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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..41ae192 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54389 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54389) diff --git a/old/54389-8.txt b/old/54389-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a433842..0000000 --- a/old/54389-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8281 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Nelson The Newsboy, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. Winfield and Edward Stratemeyer - -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: Nelson The Newsboy - Or, Afloat in New York - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - Arthur M. Winfield - Edward Stratemeyer - -Release Date: March 19, 2017 [EBook #54389] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NELSON THE NEWSBOY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -NELSON THE NEWSBOY - -_Or, Afloat in New York_ - -BY - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - -AUTHOR OF "ADRIFT IN NEW YORK," "CHESTER RAND," -"PAUL THE PEDDLER," ETC. - - -COMPLETED BY - -ARTHUR M. WINFIELD - -AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE -ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN," ETC. - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -NEW YORK - -STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY - -1905 - - -[Illustration: "HE CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE BULLY NEWSBOY WHO HAD ROBBED -HIM."--_Frontispiece._] - - - - -BY THE SAME AUTHOR - - - THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT; Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success. - - - FROM FARM TO FORTUNE; Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience. - - - LOST AT SEA; Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise. - - - JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY; Or, The Parkhurst Treasure. - - - NELSON, THE NEWSBOY; Or, Afloat in New York. - - - YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK; Or, The Son of a Soldier. - - - OUT FOR BUSINESS; Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career. - - - FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE; Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary. - - -_12mo, finely illustrated and bound. Price, per volume, 60 cents._ - - -NEW YORK - -STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY - -1905 - - -COPYRIGHT, 1901, BY - -THE MERSHON COMPANY - -_All rights reserved_ - - - - -PREFACE. - - -"NELSON THE NEWSBOY" relates the adventures of a wide-awake lad in the -great metropolis. The youth is of unknown parentage and is thrown out -upon his own resources at a tender age. He becomes at first a newsboy, -and from that gradually works up to something better. He is often -tempted to do wrong--the temptation becoming particularly hard on -account of his extreme poverty--but there is that in his make-up which -keeps him in the right path, and in the end he becomes a victor in more -ways than one. - -So much for the seamy side of life in New York, which, alas! is by far -the greater side. On the other hand, there are those who are well-to-do -and aristocratic who are interested in learning what has become of the -boy, and these furnish a view of life in the upper society of the -metropolis. How the youthful hero fares in the end is told in the pages -which follow. - -In its original form Mr. Alger intended this story of New York life for -a semi-juvenile drama. But it was not used in that shape, and when the -gifted author of so many interesting stories for young people had laid -aside his pen forever, this manuscript, with others, was placed in the -hands of the present writer, to be made over into such a volume as might -have met with the noted author's approval. The other books having proved -successful, my one wish is that this may follow in their footsteps. - -ARTHUR M. WINFIELD. - -_June 15, 1901._ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - -CHAPTER PAGE - I. INTRODUCING THE HERO, 1 - - II. A QUARREL OVER A DOLLAR, 9 - - III. SAM PEPPER'S RESORT, 17 - - IV. DOWN AT THE FERRY, 25 - - V. NELSON SPEAKS HIS MIND, 35 - - VI. A BOOK AGENT'S TRIALS, 43 - - VII. A HARSH ALTERNATIVE, 55 - - VIII. THE COMBINATION OF THE SAFE, 63 - - IX. A PAIR WELL MATCHED, 69 - - X. GERTRUDE LEAVES HER HOME, 77 - - XI. AFLOAT IN NEW YORK, 85 - - XII. NELSON RECOVERS SOME MONEY, 94 - - XIII. A QUESTION OF BUSINESS, 102 - - XIV. BULSON RECEIVES A SETBACK, 111 - - XV. BUYING OUT A NEWS STAND, 119 - - XVI. NELSON AND PEPPER PART, 127 - - XVII. A BOLD MOVE, 134 - - XVIII. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY, 140 - - XIX. NELSON TO THE RESCUE, 147 - - XX. THE HOME IN THE TENEMENT, 155 - - XXI. NELSON MAKES A PRESENT, 162 - - XXII. A DISAPPOINTMENT, 170 - - XXIII. AN UNSUCCESSFUL QUEST, 176 - - XXIV. A DECOY LETTER, 183 - - XXV. MARK HORTON RELENTS, 190 - - XXVI. NELSON ON SHIPBOARD, 198 - - XXVII. DOWN THE JERSEY COAST, 206 - -XXVIII. GERTRUDE HAS AN ADVENTURE, 215 - - XXIX. A SURPRISE ON THE ROAD, 224 - - XXX. COMPARING NOTES, 233 - - XXXI. BULSON GROWS DESPERATE, 240 - - XXXII. SOMEBODY WAITS IN VAIN, 248 - -XXXIII. QUESTIONS OF IMPORTANCE, 257 - - XXXIV. FATHER AND SON--CONCLUSION, 266 - - - - -NELSON THE NEWSBOY. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -INTRODUCING THE HERO. - - -"_Herald_, _Times_, _Tribune_! All the news of the day! Have a paper, -sir? All about the terrible fire in Harlem! Two lives lost!" - -High and clear above the din made by the cabs, trucks, and street cars a -boyish voice could be heard. The speaker was but fifteen years of age, -tall and thin, with a face that betokened a refinement unusual to such a -station in life. But if the lad's look was above the average, his -clothes were not, for they were in tatters, while the hat and shoes he -wore had seen far better days. - -"A fire in Harlem, eh?" queried a stout gentleman, as he stopped short -in front of the newsboy. - -"Yes, sir; a big one, too, sir. Which paper will you have?" - -"Which has the most in about the fire?" - -"All about the same, sir. Better take 'em all, sir. Then you'll be sure -to have all the news," added the newsboy shrewdly. - -At this the stout gentleman laughed. - -"I don't know but what you are right," he said. "Give me one of each." - -The words were scarcely uttered when the newsboy had the papers ready -for him. Taking the several sheets, the stout man passed over a dime and -started to cross the crowded thoroughfare. - -"Change, sir!" cried the boy, and dove into his pocket for a handful of -cents. - -"Never mind the change, lad." - -"Thank you, sir!" The newsboy wheeled quickly. "_Herald_, _Times_, -_Tribune_! Who'll have a paper? All the latest news! Extra!" - -The stout man stepped from the curb into the gutter, and there halted to -let a truck go by. As he waited he began to scan one of the newspapers -he had purchased. Suddenly he gave a violent start. - -"Fire in the Starmore apartment house!" he muttered. "The building I -purchased only last month! What bad luck is this?" - -Still staring at the newspaper, he passed onward behind the heavy truck. -Another truck and a street car were coming from the opposite direction, -and both traveling at a good rate of speed. - -"Hi! look out!" yelled the truck-driver, and the street-car bell clanged -violently. But the stout man was too absorbed in the newspaper to heed -the warnings. - -The cry of the truck-driver reached the ears of the quick-witted -newsboy, and in a flash he saw the danger. - -"Oh, the gentleman will be run over!" he muttered, and throwing his -papers on the pavement, he made a leap into the street and grabbed the -man by the arm. Just as he drew the stout individual back the truck -horse plunged forward, grazing the man's side. Had it not been for the -newsboy, the stout gentleman would have collapsed in the gutter. But as -it was each, in a moment more, gained the pavement in safety. - -"Phew! that was a narrow escape," puffed the stout gentleman, as soon as -he could get back some of the wind he had lost in his consternation. - -"So it was," answered the newsboy, as he stepped about to pick up his -scattering stock in trade. - -The stout gentleman brought out a large handkerchief and began to mop -his face, for the excitement had put him into a perspiration. - -"My lad, you've done me a great service," he went on, after the boy had -collected his papers. - -"That's all right, sir," was the ready reply. "Sorry you lost your -papers. The truck cut 'em up, and they are all muddy, besides." - -"Never mind the papers--you can sell me another set. But I want to thank -you for what you did for me." - -"You're welcome, sir. Here's the other set of papers." - -"If it hadn't been for you, I might have fallen under that horse and -truck!" The stout man shuddered. "Here is pay for the papers and for -your services to me." - -As he finished he held out a two-dollar bill. - -"Why, it's two dollars!" cried the newsboy in astonishment. Then he -added quickly, "I can't change it." - -"I don't want you to change it. I want you to keep it." - -"What for?" - -"For what you did for me." - -"What I did aint worth two dollars." - -"Let me be the judge of that, my lad. What is your name?" - -"I'm Nelson, sir." - -"What is your full name?" - -At this question the boy's face fell, and his mouth trembled a little as -he gave his answer. - -"I don't know, sir." - -"What, you don't know what your name is?" cried the stout gentleman in -astonishment. - -"No, sir." - -"But--but--you must have some name. Where do you live?" - -"I live over on the East Side with an old sailor named Samuel Pepper. He -keeps a lunch room." - -"Is he a relative?" - -"He calls himself my father--not my real father, you know; only he says -he adopted me when I was a little kid. Everybody around there calls me -Nelson, or Sam Pepper's boy." - -"I see. And he sends you out to sell papers?" - -"No, sir; I go out on my own hook." - -"But you ought to go to school." - -"I go to night school sometimes, when Sam lets me." - -"Didn't he ever send you to day school?" - -At this Nelson, for so we will call him for the present, shook his head. - -"Sam don't like the schools. He says if I go I'll get too smart for him. -He says I am almost too smart already." - -"Too bad!" The stout gentleman was going to say something more, but -suddenly remembered about the fire in Harlem. "Perhaps I'll see you -again, Nelson. I can't stop now. Do you know why I forgot myself in the -street? It was because that fire proved to be in an apartment house that -I purchased only a month ago." - -"Your house! That's a big loss, sir." - -"The place was insured, so I shall not expect to lose much. I must get -up there at once and see see how it was those lives were lost." - -In a moment more the stout gentleman was crossing the street again, but -this time taking very good care that he should not be taken unawares. - -Nelson started to sell more papers, when another boy, who had been -selling papers further down the block, came hurrying toward him. - -"Wot did de old gent give yer, Nelse?" he asked. - -"Gave me two dollars." - -"Two dollars! Jest fer hauling him back out of de gutter?" - -"I kept him from being run over by a truck." - -"Den he oughter give yer ten or twenty." - -"Two was more than enough, Billy." - -At this Billy Darnley drew down his mouth. - -"I would have struck him fer a twenty, sure," he went on. - -"You always were greedy, Billy," answered Nelson. - -"Do you mean dat fer an insult, Nelse?" - -"I mean it for the truth." - -"You're gittin' too high-toned fer dis business, Nelse." - -"I don't think I am." - -"Lend me a dollar of dat money, will yer? I'll pay yer back ter-morrow." - -At this Nelson shook his head. - -"I'm sorry, Billy, but I'd rather keep my money." - -"Are you afraid to trust me?" - -"I don't see why I should trust you. You earn as much money as I do." - -"You didn't earn dat two dollars." - -"The gentleman thought I did." - -"He was a soft one." - -"He was a very nice man," retorted Nelson promptly. - -"O' course you'd stick up fer him. Let me have de dollar." - -"What do you want to do with it?" - -Now in truth Billy thought of nothing but to have a good time with the -money, but he did not deem it prudent to tell Nelson so. - -"I--I want to buy myself a new pair of pants," he stammered. - -"Your pants are better than mine." - -"No, da aint--d'are full o' holes." - -"Why don't you sew them up, as I do?" - -"I aint no woman, to use a needle. Come, hand over de dollar!" And Billy -held out his dirty fingers. - -"I shan't let you have it, and that ends it," said Nelson firmly. - -He started to move on, but in a moment more Billy Darnley was beside him -and had him clutched firmly by the arm. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A QUARREL OVER A DOLLAR. - - -As Nelson had said, he was of unknown parentage and practically alone in -the world. As far back as he could remember he had lived with Sam -Pepper, a shiftless, unprincipled man, who in the last ten years had -followed the sea and a dozen other callings, and who was at present the -proprietor of a lunch-room on the East Side--a place frequented by many -persons of shady reputation. - -Where he had come from, and what his real name was, were complete -mysteries to Nelson, and it must be confessed that in the past he had -paid scant attention to them; this being largely due to his immature -years. Now, however, he was growing older, and he often found himself -wondering how it was that he was living with Sam Pepper. - -Once he had asked the man, but the only answer he received was a growl -and a demand that he stop asking foolish questions. "You're only a kid -yet," said Pepper. "Wait till you're old enough; maybe then you'll learn -a thing or two." And so Nelson waited, but did not cease to wonder. - -Many of Sam Pepper's intimates were hard customers, and Nelson was of -the opinion that Pepper himself was no better, although he was not in a -position to prove it. The boy was driven out to earn his own living, and -the only time that Pepper was liberal with him was when the man was in -liquor. - -More than once Nelson had thought to run away from the man and his evil -associates, but found himself unable to do so. The main reason for his -remaining was that he felt Pepper held the mystery of his past, and if -he went away that mystery would remain forever unsolved. - -As Nelson had said, he had gained a scanty education by attending night -school. To this education he had added some useful reading, so he was -advanced as far as most boys in much better circumstances. Learning -appeared to come easy to him, showing that his mind was of the superior -sort. - -Nelson had started out that morning with a determination to sell all the -papers possible, and keep on with his efforts until he had eight or ten -dollars to his credit. With this amount he intended to invest in a suit -which he had seen advertised for six dollars, a cap, and a cheap pair -of shoes. He did not know but what Pepper might find fault with him for -"cutting such a swell," but he was willing to risk it. - -Before meeting the stout gentleman Nelson's assets amounted to three -dollars and forty cents. With the ten cents for papers and the two -dollars extra, he now found himself with five dollars and half to his -credit. This was not a fortune, but as Nelson had never before possessed -more than three dollars at one time, it was, to his way of thinking, -considerable. - -The suggestion that he lend Billy Darnley a dollar did not appeal to -him. In the first place he knew Billy to be both a bully and a -spendthrift, who was more than likely to squander the money on pie, ice -cream, cigarettes, and a ticket to some cheap burlesque show, and in the -second place he was more than satisfied that Billy would never refund -the loan, not having returned a quarter loaned him months before. - -"Let go my arm, Billy!" he cried, as the big newsboy brought him to a -halt. - -"Why can't yer let me have de dollar?" questioned Billy. "I'll make it -right wid yer, Nelse; take me word on it." - -"How is it you haven't paid back that quarter I let you have?" - -"I did pay it back." - -"No, you didn't." - -"Yes, I did. I--I give it to Sam one day to give to yer." - -By the look on his face Nelson knew that the bully was falsifying. - -"Sam never told me, and I guess he would if it was so. Now let me go." - -"I want dat dollar first." - -"You shan't have it." - -Nelson had scarcely spoken when Billy Darnley made a sudden clutch for -the pocket of his vest. - -Much dilapidated, the pocket gave way easily; and in a twinkle the bully -was running up the street with five dollars in bills and a bit of cloth -clutched tightly in his dirty fist. - -"Hi! stop!" cried Nelson, but instead of heeding the demand, the bully -only ran the faster. Soon he passed around a corner and down a side -street leading to the East River. - -Nelson was an excellent runner, and, papers under his arm, he lost no -time in making after the thief. Thus block after block was passed, until -pursued and pursuer were but a short distance from one of the ferry -entrances. - -A boat was on the point of leaving, and without waiting to obtain a -ferry ticket, Billy Darnley slipped in among the trucks going aboard. A -gate-keeper tried in vain to catch him, and then came back and shut the -gate, just as Nelson reached it. - -"Open the gate!" cried Nelson, so out of breath he could scarcely utter -the words. "Open the gate, quick!" - -"Go around to the other entrance," replied the gate-keeper, and then -added, "Are you after that other newsboy?" - -"I am. He stole five dollars from me." - -"Five dollars! That's a good one. You never had five dollars in your -life. You can't get a free ride on any such fairy tale as that. You go -around and buy a ticket, or I'll call a policeman." - -In despair Nelson looked through the high, slatted gate and saw that the -gates on the ferryboat were already down. A bell jangled, and the big -paddle wheels began to revolve. In another moment the boat had left the -slip and was on its way to Brooklyn. - -"He's gone--and the five dollars is gone, too!" groaned Nelson, and his -heart sank. He knew that it would be useless to attempt to follow the -bully. Billy would keep out of sight so long as the money lasted. When -it was spent he would re-appear in New York and deny everything, and to -prove that he was a thief would be next to impossible, for, so far as -Nelson knew, nobody had seen the money taken. - -He had now but fifty cents left, and a stock of papers worth half a -dollar more, if sold. With a heavy heart he walked away from the -ferryhouse in the direction from whence he had come. - -Nelson had scarcely taken his stand at the corner again when a young -lady, very stylishly dressed, came out of a neighboring store, looked at -him, and smiled. - -"Did you catch him?" she asked sweetly. - -"Who, miss; the big boy who stole my money?" questioned Nelson quickly. - -"Yes." - -"No, ma'am; he got away, on a Brooklyn ferryboat." - -"And how much did he steal from you?" - -"Five dollars." - -"Why, I didn't think--that is, five dollars is a nice sum for a newsboy, -isn't it?" - -"Yes, ma'am; but I was saving up for a new suit of clothes." - -"And he got away from you? Too bad! I wish I could help you, but -unfortunately I have spent all of my money but this." She held out a -quarter. "Will you accept it?" - -Nelson looked at her, and something compelled him to draw back. - -"Excuse me--but I'd rather not," he stammered. "Much obliged, just the -same." - -"You had better take the money," went on the young lady, whose name was -Gertrude Horton. But Nelson would not listen to it, and so she had to -place the piece in her purse again. Then she entered the coach standing -near and was driven rapidly away. The newsboy gazed after the coach -curiously. - -"What a lot of money it must take to keep up such style!" he thought. -"Those folks spend more in a week, I guess, than some folks on the East -Side spend in a year. I don't wonder Sam is always growling about not -being rich--after he's been out among the wealthy people he knows. I -must say I'd like to be rich myself, just for once, to see how it -feels." - -Long before noon Nelson's stock of newspapers was exhausted. Without -going to Sam Pepper's restaurant for lunch he stopped at a small stand -on a side street, where he obtained several crullers and a cup of coffee -for five cents. His scanty meal over he purchased a supply of evening -papers and set to work to sell these, with the result, by nightfall, -that all were gone, and he was thirty-five cents richer. - -Sam Pepper's place on the East Side was half a dozen steps below the -pavement, in a semi-basement, which was narrow and low and suffering -greatly for a thorough cleaning. In the front was a small show window, -filled with pies and vegetables, and behind this eight or ten tables for -diners. To one side was a lunch counter for those who were in a hurry, -and at the back was a small bar. The cooking was done in a shed in the -rear, and beside this shed were two rooms which Nelson and Sam Pepper -called their home. - -The whole place was so uninviting it is a wonder that Sam Pepper had any -trade at all. But his prices were low, and this was a large attraction -to those whose purses were slim. Besides this Sam never interfered with -those who came to patronize him, and it may as well be stated here that -many a crime was concocted at those tables, without the police of the -metropolis being the wiser. To Sam it made no difference if his customer -was the worst criminal on the East Side so long as he paid his way. - -"We've all got to live," he would say. "The world owes every man a -living, and if he can't git it one way he must git it in another." - -The secret of Sam Pepper's looseness of morals was the fact that he had -seen better days, and his coming down in the world had caused him to -become more and more reckless. At the present time money was tight with -him, and he was fast approaching that point when, as we shall soon see, -he would be fit for any desperate deed. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -SAM PEPPER'S RESORT. - - -"Well, how have you done to-day?" asked Sam Pepper, when Nelson entered -the lunch-room and came to the rear, where Pepper stood mixing some -liquors. - -"Oh, I sold quite a few papers," answered Nelson. - -"How many?" - -"Over a hundred." - -"Then I guess you made over a dollar?" - -"I did." - -"That's more than I've made to-day," growled Pepper. "Business is -growing worse and worse." - -Nelson knew that he must have made more than a dollar, but he did not -say anything on the point. He saw that Sam Pepper was in an ugly mood. - -"It seems to me you ought to begin paying something for your keep," went -on the lunch-room keeper, after he had returned from serving the drinks -he had been mixing. - -"All right, I'm willing," said Nelson readily. "But I don't get much -from here now, remember." - -"It's not my fault if you are not here at dinner time. Plenty of eating -going to waste." - -"I am not going to eat other folks' left-overs," said the newsboy, -remembering the offer made to him several days before. - -"Those left-overs are good enough for the likes of you, Nelson. Don't -git high-toned before you can afford it." - -"What do you want me to pay?" - -"You ought to pay me at least five dollars a week," growled Sam Pepper, -after a crafty look into the boy's face. - -"Five dollars a week!" ejaculated Nelson in surprise. "Why, I don't make -it, excepting when business is good." - -"Well, it's got to be five dollars a week after this." - -"I can get board at other places for three." - -"You won't go to no other place. You'll stay here, and if you make a -dollar or more a day you'll pay me the five dollars." - -"But who will buy me any clothes?" - -"Aint that suit good enough?" - -"No, it's not. I was saving up to buy another suit, but Billy Darnley -stole five dollars of the savings from me this morning," went on Nelson -bitterly. - -"Stole five dollars from you? I don't believe you." - -"It's true." - -"Then you ought to lose the money, seeing that you didn't pass it over -to me," grumbled Sam Pepper. "After this, you let me save your money for -you." - -At this point some customers came in, and Sam had to wait on them. -Seeing this, the newsboy passed around the bar and into the two rooms -which he and Pepper called home. They were gloomy and foul-smelling, but -the newsboy did not mind this, for he was used to the surroundings. Yet -his heart was heavy, as he threw himself into a dilapidated chair and -gave himself up to his thoughts. - -The new suit of clothes seemed further off than ever, for, if he must -pay Sam Pepper five dollars a week for his board, it would be utterly -impossible for him to save a cent. The extra money would be needed to -buy fresh papers each day. - -"It isn't fair!" he muttered. "It isn't fair, and I won't stand it! I'll -run away first; that's what I'll do!" - -Running away was no new idea, but, as before, he thought of the past and -of what Sam Pepper might have locked up in his breast. No, it would not -do to go away. He must unlock the mystery of the past first. - -"I'll question Sam to-night, and I'll make him tell something," he said. - -The resolve had hardly crossed his mind when Pepper opened the door with -a bang, as it flew back against the wall. - -"Come out here and help me," he snarled. "There is plenty of work to do. -The kitchen woman has left me in the lurch. Throw off your coat and git -into that dishpan, and be lively about it." - -Without a word, Nelson did as bidden. He had washed dishes before, and -though the pile beside him was by no means small, he soon made away with -them. Then Pepper set him to polishing up the knives, forks, and spoons, -and this task took until it was time to close for the night. - -After the lunch-room had been locked up, and most of the lights put out, -Sam Pepper went to the bar and mixed himself an extra-large glass of -liquor. This was his "nightcap," as he called it, and usually, after -drinking it, he would retire. - -To-night, however, after consuming the liquor, he went into one of the -back rooms and got out his best coat and his hat. - -"I'm going out an hour or so," he said. "You keep good watch while I'm -away." - -"All right," answered Nelson. He was disappointed at not being able to -question Pepper, but saw there was no help for it. Soon the man was -gone, and Nelson was left alone. Pepper had locked the street door and -taken the key with him. - -The day's work had made Nelson tired, but he was in no humor for -sleeping, and tumbled and tossed for a long while after lying down upon -his hard couch. He thought of the stout gentleman, of the big newsboy -who had robbed him, and of the kind young lady who had offered him -assistance. For some reason he could not get the young lady out of his -mind, and he half wished he might see her again. - -Then his thoughts came back to himself. Who was he, and how had he come -into Sam Pepper's care? Surely the man must know all about the past. -What could Pepper be hiding from him? - -At last he fell asleep, and did not rouse up until early morning. Sam -Pepper was just returning, and a glance showed that the man was more -than half under the influence of liquor. - -"It's a good game," muttered Pepper to himself, as he stumbled around, -preparing to retire, "A good game, and it will make me rich. And Nelson -shall help me, too." - -"Help you at what?" asked the newsboy sleepily. - -"Never mind now, you go to sleep," answered Pepper sharply. - -He pitched himself on his bed and was soon snoring lustily, and seeing -this Nelson did not attempt to disturb him. He slept soundly for the -rest of the night, and by six o'clock was outdoors and on his way to get -his supply of morning papers. - -Pepper had warned him to come back by eleven o'clock, to go at the -dishes again, for the kitchen woman was not coming back. This made him -cautious about investing in newspapers. However, trade proved brisk, and -by ten o'clock he had sold out, and cleared sixty cents. - -"I won't buy any more papers until after dinner," he said to himself. -"I'll walk down to the ferry and see if I can find out anything about -Billy Darnley." - -At the ferry there was the usual rush of passengers, the noise of the -heavy trucks coming and going, and the shrill cries of the newsboys. -Nelson stopped near the ferryhouse to view the scene. - -Hardly had he paused when his attention was attracted to a quarrel -between a large newsboy and a small one. The larger lad was shaking his -fist in the face of the smaller. - -"You keep away from dis corner, Paul Randall!" said the big newsboy. "If -yer don't I'll fix yer, remember dat!" - -"I have as much right here as you, Len Snocks!" replied the little -fellow. - -"Yer aint got no right here at all!" blustered Len Snocks. "Dis is my -spot, see?" - -"You didn't pay for it." - -"Don't yer talk back ter me!" howled Len Snocks, and catching the little -lad's stock of papers he threw them down in the mud of the street. "Now -clear out, or I'll t'row you down de same way," he went on. - -The scene made Nelson's blood boil. He recognized both boys, and knew -that Paul Randall helped support a mother who was half blind. Len Snocks -was a bully belonging to the crowd with whom Billy Darnley associated. - -Rushing across the roadway, Nelson caught Len Snocks by the arm and held -him tightly. - -"You big brute!" he cried. "Why don't you tackle a fellow your own -size?" - -"Oh, Nelson, he has spoiled my papers!" sobbed Paul, running to save -what was left of the stock. - -"Lemme go!" snarled Len Snocks. "Lemme go, do yer hear?" - -"You must give Paul clean papers for the dirty ones," returned Nelson -firmly. - -"I won't do it!" - -"I'll make you do it." - -"Make me?" roared Len. "I'd like to see you try it." - -In a twinkle Nelson placed one foot behind the bully. Then he gave the -big newsboy a shove which landed him flat on his back. On the instant he -was down on top of Len. - -"How many papers are dirty, Paul?" he asked. - -"Two _Suns_, a _World_, and a _Journal_," was the quick answer. - -"Take 'em out of Len's pile." - -"Lemme up, or I'll kill you!" howled the bully, and struggled to arise. -But Nelson was master of the situation. He continued to hold Len down, -and did not let go until Paul had the papers he wished. Then he leaped -up, squared off on the defensive, and awaited the outcome of the -encounter. Paul lost no time in placing himself behind his newly found -champion. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -DOWN AT THE FERRY. - - -Len Snocks' eyes flashed dangerously when he confronted Nelson. For a -long time he had had matters all his own way around the ferryhouse, and -the only boys who were allowed to sell papers there besides himself were -such as would toady to him and help him sell his over-supply when trade -was dull with him. Often he made the lads pay him five or ten cents for -selling papers there, when trade was extra lively. - -Paul Randall had no father, and his mother being half blind and quite -feeble, the lad felt that every cent he earned must be brought home. -Consequently he refused to give Len anything, and this made the big -newsboy come to the conclusion that Paul must be driven to seek sales -elsewhere. In matters of business newsboys are often as scheming and -unfair as are certain men in higher walks of life. Money is everything -to them, and they will do almost anything to obtain it. - -"Wot do yer mean by t'rowin' me down?" cried Len, as he doubled up his -grimy fists, which had not seen soap or water for many a day. - -"You know what I mean, Len Snocks," retorted Nelson. "Paul has as much -right to sell papers here as you have." - -"No, he haint!" - -"I say he has, and he'll sell papers here, too, and you shan't stop -him." - -"Won't I?" - -"If you try it, you'll run against me again, remember that." - -"I've a good mind to give you a lickin' fer t'rowin' me down," blustered -Len, but he made no effort to begin the chastisement. - -"If you want to fight, I'm here now," answered Nelson calmly. He -understood fully that Len was as much of a coward as he was of a bully. - -Len looked around, to see if there was anybody at hand to give him -assistance. But all the boys were small, and he felt they could not do -much against Nelson, who was known to be strong. - -"Yer want to make me lose me trade," he muttered. "I'll fight yer when -de rush is over." And he moved toward the ferry entrance. - -"All right, I'll be ready for you any time," called Nelson after him. -"And, remember, leave Paul alone after this." - -"Oh, Nelson, how good you are!" cried Paul impulsively. "I don't know -what he wouldn't have done to me if you hadn't come up." - -"If he tackles you again let me know, Paul." - -"I will." - -"How is your mother?" - -"She isn't much better. She can just get around our rooms, and that's -all." - -"Can she see?" - -"Not much. The landlord said she ought to go to the hospital and have -her eyes operated on, but she doesn't want to go and leave me." - -"But maybe it would be best for her, Paul." - -"Well, I'm willing, Nelson. But how is it you aint selling papers -to-day?" went on Paul curiously. - -"I've sold out. What have you got left?" Our hero surveyed the stock. -"Phew! Eighteen! That's a lot." - -"Len kept chasing me, so I couldn't sell much," answered the little boy, -with a look of concern on his pale face. - -"Give me ten of them," said Nelson, and took that number. "Now you go -over there and I'll stay around here. We ought to get rid of 'em between -us." - -"Good for you, Nelson!" cried Paul, and his face brightened. - -Soon both were at it, crying their wares with the other boys. Len -Snocks saw the move, and scowled more than ever, but did not dare to -interfere. In half an hour the papers were all sold, and our hero turned -the money over to Paul. - -"You ought to have something for selling the ten," said the little -fellow. - -"Never mind; you keep the money, Paul. You'll need it, I know." - -"Thank you." - -"By the way, have you seen anything of Billy Darnley since yesterday -noon?" - -"I saw him about two hours ago." - -"Here?" - -"Yes, he came off the boat from Brooklyn." - -"I'm sorry I missed him. Do you know where he went?" - -"Went to get some papers, I think. He stopped to talk to Len Snocks for -a few minutes." - -"Humph! Did he give Len anything?" - -"I think he gave him a quarter." - -"I'm sorry I missed him. He stole five dollars from me yesterday--nearly -all I had saved up." - -"Oh, Nelson! He ought to be arrested." - -"It wouldn't do any good. The police wouldn't believe me, and I haven't -any witnesses, excepting a young lady I don't know." - -Len Snocks was leaving the vicinity, and now Nelson hastened after him. -Soon he ranged up beside the big newsboy. - -"Len, I want to ask you a question." - -"Wot do you want now?" growled Len. - -"Where did Billy Darnley go after he came off the ferry?" - -At this question a crafty look came into Len Snocks' eyes. - -"Find out fer yerself--I haint answerin' questions," he growled. - -"Billy stole some of my money yesterday." - -"Dat aint none o' my affair, is it?" - -"I suppose not. But he gave some of it to you?" - -"Didn't give me a cent." - -"He was seen to give you money." - -"Ha! has dat Paul Randall been a-blabbin'?" cried Len savagely. "I'll -fix him, if he has!" - -"You let Paul alone, or it will be the worse for you. Then you won't -tell me where Billy went?" - -"I don't know. He didn't tell me nuthin'." - -Len Snocks would say no more, and satisfied that it would be time lost -to question him further. Nelson hurried on and made his way back to the -lunch-room. - -He was somewhat late, and as soon as he entered Sam Pepper began to -storm at him. The man was in a worse humor than ever, and lashed our -hero with his tongue every time he entered the kitchen. - -"Here I am a-breaking my back to make a living, and everything going -wrong!" he muttered. "You ought to have been here an hour ago. I wanted -some more meat from the butcher shop and two dozen more of pies. I think -I'll shut up the place at the end of the week. An honest man can't git -along, no matter how hard he tries. Now look out, or you'll smash those -plates and glasses, and that'll be more money out of my pocket. Hang the -lunch business, anyway!" - -But his troubles were not yet at an end. In his ill humor he served a -customer with a steak that was both tough and half burnt. The customer -refused to pay for the meat, and a quarrel ensued which ended in a -fight. Two tables were overturned and the crockery smashed before the -troublesome customer was ejected, and, in the meantime, several other -customers slipped out without paying. - -"It's no use, Nelson; I'm going to give it up," growled Sam Pepper, when -it was after two o'clock, and the run of midday trade had come to an -end. "There are easier ways to make a living than by running a -lunch-room." - -"Last night you spoke about a good game to make you rich," answered -Nelson curiously, "What did you mean by that?" - -"When did I say that?" - -"When you came in and went to bed." - -"I don't remember it." - -"Well, you said it, and you said something about getting me to help -you." - -"Did I say anything else?" asked Pepper in some alarm. - -"No." - -The man drew a breath of relief. - -"I must have been a bit off in my head, Nelson. You see I met some old -friends, and they treated to champagne--and I'm not used to that any -more. They make an easy living, they do." - -"Perhaps they can help you to something better." - -"They won't have to help me--if I've a mind to work as they work." - -"What do they do?" - -"Oh, they work on the principle that the world owes them a living, and -they are bound to have it." - -"Of course they don't beg?" - -At this Sam Pepper burst into a loud laugh. - -"You're not so green as all that, Nelson." - -"Well, what do they do then?" persisted the boy. - -"Oh, a number of things! One runs a mail-order business. He is -advertising two things just now. One is a steel engraving of Washington, -indorsed by the government as a true picture of the first President, -mounted on cardboard, all ready for framing, for fifty cents, and the -other is a complete sewing machine for one dollar." - -"How can he sell a sewing machine for a dollar?" - -"When some fool sends on a dollar for the machine he sends him a needle, -and when another fool sends fifty cents for the steel engraving he sends -him a postage stamp picture of Washington stuck on a bit of cardboard." - -"Oh!" - -"He's smart, and the law can't get hold of him," went on Sam Pepper. -"Another of the men is selling tips on the races. If his customer wins -he gets a percentage. He gets one fool to bet one way and another fool -to bet the other way, and no matter which wins he gets his share of the -prize." - -"I should think he would have a job, looking for fools," said the -newsboy. "Folks ought to know better." - -"The world is full of people who want to get something for nothing, and -these men know it. But they don't make much of a pile. That's got to be -made in another way." - -"What way?" - -"There are lots of ways, Nelson; some good and some bad. Ever been down -in Wall Street?" - -"Yes, but I don't know anything of the business there." - -"Folks down there gamble in stocks and bonds, and such like. Sometimes -they squeeze a poor man out of everything he's got, but they do it so as -the law can't touch 'em--and there's where they have the advantage over -an East Side gambler, who runs the risk of being arrested if his victim -squeals. But Wall Street aint any better than the East Side, for all -that." - -"Some nice gentlemen in Wall Street, though," said Nelson reflectively. - -"A high hat don't make an honest man, Nelson; you ought to know that by -this time. They are all thieves and swindlers, and an honest man has no -show against 'em. If you want to be rich, you've got to be like 'em!" -went on Sam Pepper, bringing his fist down on the table at which he sat. -"You can't make anything bein' honest." - -To this the newsboy remained silent. He had heard such talk before, so -he was not as much shocked as he might otherwise have been. - -"I guess I'll go out and sell some evening papers," he said, after a -pause, during which Sam Pepper seemed to sink into deep thought. - -"No, I don't want you to go out; I want to have a talk with you," -answered Pepper. "There won't be no business for an hour or two, and -I'll lock the door, so nobody can interrupt us. It's got to come sooner -or later, and it might as well come now." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -NELSON SPEAKS HIS MIND. - - -Locking the front door to the lunch-room, Pepper came to the rear of the -place, poured himself a glass of liquor and tossed it off, and then sank -in a chair by the last table. - -"Sit down, Nelson," he said. - -The boy sat down and gazed curiously at the man before him. -Instinctively he realized that a crisis in his life was approaching. He -felt that the old life was speedily to become a thing of the past. - -"Nelson, aint you often wondered who you was?" went on Pepper. - -"To be sure I have!" cried the boy. "But you will never tell me -anything," he added bitterly. - -"Well, I kept the secret for your own good, my boy." - -"How?" - -"When I came to New York and settled on the East Side I made up my mind -to lead an honest life and bring you up honestly. I did it, too; didn't -I?" - -"So far as I know, yes." - -"I did it, but it was hard scratching, and you know it. Many were the -times I didn't know how to turn myself, and if it hadn't been for some -friends helping me, I would have gone under. Those friends were the only -ones I ever knew. They weren't honest, but--well, we'll let that pass. -They helped me, and I aint going back on 'em." - -"But what about me?" - -"I'm coming to that, Nelson. As I said before, I wanted to bring you up -honestly; for your mother was honest, even if your father wasn't." - -"My father!" ejaculated the newsboy. "What was he?" - -"He was a good-hearted man, Nelson--a fine-hearted man, who did lots of -good." - -"But you said he wasn't honest." - -"No, he wasn't, if you must know. He was a burglar, and made his living -by taking from the rich what they didn't deserve to have. He was my -friend, and he was one of the men who helped me when I lost all I had at -the yacht races." - -"But--but I don't understand," faltered Nelson. "What was his name?" - -"I can't tell you that." - -"Is he dead?" - -"Yes; he died when you was a little kid not more than three years old. -We both lived in another city then--I won't tell you where. Your father -was shot while entering a house to rob a man who had once robbed him -when he was in business. Your father died in a hospital, and I was with -him. Your mother was dead, and he didn't know what to do with you. I -said I'd take you, and he made me promise to go to sea first and then to -another city and bring you up the best I could. He didn't want you to -know your name, and so I got to calling you Nelson after the English -admiral, and you can sign yourself Nelson Pepper after this, if you want -to." - -"Then you won't tell me where I came from?" - -"No; excepting that it was a good many miles from here. It wouldn't do -any good to rake up old scores. If your father hadn't died of the shot, -he would have been sent to prison for ten or fifteen years." - -"What was the name of the man who shot him?" - -"It won't do you any good to know that, either--he's dead and gone, -too." - -There was a pause, and the newsboy gave something like an inward groan. -The revelation that Pepper had made was truly a shocking one, and the -boy was so dazed and bewildered he could scarcely think. His father a -burglar, and shot down while in the act of committing a robbery! What a -degradation! - -"I've told you all this for a purpose," went on the man. "Now I've got -some more to tell you, if you'll promise to keep your mouth shut." - -"What else is there?" - -"Will you keep silent if I tell you?" - -"Yes." - -"And do you promise not to say a word of what I have just told you?" - -"Why should I--it wouldn't be anything to my credit," answered Nelson. - -"But I want you to promise." - -"All right; I promise." - -"That's good. I know if you give your word you'll keep it. Now, I've got -a plan in my head to square accounts, so to speak, and git rich at the -same time." - -"What plan?" - -"Well, you see, it's like this: There's a rich gent lives up near -Central Park. I won't give you his name, but I don't mind telling you -that he's a distant relative of the fellow who shot your father, and he -used to help that other man in his dealings against your father. I don't -know as he remembers your father now, but he's a man you ought to get -square on, anyway." - -"How?" - -"I'm coming to that, my boy. This man is old and feeble and has -something of an office in his library at home. There is a safe in the -library, but it's old-fashioned and can easily be opened. In that safe -the old man keeps thousands of dollars all the time, for it's too much -for him to go back and forth to the bank, and he aint the one to trust -anybody else." - -Sam Pepper paused suggestively and looked Nelson full in the eyes. Then -he began to whistle softly to himself. - -"Do you mean that you think I ought to rob that safe?" questioned our -hero. - -"You won't have to do the job alone, lad; I'll be on hand to help you." - -"But I--I never stole anything in my life." - -"It won't be stealing, exactly. That man owes you something. If it -hadn't been for him and his relative your father might have been rich -and never got into any burglary. I have looked the ground over, and the -job will be dead easy. There is a back alley and an iron fence that both -of us can climb over without half trying. Then I can git a diamond -cutter for the window glass, and the rest will be just as easy as wink." - -"And if you are caught, what then?" - -"We won't git caught, Nelson. The old man has only a niece living with -him, a girl of seventeen or eighteen, and an old housekeeper who is half -deaf. The rest of the help comes in the morning and leaves after -supper." - -There was another pause. Nelson sank beside the table, with his face in -his hands. Suddenly he looked at Sam Pepper again. - -"Did you say that man had robbed my father--I mean the man who shot -him?" - -"Sure he did, Nelson." - -"Then perhaps my father wasn't a burglar, after all. Perhaps he was -entering the house to get evidence against the man." - -"No, he went in to--er--well, to steal, if you must have it straight." - -"Sam Pepper, I don't believe you!" - -"Nelson!" - -"I don't believe you, so there! You won't tell me my name, or where I -came from, or anything, and you are only trying to make out my father -was a thief so as to get me to turn thief, too." - -"I've told you the truth, lad." - -"And I repeat I don't believe you. What is more, I won't help you in -your plans of robbery. I've been honest so far, and I mean to remain -honest. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for trying to make me a -thief." - -The newsboy had risen to his feet and, as he spoke, his face glowed -with earnestness. Now Sam Pepper sprang up, his features full of baffled -passion. - -"How dare you talk to me, you miserable pup?" he roared. "I've a good -mind to thrash you well for this! Haven't I clothed and fed you for -years? And this is what I git for it! I've told you the truth about -yourself, only I didn't paint your father as black as I might, not -wishing to hurt your feelings. He was a burglar, and before he was shot -he served two sentences in prison." - -"I don't believe it--and I never will," retorted Nelson, but with -quivering lips. "Where was this? Tell me, and I'll soon find out if it -is true." - -"I won't tell you a thing more--unless you promise to help me as you -should." - -"I won't help you--and that's the end of it." - -"You owe me something for keeping you all these years." - -"I don't believe you would have kept me if you weren't paid for it." - -"I never received a cent--not a penny. You've got to pay me back -somehow." - -"Well, I am not going to do it by stealing," answered Nelson doggedly. - -"Then how are you going to do it?" - -"I don't know yet." - -"I'm going to give this place up soon, and of course the living rooms -will go, too." - -"I can find another place to live." - -"You want to git out of paying me that five dollars a week, don't you?" -sneered Pepper. - -"I can't pay five dollars. But I'll pay what I can. How much do you -think I owe you?" - -"A good deal--seeing that I've kept you ten years or longer." - -"Didn't my father leave anything?" - -"About forty dollars--not enough to keep you three months." - -"He hadn't any property?" - -"Nothing." - -"Well, as I said before, I'll do what I can--when I am able." - -"And you won't help me to----" Pepper paused. - -"I won't steal--I'll starve first," returned Nelson, and taking up his -hat, he unlocked the door, and walked away from the lunch-room. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A BOOK AGENT'S TRIALS. - - -When Nelson left the lunch-room he scarcely knew what he was doing. The -conversation which had occurred had been an important one, but his head -was in such a whirl that just now he could make little or nothing out of -it. - -He had no desire to sell papers,--indeed, he had no desire to do -anything,--and all he did was to walk up the street and keep on walking -until he was well uptown. Then he began to cross the city in the -direction of Broadway. - -At last he began to "cool off" a bit, and then he went over all that had -been said with care. As he did this he became more and more convinced -that Sam Pepper had not told him the truth concerning his parent. - -"He is holding something back," he told himself. "And he has some object -in doing it. He shall never make me a thief, and some day I'll force him -to tell his secret." - -"Hullo, Nelson! what brings you up here?" - -The question was asked by a young man who carried a flat bag in his -hand. The man was an agent for books, and the boy had met him many times -before. - -"Oh, I just came up for a walk," answered our hero. "How is business, -Van Pelt?" - -"Poor," answered George Van Pelt, as he set down his bag, which was -heavy. "Haven't made but half a dollar so far to-day." - -"That's no better than selling newspapers." - -"I don't suppose it is, and you don't have to carry around such a bag as -this, either. But I would have made more to-day if a customer hadn't -tripped me up." - -"How was that?" - -"There was a young gent living near Central Park named Homer Bulson, -wanted me to get certain French books for him. I got the books, but when -I went to deliver them he refused to take them, saying they were not -what he had ordered." - -"Were they?" - -"They were. I could make him take them, according to law, but to sue a -man is expensive. But now I've got the books on my hands, and they cost -me over three dollars." - -"Can't you sell them to somebody else?" - -"I hardly think so. You see, they are books on poisons, and there isn't -much call for that sort of thing." - -"Poisons! What did he want to do with them?" - -"He said when he ordered them, that he was studying to be a doctor, and -was going to make poisons a specialty." - -"It's a shame you can't make him take the books." - -"So it is. I suppose I could make him take them, if I wanted to create a -row. But I can't do that. I haven't the cheek." - -"I'd make him take them, if I was in your place. Anyway, I'd tell him I -was going to sue him if he didn't pay up. Perhaps that might scare him." - -"I was thinking something of doing so. Do you really think it might make -him come down?" - -"I know some folks hate to think they are going to be sued. And if he -lives in a fine house he must be pretty high-toned." - -"Oh, he is! He's a young bachelor, and lives in fine style, directly -opposite the home of his rich uncle." - -"Then I'd try him again, before I'd give up." - -"I will. Do you want to come along?" went on George Van Pelt, who hated -a quarrel. - -"I might as well. I'm not doing much just now," answered Nelson. - -"Of course you haven't given up selling papers?" went on George Van -Pelt, as the two walked along. - -"No. But I wish I could get something better to do." - -"That's hard these times, Nelson. How much a day can you make at it?" - -"From seventy-five cents to a dollar and a quarter. Sometimes I make a -dollar and a half, but that's not often." - -"The books used to bring me in from three to five dollars a day. But the -department stores cut the prices now, and soon the whole book-agent -business will be ruined." - -"What will you go into then?" - -"I don't know. If I had the money I'd start a newsstand--for papers and -books, too." - -"That would pay, if you could get hold of the right corner," said our -hero, with interest. - -"I know of a good corner on Third Avenue. The man who keeps it now is -old and wants to sell out." - -"What does he want for the stand?" - -"A hundred dollars. Of course the stock isn't worth it, but the business -is." - -"That depends on what he takes in a day." - -"He averages seventy-five dollars a week. But it would be more, if he -was able to get around and attend to it." - -"A hundred dollars a week would mean about thirty dollars profit," said -Nelson, who was quick at figures. "How much is the rent?" - -"Five dollars a week." - -"That would leave twenty-five dollars for the stand-keeper. Does he have -a boy?" - -"Yes, and pays him three dollars a week." - -"Maybe we could buy the stand together, Van Pelt. You know all about -books, and I know about the newspapers. We ought to make a go of it." - -"That's so, but----" The book agent looked rather dubiously at our -hero's clothes. "How about the cash?" - -"We might save it somehow. I'm saving up for a suit now." - -"You need the suit." - -"I expected to get it in a few days. But Billy Darnley robbed me of five -dollars, so I've got to wait a bit." - -"Well, if we could raise that money we might buy out the stand and try -our luck," continued George Van Pelt, after a thoughtful pause. "I think -we'd get along. How much have you." - -"Only a dollar or two now." - -"I've got fifteen dollars, and about ten dollars' worth of books." - -"Couldn't we get the man to trust us for the stand?" - -"He said he might trust me for half the amount he asks, but fifty -dollars would have to be a cash payment." - -"We'll raise it somehow!" cried Nelson enthusiastically. The idea of -owning a half interest in a regular stand appealed to him strongly. In -his eyes the proprietor of such a stand was a regular man of business. - -The pair hurried on, and at length reached the vicinity of Central Park, -and Van Pelt pointed out the house in which the rich young man who had -refused to take the books lived. - -"Perhaps he won't let me in," he said. - -"Wait--somebody is coming out of the house," returned our hero. - -"It's Mr. Bulson himself," said George Van Pelt. - -He hurried forward, followed by Nelson, and the pair met the young man -on the steps of his bachelor abode. - -Homer Bulson was a tall, slim young fellow, with light hair and blue -eyes. His face was somewhat weak, but in his eyes was a look full of -scheming cunning. He was faultlessly dressed in the latest fashion, wore -a silk hat, and carried a gold-headed cane. - -"Mr. Bulson, I must see you about these books," said George Van Pelt, -coming to a halt on the steps of the stone porch. - -"I told you before that I did not wish to be bothered," answered the -young man coldly. - -"But you ordered the books, sir." - -"I will not discuss the matter with you. Go away, and if you bother me -again I shall call a policeman." - -"My friend hasn't done anything wrong," put in Nelson boldly. "You -ordered some books from him, and you ought to pay for 'em." - -"What have you to do with this matter?" demanded the rich young man, -staring harshly at our hero. - -"This man is my friend, and I don't want to see him swindled," said our -hero. - -"Swindled!" - -"That's it. You ordered some books on poisons from him, and now you -don't want to pay for 'em. It's a swindle and an outrage. He's a poor -man, and you haven't any right to treat him so." - -"Boy, if you speak like that to me, I'll have you put under arrest," -stormed Homer Bulson in a rage. - -"You must take the books," put in George Van Pelt, growing braver -through what Nelson was saying. "If you won't take them, I'll sue you -for the amount." - -"Sue me?" - -"Yes, sue you." - -"And I'll put the reporters on the game," added the newsboy. "They like -to get hold of society notes." And he grinned suggestively. - -At this Homer Bulson's face became filled with horror. For more reasons -than one he did not wish this affair to become public property. - -"To sue me will do no good," he said lamely. - -"Yes, it will," said the book agent. "You have money and will have to -pay up." - -"Or else your rich uncle will pay for you," said Nelson, never dreaming -of how the shot would tell. Bulson grew very pale. - -"I--I will take the books and pay for them," he stammered. "Not because -I think I ought to take them, mind you," he added, "but because I wish -no trouble in public. Where are the books?" - -"Here." And George Van Pelt brought two volumes from his satchel. - -"How much?" - -"Just what I told you before, Mr. Bulson--five dollars." - -"It's a very high price for such small books." - -"They are imported from France, remember, and besides, books on -poisons----" - -"Give them to me." - -The books were passed over, and Homer Bulson drew from his vest pocket a -small roll of bills. He handed over a five to George Van Pelt. - -"Now begone with you," he said sourly. "And don't ever come near me -again for another order." - -"Don't worry, I won't come," answered the book agent. "You are too hard -a customer to suit." - -He pocketed the money and rejoined Nelson on the sidewalk. Then both -started to walk away. - -As they did so our hero glanced across the way and saw, in a window of -the house opposite, the young lady who had offered her assistance after -Billy Darnley had robbed him. - -She recognized him and smiled, and he promptly touched his hat -respectfully. - -Homer Bulson saw the act and so did George Van Pelt, and both stared at -Nelson. - -"Whom did you see?" asked Van Pelt, as they walked down the street. - -"A lady who once offered to help me," said Nelson. "She was in that -house. She has left the window now." - -"Why, that is where that man's rich uncle lives!" exclaimed the book -agent. - -"Is it?" cried our hero. "Then perhaps the lady is a relative to him." - -"Perhaps." - -"What is the uncle's name?" - -"Mark Horton. I understood that he was once a rich merchant of -Philadelphia. But he's a sickly old man now. I wanted to sell him some -books, but they wouldn't let me see him." - -"I hope that young lady isn't a relative to that Homer Bulson," mused -Nelson. "If he is, he can't be very nice company for her." - -"That's true, Nelson." - -"You said you tried to sell books there but they wouldn't let you in." - -"No, the gentleman was too sick to see me--at least that is what they -said. But perhaps it was only a dodge to keep me out." - -"I suppose they play all sorts of tricks on you--to keep you out of -folks' houses," went on the newsboy thoughtfully. - -"Sometimes they do. Some folks won't be bothered with a book agent." - -"And yet you've got to live," laughed Nelson. - -"Yes, all of us have got to live. But lots of folks, especially those -with money, won't reason that way. They'll set a dog on you, or do -worse, just to get rid of you. Why, once I had a man in Paterson accuse -me of stealing." - -"How was that?" - -"It was the first week I went out selling books. I was down on my luck -and didn't have any clothes worth mentioning." - -"Like myself, for instance," interrupted the newsboy, with a laugh. - -"If anything my clothes were worse. Well, I was traveling around -Paterson when I struck a clothing shop on a side street. I went in and -found the proprietor busy with a customer, and while I waited for him I -picked up a cheap suit of clothes to examine it. All of a sudden the -proprietor's clerk came rushing out of a back room and caught me by the -arm. - -"'You vos goin' to steal dot coat!' he roared. - -"'No, I wasn't,' I said. 'I was just looking at it.' - -"'I know petter,' he went on, and then he called the proprietor and both -of them held me." - -"I reckon you were scared." - -"I was, for I didn't know a soul in the town. I said I wasn't a thief, -and had come in to sell books, and I showed them my samples. At first -they wouldn't believe a word, and they talked a whole lot of German that -I couldn't understand. Then one went out for a policeman." - -"And what did you do then?" - -"I didn't know what to do, and was studying the situation when the other -man suddenly said I could go--that he didn't want any bother with going -to court, and all that. Then I dusted away, and I never stopped until I -was safe on the train and on my way back to New York." - -"Did you ever go to Paterson after that?" - -"No, I never wanted to see that town again," concluded George Van Pelt. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A HARSH ALTERNATIVE. - - -Homer Bulson was a fashionable man of the world. He had traveled a good -deal and seen far more of a certain kind of "high life" than was good -for him, either mentally or morally. He was fond of liquor and of -gambling, and had almost run through the money which an indulgent parent -had left him. - -He was alone in the world, so far as immediate members of his family -were concerned, but he had an uncle, Mark Horton, just mentioned, and -also a cousin, Gertrude Horton, who was the ward of the retired -merchant. This Gertrude Horton was the young lady who had offered to -assist Nelson, and who had just recognized our hero from her seat at the -window opposite. - -In the fashionable world Homer Bulson cut a "wide swath," as it is -commonly called, but he managed to keep his doings pretty well hidden -from his uncle, who supposed him to be a model young man. - -The young man's reason for this was, his uncle was rich and at his -death would leave a large property, and he wished to become heir to a -large portion of what Mark Horton left behind him. He knew his uncle was -a strict man, and would not countenance his high mode of living, should -he hear of it. - -Homer Bulson watched Nelson curiously, and then looked across the street -to see if he could catch his cousin Gertrude's eye. But the young lady -was now out of sight. - -"How is it that she knows that street boy?" Bulson asked himself, as he -walked into the house to stow away the books he had purchased. "I don't -like it at all--seeing that he was with the man who sold me these books. -I hope he doesn't ever tell her I've been buying books on poisons." - -Entering one of his rooms--he occupied several--he locked the door and -threw himself into an easy-chair. Soon he was looking over the books, -and reading slowly, for his knowledge of French was decidedly limited. - -"Oh, pshaw! I can't make anything out of this," he exclaimed at last. -"That English book on poisons I picked up at the second-hand book store -is good enough for me. I might as well put these in a fire." But instead -he hid them away at the bottom of a trunk. - -With the books on poisons out of his sight, Homer Bulson turned to his -wardrobe and made a new selection of a suit of light brown which his -tailor had just brought to him. - -He was putting on the suit when there came a knock on the door. - -"Who's there?" asked the young man. - -"Mr. Grodell, sir," was the answer. - -Mr. Grodell was the agent of the apartment house, and had come for his -rent. - -Homer Bulson was behind four months in payments, and the agent was -growing anxious for his money. - -"Very sorry, Mr. Grodell, but I am just changing my clothes," said the -spendthrift. - -"Then I'll wait," was the answer. - -"Better not, it will take some time." - -"I am in no hurry, Mr. Bulson," said the agent. - -"Oh, pshaw! why does he bother me!" muttered Homer Bulson. "I haven't -got any money for him." - -He did not know what to do, and scratched his head in perplexity. - -"Come around Saturday and I will pay you in full," he called out. - -"You told me you would pay me last Saturday, Mr. Bulson." - -"I know I did, but I was disappointed about a remittance. I will surely -have your money this coming Saturday." - -"Without fail?" - -"Without fail." - -"All right, Mr. Bulson. But I must have it then, or else take possession -of the rooms." And with this parting shot the agent departed. - -"The impudent fellow!" muttered Homer Bulson. "To talk to me in that -fashion! He shall wait until I get good and ready to pay him!" - -Nevertheless, the young man's pocketbook was very nearly empty, and this -worried him not a little. - -Several times he had thought of applying to his uncle for a loan, but -each time had hesitated, being afraid that Mark Horton would suspect his -extravagant mode of living. - -"But I must get money somehow," he told himself. - -At last he was dressed, and then he peered out into the hallway. - -The agent had really gone, and satisfied on this point Homer Bulson left -the residence for a stroll on Fifth Avenue. - -This occupied over an hour, and then he walked over to one of the clubs -to which he was attached, where he dined in the best of style. - -After dinner came a game or two of billiards, and then he took a cab to -his uncle's mansion near the Park. - -He found Mark Horton seated in an invalid's chair in the library, and -nearby was Gertrude trying her best to make the elderly man comfortable. - -Evidently the elderly man was in a bad humor, for his eyes flashed -angrily as the nephew entered. - -The trouble was Mark Horton and his niece Gertrude had had something of -a quarrel. The invalid wished Gertrude to marry her cousin Homer, and -the girl did not desire the match, for she realized what a spendthrift -and generally worthless fellow Bulson was. - -Both knew that their uncle had made a will leaving his property divided -equally between them, and Gertrude was almost certain that Bulson wished -to marry her simply in order to gain control of everything. - -The girl hated very much to displease her uncle, for she realized what -troubles he had had in the past. A fearful railroad accident had -deprived the man of his beloved wife years before, and shortly after -this happening other trials had come to him, which had broken him down -completely. What these trials were will be revealed as our story -progresses. - -"Well, Uncle Mark, how goes it to-day?" asked Homer Bulson, on walking -in. - -"Not very well, Homer," was the feeble answer. - -"Uncle Mark had quite a bad attack about two hours ago," put in Gertrude -Horton. "I had to send for the doctor." - -"Wasn't he here this morning?" - -"Yes, but I thought best to have him again," answered the girl. - -"That's right." - -"The doctor seems to do me small good," put in the invalid, in a feeble -voice. "He doesn't seem to understand my case at all." - -"He is one of the best physicians in New York," answered Homer Bulson. - -"So you said before, Homer. Well, I doubt if I ever get any better." - -"Oh, Uncle Mark!" cried Gertrude, much shocked. - -"I seem to be completely broken down," went on the invalid. "At times -the strangest of sinking spells come over me. I feel very, very old." - -There was a painful silence, and Gertrude rearranged the pillow behind -the invalid's head. - -"Did you see about those stocks to-day, Homer?" went on Mark Horton. "I -had forgotten about them." - -"I did, sir." - -"And what did the broker say?" - -"He urged me to hold on awhile longer." - -"And you have them still?" - -"Yes, uncle." - -"Very well; do as he advises. Some day, when I am stronger, I must -attend to many other business matters." - -"Oh, Uncle Mark, don't worry about business," pleaded Gertrude, passing -her arm around his neck. - -There was another pause and Mark Horton gazed sharply at Gertrude. Then -he turned to Homer Bulson. - -"She won't marry you, Homer--I don't know why," he said. - -The face of the young man fell, and he bit his lip. - -"Well, I suppose she will do as she pleases," he remarked, somewhat -sarcastically. - -"I think I should be allowed to make my own choice," said Gertrude. She -had already refused Bulson several times. - -"I can't understand it," said the invalid. "To my mind you are just -suited to each other." - -"I do not think so," answered Gertrude. - -"And why not?" - -"I would rather not say, Uncle Mark." - -"You can't have anything against me personally," put in Bulson, with a -scowl. - -"But I have!" cried the girl. "You go to the race-track, and drink, and -gamble, and I do not like it." - -A stormy scene followed, in which all three in the room took part. -Strange to say, Mark Horton sided with his nephew, for he did not -realize the blackness of Bulson's character. - -"You are prejudiced and foolish," cried the invalid at last, turning to -his niece. "You do not wish to please me in anything." And so speaking, -he arose and tottered from the room. Homer Bulson made as if to follow -him, then reconsidered the matter and sank back into a chair. Poor -Gertrude burst into a flood of tears. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE COMBINATION OF THE SAFE. - - -"Gertrude, you are making a great mistake," said Homer Bulson, after a -pause broken only by the sobbing of the girl. - -"Please don't speak to me, Homer," she answered. "I have heard enough -for one day." - -"You have no right to blacken my character," he said with assumed -dignity. - -"Uncle Mark forced me to speak the truth." - -"It was not the truth. But let that pass. Why didn't you tell him you -would marry me?" - -"Because I don't want to marry you." - -"But you might let him think that you----" - -"I am above practicing a deception upon him, Homer." - -"Oh, you aren't a saint!" he sneered. "I know why you are so loving to -him--you thought to get all of his money. Now you are trying to blacken -my character, so that you may get all of it, anyway. But the game won't -work." - -"I told him what I did simply to let him know why I didn't care to marry -you, Cousin Homer." - -"And why are you so opposed to me?" - -"I do not like your ways. Isn't that enough? As for Uncle Mark's money, -I trust he will live a long time to enjoy it himself." - -"Uncle Mark can live but a short while longer. Anybody can see that. He -is exceedingly feeble." - -"You seem to wish his death," replied Gertrude sharply. - -"I? No, indeed; I hope he does live. Haven't I done what I could for -him--giving him wines and the like? And he has the best of doctors--on -my recommendation." - -"I don't think the wine you gave him is doing any good. He seems to -become weaker after it, instead of stronger." - -"Bosh! If he hadn't the wine, he would collapse utterly." - -At this the girl merely shrugged her shoulders. - -This was not the first time that Homer Bulson and herself had quarreled -over the care their uncle should have. To the girl the retired merchant -seemed to grow unexpectedly weak in spite of all she could do. The -doctor, too, was baffled, and said he had never come across such a -strange case before. - -"If you won't marry me, you shall not turn Uncle Mark against me," went -on Bulson sternly. "If you try it, you will repent it as long as you -live." - -So speaking, he strode from the room and made after Mark Horton, who had -gone to his private apartment on the second floor. - -He found the retired merchant resting in an easy-chair by the window, -his head bowed low. - -"Cheer up, uncle," he said, placing his hand on the other's shoulder. -"Let me pour you a glass of wine." - -And he walked to a medicine closet in a corner and got out a bottle he -had brought a few days before. - -"Thank you, Homer; I will have a little wine," replied the retired -merchant. - -The wine was poured out and Mark Horton gulped it down. Homer Bulson -watched him closely, and then turned away his face to hide a sinister -smile. - -"I cannot understand Gertrude," said Mark Horton. "I always thought she -preferred you." - -"I think she has another person in view," answered Bulson, struck with a -certain idea. - -"Another? Who is it?" - -"I would rather not say, uncle." - -"But I demand to know." - -"I cannot tell you his name. But he is a common sort of person. He went -past the house a while ago and she nodded and smiled to him." - -"And how long has this been going on?" - -"Oh, several months, I dare say. They meet in the evening on the sly. -But please don't tell Gertrude that I spoke of this." - -"What does the man do?" - -"I am not sure, but I think he is in the theatrical business, when he -has an engagement--something on the variety stage." - -"What! My Gertrude the wife of a variety actor? Never, Homer, never!" -groaned Mark Horton. "This is too much! I will speak to her at once!" - -"Uncle, you just promised not to let her know----" - -"You'll be safe, Homer, never fear. But I won't have this--I'll cast her -out first." - -"I suppose she wanted to keep this a secret until after you--that -is----" - -"Until after I am dead, so that she can use up my money on her actor -husband," finished Mark Horton bitterly. He suddenly sprang to his feet. -"But she shall marry you, Homer, and nobody else. That is final." - -"Pray do not excite yourself too much, uncle. Let the matter rest for a -few days." - -"And if I should die in the meantime, what then? No, Homer; delays are -dangerous. I--I--feel as if I cannot last much longer. Who knows but -what this night may prove my last?" - -And Mark Horton sank back again in his chair and covered his face with -his hands. - -"Uncle, in case anything should happen to you, may I ask what you have -done with your will?" asked Bulson, after a long pause. "Or, perhaps -Gertrude knows about this?" - -"Yes, she knows, but you must know, too. Both the old will and the new -one are in the safe in the library, in the upper compartment on the -right side. On the left side are two gold pieces which I brought home -with me when I visited the mint in California." - -"Is that all the money there is in the safe?" - -"No, there is more gold than that--in a secret compartment at the -bottom. There is a spring to open this compartment on the left side, a -small gilded knob. It is right I should tell you of this, otherwise you -might never find the secret compartment." - -"And the combination of the safe?" went on Bulson, more anxiously than -ever. - -"The combination is 0, 4, 25, 12, 32, and once around to the left to 0 -again. You had better put it down. I have it written on a slip in my -pocketbook." - -"Then it won't be necessary for me to put it down," answered the -nephew, but he took good care to remember the combination, nevertheless. - -It was now time for Mark Horton to retire, and, the wine having made him -drowsy, he soon forgot his anger against Gertrude and went to sleep. - -When Homer Bulson went below he paused in the hallway and glanced -through the doorway into the library. - -He saw that Gertrude had left the apartment and that it was empty. - -None of the servants were about, and the housekeeper, an elderly lady, -was also nowhere to be seen. - -"I wonder if I dare do it so soon?" he muttered to himself. Then he shut -his teeth hard. "I must do something! I have used up my last dollar, and -I can't go around empty-handed. Uncle Mark will never grow strong enough -to know." - -Going to the front door he opened it, then slammed it violently and made -a noise as if he was descending the steps. Then he closed the door with -care and stole back into the gloom of the library. It was now after -midnight, a fitting time for the desperate deed this misguided young man -had undertaken. