain’t business. Where’s that wallet you took -from me? Answer me that, you young jackanapes!” - -“I took no wallet from you.” - -“Then the man that was with you did.” - -“That is nothing to me. Tell me, Jake Amsden, where did you get that -wallet, and the money that was in it?” - -“It was my wallet.” - -“And the money was yours, too, I suppose?” - -“It’s none of your business any way. It was in my pocket when I lay -down and when I got up it was gone. You needn’t go to deny it, for Pete -Johnson saw it taken.” - -“Look here, Jake Amsden!” said Gerald in a fearless tone, “the wallet -and money were stolen by you from Mr. Wentworth, and he only took what -belonged to him.” - -“That’s a lie!” - -“It’s the truth.” - -“Did you see me take it?” - -“No, but my father woke up in the night, and saw you bending over Mr. -Wentworth. That was when you took the wallet.” - -“Your father was dreamin’! It’s all a made up story. Jake Amsden ain’t -no thief.” - -“I shan’t call you any names. I only tell you the facts in the case.” - -“Look here, boy, you’re mighty independent for a kid. Do you know who I -am?” and Jake, with his arms akimbo, faced Gerald threateningly. - -“I know who you are very well, Mr. Amsden.” - -“_Mr._ Amsden! Well, that’s all right. You’d better be respectful. Do -you know what I’ve come here for?” - -“Suppose you tell me.” - -“I’ve come here to thrash you within an inch of your life.” - -“What for?” asked Gerald, who didn’t seem as much overwhelmed as Jake -Amsden anticipated. - -“For robbin’ me of a wallet full of money.” - -“I told you already that I had nothing to do with taking the wallet. -You must see Mr. Wentworth about that.” - -“But he isn’t here.” - -“You may see him again some time.” - -“That don’t go down. He’s gone away, but you are here. I’m goin’ to -take it out of your hide.” - -“I am only a boy, Mr. Amsden. Won’t you let me off?” - -Gerald seemed alarmed, and Jake Amsden was pleased at the impression -his threats appeared to have made. - -“How much money have you got about you?” he demanded. - -“Not quite two dollars.” - -“Didn’t your father leave you any?” asked Jake, incredulous. - -“My father was a very poor man. He had no money to leave.” - -“Then it’s all the wuss for you, youngster. I’m goin’ to tan your hide, -and don’t you forget it!” - -Jake slipped off his coat, and advanced in a menacing way. - -Gerald dodged him, and tried to escape. For a time he succeeded in -eluding the grasp of his antagonist, and the delay only infuriated -Amsden the more. - -At last he managed to catch Gerald, and with a savage cry of triumph -bore him to the ground. - -“Now I’ve got you!” he exclaimed, “and I’m goin’ to pound you till you -won’t know where you are.” - -He pinioned Gerald to the earth, and the boy would have fared very -badly, but for the timely assistance of his guest. - -Jake Amsden was preparing to carry out his threat, when something -unexpected happened, and he was under the impression that he had been -struck by a cyclone. The English tourist had been awakened by the -discussion, and comprehending from what he heard that Gerald was in a -tight place, he hastily threw on his clothes, and at the right time -darted out of the cabin, seized Jake by the collar with one hand while -with the other he planted a blow in his face, nearly stunned him, and -dragging him from Gerald hurled him forcibly upon the ground six feet -away. - -“Jumpin’ Jehosaphat! What have I struck?” muttered Jake, looking around -stupidly, as he lay on his back without attempting to get up. - -[Illustration: “Allow me to introduce myself,” said the Englishman. “I -am the Hon. Noel Brooke of England.”—Page 93.] - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -AN INTERNATIONAL COMBAT. - - -“EXCUSE my want of ceremony,” said Noel Brooke nonchalantly. “I would -have waited for an introduction but there wasn’t time.” - -“Who are you?” gasped Jake Amsden. - -“Allow me to introduce myself,” said the Englishman, raising his hat as -ceremoniously as if he were addressing a Chicago millionaire. “I am the -Hon. Noel Brooke, of England, at your service.” - -“An Englishman? That is worse than all. That Jake Amsden should live to -be floored by an Englishman!” - -“My friend, I hope that is no disgrace. There are plenty of your -countrymen who could floor me.” - -“But I can’t understand it,” said Jake, rising with difficulty from his -recumbent position. “You don’t weigh within twenty-five pounds of me.” - -“It isn’t always weight that counts—it’s science. I learned how to box -when I was at Eton.” - -“I think I could lick you in a fair fight,” went on Jake, surveying the -trim figure of his antagonist, who was at least three inches shorter -than himself. “You hit me when I wasn’t lookin’.” - -“True enough! Would you like to try it again?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’m ready.” - -Gerald awaited the result not without anxiety. Certainly the two -did not look very well matched. Jake Amsden was a broad-shouldered, -powerfully built man of five feet ten, and would tip the scales at a -hundred and eighty pounds. Noel Brooke was three inches shorter, and -did not look to weigh over a hundred and fifty. - -“I am afraid Jake will be too much for him,” he thought, “and if he is, -it will be my turn next.” - -Evidently Jake was of the same opinion. - -“Why, you’re a Bantam compared to me,” he said. “You’ll think you’ve -been struck by a cyclone.” - -“Strike away—cyclone!” said the Englishman calmly. - -Jake Amsden took him at his word. He advanced confidently, waving his -arms like a flail, and tried to overwhelm his opponent at the first -onslaught. But, intent on attack, he did not provide for defense, and -received a powerful blow for which he was unprepared, and which quite -staggered him. Now he began to get angry and renewed the attack with -even less prudence than before. The result may easily be guessed. -A blow behind the ear prostrated him, and he resumed his recumbent -position. - -“That’s the end of the first round,” said the Englishman with unruffled -composure. “Will you try another?” - -“No, I’ve got enough,” returned Amsden, raising himself on his elbow. -“I say, stranger, you’re a reg’lar steam _en_gine. Do all Englishmen -fight like that?” - -Noel Brooke laughed. - -“Not all,” he said, “but some Americans fight better. I put on the -gloves in New York with a member of the Manhattan Athletic Club, and he -served me as I have served you.” - -“I’m glad of that.” - -“You have no hard feelings, I trust, my mountain friend.” - -“No, but I’m glad you’ve found your match in America.” - -“And you perhaps feel the same, Gerald?” said Mr. Brooke. - -“I am a true American boy, Mr. Brooke,” returned Gerald. - -“You are right there, and I respect you the more for it, but we won’t -let any international rivalry interfere with our friendly feelings.” - -“Agreed!” said Gerald cordially. - -“Now,” continued Noel Brooke, turning to Amsden, “you’ll tell me why -you attacked my young friend here.” - -Jake Amsden looked a little sheepish. - -“I thought he didn’t use me right,” he answered. - -“Suppose you tell me the particulars. I’ll arbitrate between you.” - -“He took a wallet full of bills from me when I was drunk.” - -“I didn’t take it,” said Gerald. “It was the gentleman who was with me -that took it.” - -“How came you with a wallet full of bills?” asked the Englishman. - -“I found it.” - -“Where did you find it?” - -“I can’t remember exactly where.” - -“Then I will help you,” put in Gerald. “You found it in our cabin -during the night, when Mr. Wentworth, our visitor, was asleep.” - -“That puts rather a different face upon the matter, it strikes me,” -said the tourist. - -“Mr. Wentworth owed me some money anyway,” retorted Amsden doggedly. - -“He owed you money? What for?” asked Gerald in unfeigned surprise. - -“He hired me to hunt for some papers that he said were in your cabin -somewhere.” - -“Is this true?” demanded Gerald in amazement. - -“Yes; it’s true as preachin’.” - -“And was that why you came there that night?” - -“Yes.” - -“You came for the papers?” - -“Yes.” - -“How about the wallet?” - -“I saw it on the floor and I thought I’d take it—payment in advance.” - -“Do you believe this story, Gerald? Do you know anything about the -papers this man speaks of?” asked Mr. Brooke. - -“Yes, I think his story is true as far as that goes. My father had some -papers which Mr. Wentworth tried to buy, first of my father, and next -of me. They were the records of a debt which he owed father. But I -didn’t think he would stoop to such means to obtain them.” - -“What kind of a man is this Wentworth?” - -“I cannot consider him an honorable man, or he would have treated us -differently.” - -“What are his relations with you?” - -“Unfriendly. He will do me an injury if he gets a chance. But I will -tell you more of this hereafter.” - -“I have heard your story, Mr. Amsden,” said the Englishman, “and I am -obliged to decide against you. You had no right to tackle Gerald——” - -“It was hard on a poor man to lose so much money,” grumbled Amsden. - -“No doubt, only it happened that it was money to which you had no -rightful claim.” - -“You don’t know what is it to be poor, squire.” - -“I have no doubt it is very uncomfortable, but there are others who -are in the same condition. Gerald here is poor, but he doesn’t pick up -wallets belonging to other people. I advise you to go to work—there -are few Americans who don’t work—and no nation is more prosperous. Go -to work, and you won’t have so much reason to complain.” - -“That’s all very well to say, but if a fellow hasn’t a cent to bless -himself with, it’s a poor lookout.” - -“Are you so poor as that?” - -“If gold mines were sellin’ for a nickel apiece, I couldn’t raise the -nickel,” asseverated Amsden in a melancholy tone. - -“Come, that’s a pity. I didn’t know any American was ever so poor -as that. As I’ve knocked you down twice, perhaps it is only fair to -compensate you for affording me such a chance for healthful exercise. -Here, my friend, here are two silver dollars, one for each time I -floored you.” - -“You’re a gentleman!” exclaimed Amsden, his face lighting up with -satisfaction as he pocketed the coins. Then, as he turned, a sudden -idea struck him, and he asked insinuatingly: “Wouldn’t you like to -knock me down ag’in, stranger?” - -“No, I think not,” responded the tourist laughing. “However, we’ll -suppose I have, and here’s another dollar.” - -“Thank you, squire.” - -Jake Amsden departed with alacrity, making a bee-line for his friend -Pete Johnson’s saloon. - -Gerald and his friend then sat down to breakfast, which, it is -needless to say, they both heartily enjoyed. As they rose from the -table a knock was heard at the cabin door. - -Gerald answered it in some surprise, for visitors and calls were -infrequent, and found outside a man of about forty, holding by the hand -a boy of twelve. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -A VICTIM OF INJUSTICE. - - -THE man who stood before Gerald was dressed like a mechanic in a -working suit somewhat the worse for wear, but he had an honest, -intelligent face that inspired confidence. He had an anxious look, -however, as if he were in some mental trouble. - -“Good morning,” said Gerald courteously. “Won’t you come in and share -our breakfast?” - -On hearing this invitation the boy’s face brightened up. - -“You are very kind, and I accept thankfully,” said the father. “Oscar -and myself are both hungry, for we have eaten nothing since one o’clock -yesterday.” - -“Come in then,” said Gerald hospitably. - -“I ought perhaps first to explain how I happen to be here in such a -plight.” - -“I shall be glad to hear your story, and so will my friend, Mr. -Brooke, but you must breakfast first. Then you will feel probably in -much better condition for talking.” - -Though Gerald and his guest had eaten heartily there was enough left -for the two new arrivals, and it was very evident that both thoroughly -enjoyed their meal. - -“I hope I haven’t taken up your time,” said the visitor as he pushed -back his chair from the table. “And now, as in duty bound, I will tell -you my story.” - -“Don’t think we require it,” said Gerald courteously. “The slight favor -we have done you gives us no right to ask your confidence.” - -“Still you look friendly and I am glad to tell you about myself. I am, -as you will judge from my appearance, a working-man, and have ever -since I attained my majority been employed in woolen mills. The last -place where I was employed was at Seneca, in the factory of——” - -“Bradley Wentworth?” asked Gerald quickly. - -“Yes. Do you know him?” inquired the stranger in surprise. - -“Yes; he has been making me a visit here. If you had come here -twenty-four hours earlier you would have seen him.” - -“Then I am glad I was delayed.” - -“Why? Has he wronged you?” - -“I don’t know whether I can rightly say that, but he has treated -me without mercy. Let me explain. Fifteen years ago I was employed -in an Eastern factory. Among my fellow-workmen was one I thought -my friend. We were so intimate that we occupied the same room at a -factory boarding-house. All went well. I received excellent wages, -and had money laid by. My companion, as I soon found, was given to -extravagance, and frequently indulged in drink, so that he found it -hard work to make both ends meet. Then he began to borrow money of me, -but after a time I refused to accommodate him any further. He earned -the same wages as myself, and I felt that he ought to maintain himself -without help as I did. - -“The result of my refusal was to make him my enemy. He said little but -looked ugly. Though I did not expect it he schemed a revenge. One day a -pocketbook containing money was missing from an adjoining room. A fuss -was made, and a search instituted, which resulted to my utter dismay -in the pocketbook being found in my trunk. It contained no money, but -a couple of papers which attested the ownership. Of course I asserted -my innocence, but no one believed me. The proof was held to be too -convincing. I was brought to trial, and sentenced to three months’ -imprisonment. That imprisonment,” he continued bitterly, “has shadowed -all my life since. Of course I could not get back to the factory where -I had been employed, and I went to another State. I was left in peace -for ten months when one of my fellow-workmen made his appearance and -told the superintendent that I had served a sentence of imprisonment -for theft. I was summoned to the office, informed of the charge, and -had to admit it. I was instantly discharged. To assert my innocence was -of no avail. ‘You were found guilty. That is enough for us,’ said the -superintendent. - -“I had to leave the factory. I found employment elsewhere, but was -hounded down again, and by the same man. But before denouncing me, he -came to me, and offered to keep silent if I would pay him a hundred -and fifty dollars. I raised the money, but the treacherous scoundrel -did not keep faith with me. He went to the superintendent, and told -him all, exacting that the source of the information should not be -divulged. So I was sent adrift again, knowing very well, though I -couldn’t prove it, that Clifton Haynes had betrayed me.” - -“Why didn’t you thrash the scoundrel?” asked Noel Brooke indignantly. - -“It would only have increased the prejudice against me,” answered the -visitor wearily. - -“Well,” he continued, “I needn’t prolong the story, for it is always -the same. I went from one factory to another, but this man followed -me. When we met he had the assurance to demand another sum of money -in payment for his silence. I had no money to give him, nor would I -have done so if I had, knowing his treachery. The result was that -again I was discharged. A year ago I went to Seneca, and obtained -employment from Mr. Wentworth. Month after month passed and I began -to congratulate myself, when one unlucky day Haynes again made his -appearance. He tried to extort money from me, but though I had some, I -refused to bribe him. He went to Mr. Wentworth and denounced me. I was -discharged unceremoniously, though I told him my story and appealed to -his humanity. Then at last, in my despair and anger, I lay in wait for -Haynes, and gave him an unmerciful beating until he roared for mercy.” - -“Good! good!” exclaimed the Englishman, clapping his hands, “you served -the scoundrel right.” - -“I always think of it with pleasure, though I am not a revengeful man.” - -“Were you arrested?” asked Gerald. - -“Yes, but I escaped with a fine which I paid gladly. I am glad to say -when it got out that Haynes had dogged me so persistently none of the -men would associate with him, and he was obliged to leave the factory.” - -“I wish I had been Mr. Wentworth,” said Brooke. “I would have retained -you in my employ even if you had been guilty in the first place. I -don’t believe in condemning a man utterly for one offense.” - -“I wish more men were as charitable as yourself,” said John Carter, for -this, as he afterward informed Gerald, was his name. - -“But how did you happen to come to Colorado?” asked Noel Brooke. - -“I was tired of persecution. In fact I had been employed in so many -factories, all of which were now closed against me, that I decided to -earn a living some other way. I had a little money left, and I traveled -westward. I came to Colorado because it was a new country, and there -must be something here for an industrious man to do. It has been rather -hard on poor Oscar,” he added with an affectionate glance at his son. -“For latterly my money gave out, and we have more than once gone -hungry, as we would have done to-day but for your kindness.” - -He was about to rise and leave the cabin but Gerald stopped him. - -“Wait a minute, Mr. Carter,” he said. “I have an arrangement to -propose.” - -Carter regarded him with a glance of inquiry. - -“I have made an engagement to travel with my friend, Mr. Brooke,” -Gerald went on, “and this cabin will be untenanted. If you are willing -to occupy it you are welcome to do so. You will be sure to find some -employment, and if not you can hunt and fish. What do you say?” - -“What can I say except that I am grateful? I am not afraid but that -I can make a living for myself and Oscar, and I shall not live in -constant fear that Clifton Haynes will find me out and expose me.” - -“I wish he would happen along about this time,” said Noel Brooke. “I -should like nothing better than to get a chance at the fellow. One -thrashing isn’t enough for him.” - -“I think you would make thorough work with him, Mr. Brooke,” said -Gerald laughing. - -“I would try to at all events,” rejoined the Englishman. - -“If you want any certificate attesting your prowess you have only to -refer to Jake Amsden.” - -“Jake Amsden,” exclaimed John Carter in surprise. “Why, he is the man -for whose crime I suffered. He was the man who stole the wallet and put -it in my trunk to incriminate me.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -JAKE AMSDEN TURNS OVER A NEW LEAF. - - -NOW it was the turn of Gerald and Mr. Brooke to look surprised. - -“Why, I thrashed Jake Amsden within an hour,” said the tourist, “for an -attack upon Gerald.” - -“He doesn’t seem to have improved then,” said Carter. “Does he live -hereabouts?” - -“Yes.” - -“Is he in business in this neighborhood?” - -“His chief business,” answered Gerald, “is to get drunk, and when he -can’t raise money any other way he steals it.” - -“Evidently he is the same man. He is the cause of all my misfortunes.” - -“Here he is coming back!” said Gerald suddenly. - -“Good!” exclaimed the tourist. “I have some business with him.” - -Jake had evidently visited Pete Johnson’s saloon again, judging from -his flushed face and unsteady gait. Still he was in a condition to get -around. - -“Stay in the cabin till I call you!” whispered Noel Brooke to Carter. - -“Well,” he said, turning to meet Amsden, “have you come back for -another boxing lesson?” - -“No, squire,” answered Jake. - -“What then?” - -“I thought you might like a guide, considerin’ this is your first visit -to Colorado. Don’t you want to go up Pike’s Peak?” - -“I have engaged Gerald here to go about with me.” - -“He’s a boy. He don’t know nothin’ of the country.” - -“He will satisfy me as a companion better than you.” - -“If you’re goin’ away, Gerald,” said Amsden with unabashed assurance, -“won’t you let me live in the cabin till you come back?” - -“It has been engaged by another tenant,” answered Gerald. - -“Who is it? It isn’t Pete Johnson, is it?” - -“No, I don’t propose to let my cabin for a saloon.” - -“You’re right, boy. You’d better let me have it.” - -“But I told you that it was already promised to another party.” - -“Who is it?” - -“An old acquaintance of yours.” - -At a signal from Noel Brooke John Carter came out, leading Oscar by the -hand. He looked earnestly at Jake Amsden. It was the first time in many -years that he had seen the man who was the prime mover in the events -that had brought about his financial ruin. He would hardly have known -Jake, so much had his appearance suffered from habitual intemperance. - -Jake Amsden on his part scanned Carter with curious perplexity. - -“Do I know you?” he asked. - -“You knew me once. I have good reason to remember you,” answered John -Carter gravely. - -Something in his voice recalled him to Amsden. - -“Why, it’s Carter,” he said, “John Carter. How are you, Carter, old -fellow? It does me good to set eyes on an old friend.” - -Carter was unprepared for this cordial welcome, and when Jake Amsden -approached with hand extended, he put his own behind his back. - -“I can’t take your hand, Jake,” he said. “You’ve done me too much harm.” - -“Oh, you mean that old affair,” said Jake in an airy tone. “I did -act meanly, that’s a fact, but we’re both older now. Let bygones be -bygones. It’s all over now.” - -“It isn’t all over. That false accusation of yours has blighted my -life. It has driven me from factory to factory, and finally driven me -out here in the hope that I might begin a new life where it would no -longer be in my way.” - -“I’m sorry for that, Carter,” said Jake Amsden. “’Pon my soul, I am. I -know it was a mean trick I played upon you, but it was either you or I.” - -“And you ruined this man’s reputation to save your own?” said Noel -Brooke sternly. - -“I didn’t think much about it, squire, I really didn’t,” said Jake. -“You see I run in a hole, and I was ready to do anything to get out.” - -“It was the act of a scoundrel, Amsden. There is only one thing to do.” - -“What is it? Take another lickin’?” - -“No, that wouldn’t mend matters. You must sign a confession that you -committed the theft of which Carter was unjustly accused, so that he -may have this to show whenever the old charge is brought up against him -hereafter.” - -“I’ll do it, squire. I’d have done it long ago if I’d known.” - -“It is better late than not at all. Come into the cabin, both of you.” - -His orders were obeyed, and after asking questions as to details he -wrote out a confession exonerating John Carter and laying the blame on -the right party. Gerald furnished him with pen, ink and paper. - -“Now,” he said, when the document was completed, “I want you, Jake -Amsden, to sign this and Gerald and I will subscribe our names as -witnesses.” - -“All right, squire, I’ll do it. You must not mind the writin’ for I -haven’t handled a pen for so long that I have almost forgotten how to -write.” - -Jake Amsden affixed his signature in a large scrawling hand, and the -two witnesses subscribed after him. - -“Now, Mr. Carter,” said Noel Brooke, as he handed him the paper, -“keep this carefully, and whenever that scoundrel who has made it -his business to persecute you engages again in the same work you can -show this document, and it will be a satisfactory answer to his base -charges.” - -“I thank you, Mr. Brooke,” said Carter in a deep voice. “You cannot -conceive what a favor you have done me. I feel that a great burden -has been lifted from my life, and that it has passed out of the shadow -which has obscured it for so long. Now I shall be able to leave Oscar -an untarnished name!” - -During the day Carter made a trip to a point two miles distant where -he had left his modest luggage, and returned to take possession of the -cabin. In the afternoon Jake Amsden made another call, and informed him -that he could obtain employment at a lumber camp not far distant. - -“Are you going to work there, Mr. Amsden?” asked Gerald. - -“I am offered employment,” answered Jake, “but my health won’t allow me -to do hard work, so I gave my chance to Carter.” - -Gerald smiled, for he understood this was not the real objection. Jake -Amsden was naturally stronger and more robust than John Carter, but he -had for years led a life of idleness, and the mere thought of working -all day fatigued him. - -John Carter felt relieved at the prospect of obtaining work and -grateful to the man whom for years he had regarded as his enemy for his -agency in securing it. - -“What pay will I receive?” he asked. - -“Four dollars a day.” - -“Why, that is twice as much as I was paid at the factory,” he said. -“Now I can see my way clear to support Oscar and myself comfortably. -Jake Amsden, I never expected to feel grateful to you, but if I get -this job I will forget the past and feel kindly towards you from -henceforth.” - -“It’s all right, Carter, old boy. I ain’t all black, you see.” - -But there were certainly some pretty dark spots still on his character, -not the least of which was his compact with Bradley Wentworth -concerning the papers in Gerald’s possession, which the crafty Amsden -had by no means forgotten. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -BRADLEY WENTWORTH’S MORNING MAIL. - - -BRADLEY WENTWORTH lived in quite the most pretentious house in Seneca. -It was within five minutes’ walk of the huge brick factory from which -he drew his income. All that money could buy within reasonable limits -was his. Handsome furniture, fine engravings, expensive paintings, -a stately carriage and handsome horses, contributed to make life -comfortable and desirable. - -But there is generally something to mar the happiness of the most -favored. Mr. Wentworth had but one child—Victor—whom he looked upon -as his successor and heir. He proposed to send him to college, partly -to secure educational advantages, but partly also because he thought it -would give him an opportunity to make friends in high social position. -He had reached that age when a man begins to live for those who are to -come after him. - -But Victor unfortunately took different views of life from his father. -He did not care much for a liberal education, and he selected his -companions from among those who, like himself, enjoyed a good time. -He was quite aware that his father was rich, and he thought himself -justified in spending money freely. - -Victor was in attendance at the classical academy of Virgil McIntire, -LL.D., an institute of high rank in the town of Ilium, about fifty -miles from Seneca. He had been there about two years, having previously -studied at home under a private tutor. Being a busy man his father had -been able to visit the school but twice, and had but a vague idea as to -the progress which his son was making. - -Five days after he returned home from Colorado he received a letter -from Dr. McIntire, the material portion of which is subjoined: - - “I regret to say that your son Victor is not making as good use of - his time and advantages as I could desire. I have hitherto given you - some reason to hope that he would be prepared for admission to Yale - College at the next summer examination, but I greatly fear now that - he will not be ready. He is a boy of good parts, and with moderate - application he could satisfy you and myself in this respect; but he is - idle and wastes his time, and seems more bent on enjoying himself than - on making progress in his studies. I have spoken with him seriously, - but I am afraid that my words have produced very little effect. It may - be well for you to remonstrate with him, and try to induce him to take - sensible views of life. At any rate, as I don’t want you to cherish - hopes that are doomed to disappointment, I have deemed it my duty to - lay before you the facts of the case. - - “Yours respectfully, - - “VIRGIL MCINTIRE.” - -Bradley Wentworth received and read this letter in bitterness of spirit. - -“Why will that boy thwart me?” he asked himself. “I have mapped out a -useful and honorable career for him. I am ready to provide liberally -for all his wants—to supply him with fine clothes as good, I dare say, -as are worn by the Astors and Vanderbilts, and all I ask in return is, -that he will study faithfully and prepare himself for admission to -college next summer. I did not fare like him when I was a boy. I had no -rich father to provide for my wants, but was compelled to work for a -living. How gladly would I have toiled had I been situated as he is! He -is an ungrateful boy!” - -Bradley Wentworth was not altogether justified in his estimate of -himself as a boy. He had been very much like Victor, except that he -was harder and less amiable. He had worked, to be sure, but it was -not altogether because he liked it, but principally because he knew -that he must. He, like Victor, had exceeded his income, and it was -in consequence of this that he had forged the check for which he had -induced his fellow-clerk, Warren Lane, to own himself responsible. He -forgot all this, however, and was disposed to judge his son harshly. - -By the same mail with Doctor McIntire’s letter came the following -letter from Victor: - - “DEAR FATHER:—I meant to write you last week but was too busy”—”Not - with your studies, I’ll be bound,” interpolated his father—“besides - there isn’t much to write about here. It is a fearfully slow - place”—“You wouldn’t find it so if you spent your time in study,” - reflected Mr. Wentworth—“I don’t enjoy Latin and Greek very much, - I don’t see what good they are ever going to do a fellow. You never - studied Latin or Greek, and I am sure you have been very successful - in life. I have an intimate friend here, Arthur Grigson, who is going - to spend next year in traveling. He will go all over the United States - to begin with, including the Pacific coast. I wish you would let me - go with him. I am sure I would learn more in that way than I shall - from the stuffy books I am studying here under that old mummy, Dr. - McIntire. Arthur thinks he shall be ready to start in about six weeks. - Please give your consent to my going with him by return of mail, so - that I may begin to get ready. He thinks we can travel a year for two - thousand dollars apiece. - - “Your affectionate son, - - “VICTOR.” - -Bradley Wentworth frowned ominously when he read this epistle. - -“What a cheerful sort of letter for a father to receive,” he said to -himself, crushing the pages in his strong hands. “Victor has all the -advantages that money can command, and a brilliant prospect for the -future if he will only act in accordance with my wishes, and yet he -is ready to start off at a tangent and roam round the world with some -scapegrace companion. I wish he were more like Lane’s boy—I don’t -like him, for he is obstinate and headstrong, and utterly unreasonable -in his demands upon me, but he is steady and correct in his habits, and -if he were in Victor’s place would never give me any uneasiness.” - -Gerald would have been surprised if he had heard this tribute from the -lips of his recent visitor, but he was not likely to know the real -opinion of the man who had declared himself his enemy. - -Bradley Wentworth, continuing the examination of his letters, found -another bearing the Ilium postmark. It was addressed in an almost -illegible scrawl and appeared to be written by a person of defective -education. It was to this effect: - - “DEAR SIR:—Your son Victor, at least he says you are his father, and - have plenty of money, has run up a bill of sixty-seven dollars for - livery at my stable, and I think it is about time the bill was paid. I - am a poor man and I can’t afford to lose so much money. I have already - waited till I am tired, but your son’s promises ain’t worth much, and - I am obliged to come to you for payment. - - “I shall take it as a favor if you will send me a check at once for - the money, as I have some bills coming due next week. I don’t mind - trusting your son if I am sure of my money in the end, and if it - isn’t convenient for you to pay right off, you can send me your note - on thirty days, as I am sure a gentleman like you would pay it when - due. - - “Yours respectfully, - - “SETH KENDALL.” - -This letter made Mr. Wentworth very angry. It is hard to tell whether -he was more angry with his son or with the proprietor of the livery -stable. He answered the latter first. - -“MR. SETH KENDALL:—I have received your letter, and must express my -surprise at your trusting my son, knowing well that he is a minor, and -that I have not authorized his running up a bill with you. It would -serve you right to withhold all payment, but I won’t go so far as that. -Cut your demand in two, and send me a receipt in full for that sum, and -I will forward you a check. I never give a note for so small an amount. -Hereafter, if you are foolish enough to trust Victor, you must run your -own risk, as I shall decline to pay any bill that may be presented. - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - - Mr. Wentworth next wrote to Victor a letter from which a paragraph is - extracted: - - “I admire your audacity in asking me to let you leave school and go - around the world with some scapegrace companion. You say it will only - cost two thousand dollars. That probably seems to you a very small sum - of money. When I was several years older than yourself I was working - for seventy-five dollars a month or nine hundred dollars a year. It is - evident that you do not understand the value of money. You speak of me - as a rich man, and I admit that you are correct in doing so, but I do - not propose to have you make ducks and drakes of my money. - - “I may mention, by the way, that a livery stable keeper, who signs - himself Seth Kendall, has sent me a bill run up by you for sixty-seven - dollars. I have written him that I didn’t authorize your running up - such a bill, and that he must be content with fifty per cent of it, or - else go unpaid. Hereafter I forbid your running up bills in Illium of - any description. Bear this in mind. - - “Your father, - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - -A week later Mr. Wentworth received this telegram from Illium. - - “Your son Victor has disappeared, leaving no traces of his - destination. Particulars by mail. - - “VIRGIL MCINTIRE.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A LETTER FROM JAKE AMSDEN. - - -ON receipt of the despatch reproduced at the close of the last chapter -Mr. Wentworth started immediately for Ilium, and had an interview with -Dr. McIntire. - -“When did my son leave Ilium?” he asked. - -“Two days ago, probably. He was not at recitations, but I received a -note saying he was sick with the influenza. This seemed natural, for -I have myself been suffering from the same malady, and therefore my -suspicions were not excited. When the next morning Victor also absented -himself I sent around to his boarding-house, and learned that he and a -school friend of his—Arthur Grigson—had not been seen for twenty-four -hours. Their trunks were left, but each had taken a valise, filled with -clothing, as may be presumed, for the bureau drawers were empty. It is -clear that the flight was premeditated. Can you furnish me with any -clew, Mr. Wentworth, to the probable cause of this escapade?” - -“Only this, that Victor in his last letter asked permission to go off -on a trip with this boy, Arthur Grigson. He wished to leave school and -travel for a year.” - -“That explains it. You refused, I presume?” - -“Yes, emphatically.” - -“Your son then has gone without leave.” - -“It would seem so. What is the character of this Arthur Grigson?” - -“He is from Syracuse, in New York State. I believe he has no immediate -family, but is under the charge of a guardian, who lets him do pretty -much as he pleases. Had your son any money, do you think?” - -“I had just sent him fifty dollars to settle his board bill for the -month, with a margin for his own personal use.” - -“Probably he used the money to travel with. It may be well to inquire -at his boarding-house if he has paid his board.” - -This Mr. Wentworth did, and ascertained that the bill was still unpaid. -He returned to the principal with this information. - -“What would you advise me to do?” he inquired in some perplexity. - -“I will advise you, but you may not be willing to adopt my advice.” - -“At any rate I shall be glad to have your views, for I am in great -doubt.” - -“I would make no effort to recover the fugitive.” - -“What!” exclaimed Bradley Wentworth startled, “would you have me -abandon my only son to his own devices?” - -“Only for a time. You might, of course, secure the services of a -detective to pursue him, but that would be expensive and probably would -do no good.” - -“But I don’t like to return home without an effort to recover Victor.” - -“Listen to me, Mr. Wentworth. How old is your son?” - -“Seventeen.” - -“Then he ought to be able to look out for himself in a measure. I -predict that it won’t be long before you hear from him.” - -“What leads you to think so?” - -“Victor left school with only fifty dollars in his pocket. That sum -won’t last long. His companion no doubt had more, for his guardian -foolishly supplied him with money very liberally. But, at any rate, -it won’t be long before the two boys will be at the end of their -resources. Then the natural thing will be for each to write for money -to get home. When you receive your son’s letter you will, of course, -learn where he is, and can seek him out and take him home.” - -“Your advice is most judicious, Dr. McIntire,” said Mr. Wentworth -brightening up. “I shall adopt it. I shan’t be sorry if the young -scapegrace gets into trouble and suffers for his folly.” - -“I hope, Mr. Wentworth, you don’t blame me in the matter.” - -“No, Dr. McIntire, I blame no one but the boy himself. Your suggestions -have entirely changed my intentions. I did propose to advertise a -reward to any one who would send me information of the missing boy, but -now I shall do nothing of the kind. I will trust to time and the want -of money to restore Victor to his senses.” - -Mr. Wentworth settled all Victor’s debts in Ilium, and when his task -was finished returned to Seneca. - -“The boy needn’t think I am going to make a fuss about him. It would be -making him of altogether too much importance. I think I can afford to -wait quite as well as he can.” - -“Did you see Mr. Victor?” inquired the housekeeper when he returned -home. - -“No, Mrs. Bancroft.” - -“I thought you went to Ilium, sir.” - -“So I did.” - -“And did not call on Mr. Victor?” - -“Victor isn’t at Ilium. He has gone away on a little journey with a -school companion.” - -Mrs. Bancroft looked surprised. - -“Will he be gone long?” she ventured to inquire. - -“It is not decided,” answered Wentworth. From his manner the -housekeeper understood that he did not care to be interrogated further. -She would like to have asked where Victor had gone, for she felt some -affection for the boy whom she had known since he wore knickerbockers, -but she reflected that when letters were received the postmark would -reveal what she desired to know. Accordingly she waited eagerly, but so -far as she could learn no letters came from the absent boy. She grew -anxious, but Bradley Wentworth seemed calm and imperturbable. - -“Master Victor must be all right,” she concluded, “or his father would -look anxious.” - -One morning Mrs. Bancroft found in the mail a letter dated Gulchville, -Colorado, but the address was evidently written by an uneducated -person not much in the habit of holding the pen. It couldn’t be from -Victor, whose handwriting was very good, but Mrs. Bancroft reflected in -alarm that he might be sick and unable to write for himself, and had -employed an illiterate amanuensis. - -She looked closely at Mr. Wentworth when he read the letter at the -breakfast table. He seemed surprised, but that was the only emotion -which the housekeeper could detect. - -He laid the letter down without a word, having read it apparently with -some difficulty. - -“I beg your pardon, Mr. Wentworth,” said Mrs. Bancroft, “but does the -letter give any news of Master Victor?” - -“No; what should make you think it did, Mrs. Bancroft?” - -“I noticed that it was postmarked in Colorado.” - -“True, but I don’t expect Victor to go so far, I have acquaintances in -Colorado.” - -That was the only information vouchsafed to Mrs. Bancroft. - -“I’m a poor woman,” she said to herself, “but I’d freely give ten -dollars to know just where Master Victor is. I’m afraid he’s a little -wild, and don’t like study, but I haven’t forgotten what a nice -little boy he was, and how he used to kiss the old housekeeper. He’s -got a good heart, has Victor. It’s very mysterious his going away so -sudden-like. Mr. Wentworth evidently doesn’t want me to know where he -is. Maybe he’s sent him to one of them strict military schools, where -he’ll be ruled with a rod of iron. I only wish I could see him for just -five minutes.” - -The mysterious letter (not to keep the reader in doubt) was written -by our old acquaintance Jake Amsden, and we will reproduce it here, -correcting the orthography, which deviated considerably from the -standards set by the best writers. - - “MR. WENTWORTH, - - DEAR SIR:—I think you will be interested to know that the boy, Gerald - Lane, has gone away from Gulchville. I don’t know where he has gone, - but he went with an Englishman named Brooke or Brooks. I think the - Englishman is going to travel round Colorado, and has taken Gerald as - a guide. He would have done a good deal better to take me, for Gerald - is only a kid, and doesn’t know much about the State, while I have - traveled all over it. Oh, I almost forgot to say that he has let his - cabin to a Mr. Carter, whom I used to know a good many years ago. - That shows he means to come back again. When he does come back I will - let you know. - - “I hope you will consider this letter worth five dollars for I am very - short of money and times are so hard that I can’t get anything to do. - - “Yours to command, - - “JAKE AMSDEN, ESQ.” - -Why Mr. Amsden signed himself Esq. is not altogether clear. As he had -expressed a hope to go to Congress some day he perhaps wanted to keep -up his dignity. - -Mr. Wentworth returned the following answer to this letter: - - “JAKE AMSDEN, - - “I am glad to receive information about Gerald Lane. I enclose five - dollars. When you hear anything more about him, particularly when he - returns, write me again. - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - -He did not, however, address this to Jake Amsden, Esq., rather to the -disappointment of his gifted correspondent. But Jake found substantial -consolation in the five dollars enclosed, which soon found its way into -the coffers of Pete Johnson. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE BACKWOODS HOTEL. - - -THREE weeks later Noel Brooke and Gerald, after a long day’s ride, -halted their horses in front of a rude, one-story dwelling at the foot -of a precipitous hill in Western Colorado. - -“I hope this is a hotel, Gerald,” said the tourist. “I am tired and -hungry.” - -“So am I. We have had a rough ride to-day.” - -“No doubt our poor horses think so,” went on Brooke, gently stroking -the neck of his patient steed. The weary animal signified the pleasure -which the caress gave him, and turning his head looked at his rider -with almost human intelligence. - -“Shall I dismount and inquire, Mr. Brooke?” asked Gerald. - -“Yes, if you please.” - -Gerald knocked on the door, which after a slight delay, was opened by a -tall, gaunt woman attired in a soiled calico dress which hung limply -about her thin and bony figure. - -“Madam,” said Gerald, lifting his hat with quite unnecessary -politeness, for the woman before him knew nothing of social -observances, “is this a hotel?” - -“Well,” drawled the woman, “we sometimes put up travelers here.” - -“I am glad to hear it. My friend and I have ridden far to-day, and -would like to have supper and a bed.” - -“That’ll be a dollar apiece,” said the woman abruptly. - -“We are willing to pay it; and can we get some provision for our -horses?” - -“This ain’t no horse tavern, but you can tie ’em to a tree and let ’em -forage for themselves.” - -“That will do,” answered Gerald. “Mr. Brooke,” he added, “this lady -consents to entertain us.” - -“I shall esteem it a favor,” said Noel Brooke, alighting from his horse. - -“Did you tell him what I charged?” asked the backwoods landlady. - -“We are to pay a dollar each,” explained Gerald, turning to his -companion. - -“That is satisfactory,” said the tourist. - -“You may give it to me now,” said the new landlady with commendable -caution. - -“Just as you please, madam.” - -Noel Brooke took out a large wallet that seemed well filled with bills, -and selecting a two-dollar note passed it over. - -The landlady extended her hand eagerly, and taking the bill examined -it minutely, and finally, as if satisfied with her scrutiny, thrust it -into a probable pocket in the interior recesses of her dress. She was -evidently fond of money, judging from her manner, and Gerald noticed -that she fixed a covetous look on the large and well-filled wallet from -which Mr. Brooke had selected the bank bill. It gave him a momentary -feeling of uneasiness, but he reflected that there was little danger -from a solitary woman, and did not mention his feeling to the tourist. - -“What do you want for supper?” asked the woman in a quick, jerky way. - -“Almost anything, provided it is hearty and there is enough of it, -madam.” - -“I’ve got some antelope steak and corn cakes, and I’ll boil some -potatoes if you want ’em.” - -“That will do admirably. But where did you get antelope meat? You -didn’t shoot the animal yourself?” - -“No, my man shot him.” - -That settled the question that had arisen in Gerald’s mind. The woman -had a husband. - -“I might have known that you didn’t shoot him yourself.” - -“And maybe you’d be mistaken. I’ve dropped more’n one fine antelope, if -I am a woman—Bess, bring me my rifle.” - -Bess, undoubtedly the woman’s daughter, was quite a contrast to her -thin, bony mother, for, though not over the average height of women, -she would easily have tipped the scales at a hundred and eighty -pounds. She had a round, fat face, rather vacant in expression, but -good-natured, and in that respect much more attractive than her -mother’s. She brought out a large rifle, which her mother took from her -and raised to her shoulder in fine, sportsmanlike fashion. - -“Please don’t mistake me for antelope, madam,” said Noel Brooke hastily. - -This excited the risibilities of Bess, who broke into a loud and noisy -fit of laughter. - -“What yer cacklin’ at, Bess?” demanded her mother. - -“No, I won’t shoot yer,” she added, turning to Brooke. “You wouldn’t be -half so good eatin’ as an antelope.” - -Here Bess went off into another fit of laughter, in which Gerald and -his companion joined, for the girl’s evident enjoyment was contagious. - -“I am glad to hear that, madam.” - -“What do you call me madam for?” inquired the woman suspiciously. - -“Because I don’t know your name.” - -“My name’s Sal Peters.” - -“I shall remember, Mrs. Peters.” - -“Bess, you can go and tell the man where to tie his hoss.” - -The girl led the way to the rear of the building, where about a hundred -feet back was a sapling with a long rope attached to it. - -“Hitch your hoss on to that,” said she. “And there’s another for the -young chap.” - -Gerald smiled at this designation, and availed himself of the -information. - -“You can set down anywhere, and when supper’s ready I’ll shout.” - -“Thank you, Miss Peters,” said the tourist with an amused smile. - -But Bess seemed still more amused at being called Miss Peters. - -“Oh, I shall bust with laughing, I shall!” she giggled. “_Miss_ Peters! -Oh, ain’t you funny, though?” - -“Is there any place to wash?” asked Gerald, looking at his dust-soiled -hands. - -Bess pointed to a little rill of water that flowed and trickled down -the hillside, and which Gerald had not yet observed. - -“Thank you!” - -“Towels are apparently unknown in this wilderness,” said Brooke, after -Bess had gone back to the house. - -“And soap, too, I expect.” - -“A little extra rubbing will make up for the last, and our -handkerchiefs may do as a substitute for the former. This seems a -primitive sort of place.” - -Gerald admired the ease with which Mr. Brooke, who had undoubtedly been -brought up in the lap of luxury, adapted himself to the accommodations -of the wilderness. The young man, after refreshing himself with an -ablution, threw himself on the grass, and said contentedly: “It seems -good to rest after our long ride.” - -“Yes, Mr. Brooke, that is the way I feel.” - -“To tell you the truth, Gerald, I was afraid we might have to camp out -in the woods, and go to bed without our supper.” - -“Our hotel isn’t exactly first class.” - -“No, but if we get a plain supper and a comfortable night’s rest it -ought to satisfy us. If I cared to stop at first-class hotels I would -have remained in the larger cities. But I like better, for a time -at least, the freedom of the woods, even if it carries with it some -personal sacrifices and privations.” - -“I have been thinking, Mr. Brooke, that my duties as private secretary -are not very laborious.” - -“True, Gerald,” answered the tourist smiling. “In fact I have no use -for a private secretary as such, but I wanted a companion, and you -are worth more to me in that capacity than a college graduate whose -acquirements would be much greater.” - -“But, Mr. Brooke, it doesn’t seem to me that I am earning the very -liberal salary you are paying me.” - -“Not perhaps by your labors as secretary, but your company I rate -higher than this.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald, gratified by this evidence of -appreciation. - -“So that you needn’t feel any compunction at accepting your salary.” - -“I know you mean what you say, and I shall hereafter feel easy on that -score. I wonder what would have been my future if you had not made your -appearance.” - -“You would have got along somehow. You are a clever boy, one of those -that get on. There is one thing I reproach myself for, however.” - -“What is that, Mr. Brooke?” - -“I have taken you away from the congenial society of Jake Amsden.” - -Gerald laughed. - -“It is true,” he said, “but I will try to find compensation in yours.” - -Noel Brooke rose and made a low bow. - -“Really,” he said, “I can’t remember when I received such a compliment -before.” - -At this moment Bess came out of the cabin and called out “Supper’s -ready, you fellers!” - -“And we ‘fellers’ are ready for it,” said Noel Brooke rising briskly. -“Come along, Gerald, the inner man and the inner boy must be -replenished.