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A PAIR WELL MATCHED. - - -After leaving George Van Pelt Nelson felt more like working, and buying -a large supply of evening papers he was soon hard at it, crying his -wares as loudly as possible. - -Business proved brisk, and by seven o'clock he had sold out. Then he -went back to the lunch-room. - -Sam Pepper met him with a scowl. - -"Concluded to come back after all, eh?" he said. "Work piling up on me -and nobody to help. Pitch in, quick, or I'll thrash you good; do you -hear?" - -The rest of the evening passed in almost utter silence between them. By -ten o'clock the most of the lunch trade came to an end. At eleven Sam -Pepper began to lock up. - -"I'm going out," he said. "An old friend is sick. Maybe I won't be back -till morning. Watch things good while I'm gone." - -"Who is sick?" asked our hero. - -"None of your business. You mind what I told you, and keep your mouth -closed," growled the lunch-room keeper. - -Nelson had noticed a heavy handbag lying in the corner of the back room, -and now he saw Sam Pepper pick the bag up. As the man moved it, -something inside struck together with a hard, metallic sound, as if the -bag might contain tools. - -When Sam Pepper went out he wore a big slouch hat and a coat which he -had not donned for years. He usually wore a derby hat, and his general -appearance surprised the newsboy not a little. - -"He acts as if he wanted to be disguised," thought the boy. "Something -is up, sure." - -Then of a sudden he remembered the talk he had had with Pepper about -robbing an old man--the man who had in some way been connected with his -father's downfall, if Pepper's story was true. Was it possible Pepper -was going to undertake the job that very night, and alone? - -"I believe he is!" thought Nelson. "And if that's so, I'll follow him!" - -With the boy, to think was to act, and in a few minutes he was prepared -to follow Sam Pepper. The man had locked the front door and taken the -key with him. Nelson slipped out of a rear window and fastened the -window from the outside by means of a nail shoved into a hole in a -corner--a trick he had learned some time before. - -When the boy came out on the street he ran up the thoroughfare for a -couple of blocks, and was just in time to see Sam Pepper making his way -up the stairs of the elevated railroad station. When the train came -along Pepper entered the front car, and our hero took the car behind it. -Nelson buttoned up his coat and pulled his hat far down over his eyes to -escape recognition, but Sam Pepper never once looked around to see if he -was being followed. - -Leaving the Bowery, the elevated train continued up Third Avenue until -Fifty-ninth Street was reached. Here Sam Pepper got off, and Nelson, who -was on the watch, did the same. The man descended to the street and -walked slowly toward Fifth Avenue. Our hero followed like a shadow. He -was now certain that Pepper was bent on the robbery of the place he had -mentioned that afternoon. - -Mark Horton's residence stood on the avenue, but a few blocks below -Central Park. As Sam Pepper had said, there was an alleyway in the rear, -with a small iron fence. Beyond was a small courtyard, and here there -was a balcony with an alcove window opening into the library. Over the -window was a heavy curtain, which the retired merchant sometimes closed -when at the safe, so that curious neighbors might not pry into his -affairs. But the neighbors were now away on a vacation in -Europe--something which Sam Pepper had noted with considerable -satisfaction. - -It did not take the man long to climb over the iron fence and on to the -little balcony. Noiselessly he tried the window, to find it locked. But -the catch was an old-fashioned one, and he readily pushed it aside with -a blade of his knife. Then he raised the window inch by inch. At last he -had it high enough, and he stepped into the room, behind the heavy -curtain before mentioned. - -Sam Pepper was hardly in the room when something happened to give him a -temporary shock. He heard the scratch of a match, and then a gas jet was -lit and turned low in the room. - -"I've put my foot into it," he groaned. "Maybe I had better git out as -fast as I came in." - -Cautiously he peeped from behind the curtain, and to his astonishment -saw Homer Bulson approach the safe and kneel down before it. He also saw -that Bulson was alone, and that the doors to the other parts of the -mansion were tightly closed. - -"Something is up that's not on the level," he told himself. "This man -don't live here." - -Scarcely daring to breathe, he watched Homer Bulson work at the -combination of the safe. To get the strong box open was not easy, and -soon the fashionable young man uttered a low exclamation of impatience. - -"I must have it wrong," Pepper heard him say. "Confound the luck! And I -wanted that money to-night, too." - -At last the safe came open, and Homer Bulson breathed a sigh of -satisfaction. With trembling fingers he pulled open one of the upper -drawers. - -"Found!" he murmured. "I wonder if I have time to read them over, to -make sure they are all right? Uncle is a queer stick and he may have -made some mistake." - -He brought some documents forth and began to unfold them. Then he -reconsidered the matter and placed the papers on a chair beside the -safe. In a moment more he had found the gilded knob, pressed upon it, -and opened the secret compartment at the bottom of the strong box. - -The sight that met his gaze caused his eyes to glisten. There were -several stacks of ten- and twenty-dollar gold pieces--at least two -thousand dollars in all. Without waiting he placed a large handful of -the coins in the outer pocket of his coat. - -"I won't take it all--it won't be safe," he murmured. "I can get more -some other time--if I need it." Then he shut the compartment. - -Sam Pepper had seen the gold, and it set his heart to thumping madly. -Here was more wealth than he had seen in many a day--right within his -reach. Why had not the young man taken it all? - -"He's chicken-hearted and a fool," thought Pepper. - -A second later a big fly, awakened by the swinging of the curtain and -the light, buzzed close to Pepper's ear and caused him to start. At the -same moment Homer Bulson glanced up and caught sight of the other's -face. - -"Who--what--who are you?" stammered Bulson, leaping to his feet. - -"Hush!" cried Sam Pepper warningly. "Hush, unless you want to wake up -the whole house." - -"But who are you, and where did you come from?" - -"Never mind about that. Why didn't you take all of the gold from the -safe while you were at it?" - -"I--er--what do you know of the gold?" stammered Homer Bulson. He was -pale and confused. - -"I saw you open the safe and take it. Is that your uncle's money?" - -"Ye--yes." - -"What are you going to do with it?" - -"What business is that of yours?" - -"I am going to make this job my business." - -"You look like a burglar." - -"Well, if I am a burglar, you won't give me away, for you are a burglar -yourself." - -The shot told, and Homer Bulson became paler than before. - -"I reckon we might divide up on this job," went on Sam Pepper with a -boldness that was astonishing. - -"I don't understand." - -"Give me half the gold and I won't say anything about this to anybody." - -"And if I refuse?" - -"If you refuse, perhaps I'll make it mighty unpleasant for you. I know -you. You are Homer Bulson, the fashionable nephew of Mark Horton, and -the man who expects to come into a good share of his property when he -dies." - -"And who are you?" - -"I am a man who used to be up in the world, but one who is now down on -his luck. I want you to help me. If you will, I'll help you." - -At this Homer Bulson was a good deal bewildered. - -"I don't understand you. I am not of your kind, my man." - -At this Sam Pepper gave a contemptuous sniff. - -"If you aint, you aint any better," he growled. "Let me tell you I know -a thing or two. I didn't come here blindly. I know all about Mark -Horton and his niece, and you--and I know a good deal more--about the -past. You and that girl expect to get his property. Well, maybe you -will, and then, again, maybe you won't." - -"And why won't we get his property?" asked Homer Bulson, in deep -interest. - -"Hush! not so loud, or you'll have the rest of the house down on us," -Sam Pepper leaned forward and whispered something into the young man's -ear. "There, how do you like that?" - -Homer Bulson fell back as if shot. - -"You--you speak the truth?" he faltered. - -"I do." - -"But after all these years! Impossible!" - -"It's true, I tell you, and I can prove it--if I want to. But I'm not -his friend. Now are you willing to make a deal with me?" - -"Yes! yes!" groaned the young man. "First, however, you must prove your -words. But that can't be done here. Come to my bachelor apartment, -across the way. There we will be perfectly safe." - -"All right. But I must have some of that gold first." - -"Well, you shall have some--as much as I took, but no more," concluded -Homer Bulson, and opened the secret compartment again. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -GERTRUDE LEAVES HER HOME. - - -Left to himself in the alleyway, our hero scarcely knew what to do next. - -Under ordinary circumstances he would have notified a policeman of what -was going on. But he reflected that Pepper had done him many kindnesses -in the past, and that it was barely possible the man was not doing as -much of a wrong as he imagined. - -"I'll wait a while and see what turns up," he soliloquized, and hid -himself in a dark corner, where he could watch not only the library -window, but also the side alleyway leading to the street in front of the -mansion. - -Slowly the minutes wore away until Nelson felt certain that Sam Pepper -was going to remain inside all night. - -"Perhaps something happened to him," he thought. "Maybe he got a fit, or -somebody caught him." - -He waited a while longer, then, impelled by curiosity, approached the -balcony, climbed up, and tried to look into the window of the library. - -As he did this the curtain was suddenly thrust aside, and in the dim -light he found himself face to face with Gertrude Horton! - -He was so astonished that, for the moment, he did not know what to say -or do. Gertrude was equally amazed. She quickly raised the window. - -"What brought you here?" she questioned. "Did you make the noise I heard -a while ago?" - -"No, miss. I--er--I just came," stammered our hero. He knew not what to -say. - -"But I heard a noise. It was that which brought me downstairs. What are -you doing here?" - -"I came to see if--if your home was safe." - -"To see if it was safe?" - -"Yes. I was on the street a while ago and a man sneaked in here. Is he -around?" - -"I saw nobody. But I heard a noise, as I said before. I guess I had -better investigate. Did the man look like a thief?" - -"He looked like lots of men," answered Nelson noncommittally. - -It must be confessed that our hero's head was in a whirl. What had -become of Sam Pepper? Was it possible that he had robbed the mansion and -made his escape without discovery? And if he was gone, should he expose -the man who, good or bad, had cared for him so many years? - -Gertrude was looking around for a match, and now she lit the gas and -turned it up full. She had scarcely done so when her eyes rested on a -ten-dollar gold piece lying in front of the safe. - -"A gold piece!" she cried. - -"Here is another, miss," returned Nelson, stepping into the room and -picking it up from where it had rolled behind a footstool. "Twenty -dollars! Gracious!" - -"Gertrude! What is the meaning of this?" - -The voice came from the hallway, and looking around the girl and our -hero saw Mark Horton standing there, clad in his dressing gown and -slippers. His face was filled with anger. - -"Oh, uncle!" cried the girl. Just then she could say no more. - -"So I have caught you, have I?" went on the retired merchant. He turned -to our hero. "Who are you, young man?" - -"I? I'm Nelson, sir." - -"Nelson? Is that your name?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Fine company you keep, Gertrude, I must say," sneered Mark Horton. "I -would not have believed it, had I not seen it with my own eyes." - -"Why, uncle----" - -"Don't talk back to me. I know all about your doings. You wish----" The -retired merchant broke off short. "What is that in your hand? A gold -piece, as I live! And this young man has another! Ha! you have been at -my safe!" - -Pale with rage, Mark Horton tottered into the room and clutched Gertrude -by the arm. - -"Oh, Uncle Mark, let me go!" she gasped in horror. - -"To think it has come to this!" groaned the invalid. "My own niece -turned robber! It is too much! Too much!" And he sank into an armchair, -overcome. - -"Hold on, sir; you're making a mistake," put in Nelson. - -"Silence, you shameful boy! I know her perhaps better than you do, even -though you do come to see her on the sly." - -"Me? On the sly?" repeated our hero, puzzled. - -"You talk in riddles, uncle," put in Gertrude faintly. - -"I know what I am saying. I will not argue with you. How much have you -taken from the safe?" - -"Nothing," said Gertrude. - -"I haven't touched your safe," added our hero stoutly. - -"I will soon see." Mark Horton glanced at the window, which was still -wide open. "Is anybody else outside?" - -"I guess not," said Nelson. - -Arising with an effort, the retired merchant staggered to the safe and -opened it. Then he opened the secret compartment. - -"Gone! At least six hundred dollars stolen!" he muttered. He turned upon -both of the others. "What have you done with that gold?" - -[Illustration: "'AT LEAST SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS STOLEN,' HE MUTTERED."] - -"Uncle, I have not touched it," sobbed Gertrude. - -"This is all I have, and I just picked that up," added our hero and -flung the piece on the table, beside that which the girl had picked up. - -"I will not believe it!" stormed Mark Horton, more in a rage than ever. -He turned to Nelson. "You took that money away and then thought to come -back for more. Or perhaps you came back to see Gertrude." - -"I am no thief!" cried Nelson. "I never stole in my life." - -"You are a thief, and this girl is your accomplice. Stop, did you not go -past the house this afternoon?" - -"I did, but----" - -"And you saw Gertrude?" - -"I saw this young lady, but----" - -"As I suspected. You planned this thing." - -"Oh, Uncle Mark! what are you saying?" sobbed Gertrude. Her heart was so -full she could scarcely speak. She had always treated her uncle with -every consideration, and to have him turn against her in this fashion -cut her to the quick. - -"Gertrude, my eyes are open at last. From to-night you leave me!" - -"What, going to throw her out of this house--out of her home!" -ejaculated Nelson. "Sir, I don't know you, but I think you must be off -in your mind." - -"I am not so crazy as you imagine. I am sick--nay, I have one foot in -the grave. But this shameless girl shall no longer hoodwink me. As soon -as daylight comes she shall leave this house, and she shall never set -foot in it again." - -"But, sir----" - -"I will waste no further words on you, young man. Out you go, or I will -call a policeman at once." - -"Oh, uncle, don't do that!" burst out Gertrude. "I will go away, if you -insist upon it." - -"I do insist upon it. Pack your things at once. If it were not night I -would insist upon your leaving now." - -Gertrude looked at him, and then drew herself up with an effort. - -"I will go now, I will not wait," she said. "But if ever you need -me----" - -"I'll not send for you," finished Mark Horton quickly. "I never want to -see you again." He turned to our hero. "Are you going, or must I call an -officer?" he added harshly. - -"I will go," said Nelson. He paused as if wishing to say more, then -leaped through the window and disappeared into the darkness of the -alleyway. - -As our hero left the library by the window, Gertrude left by the hall -door. Slowly she mounted the steps to her own room. Once inside, she -threw herself on the bed in a passionate fit of weeping. But this did -not last long. Inside of half an hour she was packing a traveling case -with such things as she absolutely needed. - -"I will take nothing else," she told herself. "His money bought them and -they shall remain here." - -At last her preparations were complete, and she stole downstairs with -her traveling case in her hand. She looked into the library, to see her -uncle sitting in a heap in the armchair. - -"Good-by, Uncle Mark," she said sadly. - -"Go away!" he returned bitterly. "Go away!" - -He would say no more, and she turned, opened the door to the street, -and passed outside. He listened as she hurried down the steps and along -the silent street. When he could no longer hear her footsteps he sank -back again into the armchair. - -"Gone!" he muttered. "Gone, and I drove her away! What a miserable man I -am! What a miserable man!" And then he threw himself down again. He -remained in the armchair for the rest of the night, weaker than ever, -and tortured by an anguish he could not put into words. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AFLOAT IN NEW YORK. - - -Once out on the street again, Nelson did not know which way to turn or -what to do. He was bewildered, for the scene between Gertrude and her -uncle had been more than half a mystery to him. - -"He suspects her of stealing, but I don't," he told himself bluntly. -"Such a girl, with such eyes, would never steal. He wouldn't think so if -he was in his right mind. I guess his sickness has turned his brain." -And in the latter surmise our hero was partly correct. - -Slowly he walked to the end of the block, then, struck by a sudden -thought, came back. If the young lady did really come out, he meant to -see her and have another talk with her. - -The newsboy was still some distance from the mansion when, on looking -across the way, he saw the door of the house in which Homer Bulson lived -open, and a second later beheld Sam Pepper come out. - -"Gracious--Sam!" he cried to himself, and lost no time in hiding behind -a convenient stoop. Soon Pepper passed by, and our hero saw him continue -on his way along Fifth Avenue until Fifty-ninth Street was reached. - -"He's going home," thought Nelson. "I ought to get down there before -him. What will he say if he finds me missing?" - -He was now more perplexed than ever. What had Sam Pepper been doing in -the house in which Homer Bulson lived? Had the man robbed that place, -and had he himself made a mistake in regard to the Horton mansion? - -"It's too deep for me," he mused. "I'll never get to the bottom of it. -But that young lady--hullo, here she comes, sure enough!" - -He stepped behind the stoop again and waited. In a moment Gertrude -passed him. Evidently the darkness and the strange silence frightened -her. When Nelson came out of his hiding place she started back. - -"Oh!" she gasped. "Is it you?" - -"Yes, miss. I--I was wondering if you would really leave," he answered. - -"There was nothing else for me to do." - -"He is your uncle?" - -"Yes. He is Mark Horton and I am Gertrude Horton, his dead brother's -only child." - -"He treated you mighty bad for a brother's child." - -"My father was poor and Uncle Mark has taken care of me for years. He -wanted me to marry my cousin, Homer Bulson, and it made him angry when I -refused." - -"Homer Bulson!" cried Nelson. "I don't wonder you didn't want to marry -him." - -"Do you know my cousin?" - -"I've met him. He tried to cheat a friend of mine out of a sale of some -books. He acted the sneak." - -"It seems my uncle's heart has been set on this marriage," went on -Gertrude. - -"But that didn't give him the right to call you a thief," put in our -hero warmly. - -"To be sure it did not. But--but--who are you?" - -"I'm Nelson." - -"You said that before. What is your real name?" - -At this Nelson hung his head. - -"I don't know what my real name is, Miss Gertrude. They all call me -Nelson the Newsboy. I live with a man named Pepper. He keeps a -lunch-room on the East Side, and I sell papers for a living. I don't -know where I came from." - -"It is too bad. But you are better off than I am--you have a home," she -added, her eyes filling again with tears. - -"Don't you worry. I'll help you all I can," said Nelson sympathetically. -"But about this affair of the safe--I can't make head or tail of that." - -"Nor can I, Nelson. I came downstairs, having heard some strange noises. -But everything seemed to be all right. Then I looked out of the window -and saw you." - -"I saw a man go into the alleyway, back of the house," answered our hero -lamely. "I'll be real truthful with you and tell you that I know the -man, and that he has done lots of good things for me. Well, I thought -the man got into that library window, although it was pretty dark and I -might have been mistaken." - -"The window was locked when I went to open it." - -"You are certain of that?" - -"I am." - -"Then I must have made a mistake." And our hero drew a sigh of relief. -Perhaps, after all, Sam Pepper was innocent. - -"One thing is sure, some money was gone, and we found those gold pieces -on the floor," went on Gertrude. "Who could have opened the safe?" - -"Who knew the combination beside your uncle?" - -"Myself--he told me last month--when he had his last bad spell." - -"Nobody else--that cousin, for instance?" - -"I don't believe Mr. Bulson knew it." - -"Then that's what made it look black for you. The safe wasn't forced -open, that's sure. Somebody opened it who knew the combination." - -"The money might have been taken some time ago," said Gertrude. "Anyway, -it is gone, and you and I are supposed to be the thieves." She smiled -bitterly. "How strange! and we hardly know each other!" - -"And I don't see any way of clearing ourselves," said the newsboy, with -equal bitterness. "But let that drop. What are you going to do? Going to -some friend's house?" - -"I have no friends here. You see, we came from Philadelphia, and I am -not much acquainted as yet." - -"Then you'll go to Philadelphia? If you wish, I'll carry that bag and -see you to the train." - -"No, I'm not going to Philadelphia. I would rather remain in New York, -near my uncle. He may need me some day." - -"He's a hard-hearted man!" burst out the newsboy. "I don't see how he -could treat you so mean!" - -"It is his sickness makes him so, Nelson; he was never so before." -Gertrude heaved a long sigh. "I must say I really do not know what to -do." - -"I know a hotel on Third Avenue, but it's not a very nice place." - -"No, I don't wish to go there. If I could think of some friend----" - -"Did your uncle send you away without any money?" - -"I took only the clothing I needed, nothing more." - -"Then I'll give you what I've got," answered Nelson promptly, and drew -out what little money he possessed. - -"No; I won't rob you, Nelson. But you are very, very kind." - -"It aint any robbery," he answered. "Come, you must take it." And he -forced it into her hand. "I know an old lady who'll take you in," he -continued suddenly. "Her name is Mrs. Kennedy. She's only a fruit and -candy woman, but she's got a heart as big as a balloon. She's a nice, -neat woman, too." - -The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and Gertrude consented to -go to the two rooms which Mrs. Kennedy called her home. - -These were close to Third Avenue, and late as it was, they boarded a -train and rode down. The building was dark, and Nelson had some trouble -in rousing the old woman. - -"To be sure I'll take the lady in, Nelson," said Mrs. Kennedy, when the -situation was partly explained. "Come in, miss, and welcome." - -Gertrude was glad enough to enter and drop into a chair, and here our -hero left her, and at once hurried down to the lunch-room with all -speed. - -Not wishing to arouse Sam Pepper if he was asleep, he went around to the -rear window, opened that, and crawled through. - -To his surprise Pepper was not there. - -"I'm lucky, after all," he thought, and undressed with all speed. Hardly -had he crawled into bed when Pepper came in. He lit the gas and looked -at our hero, but Nelson snored and pretended to be fast asleep. Sam -appeared relieved at this, and soon retired. His bag, which he had -brought with him, he placed under his bed, in a corner next to the wall. - -The newsboy could not sleep, and from the time he lay down until -daylight appeared he turned and tossed on his cot, reviewing in a -hundred ways all that had occurred. But he could reach no satisfactory -conclusion. The one thing, however, which remained fixed in his mind was -that Gertrude Horton was now homeless, and he felt that he must, in -some measure at least, look out for her. - -"I don't suppose I can do much," he thought dismally. "But what I can do -I will, that's certain." - -Long before Sam Pepper was stirring Nelson was up and dressed. As he was -going out Pepper roused up. - -"Where are you bound?" he asked. - -"Going to sell papers." - -"You're starting early to-day." - -"I've got to hustle, if I want to make any money." And so speaking, -Nelson left the place. - -He was soon down at "Newspaper Row," as it is commonly called, that part -of Park Row and Nassau Street where are congregated the offices of -nearly all of the metropolitan dailies. He had not a cent in his pocket, -but this did not bother him. He soon found Paul Randall, who was being -shoved right and left in the big crowd of boys who all wanted to get -papers at once. - -"What papers do you want, Paul?" he asked. - -The little newsboy told him, and Nelson said he would get them for him. - -"And I'd like to borrow a dollar, Paul," he went on. "I had to give up -every cent I had." - -"That's too bad, Nelson," replied Paul. "I can't loan you a dollar. All -I've got extra is sixty-five cents. You can have that." - -"Then I'll make that do," said our hero. - -He took all of Paul's money and started into the crowd, to get papers -for his friend and himself. - -He was struggling to get to the front when, on chancing to look to one -side, he caught sight of Billy Darnley, the newsboy bully who had robbed -him of the five dollars. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -NELSON RECOVERS SOME MONEY. - - -"Billy Darnley!" gasped our hero, in astonishment. - -The bully saw Nelson and instantly ducked his head. He, too, was after -newspapers, but now thought it best to quit the scene. - -"I didn't t'ink he'd be here so early," he muttered, and pushed to the -rear of the crowd. Once in the open, he took to his heels and dashed -down Frankfort Street in the direction of the Brooklyn Bridge arches. - -But Nelson was not to be "lost" so readily, and he was out of the crowd -almost as soon as the bully. - -"I'm after Billy Darnley!" he shouted to Paul. "Come on!" - -There now ensued a race which was highly exciting, even if not of long -duration. Darnley was swift of foot, and the fear of what might follow -lent speed to his flying feet. But Nelson was also a good runner. - -At the corner of Rose Street were a number of heavy trucks. Darnley -managed to pass these, but it took time. When our hero came up, the -trucks blocked the street completely. - -In and out Nelson dodged among the trucks, between the wheels and under -the very hoofs of the heavy horses. In a twinkle he was clear of the -mass and again making after Darnley, who was now flying toward -Vandewater Street. - -At this point there is a large archway under the approach to the -Brooklyn Bridge, and toward this archway the bully directed his -footsteps. But Nelson was now close at hand, and underneath the archway -he succeeded in reaching the big newsboy, catching him firmly by the -arm. - -"Lemme go!" growled Billy Darnley. "Lemme go, Nelse, or I'll hammer yer -good." - -"Maybe I'll do the hammering," retorted Nelson. "Where's my five -dollars?" - -"I aint got no money of yours." - -"You have, and I want you to hand it over." - -"Aint got it, I say. Lemme go!" - -Instead of complying our hero grasped the bully by the throat and ran -him up against the stonework of the arch. - -"I want my money," he said sternly. "If you don't give it to me----" - -"Let up--yer--yer chokin' me!" gasped Billy Darnley. - -"Will you give me the money?" - -"No." - -The bully struggled fiercely, and so did Nelson. Down went both on the -pavement and rolled over and over. But our hero's blood was up, and he -put forth every ounce of strength he possessed. At last he had Darnley -flat on his back, and then he sat astride of the bully. - -"Now will you give up?" he panted. "Or must I hammer you some more?" - -"Oh, Nelson! have you got him?" asked Paul, running up. - -"Yes, and he's got to give me my money." - -"A fight! a fight!" cried some of the boys who began to collect. - -"This aint a fight," said Nelson loudly. "He's a thief, and stole five -dollars from me. He's got to give it up." - -He caught Darnley by the throat again, and now the bully was only too -glad to give in. - -"Let--let up!" he gasped. "Let up!" - -"Will you give me my money?" - -"I've only got two dollars and ten cents." - -"Hand it over." - -"Let me up first." - -"Not much!" - -With something like a groan Darnley brought out the money and passed it -over. - -"Now I'm going to search you," went on Nelson, in as determined a voice -as ever. - -"No, no!" pleaded Darnley in alarm. He did not like the crowd that was -gathering. - -"Yes, search him, Nelse," said a boy named Marks. - -"That's right, search him," put in another newsboy, named Wilson. "I -think he stole something from me last week." - -In spite of his protestations Billy Darnley's pockets were turned inside -out. - -There were brought to light another dollar, which our hero also -pocketed, a pearl-handled pocket-knife, a silver badge, and half a dozen -other articles. - -"My knife!" shouted Nat Marks. "Boys, you all know it." - -"So it is, Nat," said Frank Wilson. "And this is my badge--the one I won -in the newsboys' competition last month." - -The boys took the things, and then gathered around Billy Darnley with -clenched fists. Nelson slipped outside of the crowd, and Paul went with -him. - -In vain Billy Darnley tried to clear himself of the other lads. He -struck one boy down, but the others pounced upon him front and rear, and -soon had him again on his back. It looked like a football scrimmage, -but the ball in this case seemed to be the bully's head. For ten minutes -the tussle went on, and when at last the cry of "Cop! cop! run for it!" -arose, Darnley found himself with his nose bleeding, two teeth loose, -and his left eye all but closed. Moreover, his coat was torn to shreds. - -"What is the meaning of this?" demanded the policeman. - -"They all piled on top of me!" whined Darnley, looking the picture of -misery. - -"He's a thief!" exclaimed one of the other boys, but from a safe -distance. "He stole something from three of the boys, he did. He didn't -git nuthin' but what was comin' to him, officer." - -"That's right; he ought to be locked up," put in another boy, also from -a safe distance. - -"Begone with you!" said the policeman sternly, and gave Darnley a shove. -"If I see any more fighting I'll run you all in," and he walked away, -twirling his club as he did so. - -"Oh, me eye!" groaned Darnley, and limped away, a sadder if not a wiser -youth. It was many a day before he dared to show himself in Newspaper -Row again. - -"Well, I got back three dollars and ten cents," remarked Nelson, as he -and Paul walked up Frankfort Street, "so I won't need your loan. But, -just the same, I am much obliged." And he passed over the money. - -"I wish you had gotten it all, Nelson," said Paul earnestly. "Oh, but -didn't they just pitch into Billy! And it served him right, too." - -"Yes, I showed him up in his true colors," returned our hero. - -He soon had the papers he and Paul wanted, and then the pair separated, -and our hero hurried over to his old stand on Broadway. - -His clothing had suffered considerably from the encounter with the bully -and, though he brushed himself off as best he could, he felt that he -made far from a handsome appearance. - -"I must look better than this before I call on Miss Horton," he mused. -"If I don't, she'll take me for a regular tramp." - -He wondered if there would be anything in the newspapers about the -robbery in Fifth Avenue, and snatched a few moments to scan several -sheets. But not a word appeared. - -"I guess they are too high-toned to let it get into print," he reasoned. -"Well, it's a good thing. I guess it would almost kill Miss Gertrude to -see it in the papers." - -When Nelson got back to the lunch-room he found business was poor, and -he expected to see Sam Pepper ill-humored in consequence. On the -contrary, however, Pepper was all smiles, and even hummed a tune to -himself as he waited on his customers. - -"Something has happened to tickle him," thought the boy. "Or else he's -got a new plan on hand." - -"How is the sick friend--any better?" he asked Pepper. - -"Much better, Nelson. And what do you think? He's loaned me money to -turn this place into a first-class café. Don't you think that will pay -better than a common lunch-room?" - -"I don't know. I'd rather be in the lunch business than running a -saloon." - -"I wouldn't. I want to make money," responded Pepper. - -"What are you going to do?" - -"Rip out that old show window and put in a new and elegant glass front, -and put in a new bar and buffet. It will be as fine as anything around -here when it's finished." - -"I wish I had a friend to loan me money." - -"What would you do with it?" - -"I'd buy out a good news stand. There's money in that." - -"So there is." Sam Pepper mused for a moment. "Maybe my friend will -advance enough for that, too." - -"Thank you, but you needn't bother him," said Nelson coldly. - -"And why not, if I can get the rocks?" - -"I'd rather get the money myself." - -"Won't the money be good enough?" demanded Pepper, his face darkening. - -"I'd rather know where it came from," returned the boy. - -The two were in the kitchen at the time, and Sam Pepper had a frying pan -in his hand. - -"See here, Nelson, I'll whack you over the head with this, if you talk -like that!" exclaimed the man, flying into a rage. - -"You won't whack me more than once, Sam Pepper." - -"Won't I?" - -"No, you won't." - -"Who is master around here, I'd like to know?" - -"You are, but I'm not your slave." - -"You talk as if you knew something," went on Pepper, growing suddenly -suspicious. - -"Perhaps I do know something," replied the newsboy, and then hurried -into the dining room to wait on a customer who had just entered. - -"I'll have it out with you later," muttered Pepper savagely. "If you -know too much, I'll find a way to keep your mouth closed." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -A QUESTION OF BUSINESS. - - -Sam Pepper got no chance to talk to Nelson further that day. As soon as -the noon trade was over, our hero hurried off to sell afternoon papers. -This time he went up the Bowery, to where Mrs. Kennedy kept her -fruit-and-candy stand. It was a small stand, and the entire stock was -not worth over ten dollars, but the old woman made enough to keep the -wolf from the door, and she was content. - -"I was after thinking you'd come," she said, smiling broadly. "I knew -you'd want to know about the young lady." - -"How is she?" - -"I left her this morning, sorrowful enough, I can tell ye that, Nelson. -She don't know how to turn. She thinks she might take in sewing, or -something like that, but, bless ye! how much would she make at that? -Why, thim Jews that work night and day hardly make enough to keep 'em -from starving!" - -"Yes, I know it, and it's a shame," said the boy. "They get about five -cents for a pair of pants and ten cents for a coat, and some of 'em make -shirts for three and four cents apiece. I don't see how they stand it. -No, she wouldn't earn anything at that." - -"I was a-telling her of Gladys Summers, who sells flowers up on -Fourteenth Street and at the theater doors, but she said she didn't want -to go out on the street. She's afraid some of her friends would see her, -I suppose." - -"She hasn't any friends--'cepting you and me, Mrs. Kennedy. We've got to -do for her." - -"It's little I can offer, Nelson; ye know that well enough. She can stay -under my roof, but to board her----" - -"I'll pay her board, until she finds something to do. I'll give you -three dollars a week for keeping her." - -"Will ye now? Nelson, you're more than kind-hearted. But where will ye -be after getting the money?" - -"I'll earn it," he answered resolutely. "I earn a dollar and over a day -now, and I know I can make it more, if I try real hard." - -He soon left the fruit-and-candy stand and started in to sell papers. He -felt that he had a new responsibility on his shoulders, and he -determined to do his best. Soon his efforts began to tell, and by five -o'clock he was sold out, and the day's earnings amounted to a dollar and -thirty-two cents. - -"Half for Miss Horton and half for myself," he murmured. "That's the way -it's got to be, after this." - -He was soon on his way to the tenement house in which Mrs. Kennedy's -rooms were located. Ascending two flights of stairs, he knocked on one -of the doors. - -"Who is it?" came from Gertrude Horton. - -"It's Nelson." - -"Oh!" And instantly the door was unlocked. - -A glance at the girl's face told the boy that she had been crying. More -than this he saw she was far from well, and the hand she gave him was as -hot as fire. - -"Oh, Miss Horton, you're sick!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter?" - -"I have a severe headache," she answered. "I think it will pass away -soon." - -She sank down on a dilapidated lounge, and he took a kitchen chair. He -saw that she trembled from head to foot, and that she had been worrying -ever since he had left her. - -"You mustn't worry too much," he said, as kindly as he could. "Mrs. -Kennedy says you can stay here as long as you feel like it." - -"But she is poor, Nelson, and I--I haven't any money, excepting what -you gave me, and you must take that back--you need it." - -"No, I don't need it, Miss Gertrude. See, I've got a lot of money now. I -collared that thief and made him give up what he had left, over three -dollars--and I've earned the rest selling papers. That's why I didn't -come before. I've fixed it up with Mrs. Kennedy, and you can stay just -as long as you please." - -"And you are going to pay her?" cried the girl warmly. "Oh, Nelson! you -are indeed good-hearted. But, no; I must support myself." - -"Well, you needn't hurry about it. I can earn enough for both of us just -now--and that's what I am going to do. Why shouldn't I? It was my fault -that your uncle put you out." - -"No, Nelson; the fault, if it was a fault, was my own. The matter was of -long standing. Homer Bulson had wished to marry me for a long time, but -I have constantly refused him. Now he has gotten my uncle to side with -him. They expect to bring me to terms, I suppose. More than likely my -uncle thought I would come back to-day, to do as he wishes." - -"I wouldn't go back." - -"I shall not. I have made up my mind fully. I will support myself, and -Homer Bulson can have Uncle Mark's whole estate, if he wishes it. -Surely, in such a big city as this there is something I can do." - -"I wouldn't go at sewing--it don't pay." - -"What does pay--that I can do?" - -"You might get a position in a store. Or maybe you know how to play the -piano?" went on our hero suddenly. - -"I do know how to play. I took instructions for several years, and have -played at private concerts, in Philadelphia." - -"Then you can give piano lessons." - -"But where can I get pupils?" - -"We'll advertise in the papers," went on the newsboy, with some -importance. "I know an advertising man down on the Row. He says anybody -can do business by advertising. I'll ask him about it. Of course you'll -want to give lessons at folks' houses--being as you haven't a piano of -your own." - -"Yes," answered Gertrude, and her face brightened greatly. "I could do -that, and I would go cheaply first, to get a start." - -"Do you want to put your name in the advertisement?" - -"No, have the letters sent to the newspaper offices, and sign the -advertisement----" Gertrude paused in thought. - -"Weber," finished Nelson. "That's the name of a swell piano, isn't it?" - -"It might be too grand for the folks we wish to reach," said Gertrude. -"Sign it 'Earnest.'" - -"And how much will the lessons be?" - -"I ought to get at least fifty cents." - -"Then I'll tell the advertising man that. Oh, he's a dandy to write the -ads up--makes 'em look like regular bargains!" added the boy -enthusiastically. - -Nelson remained at the rooms a while longer, and then hurried to Sam -Pepper's place. To his surprise Pepper had locked up, and on the window -was the sign: - - - "_Closed for repairs. Will open as a first-class café in about two - weeks._" - - -"He hasn't lost any time in going ahead," thought our hero. "I wonder -where he is?" - -"Sam's out of town," called out a bootblack who had some chairs close -by. "Told me to give you this." And he passed over an envelope, -containing a sheet of paper and the store key. On the sheet was written: - - - "Am going away for two or three days on business. A man will be - here at ten o'clock to-morrow morning to measure the place for new - fixtures. You stay around while he is here. Then you keep the place - locked up until I get back." - - -"Gone away for two or three days," thought Nelson. "I wonder what he is -up to now?" - -He went inside, and saw at once that many of the old fixtures had been -removed, and that the little kitchen in the rear had been turned almost -inside out. The living apartment, however, was as it had been, excepting -that Sam Pepper had used it for packing purposes, and the floor was -strewn with bits of paper and some excelsior. - -"If I'm to stay here, I might as well clean up," thought our hero, and -set to work with a broom. "And then I'll take an hour off and clean and -mend my clothes." - -In cleaning up Nelson came across several letters, which were old and -mussed. Whether Sam Pepper had thought to throw them away or not, he did -not know. To make sure, he picked the letters up and looked them over. - -"Hullo!" he cried. "Here's more of a mystery." - -The letters were addressed to Pepperill Sampson and were signed Mark -Horton. The majority of them concerned some orders for dry goods to be -shipped to various Western cities, but there was one which was not of -that nature. This ran in part as follows: - - - "I have watched your doings closely for three weeks, and I am now - satisfied that you are no longer working for my interest, but in - the interest of rival concerns. More than that, I find that you are - putting down sums to your expense account which do not belong - there. The books for the past month show that you are behind over a - hundred and fifty dollars. At this rate I cannot help but wonder - how far behind you must be on the year and two months you have been - with our house. - - "You can consider yourself discharged from this date. Our Mr. Smith - will come on immediately and take charge of your samples. Should - you attempt to make any trouble for him or for us, I will - immediately take steps to prosecute you. You need never apply to - our house for a recommendation, for it will not be a satisfactory - one." - - -The letter was dated twelve years back, and had been sent to Pepperill -Sampson while he was stopping in Cleveland. Nelson read the -communication twice before he put it away. - -Who was Pepperill Sampson? The name sounded as if it might belong to -Sam Pepper. Were the two one and the same person? - -"They must be the same," thought Nelson. "Sam was once a commercial -traveler after he gave up the sea, and I've heard him speak of Cleveland -and other Western towns. But to think he once worked for Mark Horton!" -He scratched his head reflectively. "Let me see, what did Sam say about -the man he wanted me to rob? That he had helped the man who had shot my -father. Is there really something in this? And if there is, what can -Mark Horton know about the past?" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -BULSON RECEIVES A SETBACK. - - -The mystery was too much for Nelson, and at last he put the letters on a -shelf and finished the cleaning. Then he sat down to mend his clothing, -and never did a seamstress work more faithfully than did this newsboy. -The garments mended, he brushed them carefully. - -"There, they look a little better, anyway," he told himself. "And sooner -or later I'll have a new suit." - -Having finished his toilet, he walked down to Newspaper Row. The tall -buildings were now a blaze of lights, and many men of business were -departing for their homes. But the newsboy found his friend in his -office, a little box of a place on an upper floor of the _World_ -building. - -The advertising man had always taken an interest in our hero, and he -readily consented to transact the business gratis. The advertisements -were written out to the boy's satisfaction, and Nelson paid two dollars -to have them inserted in several papers the next day and that following. - -"If the young lady is a good teacher, I might get her to give my little -girl lessons," said Mr. Lamson, as Nelson was leaving. - -"I know she's all right, sir," answered the boy. "Just give her a trial -and see. She's a real lady, too, even if she is down on her luck." - -"Then let her call on my wife to-morrow morning. I'll speak to my wife -about it to-night." - -"I will, sir, and thank you very much, Mr. Lamson." And our hero went -off, greatly pleased. Late as it was, he walked up to Mrs. Kennedy's -rooms again. This time the old Irishwoman herself let him in. - -"Sure and it's Nelson," she said. - -"I've got good news, Miss Gertrude," he said, on entering. "I put the -advertisements in the papers through Mr. Lamson, and he told me that you -might call on his wife to-morrow morning about giving his little girl -lessons." - -"Hear that now!" exclaimed Mrs. Kennedy proudly. "Sure, and it takes -Nelson to do things, so it does! It meself wishes I had such a b'y." - -"I am very thankful," said the girl. "Have you the address?" - -"Yes, here it is, on the back of his business card. I know you'll like -the place, and maybe they can put you in the way of other places." - -"Av course," said Mrs. Kennedy. "Before I had rheumatism I wint out -washing, and wan place always brought me another, from some rilative or -friend of the family." - -"I will go directly after breakfast," said Gertrude. "And I hope I shall -prove satisfactory." - -Knowing the girl must be tired, Nelson did not stay long, and as soon as -he had departed Mrs. Kennedy made Gertrude retire. Happily for the girl -her headache was now much better, and she slept soundly. - -In the morning she helped Mrs. Kennedy prepare their frugal repast. As -the old Irishwoman had said, she was troubled with rheumatism, and could -not get around very well. So Gertrude insisted upon clearing the table -and washing the dishes. - -"But, sure, and a lady like you aint used to this work," remonstrated -Mrs. Kennedy. - -"I mean to get used to it," answered Gertrude. "I mean to fight my way -through and put up with what comes." - -Mr. Lamson's home was over a mile away, but not wishing to spend the -carfare Gertrude walked the distance. - -She was expected, and found Mrs. Lamson a nice lady, who occupied a flat -of half a dozen rooms on a quiet and respectable side street. She -played several selections, two from sight, which the lady of the house -produced. - -"That is very good indeed, Miss Horton," said Mrs. Lamson. "You read -music well. Little Ruth can begin at once, and you can give her a lesson -once a week. Ruth, this is Miss Horton, your new music-teacher." - -A girl of nine came shyly forward and shook hands. Soon Gertrude was -giving her first lesson in music. It was rather long, but Ruth did not -mind it. Then Mrs. Lamson paid the fifty cents, and Gertrude went away. - -"She's awfully nice," said Ruth to her mamma. "I know I shall like her." - -"She is certainly a lady," was Mrs. Lamson's comment. "It is easy to see -that by her breeding." - -A new look shone in Gertrude's eyes as she hurried down the street. In -her pocket was the first money she had ever earned in her life. She felt -a spirit of independence that was as delightful as it was novel. - -She had already seen her advertisements in two of the papers, and she -trusted they would bring her enough pupils to fill her time. She felt -that she could easily give five or six lessons a day. If she could get -ten or twelve pupils, that would mean five or six dollars per week, and -if she could get twenty pupils it would mean ten dollars. - -"I wish I could get the twenty. Then I could help Nelson. He is so very -kind, I would like to do something in return for him," was her thought. - -The weather was so pleasant she decided to take a little walk. She did -not know much about the lower portion of the city, and walked westward -until she reached Broadway, not far from where our hero was in the habit -of selling morning papers. - -Gertrude was looking into the show window of a store, admiring some -pretty pictures, when she felt a tap on her shoulder, and turning, found -herself face to face with Homer Bulson. - -"Gertrude!" exclaimed the young man. "I have been looking high and low -for you! Where have you been keeping yourself?" - -"That is my business, Mr. Bulson," she answered stiffly. - -"Why, Gertrude, you are not going to be angry at me, are you?" - -"Why shouldn't I be angry? Haven't you made enough trouble for me?" - -"I haven't made any trouble--you made that yourself," he answered, -somewhat ruffled by her tone. - -"I do not think so." - -"Uncle Mark is very much upset over your disappearance." - -"Does he wish me to come back?" she questioned eagerly. - -"No, I can't say that," answered Homer Bulson smoothly. "But he doesn't -want you to suffer. He said, if I saw you, I should give you some -money." - -"Thank you, but I can take care of myself." - -"Have you money?" - -"I can take care of myself; that is enough." - -"Why don't you let me take care of you, Gertrude?" - -"Because I do not like you, Mr. Bulson. How is Uncle Mark to-day?" - -"About as usual. You must have upset him very much. Of course I don't -believe you took any money out of his safe," went on Bulson. "I guess -the guilty party was that young rascal who called on you." - -"Nelson is no rascal. He is an honest boy." - -"Nelson!" ejaculated the young man. "Is his name Nelson?" - -"Yes. You act as if you had met him." - -"I--er--no--but I have--have heard of him," stammered the young man. - -"He called on you once, I believe, with somebody who sold you some -books." - -"I don't remember that. But he must be the thief." - -"I tell you Nelson is no thief." - -"Thank you for that, Miss Gertrude," came from behind the pair, and our -hero stepped up. "Mr. Bulson, you haven't any right to call me a thief," -he went on, confronting the fashionable young man. - -"Go away, boy; I want nothing to do with you," answered Bulson. -Nevertheless, he looked curiously at our hero. - -"I am no thief, but you are pretty close to being one," went on Nelson. - -"Me!" - -"Yes, you. You tried to swindle a friend of mine out of the sale of some -books you had ordered from him. I call that downright mean." - -"Boy, don't dare to talk to me in this fashion!" stormed the young man. -"If you do, I'll--I'll hand you over to the police." - -"No, you won't. You just leave me alone and I'll leave you alone," -answered the newsboy. "And you leave Miss Gertrude alone, too," he added -warmly. - -"Gertrude, have you taken up with this common fellow?" asked Bulson. - -"Nelson has been my friend," answered the girl. "He has a heart of -gold." - -"I can't agree with you. He is but a common boy of the streets, -and----" - -Homer Bulson went no further, for Nelson came closer and clenched his -fists. - -"Stop, or I'll make you take it back, big as you are," said the boy. - -"Then you won't accept my protection?" said Bulson, turning his back on -our hero. - -"No. If Uncle Mark wishes to write to me he can address me in care of -the General Post Office," answered Gertrude. - -"All right; then I'll bid you good-day," said Homer Bulson, and tipping -his silk hat, he hurried on and was soon lost to sight on the crowded -thoroughfare. - -"I hate that man!" murmured Nelson, when he had disappeared. - -"I both hate and fear him," answered Gertrude. "I am afraid he intends -to cause me a great deal of trouble." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -BUYING OUT A NEWS STAND. - - -After the above incident several weeks slipped by without anything out -of the ordinary happening. - -In the meantime Sam Pepper's place was thoroughly remodeled and became a -leading café on the East Side--a resort for many characters whose -careers would not stand investigation. The man seemed wrapped up in his -business, but his head was busy with schemes of far greater importance. - -He had said but little to Nelson, who spent a good part of his time at -Mrs. Kennedy's rooms with Gertrude. Sam had found the letters and put -them in a safe place without a word, and the boy had not dared to -question him about them. Nor had Pepper questioned Nelson concerning -what the lad knew or suspected. - -The results of Gertrude's advertising were not as gratifying as -anticipated; still the girl obtained seven pupils, which brought her in -three dollars and a half weekly. Most of the lessons had to be given on -Saturdays, when her pupils were home from school, and this made it -necessary that she ride from house to house, so that thirty-five cents -of the money went for carfare. - -"Never mind," said the newsboy; "it's better than nothing, and you'll -get more pupils, sooner or later." - -The boy himself worked as never before, getting up before sunrise and -keeping at it with "sporting extras" until almost midnight. In this -manner he managed to earn sometimes as high as ten dollars per week. He -no longer helped Pepper around his resort, and the pair compromised on -three dollars per week board money from Nelson. The rest of the money -our hero either saved or offered to Gertrude. All he spent on himself -was for the suit, shoes, and hat he had had so long in his mind. - -"I declare, you look like another person!" cried the girl, when he -presented himself in his new outfit, and with his hair neatly trimmed, -and his face and hands thoroughly scrubbed. "Nelson, I am proud of you!" -And she said this so heartily that he blushed furiously. Her gentle -influence was beginning to have its effect, and our hero was resolved to -make a man of himself in the best meaning of that term. - -One day Nelson was at work, when George Van Pelt came along. - -"How goes it, George?" asked the boy. - -"Nothing to brag about," returned Van Pelt. "How goes it with you?" - -"I am doing very well. Made ten dollars and fifteen cents last week." - -"Phew! That's more than I made." - -"How much did you make?" - -"Eight dollars. I wish we could buy out that news stand. I am sick of -tramping around trying to sell books," went on George Van Pelt. "Last -week I was over in Jersey City, and one woman set her dog on me." - -"I hope you didn't get bit," said Nelson with a laugh. - -"No, but the dog kept a sample of my pants." - -"Have you heard anything more of the stand?" - -"The owner says he's going to sell out sure by next week. He told me he -would take ninety dollars cash. He's going away and don't want a -mortgage now." - -"Ninety dollars. How much have you got?" - -"I can scrape up forty dollars on a pinch." - -"I've got fifteen dollars." - -"That makes fifty-five dollars. We'll want thirty-five more. How can we -get that amount?" - -"I reckon we can save it up--inside of a few weeks, if we both work -hard." - -"The man won't wait. There's a party will give him seventy-five dollars -cash right away. He's going to take that if he can't get ninety." - -At that moment Nelson caught sight of the familiar figure of a stout -gentleman crossing the street toward him, and ran out to meet the party. - -"Good-morning, sir!" he said. "Have some papers this morning?" - -"Hullo! you're the boy that saved me from being run over a few weeks -ago," returned the stout gentleman. - -"Yes, sir." - -"I'll have a _Sun_ and a _Journal_, and you can give me a _Times_, too. -How is business?" - -"Good, sir." - -"I was in a hurry that day, or I would have stopped to reward you," went -on the gentleman. - -"You did reward me, sir." - -"Did I? I had forgotten. You see, that fire in Harlem was in a house of -mine. I was terribly upset. But the matter is all straightened out now." - -"I hope you didn't lose much." - -"No, the loss went to the insurance companies." The stout gentleman -paused. "My lad, I would like to do something for you," he went on -seriously. - -"Have you got a job for me?" - -"I don't know as I have, just now. But if you need help----" - -"I do need help, sir. Are you a capitalist?" - -"A capitalist?" queried the man, puzzled. "What do you mean by that?" - -"I mean one of those gentlemen that loan money out on business? I've -heard of 'em, down in Wall Street." - -"Well, I sometimes loan money out." - -"Then I'd like to borrow thirty-five dollars." Nelson beckoned to George -Van Pelt, who had moved off a short distance. "You see, it's this way," -he went on, and then told about the news stand that was for sale, and -what he and the book agent wished to do. - -Mr. Amos Barrow, for such was the gentleman's name, listened -attentively. - -"And you think this would be a good investment?" he questioned. - -"Yes, it's a good stand," said Van Pelt. - -"But you ought to have some money with which to stock up." - -"We'll work hard and build it up," said our hero. "I know that -neighborhood well. Old Maxwell never 'tended to business. I'll go -around and get twice as large a paper route as he ever had. And we can -keep plenty of ten-cent paper-covered books, and all that." - -"And we can keep things for school children, too," put in George Van -Pelt. "There is a school near by, and many of the children pass the -stand four times a day." - -"Well, I'll give you fifty dollars, Nelson," said Mr. Barrow. "That will -help you to buy the stand and give you fifteen dollars working capital." - -"You can't give me the money, sir. But you can loan it to me." - -"But why won't you let me give it to you?" laughed the stout gentleman. -"Isn't my life worth that?" - -"It isn't that, sir. I want to do this in a regular business fashion." - -"All right; have your own way, my lad." - -"We'll give you a mortgage on the stand," said George Van Pelt. - -"Never mind the mortgage. I believe I can read faces, and I'll take the -boy's word," answered Mr. Barrow. - -Hauling out a fat pocketbook, he counted out five new ten-dollar bills -and passed them over to our hero. - -"There you are," he said. "I would rather you would keep them. But if -not, you can pay the amount back whenever it is convenient." And he -passed over his business card. A few minutes later he hurried on. - -"He's a brick!" was George Van Pelt's comment. "Now we can buy the -stand." - -"All right," answered Nelson. "But I want to get rid of my morning -papers first." - -"Well, I have several books to deliver. I'll do that, and then we can -meet at the stand after dinner." - -So it was agreed, and the pair separated. - -Business continued good with our hero, and by eleven o'clock he had sold -out. Anxious to look the stand over, he hurried off in that direction. - -He found old Maxwell sitting on a soap-box, reading a sporting paper. -The stand was full of dust and the stock much disarranged. Evidently the -owner had lost interest in it. - -"I understand you want to sell out," said Nelson. - -"I do," answered Maxwell. "Want to buy?" - -"I might buy if you sell out cheap enough." - -"I want a hundred dollars." - -"A hundred? I thought you'd sell out for seventy-five." - -"No, I've been asking a hundred. I might knock off ten dollars, though." - -Nelson looked the stand over, and asked some questions about the trade -done. - -"I'll give you eighty dollars cash," he said, at last. - -"Make it ninety." - -"No, eighty, and not a cent more." - -"When will you take the stand?" - -"This afternoon, and I'll pay fifty dollars now." - -"All right, you can have it," replied Maxwell. - -A bill of sale was drawn up, and Nelson paid the fifty dollars on -account. Then he went off for lunch; first, however, taking an account -of the stock on hand. - -"What you take in from now on is mine," he said. - -"All right, you shall have it," replied the old stand-keeper. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -NELSON AND PEPPER PART. - - -Nelson remained on watch, and as soon as he saw George Van Pelt coming -he headed him off and took him around the corner. - -"I've bought the stand," he said. - -"Already?" - -"Yes. I had a talk with old Maxwell, offered him eighty cash, and he -took me up. So we've saved ten dollars." - -"He'll be mad when he learns he might have had ninety." - -"He needn't know. Give me your money, and I'll pay him the balance." - -So it was arranged, and Nelson went to the stand and closed the deal. -Old Maxwell had taken in thirty-two cents, and this was passed over to -the boy. - -"Going to run the stand alone?" queried the old man. - -"No, a man is going to help me," said our hero. - -"Who is it?" - -"George Van Pelt." - -"Oh, that's it, is it?" exclaimed old Maxwell. "I thought he wanted the -stand himself." - -"He couldn't raise the money. Here he comes now." - -Nelson beckoned to Van Pelt, and soon both were hard at work cleaning up -the stand. They talked the matter over and agreed to give old Maxwell a -dollar more, if he would come around for two mornings and explain -whatever proved strange to them. - -"Sure, I'll do it," said Maxwell. "I want you to get the best of the man -up on the elevated station and the man on the next block. They are both -mean fellows and don't deserve any trade." - -"We intend to hustle and get all the trade we can," said our hero. - -It must be confessed that he felt very proud of his situation. He was no -longer a mere newsboy, but a business man, and he felt, somehow, as if -he had grown several inches taller. - -"We must have a sign," said Van Pelt. "What will we make it--Van Pelt & -Pepper, Newsdealers?" - -"I don't like the name Pepper--for a last name, I mean," said our hero, -scratching his curly head. "Better make it Van Pelt & Company, for the -present." And the next day an oilcloth sign was tacked up proclaiming -the new firm, and notifying all that they dealt in newspapers, -magazines, books, and school supplies. While Nelson tended the stand -George Van Pelt went downtown to a jobbing house and bought some extra -stock. In a few days business was in full blast and prospects looked -very bright. - -"I am glad to see you doing well," said Gertrude, on visiting the stand -one Saturday, after giving her music lessons. "It looks quite like a -place of business. It won't be long before you'll have a store." - -"We'll have to save up for it," answered our hero. - -He wanted the girl to stay a little while, but she could not, for Mrs. -Kennedy was down with rheumatism and was next to helpless. - -"She has been very kind to me and I wish to do what I can for her," said -Gertrude. - -"Is her stand closed?" - -"No, Gladys Summers is running it for her. She has put her flowers in -with the other stock." - -"Gladys is good-hearted, too," was Nelson's comment. - -Sam Pepper heard of the newsboy's new move two days after the stand was -bought. - -"Going into business with George Van Pelt, eh?" he observed, when Nelson -came home that night. - -"Yes." - -"He's a poor sort. He'll never get rich. He's not slick enough." - -"I'm satisfied with him," returned the newsboy briefly. - -"What did you take in to-day?" - -"A little over nine dollars." - -"Phew! that's better than I thought. How much profit?" - -"About three dollars and a half above expenses." - -"And you git half?" - -"Yes." - -"Then you ought to pay me more board money." - -"I'm paying all it's worth now. I get no more meals, remember--I only -use this place to sleep in." - -"Well, that's worth more." - -"I'm thinking of getting a room near the stand," went on Nelson, after a -pause. - -"What! you want to leave me!" roared Sam Pepper. - -"Why not? There is nothing to keep me here. I don't want anything to do -with your saloon." - -"That's a nice way to talk to me." - -"I can't help it. I hate the saloon, and it's too far to come down here -just to sleep; especially when I have to leave so early in the morning." - -"Supposing I don't let you leave?" - -To this Nelson made no reply. - -"You're a nice son, I must say," went on Sam Pepper. "This is what I git -for raising you." - -"I am not your son, Sam Pepper. As for what you've done for me, I'm -willing to pay you for that. You let me leave without any fuss and I'll -give you two dollars a week until the debt is paid." - -"Two dollars a week aint much." - -"It's all I can afford, with my other expenses." - -"Reckon you don't care much for me, any more." - -"I never did care for you, and you know it. I don't like drinking people -and the other kind that hang around here. I want to become respectable -and make something of myself." - -"Aint I respectable?" roared Pepper, raising his fist in anger. "Say -that again, and I'll knock you down." - -"I said that I didn't like the crowd that hangs around here. I'm going -to get out, whether you take up my offer or not." - -"Then clear out--and the sooner the better. It's a pity I didn't kick -you out," growled Sam Pepper, walking the floor savagely. "Go! go -to-night!" - -"I will," answered our hero. - -No more was said, and the boy tied up what little clothing he had in a -newspaper. He was soon ready to depart, and then he faced Pepper again. - -"Good-by," he said, holding out his hand. "Let us part friends." - -"You've missed it by turning against me," said Pepper, with a strange -look in his eyes. "I might have made you rich." - -"How?" - -"Never mind now. You can go your way, and I'll go mine. I don't want to -shake hands. Go!" And he turned his back on the newsboy. - -"One word more, before I leave," said our hero. "Will you tell me my -right name?" - -"I won't tell you anything. If Nelson Pepper aint good enough for you, -you can make the name what you please." - -"Then good-by," said Nelson, a little sadly, and in a moment more he was -gone. - -It was so late he knew not where to look for a room that night, so -trudged back to the stand. It was entirely inclosed with wooden -shutters, and large enough inside for him to make himself fairly -comfortable, and there he remained until daylight. - -"I'm glad to hear you've left Pepper," said George Van Pelt, when he -heard the news. "He's a bad fellow, and getting worse. If you want, you -can get a room in the house next to where I live." - -"What will they charge me?" - -"You can get a small, but clean, hall bedroom for a dollar a week." - -"That will just suit me," answered our hero. - -The place was but three blocks away from the stand, and Nelson made the -necessary arrangements that afternoon, during the time when trade was -dull. - -Nelson wondered what Pepper had meant by saying he had missed it in -turning against the man. Did Pepper refer to the past, or did he have in -mind what he could leave when he died? - -"I don't want a cent of his money," our hero told himself; "but I would -like to solve the mystery of my birth and parentage." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A BOLD MOVE. - - -On the night following Nelson's leave-taking from Sam Pepper's -establishment the keeper of the resort stood behind his bar, doing -business as usual. The place now glistened with glasses and mirrors, but -its so-called beauty was lost to view in the tobacco smoke which filled -every nook and corner. - -The lunch tables had given place to little round affairs where the -patrons might drink and play cards, and several of the tables were -filled by a noisy crowd. - -Sam Pepper had just gotten rid of two tramps who wished drinks without -paying for them, when he was surprised to see the door open slowly, and -Homer Bulson showed himself. - -"Ah! how do you do, Mr. Bulson?" he said cheerily. - -"Please don't talk so loud," replied the young man, as he came in and -walked to the rear end of the polished bar. - -"All right, if you want it that way. Have a drink?" - -"Some whisky!" was the careless answer. - -"How are you making out with the girl?" - -"Haven't you heard? She has left the house. My uncle cast her out." - -Sam Pepper gave a long, low whistle. - -"Things seems to be coming all your way," he remarked. - -"I don't know about that. Don't you know that Gertrude Horton and Nelson -the Newsboy are friends?" - -"I've heard they knew each other." - -"They are friends." - -"What do you know of it?" - -"I met her on Broadway one day, and he came up and wouldn't give me a -chance to talk to her. Do you know where she is now?" - -"No." - -"Nelson must know. Question him when he comes in, will you?" - -"I will--when he comes. He doesn't live with me any longer, you must -remember." - -"He doesn't? When did he leave?" - -"Yesterday. He and a man have bought out a news stand, and he's going to -live near by." - -"You mustn't lose track of him--just yet." - -"Trust me for that, Mr. Bulson." - -"If you hear anything of Gertrude, let me know at once. If you can help -me, I'll pay you well." - -"I'm your man and I'll remember," answered Sam Pepper, and thereupon -Homer Bulson finished his liquor, threw down a quarter dollar, and -started to leave. - -"Where can I find you, if you're not at home?" called Pepper after him. - -"Generally at the Broxton Club," answered Bulson. "You know where that -is, near Union Square." And as Pepper nodded, he opened the door and -walked away. - -After this, business continued brisk for half an hour, when Sam Pepper -found it necessary to go to a back room for some bottles. - -Hardly had he left the saloon when the door was opened, and much to the -astonishment of the men at the round tables a young lady, plainly -dressed, stepped in. It was Gertrude. - -"I say, that's a fine girl," remarked one of the men, a rounder named -Worden. "She's a new one around here, aint she?" - -"Reckon she is," returned another. - -"How do you do, miss?" went on the first man, getting up and tipping his -hat. - -"Excuse me, sir," said the girl. "Is Mr. Pepper in?" - -"Yes, here he comes now," answered Con Worden, and fell back to the -table again, followed by his companion. - -"You are Mr. Sam Pepper?" said Gertrude timidly. The general appearance -of the place frightened her. - -"That's my name, miss. But you've got the advantage of me." - -"I am Gertrude Horton." - -Sam Pepper stared at her in the greatest astonishment. - -"Well, I'm blowed," he muttered to himself. "This beats the Dutch!" - -"I believe you are Nelson's foster father," continued Gertrude. - -The café keeper nodded. - -"Is he here?" - -"Well--er--he aint here yet," answered Pepper, hardly knowing what to -say. "But if you'll sit down he may come soon." - -"I--I guess I had better remain outside," said Gertrude, looking around -with much disgust. "You are quite sure he'll come soon? I wish to see -him about Mrs. Kennedy. She has been taken dangerously ill, and I do not -know what to do. Could you send him over to her place when he comes?" - -"Better wait for him, Miss Horton. Come, I'll show you into our sitting -room. It's not a grand place, but it's clean and quiet. Come." - -He pointed to one of the back rooms, now fixed up as a sitting room. She -hesitated, but before she could resist he caught her by the arm. - -"Nobody shall disturb you here," he half whispered. And before she knew -it she was in the sitting room. The gas was turned down, but he turned -it up. Then he went out, closing the door after him. "Nelson must come -in soon," he said. - -Gertrude sank down on a chair. Her mind was concerned entirely over the -serious sickness which had suddenly overtaken good Mrs. Kennedy, and -consequently she thought little of herself. But when she heard some -shutters to the window of the sitting room slam from the outside she -leaped to her feet. - -"What can that mean?" she cried, and ran to the window. Trying the -shutters, she found them fastened from the outside. At once she crossed -over to the door, to find it locked. - -"He has made me a prisoner!" she moaned. Then she knocked loudly on the -door, but nobody came to answer her summons. - -In the meantime Sam Pepper, having locked the door and fastened the -window shutters, called Con Worden to him. - -"Worden, do you want to earn a quarter?" he asked. - -"Well, I should smile," answered the hanger-on eagerly. - -"You saw that gentleman who was here a while ago--him with the silk hat -and gold-headed cane." - -"Of course I did." - -"Go over to the Broxton Club, near Union Square, and see if he is there. -Call for Mr. Bulson. If you find him, tell him to come at once." - -"All right," said Con Worden, and hurried off. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. - - -The Broxton Club was a fashionable resort for young gentlemen who -usually had more money than brains. It was located near the upper side -of Union Square, and the club apartments consisted of a parlor, a dining -and wine room, and a room for card-playing. In the latter apartment -gambling went on at nearly all hours of the day and night. - -Reaching the club Homer Bulson found several congenial companions, and -presently sat down to a game of cards. Bets were made, first at a -dollar, then at five, and then at ten and twenty. Bulson had no luck, -and soon lost forty dollars. - -"I'm on the wrong side to-night," was his dismal comment, and he went to -the wine room to forget his losses in the flowing bowl. - -He had just finished a glass of liquor when a servant came to him. - -"A man at the door to see you, sir," said the servant. "Says he has a -private message for you." - -Wondering who the messenger could be, Homer Bulson hurried below and -found Con Worden awaiting him. - -"You want to see me?" he questioned sharply. He did not like the -dilapidated appearance of the hanger-on. - -"Are you the gent that just came from Sam Pepper's place?" - -"What if I am?" asked Bulson cautiously. - -"He says he wants to see you at once." - -"At once?" - -"That's it." - -"He didn't say what about?" - -"No." - -"All right; I'll be over as soon as I can get there." - -"I'll tell him that." - -Homer Bulson expected Worden to make off at once, but the hanger-on did -not budge. - -"Well, aren't you going?" asked the young man sharply. - -"Certainly, sir; soon as I git paid," said Worden coolly. - -"Oh, that's it! What do you want?" - -"It's worth a quarter, aint it?" - -"I suppose so," answered Bulson carelessly, and passed over a silver -piece. - -"Thanks; I'm off now," said Con Worden, and speedily disappeared. - -In a few minutes Homer Bulson followed the man, and it did not take him -long to reach Sam Pepper's resort once more. - -As he entered he found Pepper in the act of clearing out all the -hangers-on, including Worden, who had just received the quarter promised -to him. - -"Well, what is it?" asked Homer Bulson. - -"I've got news that I guess will surprise you," was the answer. - -"What is it?" - -"You want to find your cousin Gertrude." - -"I do." - -"What will you give me for finding her for you?" - -"Oh, I don't know. What do you want?" - -"Is it worth a hundred dollars?" - -"What, for just finding her?" - -"For finding her and putting her in your power." - -"Can you put her in my power?" - -"Perhaps I can." - -"When?" - -"Very soon,--if you'll pay the hundred." - -"I will," returned Bulson eagerly. "Perhaps you've got her in your power -already," he went on hastily. - -"I have." - -"Where?" - -"Here." - -Homer Bulson looked around him and then stared at Pepper in amazement. - -"I don't see her." - -"She is in my sitting room, under lock and key." - -"Back there?" - -The café keeper nodded. - -"But I can't understand it, Pepper. How did you get her here, and so -soon? You didn't have her when I was here before, did you?" - -"Of course not. Right after you went away she came in, looking for -Nelson, because the woman she lives with is very sick. I told her to -wait in the sitting room, and then I locked the door and the window on -her." - -"What is she doing now?" - -As if in reply to the young man's question there was a loud knock on the -sitting-room door. - -"Mr. Pepper! Mr. Pepper!" came in Gertrude's voice. - -"She has knocked several times," said Pepper. "But I didn't mind that. -I'm thankful she hasn't begun to kick and scream." - -"I must have a talk with her. Now that she finds she is in our power, -perhaps she'll come to terms." - -"More than likely." - -The door was unlocked, and Sam Pepper allowed Homer Bulson to enter the -room. - -"Watch the door, if you don't want her to get away," whispered Sam -Pepper, and the young man winked one eye knowingly. - -On seeing her cousin Gertrude fell back in astonishment. - -"What, you?" she faltered. - -"Yes, Gertrude, I've been looking for you," he answered. - -"Where is Nelson?" - -"I don't know, and I don't care. I don't see how you can interest -yourself in that young ruffian." - -"He is more of a true gentleman than you will ever be, Mr. Bulson." - -"You are truly complimentary, Gertrude. But you do not know your own -mind, nor what is best for you. This running away has upset your -judgment." - -"I did not run away--I was driven away--and all because of you." - -"Then let me set matters right for you." - -"Will you do that?" she asked eagerly. - -"I promise I will--if you'll only marry me." - -"Always the same thing!" she cried, bursting into tears. "I will not -listen. Let me go." - -She started for the door, but he placed himself directly in her path. - -"Wait a minute. Where do you live?" - -"I decline to answer that question." - -"I'll wager it is in some low tenement house, among the poorest people." - -"I live among poor people, it is true, but they are not low, as you -understand the word." - -"Did Nelson Pepper find the place for you?" - -"He did." - -"Always that boy! You make me angry with your foolishness. Why don't you -come back? I want to share Uncle Mark's fortune with you." - -"I have talked all I wish upon the subject." - -"How are you to live? You never did any work in your whole life." - -"I can work when it is necessary." - -"At what?" - -"I am giving piano lessons." - -"At starvation wages, I presume," he sneered. - -"I am making an honest living. Thousands can do no more. Now I demand -that you let me go." - -Again she moved toward the door, and again he stood in her path. - -"Did you hear what I said?" she cried. "Stand aside!" - -"I will stand aside--when we have come to terms," he answered, setting -his teeth. "You shall not leave this house until you have promised to do -as I and your uncle desire." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -NELSON TO THE RESCUE. - - -On the same evening that Gertrude visited Sam Pepper's establishment, -Nelson, after closing up, determined to run down and call upon the girl -and tell her about the stand and how well they had done that day. - -"She'll be pleased, I know," he told himself. "She wants me to make a -man of myself." - -Arriving at the tenement house, he ascended the stairs to Mrs. Kennedy's -rooms and knocked upon the back door. To his surprise Gladys Summers, -the flower girl, let him in. - -"Hullo, Gladys! you here?" he said. - -"Oh, Nelson! I thought it was Gertrude," answered the flower girl. "Did -you bring her along?" - -"Along? I haven't seen her." - -"She went over to Sam Pepper's place to bring you here. Mrs. Kennedy is -very sick, and we didn't know what to do." - -"I haven't been to Sam's place. I left there yesterday for good. What's -the matter with the old lady?" - -"Her rheumatism has got up around her heart, and she's very bad. I think -she ought to have a doctor." - -"She shall have one, Gladys. Was Gertrude going to get one?" - -"No, she was going to get you to do that. She doesn't know anything of -doctors down here, so she said." - -"I'll have one here in a little while," said our hero, and ran down the -stairs, two steps at a time. - -Two blocks below the house there was a drug store, and a doctor had his -office upstairs. The physician was in, and listened to what Nelson had -to say. - -"I'll go," he said. "But you know my terms to strangers." - -"How much will the visit be?" - -"A dollar." - -"There's your money." And our hero handed it over. - -The pair were soon at Mrs. Kennedy's bedside, and after an examination -the doctor wrote out a prescription and Nelson had it filled at the drug -store. The physician said he would call again the following afternoon. - -"She's in a bad state," he said. "She has likely had this rheumatism -for years, and her age is against her." - -"Don't you think she'll get over it?" asked our hero. - -"I think she will. But she may be helpless for many weeks." - -"It's hard luck. She hasn't any money." - -"Then you had better send her to the hospital." - -"No, she shall stay home, if she wants to," said Nelson. "I guess I and -the rest can take care of her. She was always good to me and the -others." - -After the medicine had been administered and Mrs. Kennedy was a trifle -easier, Nelson began to grow impatient that Gertrude had not yet -returned. - -"I guess I'll go out and hunt her up," he said to Gladys Summers. "Will -you stay here?" - -"Yes; I promised to stay all night, Nelson." - -Our hero was soon in the street again and making his way rapidly over to -the East Side in the direction of Sam Pepper's resort. It was now late, -but this part of the city was still bustling with life. Yet to our -hero's surprise, when he reached Pepper's place he found it locked up. - -"Closed!" he muttered. "This is queer. I wonder where Gertrude went?" - -He stood for a moment on the pavement, then went and rapped loudly on -the glass of the door. - -For a minute there was no response, then, as he rapped again, Sam -Pepper appeared. His face fell when he lifted a door shade and saw our -hero. - -"What do you want now?" he growled, as he opened the door for a space of -several inches. - -"Was that young lady over here to find me?" asked our hero. - -"Nobody here to see you," answered Sam Pepper gruffly. - -"She wasn't? Why, she started for here." - -"I haven't seen anybody. Is that all you want?" - -"Yes. Why are you shut up so early?" - -"I didn't feel very well and thought I'd go to bed and sleep it off," -answered Pepper smoothly. "I'm going back again. Good-night!" - -"Then you haven't seen her at all?" persisted the newsboy. - -"Haven't I told you so before? Now, don't disturb me again." And with -this Sam Pepper slammed the door shut and locked it. - -Nelson was nonplused, not so much by what Pepper had said as by the -man's manner. - -"He wanted to get rid of me in a hurry," he mused. "Somehow, this affair -doesn't look right to me." - -While our hero was standing near the curb, speculating upon where next -to look for Gertrude, he was surprised to see Paul Randall come down -the street. - -"Why, Paul, how is it you are out so late?" he asked. - -"Got stuck on some sporting extras and was bound to sell 'em," answered -Paul. "Say, I hear you've bought out a stand." - -"George Van Pelt and I have bought out a stand." - -"Hope you make lots of money. If you need a clerk, don't forget me." - -"I won't forget you, Paul. We have a boy now who delivers papers for us. -He talks of leaving. If he does, I'll let you know. But, I say, have you -been around here long?" - -"Most all the evening." - -"You know that young lady who is stopping with Mrs. Kennedy, don't you?" - -"Yes. Gladys Summers calls her 'the angel,'" answered Paul readily. -"She's a real lady, aint she, Nelson?" - -"She is." - -"I saw her go into Pepper's an hour or two ago." - -"You did! I was going to ask you if you had seen her. You haven't made -any mistake?" - -"Not much! I'd know her in a whole city full--she's so sweet and -beautiful." - -"Did you see her come away?" - -"No." - -"Were you around so you could have seen her?" - -"Yes; and I kept my eye on the door for almost an hour. I thought you -might be with her." - -"No; Sam Pepper and I have parted for good, Paul. I've got a room -uptown, near the stand. I'd like to know what became of the young lady." - -"If she came out, it must have been after I went away." - -Paul knew that his mother, who was now getting better, would be anxious -about him, so, without waiting longer, he hurried on. Nelson remained on -the sidewalk, in deep thought. - -Presently, as he was looking toward Sam Pepper's resort, he saw a corner -of a curtain lifted and saw the man peer out at him. Then the curtain -was dropped again. - -"He's watching me," thought the newsboy. "Something is wrong here, and I -know it. He and that Homer Bulson are friends, and Bulson is bound to -make Miss Gertrude marry him. Perhaps they have hatched up some game -against Miss Gertrude." - -Not to make Sam Pepper more suspicious, Nelson walked briskly away, up -the street. But at the first corner he turned, sped down the side -street, and then into the alleyway connecting with the rear of Pepper's -resort. - -It took him but a minute to ascertain that the shutters to the rear room -were tightly closed, and held together by a wire bound from one catch to -the other. - -The shutters were solid, but near the tops were several round holes, put -there for ventilating purposes. - -Looking around our hero discovered an empty barrel, and standing on this -he managed to look through one of the holes into the apartment. - -He saw Gertrude sitting on a chair, the picture of misery. The hot tears -were flowing down her cheeks. - -The sight went straight to his heart, and without waiting to think of -results, he leaped from the barrel, pulled away the wire, and flung the -shutters open. Then he lifted the window, which had been pulled down, -but not fastened. - -Gertrude heard the noise and leaped up in fresh alarm. But when she saw -our hero she gave a cry of joy. - -"Oh, Nelson! will you help me?" she gasped. - -"Certainly I'll help you, Miss Gertrude," he answered. "What are they -doing--keeping you a prisoner here?" - -"Something like that. Mr. Bulson was here and went out to get a coach, -so that he could take me away. Mr. Pepper is on guard in his saloon." - -"Just come with me, and you'll be safe." - -Gertrude came to the window, and Nelson helped her into the alleyway. -Just as she leaped from the window Sam Pepper unlocked the door and -opened it. - -"Stop!" roared the man. "Stop, I say!" - -"Don't stop!" said Nelson, and caught Gertrude by the hand. Dark as it -was, the boy knew the narrow and dirty thoroughfare well, and soon led -his companion to the street beyond. Pepper came as far as the window, -and called after them once more, but did not dare to follow further. - -[Illustration: "'STOP!' ROARED THE MAN. 'STOP, I SAY!'"] - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE HOME IN THE TENEMENT. - - -"Oh, how thankful I am that you came!" exclaimed Gertrude, when she felt -safe once more. - -"I'm glad myself," answered Nelson heartily. "But how was it Pepper made -you a prisoner?" - -"I went there to find you, because Mrs. Kennedy is so sick. I must get -back to her at once." - -"There is no need to hurry." And Nelson told of what he and Gladys had -done for the patient. - -Then Gertrude related her story and told how Homer Bulson had said she -must marry him. - -"He was going to take me to some place in New Jersey," Gertrude -continued. "I heard him and Sam Pepper talk it over." - -"The both of them are a big pair of rascals!" burst out Nelson. "Oh, I -wish I was a man! I'd teach them a lesson!" And he shook his head -determinedly. - -"I am afraid Mr. Bulson will find out that I am living with Mrs. -Kennedy, and he'll watch his chance to make more trouble for me," said -the girl despondently. "Oh, why can't he let me alone? He can have my -uncle's money, and welcome." - -"We'll all be on guard," answered Nelson. "If he tries to harm you, call -a policeman. Perhaps that will scare him." - -Gertrude returned to her home with Mrs. Kennedy, and satisfied that -Homer Bulson would do nothing further that night, the newsboy started to -walk uptown. - -But presently he changed his mind and turned his footsteps toward the -East Side. When he reached the vicinity of Sam Pepper's resort he saw a -coach drawn up in front of the place. - -Homer Bulson was just coming out of the resort with Sam Pepper behind -him. - -"It's too bad," our hero heard Bulson say. - -"You're a fine rascal!" cried the boy boldly. "For two pins I'd have you -locked up." - -"Here he is now!" exclaimed Bulson. "Pepper, you ought to take him in -hand for his impudence." - -"Sam Pepper won't touch me, and you won't touch me, either," cried our -hero, with flashing eyes. "You thought you were smart, Mr. Homer Bulson, -but your game didn't work. And let me tell you something. If you trouble -Miss Horton in the future, she and I are going to put the police on your -track." - -"Me? The police!" ejaculated the young man, in horror. - -"Yes, the police. So, after this, you had better let her alone." - -"Nelson, you talk like a fool," put in Sam Pepper. - -"I don't think so." - -"What is that girl to you? If you'd only stand in with us, it would be -money in your pocket." - -"I'm not for sale." - -"Mr. Bulson wants to do well by her. She don't know how to work. If she -marries him, she'll have it easy for the rest of her life." - -"But she don't want him, and that's the end of it. I've given you -warning now. If anything happens to her I'll call in the police, and -I'll tell all I know, and that's more than either of you dream of," -concluded our hero, and walked off. - -"He's an imp!" muttered Bulson savagely. "I'd like to wring his neck for -him!" - -"I wonder how much he knows?" said Pepper, in alarm. "It was always a -mystery to me how he and the girl fell in with each other." - -"He can't know very much, for she doesn't know a great deal, Pepper. -He's only talking to scare us," said Bulson. His uncle had not told him -of the meeting in the library. - -"What are you going to do next?" - -"Better wait till this affair blows over. Then Gertrude will be off her -guard," concluded Homer Bulson. - -After that several weeks slipped by without anything unusual happening. -Gertrude kept on her guard when going out to give piano lessons, but -neither Bulson nor Pepper showed himself. - -Gertrude, Gladys, and Nelson all took turns in caring for Mrs. Kennedy, -and the old lady speedily recovered from the severe attack of rheumatism -she had experienced. She was anxious to get back to her fruit-and-candy -stand. - -"It's meself as can't afford to be idle at all," she declared. "Sure an' -I must owe yez all a whole lot av money." - -"Don't owe me a cent," said Nelson, and Gertrude and Gladys said the -same. - -Business with the firm was steadily increasing. The boy who had carried -the paper route had left, and Paul Randall was now filling the place and -doing his best to bring in new trade. - -"We'll soon be on our way to opening a regular store," said George Van -Pelt, one day. "We really need the room already." - -"Let us go slow," said Nelson. "I know a fellow who had a stand near the -Fulton ferry. He swelled up and got a big store at fifty dollars a -month, and then he busted up in less than half a year. I want to be sure -of what I am doing." And Van Pelt agreed with him that that was best. - -Of course some newsboys were jealous of our hero's success, and among -these were Billy Darnley and Len Snocks. Both came up to the stand while -Nelson was in sole charge one afternoon, and began to chaff him. - -"T'ink yer big, don't yer?" said Darnley. "I could have a stand like -dis, if I wanted it." - -"Perhaps you could, if you could steal the money to buy it," replied our -hero suggestively. - -"Dis aint no good spot fer business," put in Len Snocks. "Why didn't yer -git furder downtown?" - -"This is good enough for me," said our hero calmly. "If you don't like -the stand, you don't have to patronize me." - -"Yer don't catch me buyin' nuthin here," burst out Snocks. "We know -better where to spend our money; don't we, Billy?" - -"Perhaps you called to pay up that balance you owe me," said Nelson to -Billy Darnley. "There is a dollar and ninety cents still coming my way." - -"Ah, go on wid yer!" growled Billy Darnley, with a sour look. "I -wouldn't have de stand, if yer give it to me. Come on, Len!" And he -hauled his companion away. - -Our hero felt that he could afford to laugh at the pair. "I guess it's -a case of sour grapes," he said to himself. "They'd think they were -millionaires if they owned a place like this." - -Both Darnley and Snocks were out of money, and hungry, and they were -prowling along the street, ready to pick up anything which came to hand. - -"It's a shame Nelse's got dat stand," said Darnley. "He don't deserve it -no more'n I do." - -"No more dan me," added Snocks. "It beats all how some fellers strike it -lucky, eh?" - -"I wish we could git something off of him," went on the larger bully. - -"Off de stand?" queried Snocks. - -"Yes." - -"Maybe we can--to-night, after he locks up." - -"Say, dat would be just de t'ing," burst out the larger boy. "Nobody is -around, and it would be easy to break open de lock. If only we had a -push-cart, we could make a big haul." - -"I know an Italian who has one. We can borrow dat." - -"Will he lend it?" - -"I'll borrow it on de sly." - -So a plan was arranged to get the push-cart that night, after the news -stand was locked up and Nelson and Van Pelt had gone away. Billy -Darnley had a bunch of keys in his pocket, and he felt fairly certain -that one or another would fit the lock to the stand. - -"Won't Nelse be surprised when he finds de t'ings gone?" said Snocks. -"But it will serve him right, won't it?" - -"To be sure," added Darnley. "He's gittin' too high-toned. He wants to -come down out of de clouds." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -NELSON MAKES A PRESENT. - - -In some manner of her own Mrs. Kennedy had found out that that day was -Gertrude's birthday, and she had concocted a scheme with Nelson and -Gladys to give her a surprise. - -"Sure an' the poor dear deserves a bit av pleasure," said the old -Irishwoman. "This humdrum life is almost a-killin' av her. We'll buy her -a few things, and have a bit av a party supper." - -"She shall have my best bouquet," said the flower girl. She loved -Gertrude dearly. - -Nelson was in a great state of perplexity concerning what to give -Gertrude. One after another, different things were considered and -rejected. - -"You see, she's a regular lady," he said to George Van Pelt, "and I want -to give her something that just suits. Now a common girl would like most -anything, but she's--well, she's different; that's all." - -"Most girls like dresses and hats," suggested Van Pelt. - -Nelson shook his head. - -"It won't do. Her dresses and her hat are better than I could buy. -Besides, I want to give her something she can keep." - -"Does she like to read?" - -"I guess she does." - -"I saw a new book advertised--a choice collection of poems. It's really -something fine--far better than most collections. How would that suit?" - -"How much was the book?" - -"Two dollars and a half, but we, as dealers, can get it for a dollar and -seventy-five cents." - -"Then that's what I'll get. And I'll write in it, 'To Miss Gertrude -Horton, from her true friend Nelson,'" said the boy. - -The book was duly purchased, and our hero spent the best part of half an -hour in writing in it to his satisfaction. That night he closed up a -little early and walked down to the Kennedy home with the volume under -his arm. - -"Oh, what a splendid book!" cried Gertrude, on receiving it. Then she -read the inscription on the fly-leaf. "Nelson, you are more than kind, -and I shall never forget you!" And she squeezed his hand warmly. - -Gladys had brought her largest bouquet and also a nice potted plant, and -Mrs. Kennedy had presented a sensible present in the shape of a -much-needed pair of rubbers. - -"Winter will soon be here," said the old woman. "And then it's not our -Miss Gertrude is going to git wet feet, at all!" - -The girl was taken quite by surprise, and even more so when Mrs. Kennedy -brought in a substantial supper, which had been cooking on the stove of -a neighbor. To this Nelson added a quart of ice cream from a near-by -confectioner's, and the birthday party was voted a great success by all -who participated. - -"You have all been so kind to me," said Gertrude, when they broke up, -"you make me forget what I had to give up." - -"Don't ye be after worryin', dear," said Mrs. Kennedy. "'Twill all come -out right in the end." - -"I trust so, Mrs. Kennedy. But I ask for nothing more than that I can -earn my own living and keep the friends I have made," answered the girl. - -"How many scholars have you now?" questioned Gladys. - -"Fourteen, and two more are promised." - -"Sixteen is not bad," said our hero, who knew that that meant eight -dollars a week for the teacher. - -It was after midnight when the party broke up, and Nelson had to take -Gladys to her home, several blocks away. The flower girl lived with a -bachelor brother, who supported himself and paid the rent. The rest -Gladys had to supply herself. - -"I wish I had a regular stand for flowers," she said to Nelson. "I could -make a good deal more, then." - -"I'll help you buy a stand some day, Gladys," he replied. "I know a good -place up in your neighborhood." - -That was Nelson, helping everybody he could, and that is why he is the -hero of this tale of New York street life. - -"If you'll help me I'll pay you back," said the flower girl earnestly. -"You know flowers keep so much better when they are in a glass case," -she explained. - -A light rain was falling when the newsboy at last started for the house -where he roomed. He buttoned his coat up around his throat and pulled -his hat far down over his eyes. - -He was almost to his room when, on turning a corner, he saw two big boys -shoving a push-cart along, piled high with goods concealed under some -potato sacking. As the boys passed in the glare of an electric light he -recognized Billy Darnley and Len Snocks. - -"Hullo, this is queer!" he murmured. "Where are they going with that -push-cart? I didn't know either of 'em was in the peddling business." - -The pair soon passed out of sight, and Nelson continued on his way. -Quarter of an hour later he was in bed and in the land of dreams. - -It was George Van Pelt's turn to open up the stand on the following -morning, our hero being entitled to sleep an hour longer than otherwise -in consequence. But hardly had the time for opening arrived when George -Van Pelt came rushing around to our hero's room in high excitement. - -"Nelson, what does this mean?" he demanded. - -"What does what mean?" asked our hero sleepily. - -"All the things are gone from the stand!" - -"Gone?" - -"Yes, everything--papers, books, pens, pencils, writing pads, ink, -mucilage, everything. It's a clean sweep. Do you know anything about -it?" - -"No, I don't," answered Nelson, and now he was as wide awake as his -partner. "When did it happen?" - -"I don't know--some time before I got there. One of the padlocks was -broken and the other unlocked. The rascals even took the money drawer," -went on Van Pelt bitterly. - -"That had fifteen cents in it," said Nelson. "I took it in after I made -up the cash for the day." - -"Well, we're in a pickle now," groaned Van Pelt. "And just think, we -were insured only day before yesterday." - -"But not against burglars," groaned Nelson in return. "If we can't trace -up the stuff, we'll have to lose it." - -"But we can't afford to lose the stuff. It was worth sixty dollars if it -was worth a penny." - -"Nearer seventy dollars, for I bought some new pads and paper-bound -books yesterday, and they cost seven dollars and a quarter. We must find -the robbers." The newsboy hit his washstand with his fist. "By jinks, -I've got it! I know who robbed us!" - -"Who?" - -"Len Snocks and Billy Darnley, those newsboys I told you about. I saw -them eying the stand pretty closely, and last night, when I came home -from the party, I saw them on the block below here with a push-cart full -of goods. I thought it funny at the time. They had the stuff covered -with old sacks. I never saw either of them with a push-cart before." - -"That certainly is suspicious." - -"Have you notified the police?" - -"Yes, I told the officer on the beat as I came along. He's going to -send in a report. But if you think those fellows are guilty we had -better go after them without delay. Otherwise they'll sell the stuff and -clear out." - -"I think I know where to look for them," said Nelson. - -He was soon into his clothing, and he and Van Pelt hurried to the stand, -where they found Paul selling such papers as had come in for the morning -trade. - -"It's awful," said the small boy. "Such thieves ought to be placed -behind the bars." - -It was decided that Paul should run his route and then tend the stand, -while Nelson and his partner went on a hunt down the Bowery and on the -East Side for Darnley and Snocks. - -"I can't say when we'll be back, Paul," said Van Pelt. "But until we -return you must do the best you can." And this the little lad promised. - -Our hero knew that Darnley and Snocks lived not far from each other on a -street running toward the East River, and thither he led the way. - -"Seen anything of Len Snocks?" he asked of a newsboy he met in the -vicinity. - -"Yes, I did," answered the boy. "Saw him early this morning." - -"Where?" - -"Down by the ferry to Brooklyn." - -"Was he alone?" - -"No; he had Billy Darnley with him." - -"Were they carrying anything?" - -"Yes, each had a couple of heavy bundles, about all he could manage." - -"Did you see them get on the ferry?" questioned George Van Pelt. - -"Saw 'em go into the ferryhouse. They must have gone over," answered the -newsboy. - -A few words more followed, and Nelson and Van Pelt hurried to the ferry -and soon found themselves on Fulton Street, one of the main -thoroughfares of Brooklyn. - -"Now to find them," said our hero. "I'm afraid it's going to prove a big -job." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -A DISAPPOINTMENT. - - -"How shall we strike out?" asked George Van Pelt, as he and our hero -came to a halt under the elevated railroad. - -"It's more than likely they'll try to sell those things to some -stationer or at a second-hand store," answered Nelson. "And the chances -are that they'll sell 'em as quick as possible." - -"You are right there," answered his partner. "Supposing you take one -side of the street and I'll take the other, and we'll ask at the -different stores." - -This was agreed upon, and soon our hero had visited five stores. - -Nobody had seen the thieves or knew anything about them. - -"It's no use," he thought, and then entered a sixth establishment, kept -by an old man. - -"Yes, I saw them," said the old man. "They were here early this morning, -and wanted to sell me the things dog-cheap. But I was suspicious of -them, so I didn't buy." - -"Do you know where they went next?" - -"One of them said something about taking the elevated train." - -"You didn't watch them?" - -"No; I was going to, but a customer took my time." - -The old man described both Darnley and Snocks, and also some of the -goods offered, so there could not possibly be any mistake. - -"I hate thieves," he concluded. "I hope you catch them." - -"If we need a witness, will you aid us?" asked Nelson. - -"I will." - -"Thank you," said Nelson, and left him one of the business cards he and -Van Pelt had had printed. - -On the corner he beckoned to his partner and told Van Pelt of what he -had learned. - -"We'll ask the elevated railroad gate-keeper below," said Van Pelt. - -But at the station they got no satisfaction. - -"I came on an hour ago," said the gate-keeper. "The other man has gone -home." - -"And you haven't seen 'em?" asked Nelson. - -"No. The fact is, so many people come and go we hardly notice anybody." - -"That is so," said George Van Pelt, as he and our hero walked away. -"Nelson, I am afraid we are stumped." - -"It looks like it," said the newsboy soberly. - -"What shall we do next?" - -"I hardly know, George. I hate to give up. The stuff we lost cost too -much money." - -"Do you suppose either Darnley or Snocks went home?" - -"It's possible." - -"We ought to visit their homes and make sure." - -The matter was talked over for several minutes, and it was finally -agreed that Nelson should visit the homes of the two boys while George -Van Pelt returned to the news stand to relieve Paul. - -Billy Darnley lived on the fourth floor of a large rear tenement on one -of the dirtiest streets of the East Side. To get to the place our hero -had to pass through an alleyway filled with rubbish and teeming with -neglected children. Hardened as he was to the rougher side of city life -he could not help but shudder at the sight. - -"Poor things! they are a heap worse off than myself," was his thought. - -At a corner of the alleyway he ran across a small girl and one several -years older. The little girl was a cripple, and the larger girl was -making fun of her deformity. - -"Limpy leg! Limpy leg!" she cried shrilly. "Limpy leg, aint you ugly!" -At this the cripple began to cry. - -"Stop that!" called out Nelson. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself. -This little girl can't help being a cripple. Perhaps some day you'll be -a cripple yourself, and then you won't want anybody to make fun of you." -And at this the big girl fell back abashed. - -"She always does that," said the cripple. "She's awful mean." - -Nelson asked the girl where Billy Darnley lived, and the girl pointed -out the rooms. Soon the newsboy was knocking on one of the doors to the -apartment. - -"Come in," said a rough voice, and Nelson entered, to find himself -confronted by a burly man slightly the worse for the rum he had been -drinking. - -"Is this where Billy Darnley lives?" he asked. - -"I'm Billy Darnley," answered the man. - -"I mean Billy Darnley, the newsboy." - -"That's my son. He lives here, but he aint here now. He's out selling -papers." - -"Has he been home in the last two or three hours?" - -"No." - -There was an awkward pause, and the man eyed Nelson curiously. - -"What do you want of Billy?" he questioned at last. - -"I want to recover some things he stole from my news stand," answered -our hero stoutly. - -"Things he stole?" cried Darnley senior. - -"Yes." - -"Are you sure Billy stole them?" - -"Yes--he and another boy named Len Snocks." - -"When was this?" - -"Last night." - -"Humph! Tell me all about it." - -Nelson did as requested. Before he had finished Darnley senior gave a -long yawn. - -"Hang that boy!" he observed. "He's going from bad to worse. He will end -up on the gallows if he aint careful." - -To console himself he got out a black bottle and took a deep drink. -Evidently he was not deeply impressed. - -"Have you any idea where Billy is now?" asked our hero. - -"No. He'll keep shady, I suppose. I can't help you. Go to the police. If -he gets hung some day it will be his own fault." - -The man turned his back on Nelson as if to end the interview. In a -minute more our hero was in the street again. - -"A fine father for any boy to have," was his thought. "I reckon one is -about as bad as the other, and perhaps both will end up in the electric -chair." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -AN UNSUCCESSFUL QUEST. - - -From the tenement where Billy Darnley lived Nelson made his way to where -Len Snocks resided. - -This home in the tenements was in strong contrast to that of the -Darnleys. There were but three rooms, but each was as clean and bright -as hard work could make them. - -A small, trim-looking woman carrying a baby in her arms answered his -knock. This proved to be Mrs. Snocks. In the rooms were several other -children of various ages. - -"No, I haven't seen Len since last night," she said, in reply to our -hero's question. "He went off with another boy named Billy Darnley." - -"Did he say where he was going or when he would be back?" - -"He did not. I am anxious about him, too. He never stayed away all night -before. What do you want of him?" - -"He and Billy Darnley robbed my news stand last night." - -"Robbed your stand!" Mrs. Snocks grew very pale. "Can this be true?" - -"Yes, ma'am, it is." And Nelson gave the particulars once more. - -"Too bad!" cried the woman, and, dropping on a kitchen chair, she -covered her face with her apron. - -Nelson saw that she was suffering keenly, and felt sorry for her. - -"It's that Darnley boy," she said presently. "He is a bad egg and is -leading our Len astray. My husband and I have warned Len time and time -again to let Billy alone; but he won't mind, and Billy leads him into -all kinds of mischief." - -"Well, I'm sorry for you, ma'am, but we have got to have our stuff -back." - -"How much was it worth?" - -"About seventy-five dollars." - -"Oh, dear! I'm sure I don't know what to do." - -"Is your husband to work?" - -"No; he hasn't had any work for several months. Wait; I'll call him." - -Mrs. Snocks went to a rear window and called to somebody in the -courtyard below. Soon Mr. Snocks appeared. He was an iron molder, but -looked far from healthy. - -"Stole from your stand," he said, after listening to his wife and -Nelson. "This is the worst yet." - -"It's Billy Darnley's fault," put in the wife. - -"He hasn't any business to go with Billy, Mary. That rascal will lead -him to prison." - -"You're right there," said our hero. - -"I don't know what to do," went on Mr. Snocks, to Nelson. "I'd square -this up, only I'm out of work, and haven't more than two or three -dollars to my name." - -"We have three dollars and twenty-five cents," said the wife. "You can -have that." And she brought out a well-worn pocketbook. - -Her manner touched the newsboy to the heart. - -"No, I won't take your last cent," he said. "You'll need it for yourself -and the children. Only if you see Len, try to get back the goods or the -money he got for them." - -"We'll do that--don't fear," said Mr. Snocks. "And I'll thrash him -everlastingly in the bargain." - -No more could be accomplished at the Snockses' home, and soon Nelson was -on his way back to the stand. - -"What luck?" questioned George Van Pelt, as soon as he appeared. - -"Not much," he answered, and told his story. "We'll never hear from old -Darnley," he added. "But perhaps we'll get something from the Snockses." - -"I'm glad you didn't take that woman's last dollar," said Van Pelt. -"We're not as hard up as all that, even if we have been almost cleaned -out." - -Fortunately for the partners they had paid all bills promptly since -taking charge of the stand, so their credit was good. On the following -morning Van Pelt went around and explained the situation to several -wholesale dealers, and also to the news company, and succeeded in -getting a fresh supply of goods on thirty and sixty days' time. - -"We've got to hustle to make it up," he said. - -"Well, I'm in the business to hustle," answered Nelson, with a grim -smile. "I never yet was idle, as far back as I can remember." - -"Always sold newspapers?" - -"Mostly. Once in a while I blacked boots and carried baggage, but not -very often." - -"Are you related to Sam Pepper?" - -"I don't think I am." - -"Hasn't he ever told you anything about yourself?" - -"He has and again he hasn't. He told me some things that I don't believe -are true, George." - -"Humph! Well, I wouldn't trust him too much." - -"I don't trust him at all, since the time he tried to help Mr. Bulson -against Miss Gertrude." - -"It's queer that Bulson is so possessed to marry Miss Horton, when she -doesn't care for him." - -"I guess the reason is that Bulson is afraid Mr. Horton will relent and -take Miss Gertrude back, and then she'll come in for half the money, -after all. He is so piggish that he wants to get it all." - -"Mr. Horton ought to be told how Bulson is acting." - -"Miss Gertrude says he is a strange man and won't believe what anybody -says about his nephew." - -"He must be strange, or he wouldn't turn such a nice young lady as Miss -Horton out of doors," said Van Pelt feelingly. He had met Gertrude -several times and was much interested in her. - -On the week following Mrs. Kennedy was served with a notice to quit her -apartments, as the tenement was to be torn down. She and Gertrude hunted -up other rooms, not far from Nelson's stand. These were bright and -cheerful and a very great improvement over those vacated. - -"And I will feel safer," said Gertrude. "For I fancy Homer Bulson knew -the other home and often watched me going in and coming out." - -Gertrude was right in her surmise. Homer Bulson was watching her very -closely and laying his plans to make her his own, in spite of herself. - -But when everything was in readiness to make a move, he found to his -chagrin that the rooms were empty and the building was being torn down. - -"Hang the luck, anyhow!" he muttered sulkily. "Now where in the world -shall I look for her?" - -He questioned several people in the neighborhood, but nobody seemed to -be able to give him any information. - -The truth of the matter was Mrs. Kennedy had requested her friends to -say nothing to a gentleman in a silk hat who asked about Gertrude, and -for this reason they were accordingly mum. - -"Never mind, I'll find her sooner or later," Bulson told himself. "And -then my next move will surely surprise her." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -A DECOY LETTER. - - -One day Nelson was folding some evening papers at the stand when, on -glancing up, he saw Homer Bulson standing not far away eyeing him -sharply. - -"Hullo, what does he want now?" thought our hero. - -Bulson waited until several customers had received papers and departed, -and then came closer. - -"How is trade?" he asked, in as pleasant a voice as he could command. - -"Very good," returned Nelson coolly. - -"I presume you do better with the stand than you did selling papers on -the street." - -"Much better." - -"I am glad to hear it." - -To this Nelson made no reply, for he felt certain that Homer Bulson was -playing the part of a hypocrite. - -"He wants to find out about Gertrude," he told himself. - -"How is Miss Horton making out these days?" went on the young man. - -"She is doing nicely." - -"Is she working?" - -"She gives piano lessons." - -"Humph! she can't make much at that." - -"She make enough to keep her." - -"If she wouldn't be so headstrong she might have a comfortable home -without working." - -"She intends to do as she pleases," replied Nelson sharply. "And she -doesn't ask you for advice." - -"Where is she living now?" - -"You'll have to find that out for yourself." - -"Her uncle wants to know." - -"Then let him write to her and address the letter to the general -post-office." - -"Does she go there for her letters?" - -"No; somebody goes for her." - -At this Homer Bulson bit his lip in increased vexation. - -"What rot all this is!" he cried. "I'm not going to eat her up." - -"You're right there," grinned Nelson. "We won't let you. The best you -can do is to leave her alone. If you don't somebody will get hurt." - -"Ha! do you threaten me?" - -"You can take the warning as you please." - -"Boy, you are a fool!" - -"If I am, I am too smart a fool to be taken in by you, Mr. Homer -Bulson." - -"I want to help Miss Horton." - -"You want to harm her, you mean." - -"Then you won't tell me where she lives?" - -"No. And let me add, if you find out and try to harm her you'll get -hurt." - -"Oh, you make me tired," muttered Bulson, and walked away. - -Everything seemed to be against the young man, but two days later his -luck--if such it can be called--changed. - -He was walking along a fashionable side street, when on chancing to look -ahead he saw Gertrude leave a house and hurry to the corner. - -He started to follow her, but before he could reach her she had boarded -a street car and was out of his reach. - -Going back to the house he met a girl of twelve coming out on the stone -stoop. - -"Good-afternoon," he said politely. "Am I right about seeing Miss Horton -just coming from here?" - -"You are," answered the girl. "She's just been giving me a music -lesson." - -"Oh, so she gives music lessons here. Does she teach anybody else in -the neighborhood?" - -"Yes; she teaches on the block above here and around on the avenue." And -the girl gave the names and addresses. - -Homer Bulson made a note of the names and addresses and walked off in -high satisfaction. - -"Now to work my little scheme," he said to himself. - -Two days later he left New York and took a train at Jersey City for -Lakewood, down in New Jersey. - -At the fashionable resort he managed to find a house on the outskirts of -the town. It was owned and kept by an old woman, who was more than half -deaf. - -To this old woman, whose name was Sarah Higgins, Bulson told a long -story of a cousin who was a little crazy and who wanted absolute rest. - -"She is harmless, excepting for her tongue," said Bulson. "I would like -to bring her here for several months. If you will take her, I will give -you twenty-five dollars a week for your trouble." - -Sarah Higgins was a natural-born miser, and she readily consented to -take the young lady and watch her. - -"I've taken care of them as is out of their mind before," she said. "I -know how to treat 'em." - -Homer Bulson's next move was to write a long letter to Gertrude. This -letter was signed with the name of a fashionable lady of society, and -ran as follows: - - - "DEAR MISS HORTON: Perhaps you will be surprised to receive this - from me, a stranger, but Mrs. Jackson has been speaking to me about - you, and the good lessons you are giving her daughter Belle. - - "My husband used to know your father well, and the pair were warm - friends, and he joins me in making this offer to you. - - "I have three children, two girls and a boy, and I wish to obtain a - music-teacher for them who will not only give lessons, but also - take a personal interest in the little ones. There is nobody here - at Lakewood who is suitable, and I wish to know if we cannot - arrange to have you come down every Wednesday or Thursday? I will - pay your carfare and give you five dollars per week for the - lessons. Of course you can also have lunch with me. - - "I think you will find this a good opening for you, and perhaps we - can get you more pupils here. Please call upon me next Wednesday - afternoon, and we can then talk it over and complete arrangements. - - "Yours truly, - "MRS. JAMES BROADERICK." - - -The letter came as a complete surprise to Gertrude, and she scarcely -knew what to make of it. - -Of course, as was natural, she felt much pleased. A trip to Lakewood -each week would be delightful, and five dollars would add quite -something to her income. - -The letter reached her on Tuesday morning, so she had not long to -consider it. That noon she met Gladys and told her she was going to -Lakewood on business the following morning, on the early train. - -"Lakewood!" cried the flower girl. - -"Yes. What makes you look so surprised, Gladys?" - -"I didn't think you'd leave New York." - -"I shall only be gone for the day. There is a lady there who wants me to -give lessons to her three children." - -"Oh!" - -"She will pay well, and the trip each week will be quite an outing." - -"It will be cold traveling this winter, I'm thinking." - -"Lakewood is a famous winter resort now. The hotels are fine, so I've -been told." - -"Does the lady live at a hotel?" - -"No; she has a private cottage near by--so her letter says." - -"Well, I wish you luck," said Gladys, and so the pair parted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -MARK HORTON RELENTS. - - -After having mailed the letter to Gertrude from Lakewood, Homer Bulson -returned to New York to complete his plans for the future. - -Evening found him at his uncle's mansion, as smiling as ever, with -nothing to betray the wicked thoughts which were in his mind. - -Mr. Mark Horton had changed greatly. He was very feeble, his face was -pinched, and his hair was fast growing white. - -He had had two doctors waiting upon him, but neither of them had been -able to make him well. - -His malady baffled all their science, and despite their most carefully -administered medicines he grew steadily worse. - -"I cannot understand the case," said one physician to the other. "I was -never so bothered in my life." - -"It is certainly strange," answered the other. "I shall make a report on -the case before the fraternity. Ordinarily this man should grow better -quickly. He has no organic trouble whatever." - -As Mark Horton grew more feeble he longed for Gertrude, remembering how -she had ministered to him day and night. - -"How goes it, uncle?" asked Homer Bulson, as he entered the room in -which Mark Horton sat in an easy-chair. - -"I am very weak, Homer. I don't think I shall ever be better. It is not -because I fear death, for I have little to live for. But Gertrude----" -He did not finish. - -"She treated you badly, uncle, after all you had done for her." - -"I am afraid that I was the one that was to blame." - -"You? You were too indulgent, that was the trouble. She used to have her -way in everything." - -"Have you heard anything of her yet, Homer?" - -"I think she went to Boston." - -"To Boston? Do you know if she had much money?" - -"I do not." - -"Did she go alone?" - -"I believe not. That actor got a position with some traveling company, -and I think she went with the company, too." - -"It is too bad! I do not wish her to throw her whole life away in this -fashion. I wish she were here. Won't you write to her?" - -"I would if I had the address." - -"But you can find out where the theatrical company is, can't you?" - -"The company went to pieces after visiting Boston." - -"Then she must be in want," groaned Mark Horton. "If you cannot write to -her, you can at least advertise for her in the Boston papers." - -"I'll do that, if you wish it." - -"I do, Homer. Tell her to return--that all will be forgiven. I am fairly -dying to see the child again." - -At this latter remark Homer Bulson drew down the corners of his mouth. -But the dim light in the room hid his features from his uncle's gaze. - -At this moment the servant came to the door. - -"The nurse is here," she said. - -"Oh, all right!" exclaimed Bulson. "Send her up." - -"The new nurse," said Mark Horton wearily. "They simply bother me. Not -one of them does as well as did Gertrude." - -Presently a middle-aged woman came in, dressed in the outfit of a -trained nurse. She bowed to both men. - -"You are the nurse Dr. Barcomb said he would send?" said Homer Bulson, -as he eyed her sharply. - -"Yes, sir." - -"What is your name, please?" - -"Mrs. Mary Conroy." - -"As the doctor sent you, I suppose it is all right. You have had -sufficient experience?" - -"Plenty, sir; plenty! What is the matter with the gentleman?" - -"Nervous debility." - -"That is too bad. I nursed one patient with it." - -"Did he recover?" questioned Mark Horton, with a slight show of -interest. - -"He did, sir." - -"Then there may be hope for me, Mrs. Conroy?" - -"Certainly there is hope," put in Homer Bulson, with a hypocritical -smile. - -"I'll do my best by you, sir," said Mrs. Conroy pleasantly. - -"Thank you." - -"You had better give my uncle a little wine," put in Bulson. "He needs -it as a tonic." - -"I do not care much for the wine," said Mark Horton. "It does not seem -to strengthen as it should." - -"You would be weaker still if you didn't have it, uncle." - -The wine was brought and the retired merchant took a small glass of it. - -"Won't you drink with me, Homer?" asked the invalid. - -"Thank you, uncle, but I bought this especially for your own use, and -you must have it all." - -A private conversation, lasting the best part of an hour, followed, and -then Bulson took his leave. - -When Bulson was gone Mrs. Conroy came in again, having been to the room -assigned to her by the housekeeper. She found the retired merchant -sitting with his chin in his hands, gazing moodily into the small grate -fire which was burning before him. - -"Is there anything I can do for your comfort, Mr. Horton?" she -questioned sympathetically. - -"I don't know," he returned, with a long drawn sigh. - -"Perhaps I can read the paper to you?" she suggested. - -"No; I don't care to listen. I am tired." - -"Would you like to retire?" - -"Not yet. I cannot sleep." - -"Have you any medicine to put you to sleep, sir? I must ask the doctor -all particulars to-morrow." - -"He has given me some powders, but they do not help me. At times my -brain seems to be on fire while my heart is icy cold." - -"Let me shake your pillows for you." She did so, and tried to make him -otherwise comfortable. - -"Thank you, that is better," he remarked, as he sank back and closed his -eyes. "It is hard to be alone in the world." - -"You are alone then." - -"Almost. Mr. Bulson, who was just here, is my nephew. My wife is dead, -my son gone, and my niece, who lived with me up to a few months ago, has -left me." - -"It is too bad." - -"In one way it is my own fault. I drove my niece from my house by my -harshness. I sincerely wish she was back." - -"If it was your fault, as you say, why not send for her?" - -"I do not know where to send. Mr. Bulson heard she went to Boston, and -he is going to advertise for her in some Boston papers. Poor Gertrude!" - -"That was her name?" - -"Yes, Gertrude Horton. She was my brother's child. I wanted her to marry -my nephew, and we had a bitter quarrel, and after that there was a -robbery, and--but I am satisfied now that Gertrude was innocent." - -"Why, it seems to me I've heard something of this before!" exclaimed the -nurse. "The story came to me through a friend who knows an old woman who -keeps a fruit-and-candy stand on the Bowery. She said the girl was -driven away from home because her uncle wanted her to marry a man she -didn't want, and because the uncle thought she had robbed his safe--she -and a boy who happened to call at the house about that time." - -"It must be my Gertrude!" said Mark Horton. "And did she marry that -actor fellow?" - -"He wasn't an actor. He's a newsdealer--keeps a stand with a man, -somewhere uptown; and he's not old enough to marry." - -"And the girl--what of her?" - -"I heard she was supporting herself by teaching the piano." - -"Is it possible! Do you know where she is?" - -"I don't know. But I think I can find out." - -"Then you must do so--to-morrow morning," returned Mark Horton. -"Gertrude may still be in New York! Pray Heaven she will come back to -me!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -NELSON ON SHIPBOARD. - - -Nelson was tending the stand on the morning following the conversation -just recorded, when suddenly Paul Randall came running up, all out of -breath. - -"I just saw Billy Darnley," gasped the little newsboy, when able to -speak. - -"Where did you see him?" questioned Nelson quickly. - -"Right straight across town, on the East River. He was talking to the -captain of a big schooner named the _Victory_. I guess he was wanting to -ship in her." - -"Tend the stand, Paul, and I'll go after him," said Nelson, and leaped -outside. Soon he was making his way toward the East River with all -possible speed. - -When he came in sight of the docks half a dozen vessels met his view, -all with their bows stuck far over into the street. Of a sailor standing -near he asked which was the _Victory_. - -"There she is," answered the tar, pointing with his sunburnt hand. -"Want to ship?" - -"Not much!" laughed Nelson. "I want to keep another fellow from -shipping." - -"Then you'll have to hurry, for the _Victory_ is going to sail putty -quick." - -Nelson was soon picking his way across the dock where the big schooner -lay. Merchandise was on every hand, and on turning a pile of this he -suddenly found himself face to face with Billy Darnley and a burly man -dressed in a sea suit. - -"So I've got you at last, have I?" cried Nelson, as he grasped Darnley -by the arm. - -"Lemme go!" howled the bully, in great alarm. "Lemme go, Nelson!" - -"Not much! I'm going to hand you over to the police," was Nelson's firm -answer. - -"I won't go!" - -"What's the trouble?" demanded the nautical-looking man curiously. - -"He's a thief, that's the trouble," answered our hero. - -"It aint so. I never stole nuthin' in my life," retorted Darnley -sulkily. "He's down on me, and he's always tryin' to git me into -trouble." - -"I am telling the truth," said Nelson. "He's got to go with me." - -"I won't go!" roared the bully. - -For a moment the face of the seafaring man was a study. His name was -Grabon, and he was part owner and captain of the _Victory_. - -"Darnley has signed articles with me, for a trip to the West Indies and -Brazil," he said. - -"Well, he can't go to the West Indies and Brazil. He's going to the -lock-up," returned Nelson firmly. - -"What is he guilty of?" - -"Of two robberies, so far as I know. He once robbed me of some money, -and only a short while ago he robbed a news stand belonging to me and -another party." - -"Humph! What did he rob you of--half a dozen newspapers?" sneered -Captain Grabon. "If he did, you shan't keep him ashore on that account. -I am short of hands as it is, and must sail by the tide to-day." - -"The trouble was all over ten newspapers," said Billy Darnley, quick to -take up an idea that had come to him. "He says I stole 'em, but I -didn't." - -"I won't listen to such nonsense." Captain Grabon shoved Nelson back. -"Let my man go." - -"I won't!" exclaimed our hero. - -"You will!" put in Billy Darnley, and wrenching himself free, he ran -along the dock toward the _Victory_ and clambered aboard the vessel. - -"You're going to get yourself into a whole lot of trouble!" ejaculated -Nelson to the captain. - -"You clear out!" - -"Not much--not until I've caught that thief." - -As quickly as he could, our hero ran toward the ship and clambered -aboard after Darnley. For the moment he had lost sight of the bully, but -now he saw him peering out from behind the mainmast. At once a chase -ensued. - -[Illustration: "OUR HERO RAN TOWARD THE SHIP AND CLAMBERED ABOARD."] - -In the meantime Captain Grabon came on board, and going quickly to his -mate, he ordered the lines flung off and the boat towed out into the -stream. - -Around and around the deck flew Darnley, with Nelson after him. Then the -bully leaped down the companion-way steps and into the cabin. Undaunted, -our hero followed, and presently the pair found themselves at the end of -a narrow passageway. - -"Now I've got you!" panted Nelson. "You shan't get away from me again." - -"I won't go!" howled Billy Darnley desperately. "I'm booked for this -trip to sea." - -"Well, a sea trip might do you some good, Billy, but you are not going -to take it just yet What did you do with the stuff you stole from the -stand?" - -"Didn't steal anything from the stand." - -"Yes, you did--you and Len Snocks. Van Pelt and I know all about it. You -got to give up the goods, do you hear?" - -"I aint got nuthin," growled Darnley. - -He tried to break away again, and a hand-to-hand tussle ensued. -Presently both boys went down and rolled over. As they did this Nelson's -head struck an iron projection, and he was partly stunned. Before he -could recover the bully was on his feet once more. - -"Take that!" roared Darnley, and gave Nelson a cruel kick in the side. A -kick in the head followed, and with a groan our hero was stretched out -insensible. - -By this time Captain Grabon was coming below to see what was going on. -He met Darnley in the cabin. - -"Hold on!" he cried. "Where are you going?" - -"On deck," answered the bully, but did not add that he wanted to go -ashore. - -"Where's the other boy?" - -"I knocked him down." - -Darnley was about to move on, but the captain would not allow it. - -"You stay here for the present," he said. "I want to investigate this." - -"I'm going on deck," growled the bully. - -"What!" roared the captain. "Why, you monkey, don't you know you are now -under my orders?" - -At this Darnley fell back, aghast. - -"Under your orders?" - -"Certainly. And you mind me, or I'll have you rope-ended well." - -Still holding fast to Darnley, he forced his way to the narrow passage, -and here saw Nelson still lying motionless. He gave a low whistle. - -"So this is your game," he said. "You must have hit him hard." - -"I did," answered the bully, telling the falsehood without an effort. - -"This may be serious. Help me carry him into the cabin." - -Alarmed, Darnley did as requested, and our hero was placed on a lounge. -There was a big lump on Nelson's forehead, and this the captain made -Darnley bathe with some water from an ice-cooler in the corner. - -It was nearly an hour before our hero came to his senses, for the kicks -from the bully had been severe. He sat up, completely bewildered. - -"Where am I?" was the first question he asked himself. Then he stared -around him, to behold a negro sitting near, reading a newspaper. - -"Hullo!" he said feebly. "What place is this?" - -"Dis am de fo'castle of de _Victory_," was the negro's reply. - -"The fo'castle of the _Victory_?" repeated Nelson, puzzled. "Where--who -placed me here? And who put this rag on my head?" - -"Cap'n Grabon had you carried here. You had a row wid one of de new -hands. Don't you remember dat?" - -"Certainly I remember it," answered Nelson, and sat up. His head ached -severely. "Who are you?" - -"My name am Puff Brown. I's de cook ob de boat." - -"Oh! And where is Billy Darnley?" - -"De feller you had de fight wid?" - -"Yes." - -"He's on deck, learnin' how to become a sailor." - -"I want him arrested. He's a thief." - -So speaking, Nelson staggered to his feet and made for the doorway of -the forecastle. When he got on deck he stared around him in amazement. -The dock had been left behind, and around the ship were the blue waters -of New York Bay. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -DOWN THE NEW JERSEY COAST. - - -"My gracious, we've sailed!" - -The words came with a groan from Nelson. They were no longer at the dock -in New York, but on the sea. What was to be done next? - -"They are not going to carry me off!" he told himself, and rushed aft. - -"Hullo! so you've got around again," sang out Captain Grabon, on -catching sight of him. - -"Yes, I've got around, and I want to know what this means." - -"What what means, lad?" - -"Why did you carry me off?" - -"You carried yourself off. I told you we were about to sail. You had no -business to come on board." - -"I want to go ashore." - -To this the captain made no answer. - -"Where is Darnley?" went on our hero, and began to look around. Soon he -espied the bully helping some sailors trim one of the sheets. - -"Here, you stay where you are," cried Captain Grabon, as Nelson started -forward, and he caught our hero by the arm. "We are on the sea now, and -I am master here, and I don't propose to allow you to interfere with any -of my men." - -"I told you I want to go ashore," insisted Nelson. - -"Well, I'm not going to stop my vessel for every monkey like you who -gets himself in a pickle. You can go ashore--when we make a landing, not -before." - -"When will that be?" - -"Keep your eyes open, and you'll soon find out." - -The captain of the _Victory_ turned away, leaving Nelson much nonplused. -To tell the truth, our hero's head ached so hard he could think of -little else. He walked over to a pile of rope and sat down. - -"I hope they land soon," he thought dismally. "I don't want to get too -far from home. I wonder what George Van Pelt thinks of my absence?" - -An hour slipped by, and soon the _Victory_ was well on her way down the -bay and heading outside of Sandy Hook. The air was cool and bracing, and -under any other conditions the newsboy would have enjoyed the sail very -much. - -But by noon he began to grow alarmed again. Instead of putting in, the -ship was standing still further from shore. - -"See here, this doesn't look as if you were going to land soon," he said -to one of the sailors who happened to pass him. - -"Land soon?" repeated the tar. "That we won't, lad." - -"Well, when will we land?" - -"Not afore we get to the West Indies, I reckon." - -"The West Indies!" And Nelson leaped up as if shot. "You don't mean it." - -"All right; ask the cap'n." And the sailor sauntered off. - -The captain had gone to the cabin, and thither Nelson made his way -without ceremony. - -"You told me you were going to land soon?" he cried. - -"No, I didn't tell you anything of the kind," answered Captain Grabon, -with a leer. "I told you to keep your eyes open, and you'd soon find -out what we were going to do." - -"I was told you wouldn't land until you reached the West Indies." - -"That's right too." - -"I don't intend to go with you to the West Indies." - -"All right, lad; as you please." - -"You have no right to carry me off like this." - -"As I said before, you carried yourself off. You came aboard my vessel -without my permission, and you engaged in a row with one of my hands. -Now you must suffer the consequences." - -"Then you intend to take me to the West Indies with you?" - -"I will, lad; but you must work your passage, as soon as you're over -being knocked out." - -"It's a shame!" cried Nelson indignantly. "I shan't submit." - -"You can do nothing. You are on my ship, and I am master here. If you -have any row to settle with Darnley, you can settle it when we land. -I've told him, and now I tell you again, I won't have any more -quarreling on board." - -"You are not fair," pleaded our hero, half desperately. - -"I know what I'm doing. Now get back to the fo'castle with you, and -remember, to-morrow you take your place with the crew." And so speaking, -Captain Grabon waved the lad away. - -Nelson returned to the deck with a heavy heart. Had the shore been -within a reasonable distance he would have leaped overboard and risked -swimming, but land was far away, a mere speck on the western horizon. - -At noon Nelson messed with the crew, and feeling hungry he ate his full -share of the food, which was not as bad as might be supposed. He was not -allowed to go near Darnley, and the bully was wise enough to keep his -distance. - -Slowly the afternoon wore along. The breeze remained good, and having -passed Sandy Hook, the _Victory_ stood straight down the New Jersey -coast. - -"Might as well learn the ropes, sooner or later," said one of the -sailors to Nelson, as he lounged up. - -"I don't want to learn," was the ready answer. "I wasn't cut out for a -sailor. City life is good enough for me." - -"And I can't stand shore life at all. Queer, aint it? The minit I'm -ashore I'm in trouble and wanting to go to sea again." - -"What kind of a man is this Captain Grabon?" - -"Hard to please, lad. You'll have your hands full with him. Better learn -your duty at once, and save trouble." - -"I shall not do a hand's turn on this ship." - -"Didn't you sign articles with him?" - -"I did not. But that other young fellow did." - -"But how came you here?" - -"I followed that other fellow on board. He's a thief, and I was after -him." - -"Did he rob you?" - -"He did. I wanted to hand him over to the police when we were on the -dock, but Captain Grabon interfered. I suppose he didn't want to lose -the hand." - -"That's the truth--we are short, as it is. Well, now you are on board, -what do you intend to do?" - -"I don't know." Nelson looked the sailor straight in the eyes. "Can I -trust you?" - -"You can, my lad. If it's as you say, I'm sorry for you." - -"If you'll help me to escape I'll give you all the money I have in my -pockets--two dollars and a half." - -"How can I help you?" - -"Didn't I see you steering a short time ago?" - -"You did." - -"When will you steer again?" - -"In a couple of hours." - -"Then, if you get the chance, steer close to some other boat, will you? -I mean some small craft that belongs along this shore." - -"And if I do, what then?" - -"I'll jump overboard and trust to luck to have the other boat pick me -up," explained Nelson. - -The two talked the plan over, and at last the sailor agreed for the two -dollars to do as our hero desired--providing the opportunity arose. He -insisted upon Nelson keeping the remaining fifty cents. - -"I won't clean you out, lad," he said. "And I sincerely trust all goes -well with you." And they shook hands. - -The sailor took his next trick at the wheel at six o'clock, and half an -hour later a sloop hove in sight, far to the southwestward. He nodded to -Nelson, but said nothing. Most of the sailors were below, and Captain -Grabon had also disappeared. - -"Go on to supper," said the mate of the vessel to our hero, and turned -away to inspect something forward. - -"What shall I do?" whispered Nelson to the man at the wheel. - -"Get your grub, lad," replied the sailor. "When we're close to that -craft I'll begin to whistle 'Annie Laurie.'" - -"All right; I'll listen with all ears," responded our hero. - -He was soon at the mess, and eating as though nothing out of the -ordinary was on his mind. But his ears were on the alert, and no sooner -had the first bars of the sailor's whistle risen on the evening air than -he pushed back his seat. - -"I've had all I want," he muttered, for the other sailors' benefit. - -"Getting seasick, I reckon," said an old tar, and laughed. Billy Darnley -was already sick, and lay on a bunk, as white as a sheet and groaning -dismally. - -Soon Nelson had picked his way to the stern, being careful to keep out -of sight of the mate. The _Victory_ was now close to the sloop, and -presently glided by the smaller craft. - -"Thanks! Good-by!" called Nelson, to the man at the wheel, and in -another moment he had dropped into the ocean and was swimming toward the -sloop with all the strength at his command. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -GERTRUDE HAS AN ADVENTURE. - - -It was with a light heart that Gertrude hurried to the ferry, crossed to -the New Jersey side, and took the express train for Lakewood. She did -not dream of the trick that had been practiced upon her, and anticipated -only a good engagement and a delightful ride on the cars. - -For a long while she sat by the window, drinking in the swiftly moving -panorama as the train flew by station after station, and farms, and -woods. But few stops were made, and she had the entire seat to herself. -She would have been very much surprised had she known that Homer Bulson -was watching her, yet such was the case. - -The man had seen her get on board, and now occupied a seat in the -smoker. His face wore a smile of triumph, for he felt that the girl was -already in his power. - -It was just noon when the train pulled into the elegant little station -at Lakewood, and Gertrude alighted. Hotel stages were everywhere, and -so were cabs and cabmen. - -At last she found a newsboy who directed her where to go. She thought he -looked at her rather queerly when he found out where the place was, but -he said nothing, and she asked no further questions. Soon she was -hurrying down the country road leading toward Sarah Higgins' place. - -As she moved along she had to confess to herself that the surroundings -were hardly what she had anticipated. The road was little more than a -bypath, and was by no means well kept. - -"Perhaps this is a short cut to something better," she thought. "That -newsboy didn't want me to walk any further than necessary. But I must -say I see no mansions anywhere around--only the plainest kind of -farmhouses." - -At last she reached the spot the boy had mentioned. In a clump of pines -was a dilapidated cottage, half stone and half wood, with a dooryard in -front choked with weeds. - -"There surely is some mistake," said the girl to herself. "This can't be -the house. I'll go in and find out where Mrs. Broaderick's home really -is." - -She passed through the open gateway and made her way up the rough garden -path. The door was closed to the cottage, and so were all the windows. -She knocked loudly. - -There was a wait of a minute, and she knocked again. At length the door -was opened cautiously and Sarah Higgins, dressed in a dirty wrapper and -with her hair flying in all directions, showed herself. - -"Excuse me, but can you tell me where Mrs. Broaderick's house is?" asked -Gertrude politely. - -"What's that?" asked Sarah Higgins, in a high-pitched voice, and placed -one hand behind her ear. - -"I wish to find Mrs. Broaderick's house. Will you tell me where it is?" -went on the girl, in a louder key. - -"Don't know Mrs. Broaderick," replied Sarah Higgins. Then she gave -Gertrude a searching look. "Come in and rest, won't you? You look tired -out." - -"Thank you; I'll rest a moment," answered Gertrude. She was somewhat -dismayed by the turn affairs had taken. "And do you know most of the -folks around here?" she continued. - -The question had to be repeated twice before the half-deaf woman -understood. - -"Of course I do, miss," she answered. "Haven't I lived here going on -forty-five years--since I was a little girl?" - -"Then you must know Mrs. Broaderick--or perhaps she is a newcomer." - -"Never heard the name before. But, tell me, is your name Gertrude?" - -"It is!" cried the girl in wonder. "How did you guess it?" - -"I've been expecting you, my dear. It's all right, make yourself at -home," went on Sarah Higgins soothingly. "Let me take your hat, that's a -good young lady." And she started to take Gertrude's hat from her head. - -She had been told that the girl would arrive that noon and would most -likely inquire for an imaginary person named Broaderick. Homer Bulson -had certainly laid his plans well. - -"Don't! leave my hat be!" cried Gertrude, and shrank back in alarm. "You -seem to know my first name, madam, but I do not know you." - -"Never mind; make yourself at home," said Sarah Higgins soothingly. - -"But I do not wish to remain here. I want to find the lady I have come -to Lakewood to see," insisted poor Gertrude. Then she started for the -door--to find herself confronted by Homer Bulson. - -"You!" she gasped, and sank back on a chair. - -"You didn't expect to see me, did you?" he asked sarcastically, as he -came in and shut the door. - -"I--I did not," she faltered. "What brought you here?" - -"Well, if you must know, I was curious to learn where you were going, -Gertrude," he said in a low voice, that Sarah Higgins might not -understand. "I followed you from the ferry in New York." - -"You were on the express train?" - -"I was." - -"You had no right to follow me." - -"But what are you doing here?" he went on, bound to "mix up" matters -both for her and for Sarah Higgins, so that the latter might think -Gertrude quite out of her mind. - -"I came to Lakewood on business." Gertrude arose. "Let me pass." - -"Don't be in such a hurry, Gertrude; I wish to talk to you." - -"But I do not wish to speak to you, Mr. Bulson." - -"Gertrude, you are cruel--why not listen?" - -"Because I do not wish to hear what you want to say." - -"But you don't know what I have to say," he persisted. - -"I know all I wish to know. Now let me pass." - -She tried to make her way to the door, but he quickly caught her by the -arm. - -"You shall not go," he said. - -At this she let out a scream, but he only smiled, while Sarah Higgins -looked on curiously. - -"Screaming will do you no good, Gertrude. This house is quarter of a -mile from any other, and the road is but little used." - -"You are cruel--let me go!" said she, and burst into tears. - -"You shall never leave until you listen to me," he said. And then he -tried his best to reason with her for fully an hour, but she would not -hearken. At last she grew as pale as a sheet. - -"This whole thing is a trick--the letter and all!" she gasped, and fell -in a swoon. He caught her and carried her to an upper chamber of the -cottage. Here he placed her on a couch, and then went below again, -locking the door after him. - -"It's a way she has at times," he explained to Sarah Higgins. "She is -not always so bad. She will be quite herself in a few days, and then -she will remember nothing of this." - -"Poor dear!" was the answer. "It's dreadful to be so out of one's mind." - -"You must take care that she does not escape." - -"I will, sir. But about that money?" And the woman's eyes gleamed -greedily. - -"There is ten dollars on account." And Homer Bulson handed over the -amount. - -"Thank you, sir. She shall have the best of care--and she won't get -away, never fear." - -"I was going to remain over in Lakewood to-night, but I find I must -return to New York," went on Bulson. "I'll be back again some time -to-morrow or the day after. In the meantime do not let her get out of -the room." - -"I will do as you say, sir," answered Sarah Higgins, and then Gertrude's -cousin took his departure. - -It did not take the girl long to come out of her swoon, and she at once -ran to the door. Finding it locked she went to the window, determined to -leap to the ground, if she could do nothing better. But, alas! Homer -Bulson had made his calculations only too well. The window was slatted -over on the outside, making the apartment virtually a prison cell. - -She saw that the slats had been put on recently, and this made her more -sure than ever that the whole thing was a plot. The letter had been a -decoy, and had been used solely to get her in his power. - -"What does he expect to do?" she asked herself. "I have given him every -claim on Uncle Mark's fortune; what more can he wish? Is he afraid I may -go back? Perhaps he wants to take my life, so as to be certain I will -not cross his path again." And she shivered. - -Listening, she heard Homer Bulson bid Sarah Higgins good-by and leave -the cottage. At this she breathed a sigh of relief. She knocked steadily -on the door, and presently the woman came up. - -"What do you want?" she asked through the keyhole. - -"Are you going to keep me a prisoner here?" - -"Only for a little while, my dear." - -"Where has Mr. Bulson gone?" - -"To New York, I believe." - -"When will he be back?" - -"To-morrow, or the day after." - -"You expect to keep me here all night?" cried Gertrude, in astonishment. - -"Now, don't grow excited," pleaded Sarah Higgins. "Yes, you'll have to -stay here until to-morrow, and perhaps some time longer. Now you had -better lie down and rest yourself." - -And then the woman tramped off, leaving Gertrude filled with wonder and -dismay. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -A SURPRISE ON THE ROAD. - - -When Nelson struck the water he was all of fifty feet away from the -sloop. Down he went over his head, but quickly reappeared and struck out -boldly. - -"Hullo, somebody's overboard from the ship!" cried a young man, who sat -at the bow of the sloop. "Port your helm, Bob, or you'll run into him!" - -The helm was thrown over, and the sloop veered around. Then Nelson set -up a shout. - -"Help! Pick me up!" he cried. "On board the sloop! Help!" - -"We'll pick you up, don't fear!" cried the young fellow at the bow, and -the sloop came around and the mainsail was lowered. The two young men on -the craft were skillful sailors, and soon came within reach of Nelson. -One held out a boathook, and presently our hero was hauled on board. - -"It's a lucky thing we were near by, or you might have been drowned," -said the young man called Bob. "Isn't that so, Clarence?" - -"That's true," answered Clarence Bell. "I see your ship isn't stopping -for you." - -"She isn't my ship, and I don't want her to stop," answered Nelson, -shaking the water from him. - -"Oh! Then you jumped overboard on purpose." - -"I did, and I am thankful you picked me up. The captain who runs that -boat was going to carry me to the West Indies against my will." - -"Great Cæsar! Bob, do you hear that?" - -"I do," returned Bob Chalmer. "Was it a case of kidnaping?" - -"Hardly that," replied Nelson. "I'll tell you the whole story, if you'd -like to hear it. Only I want to be sure that that boat doesn't put back -after me," he continued. - -He watched the _Victory_ for fully five minutes but nothing was done -toward turning back, and at last he gave a great sigh of relief. - -"I guess I'm safe," he remarked. - -"You are, lad. But you had better take off those wet clothes, or you'll -take cold. You'll find a dry suit in the cuddy." - -This was sensible advice, and Nelson followed it. As soon as he had -donned the other suit he sat down and told how he had chased Billy -Darnley on board the _Victory_, and of what had followed. - -"Humph! that captain is pretty hard-hearted," remarked Clarence Bell. - -"He ought to be arrested," put in Bob Chalmer. "You were lucky to get -away. I guess that thief is out of your reach now." - -"Well, anyway, I left him as sick as he could be," said Nelson, and -could not help but laugh over Darnley's woe-begone appearance. "He'll -have enough of the sea by the time he gets back." - -From the young men he learned that they had been out for two days on a -fishing trip. They had had good luck, as the mess on board proved, and -they were now sailing for Manasquan Inlet, where they were boarding for -a few weeks. - -"We belong in New York," said Bob Chalmer later. "And I guess we can see -you through all right." - -"I'll be much obliged, if you would," said Nelson. "I'll pay you back as -soon as I reach the city." And then he told of the news stand, and the -business he and Van Pelt were doing. - -The breeze was as brisk as ever, and it veered around, so that the sloop -made the Inlet without difficulty. They ran up the river to a small -collection of cottages and boathouses known as Reefer's. Here they tied -up, and Nelson went ashore, wearing the old fishing suit he had -borrowed. - -"You can't get home to-night, so you shall stay with us," said Bob -Chalmer, and procured a room at one of the cottages for Nelson. Tired -out, our hero slept well. But he arose early, and by that time his own -clothes were dry, and he put them on. - -"I've got a railroad ticket in my pocket good from Lakewood to New -York," said Chalmer, while they were having breakfast. "It's a limited -ticket and runs out to-morrow. Why can't you use that? You can have it -at half price." - -"How far is Lakewood from here?" - -"Not over six or seven miles. The stage will take you over for fifteen -cents." - -"That will suit me," answered our hero. "I've got half a dollar left." - -"Oh, I'll lend you some money, Nelson!" - -"No; I won't need it." - -The matter was talked over, and our hero took the ticket. Quarter of an -hour later he was on the stage, bound for Lakewood. - -It was a clear day, and the ride among the smooth roads was thoroughly -enjoyable. Yet Nelson thought but little of the journey. His mind was -filled with his personal affairs. He wondered what Van Pelt thought of -his continued disappearance. - -"He'll think I've captured Darnley sure," he reasoned. "Well, what's -happened can't be helped, and I'm lucky to escape, I suppose." - -On and on went the stage, making good time, for the team was fresh. - -When about two miles from Lakewood they reached a bend, where the road -was being repaired. - -A steam roller was at work, and at this one of the horses grew -frightened and started to run away. His mate went with him, and in a -twinkle the stage was bumping along at a high rate of speed. - -"Stop! stop!" shrieked a lady sitting near Nelson. "Stop, or we'll all -be killed!" - -"Whoa! whoa!" roared the stage-driver, and tried to pull the horses in. -But his lines were old, and suddenly one snapped, and then the horses -went along faster than ever. - -Not far down the road were several heaps of stone, to be used in -repairing the highway, and the team headed directly for the first of -these heaps. The driver tried to sheer them around, but with one line -gone was nearly helpless, and in a second more the stage struck the -pile and went over with a crash. Then the horses came to a halt. - -No one was seriously injured by the mishap, although the lady who had -cried out was much shaken up. Soon all gathered around, to learn the -extent of the damage to the stage. - -It was found that one of the front wheels was knocked to pieces. The -driver was much downcast, and knew not what to do. - -"I'll have to leave the turnout here and go back to Berry's shop for a -new wheel, I suppose," he said. He could not state how soon he would -return, or how soon the stage would be ready to start forward once more. - -"How far is it to the Lakewood railroad station from here?" questioned -Nelson. - -"Not over a mile and a half." - -"Then I'll walk it, if you'll show me the shortest road." - -"The shortest road is that over yonder," answered the stage-driver. "It -aint no good for driving, but it's plenty good enough for hoofing it." - -"Thanks," said Nelson, and without waiting he started off to walk the -remainder of the journey. - -He had still an hour and a half before the train would be due at -Lakewood, so he took his time and often stopped to look at the dense -woods and the beautiful green fields. - -"What a difference between this and New York streets!" he said to -himself. "And how quiet it is! I don't believe I could sleep here at -night, it would be so still!" - -At length he came within sight of an old cottage, where a woman was -hanging up a small wash on a line. Feeling thirsty, he resolved to go -into the yard and ask her for a drink of water. - -But no sooner had he set foot in the weedy garden than the woman came -running toward him, waving him away. - -"Don't want to buy anything!" she cried shrilly. "Don't want to buy! Go -away!" - -"I haven't anything to sell," answered Nelson, with a smile. "I was -going to ask for a drink of water." - -"Oh!" The woman eyed him suspiciously. "Water, did you say?" - -"Yes; I'd like a drink." - -"The well is mighty poor here. You can get a drink up to the next -house." - -"Very well," returned Nelson, and started to leave the garden. As he did -so he heard a sudden crash of glass and, looking up, saw some panes -from a window in an upper room of the cottage fall to the ground. - -"Nelson! Nelson! Help me!" came the unexpected cry. - -"My gracious!" burst out our hero, in bewilderment. "Gertrude! What does -this mean?" - -"I am held a prisoner," answered Gertrude. "Save me!" - -"A prisoner?" - -"Yes, Nelson. You will help me, won't you?" - -"To be sure I'll help you. But--but who did this?" - -"My cousin, Mr. Bulson." - -"The scoundrel! Is he here now?" - -"I think not. But he may come back at any moment." - -"Go away from here!" shrieked Sarah Higgins, in alarm. "Go away! That -girl is crazy!" - -"I guess you are crazy!" returned Nelson hotly. "Stand aside and let me -get into the house." - -"No, no! You must go away!" went on Sarah Higgins. - -Then of a sudden she leaped back and ran for the cottage with might and -main. Reaching it, she closed the door and locked it. Then she appeared -at a near-by window, armed with a rolling-pin. - -"Don't you dast come in!" she shrieked. "If you do, you'll have to take -the consequences!" And she flourished the rolling-pin defiantly. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -COMPARING NOTES. - - -It must be confessed that for the moment Nelson was completely -nonplused. He wished to get into the cottage, and at once, but the woman -looked as if she meant what she said, and he had no desire to have his -skull cracked open by the rolling-pin. - -"See here, madam; you are making a great mistake," he said as calmly as -he could. - -"Eh?" And Sarah Higgins put her hand up to her ear. - -"I say you are making a great mistake," bawled Nelson. "That lady is not -crazy." - -"I say she is." - -"Who told you she was crazy--Mr. Bulson?" - -At this the woman looked astonished. - -"Do you know that gentleman?" - -"I know that man, yes. He is no gentleman. He robbed that lady of her -property." - -"How do you know?" - -"I know--and that's enough. If you don't let me in at once, I'll have -the law on you, and you'll go to prison for ten or twenty years," went -on Nelson, bound to put his argument as strongly as possible. - -At this Sarah Higgins grew pale, and the hand with the rolling-pin -dropped at her side. - -"Sure you aint making a mistake, boy?" - -"No; I know exactly what I am talking about. That young lady is not -crazy, and neither you nor Bulson have any right to keep her a -prisoner." - -"He said she was crazy; that she needed rest and quiet. That's why he -brought her here." - -"He is a villain, and if you know when you are well off, you'll have -nothing to do with him. Now let me in, before I hammer down the door and -turn you over to the police." - -"Oh, my! don't hammer down the door, and don't call the police!" -shrieked Sarah Higgins. "I meant to do no wrong, I can assure you." - -"Then open the door." - -"You will not--not touch me if I do?" she asked timidly. - -"Not if you behave yourself. If Bulson deceived you, that's in your -favor. But you had better not help him further." - -With trembling hand Sarah Higgins unbolted the door and opened it. At -once Nelson marched in, and, espying the stairs, mounted to the upper -floor of the cottage. - -"Nelson, is that you?" - -"Yes." - -"Oh, how thankful I am!" - -"Where's the key to this door?" demanded our hero of the woman, who had -followed him. - -"There." And she pointed to a near-by nail. Soon he had the door -unlocked, and at once Gertrude rushed out to meet him. The tears of joy -stood in her eyes. - -"How did you find the way so soon?" she asked. - -"The way? What do you mean?" - -"Why, the way from the railroad station at Lakewood. Did they know I -came here?" - -"I haven't been to Lakewood," answered Nelson. "I came here by pure -accident." And then in a few words he told his story. - -When he had finished Gertrude told of the decoy letter and of what had -followed. Our hero was deeply interested and very angry that Homer -Bulson had played such a trick. - -"He ought to be put behind the bars for it," he said. "Certainly I am -going to tell the police about it. He hasn't any right to follow you up -in this fashion, even if he is your cousin." - -"He is growing more bold every day," answered Gertrude. "I shall never -feel safe so long as he is near me." - -Sarah Higgins now calmed down, and tried to clear herself by saying she -had been imposed upon. She readily consented to tell all she knew, if -called upon to do so in a court of law, providing she herself was not -prosecuted. - -"That gives us one witness against your cousin," said Nelson. "If we can -get another, we'll put him behind the bars." - -"I don't want him locked up, if only he will leave me alone," returned -Gertrude. - -Nelson's visit to the cottage had taken time, and when Gertrude was -ready to leave it was found to be too late to take the train our hero -had started to catch. - -"Never mind, we can take the afternoon train," said the boy. "But we -will have to get dinner somewhere." He turned to Sarah Higgins. "I think -you ought to furnish that." - -At this the miserly woman winced. - -"Well, if you really think so----" she began. - -"I don't wish to stay here," cried Gertrude, "Mr. Bulson may be back at -any moment." - -"Well, if he comes, I guess he'll get the worst of it," answered Nelson. - -But Gertrude would not stay, and a few minutes later they quitted the -cottage. - -The girl still had her pocketbook, with her money and the railroad -ticket, so she would have no trouble in getting back to the metropolis. -She also had over a dollar in addition, and she insisted upon having -Nelson dine with her at a modest-looking restaurant, where the rates -were not high. - -"Your uncle ought to be told of your cousin's doings," said our hero, -when they were waiting for the train. "I don't believe he would stand -for it, no matter if he is displeased with you." - -"I will not take the story to him," answered Gertrude with spirit. "He -cast me out, and I shall not go near him until he asks me to come." - -"Well, I guess I'd feel that way," answered Nelson, after a thoughtful -pause. "I can't understand how he can treat his own blood as he is -treating you." - -"Uncle Mark was not always this way, Nelson. In years gone by he was -very kind and considerate." - -"But what made the change?" - -"His sickness. Ever since he has been confined to the house he has been -nervous, peevish, and altogether a different person. I really can't -understand it." - -"It's queer. Do you suppose having Bulson around makes any difference?" - -"How could it affect his sickness?" - -"Perhaps he gives your uncle something that affects his mind." - -"Oh, Nelson! could anybody be so dreadfully cruel?" - -"Some folks are as mean as dirt. I want to tell you something that I -never spoke of before, because I thought it wouldn't be right to -misjudge Bulson when I didn't know him as well as I know him now. Do you -remember I once told you how he tried to cheat George Van Pelt out of -the sale of some books?" - -"Yes, I remember. You said Van Pelt made him take the books." - -"So he did. And do you know what the books were?" - -"I can't imagine." - -"They were works on poisons, written in French." - -"Poisons!" Gertrude grew pale. "Oh, Nelson! and you think----" She could -not go on. - -"I don't know what to think, but if I were you I'd have the doctors -examine everything that Mr. Horton takes, especially the stuff Homer -Bulson gives him." - -"I will do that. Mr. Bulson can no longer be trusted. He is a high -liver, and may be very anxious to get hold of Uncle Mark's fortune in -the near future." - -"He said he wanted the books because he was going to become a doctor and -make poisons a specialty. That is what he told Van Pelt." - -"A doctor! I don't believe he has brains enough to become a doctor--or -if he has, he is too lazy to apply himself. Why, when he was a boy he -was turned out of school because he wouldn't study." - -"Well, if he would lie and use you as he has, he would do worse, -Gertrude. For your uncle's sake he ought to be watched." - -"He shall be watched," said Gertrude decidedly. "No matter how badly -Uncle Mark has treated me, I will see to it that Homer Bulson no longer -plays him foul." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -BULSON GROWS DESPERATE. - - -Sam Pepper was taking it easy at the rear of his resort on the evening -of the day when Gertrude went to Lakewood, when the door opened and a -messenger boy came in. - -"Is Sam Pepper here?" asked the boy, approaching Bolton. - -"That's my handle, sonny. What do you want?" - -"Here's a message. I was to wait for an answer." - -Pepper took the message and read it with interest. - - - "FRIEND PEPPER: Meet me to-night between eleven and twelve o'clock - at my apartments. Something important. Bring those old papers with - you. I have the cash. - - "H. B." - - -"Humph! so Bulson wants to close that deal to-night," muttered Sam -Pepper, as he tore the message to shreds. "He's in a tremendous hurry, -all at once. I wonder what's new in the wind? Well, I'm low on cash, and -I might as well take him up now as later on." - -"Where's the answer?" asked the messenger boy. - -"Here you are," returned Pepper, and scribbled a reply on a slip of -paper. Then the messenger received his pay and made off. - -Promptly on time that night Sam Pepper went up Fifth Avenue. Just as he -reached Homer Bulson's home the young man came down the steps. - -"Come with me--the house is full of company," he said. "I want to talk -to you where we will be free from interruption." - -"I'm agreeable," answered Pepper. - -The pair walked rapidly down a side street. Homer Bulson seemed ill at -ease, and Pepper noticed it. - -"You are not yourself to-night," he said. - -"I've got lots to think about," growled Bulson. - -"Still mad because the girl won't have you, I suppose." - -"No, I've given her up. I don't want a wife that won't love me." - -"That's where you are sensible." - -"Gertrude can go her way and I'll go mine." - -"Well, you'll have the softest snap of it," laughed Pepper. "She'll get -nothing but hard knocks." - -"That's her own fault." - -"She don't make more than half a living, teaching the piano." - -"Oh, if she gets too hard up, I'll send her some money," responded -Bulson, trying to affect a careless manner. - -"By your talk you must be pretty well fixed." - -"I struck a little money yesterday, Pepper--that's why I sent to you. I -want to go away to-morrow, and I wanted to clear up that--er--that -little affair of the past before I left." - -"What do you want?" - -"I want all those papers you once showed me, and if you have that will I -want that, too." - -"You don't want much." And Sam Pepper laughed suggestively. - -"Those papers will never do you any good." - -"They might." - -"I don't see how?" - -"The boy might pay more for them than you'll pay." - -"He? If he knew the truth, he'd have you arrested on the spot." - -"Don't be so sure of that, Bulson. I know the lad better than you do. -He has a tender heart--far more tender than you have." - -"Well, if it's a question of price, how much do you want?" demanded -Homer Bulson sourly. - -"I want five thousand dollars cash." - -"Five thousand! Pepper, have you gone crazy?" - -"No; I'm as sane as you are." - -"You ask a fortune." - -"If that's a fortune, what's the amount you expect to gain? Old Horton -is worth over a hundred thousand, if he's worth a cent." - -"But I'm not sure of this fortune yet. He's a queer old fellow. He might -cut me off at the last minute." - -"Not if you had that will. You could date that to suit yourself, and -you'd push your game through somehow." - -"I can give you two thousand dollars--not a dollar more." - -"It's five thousand or nothing," responded Sam Pepper doggedly. - -"Will you accept my check?" - -"No; I want the cash." - -"That means you won't trust me!" cried Bulson, in a rage. - -"Business is business." - -Homer Bulson breathed hard. The pair were on a side street, close to -where a new building was being put up. The young man paused. - -"You're a hard-hearted fellow, Pepper," he said. "You take the wind out -of my sails. I've got to have a drink on that. Come, though. I don't -bear a grudge. Drink with me." - -As he spoke he pulled a flask from his pocket and passed it over. - -"I'll drink with you on one condition," answered Pepper. "And that is -that I get my price." - -"All right; it's high, but you shall have it." - -Without further ado Sam Pepper opened the flask and took a deep draught -of the liquor inside. - -"Phew! but that's pretty hot!" he murmured, as he smacked his lips. -"Where did you get it?" - -"At the club--the highest-priced stuff we have," answered Bulson. Then -he placed the flask to his own lips and pretended to swallow a like -portion to that taken by his companion, but touched scarcely a drop. - -"It's vile--I sell better than that for ten cents," continued Pepper. - -"Let us sit down and get to business," went on Bulson, leading the way -into the unfinished building. "I want to make sure that you have -everything I want. I am not going to pay five thousand dollars for a -blind horse." - -"I'm square," muttered Sam Pepper. "When I make a deal I carry it out to -the letter." - -"You have everything that proves the boy's identity?" - -"Everything." - -"Then sit down, and I'll count out the money." - -"It's--rather--dark--in--here," mumbled Sam Pepper, as he began to -stagger. - -"Oh, no! it must be your eyesight." - -"Hang--me--if I--can--see--at--all," went on Pepper, speaking in a lower -and lower tone. "I--that is--Bulson, you--you have drugged me, you--you -villain!" And then he pitched forward and lay in a heap where he had -fallen. - -Homer Bulson surveyed his victim with gloating eyes. "He never sold -better knock-out drops to any crook he served," he muttered. "Now I -shall see what he has got in his pockets." - -Bending over his victim, he began to search Sam Pepper's pockets. Soon -he came across a thick envelope filled with letters and papers. He -glanced over several of the sheets. - -"All here," he murmured. "This is a lucky strike. Now Sam Pepper can -whistle for his money." - -He placed the things he had taken in his own pocket and hurried to the -street. - -Nobody had noticed what was going on, and he breathed a long sigh of -relief. - -"He won't dare to give me away," he said to himself. "If he does he'll -go to prison for stealing the boy in the first place. And he'll never be -able to prove that I drugged him because nobody saw the act. Yes, I am -safe." - -It did not take Homer Bulson long to reach his bachelor apartments, and -once in his rooms he locked the door carefully. - -Then, turning up a gas lamp, he sat down near it, to look over the -papers he had taken from the insensible Pepper. - -"I'll destroy the letters," he said. He smiled as he read one. "So Uncle -Mark offered five thousand for the return of little David, eh? Well, -it's lucky for me that Sam Pepper, alias Pepperill Sampson, didn't take -him up. I reckon Pepper was too cut up over his discharge, for it kept -him from getting another fat job." He took up the will. "Just what I -want. Now, if Uncle Mark makes another will, I can always crop up with -this one, and make a little trouble for somebody." - -He lit the letters one by one, and watched them turn slowly to ashes. -Then he placed the other papers in the bottom of his trunk, among his -books on poisons, and went to bed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -SOMEBODY WAITS IN VAIN. - - -Mrs. Kennedy was busy at her stand, piling up some fruit, when a woman -who was a stranger to her approached. - -"Is this Mary Kennedy?" the newcomer asked. - -"That's me name," answered the old woman. "But I don't know you, ma'am." - -"My name is Mrs. Conroy. I'm a nurse. Mrs. Wardell sent me to you." - -"Yes, I know Mrs. Wardell. But what is it you want, ma'am? I don't need -a nurse now, though I did some time ago, goodness knows." - -"I am not looking for a position," smiled Mrs. Conroy. "I am looking for -a young lady named Gertrude Horton." - -"Gertrude Horton! Who sint you?" questioned Mrs. Kennedy suspiciously. - -"Her uncle, Mark Horton, sent me." - -At this Mrs. Kennedy was more interested than ever. - -"An' what does he want of the darling, Mrs. Conroy?" - -"He wants her to return home." - -"Heaven be praised fer that!" - -"Where can I find Miss Horton?" - -Again Mrs. Kennedy grew suspicious. - -"I can tell you that quick enough, ma'am--but I must know if it's all -right, first." - -"Why, what do you mean?" - -"There's a villain of a cousin, Homer Bulson, who's been tryin' to git -Miss Gertrude in his clutches. You're not doing this work for him?" - -"No, indeed, Mrs. Kennedy. Mr. Horton sent me himself. He wants Miss -Gertrude to come straight home. He wants her to forgive him for his -harshness." - -"To hear that now!" ejaculated Mrs. Kennedy joyfully. "What a change -must have come over him!" - -"I do not know how he was before, but he is now very anxious for her to -return. He thinks he might get better if she were with him." - -"What a pity Gertrude can't go to him this minit!" said Mrs. Kennedy. - -"Will you tell me where I can find her?" - -"She is not in New York, Mrs. Conroy. She went to Lakewood early this -morning." - -"To stay?" - -"Oh, no! She'll be back to-night." - -"Will you see her then?" - -"To be sure--she lives with me." - -"Oh!" - -"I'll send her home the minit I see her," went on Mrs. Kennedy. - -"Then I'll return and tell him that," said the nurse. "Be sure and -insist upon her coming. He is so anxious he is almost crazy over it." - -"Sure and he ought to be--drivin' her away in that fashion." - -"I guess it was his sickness did it, Mrs. Kennedy. The man is not -himself; anybody can see that. The case puzzles the doctors very much." - -Mrs. Conroy had some necessary shopping to do, but an hour saw her -returning to the mansion on Fifth Avenue. - -"Well?" questioned Mark Horton anxiously. "Did you see her?" - -"She had gone out of town--to Lakewood. But she will be back to-night." - -"And will she come to me?" - -"I cannot answer that question, Mr. Horton. I told the woman with whom -she lives to send her up here." - -"Did you say she must come--that I wanted her to come?" persisted the -retired merchant eagerly. - -"I did, and the woman was quite sure Miss Gertrude would come." - -"When was she to get back from Lakewood?" - -"By seven or eight o'clock." - -"Then she ought to be here by nine or ten." - -All that afternoon Mark Horton showed his impatience. Usually he took a -nap, but now he could not sleep. He insisted upon getting up and walking -around. - -"The very thought that she will be back makes me feel stronger," he -declared. "It is more of a tonic than Homer's wine." - -"Please do not grow impatient," said Mrs. Conroy. "You know there may be -some delay." - -Slowly the evening came on and the street lamps were lit. Mr. Horton sat -at a front window, looking out. He did not want a light in the room. - -"I wish to watch for her," he explained. "You may light up when she -comes." - -He was now feverish, but would not take the soothing draught the nurse -prepared. Hour after hour passed, and presently he saw Homer Bulson -enter his quarters, and then go out again. - -"I do not know how Homer will take the news," he told himself. "But he -will have to make the best of it. Of one thing I am resolved--Gertrude -shall do as she pleases if only she remains with me, and she shall have -half of my fortune when I die." - -At last it was nine o'clock, and then the sick man became more nervous -than ever. Every time a woman appeared on the dimly lit street he would -watch her eagerly until she went past the mansion. - -"She will not come!" he groaned. "She will not come!" - -At ten o'clock Mrs. Conroy tried to get him to bed, but he was stubborn -and would not go. Another hour went by, and then another. As the clock -struck twelve Mark Horton fell forward in his chair. - -"She has deserted me!" he groaned. "And I deserve it all!" And he sank -in a chair in a dead faint. - -With an effort the nurse placed him upon the bed and did what she could -for him. But the shock had been great, and in haste she sent for a -physician. - -"He has had them before," explained the doctor. "I will give him -something quieting--I can do no more. Each shock brings him closer to -the end. It is the most puzzling case on record." - -As he was so feeble Mrs. Conroy thought best to send for his nephew, and -Homer Bulson was summoned just as he was waking up. - -"All right, I'll be over," he said, with a yawn. He did not feel like -hurrying, for he was tired, and had been through such an experience -before. It was after eight when he at last showed himself. - -"You are worse, Uncle Mark," he said, as he took the sufferer's hand. - -"Yes, I am worse," was the low answer. "Much worse." - -"It is too bad. Hadn't you better try some of that new wine I brought -you?" - -"Not now, Homer. I feel as if I never cared to eat or drink again." And -Mark Horton gave a groan. - -"You must not be so downcast, uncle." - -"Homer, Gertrude has turned her back upon me!" - -"Gertrude!" cried the nephew, very much startled. - -"Yes, Gertrude. I--I did not think it possible." - -"But I don't understand, Uncle Mark. Did you--er--did you send to her?" - -"I will confess I did, Homer. I could stand it no longer. I wanted to -see the dear child again." - -"And she turned her back on you?" went on Bulson, hardly knowing what to -say. - -"She did. I sent for her to come at once. She had not gone to Boston, -but to Lakewood, and was to be back in the evening. That was yesterday. -She is not yet here, and that proves that she has forsaken me and wants -nothing more to do with me." - -At these words a crafty look came into Homer Bulson's eyes. - -"Uncle Mark, I am sorry for you, but I could have told you as much some -time ago," he said smoothly. - -"You could have told me?" - -"Yes. I went to Gertrude when she was thinking of going to Boston and -begged her to come back. I even offered to go away, so that she would -not be bothered with me. But she would not listen. She said that she was -done with you, and that she preferred her theatrical friends to such a -home as this, where there was no excitement. She is changed--and changed -for the worse." - -"Oh, Homer! can this be true? The dear, gentle Gertrude I once so loved -and petted! But it is my own fault. I drove her away. I have only myself -to blame." And burying his face in his pillow, the sick man sobbed -aloud. - -Instead of replying, Homer Bulson got out of a medicine closet the -bottle of wine he had brought two days before and poured out a glassful. - -"Take this, Uncle Mark. I know it will do you good," he said. - -"No, I want no wine!" cried Mr. Horton. And suddenly he dashed wine and -glass to the floor. "I hate it! It does me no good. I want nothing but -Gertrude!" And he buried his face in his pillow again. - -"I will do my best to bring her to you," said Bulson hypocritically. - -He remained at the mansion a short while, and was then told that there -was a man who wished to see him. - -He hurried to his own apartments across the way, and here found himself -face to face with Sam Pepper. - -"You played me a fine trick," growled Pepper. "Give me back the papers -you stole from me." - -"Let us come to an understanding," said Bulson. "I am willing to pay -for what I took, Pepper. Come with me." - -"Want to drug me again?" - -"No. I want to get where it is quiet. Come." - -"All right, I'll go along. Supposing you come to my place?" - -"That will suit me. I want to make a new deal with you." - -And the pair started for Sam Pepper's resort on the East Side. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -QUESTIONS OF IMPORTANCE. - - -"Sure, and this is a double mystery, so it is. What do you make of it, -Mr. Van Pelt?" - -It was Mrs. Kennedy who spoke. The non-appearance of Gertrude had -worried her greatly, and she had visited Van Pelt, to learn that Nelson -was also missing. - -"I don't know what to make of it," answered George Van Pelt. "Nelson -went after Billy Darnley, who robbed our stand. Perhaps he has met with -foul play." - -"Could our Gertrude have met with foul play at Lakewood?" - -"I shouldn't think so. She knew where she was going, didn't she?" - -"To be sure--to a Mrs. Broaderick's; she read the letter to me herself." - -"Perhaps Mrs. Broaderick asked her to stay over," said Van Pelt. "I -can't think of anything else." - -While the pair were talking Mrs. Kennedy happened to look up the street. - -"Here comes Nelson now!" she cried suddenly. - -She was right, and soon our hero was at the stand, and shaking each by -the hand. - -"I feel as if I've been on a long trip," he said, with a broad smile. - -"Where have you been?" questioned Van Pelt and Mrs. Kennedy in a breath, -and then he told them his story, and also told of what had happened to -Gertrude. - -"The dirty villain!" cried Mrs. Kennedy, referring to Bulson. "He ought -to be put in prison. But the poor girl's troubles are over now." - -Then she told of how Mark Horton wanted his niece to come back to him. - -"Perhaps he wants her back, and perhaps this is another trick," said -Nelson. "After this I am going to help guard her more than ever." - -"Where is she now?" - -"At home. She doesn't know what to do. She thinks of calling on her -uncle--to warn him against Bulson. We've got an idea the man is -poisoning his uncle in order to get the entire fortune." - -"Those books on poison----" began Van Pelt. - -"Exactly," said Nelson. "You can testify to them, can't you?" - -"To be sure. You had better tell the police of this." - -"I shall," said Nelson, quietly but firmly. - -The matter was talked over, and our hero determined to call again upon -Gertrude, whom he had just left at Mrs. Kennedy's rooms. - -When told of the message her uncle had sent the poor girl burst into -tears of joy. - -"Dear Uncle Mark! He is not as bad as I thought!" she cried. "He would -be as kind as ever, if he wasn't so sick. Yes, I will go at once, and I -will tell him all." - -"And I'll go along--to prove your story and to tell him about the books -on poisons," said Nelson. - -Soon the pair were on their way to the mansion on Fifth Avenue. Gertrude -was all in a tremble, and could scarcely contain herself for joy. The -housekeeper let her in, with a smile. - -"I am glad to see you back," she said warmly. "I hope you'll stay, Miss -Gertrude." - -"How is my uncle?" - -"Very feeble. I hope the shock doesn't hurt him." - -"Is that Gertrude?" came in Mark Horton's voice from the head of the -stairs. - -Instead of replying the girl ran to meet him, and in another moment -uncle and niece were in each other's arms. - -"Oh, Uncle Mark!" was all Gertrude could say. - -"My dear Gertrude," murmured the feeble man, "I am so thankful you have -come back to me! I was cruel, nay crazy--but I will never be so again. -Will you forgive me?" - -"Willingly, uncle," she answered. "You were not yourself; it was your -sickness made you act so. Now I will nurse you back to health and -strength." - -"Ah! Gertrude! I do not feel as if I can get back my strength again. I -am too far gone," murmured the retired merchant. - -"Rest yourself, uncle." And she led him to a chair. "After a while I -want to have a long talk with you. But tell me first, have you been -taking any wine lately--I mean the wine Homer Bulson gave you?" - -"A little. But I do not like it--although he almost forces me to take -it. Why do you ask?" - -"If you will hear me out, I will tell you. It is a long story." - -"I will listen to every word, Gertrude." - -As briefly as she could she told of what had happened to her since she -had left home, how Homer Bulson had followed her up, and what he had -done at Lakewood. Then she spoke of Van Pelt and Nelson, and how they -could prove that Bulson had purchased several books on poisons. At this -last revelation Mark Horton grew deadly pale. - -"And you think----" He faltered, and paused. "Oh, Heavens, can it be -possible? My own nephew!" - -"I would have the wine analyzed," said Gertrude. "And I would have him -watched carefully." - -At that moment came a ring at the front door bell, and the doctor -appeared. - -"Ah, Miss Horton!" he said with a smile. "I am glad that you are back." - -"Doctor, I want that wine examined without delay," broke in the retired -merchant. - -"Examined? What for?" - -"See if it is pure. I have an idea it is impure." - -The doctor smiled, thinking this was another of the sick man's whims. -But Gertrude called him aside. - -"We think the wine is poisoned," she whispered. "Examine it as soon as -you can, and report to me." - -"Oh!" The doctor's face became a study. "By Jove, if this is true----" -He said no more, but soon departed, taking the wine with him, and also a -glass of jelly Bulson had brought in for his uncle's use. - -"And so you have brought Nelson with you," said Mark Horton. "Perhaps I -had better see him." - -"Do you remember him?" asked Gertrude, her face flushing. "He was in the -library that night----" - -"So that is the young man that was here! Gertrude, for the life of me I -cannot understand that affair." - -"Nelson did not want to explain all he knew, because he wanted to shield -a man who used to care for him, uncle. He thought the man came here to -rob you, but he made a mistake, for after he left this house he saw the -man come out of the house opposite, with Homer Bulson." - -"Who was the man?" - -"A rough kind of a fellow who keeps a saloon on the East Side. His name -is Samuel Pepper." - -"Samuel Pepper? Samuel Pepper?" Mark Horton repeated the name slowly. -"That sounds familiar. Pepper? Pepper? Ah!" He drew a breath. "Can it -be the same?" he mused. - -"Shall I bring Nelson up?" - -"Yes, at once." - -Soon our hero was ushered into the sick room. He was dressed in his -best, and cut far from a mean figure as he stood there, hat in hand. - -"You are Nelson?" said Mark Horton slowly. - -"Yes, sir." - -"I must thank you for all you have done for my niece. I shall not forget -it." - -"That's all right," said Nelson rather awkwardly. "I'd do a good deal -for Gertrude, any day." - -"You are a brave boy, Nelson. I believe I once misjudged you." - -"You did, sir. I'm no thief." - -"I am willing to believe that I was mistaken." Mark Horton paused for a -moment. "Gertrude tells me you live with a man named Sam Pepper," he -went on slowly. - -"I used to live with him, but we parted some time ago. I didn't want -anything to do with drink or with a saloon, and I did want to make a man -of myself." - -"That was very commendable in you. But tell me, is this man's right -name Sam Pepper?" - -"I hardly think it is, sir. I once saw some letters, and they were -addressed to Pepperill Sampson." - -"The same! He must be the same!" Mark Horton breathed hard. "Do you know -anything about him--where he came from, and so on?" - -"Not much. You see, I'm not very old. But he did tell me once that you -had been an enemy to my father." - -"Me? Who was your father?" - -Our hero hung his head and flushed up. - -"I don't know, sir." - -"This Pepperill Sampson is a villain. Why, he robbed me of my son years -ago, to get square with me because I had discharged him for stealing." - -"Robbed you of your son?" repeated Nelson. "Do you mean to say he killed -your boy?" - -"I don't know what he did. At first he was going to let me have my -little David back for five thousand dollars, but then he got scared, and -disappeared, and that was the last I heard of him or of my child." - -"Then David may be alive!" cried Gertrude. "Nelson----" She stopped -short. Each person in the room gazed questioningly at the others. Our -hero's breath came thick and fast. Then the door bell below rang -violently, and Nelson and Gertrude heard Mrs. Kennedy admitted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -FATHER AND SON--CONCLUSION. - - -"It's Nelson an' Miss Gertrude I want to see," those in the sick chamber -heard Mrs. Kennedy exclaim. "An' I want to see 'em at once. I have great -news for 'em." - -"I'll go," said Nelson, and slipped downstairs, followed by Gertrude. -They found Mrs. Kennedy in a state of high excitement. Her faded bonnet -was on one ear, and she walked the floor rapidly. - -"Oh, my! Upon me soul, I can't belave it!" she burst out. "It's like a -dream, Nelson, so it is." - -"What is like a dream, Mrs. Kennedy?" - -"The story I have to tell, Nelson. Poor, poor man! but it was all for -the best--wid that crime on his mind." - -"What are you talking about?" put in Gertrude. - -"I'm talkin' av poor Sam Pepper, Miss Gertrude. He's dead." - -"Dead!" burst out Gertrude and Nelson simultaneously. - -Mrs. Kennedy nodded her head half a dozen times. - -"Yes, dead; cut to pieces on the elevated railroad, at the station close -to me little stand. He died wid me a-holdin' av his hand." - -"It's too bad," murmured Nelson. "Poor fellow! he had some ways about -him that I liked." - -"But it's not that I came about," went on Mrs. Kennedy. "Whin they -brought the poor man to the sidewalk to wait for an ambulance, I stayed -by him, and he says to me, says he, 'Mrs. Kennedy, I have something on -me mind,' says he. 'I want to tell it to you,' says he. So says I, 'What -is it?' Says he, 'It's about Nelson. He's a good boy,' says he. 'And I -aint done right by him. Tell him I stole him from his father, and that -his father is Mr. Mark Horton, Miss Gertrude's uncle.'" - -"Mark Horton my father!" gasped Nelson, and the room seemed to go round -and round in a bewildering whirl. "He my father! Can it be true?" - -"It must be true!" cried Gertrude. - -"And he says, too, 'Beware of Homer Bulson. He is a thief--he robbed his -uncle's safe. I caught him at it. He has his uncle's will, too,' says -poor Pepper. 'He wants to git hold of all the money,' says he." - -"Yes, I know Homer Bulson is a rascal," said Nelson. "But this other -news----" He sank in a chair. - -"Then you are David Horton, Nelson!" cried Gertrude. "I am indeed very -glad of it. I know of no one I would like more for a cousin." - -"David Horton!" came a hollow voice from the doorway, and Mr. Horton -staggered in. "Can this be possible? It must be! See, I recognize his -face now. Yes, yes; you are my son David! Come to me!" And he held out -his arms. - -Nelson came forward slowly, then of a sudden he reached forth, and -grasped Mark Horton's hands tightly. - -"I--I suppose it's true," he faltered. "But it will take me a long time -to--to get used to it." - -"My little David had just such eyes and hair as you have," went on Mark -Horton, as he still held Nelson closely to him. "And your face reminds -me greatly of your mother. There can be no mistake. You are my own -little David." - -"Well, I'm glad that I'm not Nelson, the nobody, any longer," stammered -our young hero. He could scarcely talk intelligibly, he felt so queer. - -"My own cousin David!" said Gertrude, and she, too, embraced him. - -"Well, I always thought we'd be something to each other, Gertrude," said -he. "But, come to think of it, if I am David Horton, then Homer Bulson -is a cousin, too." - -"Unfortunately, yes." - -"Do not fear! He shall not come between you," said Mark Horton. "My eyes -are being opened to his schemes." - -"Sure an' he's a snake in the grass," burst out Mrs. Kennedy. - -She had scarcely spoken when there was another arrival at the mansion, -and Homer Bulson came in. - -On seeing the assembled company, he was nearly struck dumb. He looked -from one to another in open-mouthed and speechless amazement. - -"Why--er--how did you get here?" he questioned at last, addressing -Gertrude. - -"That is my affair, Mr. Bulson," she answered coldly. - -"And you?" he added, turning sharply to our hero. "You have no business -in a gentleman's house." - -"Homer!" exclaimed Mark Horton, and shook his fist at his nephew. - -"Hush, uncle! We will deal with him," remonstrated Gertrude. "Pray, do -not excite yourself." - -"I have business here," said our hero dryly, realizing that he had a -great advantage over Bulson. "You hardly expected to see Gertrude come -back from Lakewood so soon, did you?" - -"I--er--I know nothing of Lakewood," stammered Bulson. - -"That proves you have a wonderfully short memory, Homer Bulson." - -"I won't listen to you. You get right out of this house." - -"I won't get out." - -"Then I'll call an officer, and have you put out." - -"If you call an officer, you'll be the one to go with him," returned our -hero calmly. "Homer Bulson, your game is played to the end, and you have -lost." - -"Boy, you talk in riddles." - -"Then I'll explain myself. You plotted to drive Gertrude from this -house, and you succeeded. Then you plotted against your uncle, and had -Gertrude made a prisoner at Lakewood." - -"Stuff and nonsense!" - -"It is the truth. Perhaps you'll deny next that you ever knew Sam -Pepper." - -"Why, has that fool come here?" roared Bulson, in a rage. "I told -him----" He stopped short in confusion. - -"Sam Pepper is dead--killed on the elevated railroad. Before he died he -confessed several things, and, among others, what a villain you were." - -"Ah! and what else?" - -"He said I was the son of Mr. Horton here." - -At this Homer Bulson grew as pale as death. He clutched at a table, then -sank heavily on a near-by chair. - -"It is--is false," he muttered, but his looks belied his words. - -"It is true," broke in Mark Horton. "The boy is my son. This Sam Pepper -was merely Pepperill Sampson in disguise. Homer, you are a villain!" - -"Uncle Mark----" - -"No, I won't listen to you. I listened before; now I am done. If you -ever try to lift a finger against Gertrude or David, I will cut you off -without a penny." - -"But--but----" - -"I am having the wine which you gave me examined. If I find that it was -doctored--well, you had better be missing, that's all," added Mark -Horton sternly. "I am willing to do much to avoid a family scandal, but -I will not stand too much." - -"Who--who has the wine?" - -"The doctor." - -At this piece of information Homer Bulson leaped to his feet. - -"It's an outrage! I won't stand it!" he shouted. "You are all plotting -against me!" And so speaking, he ran to the hall, picked up his silk -hat, and hastily rushed from the mansion. - -"Shall I go after him?" questioned our hero. - -"No; let him go," returned the retired merchant. - -"But he will never come back--you may be certain of that." - -"So much the better, for then all scandal will be avoided, and we will -be very well rid of him." - -"Yes; let him go," added Gertrude. "Possibly he will repent and turn -over a new leaf." - -"All right! Give him the chance," murmured the boy, and then turning to -his father, he added: "I guess I can afford to be generous when I've -gained a father, and such a cousin as Gertrude!" - - -A few words more, and then we will bring this story of life in New York -City to a close. - -As anticipated, Homer Bulson fled from the city without delay, and -nothing was heard of him for months, when it was learned that he had -joined an exploring expedition bound for South Africa. A year later he -sent a long letter to his uncle, stating that he was in the mines of the -Transvaal, and doing fairly well. He added that he bitterly repented of -his wrongdoings, and hoped his uncle and the others would forgive him. -To this Mr. Horton replied that he would forgive him if he continued to -make a man of himself, and this Bulson did, within his limited ability. - -Great was George Van Pelt's astonishment when he learned that Nelson was -Mr. Horton's lost son. At first he refused to believe what was told him. - -"You are lucky," he said at last. "You won't want the news stand any -longer." - -"No," said our hero. "I'm going to give my share to Paul Randall. And -what is more, I'll pay that money we borrowed from Mr. Amos Barrow; so -neither of you will have any debt hanging over you." - -Our hero was as good as his word, and not only did he clear the news -stand, but some time later he purchased a better fruit-and-candy stand -for Mrs. Kennedy, and also a first-class flower stand for Gladys -Summers. - -"You're a fine young gentleman," said Mrs. Kennedy. "A fine boy, -Nelson--beggin' your pardon, Master David." - -"I'm not used to the name yet," laughed our hero. "I guess I will be -Nelson the Newsboy for a long time to come among my old friends." - -"I am very thankful to you," said Gladys. "That flower stand is just -what I wanted." And she gave Nelson her sweetest smile. - -Nothing had been heard of the _Victory_ or of Billy Darnley. The ship -sailed to the West Indies and to South America, and from there to the -Pacific, and whatever became of the bully David Horton never learned, -nor did he care. Len Snocks drifted to Jersey City, and then to the -West, and became a tramp, and was at last killed while stealing a ride -on a freight train. - -As soon as it was discovered how Mr. Horton had been slowly poisoned, -the doctor set to work to counteract the effects of the drugs. Gertrude, -our hero, and Mrs. Conroy took turns in caring for the sick man, and -before very long he began to show signs of rapid improvement. - -"It is like some terrible nightmare," he explained one day, when walking -out, with Gertrude on one side of him and David on the other. "I was not -myself at all." - -"No, you were not yourself," said Gertrude. "But you soon will be." And -she was right. By the following spring Mark Horton was a comparatively -well man. - -These events all occurred a number of years ago, and since that time -several important things have happened to our hero. As soon as his -identity was established he was provided with a private tutor, who -taught him for several years and prepared him for Columbia College. He -passed through college with flying colors,, and then took up civil -engineering, and to-day he is building large bridges for a leading -railroad company. He is doing well, and is devoted to his work. He -lives with his father and his cousin and is very happy. But even in his -happiness it is not likely that he will ever forget the days when he was -"Nelson the Newsboy." - - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nelson The Newsboy, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. 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Winfield and Edward Stratemeyer - -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: Nelson The Newsboy - Or, Afloat in New York - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - Arthur M. Winfield - Edward Stratemeyer - -Release Date: March 19, 2017 [EBook #54389] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NELSON THE NEWSBOY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="Frontispiece" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"HE CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE BULLY NEWSBOY WHO HAD ROBBED<br /> -HIM."—<i>Frontispiece.</i><br /><i>Nelson the Newsboy.</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" alt="title page" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>NELSON THE<br />NEWSBOY</h1> - -<p class="bold"><i>Or, Afloat in New York</i></p> - -<p class="bold space-above">BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">HORATIO ALGER, JR.</p> - -<p class="bold">AUTHOR OF "ADRIFT IN NEW YORK," "CHESTER RAND,"<br /> -"PAUL THE PEDDLER," ETC.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">COMPLETED BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p> - -<p class="bold">AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE<br /> -ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN," ETC.</p> - -<div class="center space-above"><img src="images/dec.jpg" alt="decoration" /></div> - -<p class="bold space-above">NEW YORK<br />STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY<br />1905</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> - -<div class="box2"> -<h2>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</h2> - - -<blockquote><p>THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT;<br /> Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success.</p> - -<p>FROM FARM TO FORTUNE;<br /> Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience.</p> - -<p>LOST AT SEA;<br /> Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise.</p> - -<p>JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY;<br /> Or, The Parkhurst Treasure.</p> - -<p>NELSON, THE NEWSBOY;<br /> Or, Afloat in New York.</p> - -<p>YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK;<br /> Or, The Son of a Soldier.</p> - -<p>OUT FOR BUSINESS;<br /> Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career.</p> - -<p>FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE;<br /> Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary.</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center"><i>12mo, finely illustrated and bound. Price, per volume, 60 cents.</i></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">NEW YORK<br /> -STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY<br />1905</p> -</div> - -<p class="center space-above"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1901, by</span><br /> -THE MERSHON COMPANY</p> - -<p class="center"><i>All rights reserved</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Nelson the Newsboy</span>" relates the adventures of a wide-awake lad in the -great metropolis. The youth is of unknown parentage and is thrown out -upon his own resources at a tender age. He becomes at first a newsboy, -and from that gradually works up to something better. He is often -tempted to do wrong—the temptation becoming particularly hard on -account of his extreme poverty—but there is that in his make-up which -keeps him in the right path, and in the end he becomes a victor in more -ways than one.</p> - -<p>So much for the seamy side of life in New York, which, alas! is by far -the greater side. On the other hand, there are those who are well-to-do -and aristocratic who are interested in learning what has become of the -boy, and these furnish a view of life in the upper society of the -metropolis. How the youthful hero fares in the end is told in the pages -which follow.</p> - -<p>In its original form Mr. Alger intended this story of New York life for -a semi-juvenile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> drama. But it was not used in that shape, and when the -gifted author of so many interesting stories for young people had laid -aside his pen forever, this manuscript, with others, was placed in the -hands of the present writer, to be made over into such a volume as might -have met with the noted author's approval. The other books having proved -successful, my one wish is that this may follow in their footsteps.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Arthur M. Winfield.</span></p> - -<p><i>June 15, 1901.</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smaller">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>I.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Introducing the Hero</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>II.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Quarrel over a Dollar</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>III.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Sam Pepper's Resort</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IV.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Down at the Ferry</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>V.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Nelson Speaks His Mind</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VI.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Book Agent's Trials</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Harsh Alternative</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VIII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Combination of the Safe</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IX.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Pair Well Matched</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>X.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Gertrude Leaves Her Home</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XI.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Afloat in New York</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Nelson Recovers Some Money</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Question of Business</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIV.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Bulson Receives a Setback</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XV.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Buying Out a News Stand</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVI.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Nelson and Pepper Part</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Bold Move</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVIII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">In the Hands of the Enemy</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIX.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Nelson to the Rescue</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XX.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Home in the Tenement</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXI.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Nelson Makes a Present</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Disappointment</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">An Unsuccessful Quest</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>XXIV.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Decoy Letter</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXV.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Mark Horton Relents</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVI.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Nelson on Shipboard</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Down the Jersey Coast</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVIII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Gertrude Has an Adventure</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIX.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Surprise on the Road</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_224">224</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXX.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Comparing Notes</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_233">233</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXI.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Bulson Grows Desperate</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Somebody Waits in Vain</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXIII.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Questions of Importance</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_257">257</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXIV.</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Father and Son—Conclusion</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_266">266</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">NELSON THE NEWSBOY.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I.</span> <span class="smaller">INTRODUCING THE HERO.</span></h2> - -<p>"<i>Herald</i>, <i>Times</i>, <i>Tribune</i>! All the news of the day! Have a paper, -sir? All about the terrible fire in Harlem! Two lives lost!"</p> - -<p>High and clear above the din made by the cabs, trucks, and street cars a -boyish voice could be heard. The speaker was but fifteen years of age, -tall and thin, with a face that betokened a refinement unusual to such a -station in life. But if the lad's look was above the average, his -clothes were not, for they were in tatters, while the hat and shoes he -wore had seen far better days.</p> - -<p>"A fire in Harlem, eh?" queried a stout gentleman, as he stopped short -in front of the newsboy.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; a big one, too, sir. Which paper will you have?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p><p>"Which has the most in about the fire?"</p> - -<p>"All about the same, sir. Better take 'em all, sir. Then you'll be sure -to have all the news," added the newsboy shrewdly.</p> - -<p>At this the stout gentleman laughed.</p> - -<p>"I don't know but what you are right," he said. "Give me one of each."</p> - -<p>The words were scarcely uttered when the newsboy had the papers ready -for him. Taking the several sheets, the stout man passed over a dime and -started to cross the crowded thoroughfare.</p> - -<p>"Change, sir!" cried the boy, and dove into his pocket for a handful of -cents.</p> - -<p>"Never mind the change, lad."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir!" The newsboy wheeled quickly. "<i>Herald</i>, <i>Times</i>, -<i>Tribune</i>! Who'll have a paper? All the latest news! Extra!"</p> - -<p>The stout man stepped from the curb into the gutter, and there halted to -let a truck go by. As he waited he began to scan one of the newspapers -he had purchased. Suddenly he gave a violent start.</p> - -<p>"Fire in the Starmore apartment house!" he muttered. "The building I -purchased only last month! What bad luck is this?"</p> - -<p>Still staring at the newspaper, he passed onward behind the heavy truck. -Another truck<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> and a street car were coming from the opposite direction, -and both traveling at a good rate of speed.</p> - -<p>"Hi! look out!" yelled the truck-driver, and the street-car bell clanged -violently. But the stout man was too absorbed in the newspaper to heed -the warnings.</p> - -<p>The cry of the truck-driver reached the ears of the quick-witted -newsboy, and in a flash he saw the danger.</p> - -<p>"Oh, the gentleman will be run over!" he muttered, and throwing his -papers on the pavement, he made a leap into the street and grabbed the -man by the arm. Just as he drew the stout individual back the truck -horse plunged forward, grazing the man's side. Had it not been for the -newsboy, the stout gentleman would have collapsed in the gutter. But as -it was each, in a moment more, gained the pavement in safety.</p> - -<p>"Phew! that was a narrow escape," puffed the stout gentleman, as soon as -he could get back some of the wind he had lost in his consternation.</p> - -<p>"So it was," answered the newsboy, as he stepped about to pick up his -scattering stock in trade.</p> - -<p>The stout gentleman brought out a large<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> handkerchief and began to mop -his face, for the excitement had put him into a perspiration.</p> - -<p>"My lad, you've done me a great service," he went on, after the boy had -collected his papers.</p> - -<p>"That's all right, sir," was the ready reply. "Sorry you lost your -papers. The truck cut 'em up, and they are all muddy, besides."</p> - -<p>"Never mind the papers—you can sell me another set. But I want to thank -you for what you did for me."</p> - -<p>"You're welcome, sir. Here's the other set of papers."</p> - -<p>"If it hadn't been for you, I might have fallen under that horse and -truck!" The stout man shuddered. "Here is pay for the papers and for -your services to me."</p> - -<p>As he finished he held out a two-dollar bill.</p> - -<p>"Why, it's two dollars!" cried the newsboy in astonishment. Then he -added quickly, "I can't change it."</p> - -<p>"I don't want you to change it. I want you to keep it."</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"For what you did for me."</p> - -<p>"What I did aint worth two dollars."</p> - -<p>"Let me be the judge of that, my lad. What is your name?"</p> - -<p>"I'm Nelson, sir."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p><p>"What is your full name?"</p> - -<p>At this question the boy's face fell, and his mouth trembled a little as -he gave his answer.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, sir."</p> - -<p>"What, you don't know what your name is?" cried the stout gentleman in -astonishment.</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"But—but—you must have some name. Where do you live?"</p> - -<p>"I live over on the East Side with an old sailor named Samuel Pepper. He -keeps a lunch room."</p> - -<p>"Is he a relative?"</p> - -<p>"He calls himself my father—not my real father, you know; only he says -he adopted me when I was a little kid. Everybody around there calls me -Nelson, or Sam Pepper's boy."</p> - -<p>"I see. And he sends you out to sell papers?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; I go out on my own hook."</p> - -<p>"But you ought to go to school."</p> - -<p>"I go to night school sometimes, when Sam lets me."</p> - -<p>"Didn't he ever send you to day school?"</p> - -<p>At this Nelson, for so we will call him for the present, shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Sam don't like the schools. He says if I go I'll get too smart for him. -He says I am almost too smart already."</p> - -<p>"Too bad!" The stout gentleman was going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> to say something more, but -suddenly remembered about the fire in Harlem. "Perhaps I'll see you -again, Nelson. I can't stop now. Do you know why I forgot myself in the -street? It was because that fire proved to be in an apartment house that -I purchased only a month ago."</p> - -<p>"Your house! That's a big loss, sir."</p> - -<p>"The place was insured, so I shall not expect to lose much. I must get -up there at once and see see how it was those lives were lost."</p> - -<p>In a moment more the stout gentleman was crossing the street again, but -this time taking very good care that he should not be taken unawares.</p> - -<p>Nelson started to sell more papers, when another boy, who had been -selling papers further down the block, came hurrying toward him.</p> - -<p>"Wot did de old gent give yer, Nelse?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Gave me two dollars."</p> - -<p>"Two dollars! Jest fer hauling him back out of de gutter?"</p> - -<p>"I kept him from being run over by a truck."</p> - -<p>"Den he oughter give yer ten or twenty."</p> - -<p>"Two was more than enough, Billy."</p> - -<p>At this Billy Darnley drew down his mouth.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p><p>"I would have struck him fer a twenty, sure," he went on.</p> - -<p>"You always were greedy, Billy," answered Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean dat fer an insult, Nelse?"</p> - -<p>"I mean it for the truth."</p> - -<p>"You're gittin' too high-toned fer dis business, Nelse."</p> - -<p>"I don't think I am."</p> - -<p>"Lend me a dollar of dat money, will yer? I'll pay yer back ter-morrow."</p> - -<p>At this Nelson shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry, Billy, but I'd rather keep my money."</p> - -<p>"Are you afraid to trust me?"</p> - -<p>"I don't see why I should trust you. You earn as much money as I do."</p> - -<p>"You didn't earn dat two dollars."</p> - -<p>"The gentleman thought I did."</p> - -<p>"He was a soft one."</p> - -<p>"He was a very nice man," retorted Nelson promptly.</p> - -<p>"O' course you'd stick up fer him. Let me have de dollar."</p> - -<p>"What do you want to do with it?"</p> - -<p>Now in truth Billy thought of nothing but to have a good time with the -money, but he did not deem it prudent to tell Nelson so.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p><p>"I—I want to buy myself a new pair of pants," he stammered.</p> - -<p>"Your pants are better than mine."</p> - -<p>"No, da aint—d'are full o' holes."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you sew them up, as I do?"</p> - -<p>"I aint no woman, to use a needle. Come, hand over de dollar!" And Billy -held out his dirty fingers.</p> - -<p>"I shan't let you have it, and that ends it," said Nelson firmly.</p> - -<p>He started to move on, but in a moment more Billy Darnley was beside him -and had him clutched firmly by the arm.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II.</span> <span class="smaller">A QUARREL OVER A DOLLAR.</span></h2> - -<p>As Nelson had said, he was of unknown parentage and practically alone in -the world. As far back as he could remember he had lived with Sam -Pepper, a shiftless, unprincipled man, who in the last ten years had -followed the sea and a dozen other callings, and who was at present the -proprietor of a lunch-room on the East Side—a place frequented by many -persons of shady reputation.</p> - -<p>Where he had come from, and what his real name was, were complete -mysteries to Nelson, and it must be confessed that in the past he had -paid scant attention to them; this being largely due to his immature -years. Now, however, he was growing older, and he often found himself -wondering how it was that he was living with Sam Pepper.</p> - -<p>Once he had asked the man, but the only answer he received was a growl -and a demand that he stop asking foolish questions. "You're only a kid -yet," said Pepper. "Wait till you're old enough; maybe then you'll learn -a thing or two."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> And so Nelson waited, but did not cease to wonder.</p> - -<p>Many of Sam Pepper's intimates were hard customers, and Nelson was of -the opinion that Pepper himself was no better, although he was not in a -position to prove it. The boy was driven out to earn his own living, and -the only time that Pepper was liberal with him was when the man was in -liquor.</p> - -<p>More than once Nelson had thought to run away from the man and his evil -associates, but found himself unable to do so. The main reason for his -remaining was that he felt Pepper held the mystery of his past, and if -he went away that mystery would remain forever unsolved.</p> - -<p>As Nelson had said, he had gained a scanty education by attending night -school. To this education he had added some useful reading, so he was -advanced as far as most boys in much better circumstances. Learning -appeared to come easy to him, showing that his mind was of the superior -sort.</p> - -<p>Nelson had started out that morning with a determination to sell all the -papers possible, and keep on with his efforts until he had eight or ten -dollars to his credit. With this amount he intended to invest in a suit -which he had seen advertised for six dollars, a cap, and a cheap pair -of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> shoes. He did not know but what Pepper might find fault with him for -"cutting such a swell," but he was willing to risk it.</p> - -<p>Before meeting the stout gentleman Nelson's assets amounted to three -dollars and forty cents. With the ten cents for papers and the two -dollars extra, he now found himself with five dollars and half to his -credit. This was not a fortune, but as Nelson had never before possessed -more than three dollars at one time, it was, to his way of thinking, -considerable.</p> - -<p>The suggestion that he lend Billy Darnley a dollar did not appeal to -him. In the first place he knew Billy to be both a bully and a -spendthrift, who was more than likely to squander the money on pie, ice -cream, cigarettes, and a ticket to some cheap burlesque show, and in the -second place he was more than satisfied that Billy would never refund -the loan, not having returned a quarter loaned him months before.</p> - -<p>"Let go my arm, Billy!" he cried, as the big newsboy brought him to a -halt.</p> - -<p>"Why can't yer let me have de dollar?" questioned Billy. "I'll make it -right wid yer, Nelse; take me word on it."</p> - -<p>"How is it you haven't paid back that quarter I let you have?"</p> - -<p>"I did pay it back."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p><p>"No, you didn't."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did. I—I give it to Sam one day to give to yer."</p> - -<p>By the look on his face Nelson knew that the bully was falsifying.</p> - -<p>"Sam never told me, and I guess he would if it was so. Now let me go."</p> - -<p>"I want dat dollar first."</p> - -<p>"You shan't have it."</p> - -<p>Nelson had scarcely spoken when Billy Darnley made a sudden clutch for -the pocket of his vest.</p> - -<p>Much dilapidated, the pocket gave way easily; and in a twinkle the bully -was running up the street with five dollars in bills and a bit of cloth -clutched tightly in his dirty fist.</p> - -<p>"Hi! stop!" cried Nelson, but instead of heeding the demand, the bully -only ran the faster. Soon he passed around a corner and down a side -street leading to the East River.</p> - -<p>Nelson was an excellent runner, and, papers under his arm, he lost no -time in making after the thief. Thus block after block was passed, until -pursued and pursuer were but a short distance from one of the ferry -entrances.</p> - -<p>A boat was on the point of leaving, and without waiting to obtain a -ferry ticket, Billy Darnley slipped in among the trucks going aboard. A -gate-keeper tried in vain to catch him, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> came back and shut the -gate, just as Nelson reached it.</p> - -<p>"Open the gate!" cried Nelson, so out of breath he could scarcely utter -the words. "Open the gate, quick!"</p> - -<p>"Go around to the other entrance," replied the gate-keeper, and then -added, "Are you after that other newsboy?"</p> - -<p>"I am. He stole five dollars from me."</p> - -<p>"Five dollars! That's a good one. You never had five dollars in your -life. You can't get a free ride on any such fairy tale as that. You go -around and buy a ticket, or I'll call a policeman."</p> - -<p>In despair Nelson looked through the high, slatted gate and saw that the -gates on the ferryboat were already down. A bell jangled, and the big -paddle wheels began to revolve. In another moment the boat had left the -slip and was on its way to Brooklyn.</p> - -<p>"He's gone—and the five dollars is gone, too!" groaned Nelson, and his -heart sank. He knew that it would be useless to attempt to follow the -bully. Billy would keep out of sight so long as the money lasted. When -it was spent he would re-appear in New York and deny everything, and to -prove that he was a thief would be next to impossible, for, so far as -Nelson knew, nobody had seen the money taken.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p><p>He had now but fifty cents left, and a stock of papers worth half a -dollar more, if sold. With a heavy heart he walked away from the -ferryhouse in the direction from whence he had come.</p> - -<p>Nelson had scarcely taken his stand at the corner again when a young -lady, very stylishly dressed, came out of a neighboring store, looked at -him, and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Did you catch him?" she asked sweetly.</p> - -<p>"Who, miss; the big boy who stole my money?" questioned Nelson quickly.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"No, ma'am; he got away, on a Brooklyn ferryboat."</p> - -<p>"And how much did he steal from you?"</p> - -<p>"Five dollars."</p> - -<p>"Why, I didn't think—that is, five dollars is a nice sum for a newsboy, -isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, ma'am; but I was saving up for a new suit of clothes."</p> - -<p>"And he got away from you? Too bad! I wish I could help you, but -unfortunately I have spent all of my money but this." She held out a -quarter. "Will you accept it?"</p> - -<p>Nelson looked at her, and something compelled him to draw back.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me—but I'd rather not," he stammered. "Much obliged, just the -same."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p><p>"You had better take the money," went on the young lady, whose name was -Gertrude Horton. But Nelson would not listen to it, and so she had to -place the piece in her purse again. Then she entered the coach standing -near and was driven rapidly away. The newsboy gazed after the coach -curiously.</p> - -<p>"What a lot of money it must take to keep up such style!" he thought. -"Those folks spend more in a week, I guess, than some folks on the East -Side spend in a year. I don't wonder Sam is always growling about not -being rich—after he's been out among the wealthy people he knows. I -must say I'd like to be rich myself, just for once, to see how it -feels."</p> - -<p>Long before noon Nelson's stock of newspapers was exhausted. Without -going to Sam Pepper's restaurant for lunch he stopped at a small stand -on a side street, where he obtained several crullers and a cup of coffee -for five cents. His scanty meal over he purchased a supply of evening -papers and set to work to sell these, with the result, by nightfall, -that all were gone, and he was thirty-five cents richer.</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper's place on the East Side was half a dozen steps below the -pavement, in a semi-basement, which was narrow and low and suffering -greatly for a thorough cleaning. In the front<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> was a small show window, -filled with pies and vegetables, and behind this eight or ten tables for -diners. To one side was a lunch counter for those who were in a hurry, -and at the back was a small bar. The cooking was done in a shed in the -rear, and beside this shed were two rooms which Nelson and Sam Pepper -called their home.</p> - -<p>The whole place was so uninviting it is a wonder that Sam Pepper had any -trade at all. But his prices were low, and this was a large attraction -to those whose purses were slim. Besides this Sam never interfered with -those who came to patronize him, and it may as well be stated here that -many a crime was concocted at those tables, without the police of the -metropolis being the wiser. To Sam it made no difference if his customer -was the worst criminal on the East Side so long as he paid his way.</p> - -<p>"We've all got to live," he would say. "The world owes every man a -living, and if he can't git it one way he must git it in another."</p> - -<p>The secret of Sam Pepper's looseness of morals was the fact that he had -seen better days, and his coming down in the world had caused him to -become more and more reckless. At the present time money was tight with -him, and he was fast approaching that point when, as we shall soon see, -he would be fit for any desperate deed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III.</span> <span class="smaller">SAM PEPPER'S RESORT.</span></h2> - -<p>"Well, how have you done to-day?" asked Sam Pepper, when Nelson entered -the lunch-room and came to the rear, where Pepper stood mixing some -liquors.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I sold quite a few papers," answered Nelson.</p> - -<p>"How many?"</p> - -<p>"Over a hundred."</p> - -<p>"Then I guess you made over a dollar?"</p> - -<p>"I did."</p> - -<p>"That's more than I've made to-day," growled Pepper. "Business is -growing worse and worse."</p> - -<p>Nelson knew that he must have made more than a dollar, but he did not -say anything on the point. He saw that Sam Pepper was in an ugly mood.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me you ought to begin paying something for your keep," went -on the lunch-room keeper, after he had returned from serving the drinks -he had been mixing.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p><p>"All right, I'm willing," said Nelson readily. "But I don't get much -from here now, remember."</p> - -<p>"It's not my fault if you are not here at dinner time. Plenty of eating -going to waste."</p> - -<p>"I am not going to eat other folks' left-overs," said the newsboy, -remembering the offer made to him several days before.</p> - -<p>"Those left-overs are good enough for the likes of you, Nelson. Don't -git high-toned before you can afford it."</p> - -<p>"What do you want me to pay?"</p> - -<p>"You ought to pay me at least five dollars a week," growled Sam Pepper, -after a crafty look into the boy's face.</p> - -<p>"Five dollars a week!" ejaculated Nelson in surprise. "Why, I don't make -it, excepting when business is good."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's got to be five dollars a week after this."</p> - -<p>"I can get board at other places for three."</p> - -<p>"You won't go to no other place. You'll stay here, and if you make a -dollar or more a day you'll pay me the five dollars."</p> - -<p>"But who will buy me any clothes?"</p> - -<p>"Aint that suit good enough?"</p> - -<p>"No, it's not. I was saving up to buy another suit, but Billy Darnley -stole five dollars of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> savings from me this morning," went on Nelson -bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Stole five dollars from you? I don't believe you."</p> - -<p>"It's true."</p> - -<p>"Then you ought to lose the money, seeing that you didn't pass it over -to me," grumbled Sam Pepper. "After this, you let me save your money for -you."</p> - -<p>At this point some customers came in, and Sam had to wait on them. -Seeing this, the newsboy passed around the bar and into the two rooms -which he and Pepper called home. They were gloomy and foul-smelling, but -the newsboy did not mind this, for he was used to the surroundings. Yet -his heart was heavy, as he threw himself into a dilapidated chair and -gave himself up to his thoughts.</p> - -<p>The new suit of clothes seemed further off than ever, for, if he must -pay Sam Pepper five dollars a week for his board, it would be utterly -impossible for him to save a cent. The extra money would be needed to -buy fresh papers each day.</p> - -<p>"It isn't fair!" he muttered. "It isn't fair, and I won't stand it! I'll -run away first; that's what I'll do!"</p> - -<p>Running away was no new idea, but, as before, he thought of the past and -of what Sam Pepper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> might have locked up in his breast. No, it would not -do to go away. He must unlock the mystery of the past first.</p> - -<p>"I'll question Sam to-night, and I'll make him tell something," he said.</p> - -<p>The resolve had hardly crossed his mind when Pepper opened the door with -a bang, as it flew back against the wall.</p> - -<p>"Come out here and help me," he snarled. "There is plenty of work to do. -The kitchen woman has left me in the lurch. Throw off your coat and git -into that dishpan, and be lively about it."</p> - -<p>Without a word, Nelson did as bidden. He had washed dishes before, and -though the pile beside him was by no means small, he soon made away with -them. Then Pepper set him to polishing up the knives, forks, and spoons, -and this task took until it was time to close for the night.</p> - -<p>After the lunch-room had been locked up, and most of the lights put out, -Sam Pepper went to the bar and mixed himself an extra-large glass of -liquor. This was his "nightcap," as he called it, and usually, after -drinking it, he would retire.</p> - -<p>To-night, however, after consuming the liquor, he went into one of the -back rooms and got out his best coat and his hat.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p><p>"I'm going out an hour or so," he said. "You keep good watch while I'm -away."</p> - -<p>"All right," answered Nelson. He was disappointed at not being able to -question Pepper, but saw there was no help for it. Soon the man was -gone, and Nelson was left alone. Pepper had locked the street door and -taken the key with him.</p> - -<p>The day's work had made Nelson tired, but he was in no humor for -sleeping, and tumbled and tossed for a long while after lying down upon -his hard couch. He thought of the stout gentleman, of the big newsboy -who had robbed him, and of the kind young lady who had offered him -assistance. For some reason he could not get the young lady out of his -mind, and he half wished he might see her again.</p> - -<p>Then his thoughts came back to himself. Who was he, and how had he come -into Sam Pepper's care? Surely the man must know all about the past. -What could Pepper be hiding from him?</p> - -<p>At last he fell asleep, and did not rouse up until early morning. Sam -Pepper was just returning, and a glance showed that the man was more -than half under the influence of liquor.</p> - -<p>"It's a good game," muttered Pepper to himself, as he stumbled around, -preparing to retire,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> "A good game, and it will make me rich. And Nelson -shall help me, too."</p> - -<p>"Help you at what?" asked the newsboy sleepily.</p> - -<p>"Never mind now, you go to sleep," answered Pepper sharply.</p> - -<p>He pitched himself on his bed and was soon snoring lustily, and seeing -this Nelson did not attempt to disturb him. He slept soundly for the -rest of the night, and by six o'clock was outdoors and on his way to get -his supply of morning papers.</p> - -<p>Pepper had warned him to come back by eleven o'clock, to go at the -dishes again, for the kitchen woman was not coming back. This made him -cautious about investing in newspapers. However, trade proved brisk, and -by ten o'clock he had sold out, and cleared sixty cents.</p> - -<p>"I won't buy any more papers until after dinner," he said to himself. -"I'll walk down to the ferry and see if I can find out anything about -Billy Darnley."</p> - -<p>At the ferry there was the usual rush of passengers, the noise of the -heavy trucks coming and going, and the shrill cries of the newsboys. -Nelson stopped near the ferryhouse to view the scene.</p> - -<p>Hardly had he paused when his attention was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> attracted to a quarrel -between a large newsboy and a small one. The larger lad was shaking his -fist in the face of the smaller.</p> - -<p>"You keep away from dis corner, Paul Randall!" said the big newsboy. "If -yer don't I'll fix yer, remember dat!"</p> - -<p>"I have as much right here as you, Len Snocks!" replied the little -fellow.</p> - -<p>"Yer aint got no right here at all!" blustered Len Snocks. "Dis is my -spot, see?"</p> - -<p>"You didn't pay for it."</p> - -<p>"Don't yer talk back ter me!" howled Len Snocks, and catching the little -lad's stock of papers he threw them down in the mud of the street. "Now -clear out, or I'll t'row you down de same way," he went on.</p> - -<p>The scene made Nelson's blood boil. He recognized both boys, and knew -that Paul Randall helped support a mother who was half blind. Len Snocks -was a bully belonging to the crowd with whom Billy Darnley associated.</p> - -<p>Rushing across the roadway, Nelson caught Len Snocks by the arm and held -him tightly.</p> - -<p>"You big brute!" he cried. "Why don't you tackle a fellow your own -size?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson, he has spoiled my papers!" sobbed Paul, running to save -what was left of the stock.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p><p>"Lemme go!" snarled Len Snocks. "Lemme go, do yer hear?"</p> - -<p>"You must give Paul clean papers for the dirty ones," returned Nelson -firmly.</p> - -<p>"I won't do it!"</p> - -<p>"I'll make you do it."</p> - -<p>"Make me?" roared Len. "I'd like to see you try it."</p> - -<p>In a twinkle Nelson placed one foot behind the bully. Then he gave the -big newsboy a shove which landed him flat on his back. On the instant he -was down on top of Len.</p> - -<p>"How many papers are dirty, Paul?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Two <i>Suns</i>, a <i>World</i>, and a <i>Journal</i>," was the quick answer.</p> - -<p>"Take 'em out of Len's pile."</p> - -<p>"Lemme up, or I'll kill you!" howled the bully, and struggled to arise. -But Nelson was master of the situation. He continued to hold Len down, -and did not let go until Paul had the papers he wished. Then he leaped -up, squared off on the defensive, and awaited the outcome of the -encounter. Paul lost no time in placing himself behind his newly found champion.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV.</span> <span class="smaller">DOWN AT THE FERRY.</span></h2> - -<p>Len Snocks' eyes flashed dangerously when he confronted Nelson. For a -long time he had had matters all his own way around the ferryhouse, and -the only boys who were allowed to sell papers there besides himself were -such as would toady to him and help him sell his over-supply when trade -was dull with him. Often he made the lads pay him five or ten cents for -selling papers there, when trade was extra lively.</p> - -<p>Paul Randall had no father, and his mother being half blind and quite -feeble, the lad felt that every cent he earned must be brought home. -Consequently he refused to give Len anything, and this made the big -newsboy come to the conclusion that Paul must be driven to seek sales -elsewhere. In matters of business newsboys are often as scheming and -unfair as are certain men in higher walks of life. Money is everything -to them, and they will do almost anything to obtain it.</p> - -<p>"Wot do yer mean by t'rowin' me down?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> cried Len, as he doubled up his -grimy fists, which had not seen soap or water for many a day.</p> - -<p>"You know what I mean, Len Snocks," retorted Nelson. "Paul has as much -right to sell papers here as you have."</p> - -<p>"No, he haint!"</p> - -<p>"I say he has, and he'll sell papers here, too, and you shan't stop -him."</p> - -<p>"Won't I?"</p> - -<p>"If you try it, you'll run against me again, remember that."</p> - -<p>"I've a good mind to give you a lickin' fer t'rowin' me down," blustered -Len, but he made no effort to begin the chastisement.</p> - -<p>"If you want to fight, I'm here now," answered Nelson calmly. He -understood fully that Len was as much of a coward as he was of a bully.</p> - -<p>Len looked around, to see if there was anybody at hand to give him -assistance. But all the boys were small, and he felt they could not do -much against Nelson, who was known to be strong.</p> - -<p>"Yer want to make me lose me trade," he muttered. "I'll fight yer when -de rush is over." And he moved toward the ferry entrance.</p> - -<p>"All right, I'll be ready for you any time," called Nelson after him. -"And, remember, leave Paul alone after this."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson, how good you are!" cried Paul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> impulsively. "I don't know -what he wouldn't have done to me if you hadn't come up."</p> - -<p>"If he tackles you again let me know, Paul."</p> - -<p>"I will."</p> - -<p>"How is your mother?"</p> - -<p>"She isn't much better. She can just get around our rooms, and that's -all."</p> - -<p>"Can she see?"</p> - -<p>"Not much. The landlord said she ought to go to the hospital and have -her eyes operated on, but she doesn't want to go and leave me."</p> - -<p>"But maybe it would be best for her, Paul."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm willing, Nelson. But how is it you aint selling papers -to-day?" went on Paul curiously.</p> - -<p>"I've sold out. What have you got left?" Our hero surveyed the stock. -"Phew! Eighteen! That's a lot."</p> - -<p>"Len kept chasing me, so I couldn't sell much," answered the little boy, -with a look of concern on his pale face.</p> - -<p>"Give me ten of them," said Nelson, and took that number. "Now you go -over there and I'll stay around here. We ought to get rid of 'em between -us."</p> - -<p>"Good for you, Nelson!" cried Paul, and his face brightened.</p> - -<p>Soon both were at it, crying their wares with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> the other boys. Len -Snocks saw the move, and scowled more than ever, but did not dare to -interfere. In half an hour the papers were all sold, and our hero turned -the money over to Paul.</p> - -<p>"You ought to have something for selling the ten," said the little -fellow.</p> - -<p>"Never mind; you keep the money, Paul. You'll need it, I know."</p> - -<p>"Thank you."</p> - -<p>"By the way, have you seen anything of Billy Darnley since yesterday -noon?"</p> - -<p>"I saw him about two hours ago."</p> - -<p>"Here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he came off the boat from Brooklyn."</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry I missed him. Do you know where he went?"</p> - -<p>"Went to get some papers, I think. He stopped to talk to Len Snocks for -a few minutes."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Did he give Len anything?"</p> - -<p>"I think he gave him a quarter."</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry I missed him. He stole five dollars from me yesterday—nearly -all I had saved up."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson! He ought to be arrested."</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't do any good. The police wouldn't believe me, and I haven't -any witnesses, excepting a young lady I don't know."</p> - -<p>Len Snocks was leaving the vicinity, and now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> Nelson hastened after him. -Soon he ranged up beside the big newsboy.</p> - -<p>"Len, I want to ask you a question."</p> - -<p>"Wot do you want now?" growled Len.</p> - -<p>"Where did Billy Darnley go after he came off the ferry?"</p> - -<p>At this question a crafty look came into Len Snocks' eyes.</p> - -<p>"Find out fer yerself—I haint answerin' questions," he growled.</p> - -<p>"Billy stole some of my money yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Dat aint none o' my affair, is it?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose not. But he gave some of it to you?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't give me a cent."</p> - -<p>"He was seen to give you money."</p> - -<p>"Ha! has dat Paul Randall been a-blabbin'?" cried Len savagely. "I'll -fix him, if he has!"</p> - -<p>"You let Paul alone, or it will be the worse for you. Then you won't -tell me where Billy went?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. He didn't tell me nuthin'."</p> - -<p>Len Snocks would say no more, and satisfied that it would be time lost -to question him further. Nelson hurried on and made his way back to the -lunch-room.</p> - -<p>He was somewhat late, and as soon as he entered Sam Pepper began to -storm at him. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> man was in a worse humor than ever, and lashed our -hero with his tongue every time he entered the kitchen.</p> - -<p>"Here I am a-breaking my back to make a living, and everything going -wrong!" he muttered. "You ought to have been here an hour ago. I wanted -some more meat from the butcher shop and two dozen more of pies. I think -I'll shut up the place at the end of the week. An honest man can't git -along, no matter how hard he tries. Now look out, or you'll smash those -plates and glasses, and that'll be more money out of my pocket. Hang the -lunch business, anyway!"</p> - -<p>But his troubles were not yet at an end. In his ill humor he served a -customer with a steak that was both tough and half burnt. The customer -refused to pay for the meat, and a quarrel ensued which ended in a -fight. Two tables were overturned and the crockery smashed before the -troublesome customer was ejected, and, in the meantime, several other -customers slipped out without paying.</p> - -<p>"It's no use, Nelson; I'm going to give it up," growled Sam Pepper, when -it was after two o'clock, and the run of midday trade had come to an -end. "There are easier ways to make a living than by running a -lunch-room."</p> - -<p>"Last night you spoke about a good game to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> make you rich," answered -Nelson curiously, "What did you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>"When did I say that?"</p> - -<p>"When you came in and went to bed."</p> - -<p>"I don't remember it."</p> - -<p>"Well, you said it, and you said something about getting me to help -you."</p> - -<p>"Did I say anything else?" asked Pepper in some alarm.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>The man drew a breath of relief.</p> - -<p>"I must have been a bit off in my head, Nelson. You see I met some old -friends, and they treated to champagne—and I'm not used to that any -more. They make an easy living, they do."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they can help you to something better."</p> - -<p>"They won't have to help me—if I've a mind to work as they work."</p> - -<p>"What do they do?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, they work on the principle that the world owes them a living, and -they are bound to have it."</p> - -<p>"Of course they don't beg?"</p> - -<p>At this Sam Pepper burst into a loud laugh.</p> - -<p>"You're not so green as all that, Nelson."</p> - -<p>"Well, what do they do then?" persisted the boy.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, a number of things! One runs a mail-order business. He is -advertising two things just now. One is a steel engraving of Washington, -indorsed by the government as a true picture of the first President, -mounted on cardboard, all ready for framing, for fifty cents, and the -other is a complete sewing machine for one dollar."</p> - -<p>"How can he sell a sewing machine for a dollar?"</p> - -<p>"When some fool sends on a dollar for the machine he sends him a needle, -and when another fool sends fifty cents for the steel engraving he sends -him a postage stamp picture of Washington stuck on a bit of cardboard."</p> - -<p>"Oh!"</p> - -<p>"He's smart, and the law can't get hold of him," went on Sam Pepper. -"Another of the men is selling tips on the races. If his customer wins -he gets a percentage. He gets one fool to bet one way and another fool -to bet the other way, and no matter which wins he gets his share of the -prize."</p> - -<p>"I should think he would have a job, looking for fools," said the -newsboy. "Folks ought to know better."</p> - -<p>"The world is full of people who want to get something for nothing, and -these men know it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> But they don't make much of a pile. That's got to be -made in another way."</p> - -<p>"What way?"</p> - -<p>"There are lots of ways, Nelson; some good and some bad. Ever been down -in Wall Street?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I don't know anything of the business there."</p> - -<p>"Folks down there gamble in stocks and bonds, and such like. Sometimes -they squeeze a poor man out of everything he's got, but they do it so as -the law can't touch 'em—and there's where they have the advantage over -an East Side gambler, who runs the risk of being arrested if his victim -squeals. But Wall Street aint any better than the East Side, for all -that."</p> - -<p>"Some nice gentlemen in Wall Street, though," said Nelson reflectively.</p> - -<p>"A high hat don't make an honest man, Nelson; you ought to know that by -this time. They are all thieves and swindlers, and an honest man has no -show against 'em. If you want to be rich, you've got to be like 'em!" -went on Sam Pepper, bringing his fist down on the table at which he sat. -"You can't make anything bein' honest."</p> - -<p>To this the newsboy remained silent. He had heard such talk before, so -he was not as much shocked as he might otherwise have been.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'll go out and sell some evening<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> papers," he said, after a -pause, during which Sam Pepper seemed to sink into deep thought.</p> - -<p>"No, I don't want you to go out; I want to have a talk with you," -answered Pepper. "There won't be no business for an hour or two, and -I'll lock the door, so nobody can interrupt us. It's got to come sooner -or later, and it might as well come now."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V.</span> <span class="smaller">NELSON SPEAKS HIS MIND.</span></h2> - -<p>Locking the front door to the lunch-room, Pepper came to the rear of the -place, poured himself a glass of liquor and tossed it off, and then sank -in a chair by the last table.</p> - -<p>"Sit down, Nelson," he said.</p> - -<p>The boy sat down and gazed curiously at the man before him. -Instinctively he realized that a crisis in his life was approaching. He -felt that the old life was speedily to become a thing of the past.</p> - -<p>"Nelson, aint you often wondered who you was?" went on Pepper.</p> - -<p>"To be sure I have!" cried the boy. "But you will never tell me -anything," he added bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Well, I kept the secret for your own good, my boy."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"When I came to New York and settled on the East Side I made up my mind -to lead an honest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> life and bring you up honestly. I did it, too; didn't -I?"</p> - -<p>"So far as I know, yes."</p> - -<p>"I did it, but it was hard scratching, and you know it. Many were the -times I didn't know how to turn myself, and if it hadn't been for some -friends helping me, I would have gone under. Those friends were the only -ones I ever knew. They weren't honest, but—well, we'll let that pass. -They helped me, and I aint going back on 'em."</p> - -<p>"But what about me?"</p> - -<p>"I'm coming to that, Nelson. As I said before, I wanted to bring you up -honestly; for your mother was honest, even if your father wasn't."</p> - -<p>"My father!" ejaculated the newsboy. "What was he?"</p> - -<p>"He was a good-hearted man, Nelson—a fine-hearted man, who did lots of -good."</p> - -<p>"But you said he wasn't honest."</p> - -<p>"No, he wasn't, if you must know. He was a burglar, and made his living -by taking from the rich what they didn't deserve to have. He was my -friend, and he was one of the men who helped me when I lost all I had at -the yacht races."</p> - -<p>"But—but I don't understand," faltered Nelson. "What was his name?"</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you that."</p> - -<p>"Is he dead?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p><p>"Yes; he died when you was a little kid not more than three years old. -We both lived in another city then—I won't tell you where. Your father -was shot while entering a house to rob a man who had once robbed him -when he was in business. Your father died in a hospital, and I was with -him. Your mother was dead, and he didn't know what to do with you. I -said I'd take you, and he made me promise to go to sea first and then to -another city and bring you up the best I could. He didn't want you to -know your name, and so I got to calling you Nelson after the English -admiral, and you can sign yourself Nelson Pepper after this, if you want -to."</p> - -<p>"Then you won't tell me where I came from?"</p> - -<p>"No; excepting that it was a good many miles from here. It wouldn't do -any good to rake up old scores. If your father hadn't died of the shot, -he would have been sent to prison for ten or fifteen years."</p> - -<p>"What was the name of the man who shot him?"</p> - -<p>"It won't do you any good to know that, either—he's dead and gone, -too."</p> - -<p>There was a pause, and the newsboy gave something like an inward groan. -The revelation that Pepper had made was truly a shocking one, and the -boy was so dazed and bewildered he could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> scarcely think. His father a -burglar, and shot down while in the act of committing a robbery! What a -degradation!</p> - -<p>"I've told you all this for a purpose," went on the man. "Now I've got -some more to tell you, if you'll promise to keep your mouth shut."</p> - -<p>"What else is there?"</p> - -<p>"Will you keep silent if I tell you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And do you promise not to say a word of what I have just told you?"</p> - -<p>"Why should I—it wouldn't be anything to my credit," answered Nelson.</p> - -<p>"But I want you to promise."</p> - -<p>"All right; I promise."</p> - -<p>"That's good. I know if you give your word you'll keep it. Now, I've got -a plan in my head to square accounts, so to speak, and git rich at the -same time."</p> - -<p>"What plan?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, it's like this: There's a rich gent lives up near -Central Park. I won't give you his name, but I don't mind telling you -that he's a distant relative of the fellow who shot your father, and he -used to help that other man in his dealings against your father. I don't -know as he remembers your father now, but he's a man you ought to get -square on, anyway."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p><p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"I'm coming to that, my boy. This man is old and feeble and has -something of an office in his library at home. There is a safe in the -library, but it's old-fashioned and can easily be opened. In that safe -the old man keeps thousands of dollars all the time, for it's too much -for him to go back and forth to the bank, and he aint the one to trust -anybody else."</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper paused suggestively and looked Nelson full in the eyes. Then -he began to whistle softly to himself.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean that you think I ought to rob that safe?" questioned our -hero.</p> - -<p>"You won't have to do the job alone, lad; I'll be on hand to help you."</p> - -<p>"But I—I never stole anything in my life."</p> - -<p>"It won't be stealing, exactly. That man owes you something. If it -hadn't been for him and his relative your father might have been rich -and never got into any burglary. I have looked the ground over, and the -job will be dead easy. There is a back alley and an iron fence that both -of us can climb over without half trying. Then I can git a diamond -cutter for the window glass, and the rest will be just as easy as wink."</p> - -<p>"And if you are caught, what then?"</p> - -<p>"We won't git caught, Nelson. The old man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> has only a niece living with -him, a girl of seventeen or eighteen, and an old housekeeper who is half -deaf. The rest of the help comes in the morning and leaves after -supper."</p> - -<p>There was another pause. Nelson sank beside the table, with his face in -his hands. Suddenly he looked at Sam Pepper again.</p> - -<p>"Did you say that man had robbed my father—I mean the man who shot -him?"</p> - -<p>"Sure he did, Nelson."</p> - -<p>"Then perhaps my father wasn't a burglar, after all. Perhaps he was -entering the house to get evidence against the man."</p> - -<p>"No, he went in to—er—well, to steal, if you must have it straight."</p> - -<p>"Sam Pepper, I don't believe you!"</p> - -<p>"Nelson!"</p> - -<p>"I don't believe you, so there! You won't tell me my name, or where I -came from, or anything, and you are only trying to make out my father -was a thief so as to get me to turn thief, too."</p> - -<p>"I've told you the truth, lad."</p> - -<p>"And I repeat I don't believe you. What is more, I won't help you in -your plans of robbery. I've been honest so far, and I mean to remain -honest. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for trying to make me a -thief."</p> - -<p>The newsboy had risen to his feet and, as he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> spoke, his face glowed -with earnestness. Now Sam Pepper sprang up, his features full of baffled -passion.</p> - -<p>"How dare you talk to me, you miserable pup?" he roared. "I've a good -mind to thrash you well for this! Haven't I clothed and fed you for -years? And this is what I git for it! I've told you the truth about -yourself, only I didn't paint your father as black as I might, not -wishing to hurt your feelings. He was a burglar, and before he was shot -he served two sentences in prison."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe it—and I never will," retorted Nelson, but with -quivering lips. "Where was this? Tell me, and I'll soon find out if it -is true."</p> - -<p>"I won't tell you a thing more—unless you promise to help me as you -should."</p> - -<p>"I won't help you—and that's the end of it."</p> - -<p>"You owe me something for keeping you all these years."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe you would have kept me if you weren't paid for it."</p> - -<p>"I never received a cent—not a penny. You've got to pay me back -somehow."</p> - -<p>"Well, I am not going to do it by stealing," answered Nelson doggedly.</p> - -<p>"Then how are you going to do it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know yet."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p><p>"I'm going to give this place up soon, and of course the living rooms -will go, too."</p> - -<p>"I can find another place to live."</p> - -<p>"You want to git out of paying me that five dollars a week, don't you?" -sneered Pepper.</p> - -<p>"I can't pay five dollars. But I'll pay what I can. How much do you -think I owe you?"</p> - -<p>"A good deal—seeing that I've kept you ten years or longer."</p> - -<p>"Didn't my father leave anything?"</p> - -<p>"About forty dollars—not enough to keep you three months."</p> - -<p>"He hadn't any property?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing."</p> - -<p>"Well, as I said before, I'll do what I can—when I am able."</p> - -<p>"And you won't help me to——" Pepper paused.</p> - -<p>"I won't steal—I'll starve first," returned Nelson, and taking up his -hat, he unlocked the door, and walked away from the lunch-room.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI.</span> <span class="smaller">A BOOK AGENT'S TRIALS.</span></h2> - -<p>When Nelson left the lunch-room he scarcely knew what he was doing. The -conversation which had occurred had been an important one, but his head -was in such a whirl that just now he could make little or nothing out of -it.</p> - -<p>He had no desire to sell papers,—indeed, he had no desire to do -anything,—and all he did was to walk up the street and keep on walking -until he was well uptown. Then he began to cross the city in the -direction of Broadway.</p> - -<p>At last he began to "cool off" a bit, and then he went over all that had -been said with care. As he did this he became more and more convinced -that Sam Pepper had not told him the truth concerning his parent.</p> - -<p>"He is holding something back," he told himself. "And he has some object -in doing it. He shall never make me a thief, and some day I'll force him -to tell his secret."</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Nelson! what brings you up here?"</p> - -<p>The question was asked by a young man who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> carried a flat bag in his -hand. The man was an agent for books, and the boy had met him many times -before.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I just came up for a walk," answered our hero. "How is business, -Van Pelt?"</p> - -<p>"Poor," answered George Van Pelt, as he set down his bag, which was -heavy. "Haven't made but half a dollar so far to-day."</p> - -<p>"That's no better than selling newspapers."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose it is, and you don't have to carry around such a bag as -this, either. But I would have made more to-day if a customer hadn't -tripped me up."</p> - -<p>"How was that?"</p> - -<p>"There was a young gent living near Central Park named Homer Bulson, -wanted me to get certain French books for him. I got the books, but when -I went to deliver them he refused to take them, saying they were not -what he had ordered."</p> - -<p>"Were they?"</p> - -<p>"They were. I could make him take them, according to law, but to sue a -man is expensive. But now I've got the books on my hands, and they cost -me over three dollars."</p> - -<p>"Can't you sell them to somebody else?"</p> - -<p>"I hardly think so. You see, they are books on poisons, and there isn't -much call for that sort of thing."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p><p>"Poisons! What did he want to do with them?"</p> - -<p>"He said when he ordered them, that he was studying to be a doctor, and -was going to make poisons a specialty."</p> - -<p>"It's a shame you can't make him take the books."</p> - -<p>"So it is. I suppose I could make him take them, if I wanted to create a -row. But I can't do that. I haven't the cheek."</p> - -<p>"I'd make him take them, if I was in your place. Anyway, I'd tell him I -was going to sue him if he didn't pay up. Perhaps that might scare him."</p> - -<p>"I was thinking something of doing so. Do you really think it might make -him come down?"</p> - -<p>"I know some folks hate to think they are going to be sued. And if he -lives in a fine house he must be pretty high-toned."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he is! He's a young bachelor, and lives in fine style, directly -opposite the home of his rich uncle."</p> - -<p>"Then I'd try him again, before I'd give up."</p> - -<p>"I will. Do you want to come along?" went on George Van Pelt, who hated -a quarrel.</p> - -<p>"I might as well. I'm not doing much just now," answered Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Of course you haven't given up selling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> papers?" went on George Van -Pelt, as the two walked along.</p> - -<p>"No. But I wish I could get something better to do."</p> - -<p>"That's hard these times, Nelson. How much a day can you make at it?"</p> - -<p>"From seventy-five cents to a dollar and a quarter. Sometimes I make a -dollar and a half, but that's not often."</p> - -<p>"The books used to bring me in from three to five dollars a day. But the -department stores cut the prices now, and soon the whole book-agent -business will be ruined."</p> - -<p>"What will you go into then?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. If I had the money I'd start a newsstand—for papers and -books, too."</p> - -<p>"That would pay, if you could get hold of the right corner," said our -hero, with interest.</p> - -<p>"I know of a good corner on Third Avenue. The man who keeps it now is -old and wants to sell out."</p> - -<p>"What does he want for the stand?"</p> - -<p>"A hundred dollars. Of course the stock isn't worth it, but the business -is."</p> - -<p>"That depends on what he takes in a day."</p> - -<p>"He averages seventy-five dollars a week. But it would be more, if he -was able to get around and attend to it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p><p>"A hundred dollars a week would mean about thirty dollars profit," said -Nelson, who was quick at figures. "How much is the rent?"</p> - -<p>"Five dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"That would leave twenty-five dollars for the stand-keeper. Does he have -a boy?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and pays him three dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"Maybe we could buy the stand together, Van Pelt. You know all about -books, and I know about the newspapers. We ought to make a go of it."</p> - -<p>"That's so, but——" The book agent looked rather dubiously at our -hero's clothes. "How about the cash?"</p> - -<p>"We might save it somehow. I'm saving up for a suit now."</p> - -<p>"You need the suit."</p> - -<p>"I expected to get it in a few days. But Billy Darnley robbed me of five -dollars, so I've got to wait a bit."</p> - -<p>"Well, if we could raise that money we might buy out the stand and try -our luck," continued George Van Pelt, after a thoughtful pause. "I think -we'd get along. How much have you."</p> - -<p>"Only a dollar or two now."</p> - -<p>"I've got fifteen dollars, and about ten dollars' worth of books."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p><p>"Couldn't we get the man to trust us for the stand?"</p> - -<p>"He said he might trust me for half the amount he asks, but fifty -dollars would have to be a cash payment."</p> - -<p>"We'll raise it somehow!" cried Nelson enthusiastically. The idea of -owning a half interest in a regular stand appealed to him strongly. In -his eyes the proprietor of such a stand was a regular man of business.</p> - -<p>The pair hurried on, and at length reached the vicinity of Central Park, -and Van Pelt pointed out the house in which the rich young man who had -refused to take the books lived.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he won't let me in," he said.</p> - -<p>"Wait—somebody is coming out of the house," returned our hero.</p> - -<p>"It's Mr. Bulson himself," said George Van Pelt.</p> - -<p>He hurried forward, followed by Nelson, and the pair met the young man -on the steps of his bachelor abode.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson was a tall, slim young fellow, with light hair and blue -eyes. His face was somewhat weak, but in his eyes was a look full of -scheming cunning. He was faultlessly dressed in the latest fashion, wore -a silk hat, and carried a gold-headed cane.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Bulson, I must see you about these books," said George Van Pelt, -coming to a halt on the steps of the stone porch.</p> - -<p>"I told you before that I did not wish to be bothered," answered the -young man coldly.</p> - -<p>"But you ordered the books, sir."</p> - -<p>"I will not discuss the matter with you. Go away, and if you bother me -again I shall call a policeman."</p> - -<p>"My friend hasn't done anything wrong," put in Nelson boldly. "You -ordered some books from him, and you ought to pay for 'em."</p> - -<p>"What have you to do with this matter?" demanded the rich young man, -staring harshly at our hero.</p> - -<p>"This man is my friend, and I don't want to see him swindled," said our -hero.</p> - -<p>"Swindled!"</p> - -<p>"That's it. You ordered some books on poisons from him, and now you -don't want to pay for 'em. It's a swindle and an outrage. He's a poor -man, and you haven't any right to treat him so."</p> - -<p>"Boy, if you speak like that to me, I'll have you put under arrest," -stormed Homer Bulson in a rage.</p> - -<p>"You must take the books," put in George Van Pelt, growing braver -through what Nelson was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> saying. "If you won't take them, I'll sue you -for the amount."</p> - -<p>"Sue me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sue you."</p> - -<p>"And I'll put the reporters on the game," added the newsboy. "They like -to get hold of society notes." And he grinned suggestively.</p> - -<p>At this Homer Bulson's face became filled with horror. For more reasons -than one he did not wish this affair to become public property.</p> - -<p>"To sue me will do no good," he said lamely.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it will," said the book agent. "You have money and will have to -pay up."</p> - -<p>"Or else your rich uncle will pay for you," said Nelson, never dreaming -of how the shot would tell. Bulson grew very pale.</p> - -<p>"I—I will take the books and pay for them," he stammered. "Not because -I think I ought to take them, mind you," he added, "but because I wish -no trouble in public. Where are the books?"</p> - -<p>"Here." And George Van Pelt brought two volumes from his satchel.</p> - -<p>"How much?"</p> - -<p>"Just what I told you before, Mr. Bulson—five dollars."</p> - -<p>"It's a very high price for such small books."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p><p>"They are imported from France, remember, and besides, books on -poisons——"</p> - -<p>"Give them to me."</p> - -<p>The books were passed over, and Homer Bulson drew from his vest pocket a -small roll of bills. He handed over a five to George Van Pelt.</p> - -<p>"Now begone with you," he said sourly. "And don't ever come near me -again for another order."</p> - -<p>"Don't worry, I won't come," answered the book agent. "You are too hard -a customer to suit."</p> - -<p>He pocketed the money and rejoined Nelson on the sidewalk. Then both -started to walk away.</p> - -<p>As they did so our hero glanced across the way and saw, in a window of -the house opposite, the young lady who had offered her assistance after -Billy Darnley had robbed him.</p> - -<p>She recognized him and smiled, and he promptly touched his hat -respectfully.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson saw the act and so did George Van Pelt, and both stared at -Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Whom did you see?" asked Van Pelt, as they walked down the street.</p> - -<p>"A lady who once offered to help me," said Nelson. "She was in that -house. She has left the window now."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p><p>"Why, that is where that man's rich uncle lives!" exclaimed the book -agent.</p> - -<p>"Is it?" cried our hero. "Then perhaps the lady is a relative to him."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps."</p> - -<p>"What is the uncle's name?"</p> - -<p>"Mark Horton. I understood that he was once a rich merchant of -Philadelphia. But he's a sickly old man now. I wanted to sell him some -books, but they wouldn't let me see him."</p> - -<p>"I hope that young lady isn't a relative to that Homer Bulson," mused -Nelson. "If he is, he can't be very nice company for her."</p> - -<p>"That's true, Nelson."</p> - -<p>"You said you tried to sell books there but they wouldn't let you in."</p> - -<p>"No, the gentleman was too sick to see me—at least that is what they -said. But perhaps it was only a dodge to keep me out."</p> - -<p>"I suppose they play all sorts of tricks on you—to keep you out of -folks' houses," went on the newsboy thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Sometimes they do. Some folks won't be bothered with a book agent."</p> - -<p>"And yet you've got to live," laughed Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Yes, all of us have got to live. But lots of folks, especially those -with money, won't reason that way. They'll set a dog on you, or do -worse,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> just to get rid of you. Why, once I had a man in Paterson accuse -me of stealing."</p> - -<p>"How was that?"</p> - -<p>"It was the first week I went out selling books. I was down on my luck -and didn't have any clothes worth mentioning."</p> - -<p>"Like myself, for instance," interrupted the newsboy, with a laugh.</p> - -<p>"If anything my clothes were worse. Well, I was traveling around -Paterson when I struck a clothing shop on a side street. I went in and -found the proprietor busy with a customer, and while I waited for him I -picked up a cheap suit of clothes to examine it. All of a sudden the -proprietor's clerk came rushing out of a back room and caught me by the -arm.</p> - -<p>"'You vos goin' to steal dot coat!' he roared.</p> - -<p>"'No, I wasn't,' I said. 'I was just looking at it.'</p> - -<p>"'I know petter,' he went on, and then he called the proprietor and both -of them held me."</p> - -<p>"I reckon you were scared."</p> - -<p>"I was, for I didn't know a soul in the town. I said I wasn't a thief, -and had come in to sell books, and I showed them my samples. At first -they wouldn't believe a word, and they talked a whole lot of German that -I couldn't understand. Then one went out for a policeman."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p><p>"And what did you do then?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't know what to do, and was studying the situation when the other -man suddenly said I could go—that he didn't want any bother with going -to court, and all that. Then I dusted away, and I never stopped until I -was safe on the train and on my way back to New York."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever go to Paterson after that?"</p> - -<p>"No, I never wanted to see that town again," concluded George Van Pelt.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII.</span> <span class="smaller">A HARSH ALTERNATIVE.</span></h2> - -<p>Homer Bulson was a fashionable man of the world. He had traveled a good -deal and seen far more of a certain kind of "high life" than was good -for him, either mentally or morally. He was fond of liquor and of -gambling, and had almost run through the money which an indulgent parent -had left him.</p> - -<p>He was alone in the world, so far as immediate members of his family -were concerned, but he had an uncle, Mark Horton, just mentioned, and -also a cousin, Gertrude Horton, who was the ward of the retired -merchant. This Gertrude Horton was the young lady who had offered to -assist Nelson, and who had just recognized our hero from her seat at the -window opposite.</p> - -<p>In the fashionable world Homer Bulson cut a "wide swath," as it is -commonly called, but he managed to keep his doings pretty well hidden -from his uncle, who supposed him to be a model young man.</p> - -<p>The young man's reason for this was, his uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> was rich and at his -death would leave a large property, and he wished to become heir to a -large portion of what Mark Horton left behind him. He knew his uncle was -a strict man, and would not countenance his high mode of living, should -he hear of it.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson watched Nelson curiously, and then looked across the street -to see if he could catch his cousin Gertrude's eye. But the young lady -was now out of sight.</p> - -<p>"How is it that she knows that street boy?" Bulson asked himself, as he -walked into the house to stow away the books he had purchased. "I don't -like it at all—seeing that he was with the man who sold me these books. -I hope he doesn't ever tell her I've been buying books on poisons."</p> - -<p>Entering one of his rooms—he occupied several—he locked the door and -threw himself into an easy-chair. Soon he was looking over the books, -and reading slowly, for his knowledge of French was decidedly limited.</p> - -<p>"Oh, pshaw! I can't make anything out of this," he exclaimed at last. -"That English book on poisons I picked up at the second-hand book store -is good enough for me. I might as well put these in a fire." But instead -he hid them away at the bottom of a trunk.</p> - -<p>With the books on poisons out of his sight,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> Homer Bulson turned to his -wardrobe and made a new selection of a suit of light brown which his -tailor had just brought to him.</p> - -<p>He was putting on the suit when there came a knock on the door.</p> - -<p>"Who's there?" asked the young man.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Grodell, sir," was the answer.</p> - -<p>Mr. Grodell was the agent of the apartment house, and had come for his -rent.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson was behind four months in payments, and the agent was -growing anxious for his money.</p> - -<p>"Very sorry, Mr. Grodell, but I am just changing my clothes," said the -spendthrift.</p> - -<p>"Then I'll wait," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"Better not, it will take some time."</p> - -<p>"I am in no hurry, Mr. Bulson," said the agent.</p> - -<p>"Oh, pshaw! why does he bother me!" muttered Homer Bulson. "I haven't -got any money for him."</p> - -<p>He did not know what to do, and scratched his head in perplexity.</p> - -<p>"Come around Saturday and I will pay you in full," he called out.</p> - -<p>"You told me you would pay me last Saturday, Mr. Bulson."</p> - -<p>"I know I did, but I was disappointed about a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> remittance. I will surely -have your money this coming Saturday."</p> - -<p>"Without fail?"</p> - -<p>"Without fail."</p> - -<p>"All right, Mr. Bulson. But I must have it then, or else take possession -of the rooms." And with this parting shot the agent departed.</p> - -<p>"The impudent fellow!" muttered Homer Bulson. "To talk to me in that -fashion! He shall wait until I get good and ready to pay him!"</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, the young man's pocketbook was very nearly empty, and this -worried him not a little.</p> - -<p>Several times he had thought of applying to his uncle for a loan, but -each time had hesitated, being afraid that Mark Horton would suspect his -extravagant mode of living.</p> - -<p>"But I must get money somehow," he told himself.</p> - -<p>At last he was dressed, and then he peered out into the hallway.</p> - -<p>The agent had really gone, and satisfied on this point Homer Bulson left -the residence for a stroll on Fifth Avenue.</p> - -<p>This occupied over an hour, and then he walked over to one of the clubs -to which he was attached, where he dined in the best of style.</p> - -<p>After dinner came a game or two of billiards,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> and then he took a cab to -his uncle's mansion near the Park.</p> - -<p>He found Mark Horton seated in an invalid's chair in the library, and -nearby was Gertrude trying her best to make the elderly man comfortable.</p> - -<p>Evidently the elderly man was in a bad humor, for his eyes flashed -angrily as the nephew entered.</p> - -<p>The trouble was Mark Horton and his niece Gertrude had had something of -a quarrel. The invalid wished Gertrude to marry her cousin Homer, and -the girl did not desire the match, for she realized what a spendthrift -and generally worthless fellow Bulson was.</p> - -<p>Both knew that their uncle had made a will leaving his property divided -equally between them, and Gertrude was almost certain that Bulson wished -to marry her simply in order to gain control of everything.</p> - -<p>The girl hated very much to displease her uncle, for she realized what -troubles he had had in the past. A fearful railroad accident had -deprived the man of his beloved wife years before, and shortly after -this happening other trials had come to him, which had broken him down -completely. What these trials were will be revealed as our story -progresses.</p> - -<p>"Well, Uncle Mark, how goes it to-day?" asked Homer Bulson, on walking -in.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p><p>"Not very well, Homer," was the feeble answer.</p> - -<p>"Uncle Mark had quite a bad attack about two hours ago," put in Gertrude -Horton. "I had to send for the doctor."</p> - -<p>"Wasn't he here this morning?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I thought best to have him again," answered the girl.</p> - -<p>"That's right."</p> - -<p>"The doctor seems to do me small good," put in the invalid, in a feeble -voice. "He doesn't seem to understand my case at all."</p> - -<p>"He is one of the best physicians in New York," answered Homer Bulson.</p> - -<p>"So you said before, Homer. Well, I doubt if I ever get any better."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Uncle Mark!" cried Gertrude, much shocked.</p> - -<p>"I seem to be completely broken down," went on the invalid. "At times -the strangest of sinking spells come over me. I feel very, very old."</p> - -<p>There was a painful silence, and Gertrude rearranged the pillow behind -the invalid's head.</p> - -<p>"Did you see about those stocks to-day, Homer?" went on Mark Horton. "I -had forgotten about them."</p> - -<p>"I did, sir."</p> - -<p>"And what did the broker say?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p><p>"He urged me to hold on awhile longer."</p> - -<p>"And you have them still?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, uncle."</p> - -<p>"Very well; do as he advises. Some day, when I am stronger, I must -attend to many other business matters."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Uncle Mark, don't worry about business," pleaded Gertrude, passing -her arm around his neck.</p> - -<p>There was another pause and Mark Horton gazed sharply at Gertrude. Then -he turned to Homer Bulson.</p> - -<p>"She won't marry you, Homer—I don't know why," he said.</p> - -<p>The face of the young man fell, and he bit his lip.</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose she will do as she pleases," he remarked, somewhat -sarcastically.</p> - -<p>"I think I should be allowed to make my own choice," said Gertrude. She -had already refused Bulson several times.</p> - -<p>"I can't understand it," said the invalid. "To my mind you are just -suited to each other."</p> - -<p>"I do not think so," answered Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"And why not?"</p> - -<p>"I would rather not say, Uncle Mark."</p> - -<p>"You can't have anything against me personally," put in Bulson, with a -scowl.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p><p>"But I have!" cried the girl. "You go to the race-track, and drink, and -gamble, and I do not like it."</p> - -<p>A stormy scene followed, in which all three in the room took part. -Strange to say, Mark Horton sided with his nephew, for he did not -realize the blackness of Bulson's character.</p> - -<p>"You are prejudiced and foolish," cried the invalid at last, turning to -his niece. "You do not wish to please me in anything." And so speaking, -he arose and tottered from the room. Homer Bulson made as if to follow -him, then reconsidered the matter and sank back into a chair. Poor -Gertrude burst into a flood of tears.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII.</span> <span class="smaller">THE COMBINATION OF THE SAFE.</span></h2> - -<p>"Gertrude, you are making a great mistake," said Homer Bulson, after a -pause broken only by the sobbing of the girl.</p> - -<p>"Please don't speak to me, Homer," she answered. "I have heard enough -for one day."</p> - -<p>"You have no right to blacken my character," he said with assumed -dignity.</p> - -<p>"Uncle Mark forced me to speak the truth."</p> - -<p>"It was not the truth. But let that pass. Why didn't you tell him you -would marry me?"</p> - -<p>"Because I don't want to marry you."</p> - -<p>"But you might let him think that you——"</p> - -<p>"I am above practicing a deception upon him, Homer."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you aren't a saint!" he sneered. "I know why you are so loving to -him—you thought to get all of his money. Now you are trying to blacken -my character, so that you may get all of it, anyway. But the game won't -work."</p> - -<p>"I told him what I did simply to let him know why I didn't care to marry -you, Cousin Homer."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p><p>"And why are you so opposed to me?"</p> - -<p>"I do not like your ways. Isn't that enough? As for Uncle Mark's money, -I trust he will live a long time to enjoy it himself."</p> - -<p>"Uncle Mark can live but a short while longer. Anybody can see that. He -is exceedingly feeble."</p> - -<p>"You seem to wish his death," replied Gertrude sharply.</p> - -<p>"I? No, indeed; I hope he does live. Haven't I done what I could for -him—giving him wines and the like? And he has the best of doctors—on -my recommendation."</p> - -<p>"I don't think the wine you gave him is doing any good. He seems to -become weaker after it, instead of stronger."</p> - -<p>"Bosh! If he hadn't the wine, he would collapse utterly."</p> - -<p>At this the girl merely shrugged her shoulders.</p> - -<p>This was not the first time that Homer Bulson and herself had quarreled -over the care their uncle should have. To the girl the retired merchant -seemed to grow unexpectedly weak in spite of all she could do. The -doctor, too, was baffled, and said he had never come across such a -strange case before.</p> - -<p>"If you won't marry me, you shall not turn Uncle Mark against me," went -on Bulson sternly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> "If you try it, you will repent it as long as you -live."</p> - -<p>So speaking, he strode from the room and made after Mark Horton, who had -gone to his private apartment on the second floor.</p> - -<p>He found the retired merchant resting in an easy-chair by the window, -his head bowed low.</p> - -<p>"Cheer up, uncle," he said, placing his hand on the other's shoulder. -"Let me pour you a glass of wine."</p> - -<p>And he walked to a medicine closet in a corner and got out a bottle he -had brought a few days before.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Homer; I will have a little wine," replied the retired -merchant.</p> - -<p>The wine was poured out and Mark Horton gulped it down. Homer Bulson -watched him closely, and then turned away his face to hide a sinister -smile.</p> - -<p>"I cannot understand Gertrude," said Mark Horton. "I always thought she -preferred you."</p> - -<p>"I think she has another person in view," answered Bulson, struck with a -certain idea.</p> - -<p>"Another? Who is it?"</p> - -<p>"I would rather not say, uncle."</p> - -<p>"But I demand to know."</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell you his name. But he is a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>common sort of person. He went -past the house a while ago and she nodded and smiled to him."</p> - -<p>"And how long has this been going on?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, several months, I dare say. They meet in the evening on the sly. -But please don't tell Gertrude that I spoke of this."</p> - -<p>"What does the man do?"</p> - -<p>"I am not sure, but I think he is in the theatrical business, when he -has an engagement—something on the variety stage."</p> - -<p>"What! My Gertrude the wife of a variety actor? Never, Homer, never!" -groaned Mark Horton. "This is too much! I will speak to her at once!"</p> - -<p>"Uncle, you just promised not to let her know——"</p> - -<p>"You'll be safe, Homer, never fear. But I won't have this—I'll cast her -out first."</p> - -<p>"I suppose she wanted to keep this a secret until after you—that -is——"</p> - -<p>"Until after I am dead, so that she can use up my money on her actor -husband," finished Mark Horton bitterly. He suddenly sprang to his feet. -"But she shall marry you, Homer, and nobody else. That is final."</p> - -<p>"Pray do not excite yourself too much, uncle. Let the matter rest for a -few days."</p> - -<p>"And if I should die in the meantime, what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> then? No, Homer; delays are -dangerous. I—I—feel as if I cannot last much longer. Who knows but -what this night may prove my last?"</p> - -<p>And Mark Horton sank back again in his chair and covered his face with -his hands.</p> - -<p>"Uncle, in case anything should happen to you, may I ask what you have -done with your will?" asked Bulson, after a long pause. "Or, perhaps -Gertrude knows about this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, she knows, but you must know, too. Both the old will and the new -one are in the safe in the library, in the upper compartment on the -right side. On the left side are two gold pieces which I brought home -with me when I visited the mint in California."</p> - -<p>"Is that all the money there is in the safe?"</p> - -<p>"No, there is more gold than that—in a secret compartment at the -bottom. There is a spring to open this compartment on the left side, a -small gilded knob. It is right I should tell you of this, otherwise you -might never find the secret compartment."</p> - -<p>"And the combination of the safe?" went on Bulson, more anxiously than -ever.</p> - -<p>"The combination is 0, 4, 25, 12, 32, and once around to the left to 0 -again. You had better put it down. I have it written on a slip in my -pocketbook."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p><p>"Then it won't be necessary for me to put it down," answered the -nephew, but he took good care to remember the combination, nevertheless.</p> - -<p>It was now time for Mark Horton to retire, and, the wine having made him -drowsy, he soon forgot his anger against Gertrude and went to sleep.</p> - -<p>When Homer Bulson went below he paused in the hallway and glanced -through the doorway into the library.</p> - -<p>He saw that Gertrude had left the apartment and that it was empty.</p> - -<p>None of the servants were about, and the housekeeper, an elderly lady, -was also nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if I dare do it so soon?" he muttered to himself. Then he shut -his teeth hard. "I must do something! I have used up my last dollar, and -I can't go around empty-handed. Uncle Mark will never grow strong enough -to know."</p> - -<p>Going to the front door he opened it, then slammed it violently and made -a noise as if he was descending the steps. Then he closed the door with -care and stole back into the gloom of the library. It was now after -midnight, a fitting time for the desperate deed this misguided young man -had undertaken.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX.</span> <span class="smaller">A PAIR WELL MATCHED.</span></h2> - -<p>After leaving George Van Pelt Nelson felt more like working, and buying -a large supply of evening papers he was soon hard at it, crying his -wares as loudly as possible.</p> - -<p>Business proved brisk, and by seven o'clock he had sold out. Then he -went back to the lunch-room.</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper met him with a scowl.</p> - -<p>"Concluded to come back after all, eh?" he said. "Work piling up on me -and nobody to help. Pitch in, quick, or I'll thrash you good; do you hear?"</p> - -<p>The rest of the evening passed in almost utter silence between them. By -ten o'clock the most of the lunch trade came to an end. At eleven Sam -Pepper began to lock up.</p> - -<p>"I'm going out," he said. "An old friend is sick. Maybe I won't be back -till morning. Watch things good while I'm gone."</p> - -<p>"Who is sick?" asked our hero.</p> - -<p>"None of your business. You mind what I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> told you, and keep your mouth -closed," growled the lunch-room keeper.</p> - -<p>Nelson had noticed a heavy handbag lying in the corner of the back room, -and now he saw Sam Pepper pick the bag up. As the man moved it, -something inside struck together with a hard, metallic sound, as if the -bag might contain tools.</p> - -<p>When Sam Pepper went out he wore a big slouch hat and a coat which he -had not donned for years. He usually wore a derby hat, and his general -appearance surprised the newsboy not a little.</p> - -<p>"He acts as if he wanted to be disguised," thought the boy. "Something -is up, sure."</p> - -<p>Then of a sudden he remembered the talk he had had with Pepper about -robbing an old man—the man who had in some way been connected with his -father's downfall, if Pepper's story was true. Was it possible Pepper -was going to undertake the job that very night, and alone?</p> - -<p>"I believe he is!" thought Nelson. "And if that's so, I'll follow him!"</p> - -<p>With the boy, to think was to act, and in a few minutes he was prepared -to follow Sam Pepper. The man had locked the front door and taken the -key with him. Nelson slipped out of a rear window and fastened the -window from the outside by means of a nail shoved into a hole in a -corner—a trick he had learned some time before.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p><p>When the boy came out on the street he ran up the thoroughfare for a -couple of blocks, and was just in time to see Sam Pepper making his way -up the stairs of the elevated railroad station. When the train came -along Pepper entered the front car, and our hero took the car behind it. -Nelson buttoned up his coat and pulled his hat far down over his eyes to -escape recognition, but Sam Pepper never once looked around to see if he -was being followed.</p> - -<p>Leaving the Bowery, the elevated train continued up Third Avenue until -Fifty-ninth Street was reached. Here Sam Pepper got off, and Nelson, who -was on the watch, did the same. The man descended to the street and -walked slowly toward Fifth Avenue. Our hero followed like a shadow. He -was now certain that Pepper was bent on the robbery of the place he had -mentioned that afternoon.</p> - -<p>Mark Horton's residence stood on the avenue, but a few blocks below -Central Park. As Sam Pepper had said, there was an alleyway in the rear, -with a small iron fence. Beyond was a small courtyard, and here there -was a balcony with an alcove window opening into the library. Over the -window was a heavy curtain, which the retired merchant sometimes closed -when at the safe, so that curious neighbors might not pry into his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> -affairs. But the neighbors were now away on a vacation in -Europe—something which Sam Pepper had noted with considerable -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>It did not take the man long to climb over the iron fence and on to the -little balcony. Noiselessly he tried the window, to find it locked. But -the catch was an old-fashioned one, and he readily pushed it aside with -a blade of his knife. Then he raised the window inch by inch. At last he -had it high enough, and he stepped into the room, behind the heavy -curtain before mentioned.</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper was hardly in the room when something happened to give him a -temporary shock. He heard the scratch of a match, and then a gas jet was -lit and turned low in the room.</p> - -<p>"I've put my foot into it," he groaned. "Maybe I had better git out as -fast as I came in."</p> - -<p>Cautiously he peeped from behind the curtain, and to his astonishment -saw Homer Bulson approach the safe and kneel down before it. He also saw -that Bulson was alone, and that the doors to the other parts of the -mansion were tightly closed.</p> - -<p>"Something is up that's not on the level," he told himself. "This man -don't live here."</p> - -<p>Scarcely daring to breathe, he watched Homer Bulson work at the -combination of the safe. To get the strong box open was not easy, and -soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> the fashionable young man uttered a low exclamation of impatience.</p> - -<p>"I must have it wrong," Pepper heard him say. "Confound the luck! And I -wanted that money to-night, too."</p> - -<p>At last the safe came open, and Homer Bulson breathed a sigh of -satisfaction. With trembling fingers he pulled open one of the upper -drawers.</p> - -<p>"Found!" he murmured. "I wonder if I have time to read them over, to -make sure they are all right? Uncle is a queer stick and he may have -made some mistake."</p> - -<p>He brought some documents forth and began to unfold them. Then he -reconsidered the matter and placed the papers on a chair beside the -safe. In a moment more he had found the gilded knob, pressed upon it, -and opened the secret compartment at the bottom of the strong box.</p> - -<p>The sight that met his gaze caused his eyes to glisten. There were -several stacks of ten- and twenty-dollar gold pieces—at least two -thousand dollars in all. Without waiting he placed a large handful of -the coins in the outer pocket of his coat.</p> - -<p>"I won't take it all—it won't be safe," he murmured. "I can get more -some other time—if I need it." Then he shut the compartment.</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper had seen the gold, and it set his heart to thumping madly. -Here was more wealth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> than he had seen in many a day—right within his -reach. Why had not the young man taken it all?</p> - -<p>"He's chicken-hearted and a fool," thought Pepper.</p> - -<p>A second later a big fly, awakened by the swinging of the curtain and -the light, buzzed close to Pepper's ear and caused him to start. At the -same moment Homer Bulson glanced up and caught sight of the other's -face.</p> - -<p>"Who—what—who are you?" stammered Bulson, leaping to his feet.</p> - -<p>"Hush!" cried Sam Pepper warningly. "Hush, unless you want to wake up -the whole house."</p> - -<p>"But who are you, and where did you come from?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind about that. Why didn't you take all of the gold from the -safe while you were at it?"</p> - -<p>"I—er—what do you know of the gold?" stammered Homer Bulson. He was -pale and confused.</p> - -<p>"I saw you open the safe and take it. Is that your uncle's money?"</p> - -<p>"Ye—yes."</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do with it?"</p> - -<p>"What business is that of yours?"</p> - -<p>"I am going to make this job my business."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p><p>"You look like a burglar."