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE PETERS FAMILY. - - -“SET right up there!” said Mrs. Peters, pointing to a table which was -backed up against the wall with one leaf extended. - -The antelope steak emitted a delicious odor to our hungry travelers, -and they did not mind the absence of a table-cloth and napkins. These -would have seemed out of place in this backwoods hotel. - -In addition to the antelope meat there were corn cakes as promised and -cups of coffee which had already been poured out. - -“Mrs. Peters,” said Brooke, “you have given us a supper fit for a king.” - -“I don’t know about no kings,” said the bony landlady. “I’ve heerd of -’em, but don’t take much stock in ’em. I don’t believe they’re any -better than any other folks.” - -“I am not personally acquainted with any, but if I were I am sure they -would relish your cooking.” - -“You’re monstrous polite,” said Mrs. Peters, her grim features relaxing -somewhat, “but I reckon I can cook a little.” - -“And your daughter, no doubt, understands cooking also.” - -“No, she don’t. She don’t seem to have no gift that way.” - -“That’s a mistake,” said Brooke gravely. “What will she do when she is -married and has a home of her own?” - -“Oh, how you talk!” exclaimed the delighted Bess. “Who’d think of -marrying me?” - -“I think, Miss Peters, any one who married you would get his money’s -worth.” - -“Are you married?” asked Bess in an insinuating tone. - -“I believe I am spoken for,” answered Brooke hastily, for it seemed -clear that he would not have to sue in vain for the hand of the plump -young lady, “but my friend here, Mr. Lane, is single.” Gerald looked -alarmed, but was relieved when Bess said, “He’s only a boy. He ain’t -old enough to be married.” - -“Won’t you sit down and have your supper with us, Miss Peters?” - -“No, I couldn’t eat a mite if anybody was looking,” answered Bess -bashfully. - -“I feel that way myself,” said Brooke. “Please don’t look at me, Miss -Peters. Look at Gerald. It makes no difference to him.” - -“What nonsense be you two talkin’?” asked the landlady, as Bess went -off into another fit of laughter. “I never saw Bess so silly before.” - -“It ain’t me, mother. The man is so funny he makes me laugh.” - -The conversation stopped here, as Bess was sent out on an errand by her -mother. Gerald and the tourist devoted themselves to eating, and did -full justice to the plain but wholesome meal. - -“I feel better,” said Noel Brooke, as he rose from the table. - -“Folks generally do after eatin’,” observed Mrs. Peters -philosophically. “I reckon if you’re through you’d better go out. -You’re only in the way here.” - -“Mrs. Peters is delightfully unconventional,” remarked Mr. Brooke as in -obedience to the plain hint given by their landlady they went out and -resumed their seats under a large branching oak tree in the rear of the -cabin. - -“She has given us a good supper. That’ll pay for her unconventional -manners. I wonder what sort of a person her ‘man’ is?” - -The question was no sooner suggested than answered. A tall, powerfully -built man, clad in buckskin and carrying a rifle, followed by two young -men, slighter in figure, but quite as tall, strode from the woods, and -halted when they caught sight of Gerald and his companion. - -“Who are you, strangers?” asked the old man suspiciously. - -“We are travelers,” answered Noel Brooke promptly, “and at present we -are guests of Mrs. Peters. Are you Mr. Peters?” - -“I run that cabin, if that is what you mean.” - -“So I supposed. Then you are my landlord.” - -“I’ve got nothin’ to do with that. Ef you’ve made a bargain with Sal -it’s all right.” - -“We have made a bargain with Mrs. Peters, and she has given us a good -supper.” - -“I hope there’s something left for us,” growled Peters, “or there’ll be -a row.” - -The two sons carried between them an antelope, so it looked as if they -would not lack for supper. - -The three men filed into the cabin, and their wants were provided for -without trenching upon the antelope they had brought with them. An -hour later they came out, and settled down near the two guests. - -“Where do you come from?” demanded Peters with rude curiosity. - -“From England, to start with,” answered Noel. - -“So you’re a Britisher?” - -“If you choose to call me so. I never heard the word till I came across -the water.” - -“I don’t think much of Britishers.” - -“I am sorry to hear it,” said Brooke amused. “May I ask why you are -prejudiced against my countrymen?” - -“We’ve licked ’em twice, and we can lick ’em again,” answered Peters -forcibly. - -“I really hope you will have no occasion. So far as I can judge England -feels very friendly toward the United States. I must contend, however, -that my countrymen know something about fighting.” - -“Wal, perhaps they do!” admitted Peters shortly, “but you ain’t no -match for us. Take you, for instance, how old be you?” - -“Twenty-eight.” - -“My Ben, there, is only twenty, and he could double you up in less’n a -minute.” - -Noel Brooke fixed a critical glance on the tall, awkward, but strongly -built youth, indicated as Ben. - -“He is certainly taller than I am,” he admitted. There was about six -inches’ difference in their respective heights. - -“Yes, and he’s tough and wiry. Do you think you could lay him out, Ben?” - -Ben grinned and answered shortly, “I reckon!” - -Gerald, who had witnessed his friend’s prowess, didn’t feel quite so -certain of this. - -“I thought you’d crawl,” chuckled the old man, using an expression more -common in that locality than further east. “Ben’s a chip of the old -block, he is! He can lay out any tarnal Britisher you can fetch round.” - -Noel Brooke felt that it was foolish, but this good-natured -depreciation of his abilities didn’t fail to nettle him. He again -surveyed Ben with a critical eye, and took stock of his points as a -fighting man. He saw that as an antagonist he was not to be despised. -Yet in his own case he possessed a scientific training to which -Ben could lay no claim. Then, again, he was unusually strong and -muscular for a man of his small proportions. He felt sure that even if -conquered, Ben would not gain an easy victory, and—though it was a -risk—he decided to take it. - -“I don’t mind having a little contest with your son—friendly of -course,” he said quietly, as he rose in a leisurely, almost languid, -way from his low seat. - -“What!” ejaculated Mr. Peters, almost doubting if he heard aright, “you -are willing to tackle Ben?” - -“Yes.” - -“Ho, ho! this is rich!” said the old man with an irresistible guffaw. -“You; oh jeminy!” and he nearly doubled up in a paroxysm of mirth. - -“You seem amused,” said the tourist, rather provoked at the old man’s -estimate of his fighting ability. - -“Excuse me, stranger! You’re the pluckiest man I’ve met in many a long -day. It does seem redikilus your standing up against Ben!” - -“I won’t hurt him much, dad!” said Ben, opening his mouth in a -good-natured grin. - -“Of course it’s all in fun,” rejoined Noel Brooke smiling. - -“Sartin! But you’d best consider what you’re a undertakin’ before you -begin.” - -“I have done that.” - -“It’s like a boy standin’ up against me.” - -“So I am a boy, am I?” asked Brooke with a smile at Gerald. - -“You ain’t much bigger’n a boy, that’s a fact. My Ben was as big as you -when he was only fifteen years old. Wasn’t you, Ben?” - -“I was as big as him when I was fourteen, dad.” - -“That’s so. You see, stranger, we’re a big race—we Peterses. Ben takes -after the old man. When I was fifteen year old I could do a man’s work.” - -“So could I, dad.” - -“So you could, Ben. Do you want to feel Ben’s muscle, stranger?” - -“No,” answered Noel Brooke smiling. “I would rather not. It might -frighten me in advance, you know, and I want to start fair.” - -“I guess you’re right. Well, boys, you can begin if you’re ready. I -wouldn’t have missed this for ten dollars.” - -He sat back and looked on with an air of intense interest, while the -two ill-matched antagonists prepared for the trial. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -SCIENCE VERSUS STRENGTH. - - -EVEN Gerald felt rather alarmed when he saw the two contestants facing -each other. Ben, who reached a height of six feet one, towered above -his small antagonist as the spire of Trinity Church towers above -surrounding buildings. A difference of six inches makes the difference -between a tall man and a short one. Why is it that a man of six feet -looks double the size of a man of five, though in reality only one -fifth larger? It is an ocular deception which affects every one, but is -not readily explained. - -“If you want to back out, you kin do so,” said Ben good-naturedly. - -“What, an’ spoil our fun?” demanded the old man. “No, stranger, it -won’t do to back out now.” - -“I have no intention of backing out, Mr. Peters,” said Noel Brooke -firmly. - -“That’s right! I like your pluck,” said the old man in a tone of -relief, for he feared he would lose a spectacle which he expected to -enjoy. He would have felt as badly disappointed, as the visitors to -Jerome Park if the races should be postponed. - -Noel Brooke had taken stock of his long-limbed adversary, and the -result was that he felt encouraged. Ben had long arms, very long -arms, but his figure, though muscular, was loose-jointed, and his -motion indicated that he was slow. Now rapidity of movement is a very -important thing in a contest such as was to take place between these -two. - -“Mr. Peters,” said the Englishman, “may I trouble you to give the -signal by saying ‘Ready.’” - -“Ready!” shouted the old man eagerly. - -Ben began to move his arms in a flail-like way common to those who -are untrained in the art of fighting, and advanced with the utmost -confidence to the fray. If he had hit straight out his blows would have -gone above the head of his antagonist, which was rather a disadvantage, -though not so great perhaps as that under which Noel Brooke labored in -being so short. It seemed to Ben, therefore, that he had better throw -his long arms around his puny opponent, and, fairly lifting him off -the ground, hold him helpless at his mercy. - -“I won’t hurt him!” thought Ben magnanimously. - -But somehow his plan miscarried. Noel Brooke skilfully evaded the close -embrace which would have settled the fight then and there in favor of -Ben, and skipping, first to one side, then to the other, rained in a -shower of blows upon Ben, one of which took effect in his jaw, and -drove him staggering back discomfited. - -It may safely be said that never were three men more amazed than Mr. -Peters and his two sons. - -There stood Ben, actually staggering as if on the point of falling, -while the Englishman, calm and unruffled, stood in an easy position -watching for the next move. - -Old Mr. Peters rose from the ground in his excitement. - -“Pitch into him, Ben!” he shouted. “Ain’t you ashamed of bein’ beaten -back by a little chap like that! Where’s your pluck? Are you goin’ to -let a little undersized Britisher do you up afore your own father and -brother?” - -“No, dad, I’ll be eternally walloped if I will. Look out, there! I’m -goin’ to smash yer. Look out I say! Here I come.” - -“All right! I’ll look out,” said Noel Brooke calmly. - -Ben stood a poorer chance now than before, for his unexpected defeat, -and the raillery of his father, made him angry and reckless of -consequences. He rushed at Brooke in an impetuous pell-mell manner -which was utterly reckless and exposed him to attack, and which would -have given his opponent a great advantage even if he had been less -skilful. - -Ben was excited, and Noel Brooke was not. Moreover, the tourist now -thoroughly understood his advantage, and awaited the onslaught in calm -confidence. Again he succeeded in avoiding the close hug by which Ben -intended to paralyze and render him powerless, and took the opportunity -to get in a couple of sledge-hammer blows, one of which took effect on -Ben’s chin. - -It was too much for him. - -Like a tall poplar he swayed for a moment, and then, falling backward, -measured his length upon the ground. - -“Why, Ben!” exclaimed his father in angry amazement, “what’s got into -yer? Hev you been drinkin’? Why, you can’t fight more’n an old cow! To -be floored by a little chap like that!” - -Ben rose from the ground slowly, looking dazed and bewildered. - -“He knows how to fight, he does!” he said. - -“Why, he ain’t half as big as you, Ben! Ain’t you ashamed of yourself?” - -“No, I ain’t,” said Ben in a sulky tone. “If you think it’s so easy to -tackle him do it yourself. He’s a reg’lar steam ingine, he is!” - -“Will you try it again, Ben?” asked Brooke in a friendly tone. - -“No, I won’t. I’ve had enough.” - -His father was carried away by his angry excitement. - -“I didn’t think one of my boys would disgrace me,” he said bitterly. -“You’ve told me to tackle him myself, and I’ll be whipped if I don’t do -it.” - -“You’ll be whipped if you do, dad,” said Ben. “If I can’t lick him you -can’t.” - -“We’ll see,” said the old man, gritting his teeth. “Stranger, I’m goin’ -for yer!” - -“Wait a minute, sir,” said Brooke quietly. “I don’t mean to fight you.” - -“You’re afraid, be you?” sneered the old man. - -“You may put it that way if you like, but I’m not going to raise my -hand against a man old enough to be my father.” - -“I don’t ask no odds on account of my age. You’ll find me young enough -for you.” - -“Perhaps you are right, for I couldn’t fight with any spirit against -you.” - -“You’ve only licked Ben. Now you want to crawl off.” - -“No; if your other son cares to meet me I’ll have a set-to with him.” - -“Come, Abe, there’s your chance,” said the old man, addressing his -eldest son. “Just stand up to the Britisher, and let him see that he -can’t lick the whole Peters family.” - -“All right, dad!” said Abe, rising and standing up a full inch taller -than his younger brother. “The stranger’s a good fighter, but I reckon -he can’t down me.” - -He was tall, muscular, and with no superfluous flesh. It looked to -Gerald as if his friend would find it a hard job to vanquish this -backwoods giant. - -“Wal, stranger, how do you feel about it?” asked Abe, as he saw Brooke -apparently taking stock of his thews and sinews. - -“I don’t know,” answered the tourist. “I had a hard job with your -brother, but I think I’ll find it harder to tackle you.” - -“Ho, ho! I think so too. Wal, dad, give the signal.” - -Ben and his father seated themselves as spectators of the coming -encounter. It may seem strange, but Ben’s good wishes were in favor of -the stranger. He had been defeated, and if Abe were victorious he knew -that he would never hear the last of it. But if Abe, too, were worsted -he would have a very good excuse for his own failure. The father, -however, felt eager to have the presumptuous Briton bite the dust under -the triumphant blows of his eldest son. - -Abe was not as impetuous or reckless as Ben. Indeed, had he been so -naturally, Ben’s defeat would have made him careful. - -He approached cautiously, and at the proper time he tried to overwhelm -Brooke with what he called a “sockdolager.” But Noel Brooke had a quick -eye, and drawing back evaded the onslaught which fell on the empty air. -Before Abe could recover from the recoil the tourist dealt him a heavy -blow beneath his left ear which nearly staggered him. - -Ben laughed gleefully, and rubbed his hands. - -“Now you see how ’tis yourself, Abe!” he cried. - -“Shut up!” growled his father. “Don’t you go to crowin’ over your -brother. He’s all right. Just wait!” - -Abe’s rather sluggish temperament was angered by his brother’s -derisive laugh, and he too lost his head. From this time he fought -after Ben’s reckless fashion, of course laying himself open to -attack—an opportunity of which the tourist availed himself. - -When five minutes later Abe measured his length on the turf, Ben got up -and bending over his prostrate brother said with a grin: “How did it -happen, Abe? An accident, wasn’t it!” - -“No,” answered Abe manfully. “I reckon the stranger’s too much for -either of us.” - -“Try it again, Abe!” said the old man in excitement. - -“No, I’ve had enough, dad. I shan’t laugh at Ben any more. I can’t best -the Englishman. I might try the boy.” - -“No, thank you,” said Gerald laughing. “You could fight me with one -hand.” - -This modest confession helped to restore Abe’s good humor, and he shook -hands with his adversary. - -“You’re a smart ’un!” he said. “I didn’t think you had it in you, I -didn’t by gum. But there’s one thing I can beat you in—and that’s -shootin’.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -HITTING THE BULL’S-EYE. - - -“I HAVE no doubt of it—you can beat me at shooting,” said the -Englishman. “I can aim pretty fairly, but I don’t believe I can equal -you.” - -“Let us try!” proposed Ben eagerly. - -“Very well,” rejoined Brooke, “if you’ll lend me a rifle. Mine is not a -good one.” - -“All right; I’ll lend you mine,” said Ben. - -A board was placed in position, and with a piece of chalk a circular -disc was roughly outlined with a bull’s-eye in the center. - -“Now,” said Ben, handing his weapon to Noel Brooke, “lemme see what you -can do!” - -Brooke fired, striking the disc about two inches from the bull’s-eye. - -“That’s good!” cried Ben. “Now I’ll show what _I_ can do.” - -He raised the rifle carelessly and struck the disc an inch nearer the -bull’s-eye than the tourist. - -“I’ve beat you,” he said gleefully. - -“And I’ll beat you, Ben,” added Abe. - -He raised the rifle, took careful aim, and struck the bull’s-eye. - -“That’s the way Americans shoot,” said he. “We don’t give in to anybody -in shootin’.” - -“You’ve both beaten me,” said Brooke good-naturedly, “and I expected -you would.” - -“You shoot pretty well for an Englishman,” said Abe magnanimously. “I -reckon you’d be called a crack shot in England?” - -“Well, I have a pretty fair reputation there.” - -“Don’t you want to shoot, kid?” asked Ben, turning to Gerald. - -“I wouldn’t mind,” said Gerald with alacrity. - -“Kin _he_ shoot?” asked Abe, turning to the tourist. - -“I don’t know. I never saw him try it,” answered Brooke. - -Indeed, Noel Brooke awaited the result with considerable curiosity. He -had never heard Gerald speak of his rifle practise, and had no idea -whether he was skilful or not. The fact is, however, that in the three -years Gerald had lived with his father in Colorado he had had large -experience in hunting, for it was upon this that the two depended -largely for their supplies of food. Gerald had a quick eye, and steady -hand, and he had practised a good deal by himself, being ambitious to -gain skill with the rifle. He had succeeded so well that as soon as the -second contest was proposed he was anxious to enter, but felt rather -bashful about suggesting it himself. When, however, Ben mentioned it he -accepted at once. - -“You kin use the rifle, kid, can you?” asked Abe a little doubtfully. - -“Yes, a little.” - -“We can’t expect too much of a boy like you, but you’ll learn after a -while.” - -Gerald smiled inwardly, and determined to give the brothers a little -surprise. - -He raised the rifle to his shoulder, and when quite ready he let fly. - -The bullet struck the bull’s-eye, a little more exactly, if possible, -than Abe’s. - -There was a shout of surprise. - -“Why, he’s hit the bull’s-eye!” exclaimed Ben, running forward to -examine the target. - -“So he has!” cried Noel Brooke joyfully, for he was delighted by his -young companion’s unexpected success. - -“It’s an accident!” said Abe jealously. “He couldn’t do it again?” - -“Can you?” asked Brooke, turning to Gerald. - -“I don’t know. I think so.” - -“Then have a second trial.” - -The board was reversed, a second disc was drawn, and the three marksmen -prepared to repeat their shots. - -“Shoot first, kid!” said Ben. - -“No, I’m the youngest, I would rather follow.” - -“I won’t shoot this time,” said the tourist. “It’s no use. You can all -beat me.” - -The shooting took place in the same order. Ben did about as well as -before, but Abe, though coming nearer, failed this time to hit the -bull’s-eye. - -“Now it’s your turn, boy!” he said. - -A minute after there was another shout of surprise. - -A second time Gerald had hit the bull’s-eye, thus making the best -record. - -“You ain’t a Britisher, be you?” asked Abe, mortified. - -“No, I am a native-born American, and proud of it,” returned Gerald. - -“You’ll do, then! Hurrah for the stars and stripes!” shouted Abe. “The -Amerikins kin shoot, you must admit, stranger.” - -“Yes, I am willing to admit it,” said Noel Brooke with a smile, -“especially as it is my friend Gerald who has come out first.” - -Later on Mrs. Peters and Bess, who had completed their housework, came -out and joined them. - -Mrs. Peters was astonished when she heard that the Englishman, who was -two inches shorter than herself, had defeated both her tall sons. - -“Why,” she said, “I didn’t think you could handle me.” - -“I don’t believe I can, Mrs. Peters,” said Noel Brooke modestly. - -“I’m with you there!” put in her husband. “There ain’t many men that’s -as tough and gritty as Sal Peters.” - -Mrs. Peters listened to this high encomium with complacency. - -“And the boy there beat Abe and Ben in shooting,” continued Mr. Peters. - -“I reckon he couldn’t beat me!” said Mrs. Peters. - -“The fact is the old woman is the best marksman in the lot of us,” -explained Mr. Peters. “She’s got a sharp, keen eye, even if she is -forty-nine years old.” - -“Does Miss Peters take after her mother?” inquired the tourist. - -“Miss Peters? Oh, you mean Bess. No, she’ll never make the woman her -mother is.” - -“I should hope not if I were going to marry her,” thought Brooke. - -Before ten o’clock all the inmates of the cabin were asleep. It may -readily be supposed that first-class accommodations were not provided. -Gerald and his friend were shown to a bed in one corner, where they -threw themselves down without undressing. But neither of them were -inclined to be fastidious. They were thoroughly fatigued, and were soon -oblivious to all that passed around them. - -Noel Brooke, though a sound sleeper, was easily aroused. About midnight -he started suddenly, and lifted his head as a noise was heard outside. -It was a whinny from one of the horses, that were tethered to a tree at -the rear part of the cabin. The horse was evidently frightened. - -“Gerald!” exclaimed Brooke, shaking his companion energetically. - -Gerald opened his eyes and asked drowsily, “What’s the matter?” - -“The horses! Some one is meddling with them. Get up at once!” - -Gerald comprehended instantly, and sprang to his feet. Both he and the -tourist were out of doors like a flash, and ran to the rear of the -cabin. - -Two cowboys wearing large flapping sombreros, had untied the horses, -and were leading them away. - -“Hold on there!” exclaimed the Englishman. “Leave that horse alone!” - -The cowboy who had sprung upon the horse turned and greeted him with -derisive laughter. - -“Mind your business, stranger, and get back to your bed!” he answered. -“I’ve got use for this horse.” - -The other, who had Gerald’s horse by the bridle, also sprang upon his -back. - -“That’s my horse!” called out Gerald angrily. - -“It’s mine now!” - -“I wish I had my rifle!” said Brooke in excitement, “I would soon stop -these thieves!” - -This incautious speech betrayed the fact that he was unarmed, and made -the two thieves feel secure. - -“Good-by, strangers!” said the first cowboy. “Your horses will be taken -care of. You ain’t no cause to worry.” - -They turned the horses’ heads and prepared to gallop away, though the -poor animals, recognizing the voices of their real masters, seemed -reluctant to go. - -“If Mr. Peters and the boys were only awake,” - -said the tourist, “they would manage these fellow.” - -[Illustration: “You just get off them animals, or I’ll shoot!” cried a -stern voice.—Page 163.] - -But help was near at hand after all. - -“You just get off them animals, or I’ll shoot!” cried a stern voice. - -The two cowboys turned quickly, expecting to encounter a man, but -instead saw only a tall, gaunt woman in a white night-dress, with her -long, disheveled hair hanging down her back. - -“Go back to bed, you old witch!” shouted the thief contemptuously. - -If he had known Mrs. Peters better he would have hesitated before -speaking in this strain, and above all he would have felt it prudent to -get out of the way. - -She took no time to parley, but raising a rifle which she carried at -her side, aimed at the foremost ruffian, and an instant later a sharp -pain in his shoulder told him he had been hit. With an imprecation -he dropped to the ground, and his companion, striking Gerald’s horse -sharply, prepared to seek safety in flight, leaving his companion to -his fate. But Mrs. Peters was ready for him, too. A second shot struck -him in the leg, and he slid off the horse. - -By this time Peters and his two boys showed themselves, roused by the -sound of firing. - -“What’s up?” asked the old man. - -“Two hoss thieves are down!” answered Mrs. Peters. - -“Hoss thieves?” - -“Yes; they was makin’ off with the strangers’ hosses. I’ve given ’em a -hint not to come round here agin.” - -The groans uttered by the two fallen men confirmed her statement. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -ON THE STEAMER ROCK ISLAND. - - -THE horse thieves struggled to their feet, and stood apprehensively, -but defiant, facing the old man who eyed them with stern and -threatening glances. They were too much disabled to think of escaping. - -“Why, you poor contemptible hoss thieves!” ejaculated Peters, “what -have you got to say for yourselves?” - -The two men looked at each other, but the right words did not seem to -occur to them, for they remained silent. - -“Serves you right to be tripped up by a woman! You ain’t men, you’re -sneaks!” - -The thieves turned their eyes toward Mrs. Peters, who, tall and gaunt, -stood looking on with her thin gray hair floating down her back. - -“She ain’t a woman! She’s a witch!” said one of them bitterly. - -“You’ll have to answer for that to me!” cried Ben, and with a stride -he struck the man with his huge fist, and prostrated him. - -“Dad, shall we string ’em up?” he asked, turning to his father. “He’s -insulted mother.” - -What Mr. Peters would have said is problematical, but Noel Brooke -interposed earnestly, “No, no, Mr. Peters, let them go! They’re both -wounded, and that will be punishment sufficient.” - -“Just as you say, stranger! It’s your hosses they tried to steal.” - -“But they insulted mother,” insisted Ben. - -“Let ’em go!” said Mrs. Peters contemptuously. “They’ll remember the -old witch for some time, I reckon!” - -The men looked as if they would like to strangle her, but they were -prudent enough to keep their mouths shut. - -“Now scoot!” exclaimed Peters, in a threatening tone. “If I ever catch -either of you within a mile of my cabin, I’ll shoot you down like dogs.” - -The two thieves waited for no further hint, but, helping each other as -best they could, struck into the woods. - -“Mrs. Peters,” said the tourist, turning to his hostess, “I feel very -much indebted to you for your prompt action. But for you Gerald and I -would be forced to walk till we could secure fresh horses.” - -“You’re welcome, strangers,” responded Mrs. Peters, coolly reloading -her rifle. “I ain’t enjoyed myself so much for six months.” - -And indeed the old woman appeared to be in high spirits. The adventure, -which would have terrified most women, only exhilarated her. - -“I reckon we’d better be gettin’ back to bed!” said Peters. “Gettin’ up -at midnight is too early risin’ for me.” - -His feeling was shared not only by members of his family, but by -his guests, and all betook themselves to bed again, and in half an -hour were sleeping peacefully. The rest of the night passed without -adventure, and at seven o’clock the next morning they sat down to -breakfast. - -As they were about to start on their journey Noel Brooke tendered a -ten-dollar bill to his hostess. - -“Mrs. Peters,” he said, “allow me to offer you a slight gift in -acknowledgment of your kindness and of the signal service you did us -last night.” - -“I don’t understand all your high words, stranger,” said the old lady, -as with a look of satisfaction she pocketed the money, “but I’ll be -glad to see you again any time. You’re one of the right sort.” - -“Thank you, Mrs. Peters.” - -So amid farewell greetings the two rode away. - -Two months later Gerald and his English friend found themselves on -a river steamer floating down the Mississippi from Davenport to St. -Louis. They had kept on their way west as far as Salt Lake City, then -struck up to the northwest, without any particular plan of proceeding -till they reached the Mississippi. They had once been in danger of -capture by the Indians, and once by highwaymen, but had on both -occasions been fortunate enough to escape. - -Noel Brooke had become more and more attached to his young secretary, -whom he not only found an agreeable companion, but intelligent and an -eager learner. He had voluntarily given him oral lessons in French and -German, so that Gerald was able to make use of both languages to a -limited extent. - -At Davenport Mr. Brooke learned that the steamer Rock Island would -start at ten o’clock the next morning on her way down the river to St. -Louis and New Orleans, and on the impulse of the moment he decided to -take passage. - -“I have heard so much of the Mississippi,” he said to Gerald, “that I -should like to see something of its shores. How will that please you?” - -“I should like nothing better,” said Gerald eagerly. - -“The boats are running pretty full,” said the landlord of the hotel. -“You may not be able to secure a stateroom.” - -“We will try at any rate,” rejoined the tourist. “If we don’t succeed -we can wait till the next boat. Our time is not of great value.” - -“Ah,” said the landlord, “that is where you have the advantage of me. -You rich Englishmen are not obliged to turn time into money like us -poor landlords.” - -Noel Brooke laughed. - -“I sometimes wish I had to work for a living,” he said. “I am inclined -to think that I should enjoy life more.” - -“In that case,” remarked Gerald with a smile, “suppose you exchange -places with me.” - -“Would you give me a place as private secretary?” asked the tourist. - -“Yes.” - -“My dear Gerald, envy no man the possession of money. You are young -and healthy, and with an excellent prospect before you. You will be -happier than if there were no necessity for your working.” - -“I believe you, Mr. Brooke. I was only joking.” - -While the landlord was bantering Mr. Brooke upon being a rich -Englishman, a dark-whiskered man, with a sallow face and shifty -eyes, listened with apparent interest. He watched Noel Brooke with a -scrutinizing glance, and listened attentively to what he said. - -When Brooke decided to board the steamer this man settled his bill and -followed him to the boat. At the office the tourist found that a single -stateroom was vacant, No. 37, and he secured it. - -It contained two berths, an upper and lower. - -“You may take the upper berth, Gerald,” he said. “I shall avail myself -of my privilege as an older man to occupy the lower.” - -“All right, Mr. Brooke. It makes no difference to me.” - -The man who had shown such a suspicious interest in Mr. Brooke managed -to jostle him a little in going on board the steamer. - -“Excuse me,” he said. “Are you going down the river?” - -“Yes,” answered Brooke coldly, for he did not like the man’s -appearance. - -“How far shall you go? To St. Louis?” - -“I presume so.” - -“I shall probably get off at St. Louis myself. Ever been there before?” - -“No, sir.” - -“It’s a nice city. I may be able to show you around.” - -“Thank you, but I should not like to give you the trouble.” - -“No trouble, I assure you. Is that your brother with you?” - -“No, it is a young friend.” - -Later on, while Mr. Brooke had gone off to smoke a cigar, the stranger -sought out Gerald. - -“Are you English, like your friend?” he asked. - -“No, sir. I am an American.” - -“I didn’t quite catch the gentleman’s name.” - -“Mr. Brooke.” - -“Oh, I’ve heard the name before. I presume he is a rich man.” - -“I never asked him,” answered Gerald, displeased with his companion’s -curiosity which he considered ill-bred. - -“Well, at any rate, you must have money to travel around with him.” - -“I am his private secretary.” - -“You don’t say so? Is it a soft snap?” - -“I don’t understand.” - -“I mean is it an easy job?” - -“I do not complain of its duties.” - -“Where have you been traveling?” - -“In Colorado and Utah.” - -“All expenses paid, I suppose?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then it _is_ a soft snap. I am a business man, a traveler for a -Chicago house.” - -“Indeed!” said Gerald, who felt no interest in his companion or his -business. - -“My name is Samuel Standish. How long are you going to travel with Mr. -Brooke?” - -“I can’t tell, sir.” - -“When you get out of a job, call on me, at No. 114 North Clark Street, -Chicago.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“You look like a smart fellow. I will recommend you to my firm.” - -“You are very kind, sir.” - -“Don’t mention it.” - -Mr. Samuel Standish walked away, and directly afterwards a stout -gentleman walked by. - -Gerald started in surprise, for in the newcomer he recognized Mr. -Bradley Wentworth. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -BRADLEY WENTWORTH TRIES TO MAKE MISCHIEF. - - -IF Gerald was stupefied at meeting Bradley Wentworth the latter was -even more amazed at encountering Gerald. - -“You here?” he exclaimed abruptly. - -“Yes, sir,” answered Gerald. - -“Are you traveling alone?” - -“No, sir. I am with an English gentleman, Mr. Noel Brooke.” - -“His servant. I suppose.” - -“No, sir; I am his private secretary.” - -“Private secretary! Couldn’t he find a person better qualified for the -position than a beardless boy from the hills of Colorado?” - -“I presume he could,” answered Gerald coldly, “but he seems to be -satisfied with me.” - -“How long since you left home?” - -“Two or three months.” - -“Do you still own the cabin in which your father lived?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“You had better sell it. I am ready to pay you a fair price.” - -“I don’t care to sell it, Mr. Wentworth.” - -“Humph! You are very foolish.” - -“Perhaps so, but I shall not sell it at present. Is your son well?” - -This question Gerald asked partly out of politeness, partly because he -wished to change the subject. - -A gloom overspread the face of Bradley Wentworth. It was a sore point -with him. For a moment he forgot his dislike for Gerald and answered: -“My son Victor is giving me a good deal of trouble. He ran away from -school more than two months ago.” - -“And haven’t you heard from him since?” asked Gerald in quick sympathy. - -“No, but I have not taken any special pains to find him.” - -“You will forgive him, won’t you?” - -“Yes,” answered Mr. Wentworth with a sigh, “but I thought it best for -him to reap the consequences of his folly. Perhaps I have waited too -long. Now I have no clew to his whereabouts.” - -“Did he go away alone?” asked Gerald, interested. - -“No, he was accompanied by one of his schoolmates, Arthur Grigson. He -had but little money. I thought when that gave out he would come home, -or at any rate communicate with me. But I have heard nothing of him,” -concluded Wentworth gloomily. - -“I am sorry for you, Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald earnestly. “Have you a -picture of Victor with you?” - -“Yes,” and Wentworth drew from his inside pocket a cabinet photograph -of a boy whose face was pleasant, but seemed to lack strength. - -“I suppose you have met no such boy in your travels,” said the father. - -“No, but I may do so. If so I will try to get him to go home, and at -any rate I will communicate with you.” - -Mr. Wentworth seemed to be somewhat softened by Gerald’s sympathy, but -he was not an emotional man, and business considerations succeeded his -gentler mood. - -“Have you got with you the papers I spoke of when we parted?” he asked -with abruptness. - -“They are safe,” returned Gerald. - -“Do you carry them around with you?” - -“I must decline to answer that question,” answered Gerald. - -“You are an impertinent boy!” - -“How do you make that out?” - -“In refusing to answer me.” - -“If it were a question which you had a right to expect an answer to, I -would tell you.” - -“I have a right to an answer.” - -“I don’t think so.” - -“Well, let that go. I will give you a thousand dollars for the papers, -not that they are worth it, but because your father was an early friend -of mine, and it will give me an excuse for helping his son.” - -“If your intention is kind I thank you, but for the present I prefer to -keep the papers.” - -“Is the man you are traveling with rich?” - -“I have reason to think he is.” - -“Humph!” - -Bradley Wentworth walked away, but kept Gerald under his eye. Soon he -saw him promenading with Mr. Brooke, and apparently on very cordial and -intimate terms with him. - -“The man seems to be a gentleman,” reflected Wentworth, “but he can’t -be very sharp to let an uneducated country boy worm himself into his -confidence. It doesn’t suit my plans at all. I may get a chance to -injure Gerald in his estimation.” - -Later in the day he met Noel Brooke promenading the deck. - -“A pleasant day, sir,” said Wentworth politely. - -“Yes, sir,” answered the English tourist courteously. - -“You are an Englishman, I judge?” - -“Yes, sir. I presume I show my nationality in my appearance.” - -“Well, yes. However, I was told you were English.” - -“Indeed!” - -“Yes, by the boy who seems to be in your company.” - -“Gerald Lane? Yes, he is in my company.” - -“I know the boy.” - -“Indeed?” - -“Yes, and I knew his father before him. He and I were young men -together.” - -“He must have been glad to meet you. He is an excellent boy.” - -“I am glad you like him,” said Wentworth, but there was something -unpleasant in his tone, that did not escape the attention of Noel -Brooke. - -“Don’t you feel friendly to him?” he asked keenly. - -“Yes, but the boy is headstrong and repels my advances.” - -“That is singular. He seems to be a very open, frank boy, and I have -discovered nothing objectionable in him in the ten weeks we have been -together.” - -“I am pleased to hear it, but the boy’s ancestry is against him.” - -“What do you mean? I thought you said his father was a friend of yours.” - -“Yes; we were associated together in early life, but something -unpleasant occurred. However, perhaps I had better not speak of it.” - -“You have gone too far to recede. I insist upon your continuing.” - -“Well, if you insist upon it I will do so. Mr. Lane was in the employ -of my uncle and lost his position in consequence of getting money upon -a forged check which was traced to him.” - -Noel Brooke looked disturbed. - -“I am sorry to hear it,” he said gravely. - -“I presume Gerald has not mentioned the matter to you.” - -“No.” - -“Well, he could hardly be expected to do so.” - -“Still the boy is no worse for his father’s crime.” - -“Unless he inherits the same tendency,” said Wentworth significantly. - -“I am sure he does not,” said Noel Brooke warmly. - -“You can’t tell. I claim to be a sharp business man, but I have more -than once been deceived in a man that I thought I knew well. Warren -Lane seemed to my uncle and myself a thoroughly upright man, but——” -here he paused suggestively. - -“What induced him to commit forgery?” - -“Extravagant living,” answered Wentworth promptly. “His salary was only -moderate and did not come up to his desires.” - -“You surprise me very much,” said Noel Brooke after a brief pause. - -“I thought I should, but I felt it to be my duty to warn you against -Gerald. He is probably in confidential relations with you, and he might -play some dishonest trick on you. I advise you, as soon as practicable, -to discharge him and secure some one in his place on whom you can rely. -I need only call your attention to the individual he is talking with at -this moment. He looks like a confidence man.” - -Samuel Standish had again joined Gerald, and to the boy’s disgust had -almost forced his company upon him. - -“That is a man whom we met at a hotel in Davenport, and he appears -inclined to thrust himself upon us.” - -Bradley Wentworth shrugged his shoulders and smiled in evident -incredulity. - -“At any rate,” he said, “I have warned you, and have done my duty.” - -Noel Brooke bowed slightly, but did not feel called upon to make any -other acknowledgment of Mr. Wentworth’s warning. - -When Brooke had an opportunity he said to Gerald, “I have been talking -to a man who claims to know you.” - -“A tall, well-built man?” - -“Yes.” - -“He recently paid us a visit in Colorado.” - -“Do you consider him a friend?” - -“No.” - -“He says he knew your father in early days.” - -“That is true.” - -“And he charges your father with having committed forgery and thus lost -his position.” - -“Was he really so base as that?” asked Gerald indignantly. - -“Then it isn’t true?” - -“No; a thousand times no!” - -“I believe you, Gerald,” said the Englishman promptly. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -MR. STANDISH RECEIVES A COMMISSION. - - -“THANK you for your confidence, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald, “but I prefer -that you should have proofs of what I say.” - -“It is not necessary, Gerald.” - -“But I prefer that you should look over some papers that I have with -me, and for which, by the way, Mr. Wentworth is ready at any time to -pay me a thousand dollars.” - -“But why should he be willing to pay so much?” asked the Englishman in -surprise. - -“Because they prove that he, and not my father, committed the forgery. -My father agreed to have it charged upon him at Mr. Wentworth’s urgent -request, in order that Wentworth might not be disinherited by his -uncle.” - -“But your father ought not to have made such a sacrifice. Why did he do -so?” - -“Because Bradley Wentworth promised him twenty thousand dollars when he -came into his fortune.” - -“Was the fortune so large, then?” - -“Over three hundred thousand dollars.” - -“And he came into his fortune?” - -“Yes.” - -“And refused to carry out his agreement?” - -“Yes; he said it was absurd to expect such a liberal reward, though it -brought disgrace and loss to my poor father, and finally, as I think, -shortened his life.” - -“It should have been considered a debt of honor.” - -“So my father thought, but Mr. Wentworth only offered him a thousand -dollars, which, poor as he was, he indignantly refused. I don’t think -he would have offered anything, if he had not known that my father had -letters proving that he was innocent, and Wentworth himself the forger.” - -“Who has these papers now?” - -“I have.” - -“And you say Mr. Wentworth has offered a thousand dollars for them?” - -“He made me that offer this very morning.” - -“And you declined to accept it?” - -“Yes.” - -“Gerald, the man seems to be unscrupulous. If he finds he cannot obtain -the papers in any other way he may plot to have them stolen from you.” - -“I don’t know but you are right, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald thoughtfully. - -“Shall I advise you?” - -“I wish you would.” - -“When you get to St. Louis, deposit them with some safe deposit -company, and carry about with you merely copies of them. Then, if they -are stolen, there will be no harm done.” - -“Your advice is good, Mr. Brooke, and I shall follow it.” - -This conversation took place in their stateroom. Meanwhile, Bradley -Wentworth was engaged in reflection. - -“That boy means mischief, I fully believe,” he said to himself. “He is -of a different nature from his father. He is firm and resolute, and -if I read him aright, he will never forego his purpose of demanding -from me the sum which I so foolishly promised his father. The worst of -it is, the papers he carries will, if shown, injure my reputation and -throw upon me the crime of which during all these years his father has -been held guilty. Those papers I must have! My security requires it.” - -It was easy to come to this conclusion but not so easy to decide how -the papers could be obtained. He would gladly have paid a thousand -dollars, but that offer had more than once been made, and always -decidedly refused. - -As Bradley Wentworth paced the deck with thoughtful brow, Samuel -Standish, who was always drawn towards men whom he suspected to be -wealthy, stepped up, and asked deferentially: “General, may I ask you -for a light?” for Wentworth chanced to be smoking. - -Bradley Wentworth paused and scanned the man who accosted him closely. - -“Why do you call me General?” he asked. - -“I beg your pardon, but I took you for General Borden, member of -Congress from Kentucky.” - -“I am not the man.” - -“I really beg your pardon. Perhaps, however, you will oblige me with a -light all the same.” - -“I will. What is your name?” - -“Samuel Standish.” - -“Humph! I suppose you are not a member of Congress?” - -“No, indeed!” laughed Standish. “I wish I were.” - -“Perhaps I could give a good guess as to who and what you are.” - -Standish looked curious. - -“Suppose you do!” he said. - -Bradley Wentworth looked the man full in the face. It was a glance of -sharp scrutiny, so sharp that Samuel Standish, though not a sensitive -man, flushed and winced under it. - -“I may be wrong,” said Wentworth, “but you look to me like an -adventurer.” - -“Do you mean to insult me?” demanded Standish, starting angrily. - -“No; in fact, I rather hope that you are the sort of character I take -you to be.” - -“I don’t understand you,” and Standish looked and was really bewildered. - -“Only because if you are as unscrupulous as I believe you to be, I may -be able to throw a job in your way.” - -“You may assume then that you are correct.” Wentworth laughed slightly. - -“I thought so,” he said. - -“I am ready for a job,” went on Standish. “In fact I am hard up, and am -obliged to earn money in some way.” - -“And are not very particular in what way.” - -“Well, a man must live! If I had plenty of money it would be different. -Will you kindly tell me what you want done?” - -“I believe I saw you talking with a boy half an hour ago.” - -“Yes.” - -“Are you acquainted with him?” - -“I saw him first at the hotel in Davenport. He is in company with an -Englishman, who seems to have plenty of money.” - -“I see. You feel more interested in the Englishman than in the boy.” - -“Naturally. The boy is probably poor.” - -“I want you to become interested in the boy.” - -“If there is money in it, I shall certainly feel interested in him,” -said Mr. Standish briskly. - -“There is money in it—if you carry out my wishes.” - -“What are they?” - -“Listen! This boy is possessed of papers—probably he carries them -about with him—which properly belong to me. I have offered to buy them -of him, but he refuses to let me have them.” - -“Of what nature are they?” - -“There is a letter, and also a memorandum signed by myself, and given -to his father many years ago. The father died and the boy came into -possession of them. Knowing that I wished them he holds them for a -large—a foolishly large sum.” - -“I comprehend. How much did you say you had offered him for them?” - -“I did not mention the sum, Mr. Standish.” - -“Oh, I thought you did,” returned Standish, rather confused. - -“In fact, that has nothing to do with you.” - -“I thought it would give me an idea of the value of the papers.” - -“It is quite unnecessary that you should know their value.” - -“You wish me to get possession of them?” - -“Yes.” - -“How much will it be worth to me?” - -“That’s another matter. That is something you do have a right to ask. -Well, I am ready to pay”—Mr. Wentworth paused to consider—“I am ready -to pay a hundred, yes, two hundred, dollars for them.” - -Samuel Standish brightened up. To him in his present circumstances two -hundred dollars was a great deal of money. - -“Do you think there will be any chance to get hold of the papers on the -boat?” he asked. - -“I don’t know.” - -“If not, I shall have to follow him.” - -“Yes.” - -“And I can’t do it without money.” - -“I understand all that. Of course I would rather have you secure them -on the boat, if possible, but it may not be possible.” - -“Have you anything to suggest then?” - -“The boy and his companion will undoubtedly stop a few days in St. -Louis. You must go to the same hotel, and try to get a room near by. As -to the details I can’t advise you. It is out of my line. I suspect that -it may be in yours. Before you leave the boat, I shall give you some -money so that you may be able to pay your hotel expenses.” - -“I ought to know your name, so that I may communicate with you.” - -“Yes, that is needful. Of course I rely upon your keeping secret and -confidential all that has passed between us.” - -“You can rely upon me. I am the soul of honor!” said Samuel Standish, -placing his hand on his heart. - -“If you are,” said Wentworth dryly, “I am afraid you are hardly the man -for my purpose.” - -“I mean that I shall be loyal to you. I am a gentleman.” - -“I am glad to hear it. One thing more, you had better not be much in my -company. It might excite suspicion. In two minutes I can give you such -directions as you may require, and then we had better avoid each other.” - -“I understand.” - -As Gerald came out of his stateroom he saw the two walking together. -It struck him as rather singular, but it did not occur to him that it -boded harm to himself. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -A FALSE ALARM. - - -BRADLEY WENTWORTH had some slight hope that the words he had spoken -would prejudice the English tourist against Gerald, but he was destined -to be disappointed. The two promenaded the deck together, and were -evidently on the most cordial terms. - -“The boy is artful,” thought Wentworth, “and for that reason he is the -more dangerous. I wish he could happen to fall overboard. It would save -me a great deal of anxiety, as he is the only one who is acquainted -with the secret of my guilt.” - -The voyage proceeded. There are many rivers that are more interesting -than the Mississippi. The shores are low and monotonous, and the river -itself in a large part of its course is turbid and narrow. There are -but few towns of much size or importance between Davenport and St. -Louis. - -“I say, Gerald,” said Mr. Brooke, “we hear a good deal about American -scenery, but if this is a specimen I can only say that it is a good -deal overrated.” - -Gerald laughed. - -“I haven’t traveled a great deal myself, Mr. Brooke,” he said, “but I -think you must have seen something worthy of admiration since you have -been in this country. Have you been up the Hudson River?” - -“Not yet.” - -“Or seen Niagara?” - -“Yes; I saw that. We haven’t anything like that at home.” - -“I am told the Columbia River has some fine scenery.” - -“I wasn’t in earnest, Gerald. It only occurred to me to joke you a -little. You must admit, however, that there is nothing worth seeing -here.” - -“We don’t boast so much of our scenery as our men,” said Gerald. -“Samuel Standish, for instance.” - -“And Jake Amsden?” - -“Yes.” - -“I think we can match them both in England. I wish we couldn’t.” - -On the third evening, however, there was a genuine sensation. - -Some one raised the cry of “Fire!” and for five minutes there was a -grand commotion. Those who were in their staterooms rushed out in -dismay, and there was much rushing to and fro and wild confusion. - -Among those who ran out of their staterooms were Gerald and Noel -Brooke, but both of them were calm and collected. The Englishman looked -about him quickly, but could see no signs of fire. - -“I believe it is a false alarm, Gerald.” - -At this moment one of the officers of the steamer passed by. - -“Is there any fire?” asked Gerald. - -“No; I should like to get hold of the miscreant who raised the cry. -There is not the slightest indication of fire anywhere.” - -Satisfied by this assurance the two friends returned to their -stateroom. As they reached the door which had been left open a man -darted out. - -“Hallo, there!” exclaimed Noel Brooke, seizing him. “What brings you in -my stateroom?” - -“Why, it’s Standish!” exclaimed Gerald. - -“I beg your pardon,” said Samuel Standish apologetically. “I thought it -was my room.” - -“That isn’t very probable!” rejoined Brooke sternly. - -“I assure you, Mr. Brooke, that it is the truth. I was so alarmed that -I really did not know what I was about. I presumed the steamer was -doomed, and wished to secure my small baggage, for I am a poor man and -couldn’t afford to lose it. Of course when I looked around me I saw -that I was mistaken. I hope you will pardon me. Is the fire out? Excuse -my agitation.” - -“There has never been any fire. Some scoundrel raised the alarm. If he -should be found he would probably be thrown overboard by the indignant -passengers.” - -“And serves him right, too!” said the virtuous Standish. “You have -no idea what a shock he gave me. I am a victim of heart disease, and -liable to drop at a minute’s notice.” - -“I suppose you are ready to go?” said Brooke ironically. - -“Well, no, I can’t quite say that. Life is sweet, even if I am a poor -man.” - -“Where is your stateroom?” - -“On—on the opposite side of the steamer.” - -“Then it seems rather strange that you should have mistaken ours for -yours.” - -“So it is, so it is! I can’t understand it at all, I give you my word. -The sudden fright quite upset me. Didn’t it upset you?” - -“No.” - -“How I envy you! But it is no doubt the condition of my heart. Well, it -is fortunate that the alarm was a false one.” - -Meanwhile the officers had been instituting an investigation as to the -person who had raised the cry. - -A typical Yankee, who looked as if he had recently come from New -England, pointed to Standish and said, “I am positive that man raised -the alarm.” - -There was an immediate commotion. Voices from the crowd of passengers -called out: “Throw him into the river! Lynch him!” - -Standish turned ghastly pale as he saw the menacing glances of those -around him. - -“I assure you, gentlemen,” he protested, “this is a base calumny.” - -“Do you mean to tell me I lie?” demanded the Yankee fiercely. - -“No, no, I beg your pardon. I only mean to say you are mistaken!” - -“I don’t think I am.” - -“Throw him into the river! There he will be safe from fire!” called out -one man. - -“Yes, yes, throw him into the river!” - -Samuel Standish was not a hero. Indeed, he was far from it. He seemed -overcome with fear, and his knees smote with terror as a brawny cowboy -seized him by the shoulder and hurried him towards the side. - -“A ducking will do him no harm,” said the cowboy, and he evidently -voiced the sentiment of his fellow passengers. - -“Gentlemen, friends!” exclaimed Standish, “I can’t swim a stroke. Would -you murder me?” - -The position was critical. His appearance was against him, and had -Gerald or his English friend mentioned the intrusion of Standish into -their stateroom it would have been all up with him. But he found a -friend just when he needed one most. Bradley Wentworth pushed his way -through the crowd, and exclaimed angrily: “Let go that man! I won’t -permit this outrage.” - -“He raised the alarm of fire.” - -“He did not! I was standing six feet from him when the cry was raised, -and if it had been he I should have known it.” - -“But I heard him,” insisted the Yankee. - -“You are mistaken! I hope you will not compel me to use a harsher word. -I appeal to the officers of this boat to prevent an outrage upon an -unoffending man.” - -Bradley Wentworth was handsomely dressed, and looked to be a man of -wealth and standing, and his testimony had great weight. The Yankee was -poorly dressed, and from all appearances a laboring man. The fickle -crowd changed at once and such cries were heard as “It’s a shame!” -“It’s an outrage!” Samuel Standish was released. The tide had turned -and he was safe. - -“Sir,” he said, turning to Bradley Wentworth, “I thank you for your -manly words. You have saved my life. You are a stranger to me, but -hereafter I shall always remember you in my prayers.” - -“Thank you,” answered Wentworth, “but I don’t deserve your gratitude. -What I have done has been in the interest of justice; for I feel no -interest in you except as a man unjustly treated. I would have done as -much for any of my fellow passengers.” - -These words created a very favorable impression and completely cleared -Standish from suspicion, except in the minds of the Yankee passenger, -Gerald and Noel Brooke. - -“I believe Standish was the man,” said Brooke when they were by -themselves, “and Mr. Wentworth’s interference in his favor leads me to -think there is something between them.” - -“But why should he give such an alarm?” asked Gerald puzzled. - -“To get a chance to enter our stateroom.” - -“I don’t quite understand why he should enter our stateroom rather than -any other?” - -“Gerald,” said his friend significantly, “_he was after your papers_. -He thought you might keep them in the stateroom.” - -“Do you really think that, Mr Brooke?” - -“I think it altogether likely, and that he has been engaged for the -purpose by your friend, Mr. Bradley Wentworth. Unless I am greatly -mistaken, we shall see more of Mr. Standish after we land.” - -“I believe you are right, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald thoughtfully. “I -shall most certainly adopt your suggestion, and copy the papers as soon -as I reach St. Louis.” - -The steamer arrived about three o’clock in the afternoon. Noel Brooke -and Gerald went to the Lindell House and registered. An hour later, in -the lobby of the hotel, looking, it must be confessed, rather out of -place in his elegant surroundings, they recognized the familiar figure -of Samuel Standish. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -GERALD HAS AN UNPLEASANT ADVENTURE. - - -IT was certainly a matter of surprise that a man like Standish should -put up at a high-priced and fashionable hotel like the Lindell. -Moreover Gerald soon learned that he had a room very near them. -There was but one between. One thing more that looked suspicious was -that Standish, though he frequently passed Gerald and his companion, -appeared to take very little notice of them. - -“I am afraid Mr. Standish is cutting us, Mr. Brooke,” said Gerald -laughing. - -“Perhaps we are not up to his standard,” returned Brooke. “I suppose -there is no help for it. If you think a little social attention would -conciliate him——” - -“Such as lending him a five-dollar bill,” suggested Gerald. - -“I see you have some knowledge of human nature, Gerald. I confess I -should like to find out the man’s object in following us, for it is -evident that our being at this hotel is the attraction for him.” - -“I will engage him in conversation,” said Gerald, “on the first -opportunity.” - -“Do so.” - -That evening Gerald met Mr. Standish in the lobby of the hotel. - -“I believe we met on the steamer coming down the river,” began Gerald -politely. - -“Yes,” answered Standish promptly. “You are with an Englishman.” - -“Yes.” - -“I recognized you both, but I did not wish to intrude. Do you remain -long in this city?” - -“I don’t know. Mr. Brooke is making a leisurely tour of the States, and -it depends upon him.” - -“If you are not expected to spend all your time with him, I should like -to go about a little with you.” - -“Then you are going to spend some time in St. Louis?” Gerald ventured -to inquire. - -“That depends on circumstances. I am here on a little matter of -business. I am a traveling salesman.” - -“Indeed! In what line?” - -“I travel for a house in Chicago,” said Mr. Standish vaguely. “I would -answer your questions, but our house is peculiar, and requires its -agents to be very close-mouthed.” - -“Oh, that’s all right. I didn’t wish to be inquisitive.” - -“You can imagine how absurd it was for a man of my standing to be -accused of raising the alarm of fire on the boat.” - -“Yes,” answered Gerald non-commitally. - -In his own mind he was convinced that Standish _did_ raise the alarm, -but did not consider it necessary to say so. - -“You are much indebted to the gentleman who came to your assistance,” -he said instead. - -“Yes, he is a gentleman! I believe you know him?” - -“Yes. Is he staying in St. Louis?” - -“I think he went on to New Orleans.” - -“But he left the boat.” - -“Yes, for a day or two. I have not seen him since.” - -“Your room is near ours.” - -“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.” - -Gerald knew better than this, for he had seen Standish standing in -front of their door and scrutinizing it curiously. - -The next morning he noticed something else. In the vicinity of the -Southern Hotel he saw Samuel Standish and Bradley Wentworth walking -together in close conference. It might have been their first meeting, -so he found an opportunity some hours later of saying to Standish: “I -thought I saw Mr. Wentworth in the street to-day.” - -“Indeed! Where?” - -Gerald returned an evasive answer. - -“You may be right,” said Standish. “If he is here I shall be glad to -meet him and thank him once more for the service he did me.” - -“It is clear there is something between them,” decided Gerald, “and -that something must relate to me and the papers Mr. Wentworth is so -anxious to secure.” - -But in that event it puzzled Gerald that Mr. Standish seemed to take no -special pains to cultivate their acquaintance—as he might naturally -have been expected to do. He was destined to find out that Standish was -not idle. - -One day—the fifth of his stay in St. Louis—Gerald was walking in one -of the poorer districts of the city, when a boy of ten, with a thin, -pallid face and shabby clothes, sidled up to him. - -“Oh, mister,” he said, whimpering, “won’t you come wid me? I’m afraid -my mudder will beat me if I go home alone.” - -“What makes you think your mother will beat you?” - -“Coz she sent me out for a bottle of whisky this mornin’ and I broke -it.” - -“Does your mother drink whisky?” asked Gerald compassionately. - -“Yes, mister, she’s a reg’lar tank, she is.” - -“Have you any brothers or sisters?” - -“I have a little brudder. She licks him awful.” - -“Have you no father?” - -“No; he got killed on the railroad two years ago.” - -“I am sorry for you,” said Gerald, in a tone of sympathy. “Here is a -quarter.” - -“Thank you, mister.” - -“Perhaps that will prevent your mother from beating you.” - -“I don’t know,” said the boy doubtfully. “Mudder’s a hard case. She’s -awful strong. Won’t you go home with me?” - -“I am afraid I can’t say anything that will make any impression on your -mother. Where do you live?” - -The boy pointed to a shabby house of three stories, situated not far -away. - -“It’s only a few steps, mister.” - -“Perhaps I may be able to do the little fellow some good,” thought -Gerald. “At any rate, as the house is so near, I may as well go in.” - -“Very well,” he said aloud. “I’ll go in and see your mother. Do you -think that she has been drinking lately?” - -“No; I spilt the whisky. That’s why she’s mad.” - -Gerald followed the boy to the house. His companion opened the outer -door, and revealed a steep staircase covered with a very ragged -oil-cloth, and led the way up. - -“Come along!” he said. - -When he reached the head of the first flight he kept on. - -“Is it any higher up?” - -“Yes, one story furder.” - -Gerald followed the boy, inhaling, as he went up, musty and -disagreeable odors, and felt that if it had not been on an errand of -mercy he would have been inclined to retreat and make his way back to -the street. - -The boy pushed on to the rear room on the third floor, and opened the -door a little way. - -“Come in!” he said. - -Gerald followed him in, and began to look around for the mother whom -he had come to see. But the room appeared to be empty. - -A sound startled him. It was the sound of a key in the lock. He turned -quickly and found that his boy guide had mysteriously disappeared and -left him alone. - -He tried the door, only to confirm his suspicion that he had been -locked in. - -“What does it all mean?” he asked himself in genuine bewilderment. - -He knocked loudly at the door, and called out, “Boy, open the door.” - -The only answer was a discordant laugh, and he heard the steps of the -boy as he hurried downstairs. - -Gerald was completely bewildered. Had the boy been a man he would have -been on his guard, but who could be suspicious of a street urchin, -whose story seemed natural enough. What evil design could he have, or -what could he do now that his victim was trapped? - -“I wish he would come back, so that I might question him,” thought -Gerald. - -With the hope of bringing this about Gerald began to pound on the door. - -“Come back here, boy!” he called out in a loud tone. “Come back, and -let me out!” - -But no one answered. In fact the boy who had proved so unworthy of -his compassion was by this time in the street, laughing aloud at his -successful maneuver. - -“Dat’s a good one!” he said gleefully. “I got de bloke in good. Uncle -Sam offered me half a dollar if I’d do it. I’ll strike him for a dollar -if I can.” - -After waiting five minutes Gerald tried a second fusillade on the door. -This brought a response, not from his young jailer, but from a choleric -German who lived opposite. - -“I say, you stop dat or I’ll come in and break your _kopf_!” he said. - -“Come in!” cried Gerald eagerly. “I have been locked in.” - -“If I come in I mash you!” - -“Come in, and I’ll take the risk.” - -“How I come in widout de key?” - -“I don’t know unless you break open the door.” - -“And pay damages to de landlord? Not much, _nein_, I guess not,” and -the stout German walked away. - -“I suppose I shall have to wait till some one else comes,” said Gerald -to himself, and he sat down on a wooden chair without a back. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -TIP AND HIS TRICKS. - - -A LITTLE reflection led Gerald to feel more comfortable. Without -knowing exactly why he had been imprisoned, he concluded that it might -be for purposes of plunder. Now he was not in the habit of carrying -much money about with him, and his purse contained but fifteen dollars. -Having no bills to pay, he allowed his salary to accumulate in the -hands of his employer, and this accounted for his being so poorly -provided. - -“They are welcome to the fifteen dollars if they will let me out of -this cage,” he soliloquized. “Of course it’s an imposition, but it -won’t ruin me. I wish that young rascal would come back.” - -But the young rascal was at that very moment talking in the street -below with a man whose face looks familiar. In fact, it was Mr. Samuel -Standish. - -“I’ve got him, Uncle Sam,” said the boy, when his respected relation -turned the corner. - -“You have really?” exclaimed Standish, his face lighting up with -satisfaction. - -“Wish ter die if I ain’t. Now give me that dollar.” - -“I didn’t promise you a dollar, Tip. It was only fifty cents.” - -“It’s worth a dollar,” said the boy, screwing up his face. “I had awful -hard work getting him here. Told him my mudder would beat me if he -didn’t come along and get me off.” - -“You’re a smart one, Tip—take after your uncle.” - -“Den it’s worth a dollar.” - -“Here, I’ll give you seventy-five cents; that is, I’ll see first if -he’s there,” added Standish cautiously. - -“You don’t think I’d lie, do you, Uncle Sam?” said Tip with an injured -look. - -“It wouldn’t be the first time, I’m afraid.” - -“I take after my uncle,” said Tip, twisting his elf-like features into -a grin. - -“You’ve got me there, Tip. You are a smart one. Where is he?” - -“Up-stairs, in de room.” - -“Is he locked in?” - -“Well, I reckon.” - -“Come up with me, Tip, and, if I find it’s true, I’ll give you the -dollar.” - -“Come along, den.” - -Tip went up the rickety staircase, two steps at a time, and Samuel -Standish followed in a more leisurely way. - -Arrived at the landing, Standish signaled to Tip to knock on the door. - -Tip did so. - -“Is you dere?” he asked. - -“Yes; let me out!” cried Gerald eagerly. - -“What’ll you give me?” - -Gerald was tempted to answer “a licking,” but he reflected that it -would not be prudent. He must temporize. - -“You’ve played a trick on me, and you don’t deserve anything. But I’ll -give you another quarter, and won’t say anything about it.” - -“So he gave you a quarter, did he, Tip?” inquired Standish. - -“No; he’s only gassin’,” said Tip. “Now, do you believe he’s dere?” - -“Yes; it’s all right.” - -“Where’s de money?” - -Samuel Standish drew seventy-five cents from his pocket—a fifty-cent -piece and a quarter—and handed them to his promising nephew. - -“I want a dollar,” said Tip doggedly. - -“You’ve got it.” - -“No, I haven’t.” - -“The boy inside gave you twenty-five cents.” - -“Dat’s what I call mean.” - -“Go away, you young rogue! You’ve got more money now than you will make -good use of. There’s many a time even now when I haven’t got as much.” - -“I say, uncle,” asked the boy, excited by curiosity, “what are you -goin’ to do wid him?” - -“That’s my affair. I have some business with him—important business.” - -“Let me go in wid you!” - -“If you don’t clear out I’ll kick you downstairs.” - -A glance at his uncle’s face satisfied Tip that he meant what he said, -and making a virtue of necessity, he descended the stairs, two steps at -a time. - -Gerald heard him and became alarmed. - -“Come back here and let me out!” he called. “I’ll pay you well.” - -If Tip had heard this he would have been tempted to retrace his steps, -for if there was anything the young rascal was fond of it was money. -But he was already out of hearing. - -Gerald, however, heard a key inserted in the lock, and his hopes rose -again. He had not heard the voice of Standish, and was not aware of his -presence, but stood ready to make a rush out of the room when the door -opened. But he reckoned without his host. The door opened, indeed, but -only sufficiently to admit the figure of Samuel Standish. - -“Mr. Standish!” exclaimed Gerald in astonishment. - -“Yes, my dear young friend. I’ve come to make you a call.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -MR. STANDISH STATES HIS BUSINESS. - - -AS Mr. Standish spoke, he slipped into the room adroitly, closed the -door again, and locked it. - -He looked about for a seat, and discovered a rocking-chair, which, like -the chair Gerald occupied, appeared to be suffering from infirmity and -old age. - -“Glad to see you again, Gerald!” he said urbanely. - -“Mr. Standish, are you responsible for this outrage?” demanded Gerald -angrily. - -“For what outrage, my dear young friend?” - -“Did you send that boy to lure me in here?” - -“That boy is my promising nephew, Tip Standish.” - -“I am not surprised to hear it. Was he acting under your orders?” - -“You’ve hit it, my dear boy. He _was_ acting under my orders, and I am -proud to say that he did himself credit.” - -“He told me a story about being in danger of a beating from his mother.” - -Standish laughed. - -“His mother is a poor weak woman weighing about ninety pounds. She -isn’t strong enough to harm a fly.” - -“In other words the boy lied.” - -“Tip has remarkable inventive powers. He may make a story-writer in -time.” - -“I am quite sure he doesn’t excel you—in invention, Mr. Standish.” - -“Thank you, dear boy. It is pleasant to be appreciated. You do me -proud, you really do.” - -“Never mind compliments, Mr. Standish. Of course you had some object in -luring me here. What is it?” - -“I admire the quickness with which you come to business. Really you are -a very smart boy.” - -“With all my smartness I have fallen into a trap. Now, what do you -want?” - -“Perhaps you might have some idea—can’t you now?” - -“I can think of nothing except money. I suppose you want to rob me.” - -“My dear boy!” protested Standish, “you misjudge me. What, Samuel -Standish a common thief? I am indeed mortified. I was not aware that -you carried a large sum of money with you,” he added, not without -curiosity. - -“I don’t,” answered Gerald. “I have only fifteen dollars in my -pocketbook.” - -Samuel Standish in spite of his disclaimer looked somewhat -disappointed, but he kept up appearances. - -“Keep the money, my boy!” he said with a wave of the hand. “Keep the -money! Heaven forbid that I should deprive you of it. Samuel Standish -is a man of honor.” - -Gerald gazed at him with increasing bewilderment. He had not expected -such a display of honesty. Moreover, if Standish did not want money, -what did he want? What could be his object in trapping him? - -“If I have done you injustice, Mr. Standish, I apologize,” he said. -“I supposed it must be money you wanted, for I could think of nothing -else. Of course in confining me you are committing an illegal act. If -you will release me at once I will overlook what has already passed.” - -“You are a smart boy, Gerald,” said Samuel Standish jocosely. “You -ought to have been a lawyer.” - -“Thank you for the compliment.” - -“Oh, you are quite welcome, I am sure.” - -[Illustration: Samuel Standish leaned forward and said: “I want some -papers that you are carrying about with you.”—Page 215.] - -“I must trouble you to release me at once, as Mr. Brooke expects me -back at the hotel. We had arranged to take an excursion.” - -“I shouldn’t like to interfere with any little arrangement you have -made. Gerald, I am your friend, though you may not think it.” - -“Well, your treatment of me this morning doesn’t seem like it. Is it -your custom to trap and kidnap those to whom you are friendly?” - -Mr. Standish laughed. - -“Not in general,” he answered, “but I wanted an interview with you for -special reasons.” - -“It was not necessary to kidnap me in order to obtain it. If you had -requested an interview I would have granted it.” - -“Well, perhaps so, but I wanted to make sure. I wanted an interview -somewhere _where we were not likely to be interrupted_.” - -“As you have your wish, will you please come to business, and let me -know what you want of me?” - -Samuel Standish leaned forward and said significantly, “_I want some -papers that you are carrying about with you_.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -MR. STANDISH GAINS A BARREN VICTORY. - - -GERALD was not altogether surprised by what his visitor said. When -Standish disclaimed any wish to secure his money, he began to suspect, -remembering the confidential meeting with Bradley Wentworth, that it -was the papers that were wanted. Desiring to learn what he could of -Wentworth’s agency in the matter, he said non-committally, “To what -papers do you refer?” - -“You know well enough,” answered Standish, winking. - -“Perhaps I do. Are you employed by Mr. Wentworth?” - -“Who is Mr. Wentworth?” - -“The gentleman who saved you from being thrown overboard on the -steamer.” - -“Have you any papers of his?” - -“No; but I have some papers that he wants to get possession of.” - -“He told me they belonged to him.” - -“Then you _are_ his agent?” - -“I may as well admit it. Now what have you got to say?” - -“That the papers are mine.” - -“Then why does Mr. Wentworth want them?” - -This inquiry was made in good faith, for Standish had not been taken -into confidence by his employer, and he was puzzled to understand why -it was that the papers were considered of such importance. - -“Because he owes me, as my father’s representative, a large sum of -money, and these papers are very important evidence to that effect.” - -“How much did you say that he owes you?” asked Standish in a -matter-of-fact tone. - -“I didn’t say,” returned Gerald. - -“Oh, I beg pardon. I did not suppose it was a secret.” - -“I don’t mind telling you that Mr. Wentworth has repeatedly offered me -a thousand dollars for the papers.” - -“You don’t say so!” ejaculated Standish; “and he only offered me two -hundred dollars for them,” he soliliquized. “The boy has given me -a valuable hint, which I shall make use of. When the papers are in -my possession it will go hard with me if I don’t get more than two -hundred dollars for them.” - -His only fear was that Gerald would refuse to deliver them to him, and -hold them for the large sum promised by Mr. Wentworth. - -“You have no further dealings with Mr. Wentworth,” he said hastily. -“You must deal with me. But, first, have you the papers with you? You -had better answer truly, for if you deny it I shall search you.” - -“I have them with me,” answered Gerald briefly. - -“Come, we are getting on,” said Standish, delighted to hear this. “Now -you will save yourself trouble by handing them over at once.” - -“How much are you authorized to give me for them?” asked Gerald -demurely. - -“Your freedom. Give them to me and you shall be released at the end of -an hour.” - -“Why not at once?” - -“Because you might be tempted to hand me over to the police, though you -could not prove anything against me. Still it might be inconvenient.” - -“Do you expect me to give you without compensation what I have been -offered a thousand dollars for?” - -“Yes, under the circumstances.” - -“Suppose I refuse to give them up?” - -“Then you will be imprisoned here for an indefinite period.” - -“I don’t believe it. I would raise an alarm, and some one would be sure -to hear it and interfere in my behalf.” - -“I am glad you have put me on my guard. Nothing will be easier than for -me to charge you with insanity and have you committed to an asylum.” - -Gerald shuddered at this threat, though he had made up his mind to -secure his release by surrendering the duplicate papers in his pocket. -The real documents were in the custody of a safe deposit company in the -city, having been placed with them only the day previous. - -“Won’t you give me something for them?” he asked. “I don’t like to give -them up without any return.” - -“I may be able to secure a hundred dollars, but I won’t promise. I -don’t see why you don’t accept Mr. Wentworth’s offer. How long since -was it made?” - -“It was made for the last time on the steamer Rock Island.” - -“You won’t tell me how large a sum Mr. Wentworth owes you?” - -“I may as well tell you, as the papers would inform you. It is twenty -thousand dollars!” - -“Twenty thousand dollars!” ejaculated Standish thoroughly amazed. “How -is it possible that he should owe so much?” - -“I can only tell you that it is a debt of honor.” - -“Do you mean by that that it is a gambling debt?” - -“No,” answered Gerald indignantly. “My father never gambled in his -life.” - -“Aha!” thought Standish, “it is well that I have wormed the truth out -of this boy. Wentworth actually wants to pay me the pitiful sum of two -hundred dollars for evidence that will save him twenty thousand. It -won’t go down, Mr. Wentworth! it won’t go down! - -“Give me the papers,” he said aloud, “and I will do what I can for you. -I feel a sympathy for you, my dear young friend, but I must of course -consult the interests of my employer.” - -“Meaning Mr. Wentworth?” - -“Yes; you will of course conjecture that I am acting as his agent.” - -“I thought so,” returned Gerald. “I didn’t think the man was so -unscrupulous.” - -“Perhaps it would inconvenience, or ruin him to pay so large a sum as -twenty thousand dollars,” suggested Standish. - -“Not at all. He is worth, I have reason to believe, over three hundred -thousand dollars.” - -“Is it possible?” said Standish, his eyes sparkling. “Then he is a very -rich man. Where did he get his money?” - -“It was left him by his uncle. But for my father he would have been -disinherited.” - -“That is why you call it a debt of honor?” - -“Yes.” - -“He hasn’t done the fair thing, I must confess. Let anybody secure me -an inheritance of three hundred thousand dollars, and I won’t haggle -about paying a twenty thousand dollar fee.” - -“I am sorry Mr. Wentworth’s sentiments are not as liberal as yours.” - -“Exactly so. I would have treated your father a great deal better. Mr. -Wentworth is evidently a mean man. Still he is my employer and I must -do what I can for him. Still my sympathies are with you.” - -“You have played me a mean trick, Mr. Standish.” - -“I admit it, but it isn’t my fault. My poverty, and not my will, -consents. However, we are losing time. Will you do me the favor of -handing me the papers?” - -“Do you insist upon it?” asked Gerald in apparent mortification. - -“I must, for reasons which you understand,” said Standish, extending -his hand for the expected papers. - -Gerald unbuttoned his vest, and from an inner pocket drew out the -duplicate documents, or rather the copies of the original papers. - -Standish took the two letters and ran his eye over them eagerly. - -“I am not surprised that Mr. Wentworth wanted these letters,” he said. -“They are a confession in so many words that he committed forgery, and -hired your father to bear the blame, in consideration of a large sum -which he promised to pay when all danger was over and the estate was -his.” - -“You have stated the matter clearly, Mr. Standish.” - -“Your father was badly used.” - -“His life was ruined,” said Gerald bitterly, “his life and his -prospects, for his employer. Mr. Wentworth’s uncle intended to give him -an interest in the business. As it was he died with the conviction that -my father was a forger.” - -“It’s too bad, it is upon my honor.” - -“Then you will return me the papers?” - -“I couldn’t do that. I am a poor man, and the money that Wentworth is -to give me is of great importance to me. If you could raise five or six -hundred dollars, I might afford to return them to you.” - -“That will be quite impossible, Mr. Standish.” - -“Then I am afraid I must retain the papers. It goes to my heart to do -it, I assure you. I am a very tender-hearted man, Gerald, but I am a -poor man, and I feel that I must not injure my own interests. I will -do what I can for you, however, and I may be able to persuade Mr. -Wentworth to give you something. Now I must bid you good morning.” - -Samuel Standish opened the door, and prepared to go out. - -“In an hour you will be released,” he said. “I shall leave directions -with Tip.” - -As he went downstairs, Gerald settled back in his chair, trying to -resign himself to remaining for another hour in the shabby room. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -GERALD IS RELEASED. - - -AT length the door was opened and Gerald was free to leave his place of -confinement. - -There was a cunning smile on Tip’s weazened face. - -“I say, boss,” he said. “Ain’t you goin’ to give me somethin’ for -lettin’ you out?” - -Gerald was amused in spite of himself. - -“I ought rather to punish you for getting me into such a scrape.” - -“’Twasn’t me. ’Twas Uncle Sam that made me do it.” - -“I know that, and for that reason I will forgive you. You were paid for -luring me in here, and ought to be satisfied with that. So Mr. Standish -is your uncle?” - -“That is what _he_ says. I couldn’t swear to it.” - -“Perhaps he will leave you some money in his will.” - -“He ain’t got no money,” said Tip contemptuously. “He’s strapped most -of the time. Did you give him any?” - -“No.” - -“Didn’t he take your pocketbook?” - -“No.” - -Tip looked puzzled. - -“Then what did he want you shut up for?” - -“I had some papers that he wanted.” - -“Did you give them to him?” - -“Yes.” - -“War they worth much?” - -“He thought they were.” - -Tip was silent a moment. - -“I wish I’d known that,” he said, after a pause. - -“Suppose you had?” inquired Gerald curiously. - -“I’d have let you out before he came for five dollars.” - -“That is very kind of you, Tip. What would your uncle have done to you?” - -“He’d have licked me, but I’d stand a lickin’ any time for five -dollars.” - -“I see, Tip, you are a sharp boy. I haven’t any hard feelings against -you. I hope you will grow up a good man.” - -Tip shook his head. - -“It ain’t likely,” he said. “There ain’t many good boys round here. -This ain’t a Sunday-school neighborhood.” - -“I am afraid it isn’t,” thought Gerald. “I fear Tip isn’t likely to -turn out a good man or a model citizen. He is smart enough, but he -isn’t using his smartness in the right way.” - -“Where have you been, Gerald?” asked Mr. Brooke, when his secretary -returned to the hotel. “You don’t often come back late to lunch.” - -“I was unavoidably detained, Mr. Brooke. In other words, I was -imprisoned.” - -“Is that true?” asked the English tourist in surprise. “Please explain -yourself.” - -Gerald did so. - -“So the papers were taken?” - -“Yes, they are gone,” answered Gerald, smiling. “I should like to see -Mr. Wentworth when he discovers that he has been duped.” - -“He and his agent will both be disappointed. Do you know if he is in -the city?” - -“I believe he is at the Southern Hotel.” - -“Waiting till his agent has secured the papers, I presume?” - -“I suppose so.” - -“Really, Gerald, this is an excellent joke. I don’t think he will make -any further attempt to rob you. We can afford to laugh, but it might -have been quite otherwise.” - -Meanwhile Mr. Standish made his way slowly towards the Southern Hotel. -He was plunged in deep thought. Should he give up the papers to Mr. -Wentworth, or should he stand out for a larger sum? He had been -promised two hundred dollars, but his principal had repeatedly offered -a thousand dollars for them, and he persuaded himself that he ought to -receive at least half this amount. He could not quite make up his mind -what to do, and was still in a state of indecision when he reached the -handsome hotel where Mr. Wentworth was a guest. - -He entered the office, and did not have far to look, for Bradley -Wentworth was standing at the news counter where he had just purchased -a Chicago paper. - -“Well?” he said eagerly when he saw Standish enter. “What news?” - -“I’ve got the papers,” nodded Standish. - -“You have? Give them to me.” - -“Wait a minute, Mr. Wentworth. I want to see you alone.” - -“Oh, very well! Come up-stairs.” - -They boarded the elevator and stopped at the second landing, where Mr. -Wentworth led the way to a front room, of which he unlocked the door -and bade Standish enter. - -“Give me the papers,” he said, “and I will give you a check.” - -Samuel Standish made no motion to get the papers. Wentworth eyed him in -some surprise. - -“What is the matter?” he asked. - -Standish cleared his throat. - -“You agree to give me two hundred dollars,” he said, “while I find that -you have more than once offered the boy a thousand dollars for them.” - -“Who told you that?” - -“Gerald himself.” - -“It is a lie,” said Wentworth harshly. “Do you think I am a fool?” - -“No; I think you are a very shrewd man. The papers are worth all that -you offered for them?” - -“How do you know? How can you judge?” demanded Wentworth hastily. - -“I have read them, and the boy explained the circumstances.” - -Bradley Wentworth turned red. He saw that his secret was exposed, and -that this man knew that he had once been a forger. - -“You can’t depend upon what the boy told you,” he said. - -“It is confirmed by the letters.” - -“You had no right to read the letters. It was a breach of faith.” - -“I don’t look at it in that light. I wanted to be sure that they were -the papers I was instructed to secure.” - -“Very well. I will excuse you. Give me the papers and I will give you -two hundred dollars, as I promised.” - -“I must have five hundred,” said Standish firmly. “Even then you will -save five hundred. If you had bargained with the boy you would have -been obliged to give him a thousand.” - -Then ensued a wordy wrangle, not necessary to detail. Wentworth, after -trying in vain to keep Standish to the original agreement, finally -paid him three hundred and fifty dollars, two hundred in bills and one -hundred and fifty in a check payable to the order of Samuel Standish. -Though he had not secured as much as he desired, Mr. Standish was -reasonably satisfied, not for years having had so large a sum in his -possession. - -Bradley Wentworth was about to examine the papers when a bell-boy came -up with a telegram. Wentworth tore it open hastily. - -It was an urgent summons to return, as matters of importance demanded -his presence at the factory. - -He thrust the papers into his pocket. - -“I am called home to Seneca,” he said. “I must catch the next train for -Chicago, if possible. I will not detain you any longer, as I have no -time to give you.” - -“All right, Mr. Wentworth! I don’t want to interfere with your plans. -My acquaintance with you has been very agreeable, and, as I trust, for -our mutual advantage. I hope you may some time have further occasion to -employ my services. Good day, sir!” - -Bradley Wentworth was already packing his valise, and did not think it -necessary to notice his agent’s farewell greeting. - -“Three hundred and fifty dollars!” soliloquized Standish. “Did I ever -have as much money before? I can’t remember the occasion. Mr. Samuel -Standish, you can afford to live comfortably for a time. Did I do well -to part with the papers, or should I have stood out for a larger sum? -It is hard to tell. They must be worth more to the boy than this, but -it is not likely he had money enough to buy them. On the whole, Samuel, -you have probably done as well as you could.” - -It will be remembered that Mr. Standish had a room at the Lindell. As -he entered the hotel he met Gerald in the corridor. - -“So you have got back?” he said with a pleasant smile. - -“Yes,” answered Gerald. - -“I thought Tip could be relied upon. I prefer you won’t cherish any -hard feelings on account of the events of the morning.” - -“Have you still got the papers, Mr. Standish?” asked Gerald abruptly. - -“No.” - -“Then I suppose you have given them to Mr. Wentworth?” - -“Yes; I would much rather have given them back to you, but I judged -that you had not money enough to purchase them.” - -“Mr. Standish,” said Gerald composedly, “I wouldn’t give five dollars -to have the papers back.” - -“But,” stammered Standish, “you said Mr. Wentworth offered you a -thousand dollars for them.” - -“For the originals, yes. _Those I delivered to you were copies._” - -Standish seemed transfixed with amazement. - -“But the originals? Where are they?” he asked. - -“Where neither you nor Mr. Wentworth can get hold of them.” - -When Standish had recovered from his astonishment he burst into a -hearty laugh. - -“The old man’s been fooled,” he said. “Serves him right for being so -mean.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -TIDINGS OF THE FUGITIVE. - - -IT was not until Bradley Wentworth was on board the train that was to -bear him to Chicago that he drew out the letters which he had secured -through the agency of Standish and examined them. - -He almost leaped from his seat in anger and disappointment. - -“They are fraudulent, and not worth the paper they are written on,” -he at once decided. “And I have actually given that scoundrel three -hundred and fifty dollars for them. Why didn’t I take the precaution to -examine them before handing over the money?” - -He examined them again. They might be fraudulent, for the handwriting -was not his, but they were word for word similar to the genuine letters -which he had written many years since to Warren Lane. The question -arose, Who had copied them? Was it Standish? He dismissed this -supposition as very improbable, and adopted the theory that the genuine -letters were not in existence—that Warren Lane had given these to his -son as a record of what had passed between himself and Wentworth. - -“In that case,” he reflected with satisfaction, “the boy has no -hold upon me. I have only to deny all knowledge of the letters and -stigmatize them as part of a conspiracy to extort money from me on -false charges. It is worth three hundred and fifty dollars to find this -out.” - -So Wentworth’s anger was succeeded by a feeling of satisfaction. - -“It is better to pay three hundred and fifty dollars than a thousand,” -he reflected, “and that was the sum I was ready to give Gerald. On the -whole my meeting with this fellow Standish was a fortunate one. I shall -destroy these letters, and with them will perish the only evidence of -my crime.” - -When Mr. Wentworth reached home he found among his letters the -following written in a regular schoolboy hand: - - “DEAR SIR: - - “Your son Victor and I are in hard luck. We are staying at a poor - boarding-house in Kansas City, and have only enough money to pay this - week’s board. I have sent to my guardian for a remittance, and expect - it within a few days, but Victor’s money gave out some time since. - As I know you are a rich man I do not feel called upon to pay his - expenses. I shall have only enough left for myself. - - “Will you telegraph money at once to Victor, No. 125 H. Street, and I - will advise him to take the money and go home. - - “Yours respectfully, - - “ARTHUR GRIGSON.” - -Bradley Wentworth read this letter with a mixture of feelings. He had -been very anxious about his son, but he was not a soft-hearted man, and -now that he knew him to be alive his heart hardened. - -“He hasn’t suffered enough,” he said to himself. “If I forgive him -too quickly he will do the same thing again. He has dared to disobey -me, and he must be made to understand that he has been guilty of a -serious offense. This fellow Grigson has the hardihood to suggest that -I telegraph money to Kansas City. If I should do so he would probably -claim a share of it, and instead of returning, the two would very -likely continue their journey.” - -Under the influence of these feelings Mr. Wentworth wrote the following -letter: - - “MR. ARTHUR GRIGSON: - - “You have done me the honor to write me suggesting that I should - telegraph money to my son, who took the bold step of leaving - the school, where I had placed him, without my permission. Your - letter contains no expression of regret for this flagrant act of - disobedience, and I assume that neither you nor Victor feels any. No - doubt you find it inconvenient to be without money, and it naturally - occurs to you to apply to me. You may say to Victor that as he appears - to think himself independent of me, and has shown a disregard for my - wishes, I think it may be well for him to keep on a little longer. I - do not feel under any obligation to help him home from Kansas City, - since he went there without my permission. Whenever he returns home, - and shows proper regret for his disobedience I will consider what I - may be disposed to do for him. - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - -Hard as his nature was Bradley Wentworth did not send away this letter -without momentary compunction. So far as he was capable of affection -he was attached to his son. But he was a man who required implicit -obedience, and Victor’s flight had excited his sternest indignation. He -was a proud man, and was not willing to show signs of softening though -he really yearned to see his absent son. - -He held the letter in his hands undecided whether to send it or not, -but pride finally gained the ascendency, and he dropped it into the box -in which he deposited his outgoing mail. - -“He will see that I am not to be trifled with,” he soliloquized, as he -closed his lips firmly. - -So the letter went on its cruel mission. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -THE YOUNG RUNAWAYS. - - -IN a small, plainly furnished room in Kansas City sat two boys of -sixteen and seventeen. One of them was Victor Wentworth, the other his -schoolmate and the companion of his flight, Arthur Grigson. - -Victor looked despondent. He had a pleasant but weak face, in which -little or no resemblance could be traced to his father. The latter’s -hard nature was wholly wanting in Victor. He resembled his mother, now -dead, who had been completely under the domination of her husband. - -“I wonder if our letters will come to-day, Arthur,” he said anxiously. - -“I hope so. I expected before this that your father would telegraph -money.” - -“You don’t know my father, Arthur,” said Victor sadly. “No doubt he is -very angry with me, and I am not sure that he will send me any money at -all.” - -“You are an only son, are you not?” - -“Yes.” - -“And your father is very rich?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then he won’t be such a beast as to refuse. Isn’t he rather close with -you?” - -“Yes.” - -“Rather mean, in fact. It costs money to telegraph. I presume it is on -this account that he has written you by mail.” - -“If he doesn’t write, what shall I do?” said Victor. “I have only -twenty-five cents left, and that will barely buy my dinner.” - -“I haven’t much more,” said Arthur, “but I don’t worry.” - -“No, for you have money of your own, and are sure to get something.” - -“I am not one of the worrying kind,” said Arthur. “I wouldn’t be as -nervous as you are on any account.” - -“I can’t help it.” - -“If your father is like you he will be so worried about you that he -will be sure to send the money, or else come on himself. Perhaps he -will do that.” - -Victor shook his head. - -“He isn’t like me at all, Arthur. He is a very stern man. Oh, how -foolish I was to leave school, but you persuaded me to do it!” - -“Oh, you throw all the blame on me, do you?” returned Arthur in an -unpleasant tone. “You were in for it as much as I was.” - -“I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Victor in an unsteady voice. - -“Do try to be more manly! One would think you were in danger of going -to prison!” exclaimed the stronger-minded Arthur, in ill-concealed -disgust. - -“I don’t know but I shall. I can’t starve, and I may have to steal when -my money is gone.” - -“You’d better get a place and work. That will be better than to starve -or go to jail.” - -“That is true. I didn’t think of that,” said Victor, brightening up. -“But I don’t know what I can do. I never did any kind of work. I am -afraid no one will employ me.” - -“Then set up in business for yourself. You can sell papers if you can’t -do anything else. That is, if you are not too proud to do it.” - -“I am not too proud to do anything,” said the miserable Victor, “if I -can make a living!” - -“Good for you! That shows that you are not a snob, any way. What do you -think your rich and aristocratic father would say if he should learn -that his son was a newsboy?” - -“He wouldn’t like it, and I don’t like it myself, but I shall not be -ashamed to do it, if it is necessary.” - -“I admire your spunk, Victor.” - -“I am afraid I haven’t got much,” said Victor, shaking his head. “Oh, -what a fool I have been! If I were only out of this scrape, I’ll never -get into another.” - -“It may all come right. It’s time we got letters. When we do we’ll -start for home.” - -At this instant there was a knock at the door, and the landlady, a -stout woman with a red face, appeared. - -“Here’s two letters just come!” she said. - -Both boys sprang to their feet in excitement. - -“One for each of us!” said Victor gladly. - -“No; they are both for Mr. Grigson.” - -Victor dropped into his seat in despondency. - -“None for me!” he murmured. - -“Better luck next time!” said the landlady. Meanwhile Arthur had torn -open one of his letters. - -“Hurrah!” he said. “There’s fifty dollars inside.” - -“Who is the other from?” - -“It is postmarked Seneca. It must be from your father.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -ARTHUR GRIGSON’S TREACHERY. - - -“OPEN the letter, quick!” cried Victor in feverish anxiety. “I don’t -see why father didn’t write to me.” - -The letter was opened. The reader is already acquainted with -its contents. Arthur read it aloud, and Victor turned sick with -disappointment. - -“Well,” ejaculated Arthur, “if that isn’t a cold-blooded message for a -man to send to his own son! And he rolling in wealth!” - -“I was afraid he would refuse to send me some money,” said Victor. -“What is that last sentence?” - -“He says if you will come home he will see whether he will forgive -you—that’s the upshot of it.” - -“But I can’t go home without money unless you will pay my way. You -will, won’t you, Arthur? I’ll pay you back just as soon as I can.” - -“But you can’t, you know,” returned Arthur coldly. “Your father has -always given you a very small allowance, and you can’t save anything -out of that.” - -“I will be sure to pay you some way.” - -“You are very ready with your promises, but promises ain’t cash. Look -here, Victor, I’ve got only fifty dollars.” - -“That’s a big sum.” - -“It’s got to last me some time. As for giving you fifteen or twenty -dollars, I can’t do it, and that settles it.” - -“Are you going home?” - -“I shall take the next train for Chicago.” - -“And leave me here?” faltered Victor, turning pale. - -“I don’t see what else I can do,” returned Arthur, his face hardening. - -“But I shall starve.” - -“No; I will leave you two or three dollars, and I advise you to buy -some papers if you can’t get any other position.” - -“How meanly you are treating me!” said Victor indignantly. - -“I am sorry, of course, but it is the best I can do——” - -“But for you I should not be here. Please remember that!” - -“You were very ready to come when I proposed it,” retorted Arthur. - -“You promised to see me through. I didn’t have money enough to come.” - -“Well, I’ve kept my promise as well as I could. I was looking over -my accounts yesterday, and I find that I have spent for you thirteen -dollars and sixty-seven cents. Of course I shall never see a cent of it -back.” - -“I will pay it if I live,” said Victor, his companion’s meanness -bringing a flush to his cheek. “I have just found you out. If I had -known how mean you were I would never have left school in your company.” - -“I wish you hadn’t. I didn’t suppose your father was such a miser. I -knew you were an only son, and I expected that he would come to your -help if you needed it. You mustn’t be so unreasonable. I am going out -to get my bill changed. Will you come, too?” - -“I suppose I may as well,” said Victor, in a spiritless tone. - -Arthur made his way to a railroad ticket-office and purchased a ticket -to Chicago. - -Victor turned away to hide the indignant tears that rose to his eyes -as he thought of his companion’s base desertion. It was on his lips to -beg Arthur to buy another ticket, but his pride checked him. He felt -that he had humiliated himself enough already. - -On their way back they passed a periodical store. - -On the window outside was a sign— - - “BOY WANTED!” - -“There’s your chance for a situation, Victor,” said Arthur, half in -joke. - -Victor looked at the sign, and made up his mind. It was absolutely -necessary for him to get employment, and he might as well work here as -anywhere. - -“Wait a minute,” he said. - -He went in, expecting to meet a man, but found that the shop was kept -by a middle-aged woman. Victor had never been obliged to rough it, and -he colored up with embarrassment as he prepared to apply for the place. - -“I see you want a boy,” he said. - -“Yes,” said the woman, very favorably impressed by Victor’s neat -appearance. “Have you ever worked in a store of this kind?” - -“No; I have always attended school.” - -“I won’t ask if you’re honest, for your looks speak in your favor. -Would you be willing to sleep in the back part of the store?” - -“Yes,” answered Victor, relieved to think that this would save him the -expense of a room. - -“When can you come?” - -“At one o’clock if you wish. After I have eaten dinner.” - -“Then I will engage you. You will receive four dollars and a half a -week. Is that satisfactory?” - -“Yes,” answered Victor thankfully. - -He went out and told Arthur of his success. His companion was relieved, -for, selfish as he was, it troubled him to think that Victor would be -left in destitution. - -“Good!” he said. “Now I advise you to write home, and see what your -father has to say. I will leave you three dollars to buy your meals -till your first week’s pay comes in.” - -Mrs. Ferguson, the good Scotch lady who kept the periodical store, -would have been very much surprised if she had learned that the quiet -looking boy whom she had just engaged was the son of a man worth over -three hundred thousand dollars. Her mind was occupied with other -matters or she would have questioned Victor more closely in regard to -his history and antecedents. He was glad she did not, for he would -have felt some embarrassment in confessing that he had run away from -school and was a fugitive from home. - -He felt obliged to accept the three dollars offered him by Arthur -Grigson, since it was necessary to have money to pay for his meals in -the interval that must elapse before he would receive his first week’s -pay. - -“I will pay you back, Arthur,” said he gratefully, as he took the money -from the boy who had been the cause of his trouble. - -“Oh, that’s just as you like.” - -“I would prefer to do it. I don’t care to be under any further -obligations to you.” - -“Oh, don’t be foolish! You didn’t expect I’d strip myself of money to -give you a chance to go home?” - -“You would have more than money enough to get us both home. I wouldn’t -have treated you as you have treated me.” - -“Yes, you would, and I wouldn’t have blamed you. I may go over to -Seneca and tell your father how I left you. Maybe he’ll open his heart -and send you twenty dollars.” - -Victor did not reply, but knowing his father as he did, he cherished -no such hopes. He tried to put a good face on the matter, however, -reflecting that he was at any rate safe from starving, and would be -able to live. - -In the afternoon he went to work, and though evidently unused to -business soon learned to do what was required of him. He seemed so -willing that Mrs. Ferguson felt pleased with him, and did not regret -her hasty choice of a boy who had no recommendations to offer. - -The store closed at eight o’clock, and the shutters were put up. - -Now came the hardest trial for Victor. - -He had always been accustomed to a luxurious, or at all events, cozy -bedroom, even at school. Now he was to sleep in a dark store, for the -gas was put out, except one small jet in the rear. His bed was a small, -narrow one, only about eighteen inches wide, and close behind the dark -counter. - -“This is where you will sleep,” said Mrs. Ferguson. “The bed is small, -but I guess you will find it wide enough.” - -“I guess I can make it do,” answered Victor. - -“You are to get up at seven o’clock and open the store. Then you will -sweep the floor and dust the books. I shall come at eight, and will -then let you off for half an hour for breakfast.” - -“All right, ma’am.” - -Mrs. Ferguson went out, and Victor, not feeling yet like sleep, sat -down on the side of the bed and began to reflect. - -Only a few weeks ago he had been a member of a classical school, -recognized as the son of a rich man, and treated with the more -consideration on that account. Now he was a friendless boy, obliged to -earn a scanty living by his own labor. It might be considered quite -a come-down, but, strange as it may seem, Victor was not altogether -despondent. He inherited from his father a taste for business, and had -already begun to take an interest in his duties. He would indeed have -liked a larger income, for he was compelled to eat at cheap and poor -restaurants, but at any rate he felt happier than he had done when -traveling in Arthur Grigson’s company. - -At length he went to sleep, and slept comfortably for three hours or -more. Then he suddenly awoke, and none too soon. The window at the rear -of the store, leading out into the back yard, was half open, and he saw -the figure of a large man crawling through. - -“It must be a burglar!” thought Victor, and his heart sank within him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -INTERVIEWING A BURGLAR. - - -VICTOR was not a brave boy, and it must be confessed that he felt -dismayed when he saw the burglar, and realized that he was in danger of -serious personal injury, perhaps death. This, however, was not his only -feeling. He felt responsible for the safety of the goods in the store, -having been left on guard. In an emergency one can think rapidly. - -Prudence suggested to Victor to lie quite still and counterfeit sleep. -Resistance would of course be futile, for he was rather a delicate boy -of sixteen, and the burglar was nearly six feet in height and looked as -if he might weigh a hundred and eighty pounds. - -The burglar, when he had effected his entrance, looked about him to get -his bearings. - -His glance fell on Victor. - -“Ha! a boy!” he exclaimed, and with one stride he reached the pallet -on which the shop-boy slept. - -Stooping over, and flashing the dark lantern into Victor’s face he saw -his eyelids move. - -“He is not asleep! He is only shamming,” he decided, and shook him -roughly. - -Victor opened his eyes and looked with alarm into the rough, bearded -face and fierce, forbidding eyes of the midnight intruder. - -“Well, do you know who I am?” growled the burglar. - -“I never saw you before.” - -“That isn’t what I mean. Do you know why I am here?” - -“To rob the store, I suppose,” answered Victor with a troubled look. - -“Right, my chicken! Did you see me get into the window?” - -“Yes.” - -“And then you closed your eyes and pretended to be asleep?