</p> - -<p>"Well, if I am a burglar, you won't give me away, for you are a burglar -yourself."</p> - -<p>The shot told, and Homer Bulson became paler than before.</p> - -<p>"I reckon we might divide up on this job," went on Sam Pepper with a -boldness that was astonishing.</p> - -<p>"I don't understand."</p> - -<p>"Give me half the gold and I won't say anything about this to anybody."</p> - -<p>"And if I refuse?"</p> - -<p>"If you refuse, perhaps I'll make it mighty unpleasant for you. I know -you. You are Homer Bulson, the fashionable nephew of Mark Horton, and -the man who expects to come into a good share of his property when he -dies."</p> - -<p>"And who are you?"</p> - -<p>"I am a man who used to be up in the world, but one who is now down on -his luck. I want you to help me. If you will, I'll help you."</p> - -<p>At this Homer Bulson was a good deal bewildered.</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you. I am not of your kind, my man."</p> - -<p>At this Sam Pepper gave a contemptuous sniff.</p> - -<p>"If you aint, you aint any better," he growled. "Let me tell you I know -a thing or two. I didn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> come here blindly. I know all about Mark -Horton and his niece, and you—and I know a good deal more—about the -past. You and that girl expect to get his property. Well, maybe you -will, and then, again, maybe you won't."</p> - -<p>"And why won't we get his property?" asked Homer Bulson, in deep -interest.</p> - -<p>"Hush! not so loud, or you'll have the rest of the house down on us," -Sam Pepper leaned forward and whispered something into the young man's -ear. "There, how do you like that?"</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson fell back as if shot.</p> - -<p>"You—you speak the truth?" he faltered.</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"But after all these years! Impossible!"</p> - -<p>"It's true, I tell you, and I can prove it—if I want to. But I'm not -his friend. Now are you willing to make a deal with me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes!" groaned the young man. "First, however, you must prove your -words. But that can't be done here. Come to my bachelor apartment, -across the way. There we will be perfectly safe."</p> - -<p>"All right. But I must have some of that gold first."</p> - -<p>"Well, you shall have some—as much as I took, but no more," concluded -Homer Bulson, and opened the secret compartment again.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X.</span> <span class="smaller">GERTRUDE LEAVES HER HOME.</span></h2> - -<p>Left to himself in the alleyway, our hero scarcely knew what to do next.</p> - -<p>Under ordinary circumstances he would have notified a policeman of what -was going on. But he reflected that Pepper had done him many kindnesses -in the past, and that it was barely possible the man was not doing as -much of a wrong as he imagined.</p> - -<p>"I'll wait a while and see what turns up," he soliloquized, and hid -himself in a dark corner, where he could watch not only the library -window, but also the side alleyway leading to the street in front of the -mansion.</p> - -<p>Slowly the minutes wore away until Nelson felt certain that Sam Pepper -was going to remain inside all night.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps something happened to him," he thought. "Maybe he got a fit, or -somebody caught him."</p> - -<p>He waited a while longer, then, impelled by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> curiosity, approached the -balcony, climbed up, and tried to look into the window of the library.</p> - -<p>As he did this the curtain was suddenly thrust aside, and in the dim -light he found himself face to face with Gertrude Horton!</p> - -<p>He was so astonished that, for the moment, he did not know what to say -or do. Gertrude was equally amazed. She quickly raised the window.</p> - -<p>"What brought you here?" she questioned. "Did you make the noise I heard -a while ago?"</p> - -<p>"No, miss. I—er—I just came," stammered our hero. He knew not what to -say.</p> - -<p>"But I heard a noise. It was that which brought me downstairs. What are -you doing here?"</p> - -<p>"I came to see if—if your home was safe."</p> - -<p>"To see if it was safe?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I was on the street a while ago and a man sneaked in here. Is he -around?"</p> - -<p>"I saw nobody. But I heard a noise, as I said before. I guess I had -better investigate. Did the man look like a thief?"</p> - -<p>"He looked like lots of men," answered Nelson noncommittally.</p> - -<p>It must be confessed that our hero's head was in a whirl. What had -become of Sam Pepper? Was it possible that he had robbed the mansion and -made his escape without discovery? And if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> he was gone, should he expose -the man who, good or bad, had cared for him so many years?</p> - -<p>Gertrude was looking around for a match, and now she lit the gas and -turned it up full. She had scarcely done so when her eyes rested on a -ten-dollar gold piece lying in front of the safe.</p> - -<p>"A gold piece!" she cried.</p> - -<p>"Here is another, miss," returned Nelson, stepping into the room and -picking it up from where it had rolled behind a footstool. "Twenty -dollars! Gracious!"</p> - -<p>"Gertrude! What is the meaning of this?"</p> - -<p>The voice came from the hallway, and looking around the girl and our -hero saw Mark Horton standing there, clad in his dressing gown and -slippers. His face was filled with anger.</p> - -<p>"Oh, uncle!" cried the girl. Just then she could say no more.</p> - -<p>"So I have caught you, have I?" went on the retired merchant. He turned -to our hero. "Who are you, young man?"</p> - -<p>"I? I'm Nelson, sir."</p> - -<p>"Nelson? Is that your name?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Fine company you keep, Gertrude, I must say," sneered Mark Horton. "I -would not have believed it, had I not seen it with my own eyes."</p> - -<p>"Why, uncle——"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p><p>"Don't talk back to me. I know all about your doings. You wish——" The -retired merchant broke off short. "What is that in your hand? A gold -piece, as I live! And this young man has another! Ha! you have been at -my safe!"</p> - -<p>Pale with rage, Mark Horton tottered into the room and clutched Gertrude -by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Uncle Mark, let me go!" she gasped in horror.</p> - -<p>"To think it has come to this!" groaned the invalid. "My own niece -turned robber! It is too much! Too much!" And he sank into an armchair, -overcome.</p> - -<p>"Hold on, sir; you're making a mistake," put in Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Silence, you shameful boy! I know her perhaps better than you do, even -though you do come to see her on the sly."</p> - -<p>"Me? On the sly?" repeated our hero, puzzled.</p> - -<p>"You talk in riddles, uncle," put in Gertrude faintly.</p> - -<p>"I know what I am saying. I will not argue with you. How much have you -taken from the safe?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing," said Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"I haven't touched your safe," added our hero stoutly.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p><p>"I will soon see." Mark Horton glanced at the window, which was still -wide open. "Is anybody else outside?"</p> - -<p>"I guess not," said Nelson.</p> - -<p>Arising with an effort, the retired merchant staggered to the safe and -opened it. Then he opened the secret compartment.</p> - -<p>"Gone! At least six hundred dollars stolen!" he muttered. He turned upon -both of the others. "What have you done with that gold?"</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i082.jpg" alt="AT LEAST SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS STOLEN" /></div> - -<p class="bold">AT LEAST SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS STOLEN,' HE MUTTERED."</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Nelson the Newsboy.</i><span class="s9"> </span>—<i>Page 81.</i></p> - -<p>"Uncle, I have not touched it," sobbed Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"This is all I have, and I just picked that up," added our hero and -flung the piece on the table, beside that which the girl had picked up.</p> - -<p>"I will not believe it!" stormed Mark Horton, more in a rage than ever. -He turned to Nelson. "You took that money away and then thought to come -back for more. Or perhaps you came back to see Gertrude."</p> - -<p>"I am no thief!" cried Nelson. "I never stole in my life."</p> - -<p>"You are a thief, and this girl is your accomplice. Stop, did you not go -past the house this afternoon?"</p> - -<p>"I did, but——"</p> - -<p>"And you saw Gertrude?"</p> - -<p>"I saw this young lady, but——"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p><p>"As I suspected. You planned this thing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Uncle Mark! what are you saying?" sobbed Gertrude. Her heart was so -full she could scarcely speak. She had always treated her uncle with -every consideration, and to have him turn against her in this fashion -cut her to the quick.</p> - -<p>"Gertrude, my eyes are open at last. From to-night you leave me!"</p> - -<p>"What, going to throw her out of this house—out of her home!" -ejaculated Nelson. "Sir, I don't know you, but I think you must be off -in your mind."</p> - -<p>"I am not so crazy as you imagine. I am sick—nay, I have one foot in -the grave. But this shameless girl shall no longer hoodwink me. As soon -as daylight comes she shall leave this house, and she shall never set -foot in it again."</p> - -<p>"But, sir——"</p> - -<p>"I will waste no further words on you, young man. Out you go, or I will -call a policeman at once."</p> - -<p>"Oh, uncle, don't do that!" burst out Gertrude. "I will go away, if you -insist upon it."</p> - -<p>"I do insist upon it. Pack your things at once. If it were not night I -would insist upon your leaving now."</p> - -<p>Gertrude looked at him, and then drew herself up with an effort.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p><p>"I will go now, I will not wait," she said. "But if ever you need -me——"</p> - -<p>"I'll not send for you," finished Mark Horton quickly. "I never want to -see you again." He turned to our hero. "Are you going, or must I call an -officer?" he added harshly.</p> - -<p>"I will go," said Nelson. He paused as if wishing to say more, then -leaped through the window and disappeared into the darkness of the -alleyway.</p> - -<p>As our hero left the library by the window, Gertrude left by the hall -door. Slowly she mounted the steps to her own room. Once inside, she -threw herself on the bed in a passionate fit of weeping. But this did -not last long. Inside of half an hour she was packing a traveling case -with such things as she absolutely needed.</p> - -<p>"I will take nothing else," she told herself. "His money bought them and -they shall remain here."</p> - -<p>At last her preparations were complete, and she stole downstairs with -her traveling case in her hand. She looked into the library, to see her -uncle sitting in a heap in the armchair.</p> - -<p>"Good-by, Uncle Mark," she said sadly.</p> - -<p>"Go away!" he returned bitterly. "Go away!"</p> - -<p>He would say no more, and she turned, opened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> the door to the street, -and passed outside. He listened as she hurried down the steps and along -the silent street. When he could no longer hear her footsteps he sank -back again into the armchair.</p> - -<p>"Gone!" he muttered. "Gone, and I drove her away! What a miserable man I -am! What a miserable man!" And then he threw himself down again. He -remained in the armchair for the rest of the night, weaker than ever, -and tortured by an anguish he could not put into words.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI.</span> <span class="smaller">AFLOAT IN NEW YORK.</span></h2> - -<p>Once out on the street again, Nelson did not know which way to turn or -what to do. He was bewildered, for the scene between Gertrude and her -uncle had been more than half a mystery to him.</p> - -<p>"He suspects her of stealing, but I don't," he told himself bluntly. -"Such a girl, with such eyes, would never steal. He wouldn't think so if -he was in his right mind. I guess his sickness has turned his brain." -And in the latter surmise our hero was partly correct.</p> - -<p>Slowly he walked to the end of the block, then, struck by a sudden -thought, came back. If the young lady did really come out, he meant to -see her and have another talk with her.</p> - -<p>The newsboy was still some distance from the mansion when, on looking -across the way, he saw the door of the house in which Homer Bulson lived -open, and a second later beheld Sam Pepper come out.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p><p>"Gracious—Sam!" he cried to himself, and lost no time in hiding behind -a convenient stoop. Soon Pepper passed by, and our hero saw him continue -on his way along Fifth Avenue until Fifty-ninth Street was reached.</p> - -<p>"He's going home," thought Nelson. "I ought to get down there before -him. What will he say if he finds me missing?"</p> - -<p>He was now more perplexed than ever. What had Sam Pepper been doing in -the house in which Homer Bulson lived? Had the man robbed that place, -and had he himself made a mistake in regard to the Horton mansion?</p> - -<p>"It's too deep for me," he mused. "I'll never get to the bottom of it. -But that young lady—hullo, here she comes, sure enough!"</p> - -<p>He stepped behind the stoop again and waited. In a moment Gertrude -passed him. Evidently the darkness and the strange silence frightened -her. When Nelson came out of his hiding place she started back.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she gasped. "Is it you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, miss. I—I was wondering if you would really leave," he answered.</p> - -<p>"There was nothing else for me to do."</p> - -<p>"He is your uncle?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He is Mark Horton and I am Gertrude Horton, his dead brother's -only child."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p><p>"He treated you mighty bad for a brother's child."</p> - -<p>"My father was poor and Uncle Mark has taken care of me for years. He -wanted me to marry my cousin, Homer Bulson, and it made him angry when I -refused."</p> - -<p>"Homer Bulson!" cried Nelson. "I don't wonder you didn't want to marry -him."</p> - -<p>"Do you know my cousin?"</p> - -<p>"I've met him. He tried to cheat a friend of mine out of a sale of some -books. He acted the sneak."</p> - -<p>"It seems my uncle's heart has been set on this marriage," went on -Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"But that didn't give him the right to call you a thief," put in our -hero warmly.</p> - -<p>"To be sure it did not. But—but—who are you?"</p> - -<p>"I'm Nelson."</p> - -<p>"You said that before. What is your real name?"</p> - -<p>At this Nelson hung his head.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what my real name is, Miss Gertrude. They all call me -Nelson the Newsboy. I live with a man named Pepper. He keeps a -lunch-room on the East Side, and I sell papers for a living. I don't -know where I came from."</p> - -<p>"It is too bad. But you are better off than I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> am—you have a home," she -added, her eyes filling again with tears.</p> - -<p>"Don't you worry. I'll help you all I can," said Nelson sympathetically. -"But about this affair of the safe—I can't make head or tail of that."</p> - -<p>"Nor can I, Nelson. I came downstairs, having heard some strange noises. -But everything seemed to be all right. Then I looked out of the window -and saw you."</p> - -<p>"I saw a man go into the alleyway, back of the house," answered our hero -lamely. "I'll be real truthful with you and tell you that I know the -man, and that he has done lots of good things for me. Well, I thought -the man got into that library window, although it was pretty dark and I -might have been mistaken."</p> - -<p>"The window was locked when I went to open it."</p> - -<p>"You are certain of that?"</p> - -<p>"I am."</p> - -<p>"Then I must have made a mistake." And our hero drew a sigh of relief. -Perhaps, after all, Sam Pepper was innocent.</p> - -<p>"One thing is sure, some money was gone, and we found those gold pieces -on the floor," went on Gertrude. "Who could have opened the safe?"</p> - -<p>"Who knew the combination beside your uncle?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>"Myself—he told me last month—when he had his last bad spell."</p> - -<p>"Nobody else—that cousin, for instance?"</p> - -<p>"I don't believe Mr. Bulson knew it."</p> - -<p>"Then that's what made it look black for you. The safe wasn't forced -open, that's sure. Somebody opened it who knew the combination."</p> - -<p>"The money might have been taken some time ago," said Gertrude. "Anyway, -it is gone, and you and I are supposed to be the thieves." She smiled -bitterly. "How strange! and we hardly know each other!"</p> - -<p>"And I don't see any way of clearing ourselves," said the newsboy, with -equal bitterness. "But let that drop. What are you going to do? Going to -some friend's house?"</p> - -<p>"I have no friends here. You see, we came from Philadelphia, and I am -not much acquainted as yet."</p> - -<p>"Then you'll go to Philadelphia? If you wish, I'll carry that bag and -see you to the train."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm not going to Philadelphia. I would rather remain in New York, -near my uncle. He may need me some day."</p> - -<p>"He's a hard-hearted man!" burst out the newsboy. "I don't see how he -could treat you so mean!"</p> - -<p>"It is his sickness makes him so, Nelson; he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> was never so before." -Gertrude heaved a long sigh. "I must say I really do not know what to -do."</p> - -<p>"I know a hotel on Third Avenue, but it's not a very nice place."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't wish to go there. If I could think of some friend——"</p> - -<p>"Did your uncle send you away without any money?"</p> - -<p>"I took only the clothing I needed, nothing more."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll give you what I've got," answered Nelson promptly, and drew -out what little money he possessed.</p> - -<p>"No; I won't rob you, Nelson. But you are very, very kind."</p> - -<p>"It aint any robbery," he answered. "Come, you must take it." And he -forced it into her hand. "I know an old lady who'll take you in," he -continued suddenly. "Her name is Mrs. Kennedy. She's only a fruit and -candy woman, but she's got a heart as big as a balloon. She's a nice, -neat woman, too."</p> - -<p>The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and Gertrude consented to -go to the two rooms which Mrs. Kennedy called her home.</p> - -<p>These were close to Third Avenue, and late as it was, they boarded a -train and rode down. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> building was dark, and Nelson had some trouble -in rousing the old woman.</p> - -<p>"To be sure I'll take the lady in, Nelson," said Mrs. Kennedy, when the -situation was partly explained. "Come in, miss, and welcome."</p> - -<p>Gertrude was glad enough to enter and drop into a chair, and here our -hero left her, and at once hurried down to the lunch-room with all -speed.</p> - -<p>Not wishing to arouse Sam Pepper if he was asleep, he went around to the -rear window, opened that, and crawled through.</p> - -<p>To his surprise Pepper was not there.</p> - -<p>"I'm lucky, after all," he thought, and undressed with all speed. Hardly -had he crawled into bed when Pepper came in. He lit the gas and looked -at our hero, but Nelson snored and pretended to be fast asleep. Sam -appeared relieved at this, and soon retired. His bag, which he had -brought with him, he placed under his bed, in a corner next to the wall.</p> - -<p>The newsboy could not sleep, and from the time he lay down until -daylight appeared he turned and tossed on his cot, reviewing in a -hundred ways all that had occurred. But he could reach no satisfactory -conclusion. The one thing, however, which remained fixed in his mind was -that Gertrude Horton was now homeless, and he felt that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> he must, in -some measure at least, look out for her.</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose I can do much," he thought dismally. "But what I can do -I will, that's certain."</p> - -<p>Long before Sam Pepper was stirring Nelson was up and dressed. As he was -going out Pepper roused up.</p> - -<p>"Where are you bound?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Going to sell papers."</p> - -<p>"You're starting early to-day."</p> - -<p>"I've got to hustle, if I want to make any money." And so speaking, -Nelson left the place.</p> - -<p>He was soon down at "Newspaper Row," as it is commonly called, that part -of Park Row and Nassau Street where are congregated the offices of -nearly all of the metropolitan dailies. He had not a cent in his pocket, -but this did not bother him. He soon found Paul Randall, who was being -shoved right and left in the big crowd of boys who all wanted to get -papers at once.</p> - -<p>"What papers do you want, Paul?" he asked.</p> - -<p>The little newsboy told him, and Nelson said he would get them for him.</p> - -<p>"And I'd like to borrow a dollar, Paul," he went on. "I had to give up -every cent I had."</p> - -<p>"That's too bad, Nelson," replied Paul. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> can't loan you a dollar. All -I've got extra is sixty-five cents. You can have that."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll make that do," said our hero.</p> - -<p>He took all of Paul's money and started into the crowd, to get papers -for his friend and himself.</p> - -<p>He was struggling to get to the front when, on chancing to look to one -side, he caught sight of Billy Darnley, the newsboy bully who had robbed -him of the five dollars.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII.</span> <span class="smaller">NELSON RECOVERS SOME MONEY.</span></h2> - -<p>"Billy Darnley!" gasped our hero, in astonishment.</p> - -<p>The bully saw Nelson and instantly ducked his head. He, too, was after -newspapers, but now thought it best to quit the scene.</p> - -<p>"I didn't t'ink he'd be here so early," he muttered, and pushed to the -rear of the crowd. Once in the open, he took to his heels and dashed -down Frankfort Street in the direction of the Brooklyn Bridge arches.</p> - -<p>But Nelson was not to be "lost" so readily, and he was out of the crowd -almost as soon as the bully.</p> - -<p>"I'm after Billy Darnley!" he shouted to Paul. "Come on!"</p> - -<p>There now ensued a race which was highly exciting, even if not of long -duration. Darnley was swift of foot, and the fear of what might follow -lent speed to his flying feet. But Nelson was also a good runner.</p> - -<p>At the corner of Rose Street were a number of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> heavy trucks. Darnley -managed to pass these, but it took time. When our hero came up, the -trucks blocked the street completely.</p> - -<p>In and out Nelson dodged among the trucks, between the wheels and under -the very hoofs of the heavy horses. In a twinkle he was clear of the -mass and again making after Darnley, who was now flying toward -Vandewater Street.</p> - -<p>At this point there is a large archway under the approach to the -Brooklyn Bridge, and toward this archway the bully directed his -footsteps. But Nelson was now close at hand, and underneath the archway -he succeeded in reaching the big newsboy, catching him firmly by the -arm.</p> - -<p>"Lemme go!" growled Billy Darnley. "Lemme go, Nelse, or I'll hammer yer -good."</p> - -<p>"Maybe I'll do the hammering," retorted Nelson. "Where's my five -dollars?"</p> - -<p>"I aint got no money of yours."</p> - -<p>"You have, and I want you to hand it over."</p> - -<p>"Aint got it, I say. Lemme go!"</p> - -<p>Instead of complying our hero grasped the bully by the throat and ran -him up against the stonework of the arch.</p> - -<p>"I want my money," he said sternly. "If you don't give it to me——"</p> - -<p>"Let up—yer—yer chokin' me!" gasped Billy Darnley.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p><p>"Will you give me the money?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>The bully struggled fiercely, and so did Nelson. Down went both on the -pavement and rolled over and over. But our hero's blood was up, and he -put forth every ounce of strength he possessed. At last he had Darnley -flat on his back, and then he sat astride of the bully.</p> - -<p>"Now will you give up?" he panted. "Or must I hammer you some more?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson! have you got him?" asked Paul, running up.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and he's got to give me my money."</p> - -<p>"A fight! a fight!" cried some of the boys who began to collect.</p> - -<p>"This aint a fight," said Nelson loudly. "He's a thief, and stole five -dollars from me. He's got to give it up."</p> - -<p>He caught Darnley by the throat again, and now the bully was only too -glad to give in.</p> - -<p>"Let—let up!" he gasped. "Let up!"</p> - -<p>"Will you give me my money?"</p> - -<p>"I've only got two dollars and ten cents."</p> - -<p>"Hand it over."</p> - -<p>"Let me up first."</p> - -<p>"Not much!"</p> - -<p>With something like a groan Darnley brought out the money and passed it -over.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p><p>"Now I'm going to search you," went on Nelson, in as determined a voice -as ever.</p> - -<p>"No, no!" pleaded Darnley in alarm. He did not like the crowd that was -gathering.</p> - -<p>"Yes, search him, Nelse," said a boy named Marks.</p> - -<p>"That's right, search him," put in another newsboy, named Wilson. "I -think he stole something from me last week."</p> - -<p>In spite of his protestations Billy Darnley's pockets were turned inside -out.</p> - -<p>There were brought to light another dollar, which our hero also -pocketed, a pearl-handled pocket-knife, a silver badge, and half a dozen -other articles.</p> - -<p>"My knife!" shouted Nat Marks. "Boys, you all know it."</p> - -<p>"So it is, Nat," said Frank Wilson. "And this is my badge—the one I won -in the newsboys' competition last month."</p> - -<p>The boys took the things, and then gathered around Billy Darnley with -clenched fists. Nelson slipped outside of the crowd, and Paul went with -him.</p> - -<p>In vain Billy Darnley tried to clear himself of the other lads. He -struck one boy down, but the others pounced upon him front and rear, and -soon had him again on his back. It looked like a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>football scrimmage, -but the ball in this case seemed to be the bully's head. For ten minutes -the tussle went on, and when at last the cry of "Cop! cop! run for it!" -arose, Darnley found himself with his nose bleeding, two teeth loose, -and his left eye all but closed. Moreover, his coat was torn to shreds.</p> - -<p>"What is the meaning of this?" demanded the policeman.</p> - -<p>"They all piled on top of me!" whined Darnley, looking the picture of -misery.</p> - -<p>"He's a thief!" exclaimed one of the other boys, but from a safe -distance. "He stole something from three of the boys, he did. He didn't -git nuthin' but what was comin' to him, officer."</p> - -<p>"That's right; he ought to be locked up," put in another boy, also from -a safe distance.</p> - -<p>"Begone with you!" said the policeman sternly, and gave Darnley a shove. -"If I see any more fighting I'll run you all in," and he walked away, -twirling his club as he did so.</p> - -<p>"Oh, me eye!" groaned Darnley, and limped away, a sadder if not a wiser -youth. It was many a day before he dared to show himself in Newspaper -Row again.</p> - -<p>"Well, I got back three dollars and ten cents," remarked Nelson, as he -and Paul walked up Frankfort Street, "so I won't need your loan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> But, -just the same, I am much obliged." And he passed over the money.</p> - -<p>"I wish you had gotten it all, Nelson," said Paul earnestly. "Oh, but -didn't they just pitch into Billy! And it served him right, too."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I showed him up in his true colors," returned our hero.</p> - -<p>He soon had the papers he and Paul wanted, and then the pair separated, -and our hero hurried over to his old stand on Broadway.</p> - -<p>His clothing had suffered considerably from the encounter with the bully -and, though he brushed himself off as best he could, he felt that he -made far from a handsome appearance.</p> - -<p>"I must look better than this before I call on Miss Horton," he mused. -"If I don't, she'll take me for a regular tramp."</p> - -<p>He wondered if there would be anything in the newspapers about the -robbery in Fifth Avenue, and snatched a few moments to scan several -sheets. But not a word appeared.</p> - -<p>"I guess they are too high-toned to let it get into print," he reasoned. -"Well, it's a good thing. I guess it would almost kill Miss Gertrude to -see it in the papers."</p> - -<p>When Nelson got back to the lunch-room he found business was poor, and -he expected to see Sam Pepper ill-humored in consequence. On the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -contrary, however, Pepper was all smiles, and even hummed a tune to -himself as he waited on his customers.</p> - -<p>"Something has happened to tickle him," thought the boy. "Or else he's -got a new plan on hand."</p> - -<p>"How is the sick friend—any better?" he asked Pepper.</p> - -<p>"Much better, Nelson. And what do you think? He's loaned me money to -turn this place into a first-class café. Don't you think that will pay -better than a common lunch-room?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I'd rather be in the lunch business than running a -saloon."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't. I want to make money," responded Pepper.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> - -<p>"Rip out that old show window and put in a new and elegant glass front, -and put in a new bar and buffet. It will be as fine as anything around -here when it's finished."</p> - -<p>"I wish I had a friend to loan me money."</p> - -<p>"What would you do with it?"</p> - -<p>"I'd buy out a good news stand. There's money in that."</p> - -<p>"So there is." Sam Pepper mused for a moment. "Maybe my friend will -advance enough for that, too."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p><p>"Thank you, but you needn't bother him," said Nelson coldly.</p> - -<p>"And why not, if I can get the rocks?"</p> - -<p>"I'd rather get the money myself."</p> - -<p>"Won't the money be good enough?" demanded Pepper, his face darkening.</p> - -<p>"I'd rather know where it came from," returned the boy.</p> - -<p>The two were in the kitchen at the time, and Sam Pepper had a frying pan -in his hand.</p> - -<p>"See here, Nelson, I'll whack you over the head with this, if you talk -like that!" exclaimed the man, flying into a rage.</p> - -<p>"You won't whack me more than once, Sam Pepper."</p> - -<p>"Won't I?"</p> - -<p>"No, you won't."</p> - -<p>"Who is master around here, I'd like to know?"</p> - -<p>"You are, but I'm not your slave."</p> - -<p>"You talk as if you knew something," went on Pepper, growing suddenly -suspicious.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I do know something," replied the newsboy, and then hurried -into the dining room to wait on a customer who had just entered.</p> - -<p>"I'll have it out with you later," muttered Pepper savagely. "If you -know too much, I'll find a way to keep your mouth closed."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII.</span> <span class="smaller">A QUESTION OF BUSINESS.</span></h2> - -<p>Sam Pepper got no chance to talk to Nelson further that day. As soon as -the noon trade was over, our hero hurried off to sell afternoon papers. -This time he went up the Bowery, to where Mrs. Kennedy kept her -fruit-and-candy stand. It was a small stand, and the entire stock was -not worth over ten dollars, but the old woman made enough to keep the -wolf from the door, and she was content.</p> - -<p>"I was after thinking you'd come," she said, smiling broadly. "I knew -you'd want to know about the young lady."</p> - -<p>"How is she?"</p> - -<p>"I left her this morning, sorrowful enough, I can tell ye that, Nelson. -She don't know how to turn. She thinks she might take in sewing, or -something like that, but, bless ye! how much would she make at that? -Why, thim Jews that work night and day hardly make enough to keep 'em -from starving!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know it, and it's a shame," said the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> boy. "They get about five -cents for a pair of pants and ten cents for a coat, and some of 'em make -shirts for three and four cents apiece. I don't see how they stand it. -No, she wouldn't earn anything at that."</p> - -<p>"I was a-telling her of Gladys Summers, who sells flowers up on -Fourteenth Street and at the theater doors, but she said she didn't want -to go out on the street. She's afraid some of her friends would see her, -I suppose."</p> - -<p>"She hasn't any friends—'cepting you and me, Mrs. Kennedy. We've got to -do for her."</p> - -<p>"It's little I can offer, Nelson; ye know that well enough. She can stay -under my roof, but to board her——"</p> - -<p>"I'll pay her board, until she finds something to do. I'll give you -three dollars a week for keeping her."</p> - -<p>"Will ye now? Nelson, you're more than kind-hearted. But where will ye -be after getting the money?"</p> - -<p>"I'll earn it," he answered resolutely. "I earn a dollar and over a day -now, and I know I can make it more, if I try real hard."</p> - -<p>He soon left the fruit-and-candy stand and started in to sell papers. He -felt that he had a new responsibility on his shoulders, and he -determined to do his best. Soon his efforts began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> tell, and by five -o'clock he was sold out, and the day's earnings amounted to a dollar and -thirty-two cents.</p> - -<p>"Half for Miss Horton and half for myself," he murmured. "That's the way -it's got to be, after this."</p> - -<p>He was soon on his way to the tenement house in which Mrs. Kennedy's -rooms were located. Ascending two flights of stairs, he knocked on one -of the doors.</p> - -<p>"Who is it?" came from Gertrude Horton.</p> - -<p>"It's Nelson."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" And instantly the door was unlocked.</p> - -<p>A glance at the girl's face told the boy that she had been crying. More -than this he saw she was far from well, and the hand she gave him was as -hot as fire.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss Horton, you're sick!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter?"</p> - -<p>"I have a severe headache," she answered. "I think it will pass away -soon."</p> - -<p>She sank down on a dilapidated lounge, and he took a kitchen chair. He -saw that she trembled from head to foot, and that she had been worrying -ever since he had left her.</p> - -<p>"You mustn't worry too much," he said, as kindly as he could. "Mrs. -Kennedy says you can stay here as long as you feel like it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p><p>"But she is poor, Nelson, and I—I haven't any money, excepting what -you gave me, and you must take that back—you need it."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't need it, Miss Gertrude. See, I've got a lot of money now. I -collared that thief and made him give up what he had left, over three -dollars—and I've earned the rest selling papers. That's why I didn't -come before. I've fixed it up with Mrs. Kennedy, and you can stay just -as long as you please."</p> - -<p>"And you are going to pay her?" cried the girl warmly. "Oh, Nelson! you -are indeed good-hearted. But, no; I must support myself."</p> - -<p>"Well, you needn't hurry about it. I can earn enough for both of us just -now—and that's what I am going to do. Why shouldn't I? It was my fault -that your uncle put you out."</p> - -<p>"No, Nelson; the fault, if it was a fault, was my own. The matter was of -long standing. Homer Bulson had wished to marry me for a long time, but -I have constantly refused him. Now he has gotten my uncle to side with -him. They expect to bring me to terms, I suppose. More than likely my -uncle thought I would come back to-day, to do as he wishes."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't go back."</p> - -<p>"I shall not. I have made up my mind fully. I will support myself, and -Homer Bulson can have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> Uncle Mark's whole estate, if he wishes it. -Surely, in such a big city as this there is something I can do."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't go at sewing—it don't pay."</p> - -<p>"What does pay—that I can do?"</p> - -<p>"You might get a position in a store. Or maybe you know how to play the -piano?" went on our hero suddenly.</p> - -<p>"I do know how to play. I took instructions for several years, and have -played at private concerts, in Philadelphia."</p> - -<p>"Then you can give piano lessons."</p> - -<p>"But where can I get pupils?"</p> - -<p>"We'll advertise in the papers," went on the newsboy, with some -importance. "I know an advertising man down on the Row. He says anybody -can do business by advertising. I'll ask him about it. Of course you'll -want to give lessons at folks' houses—being as you haven't a piano of -your own."</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Gertrude, and her face brightened greatly. "I could do -that, and I would go cheaply first, to get a start."</p> - -<p>"Do you want to put your name in the advertisement?"</p> - -<p>"No, have the letters sent to the newspaper offices, and sign the -advertisement——" Gertrude paused in thought.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p><p>"Weber," finished Nelson. "That's the name of a swell piano, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"It might be too grand for the folks we wish to reach," said Gertrude. -"Sign it 'Earnest.'"</p> - -<p>"And how much will the lessons be?"</p> - -<p>"I ought to get at least fifty cents."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll tell the advertising man that. Oh, he's a dandy to write the -ads up—makes 'em look like regular bargains!" added the boy -enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>Nelson remained at the rooms a while longer, and then hurried to Sam -Pepper's place. To his surprise Pepper had locked up, and on the window -was the sign:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"<i>Closed for repairs. Will open as a first-class café in about two -weeks.</i>"</p></blockquote> - -<p>"He hasn't lost any time in going ahead," thought our hero. "I wonder -where he is?"</p> - -<p>"Sam's out of town," called out a bootblack who had some chairs close -by. "Told me to give you this." And he passed over an envelope, -containing a sheet of paper and the store key. On the sheet was written:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"Am going away for two or three days on business. A man will be -here at ten o'clock to-morrow morning to measure the place for new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> -fixtures. You stay around while he is here. Then you keep the place -locked up until I get back."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Gone away for two or three days," thought Nelson. "I wonder what he is -up to now?"</p> - -<p>He went inside, and saw at once that many of the old fixtures had been -removed, and that the little kitchen in the rear had been turned almost -inside out. The living apartment, however, was as it had been, excepting -that Sam Pepper had used it for packing purposes, and the floor was -strewn with bits of paper and some excelsior.</p> - -<p>"If I'm to stay here, I might as well clean up," thought our hero, and -set to work with a broom. "And then I'll take an hour off and clean and -mend my clothes."</p> - -<p>In cleaning up Nelson came across several letters, which were old and -mussed. Whether Sam Pepper had thought to throw them away or not, he did -not know. To make sure, he picked the letters up and looked them over.</p> - -<p>"Hullo!" he cried. "Here's more of a mystery."</p> - -<p>The letters were addressed to Pepperill Sampson and were signed Mark -Horton. The majority of them concerned some orders for dry goods to be -shipped to various Western cities, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> there was one which was not of -that nature. This ran in part as follows:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"I have watched your doings closely for three weeks, and I am now -satisfied that you are no longer working for my interest, but in -the interest of rival concerns. More than that, I find that you are -putting down sums to your expense account which do not belong -there. The books for the past month show that you are behind over a -hundred and fifty dollars. At this rate I cannot help but wonder -how far behind you must be on the year and two months you have been -with our house.</p> - -<p>"You can consider yourself discharged from this date. Our Mr. Smith -will come on immediately and take charge of your samples. Should -you attempt to make any trouble for him or for us, I will -immediately take steps to prosecute you. You need never apply to -our house for a recommendation, for it will not be a satisfactory -one."</p></blockquote> - -<p>The letter was dated twelve years back, and had been sent to Pepperill -Sampson while he was stopping in Cleveland. Nelson read the -communication twice before he put it away.</p> - -<p>Who was Pepperill Sampson? The name<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> sounded as if it might belong to -Sam Pepper. Were the two one and the same person?</p> - -<p>"They must be the same," thought Nelson. "Sam was once a commercial -traveler after he gave up the sea, and I've heard him speak of Cleveland -and other Western towns. But to think he once worked for Mark Horton!" -He scratched his head reflectively. "Let me see, what did Sam say about -the man he wanted me to rob? That he had helped the man who had shot my -father. Is there really something in this? And if there is, what can -Mark Horton know about the past?"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV.</span> <span class="smaller">BULSON RECEIVES A SETBACK.</span></h2> - -<p>The mystery was too much for Nelson, and at last he put the letters on a -shelf and finished the cleaning. Then he sat down to mend his clothing, -and never did a seamstress work more faithfully than did this newsboy. -The garments mended, he brushed them carefully.</p> - -<p>"There, they look a little better, anyway," he told himself. "And sooner -or later I'll have a new suit."</p> - -<p>Having finished his toilet, he walked down to Newspaper Row. The tall -buildings were now a blaze of lights, and many men of business were -departing for their homes. But the newsboy found his friend in his -office, a little box of a place on an upper floor of the <i>World</i> -building.</p> - -<p>The advertising man had always taken an interest in our hero, and he -readily consented to transact the business gratis. The advertisements -were written out to the boy's satisfaction, and Nelson paid two dollars -to have them inserted in several papers the next day and that following.</p> - -<p>"If the young lady is a good teacher, I might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> get her to give my little -girl lessons," said Mr. Lamson, as Nelson was leaving.</p> - -<p>"I know she's all right, sir," answered the boy. "Just give her a trial -and see. She's a real lady, too, even if she is down on her luck."</p> - -<p>"Then let her call on my wife to-morrow morning. I'll speak to my wife -about it to-night."</p> - -<p>"I will, sir, and thank you very much, Mr. Lamson." And our hero went -off, greatly pleased. Late as it was, he walked up to Mrs. Kennedy's -rooms again. This time the old Irishwoman herself let him in.</p> - -<p>"Sure and it's Nelson," she said.</p> - -<p>"I've got good news, Miss Gertrude," he said, on entering. "I put the -advertisements in the papers through Mr. Lamson, and he told me that you -might call on his wife to-morrow morning about giving his little girl -lessons."</p> - -<p>"Hear that now!" exclaimed Mrs. Kennedy proudly. "Sure, and it takes -Nelson to do things, so it does! It meself wishes I had such a b'y."</p> - -<p>"I am very thankful," said the girl. "Have you the address?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, here it is, on the back of his business card. I know you'll like -the place, and maybe they can put you in the way of other places."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p><p>"Av course," said Mrs. Kennedy. "Before I had rheumatism I wint out -washing, and wan place always brought me another, from some rilative or -friend of the family."</p> - -<p>"I will go directly after breakfast," said Gertrude. "And I hope I shall -prove satisfactory."</p> - -<p>Knowing the girl must be tired, Nelson did not stay long, and as soon as -he had departed Mrs. Kennedy made Gertrude retire. Happily for the girl -her headache was now much better, and she slept soundly.</p> - -<p>In the morning she helped Mrs. Kennedy prepare their frugal repast. As -the old Irishwoman had said, she was troubled with rheumatism, and could -not get around very well. So Gertrude insisted upon clearing the table -and washing the dishes.</p> - -<p>"But, sure, and a lady like you aint used to this work," remonstrated -Mrs. Kennedy.</p> - -<p>"I mean to get used to it," answered Gertrude. "I mean to fight my way -through and put up with what comes."</p> - -<p>Mr. Lamson's home was over a mile away, but not wishing to spend the -carfare Gertrude walked the distance.</p> - -<p>She was expected, and found Mrs. Lamson a nice lady, who occupied a flat -of half a dozen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> rooms on a quiet and respectable side street. She -played several selections, two from sight, which the lady of the house -produced.</p> - -<p>"That is very good indeed, Miss Horton," said Mrs. Lamson. "You read -music well. Little Ruth can begin at once, and you can give her a lesson -once a week. Ruth, this is Miss Horton, your new music-teacher."</p> - -<p>A girl of nine came shyly forward and shook hands. Soon Gertrude was -giving her first lesson in music. It was rather long, but Ruth did not -mind it. Then Mrs. Lamson paid the fifty cents, and Gertrude went away.</p> - -<p>"She's awfully nice," said Ruth to her mamma. "I know I shall like her."</p> - -<p>"She is certainly a lady," was Mrs. Lamson's comment. "It is easy to see -that by her breeding."</p> - -<p>A new look shone in Gertrude's eyes as she hurried down the street. In -her pocket was the first money she had ever earned in her life. She felt -a spirit of independence that was as delightful as it was novel.</p> - -<p>She had already seen her advertisements in two of the papers, and she -trusted they would bring her enough pupils to fill her time. She felt -that she could easily give five or six lessons a day. If she could get -ten or twelve pupils, that would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> mean five or six dollars per week, and -if she could get twenty pupils it would mean ten dollars.</p> - -<p>"I wish I could get the twenty. Then I could help Nelson. He is so very -kind, I would like to do something in return for him," was her thought.</p> - -<p>The weather was so pleasant she decided to take a little walk. She did -not know much about the lower portion of the city, and walked westward -until she reached Broadway, not far from where our hero was in the habit -of selling morning papers.</p> - -<p>Gertrude was looking into the show window of a store, admiring some -pretty pictures, when she felt a tap on her shoulder, and turning, found -herself face to face with Homer Bulson.</p> - -<p>"Gertrude!" exclaimed the young man. "I have been looking high and low -for you! Where have you been keeping yourself?"</p> - -<p>"That is my business, Mr. Bulson," she answered stiffly.</p> - -<p>"Why, Gertrude, you are not going to be angry at me, are you?"</p> - -<p>"Why shouldn't I be angry? Haven't you made enough trouble for me?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't made any trouble—you made that yourself," he answered, -somewhat ruffled by her tone.</p> - -<p>"I do not think so."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p><p>"Uncle Mark is very much upset over your disappearance."</p> - -<p>"Does he wish me to come back?" she questioned eagerly.</p> - -<p>"No, I can't say that," answered Homer Bulson smoothly. "But he doesn't -want you to suffer. He said, if I saw you, I should give you some -money."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, but I can take care of myself."</p> - -<p>"Have you money?"</p> - -<p>"I can take care of myself; that is enough."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you let me take care of you, Gertrude?"</p> - -<p>"Because I do not like you, Mr. Bulson. How is Uncle Mark to-day?"</p> - -<p>"About as usual. You must have upset him very much. Of course I don't -believe you took any money out of his safe," went on Bulson. "I guess -the guilty party was that young rascal who called on you."</p> - -<p>"Nelson is no rascal. He is an honest boy."</p> - -<p>"Nelson!" ejaculated the young man. "Is his name Nelson?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. You act as if you had met him."</p> - -<p>"I—er—no—but I have—have heard of him," stammered the young man.</p> - -<p>"He called on you once, I believe, with somebody who sold you some -books."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><p>"I don't remember that. But he must be the thief."</p> - -<p>"I tell you Nelson is no thief."</p> - -<p>"Thank you for that, Miss Gertrude," came from behind the pair, and our -hero stepped up. "Mr. Bulson, you haven't any right to call me a thief," -he went on, confronting the fashionable young man.</p> - -<p>"Go away, boy; I want nothing to do with you," answered Bulson. -Nevertheless, he looked curiously at our hero.</p> - -<p>"I am no thief, but you are pretty close to being one," went on Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Me!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you. You tried to swindle a friend of mine out of the sale of some -books you had ordered from him. I call that downright mean."</p> - -<p>"Boy, don't dare to talk to me in this fashion!" stormed the young man. -"If you do, I'll—I'll hand you over to the police."</p> - -<p>"No, you won't. You just leave me alone and I'll leave you alone," -answered the newsboy. "And you leave Miss Gertrude alone, too," he added -warmly.</p> - -<p>"Gertrude, have you taken up with this common fellow?" asked Bulson.</p> - -<p>"Nelson has been my friend," answered the girl. "He has a heart of -gold."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p><p>"I can't agree with you. He is but a common boy of the streets, -and——"</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson went no further, for Nelson came closer and clenched his -fists.</p> - -<p>"Stop, or I'll make you take it back, big as you are," said the boy.</p> - -<p>"Then you won't accept my protection?" said Bulson, turning his back on -our hero.</p> - -<p>"No. If Uncle Mark wishes to write to me he can address me in care of -the General Post Office," answered Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"All right; then I'll bid you good-day," said Homer Bulson, and tipping -his silk hat, he hurried on and was soon lost to sight on the crowded -thoroughfare.</p> - -<p>"I hate that man!" murmured Nelson, when he had disappeared.</p> - -<p>"I both hate and fear him," answered Gertrude. "I am afraid he intends -to cause me a great deal of trouble."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV.</span> <span class="smaller">BUYING OUT A NEWS STAND.</span></h2> - -<p>After the above incident several weeks slipped by without anything out -of the ordinary happening.</p> - -<p>In the meantime Sam Pepper's place was thoroughly remodeled and became a -leading café on the East Side—a resort for many characters whose -careers would not stand investigation. The man seemed wrapped up in his -business, but his head was busy with schemes of far greater importance.</p> - -<p>He had said but little to Nelson, who spent a good part of his time at -Mrs. Kennedy's rooms with Gertrude. Sam had found the letters and put -them in a safe place without a word, and the boy had not dared to -question him about them. Nor had Pepper questioned Nelson concerning -what the lad knew or suspected.</p> - -<p>The results of Gertrude's advertising were not as gratifying as -anticipated; still the girl obtained seven pupils, which brought her in -three dollars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> and a half weekly. Most of the lessons had to be given on -Saturdays, when her pupils were home from school, and this made it -necessary that she ride from house to house, so that thirty-five cents -of the money went for carfare.</p> - -<p>"Never mind," said the newsboy; "it's better than nothing, and you'll -get more pupils, sooner or later."</p> - -<p>The boy himself worked as never before, getting up before sunrise and -keeping at it with "sporting extras" until almost midnight. In this -manner he managed to earn sometimes as high as ten dollars per week. He -no longer helped Pepper around his resort, and the pair compromised on -three dollars per week board money from Nelson. The rest of the money -our hero either saved or offered to Gertrude. All he spent on himself -was for the suit, shoes, and hat he had had so long in his mind.</p> - -<p>"I declare, you look like another person!" cried the girl, when he -presented himself in his new outfit, and with his hair neatly trimmed, -and his face and hands thoroughly scrubbed. "Nelson, I am proud of you!" -And she said this so heartily that he blushed furiously. Her gentle -influence was beginning to have its effect, and our hero was resolved to -make a man of himself in the best meaning of that term.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p><p>One day Nelson was at work, when George Van Pelt came along.</p> - -<p>"How goes it, George?" asked the boy.</p> - -<p>"Nothing to brag about," returned Van Pelt. "How goes it with you?"</p> - -<p>"I am doing very well. Made ten dollars and fifteen cents last week."</p> - -<p>"Phew! That's more than I made."</p> - -<p>"How much did you make?"</p> - -<p>"Eight dollars. I wish we could buy out that news stand. I am sick of -tramping around trying to sell books," went on George Van Pelt. "Last -week I was over in Jersey City, and one woman set her dog on me."</p> - -<p>"I hope you didn't get bit," said Nelson with a laugh.</p> - -<p>"No, but the dog kept a sample of my pants."</p> - -<p>"Have you heard anything more of the stand?"</p> - -<p>"The owner says he's going to sell out sure by next week. He told me he -would take ninety dollars cash. He's going away and don't want a -mortgage now."</p> - -<p>"Ninety dollars. How much have you got?"</p> - -<p>"I can scrape up forty dollars on a pinch."</p> - -<p>"I've got fifteen dollars."</p> - -<p>"That makes fifty-five dollars. We'll want thirty-five more. How can we -get that amount?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p><p>"I reckon we can save it up—inside of a few weeks, if we both work -hard."</p> - -<p>"The man won't wait. There's a party will give him seventy-five dollars -cash right away. He's going to take that if he can't get ninety."</p> - -<p>At that moment Nelson caught sight of the familiar figure of a stout -gentleman crossing the street toward him, and ran out to meet the party.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, sir!" he said. "Have some papers this morning?"</p> - -<p>"Hullo! you're the boy that saved me from being run over a few weeks -ago," returned the stout gentleman.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I'll have a <i>Sun</i> and a <i>Journal</i>, and you can give me a <i>Times</i>, too. -How is business?"</p> - -<p>"Good, sir."</p> - -<p>"I was in a hurry that day, or I would have stopped to reward you," went -on the gentleman.</p> - -<p>"You did reward me, sir."</p> - -<p>"Did I? I had forgotten. You see, that fire in Harlem was in a house of -mine. I was terribly upset. But the matter is all straightened out now."</p> - -<p>"I hope you didn't lose much."</p> - -<p>"No, the loss went to the insurance companies." The stout gentleman -paused. "My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> lad, I would like to do something for you," he went on -seriously.</p> - -<p>"Have you got a job for me?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know as I have, just now. But if you need help——"</p> - -<p>"I do need help, sir. Are you a capitalist?"</p> - -<p>"A capitalist?" queried the man, puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>"I mean one of those gentlemen that loan money out on business? I've -heard of 'em, down in Wall Street."</p> - -<p>"Well, I sometimes loan money out."</p> - -<p>"Then I'd like to borrow thirty-five dollars." Nelson beckoned to George -Van Pelt, who had moved off a short distance. "You see, it's this way," -he went on, and then told about the news stand that was for sale, and -what he and the book agent wished to do.</p> - -<p>Mr. Amos Barrow, for such was the gentleman's name, listened -attentively.</p> - -<p>"And you think this would be a good investment?" he questioned.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's a good stand," said Van Pelt.</p> - -<p>"But you ought to have some money with which to stock up."</p> - -<p>"We'll work hard and build it up," said our hero. "I know that -neighborhood well. Old Maxwell never 'tended to business. I'll go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> -around and get twice as large a paper route as he ever had. And we can -keep plenty of ten-cent paper-covered books, and all that."</p> - -<p>"And we can keep things for school children, too," put in George Van -Pelt. "There is a school near by, and many of the children pass the -stand four times a day."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll give you fifty dollars, Nelson," said Mr. Barrow. "That will -help you to buy the stand and give you fifteen dollars working capital."</p> - -<p>"You can't give me the money, sir. But you can loan it to me."</p> - -<p>"But why won't you let me give it to you?" laughed the stout gentleman. -"Isn't my life worth that?"</p> - -<p>"It isn't that, sir. I want to do this in a regular business fashion."</p> - -<p>"All right; have your own way, my lad."</p> - -<p>"We'll give you a mortgage on the stand," said George Van Pelt.</p> - -<p>"Never mind the mortgage. I believe I can read faces, and I'll take the -boy's word," answered Mr. Barrow.</p> - -<p>Hauling out a fat pocketbook, he counted out five new ten-dollar bills -and passed them over to our hero.</p> - -<p>"There you are," he said. "I would rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> you would keep them. But if -not, you can pay the amount back whenever it is convenient." And he -passed over his business card. A few minutes later he hurried on.</p> - -<p>"He's a brick!" was George Van Pelt's comment. "Now we can buy the -stand."</p> - -<p>"All right," answered Nelson. "But I want to get rid of my morning -papers first."</p> - -<p>"Well, I have several books to deliver. I'll do that, and then we can -meet at the stand after dinner."</p> - -<p>So it was agreed, and the pair separated.</p> - -<p>Business continued good with our hero, and by eleven o'clock he had sold -out. Anxious to look the stand over, he hurried off in that direction.</p> - -<p>He found old Maxwell sitting on a soap-box, reading a sporting paper. -The stand was full of dust and the stock much disarranged. Evidently the -owner had lost interest in it.</p> - -<p>"I understand you want to sell out," said Nelson.</p> - -<p>"I do," answered Maxwell. "Want to buy?"</p> - -<p>"I might buy if you sell out cheap enough."</p> - -<p>"I want a hundred dollars."</p> - -<p>"A hundred? I thought you'd sell out for seventy-five."</p> - -<p>"No, I've been asking a hundred. I might knock off ten dollars, though."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p><p>Nelson looked the stand over, and asked some questions about the trade -done.</p> - -<p>"I'll give you eighty dollars cash," he said, at last.</p> - -<p>"Make it ninety."</p> - -<p>"No, eighty, and not a cent more."</p> - -<p>"When will you take the stand?"</p> - -<p>"This afternoon, and I'll pay fifty dollars now."</p> - -<p>"All right, you can have it," replied Maxwell.</p> - -<p>A bill of sale was drawn up, and Nelson paid the fifty dollars on -account. Then he went off for lunch; first, however, taking an account -of the stock on hand.</p> - -<p>"What you take in from now on is mine," he said.</p> - -<p>"All right, you shall have it," replied the old stand-keeper.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI.</span> <span class="smaller">NELSON AND PEPPER PART.</span></h2> - -<p>Nelson remained on watch, and as soon as he saw George Van Pelt coming -he headed him off and took him around the corner.</p> - -<p>"I've bought the stand," he said.</p> - -<p>"Already?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I had a talk with old Maxwell, offered him eighty cash, and he -took me up. So we've saved ten dollars."</p> - -<p>"He'll be mad when he learns he might have had ninety."</p> - -<p>"He needn't know. Give me your money, and I'll pay him the balance."</p> - -<p>So it was arranged, and Nelson went to the stand and closed the deal. -Old Maxwell had taken in thirty-two cents, and this was passed over to -the boy.</p> - -<p>"Going to run the stand alone?" queried the old man.</p> - -<p>"No, a man is going to help me," said our hero.</p> - -<p>"Who is it?"</p> - -<p>"George Van Pelt."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, that's it, is it?" exclaimed old Maxwell. "I thought he wanted the -stand himself."</p> - -<p>"He couldn't raise the money. Here he comes now."</p> - -<p>Nelson beckoned to Van Pelt, and soon both were hard at work cleaning up -the stand. They talked the matter over and agreed to give old Maxwell a -dollar more, if he would come around for two mornings and explain -whatever proved strange to them.</p> - -<p>"Sure, I'll do it," said Maxwell. "I want you to get the best of the man -up on the elevated station and the man on the next block. They are both -mean fellows and don't deserve any trade."</p> - -<p>"We intend to hustle and get all the trade we can," said our hero.</p> - -<p>It must be confessed that he felt very proud of his situation. He was no -longer a mere newsboy, but a business man, and he felt, somehow, as if -he had grown several inches taller.</p> - -<p>"We must have a sign," said Van Pelt. "What will we make it—Van Pelt & -Pepper, Newsdealers?"</p> - -<p>"I don't like the name Pepper—for a last name, I mean," said our hero, -scratching his curly head. "Better make it Van Pelt & Company, for the -present." And the next day an oilcloth sign was tacked up proclaiming -the new firm, and notifying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> all that they dealt in newspapers, -magazines, books, and school supplies. While Nelson tended the stand -George Van Pelt went downtown to a jobbing house and bought some extra -stock. In a few days business was in full blast and prospects looked -very bright.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you doing well," said Gertrude, on visiting the stand -one Saturday, after giving her music lessons. "It looks quite like a -place of business. It won't be long before you'll have a store."</p> - -<p>"We'll have to save up for it," answered our hero.</p> - -<p>He wanted the girl to stay a little while, but she could not, for Mrs. -Kennedy was down with rheumatism and was next to helpless.</p> - -<p>"She has been very kind to me and I wish to do what I can for her," said -Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"Is her stand closed?"</p> - -<p>"No, Gladys Summers is running it for her. She has put her flowers in -with the other stock."</p> - -<p>"Gladys is good-hearted, too," was Nelson's comment.</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper heard of the newsboy's new move two days after the stand was -bought.</p> - -<p>"Going into business with George Van Pelt, eh?" he observed, when Nelson -came home that night.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p><p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"He's a poor sort. He'll never get rich. He's not slick enough."</p> - -<p>"I'm satisfied with him," returned the newsboy briefly.</p> - -<p>"What did you take in to-day?"</p> - -<p>"A little over nine dollars."</p> - -<p>"Phew! that's better than I thought. How much profit?"</p> - -<p>"About three dollars and a half above expenses."</p> - -<p>"And you git half?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then you ought to pay me more board money."</p> - -<p>"I'm paying all it's worth now. I get no more meals, remember—I only -use this place to sleep in."</p> - -<p>"Well, that's worth more."</p> - -<p>"I'm thinking of getting a room near the stand," went on Nelson, after a -pause.</p> - -<p>"What! you want to leave me!" roared Sam Pepper.</p> - -<p>"Why not? There is nothing to keep me here. I don't want anything to do -with your saloon."</p> - -<p>"That's a nice way to talk to me."</p> - -<p>"I can't help it. I hate the saloon, and it's too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> far to come down here -just to sleep; especially when I have to leave so early in the morning."</p> - -<p>"Supposing I don't let you leave?"</p> - -<p>To this Nelson made no reply.</p> - -<p>"You're a nice son, I must say," went on Sam Pepper. "This is what I git -for raising you."</p> - -<p>"I am not your son, Sam Pepper. As for what you've done for me, I'm -willing to pay you for that. You let me leave without any fuss and I'll -give you two dollars a week until the debt is paid."</p> - -<p>"Two dollars a week aint much."</p> - -<p>"It's all I can afford, with my other expenses."</p> - -<p>"Reckon you don't care much for me, any more."</p> - -<p>"I never did care for you, and you know it. I don't like drinking people -and the other kind that hang around here. I want to become respectable -and make something of myself."</p> - -<p>"Aint I respectable?" roared Pepper, raising his fist in anger. "Say -that again, and I'll knock you down."</p> - -<p>"I said that I didn't like the crowd that hangs around here. I'm going -to get out, whether you take up my offer or not."</p> - -<p>"Then clear out—and the sooner the better. It's a pity I didn't kick -you out," growled Sam<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Pepper, walking the floor savagely. "Go! go -to-night!"</p> - -<p>"I will," answered our hero.</p> - -<p>No more was said, and the boy tied up what little clothing he had in a -newspaper. He was soon ready to depart, and then he faced Pepper again.</p> - -<p>"Good-by," he said, holding out his hand. "Let us part friends."</p> - -<p>"You've missed it by turning against me," said Pepper, with a strange -look in his eyes. "I might have made you rich."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind now. You can go your way, and I'll go mine. I don't want to -shake hands. Go!" And he turned his back on the newsboy.</p> - -<p>"One word more, before I leave," said our hero. "Will you tell me my -right name?"</p> - -<p>"I won't tell you anything. If Nelson Pepper aint good enough for you, -you can make the name what you please."</p> - -<p>"Then good-by," said Nelson, a little sadly, and in a moment more he was -gone.</p> - -<p>It was so late he knew not where to look for a room that night, so -trudged back to the stand. It was entirely inclosed with wooden -shutters, and large enough inside for him to make himself fairly -comfortable, and there he remained until daylight.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p><p>"I'm glad to hear you've left Pepper," said George Van Pelt, when he -heard the news. "He's a bad fellow, and getting worse. If you want, you -can get a room in the house next to where I live."</p> - -<p>"What will they charge me?"</p> - -<p>"You can get a small, but clean, hall bedroom for a dollar a week."</p> - -<p>"That will just suit me," answered our hero.</p> - -<p>The place was but three blocks away from the stand, and Nelson made the -necessary arrangements that afternoon, during the time when trade was -dull.</p> - -<p>Nelson wondered what Pepper had meant by saying he had missed it in -turning against the man. Did Pepper refer to the past, or did he have in -mind what he could leave when he died?</p> - -<p>"I don't want a cent of his money," our hero told himself; "but I would -like to solve the mystery of my birth and parentage."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII.</span> <span class="smaller">A BOLD MOVE.</span></h2> - -<p>On the night following Nelson's leave-taking from Sam Pepper's -establishment the keeper of the resort stood behind his bar, doing -business as usual. The place now glistened with glasses and mirrors, but -its so-called beauty was lost to view in the tobacco smoke which filled -every nook and corner.</p> - -<p>The lunch tables had given place to little round affairs where the -patrons might drink and play cards, and several of the tables were -filled by a noisy crowd.</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper had just gotten rid of two tramps who wished drinks without -paying for them, when he was surprised to see the door open slowly, and -Homer Bulson showed himself.</p> - -<p>"Ah! how do you do, Mr. Bulson?" he said cheerily.</p> - -<p>"Please don't talk so loud," replied the young man, as he came in and -walked to the rear end of the polished bar.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>"All right, if you want it that way. Have a drink?"</p> - -<p>"Some whisky!" was the careless answer.</p> - -<p>"How are you making out with the girl?"</p> - -<p>"Haven't you heard? She has left the house. My uncle cast her out."</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper gave a long, low whistle.</p> - -<p>"Things seems to be coming all your way," he remarked.</p> - -<p>"I don't know about that. Don't you know that Gertrude Horton and Nelson -the Newsboy are friends?"</p> - -<p>"I've heard they knew each other."</p> - -<p>"They are friends."</p> - -<p>"What do you know of it?"</p> - -<p>"I met her on Broadway one day, and he came up and wouldn't give me a -chance to talk to her. Do you know where she is now?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Nelson must know. Question him when he comes in, will you?"</p> - -<p>"I will—when he comes. He doesn't live with me any longer, you must -remember."</p> - -<p>"He doesn't? When did he leave?"</p> - -<p>"Yesterday. He and a man have bought out a news stand, and he's going to -live near by."</p> - -<p>"You mustn't lose track of him—just yet."</p> - -<p>"Trust me for that, Mr. Bulson."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p><p>"If you hear anything of Gertrude, let me know at once. If you can help -me, I'll pay you well."</p> - -<p>"I'm your man and I'll remember," answered Sam Pepper, and thereupon -Homer Bulson finished his liquor, threw down a quarter dollar, and -started to leave.</p> - -<p>"Where can I find you, if you're not at home?" called Pepper after him.</p> - -<p>"Generally at the Broxton Club," answered Bulson. "You know where that -is, near Union Square." And as Pepper nodded, he opened the door and -walked away.</p> - -<p>After this, business continued brisk for half an hour, when Sam Pepper -found it necessary to go to a back room for some bottles.</p> - -<p>Hardly had he left the saloon when the door was opened, and much to the -astonishment of the men at the round tables a young lady, plainly -dressed, stepped in. It was Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"I say, that's a fine girl," remarked one of the men, a rounder named -Worden. "She's a new one around here, aint she?"</p> - -<p>"Reckon she is," returned another.</p> - -<p>"How do you do, miss?" went on the first man, getting up and tipping his -hat.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, sir," said the girl. "Is Mr. Pepper in?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p><p>"Yes, here he comes now," answered Con Worden, and fell back to the -table again, followed by his companion.</p> - -<p>"You are Mr. Sam Pepper?" said Gertrude timidly. The general appearance -of the place frightened her.</p> - -<p>"That's my name, miss. But you've got the advantage of me."</p> - -<p>"I am Gertrude Horton."</p> - -<p>Sam Pepper stared at her in the greatest astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm blowed," he muttered to himself. "This beats the Dutch!"</p> - -<p>"I believe you are Nelson's foster father," continued Gertrude.</p> - -<p>The café keeper nodded.</p> - -<p>"Is he here?"</p> - -<p>"Well—er—he aint here yet," answered Pepper, hardly knowing what to -say. "But if you'll sit down he may come soon."</p> - -<p>"I—I guess I had better remain outside," said Gertrude, looking around -with much disgust. "You are quite sure he'll come soon? I wish to see -him about Mrs. Kennedy. She has been taken dangerously ill, and I do not -know what to do. Could you send him over to her place when he comes?"</p> - -<p>"Better wait for him, Miss Horton. Come,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> I'll show you into our sitting -room. It's not a grand place, but it's clean and quiet. Come."</p> - -<p>He pointed to one of the back rooms, now fixed up as a sitting room. She -hesitated, but before she could resist he caught her by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Nobody shall disturb you here," he half whispered. And before she knew -it she was in the sitting room. The gas was turned down, but he turned -it up. Then he went out, closing the door after him. "Nelson must come -in soon," he said.