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’m on to that trick. Do you see this?” and the burglar displayed a -piece of iron which Victor supposed to be a “jimmy.” - -“Yes,” answered Victor, gazing at it as if fascinated. - -“A little tap on your head with it and you’d be done for. That’s what -I call a hint to you to act sensibly and not interfere with what don’t -concern you. Now where’s the money?” - -“I don’t think Mrs. Ferguson leaves any here. I expect she carries all -away with her.” - -“You expect!” repeated the burglar frowning. “Don’t you know?” - -“How long have you been employed in this store?” - -“I only came this afternoon.” - -“That accounts for it. Are you sure there is no money here?” - -“I don’t think there is.” - -“I’ll look about and see. If you know what’s best for yourself you’ll -keep quiet.” - -Victor was compelled to look on in helpless anxiety while the burglar -rummaged the store. He managed to find a couple of dollars in small -change, which he pocketed grumblingly. A few small ornamental articles -he also took, and then made his exit from the window after a parting -threat to Victor. - -No sooner had he left the store than the latter sprang from the bed, -drew on his pantaloons hurriedly, and running to the outer door -unlocked it, and standing in the doorway looked up and down the street. - -By great good luck a policeman was just turning the corner. When he -saw the boy in partial undress at the door of the bookstore he ran up, -apprehending mischief. - -“What’s the matter, bub?” he asked. - -“The store has just been entered from the rear and the burglar, after -stealing what he thought worth taking, made his escape through the back -yard.” - -Instantly the policeman tapped for assistance and three brother -officers made their appearance. After a hurried conference, two went -through the store to the back, while the other two reconnoitered -in front. The chances were in favor of the burglar’s escape, but -apprehending no danger he had made his way into the next yard and -was trying to enter the adjoining store. His imprudence cost him his -liberty. - -In five minutes he was brought again through the window with a stout -policeman on each side. He scowled menacingly at Victor. - -“You betrayed me, you young scoundrel!” he said. - -“Keep your mouth shut!” said one of his captors. - -“Answer me, did you call the police?” demanded the burglar, not heeding -the command. - -“Yes,” answered Victor. - -“I’ll get even with you, for betraying your old pal.” - -“What?” ejaculated Victor. - -“He’s one of us,” said the burglar, addressing the policemen. “We got -him into the store on purpose to help us. He only got the place this -afternoon.” - -Then for the first time Victor fell under suspicion. - -“Is this true?” asked one of the officers turning to the boy. - -“It is true that I got the place this afternoon.” - -“And you know this man!” - -“No; I never saw him before in my life.” - -“That’s a lie, John Timmins, and you know it,” broke in the burglar -audaciously. - -“Is your name John Timmins?” asked the policeman with increased -suspicion. - -“No, sir. My name is Victor Wentworth.” - -“Good, John. It does credit to your invention,” said the burglar -laughing. “That’s a high-toned name you’ve got now.” - -“Is this true that you are saying? Do you know the boy?” - -“Of course I do. His father, Dick Timmins, is my pal. I thought we -could trust the boy, but he’s betrayed me, the young rascal, expectin’ -a reward for his honesty. Oh, he’s a sly one, John is.” - -Victor could hardly believe his ears. He understood at once that this -man was acting from revengeful motives, but he saw also that the story -made an impression on the police. - -“You’ll have to go with us,” said one of the officers. “This man has -made a charge against you, and you will have to disprove it.” - -Victor was compelled to dress hurriedly and accompany the officers to -the station-house. He was questioned by the sergeant, who recognized -the burglar and suspected his motive. - -“What is your name?” he asked. - -“Victor Wentworth.” - -“Do you live in Kansas City?” - -“No, sir. I have been stopping here a few days at a boarding-house, but -my money gave out and I was obliged to seek a situation.” - -“When did you secure it?” - -“This afternoon.” - -“Just what I told you,” said the burglar. “It was all fixed that John -should sleep there and open the window for me.” - -“What have you to say to this?” - -“That it is a lie. This man wants to punish me for calling in the -police.” - -“You’re lyin’, John Timmins, and you know it. Your father’ll whack you -for this.” - -“Bring him here and let him claim me if he dare!” said Victor angrily. - -“Who is your father? Is his name Timmins?” - -“No, sir. My father is Bradley Wentworth, of Seneca, Illinois.” - -“We have an officer here who came from Seneca. He will tell us whether -your statement is correct. Ah, here he is! Hilton, come here.” - -A stout, pleasant-faced policeman entered the station house. - -“Well, sir,” he responded, touching his cap. - -“Look at this boy and tell me if you recognize him.” - -Hilton approached, and as he scanned Victor’s face, said in surprise, -“Why, it’s Squire Wentworth’s son.” - -“And he lives in Seneca?” - -“Yes; I am surprised to see him here.” - -Victor flushed. - -“I left school without my father’s knowledge,” he said in -embarrassment. - -“He is working in a bookstore here in town,” explained the sergeant. -“This man who has just been caught in the act of burglary declares the -boy to be John Timmins, the son of one of his pals.” - -“That isn’t true. I recognize the boy as the son of Mr. Wentworth.” - -“That settles the matter. Young man, you are discharged. As for the man -who has testified falsely against you, he will find that he has not -improved his chances by so doing.” - -Victor left the station-house, and returning to the store, resumed -his interrupted night’s rest. But the last hour had been so full of -excitement that it was at least two hours before he could compose -himself to sleep. - -“I’ve read about burglars,” thought Victor, as he called to mind sundry -dime novels that he had perused in his boarding-school days, “but I -never expected to meet one, or to be suspected of being his accomplice.” - -Before Mrs. Ferguson reached the store she had already read in great -excitement an account of how her place had been entered, and gave -Victor high praise for his success in causing the arrest of the -burglar. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -A STRANGE MEETING. - - -NOEL BROOKE and Gerald remained at the Lindell Hotel beyond the time -originally fixed, as the former found an English friend established in -a prosperous business on Olive Street. Gilbert Sandford was a man of -forty-five, a pleasant, genial, man, who lived in a fine house in the -upper portion of the city. He had a wife and three attractive children. - -“Come and take dinner with me next Sunday, Noel,” he said in a -hospitable manner. - -“I shall be glad to do so if you will let me bring my friend also.” - -“By all means! Any friend of yours is welcome. Did he accompany you -from England?” - -“No. It is a young American—a boy of sixteen—whom I met in Colorado. -We have been together three or four months now, and I have become very -much attached to him.” - -“Bring him along by all means. My children will enjoy his company.” - -“By the way, how old is your oldest child?” - -“Edward is fourteen, only two years younger than your friend. The other -two are girls. What is your friend’s name?” - -“Gerald Lane.” - -“A good name. Is he fond of children?” - -“Yes. In our travels he has frequently become acquainted with children, -and has always made himself a favorite with them.” - -The next Sunday found Gerald and his employer dinner guests at the -handsome residence of Mr. Sandford. Before he left, Gerald had made -himself an established favorite with the entire Sandford family. The -merchant was particularly gracious to him. It was not long before this -partiality was to turn to his advantage. - -Three weeks later Mr. Brooke received a letter from England which he -read with an expression of pain. - -“Gerald,” he said, “this letter comes from my sister. My father is -seriously ill, and I shall be obliged to return to England at once.” - -“I am very sorry,” said Gerald with sincere sympathy. - -“One regret I have is, that it will compel us to separate for a time at -least.” - -“I feared so, Mr. Brooke. I shall feel quite lost without you. I have -no relatives, and it will leave me alone in the world.” - -“I would invite you to go to England with me if it were not a case of -sickness.” - -“I should not expect it, Mr. Brooke. Besides, I am an American boy, and -I have my living to earn in America.” - -“That gives me an idea. Remain here, please, till I return from Mr. -Sandford’s office. I must go there and acquaint him with my recall.” - -An hour later he returned to the hotel. - -“I have engaged my passage from New York by next Saturday’s steamer,” -he said. “I shall leave St. Louis to-morrow morning.” - -“Then I shall have to form my plans,” said Gerald. - -“They are formed already. How would you like to go into the employ of -Mr. Sandford?” - -“I would like nothing better.” - -“He has a place provided for you. You will remain in the store here for -a short time, and then he will send you off on a special mission.” - -Gerald brightened up. - -“I must be indebted to you for this, Mr. Brooke?” he said. - -“Partly, but partly also to the pleasant impression which you made on -the whole family. You don’t ask what salary you are to receive?” - -“If it will pay my board with a little over I shall be satisfied.” - -“It won’t pay for your board at this hotel.” - -“I should not expect it. I will seek a fair boarding-house. Probably I -can get board for six or seven dollars a week?” - -“I should think so. Your salary will be fifteen dollars a week.” - -“But does Mr. Sandford know that I have no business experience?” - -“Yes, he knows it, but he thinks you have qualities that will enable -you to make a success.” - -After hurried preparations Mr. Brooke left St. Louis, and the same day -Gerald moved to a plain, but cheerful boarding-house not far from the -store where he was to be employed. - -He was at first occupied as stock clerk, and soon familiarized himself -with his duties. Three months later he had a summons from Mr. Sandford, -who received him in his office. There were about a hundred clerks in -the establishment, who got their orders in general from the heads of -the departments, and seldom were admitted to interviews with their -employer. - -Gerald feared that he might have made some mistake and was to receive -a reprimand, but the pleasant expression on Mr. Sandford’s face -relieved him from apprehension at once. - -“Sit down, Gerald,” said the merchant with a wave of the hand. - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“How long have you been in my employ?” - -“Three months to-day, sir.” - -“You are stock clerk?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Have you learned something about the stock?” - -“Yes, sir, I think so.” - -“Mr. Hall”—this was the superintendent—“tells me that your services -are intelligently rendered and very satisfactory.” - -“I am very glad that he is satisfied with me,” said Gerald earnestly. -“I have done my best.” - -“And your best seems to be very good. How would you like to travel for -the house?” - -Gerald knew that the position of drummer was courted by all the -resident clerks, and was considered a distinct promotion. - -“I should like it very much, sir, but do you think I am old enough?” - -“You certainly are unusually young for such a position, and this, of -course, occurred to me, but you have had some experience in traveling, -though not on business, with our friend, Mr. Brooke.” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And this experience will be of service to you. How old are you?” - -“Nearly seventeen.” - -“I have never employed a drummer under twenty, but I am nevertheless -inclined to give you a trial.” - -“I will do my best for you and the house.” - -“Then you will have a fair chance of succeeding. You may go and ask Mr. -Hall for instructions—I have spoken with him on the subject—and I -presume he will arrange to have you start on Monday next.” - -Mr. Sandford bowed, and Gerald understood that the interview was ended. - -Two weeks later Gerald found himself in Kansas City. He had had but -a fortnight’s experience as a drummer, but he had met with success -exceeding his anticipations. Though his youth was against him, and he -often found it difficult to persuade dealers that he was really an -authorized agent of a merchant so well known as Gilbert Sandford of St. -Louis, five minutes’ conversation was generally sufficient to show -that he thoroughly understood his business. - -His stay in Kansas City was drawing to a close. He was a guest of the -Coates House, one of the representative hotels of the West, when he had -occasion to enter a periodical store near the hotel. It was the one -already known to us as kept by Mrs. Ferguson. - -Victor Wentworth stood behind the counter and waited upon Gerald. But -he was no longer the bright and healthy boy of a few weeks back. He -had contracted malaria, and his face was pallid. Gerald could not but -notice the boy’s sick condition. - -“You are not well,” he said. - -“No,” answered Victor, shivering. “I don’t know what is the matter with -me.” - -“How long have you been sick?” inquired Gerald. - -“I was taken about a week since.” - -“You ought to be at home and in bed.” - -“I wish I could afford to rest,” said Victor despondently; “but I -cannot. I depend on my weekly wages.” - -“Have you a home in Kansas City?” - -“No; I have no relatives in this place.” - -“Have you no friends who would help you while you were sick?” - -Victor hesitated a moment. - -“No,” he answered slowly. - -“Are you an orphan?” - -“No; I have a father living.” - -“Ah! I understand. He is poor.” - -“No,” answered Victor, shaking his head. “He is not poor. He is quite -rich.” - -“Then how does it happen that you do not write to him and ask him to -help you?” - -“Because he is angry with me. He is a stern man, and I offended -him very much some time since,” and Victor flushed as he made the -confession. - -“How did you offend him? You could not have done anything very bad, I -am sure.” - -“He had placed me at a boarding-school and I ran away. I was very -foolish, and I have repented it more than once, but he is very angry -with me and won’t forgive me.” - -The story seemed familiar to Gerald. Surely he had heard it before. - -“Tell me,” he asked abruptly, “are you the son of Bradley Wentworth of -Seneca, Illinois?” - -“Yes; do you know him? Is he a friend of yours?” asked Victor in -breathless astonishment. - -“I knew him, but he is not a friend of mine.” - -“Ah! I hoped he was,” sighed Victor, his face falling. - -“But all the same I am going to help you.” - -Gerald had a brief conversation with Mrs. Ferguson and arranged with -her to find a comfortable home for Victor, where he could rest and -receive medical attendance, and deposited a sum of money with her to -defray his expenses. - -“How kind you are!” said Victor gratefully. “I was very much -discouraged when you came in. I didn’t know what was to become of me.” - -“I shall be back again in Kansas City in four weeks,” said Gerald. -“Till then you will be taken care of. Keep up your spirits and all will -turn out well.” - -“How strange,” he thought, “that I should help the son as my father -helped his father. I like the boy. I am sure _he_ will not prove -ungrateful.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -THOMAS HASTINGS. - - -TWO weeks later Gerald found himself in the town of Brentwood, -Minnesota. It was too small for him to expect to do much business -there, but he had a special message to bear to a sister of Mr. -Sandford, who had her home in the place. He put up at the Commercial -Hotel, a small inn capable of accommodating about thirty travelers. - -Brentwood did not seem an attractive place to Gerald, and he felt that -he should be glad to take the morning train to St. Paul. Yet he was -destined to meet here a man who could aid him materially in the object -to which he had consecrated his energies—that of clearing his father’s -reputation and punishing his enemy. - -He was sitting in the office of the hotel when a man apparently fifty -years of age entered and had a whispered conference with the clerk. He -appeared to prefer some request which the latter denied. The man was -thin and haggard, and his face bore a look of settled despondency. -His clothing was shabby, yet he looked as if he had seen better days -and had at some time occupied a better position. Without knowing why, -Gerald’s curiosity and interest were excited. As he left the room -Gerald said: “That fellow looks as if the world had gone wrong with -him.” - -“Yes,” answered the clerk, “he has been going down hill the last three -years, and now is near the foot.” - -“Does he drink?” - -“Yes, when he gets the chance, but he has not had money enough to -gratify his appetite lately. I don’t pity him so much as I do his wife -and child, for he has a daughter of twelve, a sweet, innocent child, -whose lot in such a home as he can supply is far from being a happy -one.” - -“How long has he lived in Brentwood?” - -“Five years. When he first came here he kept a small store, and seemed -to do tolerably well. He appeared to receive some help from outside, -for he sometimes brought checks to the hotel to be cashed. They all -came from the same party, a certain Bradley Wentworth.” - -“What!” exclaimed Gerald in startled surprise. - -“Do you know the name?” asked the clerk. - -“I know a man of that name. It may not be the same one.” - -“This man, so Hastings told me once, was a manufacturer, and lived -in—in—” - -“Seneca, Illinois?” - -“The very place. Then it is the man you know?” - -“It seems so. What is this man’s name?” - -“Thomas Hastings.” - -“Did he ever live in Seneca?” - -“I think he once told me so.” - -“Perhaps he is some relative of Mr. Wentworth, and that may account for -the checks.” - -“I can’t say as to that.” - -“Then no checks come now?” - -“No, not for a long time. Since these supplies were cut off Hastings -has been going downhill.” - -Gerald bent his eyes upon the floor in silent thought. What, he asked -himself, could be the connection between this human wreck, living in a -small Minnesota town, and Bradley Wentworth, the wealthy manufacturer? -With his eyes fixed upon the floor his attention was drawn to a torn -letter which he now remembered that Hastings had held in his hand and -clutched convulsively as he stood at the desk. - -Mechanically he picked it up, when the name signed to it attracted his -attention and filled him with a thrill of excitement. - -This name was Bradley Wentworth. “I don’t know as I am justified,” -thought Gerald, “but my father’s connection with Mr. Wentworth makes me -desirous of learning whatever I can about him.” - -He withdrew to a corner of the office where stood a table covered with -newspapers and writing materials, and taking out the torn letter pieced -it together so that he could read it consecutively. - -It ran thus: - - “SENECA, ILLINOIS, September 7. - - “SIR: THOMAS HASTINGS, - - “I have already warned you that you have annoyed me sufficiently, - and that I should pay no further attention to your letters. Yet you - persist in writing to me and demanding money. On what grounds? You - claim to be acquainted with a secret now many years old, and threaten - to divulge it unless I will send you money. What you have to tell - is of no value whatever. The man to whom you want to reveal it is - dead, and his son is dead also. There is absolutely no one who takes - any interest in your threatened revelation. When I think of the sums - of money which I have sent you in the aggregate I am provoked with - myself for my weakness. You ought to be in comfortable circumstances, - but you write me that you are destitute and that your wife and child - are on the verge of starvation. Well, this is not my fault. It is - largely the result of your inordinate love of drink. A man like you - ought never to have married. You can’t take care of yourself, much - less can you care for a family. - - “I have wasted more words upon you than I intended. As, however, this - is the last letter I ever expect to write you, I determined to make - myself understood. Let me repeat, then, you have nothing to expect - from me. You have exhausted my patience, and I have no more money to - send you. If you can’t support yourself in any other way, go out and - work by the day, and let your wife take in washing. It is an honest - business, and will help to keep the wolf from the door. In any event, - don’t write again to me. - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - -Gerald read this letter in ill-suppressed excitement. He could not -misunderstand these words, referring to the secret of which this man -had knowledge. “The man to whom you want to reveal it is dead, and his -son is dead also.” He, the son, was not dead, but it suited Bradley -Wentworth to represent that he was. What could this secret be? It -must, he felt, relate to the “debt of honor,” and to the forgery which -Wentworth had succeeded in laying upon the shoulders of his friend and -associate. - -Hastings must possess some information of great value, or Bradley -Wentworth would not have sent the sums of money referred to in the -letter. Clearly it was for Gerald’s interest to see Thomas Hastings, -and learn what he could. He was quite in the dark as to the nature of -his information, but it was unquestionably of importance. It seemed as -if Providence had directed his steps to this out-of-the-way town in -Minnesota, and he resolved to take advantage of his visit. - -He sauntered up to the desk and in a voice of affected unconcern -inquired, “Can you tell me where the man Hastings lives?” - -“Are you interested in him?” asked the clerk, smilingly. - -“Yes, somewhat. He looked so sad and woebegone. I might perhaps help -him to a position if I could have a conversation with him and judge of -his abilities.” - -“Oh, his abilities are good, but his intemperate habits are so fixed -that I would not advise you to recommend him.” - -“At any rate I can give him a dollar, and I suppose that will be -acceptable to him.” - -“It will be a godsend. You will find that he won’t refuse it. As -to where he lives I can’t readily direct you, but here is a little -fellow,” pointing to a colored boy who had just entered, “who will be -glad to show you. Here, Johnny, do you want to earn a dime?” - -“Don’t I just?” returned the boy, showing the whites of his eyes. - -“Then show this young man the way to Tom Hastings’s house.” - -“All right, boss, I’ll show him.” - -Gerald followed the boy along the street for about twenty rods; -then down a side street, till he reached a shabby, two-story house, -dismantled and with the paint worn off in spots. - -“That’s where he lives, boss,” said the boy. - -“Does he occupy the whole house?” - -“No, he occupies the right side.” - -Gerald hesitated a moment at the gate and then walked in. He was -considering how he should introduce himself. - -Thomas Hastings himself answered the knock on the door. He was in his -shirt-sleeves. There was a beard of nearly a week’s growth on his -cheeks, and he looked as neglected as the tenement which he occupied. -He eyed Gerald in some surprise, and waited for him to mention his -business. - -“Are you Mr. Thomas Hastings?” asked the young visitor. - -“Yes.” - -“Are you acquainted with Bradley Wentworth of Seneca, Illinois?” - -“Yes, do you come from him?” asked Hastings, eagerly. - -“No, but I would like to talk with you about him. May I come in?” - -Hastings looked backward, and the disordered rooms struck him with a -sudden sense of shame. - -“No,” he said, “we can talk better outside. Wait a minute and I’ll be -with you.