</p> - -<p>Gertrude sank down on a chair. Her mind was concerned entirely over the -serious sickness which had suddenly overtaken good Mrs. Kennedy, and -consequently she thought little of herself. But when she heard some -shutters to the window of the sitting room slam from the outside she -leaped to her feet.</p> - -<p>"What can that mean?" she cried, and ran to the window. Trying the -shutters, she found them fastened from the outside. At once she crossed -over to the door, to find it locked.</p> - -<p>"He has made me a prisoner!" she moaned. Then she knocked loudly on the -door, but nobody came to answer her summons.</p> - -<p>In the meantime Sam Pepper, having locked the door and fastened the -window shutters, called Con Worden to him.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p><p>"Worden, do you want to earn a quarter?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Well, I should smile," answered the hanger-on eagerly.</p> - -<p>"You saw that gentleman who was here a while ago—him with the silk hat -and gold-headed cane."</p> - -<p>"Of course I did."</p> - -<p>"Go over to the Broxton Club, near Union Square, and see if he is there. -Call for Mr. Bulson. If you find him, tell him to come at once."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Con Worden, and hurried off.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII.</span> <span class="smaller">IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY.</span></h2> - -<p>The Broxton Club was a fashionable resort for young gentlemen who -usually had more money than brains. It was located near the upper side -of Union Square, and the club apartments consisted of a parlor, a dining -and wine room, and a room for card-playing. In the latter apartment -gambling went on at nearly all hours of the day and night.</p> - -<p>Reaching the club Homer Bulson found several congenial companions, and -presently sat down to a game of cards. Bets were made, first at a -dollar, then at five, and then at ten and twenty. Bulson had no luck, -and soon lost forty dollars.</p> - -<p>"I'm on the wrong side to-night," was his dismal comment, and he went to -the wine room to forget his losses in the flowing bowl.</p> - -<p>He had just finished a glass of liquor when a servant came to him.</p> - -<p>"A man at the door to see you, sir," said the servant. "Says he has a -private message for you."</p> - -<p>Wondering who the messenger could be,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> Homer Bulson hurried below and -found Con Worden awaiting him.</p> - -<p>"You want to see me?" he questioned sharply. He did not like the -dilapidated appearance of the hanger-on.</p> - -<p>"Are you the gent that just came from Sam Pepper's place?"</p> - -<p>"What if I am?" asked Bulson cautiously.</p> - -<p>"He says he wants to see you at once."</p> - -<p>"At once?"</p> - -<p>"That's it."</p> - -<p>"He didn't say what about?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"All right; I'll be over as soon as I can get there."</p> - -<p>"I'll tell him that."</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson expected Worden to make off at once, but the hanger-on did -not budge.</p> - -<p>"Well, aren't you going?" asked the young man sharply.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, sir; soon as I git paid," said Worden coolly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's it! What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"It's worth a quarter, aint it?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," answered Bulson carelessly, and passed over a silver -piece.</p> - -<p>"Thanks; I'm off now," said Con Worden, and speedily disappeared.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p><p>In a few minutes Homer Bulson followed the man, and it did not take him -long to reach Sam Pepper's resort once more.</p> - -<p>As he entered he found Pepper in the act of clearing out all the -hangers-on, including Worden, who had just received the quarter promised -to him.</p> - -<p>"Well, what is it?" asked Homer Bulson.</p> - -<p>"I've got news that I guess will surprise you," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"You want to find your cousin Gertrude."</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"What will you give me for finding her for you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't know. What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"Is it worth a hundred dollars?"</p> - -<p>"What, for just finding her?"</p> - -<p>"For finding her and putting her in your power."</p> - -<p>"Can you put her in my power?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I can."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"Very soon,—if you'll pay the hundred."</p> - -<p>"I will," returned Bulson eagerly. "Perhaps you've got her in your power -already," he went on hastily.</p> - -<p>"I have."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p><p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Here."</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson looked around him and then stared at Pepper in amazement.</p> - -<p>"I don't see her."</p> - -<p>"She is in my sitting room, under lock and key."</p> - -<p>"Back there?"</p> - -<p>The café keeper nodded.</p> - -<p>"But I can't understand it, Pepper. How did you get her here, and so -soon? You didn't have her when I was here before, did you?"</p> - -<p>"Of course not. Right after you went away she came in, looking for -Nelson, because the woman she lives with is very sick. I told her to -wait in the sitting room, and then I locked the door and the window on -her."</p> - -<p>"What is she doing now?"</p> - -<p>As if in reply to the young man's question there was a loud knock on the -sitting-room door.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Pepper! Mr. Pepper!" came in Gertrude's voice.</p> - -<p>"She has knocked several times," said Pepper. "But I didn't mind that. -I'm thankful she hasn't begun to kick and scream."</p> - -<p>"I must have a talk with her. Now that she finds she is in our power, -perhaps she'll come to terms."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p><p>"More than likely."</p> - -<p>The door was unlocked, and Sam Pepper allowed Homer Bulson to enter the -room.</p> - -<p>"Watch the door, if you don't want her to get away," whispered Sam -Pepper, and the young man winked one eye knowingly.</p> - -<p>On seeing her cousin Gertrude fell back in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"What, you?" she faltered.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Gertrude, I've been looking for you," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Where is Nelson?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, and I don't care. I don't see how you can interest -yourself in that young ruffian."</p> - -<p>"He is more of a true gentleman than you will ever be, Mr. Bulson."</p> - -<p>"You are truly complimentary, Gertrude. But you do not know your own -mind, nor what is best for you. This running away has upset your -judgment."</p> - -<p>"I did not run away—I was driven away—and all because of you."</p> - -<p>"Then let me set matters right for you."</p> - -<p>"Will you do that?" she asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>"I promise I will—if you'll only marry me."</p> - -<p>"Always the same thing!" she cried, bursting into tears. "I will not -listen. Let me go."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p><p>She started for the door, but he placed himself directly in her path.</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute. Where do you live?"</p> - -<p>"I decline to answer that question."</p> - -<p>"I'll wager it is in some low tenement house, among the poorest people."</p> - -<p>"I live among poor people, it is true, but they are not low, as you -understand the word."</p> - -<p>"Did Nelson Pepper find the place for you?"</p> - -<p>"He did."</p> - -<p>"Always that boy! You make me angry with your foolishness. Why don't you -come back? I want to share Uncle Mark's fortune with you."</p> - -<p>"I have talked all I wish upon the subject."</p> - -<p>"How are you to live? You never did any work in your whole life."</p> - -<p>"I can work when it is necessary."</p> - -<p>"At what?"</p> - -<p>"I am giving piano lessons."</p> - -<p>"At starvation wages, I presume," he sneered.</p> - -<p>"I am making an honest living. Thousands can do no more. Now I demand -that you let me go."</p> - -<p>Again she moved toward the door, and again he stood in her path.</p> - -<p>"Did you hear what I said?" she cried. "Stand aside!"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><p>"I will stand aside—when we have come to terms," he answered, setting -his teeth. "You shall not leave this house until you have promised to do -as I and your uncle desire."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX.</span> <span class="smaller">NELSON TO THE RESCUE.</span></h2> - -<p>On the same evening that Gertrude visited Sam Pepper's establishment, -Nelson, after closing up, determined to run down and call upon the girl -and tell her about the stand and how well they had done that day.</p> - -<p>"She'll be pleased, I know," he told himself. "She wants me to make a -man of myself."</p> - -<p>Arriving at the tenement house, he ascended the stairs to Mrs. Kennedy's -rooms and knocked upon the back door. To his surprise Gladys Summers, -the flower girl, let him in.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Gladys! you here?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson! I thought it was Gertrude," answered the flower girl. "Did -you bring her along?"</p> - -<p>"Along? I haven't seen her."</p> - -<p>"She went over to Sam Pepper's place to bring you here. Mrs. Kennedy is -very sick, and we didn't know what to do."</p> - -<p>"I haven't been to Sam's place. I left there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> yesterday for good. What's -the matter with the old lady?"</p> - -<p>"Her rheumatism has got up around her heart, and she's very bad. I think -she ought to have a doctor."</p> - -<p>"She shall have one, Gladys. Was Gertrude going to get one?"</p> - -<p>"No, she was going to get you to do that. She doesn't know anything of -doctors down here, so she said."</p> - -<p>"I'll have one here in a little while," said our hero, and ran down the -stairs, two steps at a time.</p> - -<p>Two blocks below the house there was a drug store, and a doctor had his -office upstairs. The physician was in, and listened to what Nelson had -to say.</p> - -<p>"I'll go," he said. "But you know my terms to strangers."</p> - -<p>"How much will the visit be?"</p> - -<p>"A dollar."</p> - -<p>"There's your money." And our hero handed it over.</p> - -<p>The pair were soon at Mrs. Kennedy's bedside, and after an examination -the doctor wrote out a prescription and Nelson had it filled at the drug -store. The physician said he would call again the following afternoon.</p> - -<p>"She's in a bad state," he said. "She has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> likely had this rheumatism -for years, and her age is against her."</p> - -<p>"Don't you think she'll get over it?" asked our hero.</p> - -<p>"I think she will. But she may be helpless for many weeks."</p> - -<p>"It's hard luck. She hasn't any money."</p> - -<p>"Then you had better send her to the hospital."</p> - -<p>"No, she shall stay home, if she wants to," said Nelson. "I guess I and -the rest can take care of her. She was always good to me and the -others."</p> - -<p>After the medicine had been administered and Mrs. Kennedy was a trifle -easier, Nelson began to grow impatient that Gertrude had not yet -returned.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'll go out and hunt her up," he said to Gladys Summers. "Will -you stay here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I promised to stay all night, Nelson."</p> - -<p>Our hero was soon in the street again and making his way rapidly over to -the East Side in the direction of Sam Pepper's resort. It was now late, -but this part of the city was still bustling with life. Yet to our -hero's surprise, when he reached Pepper's place he found it locked up.</p> - -<p>"Closed!" he muttered. "This is queer. I wonder where Gertrude went?"</p> - -<p>He stood for a moment on the pavement, then went and rapped loudly on -the glass of the door.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p><p>For a minute there was no response, then, as he rapped again, Sam -Pepper appeared. His face fell when he lifted a door shade and saw our -hero.</p> - -<p>"What do you want now?" he growled, as he opened the door for a space of -several inches.</p> - -<p>"Was that young lady over here to find me?" asked our hero.</p> - -<p>"Nobody here to see you," answered Sam Pepper gruffly.</p> - -<p>"She wasn't? Why, she started for here."</p> - -<p>"I haven't seen anybody. Is that all you want?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Why are you shut up so early?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't feel very well and thought I'd go to bed and sleep it off," -answered Pepper smoothly. "I'm going back again. Good-night!"</p> - -<p>"Then you haven't seen her at all?" persisted the newsboy.</p> - -<p>"Haven't I told you so before? Now, don't disturb me again." And with -this Sam Pepper slammed the door shut and locked it.</p> - -<p>Nelson was nonplused, not so much by what Pepper had said as by the -man's manner.</p> - -<p>"He wanted to get rid of me in a hurry," he mused. "Somehow, this affair -doesn't look right to me."</p> - -<p>While our hero was standing near the curb, speculating upon where next -to look for Gertrude,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> he was surprised to see Paul Randall come down -the street.</p> - -<p>"Why, Paul, how is it you are out so late?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Got stuck on some sporting extras and was bound to sell 'em," answered -Paul. "Say, I hear you've bought out a stand."</p> - -<p>"George Van Pelt and I have bought out a stand."</p> - -<p>"Hope you make lots of money. If you need a clerk, don't forget me."</p> - -<p>"I won't forget you, Paul. We have a boy now who delivers papers for us. -He talks of leaving. If he does, I'll let you know. But, I say, have you -been around here long?"</p> - -<p>"Most all the evening."</p> - -<p>"You know that young lady who is stopping with Mrs. Kennedy, don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Gladys Summers calls her 'the angel,'" answered Paul readily. -"She's a real lady, aint she, Nelson?"</p> - -<p>"She is."</p> - -<p>"I saw her go into Pepper's an hour or two ago."</p> - -<p>"You did! I was going to ask you if you had seen her. You haven't made -any mistake?"</p> - -<p>"Not much! I'd know her in a whole city full—she's so sweet and -beautiful."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p><p>"Did you see her come away?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Were you around so you could have seen her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and I kept my eye on the door for almost an hour. I thought you -might be with her."</p> - -<p>"No; Sam Pepper and I have parted for good, Paul. I've got a room -uptown, near the stand. I'd like to know what became of the young lady."</p> - -<p>"If she came out, it must have been after I went away."</p> - -<p>Paul knew that his mother, who was now getting better, would be anxious -about him, so, without waiting longer, he hurried on. Nelson remained on -the sidewalk, in deep thought.</p> - -<p>Presently, as he was looking toward Sam Pepper's resort, he saw a corner -of a curtain lifted and saw the man peer out at him. Then the curtain -was dropped again.</p> - -<p>"He's watching me," thought the newsboy. "Something is wrong here, and I -know it. He and that Homer Bulson are friends, and Bulson is bound to -make Miss Gertrude marry him. Perhaps they have hatched up some game -against Miss Gertrude."</p> - -<p>Not to make Sam Pepper more suspicious, Nelson walked briskly away, up -the street. But at the first corner he turned, sped down the side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -street, and then into the alleyway connecting with the rear of Pepper's -resort.</p> - -<p>It took him but a minute to ascertain that the shutters to the rear room -were tightly closed, and held together by a wire bound from one catch to -the other.</p> - -<p>The shutters were solid, but near the tops were several round holes, put -there for ventilating purposes.</p> - -<p>Looking around our hero discovered an empty barrel, and standing on this -he managed to look through one of the holes into the apartment.</p> - -<p>He saw Gertrude sitting on a chair, the picture of misery. The hot tears -were flowing down her cheeks.</p> - -<p>The sight went straight to his heart, and without waiting to think of -results, he leaped from the barrel, pulled away the wire, and flung the -shutters open. Then he lifted the window, which had been pulled down, -but not fastened.</p> - -<p>Gertrude heard the noise and leaped up in fresh alarm. But when she saw -our hero she gave a cry of joy.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson! will you help me?" she gasped.</p> - -<p>"Certainly I'll help you, Miss Gertrude," he answered. "What are they -doing—keeping you a prisoner here?"</p> - -<p>"Something like that. Mr. Bulson was here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> and went out to get a coach, -so that he could take me away. Mr. Pepper is on guard in his saloon."</p> - -<p>"Just come with me, and you'll be safe."</p> - -<p>Gertrude came to the window, and Nelson helped her into the alleyway. -Just as she leaped from the window Sam Pepper unlocked the door and -opened it.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" roared the man. "Stop, I say!"</p> - -<p>"Don't stop!" said Nelson, and caught Gertrude by the hand. Dark as it -was, the boy knew the narrow and dirty thoroughfare well, and soon led -his companion to the street beyond. Pepper came as far as the window, -and called after them once more, but did not dare to follow further.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i154.jpg" alt="STOP! ROARED THE MAN. STOP, I SAY" /></div> - -<p class="bold">'STOP!' ROARED THE MAN. 'STOP, I SAY!'"</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Nelson the Newsboy.</i><span class="s9"> </span>—<i>Page 154</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX.</span> <span class="smaller">THE HOME IN THE TENEMENT.</span></h2> - -<p>"Oh, how thankful I am that you came!" exclaimed Gertrude, when she felt -safe once more.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad myself," answered Nelson heartily. "But how was it Pepper made -you a prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"I went there to find you, because Mrs. Kennedy is so sick. I must get -back to her at once."</p> - -<p>"There is no need to hurry." And Nelson told of what he and Gladys had -done for the patient.</p> - -<p>Then Gertrude related her story and told how Homer Bulson had said she -must marry him.</p> - -<p>"He was going to take me to some place in New Jersey," Gertrude -continued. "I heard him and Sam Pepper talk it over."</p> - -<p>"The both of them are a big pair of rascals!" burst out Nelson. "Oh, I -wish I was a man! I'd teach them a lesson!" And he shook his head -determinedly.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid Mr. Bulson will find out that I am living with Mrs. -Kennedy, and he'll watch his chance to make more trouble for me," said -the girl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> despondently. "Oh, why can't he let me alone? He can have my -uncle's money, and welcome."</p> - -<p>"We'll all be on guard," answered Nelson. "If he tries to harm you, call -a policeman. Perhaps that will scare him."</p> - -<p>Gertrude returned to her home with Mrs. Kennedy, and satisfied that -Homer Bulson would do nothing further that night, the newsboy started to -walk uptown.</p> - -<p>But presently he changed his mind and turned his footsteps toward the -East Side. When he reached the vicinity of Sam Pepper's resort he saw a -coach drawn up in front of the place.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson was just coming out of the resort with Sam Pepper behind -him.</p> - -<p>"It's too bad," our hero heard Bulson say.</p> - -<p>"You're a fine rascal!" cried the boy boldly. "For two pins I'd have you -locked up."</p> - -<p>"Here he is now!" exclaimed Bulson. "Pepper, you ought to take him in -hand for his impudence."</p> - -<p>"Sam Pepper won't touch me, and you won't touch me, either," cried our -hero, with flashing eyes. "You thought you were smart, Mr. Homer Bulson, -but your game didn't work. And let me tell you something. If you trouble -Miss Horton in the future, she and I are going to put the police on your -track."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p><p>"Me? The police!" ejaculated the young man, in horror.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the police. So, after this, you had better let her alone."</p> - -<p>"Nelson, you talk like a fool," put in Sam Pepper.</p> - -<p>"I don't think so."</p> - -<p>"What is that girl to you? If you'd only stand in with us, it would be -money in your pocket."</p> - -<p>"I'm not for sale."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Bulson wants to do well by her. She don't know how to work. If she -marries him, she'll have it easy for the rest of her life."</p> - -<p>"But she don't want him, and that's the end of it. I've given you -warning now. If anything happens to her I'll call in the police, and -I'll tell all I know, and that's more than either of you dream of," -concluded our hero, and walked off.</p> - -<p>"He's an imp!" muttered Bulson savagely. "I'd like to wring his neck for -him!"</p> - -<p>"I wonder how much he knows?" said Pepper, in alarm. "It was always a -mystery to me how he and the girl fell in with each other."</p> - -<p>"He can't know very much, for she doesn't know a great deal, Pepper. -He's only talking to scare us," said Bulson. His uncle had not told him -of the meeting in the library.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"What are you going to do next?"</p> - -<p>"Better wait till this affair blows over. Then Gertrude will be off her -guard," concluded Homer Bulson.</p> - -<p>After that several weeks slipped by without anything unusual happening. -Gertrude kept on her guard when going out to give piano lessons, but -neither Bulson nor Pepper showed himself.</p> - -<p>Gertrude, Gladys, and Nelson all took turns in caring for Mrs. Kennedy, -and the old lady speedily recovered from the severe attack of rheumatism -she had experienced. She was anxious to get back to her fruit-and-candy -stand.</p> - -<p>"It's meself as can't afford to be idle at all," she declared. "Sure an' -I must owe yez all a whole lot av money."</p> - -<p>"Don't owe me a cent," said Nelson, and Gertrude and Gladys said the -same.</p> - -<p>Business with the firm was steadily increasing. The boy who had carried -the paper route had left, and Paul Randall was now filling the place and -doing his best to bring in new trade.</p> - -<p>"We'll soon be on our way to opening a regular store," said George Van -Pelt, one day. "We really need the room already."</p> - -<p>"Let us go slow," said Nelson. "I know a fellow who had a stand near the -Fulton ferry. He swelled up and got a big store at fifty dollars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> a -month, and then he busted up in less than half a year. I want to be sure -of what I am doing." And Van Pelt agreed with him that that was best.</p> - -<p>Of course some newsboys were jealous of our hero's success, and among -these were Billy Darnley and Len Snocks. Both came up to the stand while -Nelson was in sole charge one afternoon, and began to chaff him.</p> - -<p>"T'ink yer big, don't yer?" said Darnley. "I could have a stand like -dis, if I wanted it."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you could, if you could steal the money to buy it," replied our -hero suggestively.</p> - -<p>"Dis aint no good spot fer business," put in Len Snocks. "Why didn't yer -git furder downtown?"</p> - -<p>"This is good enough for me," said our hero calmly. "If you don't like -the stand, you don't have to patronize me."</p> - -<p>"Yer don't catch me buyin' nuthin here," burst out Snocks. "We know -better where to spend our money; don't we, Billy?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you called to pay up that balance you owe me," said Nelson to -Billy Darnley. "There is a dollar and ninety cents still coming my way."</p> - -<p>"Ah, go on wid yer!" growled Billy Darnley, with a sour look. "I -wouldn't have de stand, if yer give it to me. Come on, Len!" And he -hauled his companion away.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p><p>Our hero felt that he could afford to laugh at the pair. "I guess it's -a case of sour grapes," he said to himself. "They'd think they were -millionaires if they owned a place like this."</p> - -<p>Both Darnley and Snocks were out of money, and hungry, and they were -prowling along the street, ready to pick up anything which came to hand.</p> - -<p>"It's a shame Nelse's got dat stand," said Darnley. "He don't deserve it -no more'n I do."</p> - -<p>"No more dan me," added Snocks. "It beats all how some fellers strike it -lucky, eh?"</p> - -<p>"I wish we could git something off of him," went on the larger bully.</p> - -<p>"Off de stand?" queried Snocks.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Maybe we can—to-night, after he locks up."</p> - -<p>"Say, dat would be just de t'ing," burst out the larger boy. "Nobody is -around, and it would be easy to break open de lock. If only we had a -push-cart, we could make a big haul."</p> - -<p>"I know an Italian who has one. We can borrow dat."</p> - -<p>"Will he lend it?"</p> - -<p>"I'll borrow it on de sly."</p> - -<p>So a plan was arranged to get the push-cart that night, after the news -stand was locked up and Nelson and Van Pelt had gone away. Billy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -Darnley had a bunch of keys in his pocket, and he felt fairly certain -that one or another would fit the lock to the stand.</p> - -<p>"Won't Nelse be surprised when he finds de t'ings gone?" said Snocks. -"But it will serve him right, won't it?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure," added Darnley. "He's gittin' too high-toned. He wants to -come down out of de clouds."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI.</span> <span class="smaller">NELSON MAKES A PRESENT.</span></h2> - -<p>In some manner of her own Mrs. Kennedy had found out that that day was -Gertrude's birthday, and she had concocted a scheme with Nelson and -Gladys to give her a surprise.</p> - -<p>"Sure an' the poor dear deserves a bit av pleasure," said the old -Irishwoman. "This humdrum life is almost a-killin' av her. We'll buy her -a few things, and have a bit av a party supper."</p> - -<p>"She shall have my best bouquet," said the flower girl. She loved -Gertrude dearly.</p> - -<p>Nelson was in a great state of perplexity concerning what to give -Gertrude. One after another, different things were considered and -rejected.</p> - -<p>"You see, she's a regular lady," he said to George Van Pelt, "and I want -to give her something that just suits. Now a common girl would like most -anything, but she's—well, she's different; that's all."</p> - -<p>"Most girls like dresses and hats," suggested Van Pelt.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p><p>Nelson shook his head.</p> - -<p>"It won't do. Her dresses and her hat are better than I could buy. -Besides, I want to give her something she can keep."</p> - -<p>"Does she like to read?"</p> - -<p>"I guess she does."</p> - -<p>"I saw a new book advertised—a choice collection of poems. It's really -something fine—far better than most collections. How would that suit?"</p> - -<p>"How much was the book?"</p> - -<p>"Two dollars and a half, but we, as dealers, can get it for a dollar and -seventy-five cents."</p> - -<p>"Then that's what I'll get. And I'll write in it, 'To Miss Gertrude -Horton, from her true friend Nelson,'" said the boy.</p> - -<p>The book was duly purchased, and our hero spent the best part of half an -hour in writing in it to his satisfaction. That night he closed up a -little early and walked down to the Kennedy home with the volume under -his arm.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a splendid book!" cried Gertrude, on receiving it. Then she -read the inscription on the fly-leaf. "Nelson, you are more than kind, -and I shall never forget you!" And she squeezed his hand warmly.</p> - -<p>Gladys had brought her largest bouquet and also a nice potted plant, and -Mrs. Kennedy had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> presented a sensible present in the shape of a -much-needed pair of rubbers.</p> - -<p>"Winter will soon be here," said the old woman. "And then it's not our -Miss Gertrude is going to git wet feet, at all!"</p> - -<p>The girl was taken quite by surprise, and even more so when Mrs. Kennedy -brought in a substantial supper, which had been cooking on the stove of -a neighbor. To this Nelson added a quart of ice cream from a near-by -confectioner's, and the birthday party was voted a great success by all -who participated.</p> - -<p>"You have all been so kind to me," said Gertrude, when they broke up, -"you make me forget what I had to give up."</p> - -<p>"Don't ye be after worryin', dear," said Mrs. Kennedy. "'Twill all come -out right in the end."</p> - -<p>"I trust so, Mrs. Kennedy. But I ask for nothing more than that I can -earn my own living and keep the friends I have made," answered the girl.</p> - -<p>"How many scholars have you now?" questioned Gladys.</p> - -<p>"Fourteen, and two more are promised."</p> - -<p>"Sixteen is not bad," said our hero, who knew that that meant eight -dollars a week for the teacher.</p> - -<p>It was after midnight when the party broke up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> and Nelson had to take -Gladys to her home, several blocks away. The flower girl lived with a -bachelor brother, who supported himself and paid the rent. The rest -Gladys had to supply herself.</p> - -<p>"I wish I had a regular stand for flowers," she said to Nelson. "I could -make a good deal more, then."</p> - -<p>"I'll help you buy a stand some day, Gladys," he replied. "I know a good -place up in your neighborhood."</p> - -<p>That was Nelson, helping everybody he could, and that is why he is the -hero of this tale of New York street life.</p> - -<p>"If you'll help me I'll pay you back," said the flower girl earnestly. -"You know flowers keep so much better when they are in a glass case," -she explained.</p> - -<p>A light rain was falling when the newsboy at last started for the house -where he roomed. He buttoned his coat up around his throat and pulled -his hat far down over his eyes.</p> - -<p>He was almost to his room when, on turning a corner, he saw two big boys -shoving a push-cart along, piled high with goods concealed under some -potato sacking. As the boys passed in the glare of an electric light he -recognized Billy Darnley and Len Snocks.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, this is queer!" he murmured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> "Where are they going with that -push-cart? I didn't know either of 'em was in the peddling business."</p> - -<p>The pair soon passed out of sight, and Nelson continued on his way. -Quarter of an hour later he was in bed and in the land of dreams.</p> - -<p>It was George Van Pelt's turn to open up the stand on the following -morning, our hero being entitled to sleep an hour longer than otherwise -in consequence. But hardly had the time for opening arrived when George -Van Pelt came rushing around to our hero's room in high excitement.</p> - -<p>"Nelson, what does this mean?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"What does what mean?" asked our hero sleepily.</p> - -<p>"All the things are gone from the stand!"</p> - -<p>"Gone?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, everything—papers, books, pens, pencils, writing pads, ink, -mucilage, everything. It's a clean sweep. Do you know anything about -it?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't," answered Nelson, and now he was as wide awake as his -partner. "When did it happen?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know—some time before I got there. One of the padlocks was -broken and the other unlocked. The rascals even took the money drawer," -went on Van Pelt bitterly.</p> - -<p>"That had fifteen cents in it," said Nelson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> "I took it in after I made -up the cash for the day."</p> - -<p>"Well, we're in a pickle now," groaned Van Pelt. "And just think, we -were insured only day before yesterday."</p> - -<p>"But not against burglars," groaned Nelson in return. "If we can't trace -up the stuff, we'll have to lose it."</p> - -<p>"But we can't afford to lose the stuff. It was worth sixty dollars if it -was worth a penny."</p> - -<p>"Nearer seventy dollars, for I bought some new pads and paper-bound -books yesterday, and they cost seven dollars and a quarter. We must find -the robbers." The newsboy hit his washstand with his fist. "By jinks, -I've got it! I know who robbed us!"</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"Len Snocks and Billy Darnley, those newsboys I told you about. I saw -them eying the stand pretty closely, and last night, when I came home -from the party, I saw them on the block below here with a push-cart full -of goods. I thought it funny at the time. They had the stuff covered -with old sacks. I never saw either of them with a push-cart before."</p> - -<p>"That certainly is suspicious."</p> - -<p>"Have you notified the police?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I told the officer on the beat as I came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> along. He's going to -send in a report. But if you think those fellows are guilty we had -better go after them without delay. Otherwise they'll sell the stuff and -clear out."</p> - -<p>"I think I know where to look for them," said Nelson.</p> - -<p>He was soon into his clothing, and he and Van Pelt hurried to the stand, -where they found Paul selling such papers as had come in for the morning -trade.</p> - -<p>"It's awful," said the small boy. "Such thieves ought to be placed -behind the bars."</p> - -<p>It was decided that Paul should run his route and then tend the stand, -while Nelson and his partner went on a hunt down the Bowery and on the -East Side for Darnley and Snocks.</p> - -<p>"I can't say when we'll be back, Paul," said Van Pelt. "But until we -return you must do the best you can." And this the little lad promised.</p> - -<p>Our hero knew that Darnley and Snocks lived not far from each other on a -street running toward the East River, and thither he led the way.</p> - -<p>"Seen anything of Len Snocks?" he asked of a newsboy he met in the -vicinity.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did," answered the boy. "Saw him early this morning."</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p><p>"Down by the ferry to Brooklyn."</p> - -<p>"Was he alone?"</p> - -<p>"No; he had Billy Darnley with him."</p> - -<p>"Were they carrying anything?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, each had a couple of heavy bundles, about all he could manage."</p> - -<p>"Did you see them get on the ferry?" questioned George Van Pelt.</p> - -<p>"Saw 'em go into the ferryhouse. They must have gone over," answered the -newsboy.</p> - -<p>A few words more followed, and Nelson and Van Pelt hurried to the ferry -and soon found themselves on Fulton Street, one of the main -thoroughfares of Brooklyn.</p> - -<p>"Now to find them," said our hero. "I'm afraid it's going to prove a big job."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII.</span> <span class="smaller">A DISAPPOINTMENT.</span></h2> - -<p>"How shall we strike out?" asked George Van Pelt, as he and our hero -came to a halt under the elevated railroad.</p> - -<p>"It's more than likely they'll try to sell those things to some -stationer or at a second-hand store," answered Nelson. "And the chances -are that they'll sell 'em as quick as possible."</p> - -<p>"You are right there," answered his partner. "Supposing you take one -side of the street and I'll take the other, and we'll ask at the -different stores."</p> - -<p>This was agreed upon, and soon our hero had visited five stores.</p> - -<p>Nobody had seen the thieves or knew anything about them.</p> - -<p>"It's no use," he thought, and then entered a sixth establishment, kept -by an old man.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I saw them," said the old man. "They were here early this morning, -and wanted to sell me the things dog-cheap. But I was suspicious of -them, so I didn't buy."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p><p>"Do you know where they went next?"</p> - -<p>"One of them said something about taking the elevated train."</p> - -<p>"You didn't watch them?"</p> - -<p>"No; I was going to, but a customer took my time."</p> - -<p>The old man described both Darnley and Snocks, and also some of the -goods offered, so there could not possibly be any mistake.</p> - -<p>"I hate thieves," he concluded. "I hope you catch them."</p> - -<p>"If we need a witness, will you aid us?" asked Nelson.</p> - -<p>"I will."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Nelson, and left him one of the business cards he and -Van Pelt had had printed.</p> - -<p>On the corner he beckoned to his partner and told Van Pelt of what he -had learned.</p> - -<p>"We'll ask the elevated railroad gate-keeper below," said Van Pelt.</p> - -<p>But at the station they got no satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"I came on an hour ago," said the gate-keeper. "The other man has gone -home."</p> - -<p>"And you haven't seen 'em?" asked Nelson.</p> - -<p>"No. The fact is, so many people come and go we hardly notice anybody."</p> - -<p>"That is so," said George Van Pelt, as he and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> our hero walked away. -"Nelson, I am afraid we are stumped."</p> - -<p>"It looks like it," said the newsboy soberly.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do next?"</p> - -<p>"I hardly know, George. I hate to give up. The stuff we lost cost too -much money."</p> - -<p>"Do you suppose either Darnley or Snocks went home?"</p> - -<p>"It's possible."</p> - -<p>"We ought to visit their homes and make sure."</p> - -<p>The matter was talked over for several minutes, and it was finally -agreed that Nelson should visit the homes of the two boys while George -Van Pelt returned to the news stand to relieve Paul.</p> - -<p>Billy Darnley lived on the fourth floor of a large rear tenement on one -of the dirtiest streets of the East Side. To get to the place our hero -had to pass through an alleyway filled with rubbish and teeming with -neglected children. Hardened as he was to the rougher side of city life -he could not help but shudder at the sight.</p> - -<p>"Poor things! they are a heap worse off than myself," was his thought.</p> - -<p>At a corner of the alleyway he ran across a small girl and one several -years older. The little girl was a cripple, and the larger girl was -making fun of her deformity.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p><p>"Limpy leg! Limpy leg!" she cried shrilly. "Limpy leg, aint you ugly!" -At this the cripple began to cry.</p> - -<p>"Stop that!" called out Nelson. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself. -This little girl can't help being a cripple. Perhaps some day you'll be -a cripple yourself, and then you won't want anybody to make fun of you." -And at this the big girl fell back abashed.</p> - -<p>"She always does that," said the cripple. "She's awful mean."</p> - -<p>Nelson asked the girl where Billy Darnley lived, and the girl pointed -out the rooms. Soon the newsboy was knocking on one of the doors to the -apartment.</p> - -<p>"Come in," said a rough voice, and Nelson entered, to find himself -confronted by a burly man slightly the worse for the rum he had been -drinking.</p> - -<p>"Is this where Billy Darnley lives?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I'm Billy Darnley," answered the man.</p> - -<p>"I mean Billy Darnley, the newsboy."</p> - -<p>"That's my son. He lives here, but he aint here now. He's out selling -papers."</p> - -<p>"Has he been home in the last two or three hours?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p><p>There was an awkward pause, and the man eyed Nelson curiously.</p> - -<p>"What do you want of Billy?" he questioned at last.</p> - -<p>"I want to recover some things he stole from my news stand," answered -our hero stoutly.</p> - -<p>"Things he stole?" cried Darnley senior.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure Billy stole them?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—he and another boy named Len Snocks."</p> - -<p>"When was this?"</p> - -<p>"Last night."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Tell me all about it."</p> - -<p>Nelson did as requested. Before he had finished Darnley senior gave a -long yawn.</p> - -<p>"Hang that boy!" he observed. "He's going from bad to worse. He will end -up on the gallows if he aint careful."</p> - -<p>To console himself he got out a black bottle and took a deep drink. -Evidently he was not deeply impressed.</p> - -<p>"Have you any idea where Billy is now?" asked our hero.</p> - -<p>"No. He'll keep shady, I suppose. I can't help you. Go to the police. If -he gets hung some day it will be his own fault."</p> - -<p>The man turned his back on Nelson as if to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> end the interview. In a -minute more our hero was in the street again.</p> - -<p>"A fine father for any boy to have," was his thought. "I reckon one is -about as bad as the other, and perhaps both will end up in the electric chair."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII.</span> <span class="smaller">AN UNSUCCESSFUL QUEST.</span></h2> - -<p>From the tenement where Billy Darnley lived Nelson made his way to where -Len Snocks resided.</p> - -<p>This home in the tenements was in strong contrast to that of the -Darnleys. There were but three rooms, but each was as clean and bright -as hard work could make them.</p> - -<p>A small, trim-looking woman carrying a baby in her arms answered his -knock. This proved to be Mrs. Snocks. In the rooms were several other -children of various ages.</p> - -<p>"No, I haven't seen Len since last night," she said, in reply to our -hero's question. "He went off with another boy named Billy Darnley."</p> - -<p>"Did he say where he was going or when he would be back?"</p> - -<p>"He did not. I am anxious about him, too. He never stayed away all night -before. What do you want of him?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p><p>"He and Billy Darnley robbed my news stand last night."</p> - -<p>"Robbed your stand!" Mrs. Snocks grew very pale. "Can this be true?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, ma'am, it is." And Nelson gave the particulars once more.</p> - -<p>"Too bad!" cried the woman, and, dropping on a kitchen chair, she -covered her face with her apron.</p> - -<p>Nelson saw that she was suffering keenly, and felt sorry for her.</p> - -<p>"It's that Darnley boy," she said presently. "He is a bad egg and is -leading our Len astray. My husband and I have warned Len time and time -again to let Billy alone; but he won't mind, and Billy leads him into -all kinds of mischief."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm sorry for you, ma'am, but we have got to have our stuff -back."</p> - -<p>"How much was it worth?"</p> - -<p>"About seventy-five dollars."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear! I'm sure I don't know what to do."</p> - -<p>"Is your husband to work?"</p> - -<p>"No; he hasn't had any work for several months. Wait; I'll call him."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Snocks went to a rear window and called to somebody in the -courtyard below. Soon Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> Snocks appeared. He was an iron molder, but -looked far from healthy.</p> - -<p>"Stole from your stand," he said, after listening to his wife and -Nelson. "This is the worst yet."</p> - -<p>"It's Billy Darnley's fault," put in the wife.</p> - -<p>"He hasn't any business to go with Billy, Mary. That rascal will lead -him to prison."</p> - -<p>"You're right there," said our hero.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what to do," went on Mr. Snocks, to Nelson. "I'd square -this up, only I'm out of work, and haven't more than two or three -dollars to my name."</p> - -<p>"We have three dollars and twenty-five cents," said the wife. "You can -have that." And she brought out a well-worn pocketbook.</p> - -<p>Her manner touched the newsboy to the heart.</p> - -<p>"No, I won't take your last cent," he said. "You'll need it for yourself -and the children. Only if you see Len, try to get back the goods or the -money he got for them."</p> - -<p>"We'll do that—don't fear," said Mr. Snocks. "And I'll thrash him -everlastingly in the bargain."</p> - -<p>No more could be accomplished at the Snockses' home, and soon Nelson was -on his way back to the stand.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p><p>"What luck?" questioned George Van Pelt, as soon as he appeared.</p> - -<p>"Not much," he answered, and told his story. "We'll never hear from old -Darnley," he added. "But perhaps we'll get something from the Snockses."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad you didn't take that woman's last dollar," said Van Pelt. -"We're not as hard up as all that, even if we have been almost cleaned -out."</p> - -<p>Fortunately for the partners they had paid all bills promptly since -taking charge of the stand, so their credit was good. On the following -morning Van Pelt went around and explained the situation to several -wholesale dealers, and also to the news company, and succeeded in -getting a fresh supply of goods on thirty and sixty days' time.</p> - -<p>"We've got to hustle to make it up," he said.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm in the business to hustle," answered Nelson, with a grim -smile. "I never yet was idle, as far back as I can remember."</p> - -<p>"Always sold newspapers?"</p> - -<p>"Mostly. Once in a while I blacked boots and carried baggage, but not -very often."</p> - -<p>"Are you related to Sam Pepper?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think I am."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p><p>"Hasn't he ever told you anything about yourself?"</p> - -<p>"He has and again he hasn't. He told me some things that I don't believe -are true, George."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Well, I wouldn't trust him too much."</p> - -<p>"I don't trust him at all, since the time he tried to help Mr. Bulson -against Miss Gertrude."</p> - -<p>"It's queer that Bulson is so possessed to marry Miss Horton, when she -doesn't care for him."</p> - -<p>"I guess the reason is that Bulson is afraid Mr. Horton will relent and -take Miss Gertrude back, and then she'll come in for half the money, -after all. He is so piggish that he wants to get it all."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Horton ought to be told how Bulson is acting."</p> - -<p>"Miss Gertrude says he is a strange man and won't believe what anybody -says about his nephew."</p> - -<p>"He must be strange, or he wouldn't turn such a nice young lady as Miss -Horton out of doors," said Van Pelt feelingly. He had met Gertrude -several times and was much interested in her.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p><p>On the week following Mrs. Kennedy was served with a notice to quit her -apartments, as the tenement was to be torn down. She and Gertrude hunted -up other rooms, not far from Nelson's stand. These were bright and -cheerful and a very great improvement over those vacated.</p> - -<p>"And I will feel safer," said Gertrude. "For I fancy Homer Bulson knew -the other home and often watched me going in and coming out."</p> - -<p>Gertrude was right in her surmise. Homer Bulson was watching her very -closely and laying his plans to make her his own, in spite of herself.</p> - -<p>But when everything was in readiness to make a move, he found to his -chagrin that the rooms were empty and the building was being torn down.</p> - -<p>"Hang the luck, anyhow!" he muttered sulkily. "Now where in the world -shall I look for her?"</p> - -<p>He questioned several people in the neighborhood, but nobody seemed to -be able to give him any information.</p> - -<p>The truth of the matter was Mrs. Kennedy had requested her friends to -say nothing to a gentleman in a silk hat who asked about <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>Gertrude, and -for this reason they were accordingly mum.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, I'll find her sooner or later," Bulson told himself. "And -then my next move will surely surprise her."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV.</span> <span class="smaller">A DECOY LETTER.</span></h2> - -<p>One day Nelson was folding some evening papers at the stand when, on -glancing up, he saw Homer Bulson standing not far away eyeing him -sharply.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, what does he want now?" thought our hero.</p> - -<p>Bulson waited until several customers had received papers and departed, -and then came closer.</p> - -<p>"How is trade?" he asked, in as pleasant a voice as he could command.</p> - -<p>"Very good," returned Nelson coolly.</p> - -<p>"I presume you do better with the stand than you did selling papers on -the street."</p> - -<p>"Much better."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to hear it."</p> - -<p>To this Nelson made no reply, for he felt certain that Homer Bulson was -playing the part of a hypocrite.</p> - -<p>"He wants to find out about Gertrude," he told himself.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p><p>"How is Miss Horton making out these days?" went on the young man.</p> - -<p>"She is doing nicely."</p> - -<p>"Is she working?"</p> - -<p>"She gives piano lessons."</p> - -<p>"Humph! she can't make much at that."</p> - -<p>"She make enough to keep her."</p> - -<p>"If she wouldn't be so headstrong she might have a comfortable home -without working."</p> - -<p>"She intends to do as she pleases," replied Nelson sharply. "And she -doesn't ask you for advice."</p> - -<p>"Where is she living now?"</p> - -<p>"You'll have to find that out for yourself."</p> - -<p>"Her uncle wants to know."</p> - -<p>"Then let him write to her and address the letter to the general -post-office."</p> - -<p>"Does she go there for her letters?"</p> - -<p>"No; somebody goes for her."</p> - -<p>At this Homer Bulson bit his lip in increased vexation.</p> - -<p>"What rot all this is!" he cried. "I'm not going to eat her up."</p> - -<p>"You're right there," grinned Nelson. "We won't let you. The best you -can do is to leave her alone. If you don't somebody will get hurt."</p> - -<p>"Ha! do you threaten me?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p><p>"You can take the warning as you please."</p> - -<p>"Boy, you are a fool!"</p> - -<p>"If I am, I am too smart a fool to be taken in by you, Mr. Homer -Bulson."</p> - -<p>"I want to help Miss Horton."</p> - -<p>"You want to harm her, you mean."</p> - -<p>"Then you won't tell me where she lives?"</p> - -<p>"No. And let me add, if you find out and try to harm her you'll get -hurt."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you make me tired," muttered Bulson, and walked away.</p> - -<p>Everything seemed to be against the young man, but two days later his -luck—if such it can be called—changed.</p> - -<p>He was walking along a fashionable side street, when on chancing to look -ahead he saw Gertrude leave a house and hurry to the corner.</p> - -<p>He started to follow her, but before he could reach her she had boarded -a street car and was out of his reach.</p> - -<p>Going back to the house he met a girl of twelve coming out on the stone -stoop.</p> - -<p>"Good-afternoon," he said politely. "Am I right about seeing Miss Horton -just coming from here?"</p> - -<p>"You are," answered the girl. "She's just been giving me a music -lesson."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, so she gives music lessons here. Does she teach anybody else in -the neighborhood?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; she teaches on the block above here and around on the avenue." And -the girl gave the names and addresses.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson made a note of the names and addresses and walked off in -high satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Now to work my little scheme," he said to himself.</p> - -<p>Two days later he left New York and took a train at Jersey City for -Lakewood, down in New Jersey.</p> - -<p>At the fashionable resort he managed to find a house on the outskirts of -the town. It was owned and kept by an old woman, who was more than half -deaf.</p> - -<p>To this old woman, whose name was Sarah Higgins, Bulson told a long -story of a cousin who was a little crazy and who wanted absolute rest.</p> - -<p>"She is harmless, excepting for her tongue," said Bulson. "I would like -to bring her here for several months. If you will take her, I will give -you twenty-five dollars a week for your trouble."</p> - -<p>Sarah Higgins was a natural-born miser, and she readily consented to -take the young lady and watch her.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p><p>"I've taken care of them as is out of their mind before," she said. "I -know how to treat 'em."</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson's next move was to write a long letter to Gertrude. This -letter was signed with the name of a fashionable lady of society, and -ran as follows:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Miss Horton</span>: Perhaps you will be surprised to receive this -from me, a stranger, but Mrs. Jackson has been speaking to me about -you, and the good lessons you are giving her daughter Belle.</p> - -<p>"My husband used to know your father well, and the pair were warm -friends, and he joins me in making this offer to you.</p> - -<p>"I have three children, two girls and a boy, and I wish to obtain a -music-teacher for them who will not only give lessons, but also -take a personal interest in the little ones. There is nobody here -at Lakewood who is suitable, and I wish to know if we cannot -arrange to have you come down every Wednesday or Thursday? I will -pay your carfare and give you five dollars per week for the -lessons. Of course you can also have lunch with me.</p> - -<p>"I think you will find this a good opening for you, and perhaps we -can get you more pupils<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> here. Please call upon me next Wednesday -afternoon, and we can then talk it over and complete arrangements.</p> - -<p class="right">"Yours truly,<span class="s9"> </span><br /> -"<span class="smcap">Mrs. James Broaderick</span>."</p></blockquote> - -<p>The letter came as a complete surprise to Gertrude, and she scarcely -knew what to make of it.</p> - -<p>Of course, as was natural, she felt much pleased. A trip to Lakewood -each week would be delightful, and five dollars would add quite -something to her income.</p> - -<p>The letter reached her on Tuesday morning, so she had not long to -consider it. That noon she met Gladys and told her she was going to -Lakewood on business the following morning, on the early train.</p> - -<p>"Lakewood!" cried the flower girl.</p> - -<p>"Yes. What makes you look so surprised, Gladys?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't think you'd leave New York."</p> - -<p>"I shall only be gone for the day. There is a lady there who wants me to -give lessons to her three children."</p> - -<p>"Oh!"</p> - -<p>"She will pay well, and the trip each week will be quite an outing."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p><p>"It will be cold traveling this winter, I'm thinking."</p> - -<p>"Lakewood is a famous winter resort now. The hotels are fine, so I've -been told."</p> - -<p>"Does the lady live at a hotel?"</p> - -<p>"No; she has a private cottage near by—so her letter says."</p> - -<p>"Well, I wish you luck," said Gladys, and so the pair parted.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXV.</span> <span class="smaller">MARK HORTON RELENTS.</span></h2> - -<p>After having mailed the letter to Gertrude from Lakewood, Homer Bulson -returned to New York to complete his plans for the future.</p> - -<p>Evening found him at his uncle's mansion, as smiling as ever, with -nothing to betray the wicked thoughts which were in his mind.</p> - -<p>Mr. Mark Horton had changed greatly. He was very feeble, his face was -pinched, and his hair was fast growing white.</p> - -<p>He had had two doctors waiting upon him, but neither of them had been -able to make him well.</p> - -<p>His malady baffled all their science, and despite their most carefully -administered medicines he grew steadily worse.</p> - -<p>"I cannot understand the case," said one physician to the other. "I was -never so bothered in my life."</p> - -<p>"It is certainly strange," answered the other. "I shall make a report on -the case before the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> fraternity. Ordinarily this man should grow better -quickly. He has no organic trouble whatever."</p> - -<p>As Mark Horton grew more feeble he longed for Gertrude, remembering how -she had ministered to him day and night.</p> - -<p>"How goes it, uncle?" asked Homer Bulson, as he entered the room in -which Mark Horton sat in an easy-chair.</p> - -<p>"I am very weak, Homer. I don't think I shall ever be better. It is not -because I fear death, for I have little to live for. But Gertrude——" -He did not finish.</p> - -<p>"She treated you badly, uncle, after all you had done for her."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid that I was the one that was to blame."</p> - -<p>"You? You were too indulgent, that was the trouble. She used to have her -way in everything."</p> - -<p>"Have you heard anything of her yet, Homer?"</p> - -<p>"I think she went to Boston."</p> - -<p>"To Boston? Do you know if she had much money?"</p> - -<p>"I do not."</p> - -<p>"Did she go alone?"</p> - -<p>"I believe not. That actor got a position<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> with some traveling company, -and I think she went with the company, too."</p> - -<p>"It is too bad! I do not wish her to throw her whole life away in this -fashion. I wish she were here. Won't you write to her?"</p> - -<p>"I would if I had the address."</p> - -<p>"But you can find out where the theatrical company is, can't you?"</p> - -<p>"The company went to pieces after visiting Boston."</p> - -<p>"Then she must be in want," groaned Mark Horton. "If you cannot write to -her, you can at least advertise for her in the Boston papers."</p> - -<p>"I'll do that, if you wish it."</p> - -<p>"I do, Homer. Tell her to return—that all will be forgiven. I am fairly -dying to see the child again."</p> - -<p>At this latter remark Homer Bulson drew down the corners of his mouth. -But the dim light in the room hid his features from his uncle's gaze.</p> - -<p>At this moment the servant came to the door.</p> - -<p>"The nurse is here," she said.</p> - -<p>"Oh, all right!" exclaimed Bulson. "Send her up."</p> - -<p>"The new nurse," said Mark Horton wearily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>. "They simply bother me. Not -one of them does as well as did Gertrude."</p> - -<p>Presently a middle-aged woman came in, dressed in the outfit of a -trained nurse. She bowed to both men.</p> - -<p>"You are the nurse Dr. Barcomb said he would send?" said Homer Bulson, -as he eyed her sharply.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"What is your name, please?"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Mary Conroy."</p> - -<p>"As the doctor sent you, I suppose it is all right. You have had -sufficient experience?"</p> - -<p>"Plenty, sir; plenty! What is the matter with the gentleman?"</p> - -<p>"Nervous debility."</p> - -<p>"That is too bad. I nursed one patient with it."</p> - -<p>"Did he recover?" questioned Mark Horton, with a slight show of -interest.</p> - -<p>"He did, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then there may be hope for me, Mrs. Conroy?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly there is hope," put in Homer Bulson, with a hypocritical -smile.</p> - -<p>"I'll do my best by you, sir," said Mrs. Conroy pleasantly.</p> - -<p>"Thank you."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p><p>"You had better give my uncle a little wine," put in Bulson. "He needs -it as a tonic."</p> - -<p>"I do not care much for the wine," said Mark Horton. "It does not seem -to strengthen as it should."</p> - -<p>"You would be weaker still if you didn't have it, uncle."</p> - -<p>The wine was brought and the retired merchant took a small glass of it.</p> - -<p>"Won't you drink with me, Homer?" asked the invalid.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, uncle, but I bought this especially for your own use, and -you must have it all."</p> - -<p>A private conversation, lasting the best part of an hour, followed, and -then Bulson took his leave.</p> - -<p>When Bulson was gone Mrs. Conroy came in again, having been to the room -assigned to her by the housekeeper. She found the retired merchant -sitting with his chin in his hands, gazing moodily into the small grate -fire which was burning before him.</p> - -<p>"Is there anything I can do for your comfort, Mr. Horton?" she -questioned sympathetically.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," he returned, with a long drawn sigh.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p><p>"Perhaps I can read the paper to you?" she suggested.</p> - -<p>"No; I don't care to listen. I am tired."</p> - -<p>"Would you like to retire?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet. I cannot sleep."</p> - -<p>"Have you any medicine to put you to sleep, sir? I must ask the doctor -all particulars to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"He has given me some powders, but they do not help me. At times my -brain seems to be on fire while my heart is icy cold."</p> - -<p>"Let me shake your pillows for you." She did so, and tried to make him -otherwise comfortable.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, that is better," he remarked, as he sank back and closed his -eyes. "It is hard to be alone in the world."</p> - -<p>"You are alone then."</p> - -<p>"Almost. Mr. Bulson, who was just here, is my nephew. My wife is dead, -my son gone, and my niece, who lived with me up to a few months ago, has -left me."</p> - -<p>"It is too bad."</p> - -<p>"In one way it is my own fault. I drove my niece from my house by my -harshness. I sincerely wish she was back."</p> - -<p>"If it was your fault, as you say, why not send for her?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p><p>"I do not know where to send. Mr. Bulson heard she went to Boston, and -he is going to advertise for her in some Boston papers. Poor Gertrude!"</p> - -<p>"That was her name?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Gertrude Horton. She was my brother's child. I wanted her to marry -my nephew, and we had a bitter quarrel, and after that there was a -robbery, and—but I am satisfied now that Gertrude was innocent."</p> - -<p>"Why, it seems to me I've heard something of this before!" exclaimed the -nurse. "The story came to me through a friend who knows an old woman who -keeps a fruit-and-candy stand on the Bowery. She said the girl was -driven away from home because her uncle wanted her to marry a man she -didn't want, and because the uncle thought she had robbed his safe—she -and a boy who happened to call at the house about that time."</p> - -<p>"It must be my Gertrude!" said Mark Horton. "And did she marry that -actor fellow?"</p> - -<p>"He wasn't an actor. He's a newsdealer—keeps a stand with a man, -somewhere uptown; and he's not old enough to marry."</p> - -<p>"And the girl—what of her?"</p> - -<p>"I heard she was supporting herself by teaching the piano."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p><p>"Is it possible! Do you know where she is?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. But I think I can find out."</p> - -<p>"Then you must do so—to-morrow morning," returned Mark Horton. -"Gertrude may still be in New York! Pray Heaven she will come back to me!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVI.</span> <span class="smaller">NELSON ON SHIPBOARD.</span></h2> - -<p>Nelson was tending the stand on the morning following the conversation -just recorded, when suddenly Paul Randall came running up, all out of -breath.</p> - -<p>"I just saw Billy Darnley," gasped the little newsboy, when able to -speak.</p> - -<p>"Where did you see him?" questioned Nelson quickly.</p> - -<p>"Right straight across town, on the East River. He was talking to the -captain of a big schooner named the <i>Victory</i>. I guess he was wanting to -ship in her."</p> - -<p>"Tend the stand, Paul, and I'll go after him," said Nelson, and leaped -outside. Soon he was making his way toward the East River with all -possible speed.</p> - -<p>When he came in sight of the docks half a dozen vessels met his view, -all with their bows stuck far over into the street. Of a sailor standing -near he asked which was the <i>Victory</i>.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>"There she is," answered the tar, pointing with his sunburnt hand. -"Want to ship?"</p> - -<p>"Not much!" laughed Nelson. "I want to keep another fellow from -shipping."</p> - -<p>"Then you'll have to hurry, for the <i>Victory</i> is going to sail putty -quick."</p> - -<p>Nelson was soon picking his way across the dock where the big schooner -lay. Merchandise was on every hand, and on turning a pile of this he -suddenly found himself face to face with Billy Darnley and a burly man -dressed in a sea suit.</p> - -<p>"So I've got you at last, have I?" cried Nelson, as he grasped Darnley -by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Lemme go!" howled the bully, in great alarm. "Lemme go, Nelson!"</p> - -<p>"Not much! I'm going to hand you over to the police," was Nelson's firm -answer.</p> - -<p>"I won't go!"</p> - -<p>"What's the trouble?" demanded the nautical-looking man curiously.</p> - -<p>"He's a thief, that's the trouble," answered our hero.</p> - -<p>"It aint so. I never stole nuthin' in my life," retorted Darnley -sulkily. "He's down on me, and he's always tryin' to git me into -trouble."</p> - -<p>"I am telling the truth," said Nelson. "He's got to go with me."</p> - -<p>"I won't go!" roared the bully.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p><p>For a moment the face of the seafaring man was a study. His name was -Grabon, and he was part owner and captain of the <i>Victory</i>.</p> - -<p>"Darnley has signed articles with me, for a trip to the West Indies and -Brazil," he said.</p> - -<p>"Well, he can't go to the West Indies and Brazil. He's going to the -lock-up," returned Nelson firmly.</p> - -<p>"What is he guilty of?"</p> - -<p>"Of two robberies, so far as I know. He once robbed me of some money, -and only a short while ago he robbed a news stand belonging to me and -another party."</p> - -<p>"Humph! What did he rob you of—half a dozen newspapers?" sneered -Captain Grabon. "If he did, you shan't keep him ashore on that account. -I am short of hands as it is, and must sail by the tide to-day."</p> - -<p>"The trouble was all over ten newspapers," said Billy Darnley, quick to -take up an idea that had come to him. "He says I stole 'em, but I -didn't."</p> - -<p>"I won't listen to such nonsense." Captain Grabon shoved Nelson back. -"Let my man go."</p> - -<p>"I won't!" exclaimed our hero.</p> - -<p>"You will!" put in Billy Darnley, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> wrenching himself free, he ran -along the dock toward the <i>Victory</i> and clambered aboard the vessel.</p> - -<p>"You're going to get yourself into a whole lot of trouble!" ejaculated -Nelson to the captain.</p> - -<p>"You clear out!"</p> - -<p>"Not much—not until I've caught that thief."</p> - -<p>As quickly as he could, our hero ran toward the ship and clambered -aboard after Darnley. For the moment he had lost sight of the bully, but -now he saw him peering out from behind the mainmast. At once a chase -ensued.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i194.jpg" alt="OUR HERO RAN TOWARD THE SHIP AND CLAMBERED ABOARD" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"OUR HERO RAN TOWARD THE SHIP AND CLAMBERED ABOARD."</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Nelson the Newsboy.</i><span class="s9"> </span>—<i>Page 201.</i></p> - -<p>In the meantime Captain Grabon came on board, and going quickly to his -mate, he ordered the lines flung off and the boat towed out into the -stream.</p> - -<p>Around and around the deck flew Darnley, with Nelson after him. Then the -bully leaped down the companion-way steps and into the cabin. Undaunted, -our hero followed, and presently the pair found themselves at the end of -a narrow passageway.</p> - -<p>"Now I've got you!" panted Nelson. "You shan't get away from me again."</p> - -<p>"I won't go!" howled Billy Darnley desperately. "I'm booked for this -trip to sea."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p><p>"Well, a sea trip might do you some good, Billy, but you are not going -to take it just yet What did you do with the stuff you stole from the -stand?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't steal anything from the stand."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you did—you and Len Snocks. Van Pelt and I know all about it. You -got to give up the goods, do you hear?"</p> - -<p>"I aint got nuthin," growled Darnley.</p> - -<p>He tried to break away again, and a hand-to-hand tussle ensued. -Presently both boys went down and rolled over. As they did this Nelson's -head struck an iron projection, and he was partly stunned. Before he -could recover the bully was on his feet once more.</p> - -<p>"Take that!" roared Darnley, and gave Nelson a cruel kick in the side. A -kick in the head followed, and with a groan our hero was stretched out -insensible.</p> - -<p>By this time Captain Grabon was coming below to see what was going on. -He met Darnley in the cabin.</p> - -<p>"Hold on!" he cried. "Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"On deck," answered the bully, but did not add that he wanted to go -ashore.</p> - -<p>"Where's the other boy?"</p> - -<p>"I knocked him down."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p><p>Darnley was about to move on, but the captain would not allow it.</p> - -<p>"You stay here for the present," he said. "I want to investigate this."</p> - -<p>"I'm going on deck," growled the bully.</p> - -<p>"What!" roared the captain. "Why, you monkey, don't you know you are now -under my orders?"</p> - -<p>At this Darnley fell back, aghast.</p> - -<p>"Under your orders?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. And you mind me, or I'll have you rope-ended well."</p> - -<p>Still holding fast to Darnley, he forced his way to the narrow passage, -and here saw Nelson still lying motionless. He gave a low whistle.</p> - -<p>"So this is your game," he said. "You must have hit him hard."</p> - -<p>"I did," answered the bully, telling the falsehood without an effort.</p> - -<p>"This may be serious. Help me carry him into the cabin."</p> - -<p>Alarmed, Darnley did as requested, and our hero was placed on a lounge. -There was a big lump on Nelson's forehead, and this the captain made -Darnley bathe with some water from an ice-cooler in the corner.</p> - -<p>It was nearly an hour before our hero came to his senses, for the kicks -from the bully had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> been severe. He sat up, completely bewildered.</p> - -<p>"Where am I?" was the first question he asked himself. Then he stared -around him, to behold a negro sitting near, reading a newspaper.</p> - -<p>"Hullo!" he said feebly. "What place is this?"</p> - -<p>"Dis am de fo'castle of de <i>Victory</i>," was the negro's reply.</p> - -<p>"The fo'castle of the <i>Victory</i>?" repeated Nelson, puzzled. "Where—who -placed me here? And who put this rag on my head?"</p> - -<p>"Cap'n Grabon had you carried here. You had a row wid one of de new -hands. Don't you remember dat?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly I remember it," answered Nelson, and sat up. His head ached -severely. "Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"My name am Puff Brown. I's de cook ob de boat."</p> - -<p>"Oh! And where is Billy Darnley?"</p> - -<p>"De feller you had de fight wid?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"He's on deck, learnin' how to become a sailor."</p> - -<p>"I want him arrested. He's a thief."</p> - -<p>So speaking, Nelson staggered to his feet and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> made for the doorway of -the forecastle. When he got on deck he stared around him in amazement. -The dock had been left behind, and around the ship were the blue waters -of New York Bay.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVII.</span> <span class="smaller">DOWN THE NEW JERSEY COAST.</span></h2> - -<p>"My gracious, we've sailed!"</p> - -<p>The words came with a groan from Nelson. They were no longer at the dock -in New York, but on the sea. What was to be done next?</p> - -<p>"They are not going to carry me off!" he told himself, and rushed aft.</p> - -<p>"Hullo! so you've got around again," sang out Captain Grabon, on -catching sight of him.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I've got around, and I want to know what this means."</p> - -<p>"What what means, lad?"</p> - -<p>"Why did you carry me off?"</p> - -<p>"You carried yourself off. I told you we were about to sail. You had no -business to come on board."</p> - -<p>"I want to go ashore."</p> - -<p>To this the captain made no answer.</p> - -<p>"Where is Darnley?" went on our hero, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> began to look around. Soon he -espied the bully helping some sailors trim one of the sheets.</p> - -<p>"Here, you stay where you are," cried Captain Grabon, as Nelson started -forward, and he caught our hero by the arm. "We are on the sea now, and -I am master here, and I don't propose to allow you to interfere with any -of my men."</p> - -<p>"I told you I want to go ashore," insisted Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm not going to stop my vessel for every monkey like you who -gets himself in a pickle. You can go ashore—when we make a landing, not -before."</p> - -<p>"When will that be?"</p> - -<p>"Keep your eyes open, and you'll soon find out."</p> - -<p>The captain of the <i>Victory</i> turned away, leaving Nelson much nonplused. -To tell the truth, our hero's head ached so hard he could think of -little else. He walked over to a pile of rope and sat down.</p> - -<p>"I hope they land soon," he thought dismally. "I don't want to get too -far from home. I wonder what George Van Pelt thinks of my absence?"</p> - -<p>An hour slipped by, and soon the <i>Victory</i> was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> well on her way down the -bay and heading outside of Sandy Hook. The air was cool and bracing, and -under any other conditions the newsboy would have enjoyed the sail very -much.</p> - -<p>But by noon he began to grow alarmed again. Instead of putting in, the -ship was standing still further from shore.</p> - -<p>"See here, this doesn't look as if you were going to land soon," he said -to one of the sailors who happened to pass him.</p> - -<p>"Land soon?" repeated the tar. "That we won't, lad."</p> - -<p>"Well, when will we land?"</p> - -<p>"Not afore we get to the West Indies, I reckon."</p> - -<p>"The West Indies!" And Nelson leaped up as if shot. "You don't mean it."</p> - -<p>"All right; ask the cap'n." And the sailor sauntered off.</p> - -<p>The captain had gone to the cabin, and thither Nelson made his way -without ceremony.</p> - -<p>"You told me you were going to land soon?" he cried.</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't tell you anything of the kind," answered Captain Grabon, -with a leer. "I told you to keep your eyes open, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> you'd soon find -out what we were going to do."</p> - -<p>"I was told you wouldn't land until you reached the West Indies."</p> - -<p>"That's right too."</p> - -<p>"I don't intend to go with you to the West Indies."</p> - -<p>"All right, lad; as you please."</p> - -<p>"You have no right to carry me off like this."</p> - -<p>"As I said before, you carried yourself off. You came aboard my vessel -without my permission, and you engaged in a row with one of my hands. -Now you must suffer the consequences."</p> - -<p>"Then you intend to take me to the West Indies with you?"</p> - -<p>"I will, lad; but you must work your passage, as soon as you're over -being knocked out."</p> - -<p>"It's a shame!" cried Nelson indignantly. "I shan't submit."</p> - -<p>"You can do nothing. You are on my ship, and I am master here. If you -have any row to settle with Darnley, you can settle it when we land. -I've told him, and now I tell you again, I won't have any more -quarreling on board."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p><p>"You are not fair," pleaded our hero, half desperately.</p> - -<p>"I know what I'm doing. Now get back to the fo'castle with you, and -remember, to-morrow you take your place with the crew." And so speaking, -Captain Grabon waved the lad away.</p> - -<p>Nelson returned to the deck with a heavy heart. Had the shore been -within a reasonable distance he would have leaped overboard and risked -swimming, but land was far away, a mere speck on the western horizon.</p> - -<p>At noon Nelson messed with the crew, and feeling hungry he ate his full -share of the food, which was not as bad as might be supposed. He was not -allowed to go near Darnley, and the bully was wise enough to keep his -distance.</p> - -<p>Slowly the afternoon wore along. The breeze remained good, and having -passed Sandy Hook, the <i>Victory</i> stood straight down the New Jersey -coast.</p> - -<p>"Might as well learn the ropes, sooner or later," said one of the -sailors to Nelson, as he lounged up.</p> - -<p>"I don't want to learn," was the ready answer. "I wasn't cut out for a -sailor. City life is good enough for me."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p><p>"And I can't stand shore life at all. Queer, aint it? The minit I'm -ashore I'm in trouble and wanting to go to sea again."</p> - -<p>"What kind of a man is this Captain Grabon?"</p> - -<p>"Hard to please, lad. You'll have your hands full with him. Better learn -your duty at once, and save trouble."</p> - -<p>"I shall not do a hand's turn on this ship."</p> - -<p>"Didn't you sign articles with him?"</p> - -<p>"I did not. But that other young fellow did."</p> - -<p>"But how came you here?"</p> - -<p>"I followed that other fellow on board. He's a thief, and I was after -him."</p> - -<p>"Did he rob you?"</p> - -<p>"He did. I wanted to hand him over to the police when we were on the -dock, but Captain Grabon interfered. I suppose he didn't want to lose -the hand."</p> - -<p>"That's the truth—we are short, as it is. Well, now you are on board, -what do you intend to do?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know." Nelson looked the sailor straight in the eyes. "Can I -trust you?"</p> - -<p>"You can, my lad. If it's as you say, I'm sorry for you."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p><p>"If you'll help me to escape I'll give you all the money I have in my -pockets—two dollars and a half."</p> - -<p>"How can I help you?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't I see you steering a short time ago?"</p> - -<p>"You did."</p> - -<p>"When will you steer again?"</p> - -<p>"In a couple of hours."</p> - -<p>"Then, if you get the chance, steer close to some other boat, will you? -I mean some small craft that belongs along this shore."</p> - -<p>"And if I do, what then?"</p> - -<p>"I'll jump overboard and trust to luck to have the other boat pick me -up," explained Nelson.</p> - -<p>The two talked the plan over, and at last the sailor agreed for the two -dollars to do as our hero desired—providing the opportunity arose. He -insisted upon Nelson keeping the remaining fifty cents.</p> - -<p>"I won't clean you out, lad," he said. "And I sincerely trust all goes -well with you." And they shook hands.</p> - -<p>The sailor took his next trick at the wheel at six o'clock, and half an -hour later a sloop hove in sight, far to the southwestward. He nodded to -Nelson, but said nothing. Most of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> the sailors were below, and Captain -Grabon had also disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Go on to supper," said the mate of the vessel to our hero, and turned -away to inspect something forward.</p> - -<p>"What shall I do?" whispered Nelson to the man at the wheel.</p> - -<p>"Get your grub, lad," replied the sailor. "When we're close to that -craft I'll begin to whistle 'Annie Laurie.'"</p> - -<p>"All right; I'll listen with all ears," responded our hero.</p> - -<p>He was soon at the mess, and eating as though nothing out of the -ordinary was on his mind. But his ears were on the alert, and no sooner -had the first bars of the sailor's whistle risen on the evening air than -he pushed back his seat.</p> - -<p>"I've had all I want," he muttered, for the other sailors' benefit.</p> - -<p>"Getting seasick, I reckon," said an old tar, and laughed. Billy Darnley -was already sick, and lay on a bunk, as white as a sheet and groaning -dismally.</p> - -<p>Soon Nelson had picked his way to the stern, being careful to keep out -of sight of the mate. The <i>Victory</i> was now close to the sloop, and -presently glided by the smaller craft.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p><p>"Thanks! Good-by!" called Nelson, to the man at the wheel, and in -another moment he had dropped into the ocean and was swimming toward the -sloop with all the strength at his command.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVIII.</span> <span class="smaller">GERTRUDE HAS AN ADVENTURE.</span></h2> - -<p>It was with a light heart that Gertrude hurried to the ferry, crossed to -the New Jersey side, and took the express train for Lakewood. She did -not dream of the trick that had been practiced upon her, and anticipated -only a good engagement and a delightful ride on the cars.</p> - -<p>For a long while she sat by the window, drinking in the swiftly moving -panorama as the train flew by station after station, and farms, and -woods. But few stops were made, and she had the entire seat to herself. -She would have been very much surprised had she known that Homer Bulson -was watching her, yet such was the case.</p> - -<p>The man had seen her get on board, and now occupied a seat in the -smoker. His face wore a smile of triumph, for he felt that the girl was -already in his power.</p> - -<p>It was just noon when the train pulled into the elegant little station -at Lakewood, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> Gertrude alighted. Hotel stages were everywhere, and -so were cabs and cabmen.</p> - -<p>At last she found a newsboy who directed her where to go. She thought he -looked at her rather queerly when he found out where the place was, but -he said nothing, and she asked no further questions. Soon she was -hurrying down the country road leading toward Sarah Higgins' place.</p> - -<p>As she moved along she had to confess to herself that the surroundings -were hardly what she had anticipated. The road was little more than a -bypath, and was by no means well kept.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps this is a short cut to something better," she thought. "That -newsboy didn't want me to walk any further than necessary. But I must -say I see no mansions anywhere around—only the plainest kind of -farmhouses."</p> - -<p>At last she reached the spot the boy had mentioned. In a clump of pines -was a dilapidated cottage, half stone and half wood, with a dooryard in -front choked with weeds.</p> - -<p>"There surely is some mistake," said the girl to herself. "This can't be -the house. I'll go in and find out where Mrs. Broaderick's home really -is."</p> - -<p>She passed through the open gateway and made her way up the rough garden -path. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> door was closed to the cottage, and so were all the windows. -She knocked loudly.</p> - -<p>There was a wait of a minute, and she knocked again. At length the door -was opened cautiously and Sarah Higgins, dressed in a dirty wrapper and -with her hair flying in all directions, showed herself.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, but can you tell me where Mrs. Broaderick's house is?" asked -Gertrude politely.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked Sarah Higgins, in a high-pitched voice, and placed -one hand behind her ear.</p> - -<p>"I wish to find Mrs. Broaderick's house. Will you tell me where it is?" -went on the girl, in a louder key.</p> - -<p>"Don't know Mrs. Broaderick," replied Sarah Higgins. Then she gave -Gertrude a searching look. "Come in and rest, won't you? You look tired -out."</p> - -<p>"Thank you; I'll rest a moment," answered Gertrude. She was somewhat -dismayed by the turn affairs had taken. "And do you know most of the -folks around here?" she continued.</p> - -<p>The question had to be repeated twice before the half-deaf woman -understood.</p> - -<p>"Of course I do, miss," she answered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> "Haven't I lived here going on -forty-five years—since I was a little girl?"</p> - -<p>"Then you must know Mrs. Broaderick—or perhaps she is a newcomer."</p> - -<p>"Never heard the name before. But, tell me, is your name Gertrude?"</p> - -<p>"It is!" cried the girl in wonder. "How did you guess it?"</p> - -<p>"I've been expecting you, my dear. It's all right, make yourself at -home," went on Sarah Higgins soothingly. "Let me take your hat, that's a -good young lady." And she started to take Gertrude's hat from her head.</p> - -<p>She had been told that the girl would arrive that noon and would most -likely inquire for an imaginary person named Broaderick. Homer Bulson -had certainly laid his plans well.</p> - -<p>"Don't! leave my hat be!" cried Gertrude, and shrank back in alarm. "You -seem to know my first name, madam, but I do not know you."</p> - -<p>"Never mind; make yourself at home," said Sarah Higgins soothingly.</p> - -<p>"But I do not wish to remain here. I want to find the lady I have come -to Lakewood to see," insisted poor Gertrude. Then she started for the -door—to find herself confronted by Homer Bulson.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p><p>"You!" she gasped, and sank back on a chair.</p> - -<p>"You didn't expect to see me, did you?" he asked sarcastically, as he -came in and shut the door.</p> - -<p>"I—I did not," she faltered. "What brought you here?"</p> - -<p>"Well, if you must know, I was curious to learn where you were going, -Gertrude," he said in a low voice, that Sarah Higgins might not -understand. "I followed you from the ferry in New York."</p> - -<p>"You were on the express train?"</p> - -<p>"I was."</p> - -<p>"You had no right to follow me."</p> - -<p>"But what are you doing here?" he went on, bound to "mix up" matters -both for her and for Sarah Higgins, so that the latter might think -Gertrude quite out of her mind.</p> - -<p>"I came to Lakewood on business." Gertrude arose. "Let me pass."</p> - -<p>"Don't be in such a hurry, Gertrude; I wish to talk to you."</p> - -<p>"But I do not wish to speak to you, Mr. Bulson."</p> - -<p>"Gertrude, you are cruel—why not listen?"</p> - -<p>"Because I do not wish to hear what you want to say."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p><p>"But you don't know what I have to say," he persisted.</p> - -<p>"I know all I wish to know. Now let me pass."</p> - -<p>She tried to make her way to the door, but he quickly caught her by the -arm.</p> - -<p>"You shall not go," he said.</p> - -<p>At this she let out a scream, but he only smiled, while Sarah Higgins -looked on curiously.</p> - -<p>"Screaming will do you no good, Gertrude. This house is quarter of a -mile from any other, and the road is but little used."</p> - -<p>"You are cruel—let me go!" said she, and burst into tears.</p> - -<p>"You shall never leave until you listen to me," he said. And then he -tried his best to reason with her for fully an hour, but she would not -hearken. At last she grew as pale as a sheet.</p> - -<p>"This whole thing is a trick—the letter and all!" she gasped, and fell -in a swoon. He caught her and carried her to an upper chamber of the -cottage. Here he placed her on a couch, and then went below again, -locking the door after him.</p> - -<p>"It's a way she has at times," he explained to Sarah Higgins. "She is -not always so bad.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> She will be quite herself in a few days, and then -she will remember nothing of this."</p> - -<p>"Poor dear!" was the answer. "It's dreadful to be so out of one's mind."</p> - -<p>"You must take care that she does not escape."</p> - -<p>"I will, sir. But about that money?" And the woman's eyes gleamed -greedily.</p> - -<p>"There is ten dollars on account." And Homer Bulson handed over the -amount.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir. She shall have the best of care—and she won't get -away, never fear."</p> - -<p>"I was going to remain over in Lakewood to-night, but I find I must -return to New York," went on Bulson. "I'll be back again some time -to-morrow or the day after. In the meantime do not let her get out of -the room."</p> - -<p>"I will do as you say, sir," answered Sarah Higgins, and then Gertrude's -cousin took his departure.</p> - -<p>It did not take the girl long to come out of her swoon, and she at once -ran to the door. Finding it locked she went to the window, determined to -leap to the ground, if she could do nothing better. But, alas! Homer -Bulson had made his calculations only too well. The window was slatted -over on the outside, making the apartment virtually a prison cell.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p><p>She saw that the slats had been put on recently, and this made her more -sure than ever that the whole thing was a plot. The letter had been a -decoy, and had been used solely to get her in his power.</p> - -<p>"What does he expect to do?" she asked herself. "I have given him every -claim on Uncle Mark's fortune; what more can he wish? Is he afraid I may -go back? Perhaps he wants to take my life, so as to be certain I will -not cross his path again." And she shivered.</p> - -<p>Listening, she heard Homer Bulson bid Sarah Higgins good-by and leave -the cottage. At this she breathed a sigh of relief. She knocked steadily -on the door, and presently the woman came up.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" she asked through the keyhole.</p> - -<p>"Are you going to keep me a prisoner here?"</p> - -<p>"Only for a little while, my dear."</p> - -<p>"Where has Mr. Bulson gone?"</p> - -<p>"To New York, I believe."</p> - -<p>"When will he be back?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow, or the day after."</p> - -<p>"You expect to keep me here all night?" cried Gertrude, in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Now, don't grow excited," pleaded Sarah<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> Higgins. "Yes, you'll have to -stay here until to-morrow, and perhaps some time longer. Now you had -better lie down and rest yourself."</p> - -<p>And then the woman tramped off, leaving Gertrude filled with wonder and dismay.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIX.</span> <span class="smaller">A SURPRISE ON THE ROAD.</span></h2> - -<p>When Nelson struck the water he was all of fifty feet away from the -sloop. Down he went over his head, but quickly reappeared and struck out -boldly.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, somebody's overboard from the ship!" cried a young man, who sat -at the bow of the sloop. "Port your helm, Bob, or you'll run into him!"</p> - -<p>The helm was thrown over, and the sloop veered around. Then Nelson set -up a shout.</p> - -<p>"Help! Pick me up!" he cried. "On board the sloop! Help!"</p> - -<p>"We'll pick you up, don't fear!" cried the young fellow at the bow, and -the sloop came around and the mainsail was lowered. The two young men on -the craft were skillful sailors, and soon came within reach of Nelson. -One held out a boathook, and presently our hero was hauled on board.</p> - -<p>"It's a lucky thing we were near by, or you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> might have been drowned," -said the young man called Bob. "Isn't that so, Clarence?"</p> - -<p>"That's true," answered Clarence Bell. "I see your ship isn't stopping -for you."</p> - -<p>"She isn't my ship, and I don't want her to stop," answered Nelson, -shaking the water from him.</p> - -<p>"Oh! Then you jumped overboard on purpose."</p> - -<p>"I did, and I am thankful you picked me up. The captain who runs that -boat was going to carry me to the West Indies against my will."</p> - -<p>"Great Cæsar! Bob, do you hear that?"</p> - -<p>"I do," returned Bob Chalmer. "Was it a case of kidnaping?"</p> - -<p>"Hardly that," replied Nelson. "I'll tell you the whole story, if you'd -like to hear it. Only I want to be sure that that boat doesn't put back -after me," he continued.</p> - -<p>He watched the <i>Victory</i> for fully five minutes but nothing was done -toward turning back, and at last he gave a great sigh of relief.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'm safe," he remarked.</p> - -<p>"You are, lad. But you had better take off those wet clothes, or you'll -take cold. You'll find a dry suit in the cuddy."</p> - -<p>This was sensible advice, and Nelson followed it. As soon as he had -donned the other suit he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> sat down and told how he had chased Billy -Darnley on board the <i>Victory</i>, and of what had followed.</p> - -<p>"Humph! that captain is pretty hard-hearted," remarked Clarence Bell.</p> - -<p>"He ought to be arrested," put in Bob Chalmer. "You were lucky to get -away. I guess that thief is out of your reach now."</p> - -<p>"Well, anyway, I left him as sick as he could be," said Nelson, and -could not help but laugh over Darnley's woe-begone appearance. "He'll -have enough of the sea by the time he gets back."</p> - -<p>From the young men he learned that they had been out for two days on a -fishing trip. They had had good luck, as the mess on board proved, and -they were now sailing for Manasquan Inlet, where they were boarding for -a few weeks.</p> - -<p>"We belong in New York," said Bob Chalmer later. "And I guess we can see -you through all right."</p> - -<p>"I'll be much obliged, if you would," said Nelson. "I'll pay you back as -soon as I reach the city." And then he told of the news stand, and the -business he and Van Pelt were doing.</p> - -<p>The breeze was as brisk as ever, and it veered around, so that the sloop -made the Inlet <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>without difficulty. They ran up the river to a small -collection of cottages and boathouses known as Reefer's. Here they tied -up, and Nelson went ashore, wearing the old fishing suit he had -borrowed.</p> - -<p>"You can't get home to-night, so you shall stay with us," said Bob -Chalmer, and procured a room at one of the cottages for Nelson. Tired -out, our hero slept well. But he arose early, and by that time his own -clothes were dry, and he put them on.</p> - -<p>"I've got a railroad ticket in my pocket good from Lakewood to New -York," said Chalmer, while they were having breakfast. "It's a limited -ticket and runs out to-morrow. Why can't you use that? You can have it -at half price."</p> - -<p>"How far is Lakewood from here?"</p> - -<p>"Not over six or seven miles. The stage will take you over for fifteen -cents."</p> - -<p>"That will suit me," answered our hero. "I've got half a dollar left."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll lend you some money, Nelson!"</p> - -<p>"No; I won't need it."</p> - -<p>The matter was talked over, and our hero took the ticket. Quarter of an -hour later he was on the stage, bound for Lakewood.</p> - -<p>It was a clear day, and the ride among the smooth roads was thoroughly -enjoyable. Yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> Nelson thought but little of the journey. His mind was -filled with his personal affairs. He wondered what Van Pelt thought of -his continued disappearance.</p> - -<p>"He'll think I've captured Darnley sure," he reasoned. "Well, what's -happened can't be helped, and I'm lucky to escape, I suppose."</p> - -<p>On and on went the stage, making good time, for the team was fresh.</p> - -<p>When about two miles from Lakewood they reached a bend, where the road -was being repaired.</p> - -<p>A steam roller was at work, and at this one of the horses grew -frightened and started to run away. His mate went with him, and in a -twinkle the stage was bumping along at a high rate of speed.</p> - -<p>"Stop! stop!" shrieked a lady sitting near Nelson. "Stop, or we'll all -be killed!"</p> - -<p>"Whoa! whoa!" roared the stage-driver, and tried to pull the horses in. -But his lines were old, and suddenly one snapped, and then the horses -went along faster than ever.</p> - -<p>Not far down the road were several heaps of stone, to be used in -repairing the highway, and the team headed directly for the first of -these heaps. The driver tried to sheer them around, but with one line -gone was nearly helpless, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> in a second more the stage struck the -pile and went over with a crash. Then the horses came to a halt.</p> - -<p>No one was seriously injured by the mishap, although the lady who had -cried out was much shaken up. Soon all gathered around, to learn the -extent of the damage to the stage.</p> - -<p>It was found that one of the front wheels was knocked to pieces. The -driver was much downcast, and knew not what to do.</p> - -<p>"I'll have to leave the turnout here and go back to Berry's shop for a -new wheel, I suppose," he said. He could not state how soon he would -return, or how soon the stage would be ready to start forward once more.</p> - -<p>"How far is it to the Lakewood railroad station from here?" questioned -Nelson.</p> - -<p>"Not over a mile and a half."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll walk it, if you'll show me the shortest road."</p> - -<p>"The shortest road is that over yonder," answered the stage-driver. "It -aint no good for driving, but it's plenty good enough for hoofing it."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," said Nelson, and without waiting he started off to walk the -remainder of the journey.</p> - -<p>He had still an hour and a half before the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> train would be due at -Lakewood, so he took his time and often stopped to look at the dense -woods and the beautiful green fields.</p> - -<p>"What a difference between this and New York streets!" he said to -himself. "And how quiet it is! I don't believe I could sleep here at -night, it would be so still!"</p> - -<p>At length he came within sight of an old cottage, where a woman was -hanging up a small wash on a line. Feeling thirsty, he resolved to go -into the yard and ask her for a drink of water.</p> - -<p>But no sooner had he set foot in the weedy garden than the woman came -running toward him, waving him away.</p> - -<p>"Don't want to buy anything!" she cried shrilly. "Don't want to buy! Go -away!"</p> - -<p>"I haven't anything to sell," answered Nelson, with a smile. "I was -going to ask for a drink of water."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" The woman eyed him suspiciously. "Water, did you say?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I'd like a drink."</p> - -<p>"The well is mighty poor here. You can get a drink up to the next -house."</p> - -<p>"Very well," returned Nelson, and started to leave the garden. As he did -so he heard a sudden crash of glass and, looking up, saw some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> panes -from a window in an upper room of the cottage fall to the ground.</p> - -<p>"Nelson! Nelson! Help me!" came the unexpected cry.</p> - -<p>"My gracious!" burst out our hero, in bewilderment. "Gertrude! What does -this mean?"</p> - -<p>"I am held a prisoner," answered Gertrude. "Save me!"</p> - -<p>"A prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Nelson. You will help me, won't you?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure I'll help you. But—but who did this?"</p> - -<p>"My cousin, Mr. Bulson."</p> - -<p>"The scoundrel! Is he here now?"</p> - -<p>"I think not. But he may come back at any moment."</p> - -<p>"Go away from here!" shrieked Sarah Higgins, in alarm. "Go away! That -girl is crazy!"</p> - -<p>"I guess you are crazy!" returned Nelson hotly. "Stand aside and let me -get into the house."</p> - -<p>"No, no! You must go away!" went on Sarah Higgins.</p> - -<p>Then of a sudden she leaped back and ran for the cottage with might and -main. Reaching it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> she closed the door and locked it. Then she appeared -at a near-by window, armed with a rolling-pin.</p> - -<p>"Don't you dast come in!" she shrieked. "If you do, you'll have to take -the consequences!" And she flourished the rolling-pin defiantly.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXX.</span> <span class="smaller">COMPARING NOTES.</span></h2> - -<p>It must be confessed that for the moment Nelson was completely -nonplused. He wished to get into the cottage, and at once, but the woman -looked as if she meant what she said, and he had no desire to have his -skull cracked open by the rolling-pin.</p> - -<p>"See here, madam; you are making a great mistake," he said as calmly as -he could.</p> - -<p>"Eh?" And Sarah Higgins put her hand up to her ear.</p> - -<p>"I say you are making a great mistake," bawled Nelson. "That lady is not -crazy."</p> - -<p>"I say she is."</p> - -<p>"Who told you she was crazy—Mr. Bulson?"</p> - -<p>At this the woman looked astonished.</p> - -<p>"Do you know that gentleman?"</p> - -<p>"I know that man, yes. He is no gentleman. He robbed that lady of her -property."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"I know—and that's enough. If you don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> let me in at once, I'll have -the law on you, and you'll go to prison for ten or twenty years," went -on Nelson, bound to put his argument as strongly as possible.</p> - -<p>At this Sarah Higgins grew pale, and the hand with the rolling-pin -dropped at her side.</p> - -<p>"Sure you aint making a mistake, boy?"</p> - -<p>"No; I know exactly what I am talking about. That young lady is not -crazy, and neither you nor Bulson have any right to keep her a -prisoner."</p> - -<p>"He said she was crazy; that she needed rest and quiet. That's why he -brought her here."</p> - -<p>"He is a villain, and if you know when you are well off, you'll have -nothing to do with him. Now let me in, before I hammer down the door and -turn you over to the police."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my! don't hammer down the door, and don't call the police!" -shrieked Sarah Higgins. "I meant to do no wrong, I can assure you."</p> - -<p>"Then open the door."</p> - -<p>"You will not—not touch me if I do?" she asked timidly.</p> - -<p>"Not if you behave yourself. If Bulson deceived you, that's in your -favor. But you had better not help him further."</p> - -<p>With trembling hand Sarah Higgins unbolted the door and opened it. At -once Nelson<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> marched in, and, espying the stairs, mounted to the upper -floor of the cottage.</p> - -<p>"Nelson, is that you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Oh, how thankful I am!"</p> - -<p>"Where's the key to this door?" demanded our hero of the woman, who had -followed him.</p> - -<p>"There." And she pointed to a near-by nail. Soon he had the door -unlocked, and at once Gertrude rushed out to meet him. The tears of joy -stood in her eyes.</p> - -<p>"How did you find the way so soon?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"The way? What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Why, the way from the railroad station at Lakewood. Did they know I -came here?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't been to Lakewood," answered Nelson. "I came here by pure -accident." And then in a few words he told his story.</p> - -<p>When he had finished Gertrude told of the decoy letter and of what had -followed. Our hero was deeply interested and very angry that Homer -Bulson had played such a trick.</p> - -<p>"He ought to be put behind the bars for it," he said. "Certainly I am -going to tell the police about it. He hasn't any right to follow you up -in this fashion, even if he is your cousin."</p> - -<p>"He is growing more bold every day," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>answered Gertrude. "I shall never -feel safe so long as he is near me."</p> - -<p>Sarah Higgins now calmed down, and tried to clear herself by saying she -had been imposed upon. She readily consented to tell all she knew, if -called upon to do so in a court of law, providing she herself was not -prosecuted.</p> - -<p>"That gives us one witness against your cousin," said Nelson. "If we can -get another, we'll put him behind the bars."</p> - -<p>"I don't want him locked up, if only he will leave me alone," returned -Gertrude.</p> - -<p>Nelson's visit to the cottage had taken time, and when Gertrude was -ready to leave it was found to be too late to take the train our hero -had started to catch.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, we can take the afternoon train," said the boy. "But we -will have to get dinner somewhere." He turned to Sarah Higgins. "I think -you ought to furnish that."</p> - -<p>At this the miserly woman winced.</p> - -<p>"Well, if you really think so——" she began.</p> - -<p>"I don't wish to stay here," cried Gertrude, "Mr. Bulson may be back at -any moment."</p> - -<p>"Well, if he comes, I guess he'll get the worst of it," answered Nelson.</p> - -<p>But Gertrude would not stay, and a few minutes later they quitted the -cottage.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p><p>The girl still had her pocketbook, with her money and the railroad -ticket, so she would have no trouble in getting back to the metropolis. -She also had over a dollar in addition, and she insisted upon having -Nelson dine with her at a modest-looking restaurant, where the rates -were not high.</p> - -<p>"Your uncle ought to be told of your cousin's doings," said our hero, -when they were waiting for the train. "I don't believe he would stand -for it, no matter if he is displeased with you."</p> - -<p>"I will not take the story to him," answered Gertrude with spirit. "He -cast me out, and I shall not go near him until he asks me to come."</p> - -<p>"Well, I guess I'd feel that way," answered Nelson, after a thoughtful -pause. "I can't understand how he can treat his own blood as he is -treating you."</p> - -<p>"Uncle Mark was not always this way, Nelson. In years gone by he was -very kind and considerate."</p> - -<p>"But what made the change?"</p> - -<p>"His sickness. Ever since he has been confined to the house he has been -nervous, peevish, and altogether a different person. I really can't -understand it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p><p>"It's queer. Do you suppose having Bulson around makes any difference?"</p> - -<p>"How could it affect his sickness?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he gives your uncle something that affects his mind."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Nelson! could anybody be so dreadfully cruel?"</p> - -<p>"Some folks are as mean as dirt. I want to tell you something that I -never spoke of before, because I thought it wouldn't be right to -misjudge Bulson when I didn't know him as well as I know him now. Do you -remember I once told you how he tried to cheat George Van Pelt out of -the sale of some books?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I remember. You said Van Pelt made him take the books."</p> - -<p>"So he did. And do you know what the books were?"</p> - -<p>"I can't imagine."</p> - -<p>"They were works on poisons, written in French."</p> - -<p>"Poisons!" Gertrude grew pale. "Oh, Nelson! and you think——" She could -not go on.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what to think, but if I were you I'd have the doctors -examine everything that Mr. Horton takes, especially the stuff Homer -Bulson gives him."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p><p>"I will do that. Mr. Bulson can no longer be trusted. He is a high -liver, and may be very anxious to get hold of Uncle Mark's fortune in -the near future."</p> - -<p>"He said he wanted the books because he was going to become a doctor and -make poisons a specialty. That is what he told Van Pelt."</p> - -<p>"A doctor! I don't believe he has brains enough to become a doctor—or -if he has, he is too lazy to apply himself. Why, when he was a boy he -was turned out of school because he wouldn't study."</p> - -<p>"Well, if he would lie and use you as he has, he would do worse, -Gertrude. For your uncle's sake he ought to be watched."</p> - -<p>"He shall be watched," said Gertrude decidedly. "No matter how badly -Uncle Mark has treated me, I will see to it that Homer Bulson no longer -plays him foul."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXI.</span> <span class="smaller">BULSON GROWS DESPERATE.</span></h2> - -<p>Sam Pepper was taking it easy at the rear of his resort on the evening -of the day when Gertrude went to Lakewood, when the door opened and a -messenger boy came in.</p> - -<p>"Is Sam Pepper here?" asked the boy, approaching Bolton.</p> - -<p>"That's my handle, sonny. What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"Here's a message. I was to wait for an answer."</p> - -<p>Pepper took the message and read it with interest.</p> - -<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Friend Pepper</span>: Meet me to-night between eleven and twelve o'clock -at my apartments. Something important. Bring those old papers with -you. I have the cash.</p> - -<p class="right">"H. B."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Humph! so Bulson wants to close that deal to-night," muttered Sam -Pepper, as he tore the message to shreds. "He's in a tremendous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> hurry, -all at once. I wonder what's new in the wind? Well, I'm low on cash, and -I might as well take him up now as later on."</p> - -<p>"Where's the answer?" asked the messenger boy.</p> - -<p>"Here you are," returned Pepper, and scribbled a reply on a slip of -paper. Then the messenger received his pay and made off.</p> - -<p>Promptly on time that night Sam Pepper went up Fifth Avenue. Just as he -reached Homer Bulson's home the young man came down the steps.</p> - -<p>"Come with me—the house is full of company," he said. "I want to talk -to you where we will be free from interruption."</p> - -<p>"I'm agreeable," answered Pepper.</p> - -<p>The pair walked rapidly down a side street. Homer Bulson seemed ill at -ease, and Pepper noticed it.</p> - -<p>"You are not yourself to-night," he said.</p> - -<p>"I've got lots to think about," growled Bulson.</p> - -<p>"Still mad because the girl won't have you, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"No, I've given her up. I don't want a wife that won't love me."</p> - -<p>"That's where you are sensible."</p> - -<p>"Gertrude can go her way and I'll go mine."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p><p>"Well, you'll have the softest snap of it," laughed Pepper. "She'll get -nothing but hard knocks."</p> - -<p>"That's her own fault."</p> - -<p>"She don't make more than half a living, teaching the piano."</p> - -<p>"Oh, if she gets too hard up, I'll send her some money," responded -Bulson, trying to affect a careless manner.</p> - -<p>"By your talk you must be pretty well fixed."</p> - -<p>"I struck a little money yesterday, Pepper—that's why I sent to you. I -want to go away to-morrow, and I wanted to clear up that—er—that -little affair of the past before I left."</p> - -<p>"What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"I want all those papers you once showed me, and if you have that will I -want that, too."</p> - -<p>"You don't want much." And Sam Pepper laughed suggestively.</p> - -<p>"Those papers will never do you any good."</p> - -<p>"They might."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how?"</p> - -<p>"The boy might pay more for them than you'll pay."</p> - -<p>"He? If he knew the truth, he'd have you arrested on the spot."</p> - -<p>"Don't be so sure of that, Bulson. I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> the lad better than you do. -He has a tender heart—far more tender than you have."</p> - -<p>"Well, if it's a question of price, how much do you want?" demanded -Homer Bulson sourly.</p> - -<p>"I want five thousand dollars cash."</p> - -<p>"Five thousand! Pepper, have you gone crazy?"</p> - -<p>"No; I'm as sane as you are."</p> - -<p>"You ask a fortune."</p> - -<p>"If that's a fortune, what's the amount you expect to gain? Old Horton -is worth over a hundred thousand, if he's worth a cent."</p> - -<p>"But I'm not sure of this fortune yet. He's a queer old fellow. He might -cut me off at the last minute."</p> - -<p>"Not if you had that will. You could date that to suit yourself, and -you'd push your game through somehow."</p> - -<p>"I can give you two thousand dollars—not a dollar more."</p> - -<p>"It's five thousand or nothing," responded Sam Pepper doggedly.</p> - -<p>"Will you accept my check?"</p> - -<p>"No; I want the cash."</p> - -<p>"That means you won't trust me!" cried Bulson, in a rage.</p> - -<p>"Business is business."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p><p>Homer Bulson breathed hard. The pair were on a side street, close to -where a new building was being put up. The young man paused.</p> - -<p>"You're a hard-hearted fellow, Pepper," he said. "You take the wind out -of my sails. I've got to have a drink on that. Come, though. I don't -bear a grudge. Drink with me."</p> - -<p>As he spoke he pulled a flask from his pocket and passed it over.</p> - -<p>"I'll drink with you on one condition," answered Pepper. "And that is -that I get my price."</p> - -<p>"All right; it's high, but you shall have it."</p> - -<p>Without further ado Sam Pepper opened the flask and took a deep draught -of the liquor inside.</p> - -<p>"Phew! but that's pretty hot!" he murmured, as he smacked his lips. -"Where did you get it?"</p> - -<p>"At the club—the highest-priced stuff we have," answered Bulson. Then -he placed the flask to his own lips and pretended to swallow a like -portion to that taken by his companion, but touched scarcely a drop.</p> - -<p>"It's vile—I sell better than that for ten cents," continued Pepper.</p> - -<p>"Let us sit down and get to business," went on Bulson, leading the way -into the unfinished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> building. "I want to make sure that you have -everything I want. I am not going to pay five thousand dollars for a -blind horse."</p> - -<p>"I'm square," muttered Sam Pepper. "When I make a deal I carry it out to -the letter."</p> - -<p>"You have everything that proves the boy's identity?"</p> - -<p>"Everything."</p> - -<p>"Then sit down, and I'll count out the money."</p> - -<p>"It's—rather—dark—in—here," mumbled Sam Pepper, as he began to -stagger.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! it must be your eyesight."</p> - -<p>"Hang—me—if I—can—see—at—all," went on Pepper, speaking in a lower -and lower tone. "I—that is—Bulson, you—you have drugged me, you—you -villain!" And then he pitched forward and lay in a heap where he had -fallen.</p> - -<p>Homer Bulson surveyed his victim with gloating eyes. "He never sold -better knock-out drops to any crook he served," he muttered. "Now I -shall see what he has got in his pockets."</p> - -<p>Bending over his victim, he began to search Sam Pepper's pockets. Soon -he came across a thick envelope filled with letters and papers. He -glanced over several of the sheets.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p><p>"All here," he murmured. "This is a lucky strike. Now Sam Pepper can -whistle for his money."</p> - -<p>He placed the things he had taken in his own pocket and hurried to the -street.</p> - -<p>Nobody had noticed what was going on, and he breathed a long sigh of -relief.</p> - -<p>"He won't dare to give me away," he said to himself. "If he does he'll -go to prison for stealing the boy in the first place. And he'll never be -able to prove that I drugged him because nobody saw the act. Yes, I am -safe."</p> - -<p>It did not take Homer Bulson long to reach his bachelor apartments, and -once in his rooms he locked the door carefully.</p> - -<p>Then, turning up a gas lamp, he sat down near it, to look over the -papers he had taken from the insensible Pepper.</p> - -<p>"I'll destroy the letters," he said. He smiled as he read one. "So Uncle -Mark offered five thousand for the return of little David, eh? Well, -it's lucky for me that Sam Pepper, alias Pepperill Sampson, didn't take -him up. I reckon Pepper was too cut up over his discharge, for it kept -him from getting another fat job." He took up the will. "Just what I -want. Now, if Uncle Mark makes another will, I can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> always crop up with -this one, and make a little trouble for somebody."</p> - -<p>He lit the letters one by one, and watched them turn slowly to ashes. -Then he placed the other papers in the bottom of his trunk, among his -books on poisons, and went to bed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXII.</span> <span class="smaller">SOMEBODY WAITS IN VAIN.</span></h2> - -<p>Mrs. Kennedy was busy at her stand, piling up some fruit, when a woman -who was a stranger to her approached.</p> - -<p>"Is this Mary Kennedy?" the newcomer asked.</p> - -<p>"That's me name," answered the old woman. "But I don't know you, ma'am."</p> - -<p>"My name is Mrs. Conroy. I'm a nurse. Mrs. Wardell sent me to you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know Mrs. Wardell. But what is it you want, ma'am? I don't need -a nurse now, though I did some time ago, goodness knows."</p> - -<p>"I am not looking for a position," smiled Mrs. Conroy. "I am looking for -a young lady named Gertrude Horton."</p> - -<p>"Gertrude Horton! Who sint you?" questioned Mrs. Kennedy suspiciously.</p> - -<p>"Her uncle, Mark Horton, sent me."</p> - -<p>At this Mrs. Kennedy was more interested than ever.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p><p>"An' what does he want of the darling, Mrs. Conroy?"</p> - -<p>"He wants her to return home."</p> - -<p>"Heaven be praised fer that!"</p> - -<p>"Where can I find Miss Horton?"</p> - -<p>Again Mrs. Kennedy grew suspicious.</p> - -<p>"I can tell you that quick enough, ma'am—but I must know if it's all -right, first."</p> - -<p>"Why, what do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"There's a villain of a cousin, Homer Bulson, who's been tryin' to git -Miss Gertrude in his clutches. You're not doing this work for him?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed, Mrs. Kennedy. Mr. Horton sent me himself. He wants Miss -Gertrude to come straight home. He wants her to forgive him for his -harshness."</p> - -<p>"To hear that now!" ejaculated Mrs. Kennedy joyfully. "What a change -must have come over him!"</p> - -<p>"I do not know how he was before, but he is now very anxious for her to -return. He thinks he might get better if she were with him."</p> - -<p>"What a pity Gertrude can't go to him this minit!" said Mrs. Kennedy.</p> - -<p>"Will you tell me where I can find her?"</p> - -<p>"She is not in New York, Mrs. Conroy. She went to Lakewood early this -morning."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p><p>"To stay?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! She'll be back to-night."</p> - -<p>"Will you see her then?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure—she lives with me."</p> - -<p>"Oh!"</p> - -<p>"I'll send her home the minit I see her," went on Mrs. Kennedy.</p> - -<p>"Then I'll return and tell him that," said the nurse. "Be sure and -insist upon her coming. He is so anxious he is almost crazy over it."</p> - -<p>"Sure and he ought to be—drivin' her away in that fashion."</p> - -<p>"I guess it was his sickness did it, Mrs. Kennedy. The man is not -himself; anybody can see that. The case puzzles the doctors very much."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Conroy had some necessary shopping to do, but an hour saw her -returning to the mansion on Fifth Avenue.</p> - -<p>"Well?" questioned Mark Horton anxiously. "Did you see her?"</p> - -<p>"She had gone out of town—to Lakewood. But she will be back to-night."</p> - -<p>"And will she come to me?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot answer that question, Mr. Horton. I told the woman with whom -she lives to send her up here."</p> - -<p>"Did you say she must come—that I wanted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> her to come?" persisted the -retired merchant eagerly.</p> - -<p>"I did, and the woman was quite sure Miss Gertrude would come."</p> - -<p>"When was she to get back from Lakewood?"</p> - -<p>"By seven or eight o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Then she ought to be here by nine or ten."</p> - -<p>All that afternoon Mark Horton showed his impatience. Usually he took a -nap, but now he could not sleep. He insisted upon getting up and walking -around.</p> - -<p>"The very thought that she will be back makes me feel stronger," he -declared. "It is more of a tonic than Homer's wine."</p> - -<p>"Please do not grow impatient," said Mrs. Conroy. "You know there may be -some delay."</p> - -<p>Slowly the evening came on and the street lamps were lit. Mr. Horton sat -at a front window, looking out. He did not want a light in the room.</p> - -<p>"I wish to watch for her," he explained. "You may light up when she -comes."</p> - -<p>He was now feverish, but would not take the soothing draught the nurse -prepared. Hour after hour passed, and presently he saw Homer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> Bulson -enter his quarters, and then go out again.</p> - -<p>"I do not know how Homer will take the news," he told himself. "But he -will have to make the best of it. Of one thing I am resolved—Gertrude -shall do as she pleases if only she remains with me, and she shall have -half of my fortune when I die."</p> - -<p>At last it was nine o'clock, and then the sick man became more nervous -than ever. Every time a woman appeared on the dimly lit street he would -watch her eagerly until she went past the mansion.</p> - -<p>"She will not come!" he groaned. "She will not come!"</p> - -<p>At ten o'clock Mrs. Conroy tried to get him to bed, but he was stubborn -and would not go. Another hour went by, and then another. As the clock -struck twelve Mark Horton fell forward in his chair.</p> - -<p>"She has deserted me!" he groaned. "And I deserve it all!" And he sank -in a chair in a dead faint.</p> - -<p>With an effort the nurse placed him upon the bed and did what she could -for him. But the shock had been great, and in haste she sent for a -physician.</p> - -<p>"He has had them before," explained the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>doctor. "I will give him -something quieting—I can do no more. Each shock brings him closer to -the end. It is the most puzzling case on record."</p> - -<p>As he was so feeble Mrs. Conroy thought best to send for his nephew, and -Homer Bulson was summoned just as he was waking up.</p> - -<p>"All right, I'll be over," he said, with a yawn. He did not feel like -hurrying, for he was tired, and had been through such an experience -before. It was after eight when he at last showed himself.</p> - -<p>"You are worse, Uncle Mark," he said, as he took the sufferer's hand.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am worse," was the low answer. "Much worse."</p> - -<p>"It is too bad. Hadn't you better try some of that new wine I brought -you?"</p> - -<p>"Not now, Homer. I feel as if I never cared to eat or drink again." And -Mark Horton gave a groan.</p> - -<p>"You must not be so downcast, uncle."</p> - -<p>"Homer, Gertrude has turned her back upon me!"</p> - -<p>"Gertrude!" cried the nephew, very much startled.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Gertrude. I—I did not think it possible."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p><p>"But I don't understand, Uncle Mark. Did you—er—did you send to her?"</p> - -<p>"I will confess I did, Homer. I could stand it no longer. I wanted to -see the dear child again."</p> - -<p>"And she turned her back on you?" went on Bulson, hardly knowing what to -say.</p> - -<p>"She did. I sent for her to come at once. She had not gone to Boston, -but to Lakewood, and was to be back in the evening. That was yesterday. -She is not yet here, and that proves that she has forsaken me and wants -nothing more to do with me."</p> - -<p>At these words a crafty look came into Homer Bulson's eyes.</p> - -<p>"Uncle Mark, I am sorry for you, but I could have told you as much some -time ago," he said smoothly.</p> - -<p>"You could have told me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I went to Gertrude when she was thinking of going to Boston and -begged her to come back. I even offered to go away, so that she would -not be bothered with me. But she would not listen. She said that she was -done with you, and that she preferred her theatrical friends to such a -home as this, where there was no excitement. She is changed—and changed -for the worse."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, Homer! can this be true? The dear, gentle Gertrude I once so loved -and petted! But it is my own fault. I drove her away. I have only myself -to blame." And burying his face in his pillow, the sick man sobbed -aloud.</p> - -<p>Instead of replying, Homer Bulson got out of a medicine closet the -bottle of wine he had brought two days before and poured out a glassful.</p> - -<p>"Take this, Uncle Mark. I know it will do you good," he said.</p> - -<p>"No, I want no wine!" cried Mr. Horton. And suddenly he dashed wine and -glass to the floor. "I hate it! It does me no good. I want nothing but -Gertrude!" And he buried his face in his pillow again.</p> - -<p>"I will do my best to bring her to you," said Bulson hypocritically.</p> - -<p>He remained at the mansion a short while, and was then told that there -was a man who wished to see him.</p> - -<p>He hurried to his own apartments across the way, and here found himself -face to face with Sam Pepper.</p> - -<p>"You played me a fine trick," growled Pepper. "Give me back the papers -you stole from me."</p> - -<p>"Let us come to an understanding," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> Bulson. "I am willing to pay -for what I took, Pepper. Come with me."</p> - -<p>"Want to drug me again?"</p> - -<p>"No. I want to get where it is quiet. Come."</p> - -<p>"All right, I'll go along. Supposing you come to my place?"</p> - -<p>"That will suit me. I want to make a new deal with you."</p> - -<p>And the pair started for Sam Pepper's resort on the East Side.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXIII.</span> <span class="smaller">QUESTIONS OF IMPORTANCE.</span></h2> - -<p>"Sure, and this is a double mystery, so it is. What do you make of it, -Mr. Van Pelt?"</p> - -<p>It was Mrs. Kennedy who spoke. The non-appearance of Gertrude had -worried her greatly, and she had visited Van Pelt, to learn that Nelson -was also missing.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what to make of it," answered George Van Pelt. "Nelson -went after Billy Darnley, who robbed our stand. Perhaps he has met with -foul play."</p> - -<p>"Could our Gertrude have met with foul play at Lakewood?"</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't think so. She knew where she was going, didn't she?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure—to a Mrs. Broaderick's; she read the letter to me herself."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps Mrs. Broaderick asked her to stay over," said Van Pelt. "I -can't think of anything else."</p> - -<p>While the pair were talking Mrs. Kennedy happened to look up the street.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p><p>"Here comes Nelson now!" she cried suddenly.</p> - -<p>She was right, and soon our hero was at the stand, and shaking each by -the hand.</p> - -<p>"I feel as if I've been on a long trip," he said, with a broad smile.</p> - -<p>"Where have you been?" questioned Van Pelt and Mrs. Kennedy in a breath, -and then he told them his story, and also told of what had happened to -Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"The dirty villain!" cried Mrs. Kennedy, referring to Bulson. "He ought -to be put in prison. But the poor girl's troubles are over now."</p> - -<p>Then she told of how Mark Horton wanted his niece to come back to him.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he wants her back, and perhaps this is another trick," said -Nelson. "After this I am going to help guard her more than ever."</p> - -<p>"Where is she now?"</p> - -<p>"At home. She doesn't know what to do. She thinks of calling on her -uncle—to warn him against Bulson. We've got an idea the man is -poisoning his uncle in order to get the entire fortune."</p> - -<p>"Those books on poison——" began Van Pelt.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p><p>"Exactly," said Nelson. "You can testify to them, can't you?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure. You had better tell the police of this."</p> - -<p>"I shall," said Nelson, quietly but firmly.</p> - -<p>The matter was talked over, and our hero determined to call again upon -Gertrude, whom he had just left at Mrs. Kennedy's rooms.</p> - -<p>When told of the message her uncle had sent the poor girl burst into -tears of joy.</p> - -<p>"Dear Uncle Mark! He is not as bad as I thought!" she cried. "He would -be as kind as ever, if he wasn't so sick. Yes, I will go at once, and I -will tell him all."</p> - -<p>"And I'll go along—to prove your story and to tell him about the books -on poisons," said Nelson.</p> - -<p>Soon the pair were on their way to the mansion on Fifth Avenue. Gertrude -was all in a tremble, and could scarcely contain herself for joy. The -housekeeper let her in, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you back," she said warmly. "I hope you'll stay, Miss -Gertrude."</p> - -<p>"How is my uncle?"</p> - -<p>"Very feeble. I hope the shock doesn't hurt him."</p> - -<p>"Is that Gertrude?" came in Mark Horton's voice from the head of the -stairs.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p><p>Instead of replying the girl ran to meet him, and in another moment -uncle and niece were in each other's arms.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Uncle Mark!" was all Gertrude could say.</p> - -<p>"My dear Gertrude," murmured the feeble man, "I am so thankful you have -come back to me! I was cruel, nay crazy—but I will never be so again. -Will you forgive me?"</p> - -<p>"Willingly, uncle," she answered. "You were not yourself; it was your -sickness made you act so. Now I will nurse you back to health and -strength."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Gertrude! I do not feel as if I can get back my strength again. I -am too far gone," murmured the retired merchant.</p> - -<p>"Rest yourself, uncle." And she led him to a chair. "After a while I -want to have a long talk with you. But tell me first, have you been -taking any wine lately—I mean the wine Homer Bulson gave you?"</p> - -<p>"A little. But I do not like it—although he almost forces me to take -it. Why do you ask?"</p> - -<p>"If you will hear me out, I will tell you. It is a long story."</p> - -<p>"I will listen to every word, Gertrude."</p> - -<p>As briefly as she could she told of what had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> happened to her since she -had left home, how Homer Bulson had followed her up, and what he had -done at Lakewood. Then she spoke of Van Pelt and Nelson, and how they -could prove that Bulson had purchased several books on poisons. At this -last revelation Mark Horton grew deadly pale.</p> - -<p>"And you think——" He faltered, and paused. "Oh, Heavens, can it be -possible? My own nephew!"</p> - -<p>"I would have the wine analyzed," said Gertrude. "And I would have him -watched carefully."</p> - -<p>At that moment came a ring at the front door bell, and the doctor -appeared.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Miss Horton!" he said with a smile. "I am glad that you are back."</p> - -<p>"Doctor, I want that wine examined without delay," broke in the retired -merchant.</p> - -<p>"Examined? What for?"</p> - -<p>"See if it is pure. I have an idea it is impure."</p> - -<p>The doctor smiled, thinking this was another of the sick man's whims. -But Gertrude called him aside.</p> - -<p>"We think the wine is poisoned," she whispered. "Examine it as soon as -you can, and report to me."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p><p>"Oh!" The doctor's face became a study. "By Jove, if this is true——" -He said no more, but soon departed, taking the wine with him, and also a -glass of jelly Bulson had brought in for his uncle's use.</p> - -<p>"And so you have brought Nelson with you," said Mark Horton. "Perhaps I -had better see him."</p> - -<p>"Do you remember him?" asked Gertrude, her face flushing. "He was in the -library that night——"</p> - -<p>"So that is the young man that was here! Gertrude, for the life of me I -cannot understand that affair."</p> - -<p>"Nelson did not want to explain all he knew, because he wanted to shield -a man who used to care for him, uncle. He thought the man came here to -rob you, but he made a mistake, for after he left this house he saw the -man come out of the house opposite, with Homer Bulson."</p> - -<p>"Who was the man?"</p> - -<p>"A rough kind of a fellow who keeps a saloon on the East Side. His name -is Samuel Pepper."</p> - -<p>"Samuel Pepper? Samuel Pepper?" Mark Horton repeated the name slowly. -"That sounds familiar. Pepper? Pepper? Ah!" He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> drew a breath. "Can it -be the same?" he mused.</p> - -<p>"Shall I bring Nelson up?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, at once."</p> - -<p>Soon our hero was ushered into the sick room. He was dressed in his -best, and cut far from a mean figure as he stood there, hat in hand.</p> - -<p>"You are Nelson?" said Mark Horton slowly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I must thank you for all you have done for my niece. I shall not forget -it."</p> - -<p>"That's all right," said Nelson rather awkwardly. "I'd do a good deal -for Gertrude, any day."</p> - -<p>"You are a brave boy, Nelson. I believe I once misjudged you."</p> - -<p>"You did, sir. I'm no thief."</p> - -<p>"I am willing to believe that I was mistaken." Mark Horton paused for a -moment. "Gertrude tells me you live with a man named Sam Pepper," he -went on slowly.</p> - -<p>"I used to live with him, but we parted some time ago. I didn't want -anything to do with drink or with a saloon, and I did want to make a man -of myself."</p> - -<p>"That was very commendable in you. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> tell me, is this man's right -name Sam Pepper?"</p> - -<p>"I hardly think it is, sir. I once saw some letters, and they were -addressed to Pepperill Sampson."</p> - -<p>"The same! He must be the same!" Mark Horton breathed hard. "Do you know -anything about him—where he came from, and so on?"</p> - -<p>"Not much. You see, I'm not very old. But he did tell me once that you -had been an enemy to my father."</p> - -<p>"Me? Who was your father?"</p> - -<p>Our hero hung his head and flushed up.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, sir."</p> - -<p>"This Pepperill Sampson is a villain. Why, he robbed me of my son years -ago, to get square with me because I had discharged him for stealing."</p> - -<p>"Robbed you of your son?" repeated Nelson. "Do you mean to say he killed -your boy?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know what he did. At first he was going to let me have my -little David back for five thousand dollars, but then he got scared, and -disappeared, and that was the last I heard of him or of my child."</p> - -<p>"Then David may be alive!" cried Gertrude.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> "Nelson——" She stopped -short. Each person in the room gazed questioningly at the others. Our -hero's breath came thick and fast. Then the door bell below rang -violently, and Nelson and Gertrude heard Mrs. Kennedy admitted.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXIV.</span> <span class="smaller">FATHER AND SON—CONCLUSION.</span></h2> - -<p>"It's Nelson an' Miss Gertrude I want to see," those in the sick chamber -heard Mrs. Kennedy exclaim. "An' I want to see 'em at once. I have great -news for 'em."</p> - -<p>"I'll go," said Nelson, and slipped downstairs, followed by Gertrude. -They found Mrs. Kennedy in a state of high excitement. Her faded bonnet -was on one ear, and she walked the floor rapidly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my! Upon me soul, I can't belave it!" she burst out. "It's like a -dream, Nelson, so it is."</p> - -<p>"What is like a dream, Mrs. Kennedy?"</p> - -<p>"The story I have to tell, Nelson. Poor, poor man! but it was all for -the best—wid that crime on his mind."</p> - -<p>"What are you talking about?" put in Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"I'm talkin' av poor Sam Pepper, Miss Gertrude. He's dead."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p><p>"Dead!" burst out Gertrude and Nelson simultaneously.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Kennedy nodded her head half a dozen times.</p> - -<p>"Yes, dead; cut to pieces on the elevated railroad, at the station close -to me little stand. He died wid me a-holdin' av his hand."</p> - -<p>"It's too bad," murmured Nelson. "Poor fellow! he had some ways about -him that I liked."</p> - -<p>"But it's not that I came about," went on Mrs. Kennedy. "Whin they -brought the poor man to the sidewalk to wait for an ambulance, I stayed -by him, and he says to me, says he, 'Mrs. Kennedy, I have something on -me mind,' says he. 'I want to tell it to you,' says he. So says I, 'What -is it?' Says he, 'It's about Nelson. He's a good boy,' says he. 'And I -aint done right by him. Tell him I stole him from his father, and that -his father is Mr. Mark Horton, Miss Gertrude's uncle.'"</p> - -<p>"Mark Horton my father!" gasped Nelson, and the room seemed to go round -and round in a bewildering whirl. "He my father! Can it be true?"</p> - -<p>"It must be true!" cried Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"And he says, too, 'Beware of Homer Bulson. He is a thief—he robbed his -uncle's safe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> I caught him at it. He has his uncle's will, too,' says -poor Pepper. 'He wants to git hold of all the money,' says he."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know Homer Bulson is a rascal," said Nelson. "But this other -news——" He sank in a chair.</p> - -<p>"Then you are David Horton, Nelson!" cried Gertrude. "I am indeed very -glad of it. I know of no one I would like more for a cousin."</p> - -<p>"David Horton!" came a hollow voice from the doorway, and Mr. Horton -staggered in. "Can this be possible? It must be! See, I recognize his -face now. Yes, yes; you are my son David! Come to me!" And he held out -his arms.</p> - -<p>Nelson came forward slowly, then of a sudden he reached forth, and -grasped Mark Horton's hands tightly.</p> - -<p>"I—I suppose it's true," he faltered. "But it will take me a long time -to—to get used to it."</p> - -<p>"My little David had just such eyes and hair as you have," went on Mark -Horton, as he still held Nelson closely to him. "And your face reminds -me greatly of your mother. There can be no mistake. You are my own -little David."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p><p>"Well, I'm glad that I'm not Nelson, the nobody, any longer," stammered -our young hero. He could scarcely talk intelligibly, he felt so queer.</p> - -<p>"My own cousin David!" said Gertrude, and she, too, embraced him.</p> - -<p>"Well, I always thought we'd be something to each other, Gertrude," said -he. "But, come to think of it, if I am David Horton, then Homer Bulson -is a cousin, too."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, yes."</p> - -<p>"Do not fear! He shall not come between you," said Mark Horton. "My eyes -are being opened to his schemes."</p> - -<p>"Sure an' he's a snake in the grass," burst out Mrs. Kennedy.</p> - -<p>She had scarcely spoken when there was another arrival at the mansion, -and Homer Bulson came in.</p> - -<p>On seeing the assembled company, he was nearly struck dumb. He looked -from one to another in open-mouthed and speechless amazement.</p> - -<p>"Why—er—how did you get here?" he questioned at last, addressing -Gertrude.</p> - -<p>"That is my affair, Mr. Bulson," she answered coldly.</p> - -<p>"And you?" he added, turning sharply to our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> hero. "You have no business -in a gentleman's house."</p> - -<p>"Homer!" exclaimed Mark Horton, and shook his fist at his nephew.</p> - -<p>"Hush, uncle! We will deal with him," remonstrated Gertrude. "Pray, do -not excite yourself."</p> - -<p>"I have business here," said our hero dryly, realizing that he had a -great advantage over Bulson. "You hardly expected to see Gertrude come -back from Lakewood so soon, did you?"</p> - -<p>"I—er—I know nothing of Lakewood," stammered Bulson.</p> - -<p>"That proves you have a wonderfully short memory, Homer Bulson."</p> - -<p>"I won't listen to you. You get right out of this house."</p> - -<p>"I won't get out."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll call an officer, and have you put out."</p> - -<p>"If you call an officer, you'll be the one to go with him," returned our -hero calmly. "Homer Bulson, your game is played to the end, and you have -lost."</p> - -<p>"Boy, you talk in riddles."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll explain myself. You plotted to drive Gertrude from this -house, and you <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>succeeded. Then you plotted against your uncle, and had -Gertrude made a prisoner at Lakewood."</p> - -<p>"Stuff and nonsense!"</p> - -<p>"It is the truth. Perhaps you'll deny next that you ever knew Sam -Pepper."</p> - -<p>"Why, has that fool come here?" roared Bulson, in a rage. "I told -him——" He stopped short in confusion.</p> - -<p>"Sam Pepper is dead—killed on the elevated railroad. Before he died he -confessed several things, and, among others, what a villain you were."</p> - -<p>"Ah! and what else?"</p> - -<p>"He said I was the son of Mr. Horton here."</p> - -<p>At this Homer Bulson grew as pale as death. He clutched at a table, then -sank heavily on a near-by chair.</p> - -<p>"It is—is false," he muttered, but his looks belied his words.</p> - -<p>"It is true," broke in Mark Horton. "The boy is my son. This Sam Pepper -was merely Pepperill Sampson in disguise. Homer, you are a villain!"</p> - -<p>"Uncle Mark——"</p> - -<p>"No, I won't listen to you. I listened before; now I am done. If you -ever try to lift a finger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> against Gertrude or David, I will cut you off -without a penny."</p> - -<p>"But—but——"</p> - -<p>"I am having the wine which you gave me examined. If I find that it was -doctored—well, you had better be missing, that's all," added Mark -Horton sternly. "I am willing to do much to avoid a family scandal, but -I will not stand too much."</p> - -<p>"Who—who has the wine?"</p> - -<p>"The doctor."</p> - -<p>At this piece of information Homer Bulson leaped to his feet.</p> - -<p>"It's an outrage! I won't stand it!" he shouted. "You are all plotting -against me!" And so speaking, he ran to the hall, picked up his silk -hat, and hastily rushed from the mansion.</p> - -<p>"Shall I go after him?" questioned our hero.</p> - -<p>"No; let him go," returned the retired merchant.</p> - -<p>"But he will never come back—you may be certain of that."</p> - -<p>"So much the better, for then all scandal will be avoided, and we will -be very well rid of him."</p> - -<p>"Yes; let him go," added Gertrude. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>"Possibly he will repent and turn -over a new leaf."</p> - -<p>"All right! Give him the chance," murmured the boy, and then turning to -his father, he added: "I guess I can afford to be generous when I've -gained a father, and such a cousin as Gertrude!"</p> - -<p class="space-above">A few words more, and then we will bring this story of life in New York -City to a close.</p> - -<p>As anticipated, Homer Bulson fled from the city without delay, and -nothing was heard of him for months, when it was learned that he had -joined an exploring expedition bound for South Africa. A year later he -sent a long letter to his uncle, stating that he was in the mines of the -Transvaal, and doing fairly well. He added that he bitterly repented of -his wrongdoings, and hoped his uncle and the others would forgive him. -To this Mr. Horton replied that he would forgive him if he continued to -make a man of himself, and this Bulson did, within his limited ability.</p> - -<p>Great was George Van Pelt's astonishment when he learned that Nelson was -Mr. Horton's lost son. At first he refused to believe what was told him.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p><p>"You are lucky," he said at last. "You won't want the news stand any -longer."</p> - -<p>"No," said our hero. "I'm going to give my share to Paul Randall. And -what is more, I'll pay that money we borrowed from Mr. Amos Barrow; so -neither of you will have any debt hanging over you."</p> - -<p>Our hero was as good as his word, and not only did he clear the news -stand, but some time later he purchased a better fruit-and-candy stand -for Mrs. Kennedy, and also a first-class flower stand for Gladys -Summers.</p> - -<p>"You're a fine young gentleman," said Mrs. Kennedy. "A fine boy, -Nelson—beggin' your pardon, Master David."</p> - -<p>"I'm not used to the name yet," laughed our hero. "I guess I will be -Nelson the Newsboy for a long time to come among my old friends."</p> - -<p>"I am very thankful to you," said Gladys. "That flower stand is just -what I wanted." And she gave Nelson her sweetest smile.</p> - -<p>Nothing had been heard of the <i>Victory</i> or of Billy Darnley. The ship -sailed to the West Indies and to South America, and from there to the -Pacific, and whatever became of the bully David Horton never learned, -nor did he care. Len Snocks drifted to Jersey City, and then to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> the -West, and became a tramp, and was at last killed while stealing a ride -on a freight train.</p> - -<p>As soon as it was discovered how Mr. Horton had been slowly poisoned, -the doctor set to work to counteract the effects of the drugs. Gertrude, -our hero, and Mrs. Conroy took turns in caring for the sick man, and -before very long he began to show signs of rapid improvement.</p> - -<p>"It is like some terrible nightmare," he explained one day, when walking -out, with Gertrude on one side of him and David on the other. "I was not -myself at all."</p> - -<p>"No, you were not yourself," said Gertrude. "But you soon will be." And -she was right. By the following spring Mark Horton was a comparatively -well man.</p> - -<p>These events all occurred a number of years ago, and since that time -several important things have happened to our hero. As soon as his -identity was established he was provided with a private tutor, who -taught him for several years and prepared him for Columbia College. He -passed through college with flying colors,, and then took up civil -engineering, and to-day he is building large bridges for a leading -railroad company. He is doing well, and is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>devoted to his work. He -lives with his father and his cousin and is very happy. But even in his -happiness it is not likely that he will ever forget the days when he was -"Nelson the Newsboy."</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nelson The Newsboy, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. 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