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -OLD ACQUAINTANCES. - - -“NOW, what have you to say about Bradley Wentworth?” asked Hastings -abruptly, as they walked slowly up the road. - -“First, let me ask you how long you have known him?” - -“How long have I known him? Before you were born, youngster—a matter -of twenty years, I should say.” - -“Did you know a man who was in the employ of Wentworth’s uncle at the -same time—Warren Lane?” - -Hastings started. - -“What do you know of Warren Lane?” he asked abruptly. - -“He was my father,” answered Gerald. - -“Your father! But I heard that he had died, leaving no son.” - -“My poor father is dead, but I am as much alive as you are. Who told -you that I was dead?” - -“Bradley Wentworth wrote me to that effect.” - -“Bradley Wentworth would not be sorry to hear that I was dead, but he -knows better. He has seen and spoken with me more than once during the -last six months. He was at our cabin in Colorado when my poor father -died.” - -“He is false and treacherous as he always was!” said Hastings bitterly. - -“I can believe that. I consider him to be my bitter enemy, as he was my -father’s.” - -“Then you know—the secret?” - -“You refer to the forgery? Yes. How much do you know about it?” - -“Everything,” answered Hastings emphatically. - -“You know then his compact with my father?” - -“I know of it. I was the only one that did know of it outside of your -father and Bradley Wentworth himself.” - -“Then you probably know how basely he refused to pay my father the sum -agreed upon for his sacrifice of reputation.” - -“I know that, too. The sum was twenty thousand dollars, was it not?” - -“Yes, it was a debt of honor, or should have been considered such. I -don’t care so much for the money, but it was the price of my father’s -sacrifice, and in justice to his memory and his ruined life, I want -this man to pay it.” - -“That’s sentiment, youngster. I should want the money for itself.” - -“I can earn my own living. I am earning it now.” - -“Where are you working?” - -“In St. Louis. I am traveling for Gilbert Sandford, of that city. He is -a well-known merchant.” - -“Never heard of him. You are young to travel for such a firm,” -continued Hastings, eying Gerald curiously. - -“Yes, he engaged me as a favor, but I think that he has found my -services satisfactory, or he would not have taken me from the store and -sent me out on the road.” - -“You must be smart, youngster. Did your father leave you anything?” - -“A cabin and a few acres of land among the foothills of Colorado.” - -“Have you any evidence of the agreement made by Bradley Wentworth?” - -“I have two letters written by him on the subject, in which the matter -is plainly referred to.” - -“Does he know that you have them?” - -“Yes; he tried to buy them from me.” - -“What did he offer?” - -“A thousand dollars.” - -“Then he considers your claim good. And you refused?” - -“Of course!” answered Gerald indignantly. “Do you think I would -compromise such a thing?” - -“I don’t know. A thousand dollars would be a mighty convenient sum to -handle.” - -“I am not willing to pay so high a price for it. You must have been in -Mr. Wentworth’s confidence or you would not have known of the forgery.” - -“Why shouldn’t I know it? I was the paying teller of the bank, and I -cashed the check in the ordinary course of business.” - -“And the check—who presented it?” asked Gerald eagerly. - -“Bradley Wentworth himself.” - -“Then you knew all the while that it was he that was the forger and not -my father?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then what kept you silent?” - -“Bradley Wentworth’s money,” answered Hastings significantly. - -“Yet you tell me.” - -“Because he has thrown me off. I wrote him ten days since for a -beggarly fifty dollars, and he refused to send it to me. In fact he -defied me, writing that there was no one alive to feel an interest in -the secret I had to sell. That is the sort of man Bradley Wentworth is. -Stay, I will show you the letter,” and he began to explore his pockets. - -“I can’t find it,” he said, after an ineffectual search, with an -expression of perplexity, “and yet I had it when I went to the hotel an -hour since.” - -“Is this it?” asked Gerald, producing the torn letter already referred -to. - -“Yes, yes! How came you by it?” - -“I found it on the floor of the hotel where you dropped it. You must -excuse my reading it. I should not have done so if I had not seen the -name of Bradley Wentworth signed to it. Everything that relates to him -has an interest for me, and when I read it I felt that it must relate -to my father.” - -“Yes, it does. I am glad to meet you, boy. I forget your first name.” - -“Gerald.” - -“I remember now. Why, I was in the church when you were baptized. -There’s some difference between now and then.” - -“I suppose I must have changed some,” said Gerald smiling. - -“Yes; you have become a fine, manly boy. You don’t look like your -father, but you remind me of your mother. My wife would like to see -you. She always liked your mother. Can’t you come round and take supper -with us,” and then he hesitated and looked embarrassed; “but I am -afraid we can’t offer you much that is inviting,” he added. - -“I will come with pleasure, Mr. Hastings,” said Gerald, “and as I am -afraid you have been out of luck, will you allow me to lend you a small -sum?” - -Hastings took the ten dollars extended to him and his face brightened. - -“Now I am not afraid to have you come,” he said. “My wife’s a good -cook when she has the wherewithal. We’ve been reduced to short-commons -lately.” - -“Well,” said the clerk, as Gerald returned to the hotel, “did you call -on Tom Hastings?” - -“Yes; I found him at home. I am going there to supper to night.” - -“You don’t say so!” ejaculated the clerk in astonishment. “Did Tom -Hastings invite you?” - -“Yes; he and his wife used to know my father and mother.” - -“You will excuse my suggesting it, but it might be wise for you to eat -something here before you go over. Hastings isn’t much in the habit of -entertaining strangers, and I don’t think he sets a very good table.” - -“I think there will be a good supper to-night,” said Gerald. “At any -rate I will risk it.” - -He proved to be right. Mrs. Hastings was a good cook when she had the -wherewithal, as her husband expressed it, and she did her best, going -herself to the village market for supplies. It is safe to say that -Gerald fared better than he would have done at the hotel. - -He was very cordially received by Mrs. Hastings, who indulged in -reminiscences of his mother, to which he listened eagerly. - -“She was a good woman,” said Mrs. Hastings, “and I was grieved to hear -of her death. I am sure she would have lived longer but for the wicked -plot of Bradley Wentworth against your father.” - -“You knew about it?” - -“Yes; and I could not bear to think that my husband was aiding and -abetting him in his wicked scheme. I hope the time will come when his -injustice will be repaired.” - -“I think it will, Mrs. Hastings. To that end I have been working ever -since my father’s death. I think Providence directed me to your husband -as the man who could help me. His testimony will be most important.” - -“And it will be forthcoming, Gerald,” said Mr. Hastings. “I have stood -by Bradley Wentworth long enough. I never liked him as well as your -father, and I am prepared to help you because you are the son of Warren -Lane.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Hastings.” - -“I am a poor man. Still I make no condition. When you come to your own -you will not forget that I helped you to it.” - -“I shall not forget it, Mr. Hastings. Do I understand that you will be -ready to give your testimony whenever I may call upon you?” - -“I promise it. When do you leave Brentwood?” - -“To-morrow morning, but it will not be long before you will hear from -me.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -A LETTER FROM GULCHVILLE. - - -WHEN Gerald returned to St. Louis after a longer trip than he had -originally contemplated, he was cordially received. - -“You have succeeded remarkably well, Gerald,” said his employer. “I -have never before employed so young a traveling salesman, and I may add -that I have never sent one out of any age who succeeded as well on his -first trip.” - -“If you are satisfied with me,” said Gerald modestly, “I am very glad.” - -“It will not be long before I shall have occasion to send you again. -Meanwhile I will add five dollars a week to your salary.” - -It often happens that one piece of good luck follows another. - -Two days after Gerald’s return he received a letter from John Carter, -who, it will be remembered, was left to occupy, rent free, the cabin in -Gulchville, which had been Gerald’s old home. On making an engagement -with the St. Louis firm Gerald had sent his address to Carter, with the -request that he would from time to time communicate with him, in case -there should be any news which he ought to know. - -This was the material portion of the letter: - - “I would have written you before, but had nothing to interest you. - I have made a good living, having employment most of the time in - logging. I am able to live comfortably, and my son Oscar is as happy - as the day is long. He is no longer weak and puny, as he was when we - first came here, but is strong and healthy, with red cheeks. - - “Your friend (?) Jake Amsden is drinking more than ever. It is a - mystery where he gets his money from. At any rate he seems to have a - fair supply. I am sure he does not earn it, for he does not work one - day in the week on the average. He seems to be very much interested - in this claim, and hinted more than once that he would like to buy it - and pay a fair price. I asked him how he expected to pay for it. He - answered with an air of mystery that he had a friend who would furnish - the money. I am inclined to think this friend is Bradley Wentworth, - for I hear at the post-office that Amsden gets letters from Seneca at - intervals. - - “This brings me to the important part of my letter. _Gulchville is - booming!_ A land company represented by two Chicago men are here, - buying up land, with the intention of laying out a town and selling - lots. They want this property. It so happens that your land will be - in the center of the town, as laid out by them. They tried to open - negotiations with me, but I told them I was not the owner. They are - anxious to meet you and talk matters over. You may be surprised when I - tell you that you can probably get five thousand dollars for the land - you own. Of course the cabin don’t count. That I should like to buy - from you and move to some land farther away. - - “I advise you to come on at once, for the parties are in a hurry, and - it is best to strike while the iron is hot. The time you will lose in - your business won’t amount to anything in comparison with the sum you - will obtain from the sale of the property. - - “I enclose a letter just received for you, bearing the Seneca - postmark. I presume you can guess who wrote it. - - “Yours truly, - - “JOHN CARTER.” - -This was great news, and made Gerald feel like a rich man, or, rather, -boy, but curiosity led him to open at once the letter from Seneca. - -“It read thus: - - “GERALD LANE: - - “I have no particular reason to feel friendly toward you, as you have - rejected all my offers made in kindness, but I do not forget that your - father and I were young men together. I am aware, of course, that your - future is very precarious, as the engagement you have at present with - the English tourist is likely to terminate at an early day. What will - become of you then? - - “In view of your unfortunate position I will buy the cabin and land - which your father left to you. Its intrinsic value is very small, but - I will give you a thousand dollars for it, which I imagine is more - than can be got for it five years hence. However, I offer it as a - favor to you, who are the son of my old acquaintance and fellow-clerk. - It will be necessary for you to give me an early answer, otherwise I - shall consider you are blind to your own interest, in which case I - cannot promise to leave the offer open. - - “I send the letter to the care of the man who lives on your place, as - he will probably know where to forward it to you. - - “Yours, etc., - - “BRADLEY WENTWORTH.” - - “P. S.—I don’t care to buy the papers, as the sum you are offered for - the property will put you in good circumstances.” - -Gerald smiled as he finished reading this letter. - -“Evidently,” he said to himself, “Bradley Wentworth knows that there is -a scheme to boom real estate in Gulchville. He doesn’t offer enough.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - -GERALD SELLS HIS PATRIMONY. - - -“MR. SANDFORD, do you think you can spare me for a short time?” asked -Gerald, as he entered the presence of his employer. - -Mr. Sandford looked surprised. - -“This is a busy season,” he said. “Still if you have a good reason for -wishing to be absent——” - -“I have a good reason,” answered Gerald. “I own some land in -Gulchville, Colorado—eighty-five acres—and a rich syndicate formed in -Chicago wants to buy it.” - -“That is a _very_ good reason,” said the merchant. “How much do they -offer?” - -“No definite offer has been made, but my tenant thinks they will be -willing to pay me five thousand dollars.” - -“Excellent. I was not aware that my youngest clerk was a man of -property. Go by all means and make the best bargain you can.” - -Gerald lost no time. He took the afternoon train to Kansas City, and -thence went partly by cars and partly by stage to his old home in -Gulchville. When he descended from the stage he saw at once a familiar -face and figure. They belonged to Jake Amsden, who advanced to meet him -with an eager welcome. - -“Glad to see you, Gerald! How you’ve grown!” and Amsden grasped his -hand as if they had always been the closest of friends. - -“Thank you, Mr. Amsden,” said Gerald, smiling. “I didn’t imagine you -would be so glad to meet me.” - -“I’ve been longin’ to see you, my boy. It’s been very lonesome without -you. And where is the Englishman you went away with?” - -“He’s gone back to England. There was sickness in the family.” - -“Is he coming back here?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“So you are comin’ back here to live?” - -“No; I think not. I have a situation with a large firm in St. Louis. I -am only here on a vacation.” - -“That reminds me, Gerald. If you’ve got five minutes to spare I would -like to talk with you on business.” - -“I can give you five minutes, Mr. Amsden.” - -“It’s about that place your father left you. It isn’t worth much, but -I’ve been thinkin’ I’d like to settle down in a home of my own, and -that place about suits me.” - -“But,” said Gerald, who saw Amsden’s drift, “I would not like to turn -Tom Carter out of his home.” - -“No need of it, Gerald. I’d get him to board me, and I’d pay him -somethin’, besides giving him his rent free.” - -“Suppose I wait and consult Mr. Carter about it.” - -This proposal did not suit Amsden, who knew that in that case Gerald -would hear about the land speculation, and then his plans would fail -utterly. - -“Don’t wait for that, Gerald! Let’s fix the matter on the spot.” - -“What do you propose to pay me for the property, Mr. Amsden?” - -Jake Amsden closed one eye and assumed a contemplative look. - -“I don’t know but I’d be willin’ to give you five hundred dollars, -Gerald. That’s a good deal of money.” - -“Have you got that sum of money in cash, Mr. Amsden?” - -“Well, not exactly, but I’ll give you my note indorsed by a reliable -party.” - -“I would wish to know the name of the party.” - -“Bradley Wentworth, of Seneca, Illinois. You know him as the man that -was visitin’ you when your father died.” - -“And you think he would indorse your note?” - -“I know he would. He feels very friendly to me, Mr. Wentworth does.” - -“And you offer me five hundred dollars?” - -“Yes; and say twenty-five more for interest. Come now, what do you say?” - -“I say no, Mr. Amsden. I have a letter in my pocket offering me a -thousand dollars for the property.” - -“Who is it from?” asked Amsden, making a grammatical mistake that -plenty of better educated persons also make. - -“Bradley Wentworth!” - -“Oh!” exclaimed Amsden in chagrin. “He promised to leave the matter in -my hands.” - -“So you were bidding for him?” - -“Well, partly for him and partly for myself.” - -“And you really think you have offered me a fair price?” - -“Yea; you can’t get as much anywhere else.” - -“I’ll take three days to consider it, Mr. Amsden.” - -In less than three days Gerald had sold his land for six thousand -dollars, reserving twenty acres for himself. He allowed John Carter to -remove his cabin to this tract, and at the end of a week set out on his -return, with a Chicago check for six thousand dollars in his pocket. -This he deposited in St. Louis, and with it made a purchase of good -dividend-paying bank stock. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - -CONCLUSION. - - -ON his way back from Colorado Gerald stopped at Kansas City and -ascertained that Victor Wentworth had recovered from his sickness and -was intending to go to work on the following Monday. - -“Mrs. Ferguson has agreed to take me back,” he said. “She has had -another boy, but she does not like him.” - -“You can’t make any arrangements without the consent of your guardian,” -said Gerald smiling. “I have other views for you.” - -“You can’t be any older than I,” said Victor, “but I feel like a small -boy beside you. I wish I was as strong and self-reliant as you.” - -“We were brought up differently, Victor. You are the son of a rich man, -while my father was very poor.” - -“My father’s wealth doesn’t seem to do me any good,” said Victor sadly. -“He leaves me to myself, and if it had not been for you I don’t know -what would have become of me.” - -“It will be different soon. I want you to take the next train for St. -Louis with me.” - -“That is on the way home,” said Victor, brightening. - -“And I am going to take you home. I have some business with your -father.” - -“But if father will not receive me?” suggested Victor apprehensively. - -“Then I will take care of you. You will in that case have to call me -papa.” - -Victor laughed aloud. Gerald’s bright humor was infectious. - -“I will if you ask me to,” he said. - -Gerald’s plans were already laid. He wrote to Thomas Hastings to come -at once to St. Louis, and three days later all three started for -Chicago. There Gerald called upon Stephen Cochrane, the lawyer, who had -in his possession the agreement signed by Mr. Wentworth to pay Warren -Lane twenty thousand dollars in a certain contingency. - -“The promise is outlawed,” said the lawyer, “but with the collateral -evidence which you have in your possession I don’t think that Bradley -Wentworth will feel like setting this up as a bar to the payment.” - -We must now precede Gerald to the town of Seneca, which was his -ultimate destination. - -A change had come over Bradley Wentworth. He was a man of iron -constitution and had never had a sick day in his life. Yet a few weeks -previous the grip, which had recently ravaged the country from the -Atlantic to the Pacific, attacked him, and though he had recovered from -it the languor which usually follows had come upon him in an aggravated -form. He found it difficult to attend to his business, and was obliged -to spend half of his time reclining upon a lounge in his office. - -Those who are seldom sick feel the effects of illness much more keenly -than those who are frequently indisposed. Bradley Wentworth found -himself depressed in an unaccountable manner. He became alarmed about -himself, and feared that he would never regain his strength. What then -would become of his property? Where was the boy for whom he had been -laboring these many years, and whom he had fondly looked upon as his -heir? He was an exile from home, suffering perhaps. Why was he an exile -from his father’s house? Because, as he was compelled to acknowledge, -he had been harsh and stern, unnaturally severe. For, after all, what -had the boy done? He had not committed a crime. He had committed an -act of youthful indiscretion, for which he was heartily sorry, yet to -save his own pride and gratify his vindictive disposition the father -had left the boy to the cold mercies of the world. Suppose Victor -should die? What lay before him but a cold and solitary life, without -object and without sympathy? Too late Bradley Wentworth lamented his -refusal to send Victor money when he wrote for it. - -“I must have him back,” he said to himself in feverish impatience, and -began to institute a search for the lost boy. But he was without a -clew. He despatched a messenger to Kansas City, but he returned without -information. - -It was while he was suffering from this disappointment, and anxiously -considering what to do next, that a servant entered the room where he -was resting after supper and presented a card. - -“A young gentleman who wishes to see you,” she explained. - -Mechanically Bradley Wentworth scanned the card and read the name, - - GERALD LANE. - -“Bring him in,” he said quickly. - -“Probably,” he thought, “Gerald has repented his refusal and is ready -to enter into negotiations for the sale of his small patrimony in -Colorado.” - -Gerald entered the room with an easy grace, and bowed to Mr. Wentworth. -The merchant could see that he was no longer the unsophisticated boy -whom he had met in the Colorado mountains. Still he did not give Gerald -credit for the full change which had passed over him. - -“Be seated,” he said. “I suppose you have come about the land your -father left you in Colorado.” - -“No, Mr. Wentworth, I have sold this land, or at least four-fifths of -it.” - -Wentworth looked disappointed. - -“You should have accepted my offer,” he said harshly. - -“I should have made a very great mistake if I had,” replied Gerald -calmly. - -“How much did you sell it for?” - -“I sold four-fifths of it for six thousand dollars.” - -Mr. Wentworth was amazed, but he gathered strength to say, “Probably -you will never get your money.” - -“It was paid me in cash, and I have it invested in good dividend-paying -bank stock in St. Louis.” - -“Then,” said Wentworth after a pause, “I don’t understand what has -brought you here.” - -“I have some very important business with you, Mr. Wentworth. I have -come to ask you to redeem the solemn promise made to my father to pay -him twenty thousand dollars.” - -“This is all nonsense,” said Wentworth, knitting his brows. “No such -promise was ever made.” - -“I beg your pardon, but I can prove to the contrary.” - -“Perhaps you will tell me how,” sneered Wentworth. - -“My lawyer, Stephen Cochrane of Chicago, is at the hotel. He has in his -hands the written promise.” - -“It is a forgery. There could be no reason for my making such an -extraordinary promise.” - -“Do you deny, Mr. Wentworth, that you forged a check on your uncle and -that my father screened you?” - -“Young man, you are impudent. The check was forged by your father.” - -“That is untrue. The letters written by you to my father disprove that.” - -“Can you produce those letters?” asked Wentworth with another sneer. - -“Yes, I can.” - -Bradley Wentworth looked amazed. - -“I don’t believe it,” he ejaculated. - -“Mr. Wentworth,” said Gerald calmly, “the letters which your agent -stole from me in St. Louis were copies. The originals are in a safe -deposit vault in St. Louis, or rather they were there at the time of -the robbery. Now they are in Mr. Cochrane’s hands.” - -“This is a bold game you are playing, Gerald Lane, but it won’t work. -No one can connect me with the forged check.” - -“There is one who can. Thomas Hastings, who was paying teller at the -bank when it was offered.” - -“He is dead!” said Wentworth hastily. - -“I think you are mistaken.” - -“Then where is he?” - -“He was at Brentwood, Minnesota, till recently. It was there that I met -him a few weeks since.” - -“I doubt if you will find him there now,” answered Wentworth, -registering a resolve to send a special telegram to him to change his -residence in consideration of a handsome check. - -“You are right, Mr. Wentworth,” was Gerald’s unexpected reply. “He is -in this town.” - -“What!” ejaculated Wentworth in dismay. - -“It is as I say. He is prepared to testify that he paid you personally -the money on the forged check, and that you have from time to time paid -him money to keep this secret.” - -“No one will believe him,” said Wentworth, very much perturbed. - -“You can discuss that question with Mr. Cochrane. I have merely wished -to let you know the strength of our case. But before I go I ought to -tell you that there is another person who has come with me from the -West.” - -“Who is it in Heaven’s name?” - -“It is your son Victor.” - -“Victor!” exclaimed Bradley Wentworth, his face radiant with joy. “Is -he well? Where is he?” - -“At the hotel.” - -“Where did you find him?” - -“In Kansas City some weeks since. The poor boy was sick and unable to -work. I had him leave the store where he was employed, though hardly -able to stand, and I paid the expenses of his sickness. He is now well -and anxious to see his father.” - -Bradley Wentworth’s face worked convulsively. His hard heart was -touched at last. - -“God bless you, boy,” he said; “you have restored my son to me. I shall -not forget it. You can send your lawyer to me. I will do what is fair -and right; I begin to think that I have been wrong all these years.” - -“Will you consent to authorize a statement clearing my father from any -connection with the forged check?” - -“Yes, as long as I am not personally implicated.” - -“Mr. Cochrane tells me that this can be arranged——” - -“If Victor is at the hotel I will go over at once.” - -Victor, uneasy and anxious, saw his father coming across the street. -He did not know how he would be received, but he was not left long in -suspense. The father’s hard heart was softened, and he felt sincerely -grateful that his only child had been restored to him. - -The next week the Seneca weekly published a card from Mr. Wentworth -stating that a discovery had been made exonerating the late Warren -Lane from the charge which had so long been laid at his door. “The -guilt lies elsewhere,” so the card read, “but at this late day it is -unnecessary to mention the name of the actual delinquent.” - -The debt of honor was paid, and Warren Lane’s memory was vindicated. - -Gerald felt that the task to which he had consecrated his energies -was accomplished, and he could rest content. He is already rich for a -young man, but he cares little for money compared with his father’s -vindication. - - - THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Debt of Honor, by Horatio Alger - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A DEBT OF HONOR *** - -***** This file should be named 51792-0.txt or 51792-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/7/9/51792/ - -Produced by Giovanni Fini, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -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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