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diff --git a/old/56056-0.txt b/old/56056-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7f155d3..0000000 --- a/old/56056-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7851 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Circus Rider, by Horatio Alger, Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Young Circus Rider - or, the Mystery of Robert Rudd - -Author: Horatio Alger, Jr. - -Release Date: November 27, 2017 [EBook #56056] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER *** - - - - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note - - Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations - in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and - punctuation remains unchanged. - - - - -[Illustration: ANAK ASTONISHES THE FARMER.] - - - - - _ATLANTIC SERIES._ - - THE - YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER; - OR, - THE MYSTERY OF ROBERT RUDD. - - BY - HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - PHILADELPHIA - HENRY T. COATES & CO. - - - - -FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS. - - -=RAGGED DICK SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - RAGGED DICK. - FAME AND FORTUNE. - MARK THE MATCH BOY. - ROUGH AND READY. - BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY. - RUFUS AND ROSE. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. FIRST -SERIES. - - TATTERED TOM. - PAUL THE PEDDLER. - PHIL THE FIDDLER. - SLOW AND SURE. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES.= 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES. - - JULIUS. - THE YOUNG OUTLAW. - SAM'S CHANCE. - THE TELEGRAPH BOY. - -=CAMPAIGN SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. - - FRANK'S CAMPAIGN. - PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE. - CHARLIE CODMAN'S CRUISE. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. -FIRST SERIES. - - LUCK AND PLUCK. - SINK OR SWIM. - STRONG AND STEADY. - STRIVE AND SUCCEED. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES. - - TRY AND TRUST. - BOUND TO RISE. - RISEN FROM THE RANKS. - HERBERT CARTER'S LEGACY. - -=BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - BRAVE AND BOLD. - JACK'S WARD. - SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF. - WAIT AND HOPE. - -=PACIFIC SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. - - THE YOUNG ADVENTURER. - THE YOUNG MINER. - THE YOUNG EXPLORERS. - BEN'S NUGGET. - -=ATLANTIC SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. - - THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER. - DO AND DARE. - HECTOR'S INHERITANCE. - HELPING HIMSELF. - -=WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - BOB BURTON. - THE STORE BOY. - LUKE WALTON. - STRUGGLING UPWARD. - -=NEW WORLD SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - DIGGING FOR GOLD. - FACING THE WORLD. - IN A NEW WORLD. - - -_=Other Volumes in Preparation.=_ - - -COPYRIGHT, 1883, BY PORTER & COATES. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -As the Pacific Series, just completed, is devoted to stories of life -and adventure on the Pacific coast, the Atlantic Series, of which the -Young Circus Rider is the initial volume, will comprise stories located -nearer home. The author will feel at liberty, however, should the -exigencies of the plot require it, to change the scene temporarily to -other parts of the continent. - -The fascinations which the circus has always exercised over the minds -of young people is so well known, that the author has felt justified -in selecting the hero of the present story from that class of public -performers who appeal so powerfully to the imagination of his young -readers. In order to prepare himself for his task, he has made -personal acquaintance with more than one hero of the ring, and has -sought to furnish an inside view of the life which he describes. He -hopes that the result may prove acceptable to the juvenile public in -whose behalf he is always glad to labor. - - HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - March 13, 1883. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER. PAGE - - I. Anak, the Norwegian Giant 7 - - II. Anak's Exploits 15 - - III. The Wrath of Mr. Tarbox 24 - - IV. Mr. Tarbox Invokes the Majesty of the Law 32 - - V. Tarbox and the Constable go to the Circus 41 - - VI. Tarbox is Defeated 50 - - VII. The Evening Entertainment 59 - - VIII. A Scheming Nephew 68 - - IX. Two Boys on a Tramp 77 - - X. Trapped 85 - - XI. Dismay at the Home of Tarbox 94 - - XII. The Canvas Man 102 - - XIII. Catching a Thief 110 - - XIV. Chestnutwood 115 - - XV. A Compact 120 - - XVI. The Canvas Man 127 - - XVII. An Athletic Contest 136 - - XVIII. The Canvas Man finds a Bonanza 144 - - XIX. A Farce and a Tragedy 153 - - XX. The Amateur Detectives 162 - - XXI. Catching a Burglar 171 - - XXII. Robert Rudd Leaves the Circus 180 - - XXIII. What the Letter Contained 188 - - XXIV. Robert Meets his Employer 193 - - XXV. At Niagara Falls 198 - - XXVI. A Victim of Treachery 207 - - XXVII. Robert finds Himself in a Tight Place 216 - - XXVIII. Robert Subdues a Horse 225 - - XXIX. An Unpleasant Acquaintance 234 - - XXX. The Tree of Refuge 241 - - XXXI. Hercules—the Strong Man 247 - - XXXII. Fitzgerald's Disappointment 253 - - XXXIII. Fitzgerald Sees an Apparition 262 - - XXXIV. The Mystery of Robert Rudd is Solved 266 - - - - -THE -STAR OF THE CIRCUS. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -ANAK, THE NORWEGIAN GIANT. - - -About three o'clock in the afternoon an oddly assorted couple walked -through the main street in the manufacturing town of Crampton. One -was a man of herculean proportions, fully seven and a half feet -high, but with a good-natured face that relieved the fears which he -might otherwise have inspired. The other was a boy of fifteen, tall -and slender, with a dark complexion and bright eyes. He found some -difficulty in keeping pace with his tall companion. - -"You're going too fast for me, Anak," he said at last. "Remember, my -legs are not quite so long as yours." - -The giant laughed—a deep, resonant and not unmusical laugh, and -answered: "I'm always forgetting that, Robert. I suppose I ought to -walk alone, for I can't find any one to match me." - -"See how people are looking at us," continued the boy, glancing quickly -back. "There's an army of small boys following us." - -"Do you want to see me scatter them?" asked Anak. - -"Yes; it will be fun." - -The burly giant turned, and assuming a terrific frown, ran back, -his long limbs carrying him on at remarkable speed. Instantly the -boys, with loud shouts of dismay, broke ranks and scattered in every -direction, not daring even to look over their shoulders. - -Anak came back, laughing heartily. - -"I wonder what the boys thought I would do to them," he said. "The fact -is, I like young people, and am always ready to take their parts; but -then, they don't know that. Did I look very alarming just now?" - -"Yes," answered Robert; "if I hadn't known you, I might have run too." - -"I don't know about that, Robert. No one can accuse you of want of -courage." - -Robert smiled, and his dark face looked very attractive when he smiled. - -"I am not afraid of horses," he said. - -"No; you are the most daring bareback rider I ever knew." - -"I don't think I ever was afraid of horses," continued the boy, -thoughtfully. "I can't remember the time when I was not used to them." - -"How long have you been a bareback rider?" asked Anak. - -"I think I commenced when I was nine years old." - -"And now you are—how old?" - -"Fifteen." - -"You never told me how you came to join a circus, Robert." - -"I was wandering about the country—tramping—without a friend, and -without any means of living, when a circus man offered to train me as a -rider. Anything was better than tramping, and I accepted—" - -"And now you are - - ROBERT RUDD, - THE BOY WONDER! - _The Best Bareback Rider in the World._" - -"That's what the circus bills say," replied Robert, smiling. "Now let -me introduce you. Gentlemen and ladies," said the boy, waving his hand, -as if addressing an audience, "I have the pleasure of introducing to -you, - - ANAK! - - THE CELEBRATED NORWEGIAN GIANT! - - _Eight feet in height, and weighing four hundred and twenty pounds, - who has been exhibited before all the crowned heads of Europe, and - is generally acknowledged to be the tallest giant in the world!_" - -"Good for you, Robert!" said the giant, good naturedly. "You've got it -by heart, my boy." - -"I want to ask you a favor, Anak," said Robert, slyly: "Speak a little -Norwegian; I want to know how it sounds." - -"Oh go away with you! I don't know any more Norwegian than you do." - -"How is that? You don't mean to say you've forgotten your native -language?" - -"I never knew a bit of Norwegian, Rob, my boy; and as for native -language, I'm minded to tell you a secret." - -"Go ahead!" - -"I was born in Tipperary, and they didn't use to speak Norwegian there -when I was a boy." - -"Then why do they call you a Norwegian?" - -"It sounds better than Irish, you see." - -"But haven't you ever been caught? Didn't you ever have a Norwegian -come up and try to talk to you in his own language?" - -"Yes," said Anak, laughing, "and mighty embarrassing it was, too." - -"What did you do?" - -"Faith, I opened upon him in old Irish. You ought to have seen the -fellow stare. I shrugged my shoulders, and said I, 'You speak bad -Norwegian,' and the crowd believed me. He slunk away, and that's the -way I got over that." - -"What's your real name, Anak?" - -Anak looked about him guardedly, and finding that no one was within -earshot, he answered, "Tom O'Connor, but don't give me away, Robert!" - -"I don't believe I could, Anak," said the boy, laughing. - -Anak joined in the laugh, and Robert continued, "When did you get your -growth? I mean, how old were you?" - -"I kept on growing till I was twenty-one. When I was sixteen I was six -feet high, and everybody thought I was through, but I kept on till I -reached seven and a half feet, and then was tall enough to show." - -"How about that eight feet, Anak?" - -"You must ask the manager. They always make giants taller than they -are. It's equal all round, and nobody's hurt. And now, Robert, I'm -going to ask you a question." - -"What is it, Anak?" - -"Do you expect always to be in this business?" - -"Bareback riding, you mean? No, I hope not," said the boy, gravely. - -"I hope not, too. It'll do for a time, and there isn't anything else -open to a big overgrown fellow like me, but you are a smart boy, and -there are plenty of chances for you to get into something else. You -never told me about when you were a little boy; can you remember as far -back?" - -"Not much," answered the boy, soberly. "Sometimes I seem to remember a -fine house and grounds, and it seems as if I were riding on a beautiful -lawn, on a pony, with a servant at my side. But it is provoking that I -can't remember any more, and the whole seems dim, and melts away, and -it may be all imagination, after all." - -"It may be all true, Robert. Was it in America, do you think, now?" - -"That is more than I can tell. It may be all fancy." - -"Have you any relations living?" - -"Not that I know of," said the boy sadly; "I wish I had. I feel very -lonely sometimes, and there doesn't seem much to live for." - -"You've plenty of friends, Rob—all of us like you." - -"Yes, you all treat me well." - -"You have always been a favorite in the circus, my lad." - -"Yes; I never had anything to complain of except that my trainer was -sometimes a little rough. But it isn't as if I had somebody belonging -to me—a brother, or a cousin, at the least. Have you any relations, -Anak?" - -"Yes, I've got any number of cousins, and my old mother's living, too, -bless her heart." - -"In Norway?" asked Robert, slyly. - -"Oh go away! they know no more about Norway than you do. It is in -Tipperary they all live. I've forty or fifty cousins at the least, and -I'll give you a half a dozen with pleasure, if it'll do you any good." - -"I don't think they would answer my purpose, Anak," answered the boy, -smiling. - -"Well, as I was sayin', Robert, I wouldn't stay with the circus always -if I was you." - -"What else is there for me to do?" - -"Wait and see. You're young yet." - -"My education is very poor, you know, Anak." - -"Can't you read and write?" - -"Yes, but not much more. I should like to go to school for two years." - -"Sure you look like a gentleman, and you'll be one some day, I -shouldn't wonder." - -"Look there, Anak!" said the boy, suddenly; "there's a man who appears -to be in trouble." - -As he spoke he pointed to the driver of a team, which seemed to have -settled in the mud, for it was now spring-time, and the roads were in -a bad condition. The driver was shouting frantically to the horse, who -was making desperate efforts to pull the wagon out of the mire, but -without success. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -ANAK'S EXPLOITS. - - -"What's the matter, my friend?" inquired Anak, addressing the driver of -the team. - -The latter stared in amazement at the gigantic querist, but his trouble -overcame his surprise, and he answered, "You can see for yourself. My -wagon's mired and my horse is too lazy to draw it out." - -"Indeed the poor beast is unable," said Anak. - -"He can do it if he wants to," said the driver, angrily. "I'll see if I -can't persuade him," and he flourished a whip in a menacing manner. - -"Hold there!" said Anak. "We'll see if we can't help him." - -So saying he went round to the back of the wagon, and, seizing it in -his powerful hands, cried, "Now start your horse!" - -The driver did so, and, with Anak's powerful help, the horse had small -difficulty in extricating the wagon from the mire. - -"There, that's better than beating your horse," said Anak, stepping -once more to the side of the road. - -"You're powerful strong, sir," said the teamster, respectfully, -surveying the colossal proportions of Anak. - -"I ought to be, oughtn't I?" returned Anak. - -"Excuse me, sir, but do you belong to the circus?" - -"Yes, you'll find me there if you take the trouble to visit it." - -"Are you the Norwegian giant?" - -"That's what they call me," answered Anak, smiling. - -"Well, at any rate, I'm obliged to you for helping me." - -"And so is the horse, I'm thinking." - -"Yes; you are as strong as a horse yourself," said the teamster, -admiringly. - -"That is convenient sometimes, my friend." - -The teamster drove on, and Anak and Robert also continued their walk. - -"The manager doesn't like to have me show myself for nothing," said -Anak, "but I can't stay under canvas all day to oblige him. My health -requires me to walk out in the open air." - -"Does it require you to walk so fast, Anak?" - -"Excuse me, Robert; I'm always forgetting." - -"The manager has less trouble in keeping Madame Leonora in," said Robert. - -"That's true; she's too fat to walk much. She weighs more than I do, -though she's two feet shorter." - -They had drawn out of the village, and got into the comparatively open -country among the farms. They were talking of one subject and another, -when suddenly their attention was drawn to a small boy who was running -towards them in terror and dismay. - -"What's the matter?" asked Robert, his sympathy quickly aroused; "are -you hurt?" - -"No," answered the boy, slackening his speed, "but Mr. Tarbox is going -to whip Jimmy." - -"And who is Jimmy?" - -"Jimmy's my brother." - -"And what have you been doing?" - -"We were only cutting across his lot, when he came out and chased us, -swearin' awful. I got away, but he's got poor Jimmy, and he's going to -horsewhip him," and the poor boy burst into terrified tears. - -Robert afterwards learned that this Tarbox was a rough, tyrannical old -farmer, noted for his bad temper, who appeared to cherish a special -antipathy to boys. There was a footpath around his field, which -considerably lessened the distance to the main road for some of his -neighbors, but in the ugliness of his disposition he forbade it to be -used. Men he did not venture to attack, but woe betide the boy who -ventured to enter his enclosure. - -"Where is this Tarbox and your brother?" asked Anak. - -The boy pointed to a house and lot a little farther on. - -"We wouldn't have gone across-lots," he explained, "but mother was -taken sick, and we got frightened and wanted to call the doctor as soon -as we could, and we thought we might do it for once." - -"Did you tell this man Tarbox the reason you went across his field?" -asked Anak. - -"Yes, but he said it was no excuse, and I am afraid he'll kill poor -Jimmy." - -The little boy fell to weeping again. - -"There they are!" said Robert. - -In a field, just off the road, was a strong, brutal-looking man -deliberately engaged in tying a boy of twelve to a tree. The whip in -his hand showed what he intended to do afterwards. He might indeed have -dispensed with tying the boy, for he was quite unable to escape, but he -did it on the same principle that a cat plays with a mouse, to increase -the terror of the poor victim. - -His back was turned, so that he did not see the approach of Anak and -the two boys. - -This was what the new-comer heard as they approached: - -"Oh, please don't whip me, Mr. Tarbox," pleaded the poor boy, in an -agony of apprehension. - -"Then why did you come across my lot, you little rascal?" - -"I was in a hurry to call the doctor, because mother was sick. Indeed -that was the only reason." - -"I've got nothing to do with your sick mother," said Tarbox. "That was -no reason for coming across my field." - -"I didn't hurt anything, sir; I just walked along the path." - -"I'll larn you not to try it again, Jim Benton; I'm goin' to give you -as good a floggin' as ever you had. You can just tell the other boys -how it feels and mebbe they'll want to try it." - -"Oh, please don't whip me! I ought to be goin' for a doctor. My mother -may die." - -"She can die for all I care," said the brutal Tarbox. "Now I've got you -tied, and I'm goin' to give your jacket a good warmin'." - -He raised the whip and was about to bring it down upon the shrinking -limbs of the poor boy, when he was startled by a deep, stern voice only -a rod behind him, "Don't touch that boy!" - -Tarbox looked back and saw Anak striding towards him. He had not seen -him before, but he knew who he was, for he had seen the posters of the -circus. Though rather startled, he was not disposed to yield his victim -easily. - -"Get out of my field!" he snarled; "you're trespassin'." - -"I can't help it," said Anak; "I'm not going to see a brute like you -whip a poor child while I am here to defend him." - -"You ain't, hey?" snarled Tarbox. "I've got the law on my side, and I'm -goin' to do it. Just you clear out, you two, or I'll have the law on -you." - -He raised the whip, but did not get a chance to use it. Anak reached -him in one stride, snatched the whip from his hand and flung it into -the road; then, grasping the stalwart farmer by the collar, shook him -till his teeth chattered, with as much ease as Tarbox himself would -have handled the twelve-year-old boy. - -"Perhaps you'll change your opinion now?" he said. - -Tarbox was astonished and cowed. There wasn't a man in town that could -cope with him, yet he was but a child in the hands of the Norwegian -giant. - -"I'll have the law of you!" he shrieked in furious anger. - -"So you may, but first you've got to untie that boy." - -"I won't!" - -"You won't, hey?" - -Again Anak seized him, and shook him vigorously in spite of his -struggles. - -When he let him go, Tarbox, with an evil look, called, "Here, Bruiser! -come here, sir." - -A large, wicked-looking bull-dog bounded over a stone wall, and rushed -forward evidently bent on mischief. - -"Sik him!" he exclaimed, pointing to Anak. - -"Is your dog's life insured?" asked Anak, calmly. - -He waited till the dog was within a foot or two, aiming to attack his -leg; then he raised one of his powerful feet, aimed a tremendous kick -at Bruiser, and the dog was stretched senseless at his feet. - -"It's your own fault," said Anak, turning to the farmer; "your dog is -probably dead. Now, untie that boy." - -Tarbox by this time seemed thoroughly frightened. With dark, sullen -looks he obeyed the giant, and Jimmy, overjoyed to recover his freedom, -stretched his arms and legs. - -"Now, go for the doctor as fast as you please," said Anak. - -The two brothers quickly started on their errand, and Anak, turning to -Tarbox, said, "You miserable brute, if I ever hear of your attempting -to abuse a poor boy again, I'll travel five hundred miles if necessary -to kick you as I have kicked your dog. Go back to your house or I may -do it now." - -Tarbox needed no second order. He was rather afraid that he too might -feel the weight of the giant's boot, and he hurried away. Safe in his -own yard, he shouted, "I'll have you punished for this, you big rascal!" - -Anak only laughed. - -"We may as well be going back, Robert," he said; "I don't want to get -into any more fights." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE WRATH OF MR. TARBOX. - - -Colman's Grand Combined Circus and Menagerie, with its line of showy -chariots, its collection of animals from all parts of the habitable -world, and its general array of wonders, had pitched its tent in a -large otherwise unoccupied lot in the eastern part of the town. - -An immense tent, capable of containing six thousand spectators, had -been erected, and presented a picturesque appearance. All was hurry -and bustle in and around the circus tent. Crowds of staring urchins -were gathered as near as possible, on the chance of seeing something -of the wonders hidden by the canvas. I am afraid more boys played -truant on that day than had done so for many previous weeks, for to the -mind of the average school-boy there is nothing more seductive than a -travelling show. - -Anak and Robert had been missed, for it was not often they absented -themselves so long, and it is possible that the heart of the manager -might have been stirred by apprehensions lest two of his greatest -attractions should have taken French leave and forsaken him on the eve -of battle. - -When they were seen approaching, a boy smaller than Robert ran to meet -them. - -This was Charlie Davis, also a bareback rider, but a year younger than -Robert, who performed an act with him. - -"Where have you been, you two?" he asked. "I thought you'd run away?" - -"If Anak ran away, it would take a fast runner to catch him," said -Robert. "No, we've been taking a walk." - -"Why didn't you tell me? I should like to have gone, too." - -"You're not much of a walker, you know, Charlie. Still you might have -helped us. We got into a fight." - -"Where? Who did you fight with?" asked Charlie, his curiosity aroused. - -"With a brutal old farmer, who had tied a boy to a tree, and was going -to flog him. You ought to have seen how Anak tamed him down. He just -took him by the collar, and shook him as a cat would a rat." - -"What did he do?" - -"He called his dog, a big, ugly brute, named Bruiser. Bruiser's funeral -will take place to-morrow." - -"I wish I had been with you," said Charlie, in a tone of disappointment. - -"If you had, I should have let you do the fighting," said Anak. "Well, -Charlie, how are things getting on?" - -"Oh, everything is about ready. They've laid out the ring, and are -putting up the seats. The bearded lady's sick, and says she shan't -appear if she doesn't feel better. But they can spare her better than -they could us." - -"I don't know," said Robert, smiling. "At any rate, we have harder work -to do than she, though we may not get as much money." - -"And it isn't as good fun, either," remarked Charlie. - -"That's true. Well, let us go in and see how things are going on." - -Charlie Davis was a year younger and considerably smaller than Robert, -but his line of business was the same, and the two rode together well. -Young performers are always popular, and the two boys always received -their share of applause. Charlie had a more lively temperament than -Robert, and being a little fellow was a general favorite among the -other performers. - -Leaving the circus for a time we will go back to Mr. Nathan Tarbox, who -had been so signally defeated in his plans of revenge upon his young -victim by Anak. As he entered the house he was met by Mrs. Tarbox, who -from the window had witnessed with dismay the conflict between her -husband and the Norwegian giant. - -She was a tall, bony woman, not usually demonstrative, but she rushed -up to her husband on this occasion in a tremor of excitement and threw -her arms round his neck. - -"Oh, Nathan!" she exclaimed, "I thought that monster would kill you. I -shook like a leaf when I saw you in his grasp." - -"Quit your fooling," returned the affectionate husband. "Why didn't you -come out and help me?" - -"How could I—a delicate woman like me?" asked Mrs. Tarbox, -reproachfully. - -"I suppose you wouldn't have minded seeing me killed before your eyes," -retorted Nathan with sarcasm; "you wasn't too delicate for that. I dare -say you'd like to be a widow." - -"How can you talk so, Nathan? You hurt my feelings. Do be reasonable, -now. What could I do?" - -"What could you do? I'll tell you what you could do. You could have -taken the frying-pan and laid it over his head. That's what you ought -to have done. Between us we could have managed the big brute." - -"You know, Nathan, I couldn't have reached his head. Who is he? I never -saw such a monster before in all my born days." - -"He's the Norwegian giant at the circus. If he hadn't been a giant I -could have managed him. There isn't a man in town but I can handle." - -"Of course there isn't. What made him touch you?" - -"It's all the fault of them bad Graham children that tramped across my -fields when I'd told 'em not to. I was goin' to give the biggest one -a lesson with a horsewhip, when that overgrown ruffian broke in and -seized me. I wish I had him tied to a tree just for five minutes," said -Tarbox, walking the room in his fury. "Big as he is I'd lash him till -he bellowed for mercy." - -"That would be nice, Nathan dear," said Mrs. Tarbox, complacently. - -"Nice, Mrs. Tarbox!" exclaimed her husband, turning the vials of his -anger upon her; "we might have done it, too, if you had had the courage -to come out and stand by your husband. You could have seized him from -behind, while I gave him a lashing. Instead of that you were standing -at the window smirking in your foolish way, I've no doubt. A pretty -wife you are!" - -"O Nathan, I am sure you don't know what you are saying. You forget I -am a weak, delicate woman." - -Though Mrs. Tarbox was tall, strong, gaunt and bony, she was accustomed -to consider herself delicate. It was fortunate that she was not so, and -that she was not particularly sensitive, or the brutal temper of her -husband would have worn upon her more than it did. She was fortunate in -being a silly woman. It saved her much mental suffering. - -"You weak and delicate!" retorted her husband, contemptuously. "So is a -ostrich." - -"Where's Bruiser? Why didn't you call him?" - -Mrs. Tarbox had not witnessed the untimely fate of that amiable -quadruped. - -At the mention of Bruiser her husband's wrath again overflowed. - -"He's dead!" he shouted. "That brute killed him." - -"How did he do it?" asked his wife, not without curiosity, for she knew -the bull-dog's strength. - -"Kicked him to death! That's how he did it." - -"He must be very strong," murmured Mrs. Tarbox. "Don't you think we -ought to erect a gravestone over Bruiser," she continued, "just as I -did over that sweet canary? A piece of board would do, you know." - -"Perhaps you'd like to write some lines for it," remarked Mr. Tarbox, -sarcastically. - -"I was thinking, Nathan, we could put something like this: - - HERE LIES BRUISER! - - Cut off in the flower of his youth— - Gone to meet old Towser!" - -and Mrs. Tarbox looked up to her husband for his approval. - -"Mrs. Tarbox," he said, "I believe you are the greatest fool in town. -Have you got any common sense?" - -"Nathan, you shouldn't talk so to your wife," she answered, placidly. -"I only spoke for the best; of course, if you think of anything you -like better, I don't care." - -"I have no time to think of epitaphs on dogs, Mrs. Tarbox. I've got -something more important to do. Do you know what I am going to do, Mrs. -Tarbox?" - -"Change your shirt, perhaps," said his wife; "you forgot to do it this -morning." - -Mr. Tarbox came near swearing. - -"No," said he, "I'm going to have that brute arrested for assault and -battery, for trespassing on my grounds and killing my dog. That's what -I'm going to do." - -"So I would, Nathan. I wonder you didn't think of it before." - -"Then get supper ready, and I'll go round and get a warrant for his -arrest as quick as I get through." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -MR. TARBOX INVOKES THE MAJESTY OF THE LAW. - - -Ezekiel Price, justice of the peace, generally known as Squire Price, -was just rising from his supper table when the one maid of all work, -Bridget, entered and said: "Mr. Price, old Tarbox is at the door and -wishes to see you." - -"Old Tarbox!" repeated the squire in a tone of reproof. "Really, you -should speak more respectfully of Mr. Nathan Tarbox." - -"Everybody calls him old Tarbox," said Bridget, "and he's the meanest -man in town." - -"Let that pass," said the justice, using a pet phrase. "Tell him to -come in." - -Mr. Tarbox immediately afterwards was ushered into the room. - -"Good evening, Mr. Tarbox," said the squire, in a dignified tone. - -"Good evenin', squire." - -"All well at home, I trust, Mr. Tarbox." - -"Oh yes," answered Tarbox, impatient to come to business. "I've come on -law business." - -"Indeed!" - -"I want justice!" continued the farmer, slapping the table energetically, -to the imminent hazard of a cup and saucer standing beside. - -"If I can be of any service to you in my—ahem! judicial capacity, I of -course should consider it my duty to help you." - -"I want a warrant for the arrest of a brute." - -"Ahem! my powers do not extend to the arrest of brutes. They are -limited to human beings." - -"You know what I mean—a brute on two legs, and mighty long ones, too." - -"I cannot say I apprehend your meaning, Mr. Tarbox. Whom do you wish to -arrest, let me ask?" - -"The Norwegian giant." - -"The Norwegian giant!" repeated the squire in astonishment. - -"Yes; the giant they've got at the show." - -"What has he been doing?" - -"What hasn't he been doing?" shouted Tarbox. "He came into my lot this -afternoon, seized me by the collar, nearly shook me to pieces, and -kicked my dog Bruiser to death." - -Squire Price listened in undisguised amazement. - -"Really," he said, "this was a high-handed outrage. Was he drunk?" - -"No; he can't get off on no such plea as that. He was as sober as you -or I." - -"Did he assign any reason for his extraordinary attack?" - -"He was meddling in affairs that he had nothing to do with." - -"What affairs?" - -This was rather an embarrassing question to answer. - -"The fact is, I caught Jimmy Graham and his brother cutting across my -lot—a clear case of trespass—and I was about to give Jimmy a lesson -when that brute interfered—" - -"What sort of a lesson were you going to give him?" asked the squire, -shrewdly. - -"Why, you see I had tied the boy to a tree, and was going to touch -him gently with a horsewhip, when in jumped this overgrown bully and -attacked me." - -"Ahem! I begin to see. I hear that the Graham boys' mother was taken -sick this afternoon, and the boys were probably going for the doctor." - -"So they said, but they had no right to go across my lot." - -"It strikes me, Mr. Tarbox, they were excusable under the -circumstances." - -"No, they were not; I have forbidden 'em time and again from goin' -across my field." - -"There's a path, isn't there?" - -"Yes, but it's my path." - -"Did the boy attract the giant's attention by screaming?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, Mr. Tarbox, to be frank with you, I think it was very natural -for him to interfere in defence of a boy about to receive brutal -treatment." - -"I hope you ain't goin' to take the side of lawbreakin', squire?" - -"You say he seized you by the collar and shook you up, Mr. Tarbox?" - -"Yes; he made the teeth chatter in my head till I thought they would -drop out." - -"And he frightened you, did he?" - -"Yes; I thought he was goin' to take my life," said Mr. Tarbox, -desiring to make the assault seem as aggravated as possible. - -A mild smile played over the placid face of the squire, who was -evidently not impressed as he should have been by the recital of Mr. -Tarbox's wrongs. - -"And then you called Bruiser, did you, Mr. Tarbox?" - -"Yes." - -"What did you expect Bruiser to do?" - -"I wanted him to tear the giant to pieces. He was just makin' for his -legs when the brute drew back his foot and kicked him to death." - -In his excitement Mr. Tarbox rose and paced the room. - -Squire Price smiled again. It is to be feared he did not deplore, as he -should have done, the sad and untimely fate of the amiable bull-dog. - -"Now, what do you want me to do, Mr. Tarbox?" - -"I want a warrant for the arrest of this big scoundrel." - -"For killing Bruiser? That appears to have been in self-defence." - -"No; for assault and battery on me, Nathan Tarbox, a free-born American -citizen. It's come to a pretty pass if I am to be attacked and nearly -killed by a foreign Norwegian, who has come over to America to take the -bread from our own citizens." - -"Well, I suppose I must give you what you desire, Mr. Tarbox, if you -insist upon it," said the squire. - -"Of course I insist upon it. I'm not goin' to be trampled under foot by -a minion of a foreign power." - -"Do you happen to know the giant's name?" asked the squire. - -Mr. Tarbox scratched his head. - -"I can't say I rightly remember his name. I think it's Enoch." - -"Enoch! Very likely. That's a good Bible name. Just wait here a moment, -Mr. Tarbox, and I will make out an order of arrest." - -The squire left the room and returned in five minutes with a paper duly -drawn up, directing any constable or police officer to apprehend the -giant known as Enoch, and produce before him to answer to a charge of -assault and battery on Nathan Tarbox, a citizen of Crampton. There was -more legal phraseology, but this was the purport of it. - -"Thank you, squire," said Mr. Tarbox, in evident gratification, as he -deposited the valuable document which was to secure his revenge in the -right inside pocket of his coat. - -"Who are you going to get to serve the warrant?" asked the squire. - -"Sam Spriggins; he's the nearest constable." - -"Very well," said the squire, with a peculiar smile. - -"I'm going to have him arrested just as the evening performance is to -commence," said Mr. Tarbox, triumphantly; "that'll trouble him, and -probably they'll cut off his pay, but it'll serve him right." - -After Mr. Tarbox left the squire had a quiet laugh, but as he did not -mention to any one what had aroused his mirth we are left to conjecture -what it was all about. - -Nathan Tarbox proceeded at once to the house of Constable Spriggins, and -was lucky enough to find him at home. In fact, Mr. Spriggins was out in -his back yard, splitting some kindlings for use the next morning. - -Sam Spriggins, who filled the high office of constable, was not a man -of imposing appearance, he was about five feet eight inches in height, -and had hair of a flaming red, and probably weighed about one hundred -and forty pounds. It was somehow suspected that Mr. Spriggins was not a -man of reckless bravery. He had never been employed to arrest desperate -criminals, and lawbreakers were not accustomed to quail before his -glance. In fact, Sam was more likely to be the one to quail. Why he had -been appointed constable was not very clear, but probably it came about -because no one else wanted the office. - -"Good evening, Mr. Tarbox," said the constable, desisting from his -employment. - -"Good evenin'. I've got some work for you to do." - -"What is it?" - -"I want you to make an arrest." - -"Who's the party?" asked Sam, in a tone which betrayed some -apprehension. - -"It's the Norwegian giant at the circus." - -"Come now, Mr. Tarbox, you're joking," said Spriggins. - -"Joking!" shouted Tarbox. "Do I look like joking? Why, this Enoch came -into my lot this afternoon and nearly killed me. It's an outrageous -case of assault and battery, and here's the warrant for his arrest duly -made out by Squire Price." - -"Is he very large?" faltered the poor constable. - -"Very large! He's eight or nine feet high," said Tarbox. - -"Couldn't you call on some other constable?" pleaded Spriggins, -nervously. "You see, it's very inconvenient for me to leave my work." - -"No; you're the man, and it's your legal duty to serve the warrant. -Besides, the other constable's out of town." - -"When do you want the man arrested?" faltered Spriggins. - -"I want you to go right over to the show with me now." - -"Do—do you think he'll be violent?" asked the constable. - -"I can't say," answered Tarbox. "Anyhow, the law is on your side, and -I'll go with you, and stand by you." - -Sam Spriggins never in his life so deeply regretted that he had -accepted the office of constable. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -TARBOX AND THE CONSTABLE GO TO THE CIRCUS. - - -"I think I'll go in and bid my wife good-by," said the constable, -ruefully. - -"What's the need of that?" asked Tarbox, impatiently. - -"We don't know what may happen," said Spriggins, solemnly. "I'm ready -to do my duty by the gover'ment; but it's a risky business, arrestin' a -giant." - -"Oh, well, be quick about it. I don't believe Mrs. Spriggins will mind." - -This remark did not seem to encourage or soothe the constable, but he -made no remark. He went into the house, and Mrs. Spriggins followed him -when he came out. - -"Nathan Tarbox," she said, "you're real mean to get my husband into -trouble." - -"How have I got him into trouble," demanded Tarbox doggedly. - -"You want to get him into a fight with a giant. He ain't fit to wrestle -with any one, bein' in poor health, least of all a giant." - -"Ain't he a officer of the law? That's what I want to know," said -Tarbox. - -"Why, yes." - -"Then let him do his duty. I've put a warrant into his hands, and -Squire Price and I expect him to execute it." - -"Suppose he's killed?" suggested Mrs. Spriggins. - -Her husband looked nervous at the possibility hinted at, but Tarbox was -inexorable. - -"Then you can be proud of his dyin' while doin' his duty. Come, -constable, I've no time to waste. Come along!" - -"You're real mean!" ejaculated Mrs. Spriggins, tearfully. - -Tarbox deigned no answer, but strode out of the yard, followed by the -reluctant constable. - -Few words were said, but when they were half way to the circus grounds -a bright idea struck Spriggins. - -"I say, Mr. Tarbox," he said, eagerly, "can't we compromise this thing?" - -"I don't know what you mean." - -"You might authorize me to say to the giant in a friendly kind of way -that your feelin's are hurt, that it's probably all a misunderstandin', -and propose to make up." - -"Spriggins, are you a fool? Do you think I'm goin' to compromise after -I've been shaken almost to pieces and my dog has been kicked to death?" - -"He might agree to buy you a new dog, if it was properly set before -him." - -"A new dog wouldn't make up for Bruiser. He scared all the children in -the neighborhood. I shan't see his like again. What I want is—revenge!" - -"Why don't you lay for him then yourself, and not drag me into it?" - -"Spriggins, I believe you're a coward—you're afraid of this Enoch." - -"Who wouldn't be afraid of a man eight or nine feet high?" - -"I ain't afraid of him," said Tarbox, stoutly. "I'll stand by you; -we'll face him together." - -Seeing that there was no disposition to yield on the part of his -client, if I may so designate Mr. Tarbox, the constable continued on -his way, grasping the warrant in uneasy fingers. - -It was some distance to the circus grounds, but the way seemed all -too short for Constable Spriggins, who felt like a man approaching an -enemy's battery. - -At length they came in sight of the circus grounds. Around the big tent -were congregated a crowd of men and boys, and a stream of people was -already marching up to the box office to buy tickets, while hitched to -trees and posts were carriages and wagons of all descriptions which had -been employed to convey intending spectators from the town round about. -Nothing draws like a circus in the country, or perhaps we may add in -the city also. - -"There's goin' to be a crowd," remarked the constable. - -"Yes; fools and their money are soon parted. I never went to a circus -in all my life. It's all foolery." - -"I went once when I was a boy, and I liked it. I little thought under -what circumstances I should make my second visit," said Spriggins, -ruefully. - -"Circuses are wicked, in my opinion," said Tarbox. "I'd close 'em all -up if I could; we'll do what we can to stop this." - -By this time they had got into the crowd at the entrance. - -Instead of going up to the ticket office to purchase tickets they -passed on, and reached the doorway where stood a man to receive tickets. - -"Where's your tickets?" demanded he of Spriggins and his companion. - -Mr. Spriggins turned to Tarbox expecting him to explain. - -"We don't need no tickets," said he in an impressive manner. "This man -is an officer of the law." - -"No deadheads—no free list," said the ticket-taker shortly. "Stand -aside!" - -"You don't understand me," said Tarbox. "This is Constable Spriggins, -and he demands admission in the name of the United States and the -Commonwealth of Massachusetts." - -"The United States don't own this show, nor yet the State of -Massachusetts. Stand aside and let those who have tickets enter." - -"It's no use," said the constable, rather relieved. "They won't let us -in." - -"This officer wants to make an arrest in your building," said Tarbox, -trying again. - -"Can't help it! He can't get in without a ticket." - -"You see how 'tis," said Spriggins, cheerfully. "We can't get in." - -"Force your way in!" said Tarbox, indignantly. "You've got the law on -your side." - -This the constable positively refused to do. - -"Then buy a ticket and go in. The State will pay you back." - -"I've no call to do it, and I don't believe I'd get my money back." - -"You refuse to do your duty, do you?" - -"No I don't. I've tried, and I can't. You know how it is yourself." - -Mr. Tarbox was nonplussed. He didn't like to give up his cherished -scheme of vengeance, yet how was he to carry it out? - -"I'll tell you what I'll do," he said; "I'll buy you a ticket, and -trust to the State to pay me." - -"You can't collect it of me," said the constable, "even if the State -don't pay you. You can buy me a ticket if you want to." - -But Tarbox was seized with a sudden suspicion. Spriggins might go -in and see the show at his expense, and leave his duty unperformed. -There was nothing to do but to go in with him, and that would involve -the purchase of two tickets, and the expenditure of an entire dollar, -which Tarbox, who was a close man, could not think of without mentally -groaning. Nevertheless, his soul thirsted for revenge, and it was clear -that revenge could not be had without expense. - -"Spriggins," he said, "I'll buy two tickets, and we'll go in together." - -The constable would have preferred to go in alone. He wanted to see the -show, and if he had been unaccompanied he could have done so without -any troublesome duties disturbing his enjoyment. - -"Jest as you say," he answered, a little nervously. - -Mr. Tarbox joined the line, and gradually worked his way to the ticket -office. - -"A couple of tickets," he said, handing a dollar bill to the ticket -agent. - -Two tickets were immediately passed to him, and he and the constable -entered the tent. - -Opposed as he was to the circus, Tarbox could not forbear looking about -him with considerable curiosity. They were not yet in the main room, -but were in an outer lobby where were ranged the cages of animals. Mr. -Tarbox started as an African lion, whose cage he was passing, roared, -and he regarded with some apprehension the gratings of the cage. - -"It's rather resky," he said. "Suppose the lions or tigers should break -out." - -The constable trembled at the suggestion, but still seemed interested -in looking about him. - -"Come, Mr. Tarbox," he said, "let's go and look at the elephants." - -"Do you think I came here to see elephants?" he said, sternly. -"Constable, I call upon you to do your duty." - -"How can I?" asked the constable; "I don't see the giant." - -One of the canvas men happened to be passing, and Mr. Tarbox, rightly -concluding that he was connected with the show, asked, "Where's Enoch?" - -"Enoch!" repeated the canvas man, staring; "I guess you're off. I don't -know any Enoch." - -"I mean the Norwegian giant." - -"Oh!" said the attendant, smiling. "You just follow round to the left, -and you'll see him. He's sittin' next to the fat lady." - -"Constable," said Mr. Tarbox, grasping his companion by the arm, "we -are on the scent. Come along, and we'll see what the villain has to say -to the law." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -TARBOX IS DEFEATED. - - -The performance had not commenced—indeed, half an hour would elapse -before the hour fixed—and several of the performers were to be seen -among the spectators about the cages of the animals. One of these -Tarbox recognized. - -"Look at that boy!" he said, clutching the constable's arm. - -He pointed to Robert Rudd and Charlie Davis, the two young riders, who -were walking together. - -"What of him?" asked Spriggins. - -"That's the young villain that was with Enoch." - -Spriggins inwardly wished that the warrant was for Robert instead of -the giant. - -"Why didn't you arrest him instead of the giant?" he asked. - -"Perhaps I will yet, for he trespassed on my grounds; but it was Enoch -that shook me up and killed Bruiser. Look here, young feller," he -said, addressing Robert. - -Robert turned and smiled as he recognized the farmer. - -"Oh, it's you," he answered. - -"Yes, it's me," answered Tarbox sternly. "Where is Enoch?" - -"Who do you mean?" - -"That overgrown brute that was with you this afternoon." - -Charlie Davis asked a question in a low voice of Robert, and then -turning to Tarbox before Robert had a chance to answer him asked: "Do -you want to buy a dog, mister?" - -"You're too small! I don't want a puppy!" answered Tarbox, scowling. - -"Oh, you're too fresh!" answered Charlie, rather annoyed, particularly -as Robert laughed. - -"Why don't you answer me, boy?" demanded Tarbox angrily. - -"I will conduct you to my friend, the Norwegian giant," answered Robert -politely. - -"Come along, Spriggins!" said Mr. Tarbox, pulling after him the -reluctant constable. - -Spriggins would have enjoyed a leisurely examination of the Albino -sisters, the wild man from Borneo, the living skeleton, and the fat -lady, but none of them had attractions for Mr. Tarbox, whose soul was -fired by the desire for revenge. All too soon they reached the chair -where in massive dignity sat Anak, the Norwegian giant. - -As Anak's eyes rested on the approaching visitors, he looked amused. - -"I'm glad to see you, my friend," he called out, in the deep tones -natural to him, to Tarbox. - -"And I'm glad to see you," said Tarbox, spitefully. "I came here -expressly to see you." - -"You're very kind," said Anak. "Take a good look. There ain't so much -of me as there is of my friend, Mme. Leonora," with a wave of the hand -towards the fat lady; "but you can look at me as much as you want to." - -"I shall soon see you in a prison cell," said Mr. Tarbox, sternly. -"Constable Spriggins, do your duty, sir." - -Poor Spriggins gazed at the immense man before him, with his heart -gradually sinking down into his boots. Never in all his life had he -been placed in such an embarrassing position. What utter nonsense it -was for him to think of leading out such a monster by the collar. Why, -he couldn't begin to reach up to Anak's collar. - -"Can't we compromise this thing?" he asked, faintly. - -"No, we can't, Spriggins; I insist upon your doin' your duty." - -"What do you want?" asked Anak, in some curiosity. - -"Produce your warrant, Spriggins," said Tarbox. - -The constable mechanically drew it out from his inside pocket. - -Tarbox saw that he must take the initiative, and he was perfectly -willing to do so. - -"Enoch," he said, "this man is an officer of the law. He has a warrant -for your arrest." - -"For my arrest?" inquired Anak, opening his eyes in amazed surprise. - -"Yes, for assault and battery on me, Nathan Tarbox, and the murder of -my dog, Bruiser. Such things can be done in Norway, p'r'aps, but they -ain't allowed in the State of Massachusetts. Spriggins, do your duty." - -The constable looked at the giant uncomfortably, and edged away a -little. - -"What!" said Anak, shaking his sides, "does he want to arrest me?" - -"Yes," said Tarbox, grimly. "Spriggins, read the warrant." - -"Read it yourself, Mr. Tarbox." - -Tarbox did so with evident enjoyment, but Anak's enjoyment seemed no -less. - -"Ho, ho, ho!" he shouted. "This is a joke!" - -"You won't find it much of a joke," said Tarbox. "Come, Spriggins, do -your duty." - -"Mr. Enoch," said the constable, in a trembling voice, "if you'll come -with me without making any fuss, I'll see that you are well treated." - -"Suppose I don't?" said Anak. - -Spriggins looked helplessly at Tarbox. That was a question he could not -answer. - -"Then it'll be the worse for you," said Tarbox, who was always ready to -make up for his companion's deficiencies. - -"Can't you wait till the performance is over?" asked the giant, smiling. - -"To be sure," said Spriggins, quickly. "Anything to oblige." - -"No," said Tarbox, decidedly. "The warrant must be served now. You have -no discretion." - -"I'd like to oblige the gentleman," said the constable, who wanted to -avoid trouble and see the performance. - -"You can't. It won't be allowed." - -"What's the use of losing the benefit of our money, Mr. Tarbox?" - -"That's my affair. I don't want to see the circus. I consider it a -wicked snare to lure souls to Satan." - -"But I don't; you can go, you know," suggested Spriggins. - -"No; I shall stay here to see that you do your duty." - -"You have no charge over me," said the constable, with some spirit. - -"All the same you need looking after. Enoch, if you defy the law you'll -find it the worse for you. This ain't Norway." - -"No; we've got no such fools as you in Norway," retorted the giant. -"Tell me what you want." - -Tarbox whispered to Spriggins. - -The latter in a tremulous voice said, "Enoch, I arrest you in the name -of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and I require you to come with me -at once." - -"Come and take me," said Anak, his broad face relaxing with a smile. - -"What do you mean?" asked Tarbox, quickly. - -"I mean that I shan't stir from this chair. My contract with this show -requires me to sit here. If the constable wants me, he must take me by -force. He needn't be afraid. If he can take me he may." - -Even Tarbox looked rather nonplussed. Both he and Spriggins together -would have found it impossible to carry off a giant weighing over four -hundred pounds. - -"You see, we'll have to give it up," said Spriggins, with evident -pleasure. - -"You're glad of it!" said Tarbox, suspiciously. "You don't want to do -your duty." - -"I've tried to do it, and it's no use," said the constable, with a -little show of spirit. "If I had the strength of a yoke of oxen, I -might do something; as it is, I can't." - -"You'd better come quietly, Enoch," said Tarbox, his own courage -beginning to fail. - -A crowd had collected about the two, and derisive smiles and remarks -greeted the lamentable failure of Tarbox's scheme of revenge. - -"Get a wheelbarrow, mister," said a boy from a neighboring town. - -"Hadn't you better try a derrick?" suggested a man beside him. - -"You must be a lunatic!" said another. - -"We'd better go, Mr. Tarbox," said Spriggins, uncomfortably. - -"I won't stir," said Tarbox, looking around him with a scowl, "till I -see that warrant served. I wish I was a constable." - -"It wouldn't be healthy for you, old man!" said Charlie Davis, who, -with Robert, had been drawn to the scene, and heard the colloquy. - -"I'd make you healthy if I had you with me for a few minutes," said -Tarbox, scowling. - -"Thank you; you're very kind, but my time is too valuable," said -Charlie. - -"What is all this?" asked a voice of authority. - -It was the voice of the manager, who had been attracted by the crowd as -he was going his rounds. - -"The matter is that we've got a warrant for this man's arrest!" said -Tarbox, pointing to the giant. - -"Show me your warrant!" - -It was handed him. - -He smiled as he read it, and handing it back, remarked, "Your warrant -is mere waste paper, gentlemen." - -"Why is it?" asked Tarbox, defiantly. - -"Because there is no such man as Enoch in this show." - -"Isn't that his name?" asked Tarbox. - -"No, it isn't. If you can find a man by that name you are welcome to -take him." - -"Crushed again," remarked Charlie Davis, mockingly. - -Tarbox made a grab for the boy's collar, but failed to secure him. - -"Come along out, Spriggins," he said, in a tone of deep depression. - -"You can go if you like," said the constable, independently; "I'm going -to stay and see the show." - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE EVENING ENTERTAINMENT. - - -Nathan Tarbox was not a liberal man. Indeed he had the reputation of -being very close-fisted and mean. Never had he been known to invite a -friend to a place of amusement, never had he been willing to incur the -expense of a dime for another. Yet here he had paid fifty cents for a -ticket of admission to the circus, and presented it to the constable. -We know, however, why he did this. He saw no other way of compassing -his revenge upon the giant who had so grievously offended him, and -revenge even outweighed money in his eyes. - -Well, it had turned out a failure. In spite of the cowardice of -Spriggins something might have been accomplished, and at all events the -Norwegian might have been put in the attitude of a man defying the law, -which would have made the eventual penalty greater. But there had been -a ridiculous error in the warrant—an error for which he was compelled -to admit that he himself was responsible. Thus he was balked of his -vengeance, for the time being at least, and he was a dollar out of -pocket. That Spriggins should deliberately disobey him and stay to see -the show was aggravating. He would rather have thrown the money away. - -"Goin' to stay and see the show!" repeated Tarbox, angrily. "You can't -do it, Spriggins." - -"Why can't I?" - -"I didn't buy you the ticket for no such purpose." - -"Can't help that, Mr. Tarbox. I should be a fool to leave the show, now -I'm in, and my ticket paid for." - -"Then, Mr. Spriggins, I shall expect you to repay me the fifty cents I -spent for your ticket." - -"You must excuse me, Mr. Tarbox; you paid me in. I didn't ask you to, -but now I'm in I'm goin' to stay. I wouldn't have come to pay my own -ticket, for I'm a poor man, and I can't afford it." - -"Do you think I can afford to throw away a dollar on two tickets?" -demanded the farmer, angrily. - -"I should say you could if you wanted to. You're pretty well off, and if -I was as rich as you I wouldn't mind goin' to anything that comes round." - -"You don't know anything about my circumstances. Besides I guess -they'll give me my money back, if I tell 'em how I was deceived into -buyin' tickets." - -"Ask them, if you want to. If they'll do it, I'll go out." - -The two made their way to the portal, and Tarbox said to the -ticket-taker: "I only came in on business; I didn't come to see the -show. I want to know if I can get my money back." - -"Of course not," said that official. - -"But I came in on business connected with the law." - -"Can't help it! You've seen part of the show already; I saw you lookin' -at the curiosities." - -"I wanted to arrest one of the curiosities," said Tarbox, indignantly. -"I wouldn't give two cents to see 'em all." - -"Then if you're an enemy of the show, you can't expect any passes. Just -stand aside and let people pass." - -Tarbox was utterly disgusted. He was baffled at every turn. If he only -had been concerned he would not have minded so much, but that Spriggins -should pass an evening of enjoyment at his expense rankled in his -breast. - -"We'll go out anyhow," said he to the constable. - -"You can do as you please, Mr. Tarbox. I'm goin' in to get a seat and -see the show." - -"Your conduct is disgraceful, constable. You ain't fit for your -position." - -"I shall do as I please," said Spriggins, independently. "If you choose -to let the show keep your money, and you get nothing for it, you may. -I ain't such a fool. They'd be glad if all would do the same. All they -want is the money." - -This argument made an impression upon the farmer. As he couldn't get -his money back, it did seem worth while to get some value for it. -Besides, if the truth must be told, he had some curiosity to see the -performance. Never in all his life had he been to a circus, and he -always spoke of them as sinful; still he wanted to know what they were -like. - -"I don't know but you're right, constable," he said. "I don't hold to -enconragin' such demoralizin' sights, but on the other hand I don't -want to do 'em a favor by makin' 'em a present of a dollar for a free -gift. I feel obliged to stay, situated as I am." - -"That's the way to look at it," said the constable, gratified at the -change in his companion's sentiments. "Come and let's get seats, so we -can see what's goin' on." - -He led the way and Tarbox followed him. They succeeded in obtaining -favorable seats, notwithstanding it was within five minutes of the time -for beginning the varied list of performances. - -It must be admitted that Mr. Tarbox was interested, in spite of -himself, in the successive features of the entertainment. I do not -propose to describe them in detail. I advance to one in which one of -our characters takes part. - -"Gentlemen and ladies," said the manager, "I will now introduce to -your notice Robert Rudd, the champion bareback rider of his age in the -world." - -A horse was led into the ring, and Robert, dressed in tights and a -showy costume, bounded into the ring also. - -The horse was started. He ran along by the side of it; then, laying -his hand upon the animal, vaulted upon his back. After riding round -the ring once or twice he rose to his feet and maintained his position -with perfect ease while the horse, stimulated by the crack of the whip, -galloped round the course. - -"I declare, that beats all!" said Spriggins, who had never attended a -circus before. - -"That's the boy that was with the giant," said Tarbox. - -"Well, he's a smart rider. I never saw the beat of him." - -Mr. Spriggins was destined to be still more astonished. Hoops were -brought and placed at regular intervals, covered with paper, and the -boy rider jumped through each in succession, landing again on the -horse's back. - -"Did you ever see anything like it before, Mr. Tarbox?" asked the -constable. - -"No, and I never want to again," said Tarbox, with a growl, though he -regarded the boy's performance with as eager curiosity as his companion. - -"I think it's beautiful," said Spriggins; "I'm glad we come." - -"I dare say you do, as long as I pay the bills," said Tarbox, in a -sarcastic voice. - -"Don't you like it yourself?" - -"I don't care anything for it. I only stayed because I didn't want the -show people to get the advantage of us." - -Robert finished his act, and at his exit was greeted with a storm of -applause. - -He was followed by the younger boy, Charlie Davis, who went through -a similar performance, and was received with similar favor. Young -performers generally win the favor of an audience, and their efforts to -please are received with considerable indulgence, though on the present -occasion this was not needed. - -On two reserved seats sat an old gentleman whose seamed face and -bleached hair indicated advanced years. By his side sat a man of -thirty-five, with a dark face and keen, watchful black eyes, whose -expression was not likely to prepossess a stranger in his favor. The -lines about his mouth indicated a hard, selfish man, whose thoughts -were centred in himself. - -This much by way of introduction. I need only add that the first -impressions likely to be formed of this man were the correct ones. To -the old man who sat at his side, and whom he regarded watchfully, he -bore the relation of nephew. - -It was perhaps surprising to see at the circus a man as old as -Cornelius Richmond, for this was the name of the uncle, but he had -been persuaded by his nephew, Hugo, with whom he was travelling, to -attend, and, as the only alternative was an evening at a dull hotel, -he yielded. But during the first part of the performance he looked on -in a listless manner, not seeming interested. Hugo, who was younger, -appeared more attentive. But when Robert Rudd bounded into the ring, -the old man started, and leaning forward, said quickly, in a tone not -free from agitation, "Do you see that boy, Hugo?" - -Hugo, too, seemed struck by the boy's appearance, but he answered with -studied indifference, "Yes, uncle, I see him. What of him?" - -"Is he not the image of my dead son? Never have I seen such a -resemblance to what Julian was at his age!" - -"My dear uncle," said Hugo, shrugging his shoulders, "I assure you that -it is all a fancy on your part. To me he looks very unlike my cousin." - -"You don't remember him as I do, Hugo. If Julian's son were living, he -would look like that boy." - -"Possibly, uncle," said Hugo, carelessly; "but as he is dead that -cannot interest us!" - -While Robert was in the ring the old man followed him with a glance -almost painful in its eagerness. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A SCHEMING NEPHEW. - - -When Robert left the ring, the old man sank back into his seat, and his -interest in the performance ceased. For some reason his nephew also was -anxious to leave the tent. - -"Uncle," he said, "hadn't we better go back to the hotel? It will be -too fatiguing for you to remain here all the evening." - -"Will that boy ride again?" asked Mr. Richmond, eagerly. - -"No, he is not to appear again." - -"Then I think I will go. As you say, I may feel fatigued." - -There was a hack in waiting to convey them back to the hotel, for the -distance was too great for a feeble old man to walk. - -When they reached the hotel, Mr. Richmond went at once to his chamber, -attended by his nephew. - -"You had better go to bed at once, uncle," said Hugo, and he prepared -to leave the room. - -"Stay a moment, Hugo. I want to speak to you," said the old man. - -"Very well, uncle," and Hugo seated himself. - -"The sight of that boy has affected me strangely, Hugo," said Mr. -Richmond. "He seems just what Julian was at his age." - -"You said so before, uncle," said Hugo, in a tone of annoyance; "but I -assure you there is nothing in it. My eyes are better than yours, and I -could see no likeness." - -"Suppose Julian's child were living," proceeded Mr. Richmond, not -heeding his nephew's last speech, "he would be about the age of that -boy." - -"There are tens of thousands of boys about the same age, uncle," said -Hugo, flippantly. - -"Yes, but they haven't his look," returned the old man, shrewdly. - -"Really, uncle, you are troubling yourself to no purpose. The son of -Julian died when he was four years old, as Fitzgerald reported to us." - -"He might be mistaken. If he only were!" exclaimed the old man, with -deep emotion. "How bright my few remaining years would be if I had -Julian's son with me!" - -"No doubt. But he is dead, and we may as well give up all thoughts of -such a possibility. Besides, uncle, you have me, and I try to do all -I can for you. If I have failed, I deeply regret it," continued Hugo, -assuming a tone of sorrow. - -"No, no; I have no fault to find with you, Hugo," said his uncle, -hastily. "You are devoted to me, as I am well aware; but you cannot be -to me what a son or a grandson might be." - -"No, I suppose not," said Hugo, with a sneer which his uncle did not -detect. "But I am afraid, uncle, you will have to be content with my -humble services, however unacceptable they may be." - -"Nay, Hugo, I do not mean to mortify you. I am truly grateful for your -devotion, and you will find it to be so when I am gone." - -"You are a long time going!" thought Hugo, as his cold glance rested on -the trembling form of his uncle. "It is exasperating that you should -linger so, cutting me off perhaps for half a dozen years longer from -the enjoyment of the estate which is one day to be mine." - -It was well that the old man could not read the thoughts of the man in -whom he placed so much confidence. He little knew the cold, crafty, -scheming character of the man who supplied to him the place of son and -grandson. - -"If you have no more to say, uncle, I will leave you," said Hugo, -rising. - -"I came near forgetting. I want you to find out all about that boy and -let me know. The manager boards at this hotel." - -"Still harping on the boy!" muttered Hugo. "Very well, uncle, I will do -as you say." - -"Thank you, Hugo. I shall feel more easy in mind when I have learned." - -As Hugo left the room, he said to himself, "I will do as my uncle -requests, but for my own benefit, not his. Though I would not confess -it to him, the resemblance to my cousin is startling. I don't wonder -Uncle Cornelius noticed it. Can it be possible that Fitzgerald deceived -me, and that the boy is really alive, and is a bareback circus-rider? -He is capable of playing me false. If he has done so, I must at all -hazards prevent my uncle finding it out. The estate of Chestnutwood, -for which I have schemed so long, must be mine. The life of a frail -old man alone separates me from it now, but if this boy were found, then -I should sink back to my life of humble dependence. It shall never be!" - -It was not yet 10 o'clock, and Hugo was in no mood for bed. He went -down-stairs and remained in the bar room till the return of the hotel -guests who were connected with the circus. - -Towards 10.30, Mr. Coleman, proprietor of the circus, entered the -office of the hotel. He was in good spirits, for there had been a large -attendance at the first performance, and the prospects of a successful -season were flattering. - -"Good evening, Mr. Coleman," said Hugo, approaching the manager, to -whom he had been introduced; "did your first performance pass off well?" - -"It was immense, sir, immense! I am proud of Crampton! It has received -me royally," returned the manager, enthusiastically. - -"I am glad to hear it. May I offer you a cigar?" - -"Thank you, sir." - -"You will find mine choicer than any you can procure here. I spent a -part of the evening at the tent." - -"I hope you didn't get tired." - -"Oh, no; that was not the cause of my coming away. The fact is, my -uncle, who was with me, became fatigued (he is a very old man), and I -felt obliged to come home with him. I should have been glad to stay -till the close." - -"It's a pity you did. Coleman's circus, though I do say it myself, has -no superior on the road this season." - -"I can easily believe it, sir. By the way, I was rather interested in -the bareback riding." - -"It takes everywhere. I have two of the smartest boy riders in the -country." - -"Where did you pick them up?" asked Hugo, with assumed carelessness. - -"The younger one, Charlie Davis, comes from Canada." - -"My attention was particularly attracted to the other." - -"Robert Rudd?" - -"Yes, if that is his name. How long has he been with you?" - -"Two seasons. Before that he was with another smaller circus." - -"How long has he been riding?" - -"Ever since he was eight or nine years old. That boy is perfectly -fearless with horses. Not many grown men can ride as well. And that -isn't all! I could easily make a lion tamer of him if he were willing. -He has a wonderful power over the wild beasts. I believe he would go -into their cages and they wouldn't offer to harm him." - -"My cousin Julian had a passion for horses," thought Hugo. "If this boy -were his son he would come honestly by his taste." - -"You don't know how he came to adopt such a life, do you?" he asked. - -"No; I believe the boy was alone in the world. I have heard him say he -was under the care of a man who called himself his uncle, but for whom -he does not seem to entertain any affection. Whether this man deserted -him, or he ran away from the man, I don't know. At any rate he fell -in with some men in our business, and a well-known rider, seeing that -the boy was quick and daring, offered to instruct him in his special -line. The boy accepted, and that is the way he drifted into the show -business." - -"You say he has no relatives?" - -"None that he knows of." - -"Has he any education?" - -"He can read and write, and I believe he knows something of arithmetic. -He is smart enough, if he ever got an opportunity, to learn. I am -selfish, however, and should not like to lose him, though I might -consent if he could better himself. You see, sir, although I am in the -show business myself, I don't consider it a very desirable career for -a boy to follow. I've got a boy of my own, but I have placed him at -boarding-school, and he shall never, with my permission, join a circus. -You'll think it strange, Mr. Richmond, but so far as I know, Henry has -never yet witnessed a circus performance." - -"I quite agree with you, Mr. Coleman," said Hugo. "Then I offer you -another cigar." - -"Thanks, but I never smoke but one just before going to bed. If you are -here to-morrow evening I shall be glad to offer you a ticket to the -show." - -"Thank you, but I must get away to-morrow with my uncle." - -As Hugo went up-stairs to his room he said to himself, "It is high time -we left the place, for the manager's story leads me to think this boy -may be my cousin's son after all. My uncle must never know or suspect -it, or my hopes of an inheritance are blasted." - -The next morning when Hugo entered his uncle's apartment, according to -custom, the old man asked eagerly, "Did you learn anything about the -boy, Hugo?" - -"Yes, uncle, I learned all about him. He was born in Montreal, and -his father and mother live there now. He sends them half his earnings -regularly. His name—that is, his real name—is Oliver Brown." - -Mr. Richmond never thought of doubting the truth of this smoothly-told -fiction, but he was greatly disappointed. He sighed deeply, and when -Hugo proposed to continue their journey that day he made no objection. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -TWO BOYS ON A TRAMP. - - -"Mr. Tarbox, where on earth have you been?" inquired his wife, when her -liege lord returned about 11.30 o'clock. - -"I've been to the circus," said the farmer shortly. - -"Oh, why didn't you take me, Nathan? I've always wanted to go to the -circus," said Mrs. Tarbox in a tone of disappointment. - -"It isn't a fit place for you," said her husband. - -"You went!" said his wife, significantly. "If it's a fit place for you, -why isn't it for me?" - -"Do you think I went there for pleasure? You ought to know me better -than to suppose I would visit such a demoralizing spectacle for -amusement." - -"Then why did you go?" - -"I went to arrest that brute who kicked Bruiser to death and assaulted -me. That's why I went." - -"Did he feel bad when you arrested him?" asked Mrs. Tarbox, with -natural curiosity. - -"No; I had to defer it, for the warrant wasn't rightly made out." - -"Dear me! Did it take all the evening?" asked his wife. - -"Peace, woman! You ask too many questions," said Tarbox, who found it -rather difficult to explain matters. - -"It must have been so nice to see the circus," murmured Mrs. Tarbox; -"but I am sure I should have been afraid of the giant." - -"There was a fat woman," growled Tarbox, "who looked as silly as you -do. I dare say she wasn't, though." - -"How funny you are. Nathan!" said his wife, who wasn't at all -sensitive. "How was she dressed?" - -"How on earth should I know? She didn't wear a coat and pantaloons." - -"It must take a sight of calico to make her a dress. How much does she -weigh?" - -"Two tons, more or less," answered Tarbox. - -"Good gracious!" ejaculated his simple-minded wife. "I never heard the -like. Do let me go to the circus, husband. I should so like to see her." - -"You might never come back alive. There's lions, and tigers and wild -cats all around. They often break out of their cages and kill a dozen -people before they can be stopped." - -Mrs. Tarbox turned pale and gave up her idea of going to the circus. - -"You'd make a nice meal for a tiger. They're fond of bones," continued -the farmer, grimly. - -"O, Nathan, don't say another word. I wouldn't go now if I could get in -for nothing." - -The next day, after a consultation with Squire Price and the constable, -Mr. Tarbox concluded that it wouldn't be worth while to obtain a new -warrant for the arrest of the giant, as he had reason to believe that -Mr. Spriggins would go out of town to avoid serving it. It was hard -to give up his cherished scheme of vengeance, particularly as he had -already expended a dollar in vain; but there seemed no alternative. - -"One thing I can do," he said to himself; "if I can get hold of that -boy that was with Enoch I'll give him a thrashing. He trespassed on -my grounds, and I saw him laugh when the brute kicked Bruiser. I can -manage him, anyway." - -There was no afternoon performance at the circus except on Wednesday -and Saturday, and Robert and his friend Charlie Davis were at leisure. - -"Let's go on a tramp, Charlie," said Robert, after they had eaten -dinner. - -"I'm with you," said Charlie. "Where shall we go?" - -"Oh, well, we'll go across the fields. Perhaps we'll go into the woods. -Anything for fun." - -The two boys set out about two o'clock, and after reaching the borders -of the village took a path across the fields. - -"I wish nuts were ripe, Rob," said Charlie. "We'd have a nice time -knocking them off the trees. Do you remember last fall up in Maine?" - -"Yes, but it's June now, and we can't have any fun of that kind. -However, we can have a good time. Do you see those bars?" - -"Yes." - -"I'm going to vault over them." - -"All right. I'll follow." - -Robert ran swiftly, and cleared the bars without touching them. Charlie -followed, but, being a shorter boy, felt obliged to let his hand rest -on the upper bar. They were accustomed to springing from the ring upon -the backs of horses, and practice had made that easy to them which was -difficult for ordinary boys. - -"I say, Charlie," said Robert, thoughtfully, as they subsided into a -walk, "what are you going to do when you are a man?" - -"Ride, I suppose." - -"In the circus?" - -"Of course." - -"I don't think I shall." - -"Why not?" - -"I don't want to be a circus rider all my life." - -"I should think you would. Ain't you the Boy Wonder?" - -"I shan't be the Boy Wonder when I'm twenty-five years old." - -"You can't make so much money any other way." - -"Perhaps not; but money isn't everything I think of. I would like to -get a better education and settle down to some regular business." - -"There's more fun in circus riding," said Charlie, who was not as -thoughtful a boy as his companion. - -"I don't see much fun in it," said Robert. "It is exciting, I know, -but it's dangerous. Any day, if your nerves are not steady, you are -likely to fall and break a limb, and then good-by to your riding." - -"There's no use in thinking about that." - -"I think there is. What could we do if we had to give up riding?" - -"Oh, something would turn up," said Charlie, who was of an easy -disposition. "We might take tickets or keep the candy stand." - -"That wouldn't be very good employment for a man. No, Charlie, I think -this will be my last season at circus riding." - -"What will you do?" - -"I am saving money so that, at the end of the season, I can have -something to keep me while I am looking round." - -"You don't say so, Rob! How much have you saved up?" - -"I've got about two hundred dollars saved up already." - -Charlie whistled. - -"I had no idea you were so rich," he said. "Why, I haven't got five -dollars." - -"You might have. You are paid enough." - -"Oh, it goes some way. I guess I'll begin to save, too." - -"I wish you would. Then if you want to leave the circus at the end of -the season we'll go somewhere together, and look for a different kind -of work. We can take a room together in Boston or New York, eat at the -restaurants, and look for something." - -"I don't know but I should like going to New York," said Charlie. - -By this time they had reached the edge of the woods, and were probably -a mile or more from the town. There was no underbrush, but the trees -rose clear and erect, and presented a cool and pleasant prospect to -the boys, who had become warm with walking. So far as they knew, -they were alone, but in this they were mistaken. Mr. Tarbox had some -wood-land near by, and he had gone out to look at it, when, alike to -his surprise and gratification, his eyes rested on the two boys, whom -he at once recognized as belonging to the circus, having seen them ride -the evening before. He didn't care particularly for Charlie Davis, but -Robert Rudd had been with Anak when he inflicted upon him so mortifying -personal chastisement, and he looked upon the boy as an accomplice of -the man. - -"That's the very boy I wanted to see," said Tarbox to himself, with a -cruel smile. "I can't manage that overgrown brute, but I can manage -him. I'll give the boy a lesson, and that'll be better than nothing." - -Tarbox was naturally a tyrant and a bully, and, like most men of his -character, was delighted when he could get hold of a person of inferior -strength. - -"Oh ho!" he said to himself, "the boy can't escape me now." - -"Look here, boy," he said, in an impatient tone. - -Robert turned quickly, and saw the frowning face of Tarbox. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -TRAPPED. - - -Robert foresaw that trouble was in store for him, as he had seen enough -of the farmer to understand his disposition. However, the boy was not -easily startled, nor was he of a nervous temperament. He looked calmly -at Tarbox and said: "Very well, sir, what do you want of me?" - -"What do I want of you? I shouldn't think you'd need to be told. You -remember me, don't you?" - -"Perfectly well," answered Robert. - -"Perhaps you can remember where you saw me last?" - -"In the circus last evening." - -"No, I don't mean that—before that." - -"In your own field, trying to whip a poor boy who was going to call the -doctor for his sick mother." - -"Look here, boy," said Tarbox, reddening; "none of your impudence!" - -"Did I tell the truth?" asked Robert quietly. - -"Never mind whether you did or not. I ain't going to stand any of your -impudence. Where's that big brute Enoch?" - -"If you mean Anak, I left him in the tent." - -"He needn't think he can go round insulting and committing assault and -battery on his betters," said Tarbox. - -"You can tell him that if you like, sir; I am not responsible for him." - -"No, but you are responsible for trespassin' on my grounds." - -"I would do it again if I saw you trying to flog a defenceless boy," -said Robert, independently. - -"You would, hey?" sneered Tarbox. "Well, now, you may change your -opinion on that subject before we part company." - -"Come, Rob, let's be going," said Charlie Davis, who didn't find this -conversation interesting. - -"You can go," said Tarbox; "I hav'nt anything ag'inst you; but this -boy's got to stay." - -"What for?" asked Charlie. - -"What for? He'll find out what for." - -"If you touch him, I'll send Anak after you," said Charlie. - -"You will, hey? So you are impudent, too. Well, I'll have to give you a -lesson, too." - -Tarbox felt that it was time to commence business, and made a grab for -Robert's collar, but the boy was agile, and quickly dodging ran to one -side. - -Charlie Davis laughed, which further annoyed and provoked Mr. Tarbox, -but the wrath of the farmer was chiefly directed against Robert, who -had witnessed his discomfiture at the hands of the Norwegian giant. -He therefore set out to catch the young circus-rider, but Robert was -fleet-footed, and led him a fruitless chase around trees, and Tarbox -was not able to get his hand on him. What annoyed the farmer especially -was that the boy did not seem at all frightened, and it appeared to be -no particular effort to him to elude his grasp. - -Tarbox was of a dogged, determined disposition, and the more difficult -he found it to carry out his purpose the more resolved he was to -accomplish it. It would never do to yield to two boys, who both -together had less strength than he. It was different from encountering -Anak, who was a match for three ordinary men. - -But Tarbox, in spite of his anger, and in spite of his superior -strength, was destined to come to grief. - -He had not paid any special attention to the younger boy, being intent -upon capturing Robert. Charlie, taking advantage of this, picked up a -stout stick, which had apparently been cut for a cane and then thrown -aside, and took it up first with the intention of defending himself, -if necessary. But as Tarbox dashed by without noticing him, a new idea -came to Charlie, and thrusting out the stick so that it passed between -the legs of the pursuer, Tarbox was thrown violently to the ground, on -which he lay for a moment prostrate and bewildered. - -"Climb that tree, Rob!" called out Charlie quickly. - -Robert accepted the suggestion. He saw that no time was to be lost, and -with the quickness of a trained athlete made his way up the trunk and -into the branches of a tall tree near at hand, while Charlie with equal -quickness took refuge on another. - -Tarbox fell with such violence that he was jarred and could not -immediately recover from the shock of his fall. When he did rise he -was more angry than ever. He looked for the two boys and saw what had -become of them. By this time Robert was at least twenty-five feet from -the ground. - -"Come down here, you, sir!" said the farmer, his voice shaking with -passion. - -"Thank you, sir," answered Robert coolly; "but at present I find it -more agreeable up here." - -"Come down here, and I'll give you the worst thrashing you ever had!" - -"Your intentions are very kind, but the inducement isn't sufficient." - -"If I hadn't fallen just as I did, I'd have had you by this time." - -"That's just what I thought when I put the stick between your legs," -called out Charlie Davis from another tree. - -It may seem singular, but until then Tarbox had not understood how he -came to fall. He had an idea that he had tripped over the root of a -tree. - -"Did you do that?" he asked wrathfully, turning to the smaller boy. - -"Yes, I did." - -"If I could catch you, you wouldn't get out of this wood alive." - -"Then I'm glad you can't get me," said Charlie, looking unconcernedly -down upon his stalwart enemy. - -"You're two of the worst boys I ever saw," proceeded the farmer, -wrathfully. - -"And I'm sure you're the worst man I ever saw." - -"What's your name?" asked Tarbox, abruptly. - -"Charlie Davis; I'm sorry I haven't got my card with me, or I'd throw -it down to you." - -"I'd like to have the bringing up of you." - -"All right! Perhaps I'll appoint you my guardian." - -"You're more impudent than the other one, though you ain't so big." - -"Are you comin' down?" he inquired of Robert. - -"Not at present." - -"I won't stir from here till you do, if I have to stay all night." - -This was not a cheerful reflection, for the two boys were expected -to be present and ride in the evening, and their absence would be -regretted, not only by the manager, but also by the public, with whom -they were favorites. - -"I say, Rob," called out Charlie, "how fond he is of our company!" - -"So it seems!" responded Robert, who was quite cool but rather annoyed -by the farmer's persistence. - -"I only wish Bruiser were alive!" said Tarbox. "Then I'd know what to -do." - -"What would you do?" asked Charlie. - -"I'd leave him to guard you, and then I'd go home and get my gun." - -"What for?" - -"I'd soon bring you down if I had that," answered the farmer, grimly. - -"If that's what you would do I'm glad old Bruiser's kicked the bucket," -said Charlie. - -"I never shall get such another dog!" said Tarbox, half to himself, -in a mournful voice. "Nobody dared to go across my ground when he was -alive." - -"Was that the dog that Anak killed?" asked Charlie. - -"Yes," answered Robert, briefly. "He was a vicious-looking brute and -deserved to die." - -At that moment Tarbox chanced to notice the stick which had produced -his downfall, and a new idea came to him. - -He picked it up, and breaking it in two seized one piece and flung it -with all his force at Robert. - -The latter caught and flung it back, knocking off the farmer's hat. - -Tarbox was naturally incensed, and began again to hurl the missile, but -anger disturbed his aim so that this time it went wide of the mark. - -"I say, Robert," said Charlie, "this is interesting." - -"I'm glad you find it so," answered Robert. "I can't say I enjoy it." - -"You may just as well come down and take your thrashing now," said -Tarbox, "for you're sure to get it." - -"If you're in a hurry to get home to supper, perhaps we'll wait for you -here," suggested Charlie, politely. - -"Shut up, you saucebox! You won't have much appetite for supper!" -retorted Tarbox. - -He sat down where he could have a full view of both trees, when -presently he heard Charlie call out in a terrified tone, "Rob, look -there! The tiger's got loose! See him coming this way! Can he climb -trees?" - -Tarbox stopped to hear no more. He sprang to his feet, and without -waiting to bid the boys good-by he took to his heels and fled from the -wood, feeling that his life was in peril. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -DISMAY AT THE HOME OF TARBOX. - - -Robert quickly understood that Tarbox was the victim of a practical -joke, and did his best to help it along. He had amused himself during -his connection with the circus in imitating the cries of wild beasts, -and now from his perch in the tree reproduced the howl of a wolf so -naturally that Tarbox, hearing it, and knowing no better, thought it -proceeded from the throat of the tiger. Of course he increased his -speed, expecting every moment that the dangerous animal would spring -upon him and tear him to pieces. - -"If I only had my gun with me," he reflected in his dismay, "I might be -able to defend myself." - -He lost his hat somewhere on the road, and breathless and hatless -entered his own back door, shutting and bolting it after him, and with -disordered look entered the sitting-room where his wife was seated, in -a comfortable chat with Mrs. Dunlap, a neighbor. - -Tarbox sank into a rocking-chair, and, gasping, stared at the two -ladies. - -"Good gracious, Nathan!" exclaimed his wife, in a flutter; "what on -earth has happened?" - -"Was anything chasin' ye?" asked Mrs. Dunlap, unconsciously hitting the -mark. - -"Yes," answered Tarbox, in a hollow voice. - -"Was it the Norwegian giant?" inquired Mrs. Tarbox, apprehensively. - -"Worse!" answered Tarbox, sententiously. - -"Worse! Do tell. Good gracious, Nathan, I shall go into a fit if you -don't tell me right off what it was." - -"It was a tiger!" answered her husband, impressively. - -"A tiger!" exclaimed both ladies, startled and affrighted. - -"Yes, I've had a narrow escape of my life." - -"But where did he come from?" asked Mrs. Dunlap. - -"Come from? Where should he come from except from the circus? He broke -loose and now he's prowling round, seeking whom he may devour. - -"O heavens," exclaimed Mrs. Dunlap, terror-stricken, "and my innocent -children are out picking berries in the pasture." - -"Tigers are fond of children," said Tarbox, whose hard nature found -pleasure in the dismay of the unhappy mother. - -"I must go right home and send for the children," said the mother, in -an agony of apprehension. - -"You may never live to get home," said Tarbox. - -"Oh what shall I do?" said Mrs. Dunlap, wringing her hands. "Won't you -go home with me, Mr. Tarbox? I can't stay here with my poor children in -peril." - -"No, I thank you. My life is worth something." - -"You might take your gun, Nathan," said Mrs. Tarbox, who was stirred by -the grief of her friend. - -"Oh yes," said Tarbox, sarcastically; "you're very ready to have your -husband's life exposed. You'd like to be a widow. Maybe you think I've -left you all my property." - -"You know, Nathan, I never thought of that. I only thought of poor Mrs. -Dunlap. Think how sad it would be if Jimmy and Florence Ann were torn -to pieces by the terrible tiger." - -There was a fresh outburst of grief from the stricken mother at the -heart-rending thought, but Mr. Tarbox was not moved. - -"Mrs. Tarbox," said he, "if you want to see Mrs. Dunlap home you can -take the gun." - -"Oh, I shouldn't das't to," said Mrs. Tarbox, hastily. "I—I shouldn't -know how to fire it." - -"I think you'd be more likely to shoot Mrs. Dunlap than the tiger," -said her husband, derisively. - -"Where did you come across the—the monster, Nathan?" asked Mrs. -Tarbox, shuddering. - -"In the woods. I heard him roar. I ran from there as fast as I could -come, expecting every minute he would spring upon me." - -"Was there any one else in the wood?" - -"Yes," answered Tarbox, smiling grimly. "There's two circus boys there. -They clumb into trees. I don't know whether tigers can climb or not. If -they can they've probably made mincemeat of the boys by this time." - -"It's terrible!" said Mrs. Dunlap, shuddering. "Perhaps my innocent -darlings are in the clutches of the monster at this very moment." - -And the unhappy lady went into a fit of hysterics, from which she was -brought to by a strong bottle of hartshorn held to her nose. - -It so happened (happily for her) that her husband at this moment -knocked at the door. He had gone home to find something, and failing -had come to the house of his neighbor to inquire of his wife its -whereabouts. Great was his amazement to find his wife in such agitation. - -"What's the matter?" he asked, looking about him. - -"O Thomas, have you heard the terrible news?" said his wife. - -"I haven't heard any terrible news," was the bewildered reply. "Is -anybody dead?" - -"Our two poor innocent darlings may be dead by this time," sobbed his -wife. - -"What does it all mean? Where are they?" - -"Out in the berry pasture. The tiger may have caught them by this time." - -"What tiger?" - -"The one that's broken loose from the show." - -"I just came from the tent, and they don't know anything there of any -tigers breaking loose. Who told you about it?" - -"Mr. Tarbox. The tiger chased him all the way home from the woods." - -"That is strange. Did you see him, Mr. Tarbox?" - -"I heard him roar," answered Tarbox, "and he was close behind me all -the way." - -"Are you sure it was a tiger?" - -"No; it may have been a lion. Anyhow, it was some wild critter." - -"O husband, do go after our poor children. And take Mr. Tarbox's gun. I -am sure he will lend it to you." - -"I may need it myself," said Tarbox, doubtfully. - -"Give me a stout stick, and I'll manage," said Mr. Dunlap, who was a -more courageous man than his neighbor. "Come along, wife." - -"I—I hope, Mrs. Tarbox, we shall meet again," said Mrs. Dunlap, as she -kissed her friend a tearful good-by. "I don't feel sure, for we may -meet the terrible beasts." - -"If you do," said Mrs. Tarbox, with tearful emotion, "I'll come to your -funeral." - -Somehow this didn't seem to comfort Mrs. Dunlap much, for when they -were fairly out of the house she observed sharply, "That woman's a -fool!" - -"You seem to like to call on her, Lucinda." - -"That's only being neighborly. She has no heart or she wouldn't allude -so coolly to my funeral. But do let us be getting home as soon as you -can." - -"I tell you what, Lucinda, I don't take any stock in this cock-and-bull -story of a tiger being loose. I heard nothing of it at the tent." - -"But Mr. Tarbox said it chased him." - -"Tarbox is a coward. But here are two boys coming; they belong to the -circus. I will ask them." - -Robert and Charlie Davis were coming up the road. No sooner had their -enemy fled than they descended from the trees in whose branches they -had taken refuge, and started on their way home, laughing heartily at -the farmer's fright. - -"I say, boys," said Mr. Dunlap, "don't you two boys belong to the -circus?" - -"Yes, sir," answered Robert. - -"What's this story I hear about a tiger having escaped from his cage?" - -"Who told you?" asked Robert. - -"Mr. Tarbox." - -"Did he see him?" - -"He said the tiger chased him all the way home." - -Both boys burst into a fit of laughter, rather to the amazement of -Mr. Dunlap and his wife. Then they explained how the farmer had been -humbugged, and Mr. Dunlap shouted with merriment, for Tarbox was very -unpopular in that town, and no one would feel troubled at any deception -practised upon him. - -"Then the children are safe?" said Mrs. Dunlap, with a sigh of relief. -"Don't you think I ought to go and tell Mr. Tarbox?" - -"No; let Tarbox stay in the house, like a coward that he is, for fear -of the tiger. It's a good joke at his expense. That was a pretty smart -trick, boys." - -"Old Tarbox will feel like murdering us if he ever finds out the -truth," said Charlie. - -"He feels so now, so far as I am concerned," said Robert. "I am not -afraid of him." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE CANVAS MAN. - - -When Mr. Tarbox came to understand how he had been hoaxed by the boys -he was furious, but his anger was ineffectual, for there seemed no way -in which he could retaliate. He had had his opportunity in the woods, -but that had passed, and was not likely to come again. Meanwhile he -found it hard to bear the jocose inquiries of his neighbors touching -his encounter with the "tiger." - -For instance, the next day he met the constable in the street. - -"How are you, Mr. Tarbox?" inquired Spriggins, smiling. - -"Well enough," growled Tarbox, quickening his pace. - -"I hear you had an adventure with a tiger yesterday," said the -constable, with a waggish smile. - -"Suppose I did!" he snapped. - -"Ho, ho! Were you very much frightened?" continued the constable. - -"I wasn't half so much scared as you were when I wanted you to arrest -the giant." - -It was the constable's turn to look embarrassed. "Who said I was -afraid?" - -"It was enough to look at you," said Tarbox. - -"Well, maybe I was a little flustered," admitted Spriggins. "Who -wouldn't be afraid of a man ten feet high? They do say, Tarbox, that -you did some pretty tall running, and there wasn't no tiger loose after -all." - -And Mr. Constable indulged in a chuckle which irritated the farmer -intensely. He resolved to retaliate. - -"Do you know where I am goin', Spriggins?" he asked. - -"No." - -"Then I'll tell you," answered Tarbox, with a malicious smile. "I'm -goin' to Squire Price to get another warrant for the arrest of -Anak—I've found out that that's his name—and I'm goin' to get you to -serve it." - -The constable's countenance changed. "Don't be foolish, Mr. Tarbox," he -said. - -"I understand my business, Spriggins, and I shall expect you to do -yours. I'll see you again in half an hour." - -"I may not be at home; I expect I've got to go over to Medville." - -"Then put it off. Your duty to the State is ahead of all private -business." - -He went on his way leaving Mr. Spriggins in a very uneasy frame of -mind. When he went home to supper, he said to his wife: "Mrs. S., after -supper I'm going up into the attic, and if Nathan Tarbox comes round -and asks for me, you say that I'm out of town." - -"But it wouldn't be true, Spriggins," replied his wife. - -"I know it won't; but he wants me to arrest the giant, and it's as much -as my life is worth," answered the constable, desperately. "I don't -think I'm a coward, but I ain't a match for a giant." - -The farmer, however, did not come round. He had only made the statement -to frighten Spriggins, and retaliate upon him for his joke about the -tiger. - -In the afternoon Robert, while out for a walk, fell in with one -of the canvas men, a rough-looking fellow, named, or at least he -called himself, Carden. Canvas men, as may be inferred from the name, -are employed in putting up and taking down the circus tent, and -are generally an inferior set of men, not differing much from the -professional tramp. Robert, who, in spite of his asseverations, had -considerable self-respect and proper pride, never mingled much with -them, and for that reason was looked upon as "putting on airs." His -friend, Charlie Davis, was much more popular with them. - -"Hallo, Robert," said Carden, familiarly. - -The canvas man was smoking a short, dirty clay pipe, and would have -made an admirable model for a picture of a tramp. - -"Hello, Carden!" said Robert, coolly. - -"Walkin' for your health?" asked the canvas man, in the same -disagreeably familiar tone. - -"Partly." - -Carden was walking by his side, and Robert did not like the familiarity -which this would seem to imply. - -"Pretty good town, this!" continued Carden, socially. - -"Yes." - -"Sorry I haven't another pipe to offer you, Robert, my boy." - -"Thank you; I shouldn't use it." - -"Don't mean to say you don't smoke, eh, Bob?" - -"I don't smoke." - -"That is, not a pipe—I dare say you wouldn't mind a cigar or -cigarette, now." - -"I don't smoke at all now. I did once, but found it was injuring me, -and gave it up." - -"Oh, it won't hurt you. I've smoked since I was a chap so -high"—indicating a point about three feet from the ground—"and I -ain't dead yet." - -Robert did not reply to this, but looked around anxiously for some -pretext to leave his unwelcome companion. - -Just then they passed a wayside saloon. - -"Come in, Bob, and have a drink!" said Carden, laying his hand upon the -boy's shoulder. "It'll do you good to whet your whistle." - -"No, thank you," said Robert, shrinking from the man's touch. - -"Oh, don't be foolish. A little whiskey'll do you good." - -"Thank you, I would rather not." - -Meantime Carden was searching in his pocket for a silver coin, but his -search was fruitless. - -"I say, Bob, I am out of tin. Come in and treat?" - -"You must excuse me, Mr. Carden," said Robert, coldly. - -"Come, don't be stingy! You get good pay, and can afford to stand -treat. We poor canvas men only have $15 a month." - -"If this will do you any good," said Robert, producing a silver -quarter, "you are welcome to it." - -"Thank you; you'd better come in, too." - -Robert sacrificed the coin to regain his freedom, as Carden's entering -the saloon seemed to offer the only mode of release. - -"What a stuck-up young jackanapes!" muttered Carden, as he entered the -saloon. "He thinks a deal of himself, and don't want to have nought to -do with me because I'm a poor canvas man. I doubt he's got a good deal -of money hid away somewhere, for he don't spend much. I heard Charlie -Davis say the other day Bob had $200." - -Carden's eyes glittered with cupidity as the thought passed through his -mind. - -"I'd like to get hold of it," he muttered to himself. "It would be a -fortune for a poor canvas man, and he wouldn't miss it, for he could -soon gain as much more. I wonder where he keeps it." - -"It's the worst of the life I lead," said Robert to himself, as he -walked on, "that I am thrown into the company of such men as that. It -isn't because they are poor that I object to them, for I am not rich -myself; but a man needn't be low because he is poor and earning small -pay. I suppose Carden and the other canvas men think I am proud because -I don't seek their company, but they are mistaken. I have nothing in -common with them, except that we are all in the employ of the same -manager. Besides, I do talk with Madigan. He is a canvas man, but he -has had a good education and is fitted for something better, and only -takes up with this rather than be idle." - -Half an hour after, Charlie Davis joined him. - -"Rob," said Charlie, "I met Carden, just now. He was half drunk, and -pitching into you." - -"He ought not, for I had just lent him a quarter." - -"He said you were too proud to drink with him." - -"That is true, though I wouldn't drink with one I had more respect for." - -"He asked me where you kept your money. You'd better look out for him." - -"I shall. I have no doubt he is capable of robbing me, and I would -rather spend my own money myself." - -"I'm not afraid of his robbing me," said Charlie. - -"No, I suppose not; but I wish you would save some of your money, so as -to have something worth stealing." - -"Oh, I'll begin to save sometime." - -It was perhaps the thought of this conversation that led Robert in the -evening after the entertainment was over, or rather after his part of -it was over, to walk round to one of the circus wagons, in which, in a -small closet, he kept some of his clothing and the whole of his money. - -As he came up he saw in the darkness the crouching figure of a man -trying the lock of his compartment with one of a bunch of keys he held -in his hand. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -CATCHING A THIEF. - - -"What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone. - -The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started -suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the -keys in his hand. He did not answer immediately, probably because it -was rather difficult to decide what to say. - -"What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, once more. - -"None of your business!" answered the man, whose temper got the better -of his prudence. - -"I should think it was my business, as you were trying to get at my -property." - -"That's a lie!" said the man, sullenly. - -As he spoke he stepped out of the wagon, and Robert recognized him as -the canvas man, Carden, introduced in the last chapter. - -"It's the truth," said Robert firmly. "I know you, Carden, and I am not -much surprised. It won't do to try it again." - -"I've a great mind to thrash you for your impudence!" growled Carden. - -"I can defend myself," returned Robert, coolly, who had plenty of -courage. - -Carden laughed derisively. - -"What can you do?" he said. "You'd be like a baby in my grasp." - -"I am not afraid of you," said Robert, with composure. "Don't come -around here again." - -"I shall go where I please," said Carden, with the addition of an oath. -"And don't you go to telling tales of me, or I'll wring your neck." - -Robert did not answer, but when Carden had slunk away, opened the -locker himself, and took out a wallet filled with bills. - -"It is imprudent to leave so much money here," he reflected. "If I -hadn't come up just as I did, Carden would have got hold of it. What -shall I do with it?" - -Robert felt that it would not do to carry it round with him, as that -would be about as imprudent as to leave it in the locker. He decided -after a little reflection upon leaving it with the manager of the -circus, in whom he had every confidence, and deservedly. He accordingly -sought Mr. Coleman after the entertainment was over. - -"Well, Robert, what is it?" asked the manager, kindly. - -"I have a favor to ask of you, sir." - -"Very well; what is it?" - -"I came near losing all my savings to-night. Will you take charge of -this wallet for me? I don't feel safe with it in my possession." - -"Certainly, Robert. How much money have you here?" - -"Two hundred dollars." - -"Whew! You are rich. You say you came near losing it?" - -"Yes, to-night." - -"How was that?" - -Robert detailed his visit to his locker, and his discovery of the -canvas man attempting to open it, but he mentioned no names. - -"Which of the canvas men was it?" asked Mr. Coleman. - -Robert hesitated. - -"I don't want to get the man into trouble," he said. - -"That does you credit, but if we have a thief with us it is important -that we should know it, for there are others whom he may try to rob." - -From what he knew of Carden, Robert felt that the apprehension was very -well founded, and he saw that it was his duty to mention the name of -the thief. - -"It was Carden," he answered. - -"The very man I suspected," said the manager. "The other men are rough, -but he looks like a scoundrel. He came to me and begged for work, and -I engaged him, though I knew nothing about him. I shall see him in the -morning, and discharge him." - -The manager did not forget. The next morning he summoned Carden, and -said, quietly, "Carden, you are no longer in my employ. I will pay you -to the end of the week, but I want you to leave now." - -"What's that for?" growled the canvas man, looking ugly. - -"It's on account of what happened last night," said the manager. - -"Has that young fool been blabbing about me?" - -"I have said nothing about any one." - -"No, but I know Robert Rudd's been telling tales about me." - -"He answered my questions, but said he didn't want to get you into -trouble." - -"Of course not!" sneered Carden. "He's a nice boy, he is; the young -liar." - -"You seem to know what he said," observed the manager, eying the man -keenly. - -"I s'pose he said I was tryin' to rob him." - -"He did, and I believed him." - -"Then he lied!" said the man, fiercely. "He'll repent the day he told -tales about me." - -"That will do, Carden," said the manager, quietly. "Here's your money." - -Carden went off swearing. As he was leaving the grounds of the circus -he met Robert. - -"You've been blabbing about me. I'll fix you," he said. - -Robert made no reply, for he did not care to get into a dispute with -such a man. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -CHESTNUTWOOD. - - -We must now change the scene to a fine estate in the interior of New -York State, near one of the beautiful lakes which give such a charm to -the surrounding landscape. - -The estate was a large one, laid out in the English style, with a fine -mansion centrally located and elegantly furnished. Surely the owner of -this fine domain was worthy of envy, and ought to have been happy. - -Let us enter the breakfast room and make acquaintance with him. - -There he sits in an easy-chair, a white-haired, shrunken old man, his -face deeply lined, and wearing a weary expression as if the world -afforded him little satisfaction. - -It was the same old man whom we last saw in the circus at Crampton. He -had gone home with his nephew at once, having become weary of travel. -It was wise, perhaps; for he was old, and to the old rest is welcome. - -His nephew sat near by with a daily paper in his hand, from which he -appeared to have been reading to his uncle. - -"That will do, Hugo," said the old man. "I—I don't find any interest -in the paper this morning." - -"How are you feeling, uncle—as well as usual?" - -"Well in health—that is, as well as I can expect to feel, but my life -is empty. I have nothing to live for." - -"Why don't you die then?" thought the nephew, but he did not express -his thought. On the contrary, he said, "Surely, uncle, you have much to -live for. You are rich, honored." - -"But I have no one to love me, Hugo," said the old man, plaintively, -"no one of my own blood. My son is dead, and his son—do you know, -Hugo," he continued in a different voice, "I cannot get out of my mind -that boy we saw in the circus?" - -Hugo shrugged his shoulder, but did not venture to express the -annoyance he felt. - -"You mean the—the O'Connor boy," he said indifferently. - -"O'Connor!" replied his uncle, in surprise. "You told me his name was -Oliver Brown." - -"Did I?" said Hugo, flushing. "Oh, well, I had forgotten. The name -didn't impress me. I thought he was an Irish boy." - -"You said he was born in Montreal, and that his parents lived there -now." - -"Oh, well, no doubt you are right, uncle: you know I didn't take as -much interest in him as you—" - -"True, Hugo; but surely you could detect the wonderful resemblance to -my son Julian." - -"I can't say I did, uncle; but probably we looked at him with different -eyes." - -"That was natural. How much do you think they pay him in the circus, -Hugo?" - -"Really, uncle, I haven't the slightest idea. I never knew any circus -people. Four or five dollars a week, perhaps." - -"I have been thinking, Hugo, I should like to have that boy live with -me." - -"You can't be in earnest, uncle," said Hugo, very disagreeably -surprised. - -"Why not? He may not be akin to me; but he looks like my dead son, and -for that resemblance I could come to love him. It would be a great -comfort to me to see him every day, and have him come in and out. He -might read to me, and so relieve you of some of your duties, Hugo." - -"But I have never asked to be relieved of them, uncle," said Hugo, -bashfully. - -"I know that, Hugo, but he would be company for us both. I want you -to go and bring him back with you. You can find out how much they pay -him at the circus, and offer him more to come here. I will give him a -chance to study, engage masters for him, and—" - -"Make him your heir, I suppose," said Hugo to himself, with a dark -frown, which his uncle did not see; "not if I am able to prevent it. -My uncle must think I am a fool to bring into the house so dangerous -a rival. After waiting so many weary years for Chestnutwood, does he -think I am going to let it drift into the hands of an unknown boy -simply because he looks like my cousin Julian?" - -These thoughts passed through the mind of Hugo Richmond, but it is -needless to say that he did not give utterance to them, or to anything -like them. His course was not to oppose strongly any whim of his uncle, -but to seemingly assent, and then oppose it secretly, while the old man -thought him to be promoting it. - -Nevertheless Hugo was very much annoyed at the present caprice of his -uncle, as he chose to style it. - -"I wish I had never gone into that circus," he reflected, with -annoyance. "Till then my uncle's mind was at rest, and he didn't -trouble himself with the thought that Julian's son might still be -alive. Now the mischief has been done, and the sight of that boy has -upset him and endangered my prospects. Who would have thought that such -a chance visit would have led to such results? Well, well, it is going -to give me some trouble, but I am master of the situation, and my uncle -shall never again set eyes on that boy if I can prevent it." - -Hugo took his hat and went out to look after some laborers who were at -work in the rear of the lawn, when his attention was drawn to a rather -shabby-looking figure approaching the house. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -A COMPACT. - - -Hugo stopped short, till the stranger should come up. He intended to -warn him off the grounds, as an intruder. - -"Look here, my man," he said, with an air of authority, "are you aware -that these are private grounds?" - -"I suppose they are," said the intruder, smiling. - -Hugo was surprised to see that he showed no confusion or timidity, but -stood his ground boldly. The fellow's unconcern nettled him. - -"Then, if you suppose they are," he said, sharply, "you must know -that you are trespassing. You can have no business here, and the best -course, if you wish to avoid trouble, is to turn about and gain the -highway as speedily as possible." - -Hugo fancied that this would be sufficient to put the intruder to -flight, but he was mistaken. - -"Who told you I had no business here?" he asked. - -"Don't be impertinent! A man like you can have no business here unless -you wish to obtain a position as laborer, and we have no vacancy of -that kind." - -The intruder held out his hands and said, quietly: "Do them look like -the hands of a laborer?" - -Hugo glanced at them. They were as white and unsoiled by any of the -outward evidences of manual labor as his own. Yet the man was shabbily -dressed, and looked poor. Be that as it might, he had never been -accustomed to labor with his hands. - -"No," answered Hugo, "but that isn't in your favor. However, I have no -further time to waste with you. Leave these grounds at once." - -"Not until I have had some further conversation with you, Mr. Hugo -Richmond," said the visitor, regarding Hugo fixedly. - -"Who are you?" demanded Hugo, abruptly. "You know my name, it seems. -Have I ever known you?" - -"Yes." - -"What is your name?" - -"Fitzgerald." - -"I aver that you are he," said Hugo, after a brief glance of scrutiny, -"though I should hardly have known you. I am glad you are come. I was -wishing particularly to see you." - -Fitzgerald looked surprised. He had fancied that he would be an -unwelcome, perhaps a dreaded apparition, yet here was the man who he -had thought would be disturbed at his appearance actually expressing -his pleasure at meeting him. - -"Then I am glad I came," he said. "I thought perhaps you would be sorry -to see me." - -"So I should have been a week since. Now something has occurred which -makes a meeting between us desirable." - -"Is your uncle dead?" asked the visitor, with eager interest. - -"No, he is still living," returned Hugo, with a half unconscious sigh -of regret. "Walk with me to yonder summer-house. I must have some -serious conversation with you." - -Fitzgerald followed, wondering considerably what Hugo had to say -to him, and the two sat down in a summer-house or rustic arbor at -some distance from the house, where there were not likely to be any -listeners to their speech. - -When they were seated Hugo asked abruptly, "What did you do with -Julian's boy?" - -Fitzgerald started in some surprise, and perhaps embarrassment, and -answered, "You know very well, Mr. Hugo. He died of scarlet fever." - -"So you reported, and I was quite ready to accept the report without -inquiring into particulars. Now I have reason to doubt your statement." - -"Oh, well, he may have died of something else," said Fitzgerald, -shrugging his shoulders. "As long as he died, I suppose it didn't -matter to you what was the nature of his disease?" - -"Not if he were really dead." - -"You don't doubt that, do you?" - -"Yes, I do; moreover, I am quite convinced that it is false." - -"Then you had better keep it to yourself," suggested Fitzgerald with -a cunning smile, "since the boy, if alive, would be his grandfather's -heir." - -"But suppose his grandfather suspects he is living?" - -"That would alter matters. But why should he suspect?" - -"Fitzgerald, do you know where this boy is?" asked Hugo, searchingly. - -"I don't even know that he is living. If you do you know more than I do -about him." - -"You know, at least, that he did not die at the time you reported his -death." - -"Well, I don't mind confessing as much as that." - -"_You played me false!_" said Hugo, with angry bitterness. - -"Suppose I did?" retorted Fitzgerald, defiantly. "That's better than to -kill an innocent boy, isn't it?" - -"Hush!" exclaimed Hugo, in alarm. "Don't use such words. They might be -overheard." - -"How do you know the boy is alive?" asked Fitzgerald, after a pause. - -"I saw him myself within a week." - -"Where?" - -"At Crampton, in a circus performance; the boy was riding bareback in -the ring. He is called on the bills, 'The Boy Wonder,' and is a daring -and graceful rider. Julian was always fond of horses." - -"What name does he bear?" - -"Robert Rudd." - -"Are you sure it is Julian's son?" - -"As sure as I need be. He is the perfect image of my cousin at his age." - -"The boy has no suspicion of his origin, I suppose?" - -"Not the slightest." - -"Then why need you be troubled?" - -"Because my uncle was with me, and he, too, noticed the extraordinary -resemblance of the boy-rider to his son. Ever since he has been -restless, and now he insists upon my seeking out the boy, and bringing -him here to live with him." - -Fitzgerald whistled. - -"That would make a dark lookout for you, Mr. Hugo," he said. - -"Of course it would. Besides, if the boy knew anything of his past -history, my uncle would be readily convinced that it was really his -grandson, and I would be set aside as the heir to Chestnutwood." - -"I see." - -"Now tell me, Fitzgerald, how does it happen that the boy has been -trained up to such a career?" - -"I can't tell positively. I gave a tramp a sum of money to take charge -of him and carry him about, passing him off as his own son. I suppose -the man died and the boy fell in with some circus people, who saw that -they could make use of him." - -"That seems plausible enough," said Hugo, thoughtfully. "At any rate -our concern is not with the past, but with the future. I suppose you -are not exactly prosperous?" - -Fitzgerald drew a purse from his pocket, and extracted a twenty-five -cent coin. - -"That is all the money I have," he answered. - -"Do you feel like going into my employment again?" - -"Yes." - -"Then we will see if between us we cannot stave off this danger which -threatens my prospects." - -There was a lengthened conference, into the particulars of which -we need not enter, stating only that Robert was the subject of it. -Fitzgerald left Chestnutwood that same evening, plentifully supplied -with money. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE CANVAS MAN. - - -Carden, the canvas man, though discharged from the circus, did not -leave town. He hoped to be reinstated in his old position, and made -a personal appeal to the manager. But the latter returned a decided -negative. - -"Don't I do my work well?" asked Carden. - -"I have no fault to find with you on that score." - -"Then why do you discharge me?" - -"You know well enough." - -"Is it because that boy Robert Rudd has lied about me?" - -"Robert Rudd would not lie about anybody. I have perfect confidence in -him. As for you, Carden, you may as well make up your mind to leave the -town and seek employment elsewhere. As long as I am manager of this -circus I will never again employ you in any capacity." - -Carden's face grew dark and lowering. He saw that the manager was in -earnest, and he said no more, but went away muttering something to -himself in a low voice which the manager could not understand. - -"That is a bad fellow!" thought Mr. Coleman. "We are well rid of him. -He looks as if he could do something worse than steal." - -Finding himself foiled in his attempt to regain his old place, Carden -felt still more incensed against the boy, whom he considered to be -the cause of his dismissal. He felt that it would be a satisfaction -to injure him in some way, and so revenge himself. For this purpose -he determined to remain in the town until the circus left. He secured -board, therefore, in the family of a farmer not far away, and spent his -days about the village and his evenings in some low drinking place. - -One day as he was sauntering along the street, with a discontented -scowl upon his face, he came face to face with a well-dressed man, who -appeared to be a stranger in the place. - -He would have passed him by without any other notice than a passing -glance, had not the stranger accosted him. - -"A pleasant day, my friend," he said, affably. - -"Who said I was your friend?" returned Carden, with a growl. - -"I assumed it, since you have no reason to be my enemy," said the -other, not in the least put out by the roughness with which his -greeting was received. - -"I don't know you, and I don't want to," continued Carden. - -"Really, you are very frank," laughed the new acquaintance. "A trifle -rough, perhaps, but I like sincerity. You are no hypocrite, my friend." - -"I should like to hear anybody call me so," said Carden, defiantly. - -"I won't be the one at any rate. However, its dry talking in the -street. Suppose we go in here (they were just passing a drinking -saloon) and drink to our better acquaintance." - -He could have said nothing better calculated to soften Carden's -asperity. - -"I believe you're a trump, after all," said the canvas man, in a -changed tone. - -"I hope you'll find me so. Well, come in." - -Carden readily followed him into the saloon, and they sat down to a -table with a bottle and two glasses before them. - -"Now, what's your game?" asked Carden, abruptly. - -"My game?" - -"Yes. I s'pose you wouldn't have stood treat if you hadn't wanted -something of me." - -The stranger laughed. - -"You are sharp," said he. "However, I don't mind confessing that -I am a stranger in the place and wanted company and possibly a -little information. Do you know anything about the circus—Coleman's -circus—which I see is showing here?" - -"I ought to. I belong to it." - -"Oh, you are connected with it." - -"No. I'm not now. I was." - -"So, you left them." - -"Left them," repeated Carden with an oath. "I was kicked out." - -"Indeed, my friend, I sympathize with you. May I ask in what capacity -you were employed?" - -"I was a canvas man." - -"Really, I don't want to meddle with what is none of my business, but -on what pretext were you discharged?" - -Carden hardly liked to admit that he was suspected of theft, but his -wrongs were recent and he took a bitter satisfaction in dwelling upon -them. So he overcame his reluctance by degrees. - -"It was all on account of that young rascal Robert Rudd," he said. - -"Robert Rudd!" repeated the stranger, his face indicating strong -interest. "Who is he?" - -"A bareback rider—a mere boy, whom I could twist round my finger." - -"But I don't see how he could get you discharged." - -"Then I'll tell you. He went to Coleman and told him that he found me -trying to unlock his closet and get at his property." - -"Of course that was false?" - -"Of course it was!" growled Carden. "But the manager believed him, and -bounced me." - -"What could make the boy get up such a story?" - -"He hated me; he treated me like a dog, and put on airs, just as if we -wasn't in the same business. He wouldn't drink with me when I asked -him." - -"Then he is proud, is he?" - -"Yes, but he hasn't anything to be proud of. He thinks himself a -gentleman, just because he can ride, and looks down on me as a poor -canvas man." - -"He must be very disagreeable!" - -"Of course he is, but the manager don't think so. He treats him as if -he was a prince." - -"Do you know anything about this Robert Rudd?" asked the stranger, -thoughtfully. "Has he got parents living?" - -"Not as I know of." - -"How long has he been with the circus?" - -"He has been riding ever since he was a small kid." - -"Does he ride well?" - -"Oh yes, he'll do," said Carden, with faint praise. - -"I should think he would have been afraid to provoke you—a strong, -stout man like you," said the stranger meditatively, surveying the -strong frame and muscular arms of the ex-canvas man. - -"He'll repent it yet," flamed up Carden, his resentment fired by these -artful words. "I don't mean to have any whipper-snapper like him get -the better of me." - -"I can't say you are wrong, my friend, though I know nothing of the -matter further than you have told me. What are your plans? When were -you discharged?" - -"Day before yesterday. Coleman told me to leave town, but I shan't. I -shall hang round here till I see some way of gettin' even with that -young rascal." - -"It does seem hard that you should have had your means of living taken -away from you through the spite of a boy. He must have a very bad -disposition, this Robert Rudd." - -"Yes," said Carden, in a voice which was becoming thick through his -frequent potations, for he was drinking two glasses or more to the -stranger's one. "I'm a poor man, and it's hard to be thrown out of -work." - -"I suppose you haven't saved up much money, then?" - -"Saved! What could I save out of fifteen dollars a month?" - -"That is poor pay, certainly. Is this boy, Robert Rudd, well paid?" - -"Well paid? He's got two hundred dollars saved up." - -"You don't tell me so! That is a good deal for a boy. Where does he -keep it?" - -"In his locker," answered Carden, an expression of cupidity sweeping -over his face. - -This was not unnoticed by the stranger, who said to himself: "Unless I -am greatly mistaken, the boy was right in charging you with trying to -get at his hoard. I can read it in your face." - -"You say he is a fine rider?" he said, changing the subject. - -"Oh, yes; he's well enough." - -"But if anything should startle the horse or frighten him, anything -unexpectedly, I mean, he would be in some danger of being thrown off, -wouldn't he?" - -"That's so!" said Carden, as if a sudden idea had dawned upon his mind. - -"It seems a dangerous business, this," said the stranger, carelessly. -"If, now, some malicious person should throw something at the horse -when he was in the ring, it might prove dangerous to the boy." - -"So it would!" said Carden, eagerly. - -"Well, my friend," said the stranger, rising, "I see we've drained the -bottle. Suppose we go out again." - -When they emerged into the street, Fitzgerald, for it was he, shook -hands with the canvas man, and said: "Well, I must go back to the -hotel. I hope to meet you again, my friend." - -"I think I've set things in train," thought Fitzgerald. "I will attend -the circus this evening." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -AN ATHLETIC CONTEST. - - -The two boy riders were taking their usual afternoon walk, when they -met Carden. The canvas man frowned, but his face seemed also to wear an -expression of triumphant malice, as if he could foresee some evil in -store for Robert. - -"Did you notice how Carden looked, Robert?" asked Charlie. - -"Not very pleasant. He hasn't forgotten me for detecting him in his -attempt to rob me." - -"He looked as if he had heard of some bad luck for you." - -"That must be your imagination, Charlie. I've had no bad luck." - -"I wonder what makes Carden stay here now he is discharged from the -circus," said Charlie, thoughtfully. - -"I suppose he can stay here as cheap as anywhere," said Robert. "I -don't trouble myself about him or his plans." - -"He is your enemy, Rob. He may try to do you some harm." - -"I will be on my guard, but I won't worry myself about it." - -They came to an open field, where half a dozen boys were engaged in -athletic sports. There was soon to be a picnic, and prizes had been -offered for the best running, leaping and vaulting, and these boys were -engaged in practising for the grand contest. - -"Let us stop and look at them," said Charlie. - -"Very well," answered his friend. - -So they took up a position about fifty feet away and regarded the -contestants with interest. - -Their presence was noticed by the boys, who at once recognized them as -circus riders. - -"Let us invite them to join us," said Frank Perry, a boy of sixteen. - -"Yes," chimed in several others. - -"I object," said Ronald Percy, stiffly. "My father wouldn't care to -have me associate with circus performers." - -Ronald was the son of a rich manufacturer, and was generally -considered snobbish by his companions. At any rate he presumed greatly -upon his "blue blood" and his father's wealth, and attempted to be very -exclusive. It certainly was nothing to the discredit of his father that -he had worked his way up to his present position from the position of -a poor factory boy, but it might have led Ronald to reflect upon the -folly of his personal pretensions. But his mother claimed to be of -"genteel" family, and had imbued the boy with her own notions. - -"What's the objection, if they are circus performers?" asked Sidney -Grey, who might really have claimed aristocratic lineage if he had so -desired. - -"Do you consider circus performers fit company for you?" asked Ronald, -superciliously. - -"Yes, if they behave themselves like gentlemen; and these two look as -well bred as we are." - -"Of course they do," said Frank Perry. "Let us have them here." - -This seemed to be the general wish, and Ronald's protest went for -nothing. - -Sidney Grey left the group of boys and walked towards where Robert and -Charlie were standing. He was a slender boy with a frank, pleasant -face which prepossessed a stranger in his favor at first sight. - -"Won't you join us?" he asked. "We are practising for the picnic next -Saturday. There are to be some prizes offered for running, vaulting, -and so on." - -"Thank you," answered Robert. "I will join you with pleasure." - -"So will I," said Charlie, "but I am afraid I might beat you all in -jumping." - -"We will take the risk," said Sydney, smiling. - -"We are just going to have some leaping, and will give you a chance. -Perhaps it is lucky you won't be at the picnic." - -Sidney returned to his friends, followed by the two circus boys. - -The trial about to commence was a standing jump. The two rivals for -superiority were Sidney and Ronald. They were of about the same size, -and seemed, so far as appearance went, very well matched. Probably -there was nothing, save his family and position, of which Ronald was -more proud than of his jumping, and he looked forward complacently to -the trial which was now about to take place. - -"Will you try first?" asked Sidney of Robert. - -"No, thank you; I will wait to the end." - -"Won't you?" he next asked of Charlie Davis. - -"I don't mind," answered Charlie, readily. - -Charlie was small of his age, and was not likely to be a very -formidable competitor. He made a jump which proved to be a little less -than five feet, and was not bad for a boy of his size who was not -accustomed to this kind of exercise. - -"There, boys, beat that if you can," he said, of course in fun. - -The boys smiled and the trial continued. - -It is unnecessary to chronicle each jump. Sidney Grey came up at last -and jumped six feet and three inches. - -"Very well, Sidney," said one of his friends. "I don't believe that -will be beat." - -"I do," said Ronald, emphatically. "I haven't tried yet." - -"Take your turn, then," said Sidney, good-naturedly. "I shouldn't be -surprised if you beat me." - -Ronald appeared to be of the same opinion, and it turned out that his -expectations were fulfilled. He gathered himself up for a tremendous -effort, and cleared six feet four inches. - -"Good!" said Sidney, not disturbed by his rival's success. "If you jump -like this next Saturday you will carry off the prize." - -"I've beat you all," said Ronald, triumphantly. - -"Not quite all," said Sidney. "There's one here who hasn't jumped yet," -pointing to Robert. - -"Oh well, he can try if he wants to," said Ronald, superciliously, -looking as if he thought it didn't matter much whether he did or not. - -"Your name is Robert, isn't it?" said Sidney. - -"Yes." - -"Then, Robert, you will have the honor of closing this contest." - -Under ordinary circumstances Robert would not have cared to win, but he -had chanced to overhear Ronald's objections to associating with circus -performers, and had noticed the airs of superiority which he assumed, -and he thought he would like to take down his pride a little. His -training had given him unusual strength and elasticity of limb, and he -was better prepared than any of the other boys to excel in a contest of -this kind. - -He took the position which had been marked as the starting point, and -standing for a moment motionless, made a sudden spring forward, and the -result was regarded with admiring astonishment. - -"Six feet and eight inches!" declared Sidney, after measuring. "You are -the champion, Robert. None of us can come up with you." - -The face of Ronald was an interesting study. He was astonished and -mortified. He couldn't bear to have his record surpassed. - -"It wan't a fair leap," he said with chagrin. "He stood too far -forward." - -"No, he didn't," answered, Sidney; "I noticed how he stood myself." - -"If you like, I will jump again," said Robert quietly, turning to -Ronald. - -"That will be fairer," said Ronald, hoping Robert would the second time -fall short of his own mark. - -Again Robert took his place, and would not jump till Ronald himself had -declared that he was in the right place. Then, making an extra effort, -he cleared six feet and nine inches. - -"You didn't make much by your doubting, Ronald," said Frank Perry. -"Are you satisfied now?" - -"I didn't bargain to jump against a circus boy," said Ronald, sullenly. - -"That won't affect your chances at the picnic," said Sidney. "Robert -won't be there." - -"Nor I," said Charlie Davis. - -"We are not much afraid of you, Charlie," said Sidney, smiling. - -"Oh, I didn't half try!" said Charlie. - -"It's lucky for us you didn't," said Sidney. - -Ronald walked off in disgust, but Robert and Charlie remained with -their new friends, whom they found pleasant and companionable. That was -the last of the contests, but a game of ball was got up, in which the -two circus boys joined. - -When they were ready to part Sidney said, in a friendly way, "I am glad -to have made your acquaintance. Come and see me to-morrow afternoon if -you feel like it. I should like to ask you something of your life and -adventures, for I suppose you have had adventures." - -"Thank you; I will come," answered Robert. - -But circumstances arose which prevented his keeping his engagement. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE CANVAS MAN FINDS A BONANZA. - - -Fitzgerald had put a new idea into the head of the canvas man—an idea -which the man's unscrupulous and cruel nature readily welcomed and -adopted. It was with malicious satisfaction that he thought it over, -and considered how he should carry it out. - -There was, however one circumstance that interfered with his -cheerfulness—the want of money. He had never been a saving man, and -now that he was discharged, and without an income, his fortunes were -at a low ebb. He foresaw that after carrying out his purpose it would -be necessary for him to leave Crampton, but as his purse contained but -seventy-five cents it did not seem possible to go far unless he walked. - -"If I had only got that boy's $200, I should be all right," he said to -himself. "It would have been better for him and for me, too, for in -that case I wouldn't do him any harm." - -[Illustration: THE ACCIDENT IN THE RING.] - -Carden had no friends of whom he could ask a loan with any hope of -success—in fact, it is doubtful whether he had any friends at all. -While in this perplexity he chanced to recall a conversation he had -heard some days before in a billiard saloon. It ran thus: - -"Yes, Tarbox has more money than any farmer in town. He is mean and -close-fisted, and so spends next to nothing. Of course when that is -kept up year after year a man can't help getting rich." - -"Where does he invest his money—in savings banks?" - -"No, he is afraid of them. He is of a suspicious nature, and I -shouldn't wonder if he follows the example of an old uncle of his who -died twenty years ago." - -"How is that?" - -"Why, the old man lived in a miserable way in a poor hut, and after he -died it was found that he had secreted large sums in various places in -and about the hut. I don't know how many thousand dollars." - -"Did Nathan Tarbox inherit any of his uncle's money?" - -"Yes, he came in for a third of it." - -"You think he hides his money in the same way?" - -"I think it very probable. Of course it is very silly, for he gets no -interest, and he is really in more danger of losing it than if it were -earning dividends of interest in some good bank. However, that's the -man's nature." - -In his necessity Carden recalled this conversation, and, having no -conscientious scruples, he pondered how he should turn it to account. - -"If I could find one of the farmer's hiding-places for his money," he -thought, "I might make a good thing out of it. The money isn't doing -him any good. I might as well have it." - -He mechanically took his way towards the Tarbox farm, impelled by a -faint hope that he might hear or see something to his advantage. - -Now it chanced that at some distance from the farm-house was an old -barn, which had been built by the farmer's father, and which was still -used, though a newer one had been built nearer the house. - -From the street, towards the close of the afternoon, Carden saw Mr. -Tarbox taking his way towards this old barn, and out of curiosity he -jumped over the stone wall and followed him. - -"I wonder if it would do any good to ask him to lend me five dollars?" -thought the canvas man. "I might tell him I had been discharged through -the influence of Anak and the boy, and he has reason to hate both. At -any rate it won't do any harm to try. So I'll follow him cautiously, -and see if I can accomplish anything." - -Mr. Tarbox did not perceive that he was followed. He went by a -well-worn path to the old barn, and, opening a small door at the side, -went in. - -Carden came up presently and peered in through a crack of the door. The -crack was narrow, but still wide enough to enable him to see what was -going on within. - -Carden was actuated at first by mere curiosity, but his curiosity -speedily gave place to deep interest when he saw Tarbox lift a trap -door and prepare to descend into the barn cellar. - -"What is he going to do, I wonder?" thought the canvas man. - -He was disappointed to find that the farmer and his operations were -concealed from him, as, though he could see the trap door, he could -not look down into the cellar. Of course it was possible to enter the -barn and look down, but this would be too venturesome, and, if he were -observed it would be hard to explain his curiosity in any satisfactory -manner. - -However, it occurred to the eager looker-on that it might be possible -for him to look down into the barn cellar through some crevice near the -bottom of the barn. No sooner had the idea come into his mind than he -discovered exactly such an opening as he desired. He lost no time in -throwing himself flat upon the ground, and putting his eye to a round -hole—once a knot hole. - -Now his curiosity was gratified. Through this loop-hole he saw the -farmer with a small spade in his hand, which he appeared to keep -permanently under the barn, digging at a particular spot in the -northeast corner, only a few feet from the ladder beneath the trap-door. - -Carden's heart beat high at this sight. It naturally recalled to him -the conversation he had heard in the billiard saloon, and putting the -two together he jumped to the conclusion that Tarbox had come to this -out-of-the-way spot to visit one of his hoards—perhaps to add to it. - -"If it should be so," he muttered to himself, "then I am in luck. It -won't be my fault if I don't borrow a good sum without the farmer -knowing anything about it. Let me see what he is doing." - -He glued his eyes persistently to the loop-hole, and watched with an -anxious eagerness which can be surmised the movements of the miserly -farmer. - -Tarbox did not need to dig long. Presently he threw aside his spade, -and getting on his knees began to fumble with his hands in the cavity -he had made. - -He drew up a round wooden box, such as housewives often use to keep -saleratus or other supplies in, about the size of a market box of -strawberries. Probably it was one he had taken from the pantry without -his wife's observation, for Tarbox was a man who could keep a secret -from his wife, at any rate when it related to money. - -When Carden saw this box produced his suspicions were increased almost -to certainties, and he waited with breathless anxiety till Tarbox -should open it. - -This the farmer did not long delay doing, and the unseen witness was -rewarded for his watching in seeing that the box was more than half -full of silver and gold. The silver preponderated, but a few gold coins -were mixed with them. - -Carden felt like a hungry man favored with the sight of a rich repast, -and his eyes glittered with cupidity. He would like to have made his -way at once to the cellar, throttled the farmer and seized the box, -but that would have been very imprudent. Tarbox was a powerful man, -and he would have fought desperately for the money that was so dear to -him. Besides, even had Carden secured the box, he could have hardly -got away in the afternoon without being observed. No, he must curb his -impatience, and defer his visit to a more seasonable time. - -"I can do it to-night," he muttered to himself, "after the performance -is over. Then I will get out of town as soon as I can. I wonder how -much money there is there." - -This was a fruitful and pleasing subject of contemplation, and occupied -his thoughts as he hurriedly left the barn and made his way to the high -road. - -He went to his boarding-place, made his small possessions in the way of -clothing into a bundle, and regarded it with satisfaction. - -"To-night I will leave Crampton forever," he said. "After all, I shall -be in fair luck, even if I did get kicked out from the circus." - -There was one thing, however, that he did not take into the account. -He had acted as a spy upon the unsuspecting farmer, and so became the -possessor of a valuable secret. It didn't occur to him that possibly he -in turn might have attracted observation, and that his movements might -have been watched. - -It chanced that Charlie Davis was strolling out alone, and had seen -Carden enter Mr. Tarbox's field and make his way to the barn. - -"What can Carden be going there for?" thought Charlie. "I'll watch him." - -Charlie had also seen Mr. Tarbox, and he was not slow in concluding -that Carden, for some reason which he could not at once guess, was -watching him. - -"What in the world can Carden be looking at?" he thought. "There can't -be anything to steal in that old barn. At any rate he's up to some -mischief, I'll bet a hat. I'll tell—let me see—I'll tell Anak, and -ask what he thinks about it." - -It was 6 o'clock when Charlie returned to the circus tent, and he -broached the subject at once to the Norwegian giant. - -Anak was a shrewd fellow, and he guessed the truth. - -"There's something valuable there on which Carden has some designs, but -he isn't likely to do anything till late to-night. Meet me after the -performance, and we'll take a stroll over that way." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -A FARCE AND A TRAGEDY. - - -The circus was nearing the close of its stay in Crampton. Of course, -though it was a large town, it was not large enough to warrant the -show in staying so long, but for the large number of visitors who were -attracted from neighboring towns. Both by rail and by carriages of all -sorts, from farmers' wagons to top buggies and carryalls, hundreds of -people flocked to see the wonders it contained. Many a young heart -was stirred with ambition to pursue the noble profession of circus -performers, considering that the circus clown was as illustrious a -personage, not perhaps as the President of the United States, but at -least as a member of the Cabinet, or a Congressman. The time would come -of course when these admiring youngsters would learn that the halo -which invested the circus performer was unreal, but, for the time -being, any one connected with the circus was a great, illustrious and -envied personage. - -One day Robert Rudd and Charlie Davis were standing outside the tent, -near the lemonade stand, when a boy of sixteen or seventeen, clad in -rustic attire and "with hayseed in his hair," approached them, and, -though evidently somewhat awed by the idea that he was standing in the -presence of two circus performers, ventured to ask: - -"Do you two belong to the circus?" - -"Yes," answered Robert. - -"You bet we do," said Charlie, vivaciously. "The circus would have to -shut up shop but for us." - -Robert smiled, but the visitor didn't. He was too much in earnest. - -"I seen you ridin' last evenin'," he said, next. - -"Then you were at the performance?" - -"Yes; I told dad I wanted to go, and he let me have the money I earned -weedin' corn, tho' he said I better keep it to buy somethin' useful." - -"I hope you enjoyed the evening," said Robert, courteously. - -"It was splendid! I don't see how you fellows can ride so." - -"It's all in the training." - -"How long have you been a circus actor?" asked the young rustic. - -"Five or six years; I began when I was very small." - -"I began as soon as I could walk," said Charlie, who liked to romance a -little when he had an opportunity. - -"You don't say so?" - -"Fact!" asserted Charlie. - -"Did you ride on a hoss then?" - -"No, I rode on a Newfoundland dog. When I got older I tried a pony. Now -Rob and I are the champion boy-riders of Europe and America." - -"Speak for yourself, Charlie," said Robert, smiling. "I don't make any -such claims." - -"Oh, well, don't be discouraged. You'll ride as well as I do some time." - -"You flatter me," said Robert. - -"I say, do you think there's any chance for me to learn the business?" -asked the country boy, lowering his voice, in an anxious tone. - -"What line do you want to take up?" asked Robert. - -"Is there any line?" asked the boy, not understanding. - -"I mean, do you want to be a rider, a clown, an acrobat, or what?" - -"I'd like to ride like you two." - -"I am afraid you are rather large to begin," said Robert, surveying -the boy's large hands and feet, and his height, at least three inches -greater than his own. - -"Am I too big?" asked the boy, disappointed. - -"No, you're not," said Charlie. "Why, I could teach you myself." - -"I wish you would. I'd like goin' round with a circus better than -working for dad on the farm. Do you fellow's get paid big wages?" - -"Of course we do," answered Charlie. "I get fifty dollars a week, board -and travelling expenses." - -"Fifty dollars a week!" gasped the country boy, expanding his eyes in -astonishment. - -"Yes, you see we're first-class performers." - -"I couldn't get but a dollar and a half a week and board workin' on a -farm," answered the country boy. - -"What's your name?" asked Charlie, abruptly. - -"Jotham Sprague." - -"That wouldn't do for the stage; you'd have to take a better name." - -"I'd take any name; fact is, I don't like Jotham myself." - -"It isn't romantic enough," said Charlie. "The manager wouldn't have -anybody of that name. It sounds too countrified." - -"What sort of a name would do?" asked the boy. - -"Lorenzo Leon would do pretty well." - -"That's splendid!" said Jotham, admiringly. - -"You see, it would look well on the bills. The famous bareback rider. -Lorenzo Leon, who has just been imported from his native Italy at large -expense, will perform some of his wonderful feats in the ring." - -"I'd like that first rate," said Jotham, "only I ain't from Italy." - -"No matter; no one will know that. Now, if you want to come in and take -a lesson I'll give you one." - -"How much will you charge?" asked Jotham, eager but cautious. - -"Oh, I won't charge you anything. I'll do it out of friendship. Come -in, Rob." - -"No, Charlie, not just now." - -Robert suspected that Charlie meditated a practical joke, and did not -care to take part in it. - -They entered the tent—it was in the middle of the forenoon—and -Charlie went to his friend the clown, and whispered a few words. - -"So the young gentleman wants to take a lesson in riding, does he?" he -asked. - -"Yes," answered Jotham, eagerly, "if you have no objection." - -"We'll do it for you as a favor," said the clown. "What's your name, -young man?" - -Jotham was about to answer correctly, when Charlie broke in—"His name -is Lorenzo Leon, from Italy." - -The clown grinned. - -"A very fine name!" he answered. "Bring out the Andalusian steed." - -An attendant led out the trick mule, which, meekly enough, walked round -the ring. - -"Can you ride that?" asked the clown. - -"Oh, yes, I can ride a bigger hoss than that." - -"Mount, then, and away!" - -Charlie held the mule, which stood very quiet and demure, while the -boy was getting on. But no sooner was the boy on his back than he -lifted his ears and dashed round the ring in such a lively way, making -sudden turns and curves, that Jotham was soon clinging to him as pale -as a sheet, with his arms closely clasped about the mule's neck, in -momentary expectation of being thrown off. At this most critical point -the clown shouted, "Now get up and stand on his back!" - -Instead of doing this Jotham roared, "Stop him; take me off," in an -extremity of terror. - -At a signal the mule threw up his hind legs and the rider measured his -length, more frightened than hurt, on the sawdust. - -As he picked himself up Charlie came up to him. - -"Have another lesson, Lorenzo!" - -"I guess I'll go back to farmin'," answered Jotham, picking himself up -and finding to his relief that none of his limbs were broken. - -"Oh, nonsense! Try it again!" - -"No, I guess not; I never would make a rider," and the boy left the -tent completely cured of his wish to be a rider. He had received a -rough but a wholesome lesson. - -In the evening the performance began at the usual time. There was no -change in the bill, and everything was expected to go on as usual. - -In due time Robert came out for his equestrian act. In the course -of it he had to jump through a hoop and over a banner. While he was -doing this, suddenly a stone, as large as a base ball, hurled from the -spectators' seats, struck the horse, and he swerved. The result was -that Robert, instead of lighting on his back, fell to the ground in -such a way that he turned his ankle, while the horse dashed by. - -He was picked up, his face pale with the pain in his ankle, and was -helped from the ring by some of the attendants. - -"Shame! Shame! Lynch him!" rose from fifty indignant spectators. -"Where's the man that threw the stone?" - -But no one knew, except one. In one of the rear seats sat Carden, the -discharged canvas man, smiling with malignant triumph at the mischief -he had done. - -"I said I'd be even with him," he muttered. "I hope he's badly hurt." - -Among the spectators were Sidney Grey and his father, Dr. Grey, a -skilful physician. Both hurried to the ring. - -"Are you much hurt, Robert?" asked Sidney, anxiously. - -"I am in considerable pain, but I don't think I am seriously hurt," -said Robert, attempting to smile. - -"I will take the boy to my house," said Dr. Grey to the manager. "I am -a physician, and I will see that he receives every attention." - -"Thank you, doctor, I accept your offer gratefully," said Mr. Coleman. -"I am attached to the boy, and I will bear all his expenses." - -"There will be none, while he is at my house," said the doctor. "My son -has taken a liking to young Rudd, and he will be a welcome guest." - -When the performance was over, Carden left the tent stealthily. He -had work to do that night. He bent his steps towards the house of Mr. -Tarbox. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE AMATEUR DETECTIVES. - - -When it was found that Robert was not seriously hurt there was a -general feeling of relief among his circus friends, for the boy -rider was a great favorite. Though he was somewhat reserved he was -always polite, affable, and ready to be of assistance to any of his -associates. He was sometimes called "the little gentleman," and was -generally supposed to have sprung from a good family, though even to -himself his birth was a secret. - -Among those who inquired anxiously for him were Charlie Davis and the -Norwegian giant. - -"He has sprained his ankle slightly," said Dr. Grey. "It will require -a week or two of perfect rest, perhaps more. Indeed it will not do for -him to ride again this season." - -"Are you sure of that, doctor?" asked the manager. - -"I am positive that it would be most imprudent." - -"I asked because it cuts off the boy from earning money." - -"There need be no trouble on that score. He can stay at my house as -long as he likes, and it will cost him nothing." - -"You are very kind, Dr. Grey. However, the boy is not without funds. I -have two hundred dollars of his in my possession, and before I leave -town I will hand it to him or you, as this accident will part us for -the remainder of the season." - -"Give it to him, then. I am glad he has been so provident." - -Dr. Grey and Sidney obtained a carriage, and Robert was taken home to -the doctor's comfortable and even luxurious dwelling, for, besides -having had an extensive practice for years, he had married a lady with -a fortune. Leaving Robert there in good hands, we return to the circus. - -As soon as the entertainment was over, Charlie and Anak, remembering -their engagement, bent their steps towards the house of Mr. Tarbox. -They were detained, however, for fifteen minutes or more before being -able to depart, and this gave Carden an opportunity to get at work. - -"Have you seen Carden this evening, Charlie?" asked Anak. - -"Yes; he was at the circus." - -"I wonder whether it was he that threw the rock?" said Anak, suddenly. - -"I shouldn't wonder. I didn't think of it before." - -"He could have no other object in coming to the show. He had seen it -plenty of times. Besides, his money must have been low." - -"Perhaps he got in for nothing," suggested Charlie. - -"Go and ask." - -Charlie, upon inquiring at the ticket-office, found that Carden had -tried to obtain a pass on the score of his former connection with the -circus, but without success, as the manager had left orders that he was -not to be admitted, except on the same footing with others. - -"He grumbled some, but finally bought a ticket," added the -ticket-seller. "I wondered at it, for there was nothing new to him." - -"He must have been the one who fired the rock at poor Robert's -horse—the villain!" said Anak, gravely. "We know he had a spite -against the boy." - -"I'd like to fire a rock at him!" said Charlie, impetuously. - -"He may get into trouble yet," said Anak. "Let us go along." - -"Shall we go to the house and speak to Mr. Tarbox?" asked Charlie. - -"Yes, for he will know where to look for him." - -"I wonder what he will say when he sees you? Bet he'll be scared." - -"We'll soon let him understand that we came for his good." - -Mr. Tarbox was just about retiring, or rather he was making the usual -preparations—bringing in kindling wood from the shed, raking out the -fire, etc.—when a knock was heard at the outer door. - -In the Tarbox household such a thing as a visitor at half-past 10 -o'clock in the evening was absolutely unknown. - -"Who can it be, Nathan?" asked Mrs. Tarbox, in a flutter. - -"How do I know?" returned her husband in the usual polite tone in which -he was accustomed to address his wife. - -"Suppose it should be burglars?" suggested Mrs. Tarbox, nervously. - -"They'd be very likely to knock at the door, wouldn't they, you goose!" -said her husband. "That's exactly what they always do, isn't it?" - -The knock was repeated. - -"Go to the door, Mrs. Tarbox." - -"Oh mercy, Nathan, I couldn't. I might be killed." - -"Give me the lamp, then, you fool!" - -Mrs. Tarbox readily gave her husband the lamp, and he strode to the -door. - -When he opened it, and his inquiring glance fell on the towering form -of Anak, it must be admitted that Mr. Tarbox himself felt nervous. He -made a movement to close the door, but Anak thrust in his huge foot, -and this made the effort impossible. - -"What do you want?" demanded Tarbox, his calmness not quite undisturbed. - -"We come on important business," said Anak, in his deep voice. - -"Then you might have come at a better time," said Tarbox, his fears -dissipated and his ill-temper returning. "It is time all honest persons -were abed." - -"So it is, Mr. Tarbox," answered Anak, "but I am afraid there is one -dishonest person that is wide awake." - -"What do you mean?" demanded Tarbox, with a vague suspicion that the -remark might be made at his expense. - -"Is there anything of value concealed under the barn yonder?" asked -Anak, pointing to the one already referred to in a former chapter. - -"Why do you ask?" queried the farmer, turning pale, and eying the -questioner with suspicion. - -"Because a man who has been discharged from our show—a canvas man, -named Carden—was seen by Charlie here prowling about the barn this -afternoon, and trying to look under it through a crack." - -Now Tarbox turned pale in earnest. - -"It must have been when I was there," he said. - -"Very likely; were you under it?" - -"Ye-es," answered the farmer. - -"Then he was watching you. You know best whether he was likely to see -anything that could be of service to him." - -"Is he there now?" asked Tarbox, agitated. - -"I should not be at all surprised." - -"He may be robbing me at this moment," said Tarbox, wildly. - -"Then there is something hidden under the barn?" - -"Ye-es. What shall I do? Is he armed? Is he a strong man?" - -"No matter whether he is or not. I'm middling strong myself," said the -giant, with a laugh. "Get your hat, and I'll go with you, and we'll see -if we can't defeat him and his plans." - -"I'll go, too," added Charlie, in an important tone. - -"You alone are able to frighten him, Charlie," said Anak, aroused. - -Tarbox got his hat and led the way hurriedly towards the barn. Before -they reached there a sudden suspicion entered his mind and he stopped -short. - -"How do I know but this is a trick?" he said, nervously. "You may be -intending to rob me yourself." - -"Make your mind easy, Mr. Tarbox!" said Anak. "We don't do business in -that way." - -"You are my enemy," said Tarbox. - -"Not at all. You have done me no harm. You were meaning to arrest me, -to be sure, but you didn't, and I have no hard feelings against you. I -will do you a good turn if you will let me, especially as this Carden -is a bad fellow. He tried to kill Robert Rudd, to-night." - -"What, the boy rider?" - -"Yes. Robert caught him stealing, or trying to steal, from his locker, -and this led to his discharge. He threw a rock at the boy's horse, and -he was thrown." - -At another time Tarbox might possibly have felt rejoiced that the boy -against whom he himself felt a spite had met with an accident, but now -he felt too anxious about his own property to concern himself about -other matters. - -By this time they had reached the solitary barn. - -Charlie got down on his knees and peered through the same crevice which -Carden had used in the afternoon. - -"He's there!" he exclaimed in excitement, "and he's got a lighted -candle." - -"What is he doing?" asked Tarbox in agitation. - -"He's digging." - -"He will steal my money!" ejaculated Tarbox in dismay. "There's between -three and four hundred dollars hidden there." - -"Rather a queer savings bank, Mr. Tarbox!" said Anak, dryly. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -CATCHING A BURGLAR. - - -Carden had not the least suspicion that he was observed. The Tarbox -farm-house stood rather aloof from the village, and the barn, as we -have already stated, was at some distance from the house. He worked -away calmly, feeling that there was no danger of his being interfered -with. - -At last he reached the box, and stooping lifted it complacently. - -Mr. Tarbox became very much agitated when he saw his hoard in the -possession of the burglar. - -"Can't we get at him?" he asked of Anak in an agitated whisper. - -"No," whispered Anak. "Our best plan is to wait for him, and seize him -as he leaves the barn." - -"But he will have my money." - -"Of course he will. We will catch him with the stolen property in his -possession." - -"But it isn't safe for him to have it." - -"It won't be safe for him, I'm thinking," said Anak, dryly. "Don't you -see if we reveal ourselves now he will blow out the candle and remain -where he is, and we can't catch him in the dark. Ten to one he'll get -off with the money." - -Tarbox saw that the giant was right. In spite of his agitation, he -couldn't help remarking that Anak spoke English with remarkable -ease—for a Norwegian, and he said so. - -Anak laughed. - -"Oh well," he said, "it's a good while since I was in Norway." - -"Don't speak so loud, you two," said Charlie Davis, whose eye was glued -to the crevice. "He'll hear you." - -"The boy is right," said Anak. - -"Is he coming this way yet?" asked Tarbox, eagerly. - -"Not yet; he is sitting down, counting the money." - -Tarbox groaned. - -"I—I'd like to choke him—the thief!" he muttered. - -"Can't you find a better savings bank, friend Tarbox?" said Anak. - -"I'm afraid of savings banks. They break sometimes," answered the -farmer. - -"At any rate the money would be safer there than here, and you would -get interest for it besides. But for us, or rather for Charlie here, -who watched that rascal this afternoon, you'd have had to bid a long -good-by to your money." - -"He's got through counting it," said Charlie, who was still watching, -"and he's putting it in his pocket." - -"I shall never see it again!" murmured Tarbox, sadly. - -"Oh, yes you will—we've got the man as secure as a rat in a rat-trap. -He'll have to come out this way, won't he?" - -"Yes, he'll have to come up through the trap-door." - -"If he hadn't the money, it would be well to fasten down the trap-door, -and keep him locked up there for the night. As it is, we shall have to -secure him, and carry him to the station-house ourselves." - -"We might put him back under the barn after we've taken the money from -him," suggested Charlie Davis. - -"He may have matches with him," said Anak, "and in that case he might -set the barn on fire out of revenge. He's an ugly customer, that -Carden, and is capable of anything." - -"No, no, let him go!" said Tarbox, alarmed at the suggestion of losing -his barn by fire. "Take the money from him and send him off." - -"No, no; we won't let him off so easy," said Anak. "There's another -matter we must inquire into. We must find out whether he is the man -that threw the rock at Robert's horse to-night. If so, he must be -punished for that." - -Meanwhile, and this conversation took a much briefer time than may -be imagined, Carden had ascended the ladder, emerged through the -trap-door, which he had left open when he went down, and, with his -ill-gotten booty stowed away in his pockets, had reached the small door -by which he entered. He came out quite unconscious of danger, when he -felt a strong hand at his collar, and his startled look fell upon the -giant and his two companions. - -"What's all this?" he asked, in affected bravado. "Let go of me, Anak." - -"You villain!" exclaimed the farmer, furiously; "give me back my -money." - -"Your money, old potato digger!" returned Carden. "Who's got your -money?" - -"You have." - -"It's a lie. How could I get hold of your money?" - -"What have you been doing in the barn?" asked Anak. - -"Lying down on the hay, if you must know," returned Carden. "I got -turned out of my boarding-place because I couldn't pay my board, and I -thought Old Turnip-Top here wouldn't mind my getting a free bed lying -on his hay." - -"That's a lie," said Tarbox, in excitement; "you've got my money in -your pocket—three or four hundred dollars." - -"Where did I get hold of it? Do you keep money in your barn?" sneered -the canvas man. - -"Carden, it's no use pretending ignorance; you found out that our -friend here had money concealed under the barn floor—Charlie saw you -spying this afternoon—and you thought to-night would be a good chance -to secure it." - -"So that boy blabbed about me, did he?" said Carden, with an evil -glance at Charlie. "He'd best look out, or I'll serve him as I did—" - -Here he stopped short; but Charlie finished his sentence for him. - -"As you did Rob to-night," he added; "that's what you mean." - -"I don't know what you mean," said the canvas man, finding he had said -too much. - -"You know well enough!" said Anak, sternly, for he liked Robert, and -was incensed against the man who had tried to do him such grievous -harm. "You know well enough what the boy means; you were seen in the -tent this evening, and it was you who threw the rock at Robert Rudd's -horse." - -"You can't prove it, and it's a lie!" said Carden, defiantly. - -"Make him give up the money," said the farmer, impatiently, for he -cared nothing for Carden's attempt to injure our hero. - -"I'll give it up if you'll let me go," said the canvas man. - -"You're not in a position to make terms," said Anak. "We promise -nothing." - -"Then you won't get it," he returned, doggedly. - -"We won't, eh?" - -Anak, for he was the speaker, threw him down, and held his hands and -feet as in a vise, while Tarbox, at his invitation, thrust his hands -into the thief's pocket and drew out the gold and silver coins by -handfuls. - -Carden ground his teeth, but he felt that resistance was vain. He was a -strong man, but Anak had the strength of three ordinary men, and he was -disposed to exert his strength to the utmost on this occasion, not only -because he was opposed to dishonesty, but because he had in his grasp -the man who had assaulted Robert. - -"Have you got it all, Mr. Tarbox?" asked Anak. - -"Wait and I will count it," answered the farmer. - -"Some of the money was mine," growled Carden. - -"Was it? How much?" - -"Ten dollars," answered the canvas man, after a moment's thought. - -"That's too thin, Carden, and doesn't tally with your first story. You -said you laid down on the hay in the barn because you had no money and -were turned out of your boarding-house." - -"Oh, you're too smart," muttered the baffled thief. - -"I think we shall prove too smart for you to-night. Well, Mr. Tarbox, -how about the money?" - -"It's twenty-five cents short," said Tarbox, disturbed. - -"Oh, well, if you have come as near it as that you are lucky. Now let -us be going." - -"But I don't want to leave it here; some one may find it." - -"You would be ruined if you didn't find it," said Anak, contemptuously. - -"Will you let me up now?" asked Carden. - -"Yes, I will let you up, but I won't let you go." - -"Then I will lie here." - -"If you can." - -Despite his resistance Anak lifted him on his shoulders and bore him -off as easily as an ordinary man would carry a boy three years old. - -"What are you going to do with me?" asked the canvas man. - -"Deliver you over to the authorities," answered Anak; and this he did, -despite the alternate prayers and menaces of his captive. - -My young readers will be pleased to hear that Carden passed the night -in the station-house and was arraigned for trial the next day before -the court, which was then in session. - -"I'm much obleeged to you," Tarbox had the grace to say as they parted. - -"And you won't have me arrested for trespass and assault, Mr. Tarbox?" -said Anak, laughing. - -"No; you've done me a good service to-night." - -"Take my advice and put your money in the bank to-morrow," said Anak. - -Tarbox did so; not only the money which had so narrowly escaped being -stolen, but his other hoards were collected and carried to the nearest -savings bank, which was undoubtedly a wise act on the part of the -farmer. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -ROBERT RUDD LEAVES THE CIRCUS. - - -A week passed, and Robert Rudd was still the guest of Dr. Grey. The -circus had left town, and so the boy-rider was separated from his -professional companions. Though he was not as much attached to circus -life as some, it was his means of making a livelihood, and had been -for some years, and yielded him a considerably larger income than a -boy of his age was likely to earn in any other way. Now, it imparts a -pleasant feeling of independence to earn one's living, and the pleasure -is heightened when not only a living is earned, but there is a chance -to lay up money besides. - -When Robert was apprised of the approaching departure of the circus he -went to Dr. Grey. - -"Dr. Grey," he said, "don't you think it will be safe for me to go back -to the circus?" - -"Yes; it will be safe to go back to it, but not to ride." - -"How soon can I ride, do you think?" - -"Your ankle will be weak for some time to come; not too weak for -ordinary exercise, but not strong enough for bareback riding." - -"In that case," said Robert, with some feeling of disappointment, -"there would be no advantage in going back this season. I suppose I -could ride next season." - -"Undoubtedly, if you desire it," said the doctor, pointedly. - -"Do you intend to travel with the circus when you are a man?" asked -Sidney. - -"Not if I can find some other employment at which I can make a fair -living," answered Robert. "I don t care much for it, but at present it -pays me better than anything else." - -"That is not the most important consideration, my lad," said the doctor. - -"No; but at present I cannot afford to leave it." - -"Why can't you stay with me all winter?" asked Sidney, eagerly. "I -should like your company very much." - -"Thank you, Sidney; you are a true friend." - -"I second my boy's invitation," said the doctor, cordially. - -"Thank you, also," said Robert, gratefully. "I feel your kindness the -more because I have no claims upon you." - -"Then you will stay?" said Sidney, eagerly. - -"What would Ronald Percy say if you adopted me as a companion?" asked -Robert, with a smile. - -"I don't care what. I would ten times rather have you for a friend than -he." - -"Thank you, Sidney. You are not prejudiced against me because I am a -circus boy." - -"Why should I be? If you were rough and coarse, I shouldn't fancy you, -whether you were a circus boy or not, but I consider you much more of a -gentleman than Ronald Percy," said Sidney, warmly. - -"I appreciate your good opinion, Sidney, but as to remaining here all -winter, though I should enjoy it on many accounts, I would not like to -be dependent even upon so good friends while I am able to earn my own -living. If there were anything your father had for me to do it would -make a difference." - -"I must see if I can think of anything," said Dr. Grey. "I am afraid I -couldn't delegate any of my medical duties to you. I fear my patients -would not repose confidence in so young a doctor." - -So the circus kept on its way, and Robert remained for a time at -the house of the physician. Those who know the characteristics of -society in a country village will not be surprised to learn that the -introduction of a circus boy into his family led many to wonder at and -criticise Dr. Grey. Prominent among the critics was Ronald Percy and -his family. - -"Really," said Mrs. Percy, a shallow woman, who made large pretensions -to fashion and position, "I can't understand what Dr. Grey can be -thinking of, to admit a low circus boy into his house. We don't know -what associates the boy has had in the past, but he must be coarse and -ill-bred, and surely he is not a fit companion for Sidney Grey. I hope -my Ronald won't get intimate with him." - -"You may be sure I won't, ma," said Ronald. "I wouldn't demean myself -by taking notice of him. When Sidney wanted to invite him to join in -our games I opposed it." - -"You, Ronald, can always be relied upon to feel like a gentleman," said -his mother, complacently. "Thank heaven! he hasn't any liking for low -company." - -"I am told the boy is very gentlemanly," said Mrs. Frost, a woman very -different from Mrs. Percy. - -Mrs. Percy shrugged her shoulders. - -"That is absurd, of course," she answered. "Gentlemanly behavior isn't -picked up in circuses. I told the doctor so, but he is very eccentric, -and he wouldn't listen to anything against his new favorite." - -"That must be rather awkward for you, as Ronald and Sidney are so much -together." - -"I have requested Ronald not to go to the doctor's so much while that -boy is staying there. I feel that it is due to our position not to -allow him to form such intimacies." - -Nevertheless, when Sidney Grey got up a little party in honor of his -guest, and invited Ronald among others, the young aristocrat did not -decline, but presented himself promptly, notwithstanding his mother's -objection to the company of the young circus rider. - -Among the twenty boys and girls who assembled in the drawing-room of -Dr. Grey there was not one more quiet in manner or gentlemanly in -bearing than Robert Rudd. - -"I wonder where the boy has picked up his high-bred manner?" thought -the doctor. "It must be natural to him." - -This was the case. Robert had not been placed in circumstances -favorable to the formation of a polished manner, but it was innate and -instinctive. - -At a pause during the evening Sidney said, "Robert, can't you do -something to entertain the company?" - -"Would you like to see a little juggling?" asked Robert. - -"Oh, yes!" cried several. Even Ronald Percy looked interested. Still he -could not help sneering a little. - -"Did you do that at the circus?" he asked. - -"No," answered Robert, quietly. "I am not a professional magician, but -we had a professor of magic with us at one time, who took the trouble -to show me a few simple tricks, and these I am ready to perform at the -request of Sidney." - -"You couldn't please me or the company better," said Sidney, eagerly. - -"I shall have to ask you for a few articles," said Robert. - -"Anything in the house is at your service, Rob." - -So for half an hour Robert amused the company with a few tricks, which -he did exceedingly well, for it was a characteristic of our young -hero to be thorough in all he did. It is unnecessary to enumerate his -tricks, or to describe the interest which the young company manifested. -It is enough to say that when he had finished he had established -himself in the good graces of every one present except Ronald, who, -though as much interested as the rest, was unwilling to admit it. - -"We are very much obliged to you, Robert," said Sidney, warmly. "You -are a capital magician." - -"I would advise you to go into that business," said Ronald, with his -usual sneer. "I am told it pays very well, and it isn't as low as the -circus." - -"I shall confine myself to performing for the gratification of my -friends," said Robert, coolly, ignoring the impertinence of Ronald. - -"Can't you do anything more for us, Robert?" asked Sidney. "Do you -sing?" - -"A little," was the unexpected reply; "that is, I can sing some of the -popular melodies." - -"Pray do." - -"If any one will play the accompaniment." - -A young girl was found to do this, and Robert sang in a clear, musical -voice several popular favorites, which appeared to please no less than -his magical efforts. - -"Really, Robert," said Mrs. Grey, "you are remarkably well fitted to -please a company of young people. We are very much obliged to you." - -"I am glad to have it in my power to do something in return for your -kindness, Mrs. Grey." - -"The boy may belong to the circus," thought Mrs. Grey, "but I should be -glad if my son were as accomplished, while I could not desire him to be -any more refined." - -Ronald was secretly surprised, and not over well pleased at Robert's -popularity. He found himself in a minority of one in his sneering -attempts to decry him. - -At the end of a week, when Robert was beginning to consider seriously -what employment he should follow in place of the one he had been -compelled to abandon, he received a letter through the mail which -equally surprised and pleased him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED. - - -The letter, which was directed in a bold hand to Robert Rudd, care of -Dr. Grey, ran thus: - - "ROBERT RUDD: I understand that you have left the circus on - account of the accident you met with recently, and I presume that - you have not yet found anything else to do. I chanced to be at - Crampton and saw you perform, and was favorably impressed by your - appearance. I am about to make a journey to the West, and need the - services of a boy or young man to assist me in writing and serve - me in other ways, and I feel disposed to employ you, if you would - like to accept the engagement. I cannot offer you as high pay as - you probably received at the circus, but am ready to pay your - travelling expenses and pay you five dollars per week. - - "Be kind enough to let me know at once whether you will accept my - offer, or rather, if you are favorably disposed, come at once to - New York and call upon me at the St. Nicholas Hotel. You will find - me in room No. 35. I would suggest that the sooner you can come to - me the better. - - "Yours truly, - "JOHN FITZGERALD." - -Robert read this letter with mingled surprise and gratification. It -was pleasant to think he would soon be employed and earning his own -livelihood, and he could have thought of no engagement more likely to -suit him. - -"What is your letter about, Robert?" asked Sidney. - -"Read it for yourself, Sidney," said Robert, passing it to him. "What -do you think of it?" he asked, later. - -"I think it is a splendid chance. I wouldn't mind having such an offer -myself." - -"I think I am in luck," said Robert, complacently. - -"Then you mean to accept it?" - -"Certainly; I should be very foolish if I did not. I have been -wondering what I could get to do, and this comes just in the nick of -time." - -"I am almost sorry the offer has come to you, Robert. I had been -expecting you would stay with me a considerable time." - -"I should be sure to enjoy it if I was willing to be idle, but I have -an independent spirit, and I prefer to earn my own living. I will come -back and visit you some time if you will let me." - -"Let you! I shall quarrel with you if you don't. Perhaps, however, you -would prefer to visit Ronald Percy." - -"I will wait at any rate till I receive an invitation," answered -Robert, smiling, for he did not feel in the least sensitive about the -malicious contempt which Ronald professed to feel for him. - -"When will you start, Robert?" - -"To-morrow morning. Mr. Fitzgerald seems to be in a hurry, and there is -no good reason for delay. My foot is well enough for all ordinary use, -though it would give out if I should attempt riding." - -When Dr. Grey was shown the letter Robert had received, he looked -puzzled. - -"Certainly the chance seems to be a good one," he said, "and doubtless -it will be well to accept it. It is certainly a remarkable piece of -luck." - -"So I consider it," said Robert. - -"I mean, that it is like the events in a story that you should have -such a chance offer from an absolute stranger, just as you stand in -need of it. I should like to see this Mr. Fitzgerald," he continued, -thoughtfully. - -"I think I heard that there was a man of that name staying at the hotel -about a week since," said Sidney. - -"He says he was present when Robert met with his accident." - -"Then it is probably the same one. Then you have decided to accept, my -boy?" - -"Yes, sir; I shall go to New York to-morrow." - -"It may be as well. But one thing I want to say: if the engagement -doesn't prove satisfactory, or you are ever again thrown upon your own -resources, come back to us and you will have a cordial welcome." - -"Yes, Rob, you may be sure of that," said Sidney, eagerly. - -"You are both very kind to me," returned Robert, gratefully, "and I -will take you at your word. By the way, Dr. Grey, I want to ask you a -favor." - -"It is granted as soon as asked, my boy." - -"It is only to keep the two hundred dollars I have saved up for the -present. It will be safer in your hands than mine, and I shan't need -it, as all my expenses are to be paid by my new employer, and five -dollars a week besides." - -"I will keep it for you if you desire." - -"Thank you; if I had it I might have it stolen from me, and besides it -would make me uncomfortable to feel that I had so much money about me." - -"I see you are prudent. I have one good reason for keeping it, as you -will one day come back and reclaim it." - -The next morning Robert started for New York. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -ROBERT MEETS HIS EMPLOYER. - - -Robert Rudd had been in New York more than once, and he therefore had -no difficulty in finding out the fine hotel on Broadway known as the -St. Nicholas. - -He entered it, and, walking up to the desk, inquired, "Is Mr. John -Fitzgerald staying here?" - -"Yes," answered the clerk. "Do you wish to see him?" - -"If you please." - -"Then write your name on a card and I will send it up." - -Robert did so. - -"See if No. 35 is in," said the clerk, calling a hall boy, and handing -him the card. - -In five minutes the hall boy came back, saying: "Mr. Fitzgerald wants -the young gentleman to come up." - -Robert followed him to a room on the third floor and knocked at the -door. - -"Come in," was heard from the interior. - -On entering Robert looked with some curiosity at the solitary occupant -of the room, who was to be his future employer. He saw a tall, -dark-complexioned man neatly dressed in a suit which appeared to be -new, since it had not lost its first gloss. - -Fitzgerald, for it was he, rose promptly, and advanced to meet Robert -with an air of great cordiality. - -"I am glad to see you, Mr. Rudd," he said, extending his hand. "You -were perhaps surprised to receive my letter." - -"I was still more pleased," answered Robert, politely. - -"I am glad to hear it, since it gives me the assurance that you regard -my offer favorably." - -"Yes sir, I could not well do otherwise. It is of a tempting character. -I am only surprised that you should make me such an offer, knowing so -little of me." - -"Perhaps I know more of you than you imagine," said Fitzgerald to -himself, with a peculiar look which, however, Robert did not notice. - -"I judge of persons quickly!" he said aloud, "and when first I saw you -in the ring it occurred to me that you were just the young person I -should like to have travel with me. Of course, I didn't dream then that -there was any possibility of my securing you, for I was not prepared to -pay a sum as large as you were doubtless paid at the circus. However, -when you were injured by the dastardly trick of some scoundrel, and I -subsequently learned that you would be unable to ride for the remainder -of the season, it occurred to me that perhaps you would accept my -proposal." - -"I am very glad to do so, and I am very much obliged to you for giving -me such a chance. Do you think I can fulfil the duties of the post?" - -"Oh, I should think so. Favor me by writing a line or two from this -newspaper. I wish to judge of your handwriting." - -There were writing materials on the table, and Robert complied with the -request. - -Though not a handsome writer, he wrote a plain and legible hand, and -with considerable readiness. - -Fitzgerald scanned it hastily, and said, "Oh, that will suit me very -well." - -"Do you think I shall be competent to do all you desire?" - -"I feel sure of it. You have travelled considerably, I presume?" - -"Yes, with the circus." - -"Precisely. Then you know something about hotels, trains, etc. A boy -who had always lived at home would not suit me so well. Where is your -luggage?" - -"I have only a gripsack—I mean valise—with me." - -"That is better. Travellers should not be encumbered with too much -baggage. It is a great nuisance. Where is it?" - -"I left it below." - -"You can bring it up to my room. I won't hire a room for you, for I -intend to start this very night for the West by a night train from the -Grand Central depot. That won't be too sudden for you, will it?" - -"O no, sir; I am entirely at your service. I have nothing to detain me -in New York." - -"Go down and get your valise and bring it up here, and I will give you -my instructions." - -"The boy has walked into the trap," said Fitzgerald, thoughtfully, -when Robert left him. "He is a fine boy, and seems a thorough little -gentleman in spite of the way in which he has been brought up. It is a -pity to harm him, but my interests and that scoundrel Hugo's require -it." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -AT NIAGARA FALLS. - - -Robert and his new employer started the same morning on their western -trip. From the first Robert was haunted by the thought that he had seen -Fitzgerald somewhere before. The man's features looked familiar to him, -but he had no associations, or could recall none, connected with him. -Fitzgerald, however, who remembered very well his past connection with -the boy, was afraid that he would succeed in remembering him, and grew -uneasy when he saw Robert's bright, expressive eyes fixed upon him. - -"You seem interested in my appearance," he said, dryly. - -Robert answered quickly: "I beg your pardon, Mr. Fitzgerald, for -staring at you. Somehow your features looked familiar to me, and I was -trying to think whether I had ever met you before." - -"Very possibly you may have seen me, for I have been something of a -traveller," answered his employer; "but we never knew each other. I -should have remembered you." - -"Very like I may have seen you at some place where we gave an -entertainment," said Robert. - -"I was at Crampton, you know." - -"I mean longer ago than that. I have a queer feeling as if some time -you were connected with me in some way," said Robert, thoughtfully. - -Fitzgerald was secretly uneasy. If Robert's recollections should become -clearer, and he should come to suspect the truth, then good-by to his -plans, for the boy would of course be on his guard. His ingenuity came -to his aid. - -"It is more likely," he said, in an apparently indifferent tone, -"that I resemble some such person. The fact is," he added with a -forced laugh, "I once came near falling a victim to my unfortunate -resemblance to a rascal. I was arrested on suspicion of being a forger -or something of the sort, because I looked like the real culprit. Of -course the truth came out, but not until I had been subjected to some -inconvenience." - -This explanation seemed satisfactory to Robert, who gave up his -scrutiny of his employer, convinced that he had been deluded by a -fancied or real resemblance. - -They made a day's stop at Buffalo, and went from there to Niagara -Falls, which Robert had never before seen. He naturally derived a rare -enjoyment from the sight of the great cataract. He was hurried away -from the falls by Fitzgerald in consequence of a conversation which the -boy had with a stranger, which grievously alarmed his employer. - -This is how it happened: - -Robert and Fitzgerald were on Goat Island. Our hero was looking -earnestly at the mighty cataract, and did not observe that a stranger -was looking earnestly at him. Fitzgerald had strayed to a little -distance, and was not within earshot. - -Robert was roused from his revery by a tap upon the shoulder. - -Turning he saw a man of forty-five, well dressed, and apparently a man -of position. - -"Did you wish to speak to me, sir?" he inquired. - -"Yes," answered the stranger. "You will, perhaps, think me curious if I -ask your name?" - -"My name is Robert Rudd." - -Robert thought it probable that the stranger had seen him riding -somewhere, and recognized him from this, though he could not call him -by name. But the name seemed to tell the inquirer nothing. On the -contrary, he appeared to be disappointed. - -"I suppose I am mistaken, then," he said, apologetically; "but I can -only say in apology for my curiosity, that you bear a remarkable -resemblance to an old school-mate of mine." - -"Who was he?" asked Robert, eagerly. - -It must be borne in mind that the boy knew nothing of his own family, -and earnestly desired, though he never expected, to solve the mystery -of his birth. - -"His name was Julian Richmond. Are you, by chance, related to him?" - -"Not that I know of," answered Robert, soberly. "Would you mind telling -me something about him?" - -Rather wondering at our hero's curiosity in regard to a man of whom he -had never before heard, the stranger answered, "Certainly, if you would -like to hear. Julian and I were school-fellows together in Albany, -where I live now. His father, old Cornelius Richmond, was a rich man. -I believe he is still living on a fine estate along the Hudson. When -we grew up the Richmonds moved away and I lost sight of them. I heard, -however, that Julian went out West and married. A coldness sprang up -between him and his father, for what reason I don't know. I don't know -whether they were ever reconciled. At any rate, poor Julian died, as -I some time after heard, leaving his father childless. If you were -Julian's son you could not look more like him." - -Robert listened to this communication with intense interest. Could it -be that this Julian Richmond was his father? It was the first clew of -any kind that he had ever found, and he repeated over to himself the -names of Julian and Cornelius Richmond, determined to remember them, -and some time to make further inquiries. - -Meanwhile Fitzgerald, turning, noticed that Robert was conversing -with a stranger. Though he was far from suspecting that an important -secret has been revealed to the boy, he was naturally of a cautious -temperament, and he thought it imprudent to allow Robert to become -intimate with any one, lest possibly when he disappeared he might be -suspected of having had some agency in the affair. He therefore walked -up rapidly to where the two were conversing. - -"Robert," he called, when two rods distant. - -Robert obeyed the summons. - -"I think we will go back to the hotel. I have something to do before -leaving Niagara, and there is not much time." - -"O, Mr. Fitzgerald," said Robert, eagerly, "that gentleman tells me I -look very much like an old school-mate of his." - -Fitzgerald was instantly alarmed. He knew, for Hugo had told him, -that the boy bore a wonderful resemblance to his dead father, and, of -course, that father must have old friends and acquaintances who would -see the resemblance and possibly betray it to the boy. - -"Is there anything so remarkable in that?" he asked. "Probably there -are hundreds of people whom you resemble." - -"But he said I looked as if I might be this man's son," continued -Robert. - -"Did he mention the name of this old school-mate?" inquired Fitzgerald, -alarmed. - -"Yes; he said his name was Julian Richmond." - -If Robert had been watching the countenance of his employer he -would have seen a sudden look of dismay which might have roused his -suspicions, but he was taking a last look at the great cataract. - -"Very likely!" said Fitzgerald, after a slight pause. "I have been told -plenty of times that I looked like this one and that one." - -"But you know your family, and I do not. I have no knowledge of who -my father was, and so I hoped that I might hear something that would -reveal it to me. May I ask the gentleman his name? I might like to—" - -"No," answered Fitzgerald, with an abrupt harshness that made Robert -survey him in astonishment. "You are too old to be so childish. I have -no time to lose. Come at once with me to the hotel." - -"It wouldn't take a minute." - -"Do you hear what I say?" said his employer, angrily. - -Robert was too proud to make any further request. He was puzzled at -the extraordinary manner of Fitzgerald, for which there seemed no -occasion. It was the first time that his new employer had spoken to him -harshly, and he was unable to account for it. He did not press the -request, being unwilling to subject himself to any further rudeness. -Had he known how important that inquiry was, he would have made it at -all hazards. As it was, his curiosity had been excited, but he had no -suspicion that he was already on the threshold of the secret which had -always been withheld from him. - -Robert was proud, and his proud spirit rebelled against his employer's -rudeness; but he was not in a position to break with him. He had taken -no money with him, and was of course dependent upon Fitzgerald. He was -hundreds of miles away from his good friends the Greys, and it was the -part of prudence not to manifest the resentment he felt. If he had had -in his pocket the two hundred dollars which belonged to him he might -have acted differently. As it was, he preserved a dignified silence. - -Fitzgerald, on arriving at the hotel, made arrangements to leave at -once. When they were fairly on their way he changed his manner, became -conciliatory and affable, and apparently endeavored to make Robert -forget his harsh words. - -"I suppose he spoke hastily," thought Robert. "He could not know how -important it seemed to me to make any inquiries about my family. At any -rate, I know the gentleman lives in Albany, and some day I will hunt -him up." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -A VICTIM OF TREACHERY. - - -Arrived in Chicago, Fitzgerald put up at the Sherman House, and of -course Robert accompanied him. - -Our hero was a little puzzled to understand why he had been engaged. -Little or nothing was given him to do. Once or twice he had been -employed to buy tickets, or go on small errands, but his office seemed -to be a sinecure. This would have suited many boys, but Robert was -a boy of active temperament, and felt happier to be employed. I may -remark here that, in general, nothing is worse for a boy than to be -absolutely unemployed, for it is as true as the old proverb expresses -itself, that "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do." - -One day Robert ventured to remark to his employer, "I am afraid, Mr. -Fitzgerald, I am not earning my wages; I am quite ready to do more." - -"That isn't your fault, Robert," said Fitzgerald. "It is true, while -we are travelling I don't find much to do; but when we get to our -destination I shall keep you more busy." - -"I am glad of that," said Robert, "for I feel better to be employed." - -"I believe I have never said anything about the object of my journey," -Fitzgerald continued. - -"No, sir." - -"I am employed by certain New York parties to look after land and -mining investments at the West. I shall have to visit several places, -and there will be more or less writing to do, in which I shall employ -you. By the way" (they were now in the hotel at Chicago), "I will -dictate a letter to you now." - -"Very well, sir." - -Robert took out writing materials and Fitzgerald dictated the following: - - "_Ashley Robinson, Esq., 549 Broadway, New - York_: - - "DEAR SIR: I am not quite sure as to the tenor of my instructions - from you. Do I understand that I am empowered to sell your land - without further communication with you, or do you wish me to - apprise you of any offer I may receive? My own impression is that - you ought not to accept less than $5000 for it, as it is sure to - increase in value. Please write me at once. - - "Yours truly, - "JOHN FITZGERALD." - -"It is done," said Robert. - -"You may go out and mail it. I should prefer that you would take it to -the post-office yourself, as it will go quicker than if you mailed it -in the hotel, or put it in one of the street boxes. Any one will tell -you where the post-office is." - -Robert went out, well pleased to have something to do, and mailed the -letter at the city post-office, as directed. - -Fitzgerald laughed to himself after the boy went out. - -"The boy little suspects that that is a bogus letter, and that there is -no such person as Ashley Robinson in New York. If there is, I haven't -the honor of knowing him. It was rather a happy idea of mine, as the -boy's suspicion will not be so easily aroused if he thinks I am engaged -in a legitimate business journey. Well, well, I shall be glad when the -job is accomplished, for it isn't overmuch to my taste. That villain -Hugo might find it to his mind. It is a pity that such fellows should -succeed in feathering their nests and getting all the good things of -this life. When this work is done, I shall have a hold upon him, and -it won't be my fault if I don't make him pay handsomely for doing his -dirty work for him." - -Presently Robert returned. - -"Did you mail the letter?" asked his employer. - -"Yes, sir." - -"That is well, for it was an important one." - -"You forgot to tell your correspondent where to write you," said -Robert, to whom the omission had occurred as he was returning. - -Fitzgerald was for a moment embarrassed, but he was a man of ready wit. - -"Oh, he will know," he answered; "he will address me at the town where -his land is located." - -This seemed a plausible explanation, and Robert said no more. - -They walked to the railroad station with their valises in hand. - -On the way rather a rough-looking man accosted Fitzgerald. - -"Why, Fitz, old fellow, how did you drop down here?" - -Fitzgerald flushed, and answered hurriedly— - -"I came by cars from New York." - -"I don't mean that. What's your lay, and who have you got with you?" - -"Excuse me, Brandon, I am in a hurry," Fitzgerald answered, -uncomfortably. - -Brandon whistled. - -"Something mysterious, eh?" he said. - -"Not at all, but you must excuse me." - -It seemed peculiar to Robert, who had seen considerable of the world, -that a reputable business man should be addressed in the terms employed -by Brandon, and he looked his surprise. - -"That man is an acquaintance I stumbled across in one of my business -journeys," explained Fitzgerald when they passed on, "and he assumed -undue familiarity. A man stumbles across some strange acquaintances; -I prefer to steer clear of such parties, but it is sometimes hard to -shake them off." - -"He seemed very well acquainted," thought Robert, but he said nothing. -In fact he was considerably at a loss what to think of his employer, -who chose to say very little of his past history. He felt that he -should not care to remain long with him, but for the present there -seemed no objection to fill up the remainder of the season in his -employ. - -From Chicago Robert and his employer travelled northwest, till they -entered the State of Minnesota. Here, somewhat to Robert's surprise, -they left the cars at a small town, which I will call Florence, and -registered at a small hotel, which I will call the Dearborn House. -Probably our hero looked surprised, and Fitzgerald volunteered an -explanation. - -"It is here where Mr. Robertson's land is located," he said. - -"I thought it was Mr. Robinson—Ashley Robinson," said Robert. - -"To be sure," returned Fitzgerald, rather disconcerted, for he had -forgotten the name he had extemporized in Chicago; "I am always making -mistakes about names. I have to enter everything in my diary." - -The morning after, Robert chanced to pick up a piece of paper just -outside his employer's door. As there seemed to be writing upon it he -picked it up, thinking that it might be of some importance. - -On the scrap of paper there was a name which immediately arrested -Robert's interest—the name of Hugo Richmond. - -"Richmond," repeated Robert, in surprise. "Why, that is the name of -the man I was said so strongly to resemble. Is it possible that Mr. -Fitzgerald knows him?" - -Then he bethought himself that Richmond was not an uncommon name and -there was no necessary connection between Hugo Richmond and the Julian -Richmond whom he resembled. Still the discovery of this paper made him -thoughtful. He would have liked to question his employer, but felt -instinctively aware that it would do no good. Besides, from the manner -in which he had found the paper, it would seem as if he were trying to -spy out his master's affairs. - -"Robert," said Fitzgerald, after breakfast, "let us go out and take a -walk." - -"With pleasure," answered the boy, politely. - -"I am going out to take a look at Mr. Robinson's land," said Fitzgerald. - -"Has he much?" - -"Oh, yes; he owns a quarter section, which he took up some years since -at the government's price—a dollar and a quarter an acre. It must be -worth a good deal more now." - -"I suppose he wants to sell?" - -"Yes. He lives so far away that he can't well look after it. Besides, -by selling now he can make a large profit." - -"Do you think you can sell it readily, Mr. Fitzgerald?" - -"Yes; I have written to a land speculator to meet me here to-morrow. I -think I can drive a bargain with him. I shall make a good commission -myself on the sale." - -"I am glad of it," said Robert, politely. - -They left the road, and went across the fields over the level, -prairie-like land. In the distance was a deserted cabin, which appeared -to be partially burned. - -"Are you going to that cabin?" asked our hero. - -"Yes," answered his employer. "That cabin is on Mr. Robinson's land." - -"Did he build it?" - -[Illustration: ROBERT THROWN INTO THE DISUSED WELL.] - -"No; it was built by a squatter, who took advantage of the owner being -a non-resident, and made himself at home here, without leave or -license. The cabin had not been erected long, however, before it caught -fire and was partially burned." - -"Does any one live there now?" - -"No." - -The two kept on their way till they reached the deserted cabin. - -A rod or two distant was an open well, which seemed, as well as the -cabin, to be disused. - -"The squatter seems to have dug a well," said Robert. - -"Yes; I wonder whether it is deep," said Fitzgerald. - -Naturally Robert advanced till he stood on the brink of the well. An -instant later and he was pushed violently forward and fell into the -yawning pit. - -"That disposes of him forever!" said Fitzgerald, and turning, he fled -swiftly from the spot, leaving the victim of his treachery to his fate. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -ROBERT FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE. - - -The action of Fitzgerald was so rapid and unexpected that Robert was -unable to protect himself in any way. He fell, but mechanically, -as he had seen trapeze performers do in the circus when falling, -he held himself erect, with his hands at his sides, and dropped in -that position into three feet of water at the bottom of the well. -Fortunately for him the depth of the well was not great, about fifteen -feet, and he sustained no injury to his limbs, the water, moreover, -breaking the force of the descent. - -Still, when unexpectedly he found himself at the bottom of the well, -his situation was by no means pleasant. - -"What could have induced Mr. Fitzgerald to push me in?" he asked -himself in a bewildered way. "What possible object could he have in -doing it?" - -That his employer did push him he couldn't doubt, for he felt the -push, which was a forcible one. Yet it seemed so causeless, so utterly -without an object, that he was tempted to doubt the testimony of his -senses. To the reader, of course, it is perfectly clear, but we have -sources of information that Robert had not. - -He was not a boy to give up, though it certainly looked hopeless -to attempt to get out. Had the well been at the East it would have -been walled in on all sides by rocks, but stones of any size are not -numerous in many parts of the West, and this had originally been -boarded, but some of the boards had disappeared. - -"It isn't very deep," thought Robert, "but how in the world am I to get -out?" - -He made several attempts, but they were all futile. Things began to -look serious, for the house was deserted, and probably very few persons -came that way. - -While in a state of painful anxiety he heard, faintly, a boy whistle. -The sound became more distinct as if the boy were approaching, and hope -was kindled in our hero's breast. - -"If I could only attract his attention," he thought. - -He shouted as loud as he could, but the sound was partially lost before -it reached the surface of the well. Still it attracted the attention of -Fred Lathrop, the boy who was whistling, who stopped to listen. - -"Where did that sound come from?" he thought. - -It was repeated, and this time he could distinguish the word "Help!" - -"By gracious, it comes from the well!" he said to himself. "Who can be -down there?" - -He drew near and looked down. It was darker near the bottom, but he -could descry Robert, who was looking up. - -"Who's there?" asked Fred. - -"It's I—a boy. Help me up!" - -"How did you get down there?" - -"Help me out and I'll tell you." - -"I don't see how I am to do it," said Fred, after a pause. - -"Isn't there a rope round about there somewhere?" - -"The old well-rope used to be coiled up in a corner of the house; I -don't know whether it's there now." - -"Look—will you?" - -Fred needed no second request. He went to the house and was fortunate -enough to find the rope. He brought it with him to the edge of the well. - -"I've got it!" he exclaimed. - -"Throw one end to me." - -This was done. - -"Now, do you think you can pull hard enough to draw me out? I will help -myself with my feet." - -"I am afraid I'm not strong enough." - -"Suppose you try," said Robert, who didn't like to give up the hope of -an immediate escape. - -"Stop, there's my brother-in-law coming across the fields," said Fred, -eagerly. "He will help me." - -"Mr. Davis!" he cried, "come here and help me." - -"What are you up to, Fred?" inquired the young man addressed. "Are you -fishing in the well?" - -"Yes; I am fishing—for a boy," responded Fred. - -"Are you gone crazy?" - -"No; come here and look for yourself." - -Davis did so, and was sensible enough to understand, though very much -surprised, that it would be best to postpone his inquiries till the boy -was rescued. - -"Give me hold of the rope!" he said. "Now, you boy down there, can you -give a good, firm grip?" - -"Try me and see." - -"If you let it slip through your fingers you will fall back and hurt -yourself." - -"I won't let it slip. Keep firm hold yourself." - -It was not altogether an easy task, and Robert was rubbed unpleasantly -against the sides of the well; but at length victory crowned the -efforts of the three, and our hero, his clothes looking none the better -for his immersion in the water, and his contact with the sides of the -well gave him a decided tramp-like appearance. - -"Well, here you are!" said Mr. Davis. "How did you get into the well? -Did you fall in?" - -"I was pushed in," answered Robert. - -"Pushed in!" repeated Fred and his brother-in-law in concert. - -"Yes." - -"Who pushed you in?" - -"My employer—the man I was travelling with." - -"What made him do it?" - -"That is more than I can tell." - -"Was he angry with you?" - -"There had been no quarrel nor disagreement, and I supposed we were -excellent friends." - -"I wouldn't fancy such a friend," said Fred, dryly. - -"The man must have had some motive," said Mr. Davis, who was a young -lawyer. - -"I can't think of any. I think he may have been insane," said Robert, -to whom this had occurred as a possible solution of the problem. - -"How long had you been with him?" - -"Only about a week. He proposed to me to take a walk this morning, and -brought me here." - -"Your clothes look the worse for the fall," said Fred. - -"Yes, I look like a tramp," answered Robert, glancing down at his wet -and muddy clothes with disgust. "I've got another suit at the hotel, -unless Mr. Fitzgerald has carried off my valise. I don't much like -going back there in this trim." - -"You needn't," said Fred. "Come home with me. You are about my size; -I will lend you one of my suits, while yours is being cleansed and -dried." - -"Thank you!" said Robert, relieved; "you are very kind. And what will -your mother say when she sees you bringing such a looking tramp home -with you?" - -"Don't trouble yourself about that," said Fred. "Mother will understand -it. She'll see that even if you do look like a tramp you're not a -professional." - -"That's just what I am," responded Robert, smiling. "I am a -professional—circus rider." - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed Fred, with something of interest. "Are -you a bareback rider?" - -"Yes." - -"We've got a horse in the barn. Won't you try riding on him?" - -"Oh, the horse has to be trained as well as the rider: I can't perform -on a horse that has never been in the ring." - -"Then how did you happen to be with this man that served you such a -trick?" - -Robert explained. - -Quarter of an hour's walk brought them to a substantial farm-house -occupied by Fred's family. He introduced Robert to his mother—a -pleasant-faced lady, who received our hero cordially, especially after -she had been informed of the manner in which he had been treated by his -employer. - -Fred took Robert up to his own bedroom, where he placed one of his own -suits at his disposal. The soiled suit was taken down-stairs, where it -was first dried by the fire and afterwards brushed clean till it once -more assumed the respectable look which rightfully belonged to it. - -Meanwhile Fred went round to the hotel to ascertain whether Fitzgerald -had made his appearance. - -He ascertained that he had returned and reported that the boy had gone -on to the next town, where he was to join him. He paid the bill of -both, took both valises and drove to the nearest railway station. - -"He's taken French leave!" said Fred. "He evidently never expects to -see you again." - -"He may be disappointed in that," said Robert, quietly; "I may appear -to him when he least expects it. I intend to find out if I can what was -his object in throwing me into the well." - -"That's where I'm with you!" said Fred. "I wouldn't let him go -unpunished for such an outrage." - -When Robert came to reflect upon his situation, however, he felt -embarrassed. His bills, of course, had been paid by Fitzgerald, and he -had not yet received any wages. The consequence was, that while he was -nearly two thousand miles distant from his starting-point, he had but -a dollar and a half in his pocket. He might, to be sure, write to Dr. -Grey for a portion of his savings, but it would take some time for the -remittance to arrive. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -ROBERT SUBDUES A HORSE. - - -Robert somehow had an objection to sending to Dr. Grey for money, -though the money was his own. It seemed like a confession of failure, -and he did not care to write what sort of an accident had befallen him, -since it would involve long explanations. Therefore, though he had but -a dollar and a half left, he decided to set out on his way home; that -is, towards the East, trusting to luck to get along. Though this was, -perhaps rash, it was not so rash in Robert's case as it would have -been in the case of an average boy, for he had been accustomed to earn -his own living and possessed some talents and accomplishments which he -could turn to account. - -He took leave of his good friends, the Lathrops, without betraying -to them his condition, or they would have insisted upon giving him -substantial aid. As it was, Mrs. Lathrop insisted upon preparing, with -her own hands, a substantial lunch, which in due time Robert found very -acceptable. - -He set out on his journey on foot. His small capital would not allow -him to travel in any other way. His clothes had been dried and pressed, -and he presented a neat appearance, so that he was not likely to be -taken for a tramp, though in his earlier days he had travelled in that -character. - -He walked in a leisurely way during the forenoon, and about noon sat -down under a tree and ate his lunch. It was a plentiful one, but -Robert, whose appetite had been sharpened by his walk, did full justice -to it. In fact he ate it all. - -"There's no particular hurry," he thought; "I may as well lie here for -awhile and rest during the heat of the day." - -It was not quite 2 o'clock when he was roused from a revery by hearing -carriage wheels. He looked up and saw a lady in a four-wheel carriage, -drawn by a horse who was inclined to be fractious. The lady driver was -evidently anxious, for she pulled the reins frantically, and called -out, "Whoa! you sir! Why don't you behave? Oh dear, what shall I do?" - -The horse shook his head, pranced, backed, and was evidently prepared -to make trouble, much to the discomfort and alarm of the lady. - -"Oh, dear! I wish I hadn't come alone!" she exclaimed. "I didn't think -Prince would behave so. It's lucky if I don't get my neck broken!" - -The horse was quite aware that he was master of the situation, and -that his driver had lost her presence of mind, and, with a perversity -which we sometimes see in horses, made up his mind to act as badly as -possible. - -So occupied was the lady that she did not see the boy, who sat under -a tree by the roadside, nor suspected that in him she was to find a -deliverer. - -If there was any one accustomed to horses, and utterly without fear -of them, it was Robert, as may be supposed from the nature of his -training. He sprang to his feet when he perceived the situation, and, -running forward, took off his hat, and asked politely, "Can I be of any -service to you, madam?" - -"Can you drive horses?" asked the lady, doubtfully. - -Robert smiled. - -"I'm used to them," he answered. - -"Then won't you get in and drive for me? Prince is acting very badly -to-day." - -Robert did not wait for the carriage to stop, but with his usual -activity clambered in, and was at the lady's side in an instant. - -"Now," he said, "let me take the reins." - -"If you are sure that you can drive," said Miss Stafford, doubtfully. - -"You shall see for yourself," answered Robert, confidently. - -He held the reins with a firm hand. The horse, though immediately -sensible that there was a new hand at the helm, if I may speak -figuratively, wasn't quite ready to yield. - -Seeing that he was still fractious, Robert took the whip and brought it -down smartly on the horse's flanks. - -"Oh, what are you doing?" asked the lady in alarm. "Prince will run -away with us!" - -"Let him try it," said Robert, his eyes flashing. "If I can't subdue -him, I'll sell out to some one that can!" - -This was a boy's expression, but his confident manner served to -reassure Miss Stafford, though Prince did really undertake to run. The -road, however, was good, there were no carriages to encounter, and -Robert gave him his head, holding the reins, however, in a strong, firm -grasp. - -"I never rode so fast in my life!" said Miss Stafford nervously, as -they flew over the road. "Don't let us tip over." - -"No, ma'am, I won't." - -After a while Prince slackened his speed. It was rather a warm day, -and he found that it was not quite so good fun running as he found it -when he felt that his driver was frightened—now the least sign of -fractiousness was instantly followed by a smart stroke of the whip. - -"I believe you do understand horses," said Miss Stafford at length. - -"It's my business to understand them," answered Robert. - -"You ain't a—jockey, are you?" asked the lady. - -"No; I have been a circus-rider." - -"You don't say so!" ejaculated the lady. "You can't jump through hoops -and all them things, can you?" - -"Yes, ma'am." - -"You are not with a circus now, are you?" - -Robert explained that he had left circus life for a time, but had been -thrown out of employment unexpectedly. - -"I am going to a birthday party of a little niece of mine," said Miss -Stafford. "She is twelve years old to-day. There will be twenty or -thirty boys and girls there. I wish you could do something to amuse -them. It would make us all the more welcome." - -"I am a little of a magician," said Robert. "If you think they would -like to see some tricks—" - -"The very thing!" exclaimed Miss Stafford, enthusiastically. "They are -all fond of tricks. Where did you learn?" - -When Miss Stafford was informed that Robert had learned of a real -magician, that is of a professor of magic, she was very much pleased. - -"I will engage you, then," she said, "for the afternoon and evening. -When I say engage you, I mean I will pay you for your trouble." - -"Oh, I won't charge anything," said Robert. - -"But you must!" said the lady positively. "Louisa Stafford never allows -any one to work for nothing. Besides you have perhaps prevented Prince -here from breaking my neck. I certainly won't be mean enough to make -you work for nothing. I warrant you are not over-provided with money." - -"Well, no," answered Robert, smiling. "I can't say I am. I have only -a dollar and a half here, though I have some money in the hands of a -friend at the East." - -"And how far are you expecting to travel?" - -"To New York." - -"To New York—almost two thousand miles—on a dollar and a half! -Goodness gracious, what a wild idea!" - -"Oh, I expect to find something to do on the way, and if I don't I -shall meet with good friends." - -"A dollar and a half! I never heard of such a thing!" reiterated Miss -Stafford. - -Miss Louisa Stafford was a rich and kind-hearted maiden lady, who, -unlike many of her class, was very fond of young people and a great -favorite with them. No gathering of her nephews or nieces was -considered complete without the presence of Aunt Louisa, who was sure -in every way to promote the happiness of the young company. She was -delighted to secure in Robert one who could so materially help her, -and inwardly resolved to reward him well for his services. - -They drove up to a large house with a broad lawn, shaded by fine trees, -under which were assembled a merry crowd of young people. When Miss -Stafford's carriage was espied there was a rush to greet her. - -"How are you all, children?" she said, heartily. "Oh; I see you are -looking at this young gentleman with me. Well, he has saved my life." - -"Saved your life!" exclaimed the children in chorus. - -"Yes, Prince undertook to run away with and upset me, but Master -Robert, here (she had inquired his name), subdued him, and here I am. I -have taken the liberty to invite Professor Rudd to join our party." - -"Professor Rudd!" repeated the children, bewildered. - -"Yes; this young gentleman is a professor of magic, and he will perform -some tricks this evening. This afternoon I expect you to be polite to -him, and invite him to join your games." - -This all were very ready to do, for Robert was good-looking and -gentlemanly in appearance, and soon made himself a general favorite. - -Supper was served between five and six o'clock, and early in the -evening Robert appeared as a magician. He had quite a variety of -tricks and illustrations, and this part of the programme gave great -satisfaction. - -The next morning (for Miss Stafford and Robert also passed the night in -the hospitable mansion) when our young hero was ready to start out on -his journey, Miss Stafford, put in his hand a sealed envelope. - -"Don't open this," she said, "till you have gone at least a mile." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -AN UNPLEASANT ACQUAINTANCE. - - -Robert felt curious to learn what was in the letter, but faithfully -carried out the wishes of Miss Stafford, and did not open it till he -was more than a mile away. - -On opening it, to his surprise he found inclosed two $10 bills, with -the following words written in pencil: - - "MY YOUNG FRIEND ROBERT: I desire you to accept the inclosed and - hope you will find it of use. You needn't hesitate, for it comes - from a crusty old maid who has more than her share of this world's - goods, and likes to do a little good as she goes along in life, - instead of saving up thousands for heirs who might squander it. - Accept my good wishes and thanks beside for the service you have - done me in taming a perverse brute, and when you are again in this - vicinity be sure to call on your friend, - - "LOUISA STAFFORD." - -"The old lady's a trump!" exclaimed Robert warmly. "There isn't one in -a thousand that would be so generous. This is a regular windfall to me -as I am situated now. Now I shan't be obliged to send to Dr. Grey for -part of my savings." - -Robert continued on his way with a light heart, for it is wonderfully -cheering to think that one has money enough to pay for rest and food at -the close of the day. Our young hero decided that he would not walk all -the way to the East, but would on the day following take the cars at -any convenient station. - -Pursuing his journey, he came to a portion of the road which ran -through the primeval forests, he felt it to be rather a relief, for the -morning was well advanced, and the sun began to make him uncomfortably -warm. He soon had occasion to learn that to be warm is not the most -undesirable thing that can happen to a traveller. - -Half a mile from the entrance of the wood he saw sitting on the fallen -trunk of a tree a rough-looking fellow, whose face looked even more -repulsive than usual from a short black beard which appeared to be of -a week's growth. He looked like what he was—a tramp, who was so from -choice, even more than from necessity. - -"What an ill-looking fellow!" thought Robert. - -The man looked up, and scanned the boy curiously. - -"Hallo, young chap!" he said. - -"Hallo!" returned Robert. - -"Have you got any tobacco about you?" inquired the tramp. - -"No, I never use it." - -"Then have you a cigar? That will do just as well." - -"No; I don't smoke at all." - -"Oh, you are an innocent baby!" said the man, with a sneer of -disappointment. - -Robert did not think it necessary to reply, but was moving on, being -anxious to get away from so undesirable a companion as soon as possible. - -"Stop a minute, boy—don't be in such a hurry," said the man. - -"If you have anything to say to me I will listen," said Robert, coldly. - -"You will, will you? You're mighty accommodatin'! Where are you goin'?" - -"Straight ahead!" - -[Illustration: ROBERT AND THE TRAMP.] - -"Any fool would know that. That isn't an answer." - -"Why do you wish to know?" retorted Robert. - -"That's my business!" said the tramp, his repulsive features assuming -an ugly expression. "You'd better answer my question." - -Robert thought on the whole it would be prudent to avoid trouble by -keeping on as good terms as possible with the man. - -"I can't tell you," he said, "for I don't know myself. I expect to keep -on till I get to New York." - -"That's where I'm goin'! Suppose we keep company," said the man with a -grin. - -"We can keep company for the present, if you wish," answered Robert, -trying to repress his disgust. - -"Look here, young fellow! Have you got any money?" asked the tramp with -a sidelong glance. - -Robert was not surprised at this inquiry, for he had expected it, but -in spite of his courage it alarmed him, for he could see that he was no -match in physical strength for this ill-looking man. - -"A little!" he answered. - -"How much?" - -"That's my business," answered Robert, provoked. "I don't ask how much -money you've got." - -"I haven't a cent," said the tramp, "but," he added, significantly, -"I'm going to have some soon." - -The look which accompanied this declaration made it evident what he -meant, and Robert looked about to see what chance he had of escape -if the worst came to the worst. As to surrendering the $20 for which -he had been indebted to the generosity of Miss Stratton, he had no -intention of doing it, unless it should be absolutely necessary. - -"I have nothing to do with your affairs," said Robert. "If you'll let -me know which way you are going, I'll go the other way." - -"Will you so? No, boy, you don't get rid of me so easily. We're goin' -the same way. If you want to leave you can, but you must hand over your -money first." - -"Are you a thief, then?" demanded Robert, quickly. - -"No; and you'd better not call me so. I'm only goin' to borrer your -money; I'll give you my note for it," returned the tramp with a cunning -grin. - -"I decline to lend," said Robert stoutly. - -"Look here, my young chicken!" said the man in a menacing tone. Ain't -you crowin' rather too loud for a bantem? Do you know who I am?" - -"No, but I can guess." - -"Guess, then?" - -"You're a man whose company I do not like." - -The tramp laughed. Instead of offending, the reply appeared to amuse -him. - -"That's true enough, I reckon. Well, I'm a man that don't stand no -nonsense. I want your money." - -He advanced towards Robert in a menacing manner, and our hero, who had -been looking about him, jumped aside nimbly, and seizing the branch of -a tree swung himself up into the branches, before his companion clearly -understood his intention. - -"Oh, that's your game, is it?" he said, angrily. "It won't do!" - -He darted forward, but Robert bad been too quick for him, and was -already out of reach. He was light and agile by nature, and his -training in the ring had helped to make him more so. - -"So you think you've escaped me, do you?" he demanded with an oath. - -Robert did not answer, but looked calmly down upon him from the tree. - -"Come down at once!" - -"Thank you; I'd rather stay here," said our hero calmly. - -Without a word the tramp made an effort to follow Robert up the tree. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -THE TREE OF REFUGE. - - -The tramp was stout and clumsily made, and although he was strongly -made he was not agile. Moreover, the branch by which Robert had helped -himself upward was over six feet from the ground, and had only been -reached by a leap. The trunk of the tree was large in circumference, -and afforded no facilities for climbing. The efforts of the pursuer, -therefore, were vain. - -"Come down!" he shouted, peremptorily. - -"I have already said that I am very comfortable here," answered Robert. - -"Do you mean to defy me?" - -"I don't wish to have anything to do with you." - -"I wish I had a pistol!" muttered the tramp. "I'd soon have you down -then." - -Robert was devoutly thankful that he was not provided with such a -weapon. He felt relieved by the discovery, for it had occurred to him -as possible, and in that event he would have had to make a virtue of -necessity and come down. - -"Why didn't I lay hold of the boy when I had him beside me?" thought -the disappointed tramp. "Who would have thought he could have sprung up -like that?" - -He determined to try once more what he could accomplish by threats. - -"Look here, boy, if you know what's best for yourself, you'll come -down!" he cried, furiously. - -"I think it's best for me to remain up here," said Robert. - -"When you come down I'll wring your neck, you little rascal!" - -"That isn't much inducement for me to come down," said Robert, coolly. - -"If you come down within five minutes and hand over your money, I'll -let you go without doing you any harm." - -"That's very kind of you, but I need it myself." - -Robert's coolness incensed the tramp, who would have felt more -satisfaction if his intended victim had exhibited terror. - -Robert was reminded of the scene in the woods at Crampton, where Mr. -Tarbox had besieged Charlie Davis and himself, and the trick by which -they had then escaped. This would not work now, and indeed it didn't -seem clear how he was to escape at all. There was nothing but to remain -up in the tree, and try to tire out the patience of the thievish tramp. - -Twenty minutes passed. They passed slowly for Robert, but they also -passed slowly for his besieger, who was in a hurry to get possession of -the boy's money, and feared some one might come along to whom he could -appeal for help. If he had known that Robert had twenty dollars in his -pocket his eagerness would have increased. - -"Are you coming down?" he demanded, looking up in the tree fiercely. - -"When you are gone away," answered the boy, composedly. - -"If you wait much longer I'll murder you when you do come down. You may -think I won't do it, but I'm savage enough to do anything." - -"I don't doubt it at all," said our hero. - -"I might tell you of how I've served other persons who trifled with me." - -"Do!" replied Robert. "It'll take up the time." - -"No," answered the tramp, suspiciously. "I don't care to have you -inform against me, but I want you to remember that I am a desperate -man." - -"I'll take it for granted. I don't want to fall into the hands of such -a man." - -The tramp hunted about for a stone to throw at the boy, but in that -part of the West stones are not as plenty as in New England, and his -kind intentions were frustrated. - -"Perhaps you think I'll go away after a while," he said presently, -"but that's where you make a mistake. I will stay here all night, if -necessary." - -He looked as if he would really carry out his threat, and Robert, it -must be admitted, in spite of his coolness of demeanor, began to feel -anxious. - -"What an obstinate ruffian!" he thought. "If he keeps his word, it will -be decidedly uncomfortable for me." - -"Will no one come along?" - -That was the thought that kept recurring to him. It seemed to offer the -only means of escape. - -At last he heard wheels, and was thankful. So did the tramp, and felt -uneasy. But when the carriage came along it turned out to contain a -woman and young boy. It would do no good to hail them, for they could -not help him, and the tramp might be led to attack and rob them. So -Robert was constrained to let the carriage pass, and to find himself -once more in solitude with the tramp. - -"You did well not to speak," said the latter, grimly. "If you had I -would have robbed her, too." - -"Just what I thought," returned Robert. "That seems to be your -business." - -"Don't be impudent, boy!" - -"Isn't it the truth?" - -"Come down and you'll find out." - -"I know well enough already." - -Another half hour passed, and no one came by. At last the two heard a -sound and a man whistling; the same seemed approaching. - -"I hope it's a strong, able-bodied man," thought Robert. - -When at length the man came in sight, a great tide of joy swept over -him. It was the very man whose presence he would have desired above -all others. It was Hercules, who had at one time been employed in the -same circus with himself, to perform feats of strength. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -HERCULES—THE STRONG MAN. - - -"Hercules!" cried Robert, joyfully, from his perch in the tree. - -Hercules paused and looked about in surprise, for he saw no one except -an ill-looking tramp, who, he was sure, had not spoken to him. He -thought he recognized the voice, but was not certain. - -"Who is it calls me?" he asked. "Where are you?" - -"Here, in this tree." - -Then Hercules espied our hero and recognized him. - -"Robert Rudd," he cried, in mingled surprise and joy. - -"Yes, it is I." - -"What are you doing here? I had no idea of seeing you here." - -"Nor I you; but I am glad you came along." - -"Why are you up there?" - -"Because the gentleman below insists upon my giving him my money, and I -have a use for it myself." - -"Ha!" said Hercules, eying the besieging force narrowly. "Well, he -looks like a thief and a scoundrel." - -Meantime, as may readily be imagined, the tramp had been busily -scanning him. Now the appearance of Hercules was very deceptive. He was -not a man of large, powerful frame—indeed he did not look as strong as -the tramp; but his sinews were of iron and his muscles were immense, -but these were concealed by his clothing. Only in the ring, when he -performed his feats of strength, were they displayed to advantage. The -tramp was not a classical scholar, or the name Hercules might have told -him something. As it were he really thought himself the more powerful -man of the two, and it came into his mind that he might as well enlarge -his schemes of plunder and force this new acquaintance to pay tribute -as well as the boy whom he was besieging. - -"You call me a thief and a scoundrel, do you?" he said, flaming up in -fierce wrath. - -"Yes, I do," returned Hercules, eying him coolly. - -"How dare you do it?" - -"Why shouldn't I?" said Hercules, contemptuously. "Didn't you mean to -rob this boy if I hadn't come along?" - -"I will do it yet, but I have business with you first." - -"What kind of business?" - -"Empty your pockets, and don't be long about it," said the tramp, -approaching Hercules menacingly. - -It had never occurred to Robert that the tramp would attempt anything -so absurd as to attack the professional champion, whose name was famous -for strength, and when he saw that such was his intention he laughed -aloud in amazement. - -"Don't crow, young rooster!" cried the tramp, angrily. "I'll tackle -your friend first; your turn will come by and by." - -"Oh, you want to have a tussle with me, do you?" said Hercules, eying -the other with a smile of amusement. - -"Yes, I'll finish you up in short order," said the tramp, boastfully. - -"Don't be afraid, Hercules!" cried Robert, with a laugh. - -"I'll try not to. So you want me to hand over my money, do you?" he -said. - -"Yes; and you'd better be quick about it, too," growled the tramp. - -"Suppose I don't?" - -"Then I'll whip you till you can't stand." - -"This is better than any circus I ever attended," said Robert, -delighted. - -"He'll think it's a circus before he gets through," said Hercules, -significantly. "Well, my ill-looking friend, I must inform you in the -outset that you are taking a good deal of trouble for a very little. My -stock of money is very low." - -"I don't care; you can hand over what you've got." - -"Or fight for it?" - -"Yes," growled the tramp. - -"I think I'll fight—a little friendly encounter. It's the custom to -shake hands first; will you do it?" - -The tramp extended his hand, which Hercules at once grasped with such -an iron pressure that the tramp fairly danced and howled with pain, -while the veins swelled upon his forehead. - -"Let go!" he yelled. - -Hercules released his hand with a laugh. - -"It's only a small lesson, my friend. Do you want my money now?" - -"Who are you?" asked the tramp, with the addition of an oath. - -"I am Hercules, the strong man. You made a mistake when you tackled me." - -"I'm off, then," said the tramp. - -"Not quite yet. You need a further lesson." - -So saying, Hercules seized the tramp suddenly, raised him aloft, threw -him up in the air, and then hurled him to the distance of a couple of -rods, where he lay stunned for a minute or two. - -"Now clear out!" said Hercules sternly, as the rascal rose to his feet -and limped off. "I would give you in charge if it were not too much -trouble. Never let me set eyes on you again!" - -"I won't if I can help it," muttered the tramp as he slunk away. - -"Now, Robert, come down from the tree, and tell me all about yourself." - -Robert told his story, and asked Hercules for similar information. - -"I've been to see a sister who lives near here," he said, "and now am -on my way back to North's circus, where I am engaged." - -"Where are they?" - -"At Athens." - -"How far off is that?" - -"Only ten miles." - -"Is there anything for me?" asked Robert, eagerly. "I want to work my -way back to the East." - -"They've got a rider—but I forgot, your doctor won't let you ride. If -you don't mind selling at the lemonade stand, there'll be a chance. -They've sent off the boy that worked for them the first of the season. -Young Ajax is with the circus, and others whom you know." - -"I'll go." - -The same night the two friends joined North's circus, and set out on a -leisurely return to the East. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -FITZGERALD'S DISAPPOINTMENT. - - -We must now go back to Chestnutwood, where the old man, Cornelius -Richmond, though blessed with a large share of the gifts of fortune, -was passing his declining years in loneliness, with no one of his -kindred near him except his nephew, Hugo. For years Hugo had been -his constant companion; in manner, at least, he had been devoted to -his uncle, yet the old man had never been drawn to him. Sometimes he -reproached himself because he could not feel more warmly towards his -nephew. - -"Hugo seems devoted to me," he said to himself. "Why is it that I -cannot thoroughly like him? It must be because my heart is in the grave -of my son Julian. Ah, if only his son were living, that I might have my -grandson with me. That boy whom I saw riding in the circus—I could -get to love him for his resemblance to my son; but Hugo tells me he has -lost all traces of him." - -The simple old man little suspected that his crafty nephew had taken -effectual means to prevent his ever seeing any more of this boy, -towards whom he felt a yearning affection, for which we can account, -though he could not. Indeed, he was not a man to suspect guile of any -one, being in himself so guileless, and he really thought that Hugo's -attentions were dictated by genuine affection, instead of selfish -scheming for his uncle's wealth. - -"You have heard nothing more about the boy, Hugo?" he asked one morning. - -"No, uncle," answered Hugo, suppressing an expression of impatience. - -"It is strange." - -"I am afraid you would be disappointed in him, even if we could find -him, and bring him here, Uncle Cornelius." - -"No, I should not be disappointed, for I should not expect too much. -It would be a pleasure to look upon the boy's face, and think my lost -Julian was again before me." - -"The old fool!" muttered Hugo under his breath. "Will he never quit -harping on that boy?" - -"You must remember that he has been brought up in a circus, amid -very objectionable associations, uncle," he said aloud. "What can be -expected under such circumstances?" - -"What is his name?" - -"His circus name is Robert Rudd." - -The old man repeated it softly to himself. - -The same day he sent for a lawyer, and professed his intention to -modify his will. - -Hugo was alarmed. - -"Can he be going to leave anything to that boy?" he asked himself. - -He would have liked to have asked his uncle, but only contrived to -hint a question, to which the old man replied evasively. In reality, -he had appended a codicil to his will, bequeathing the sum of ten -thousand dollars "to the young circus rider, generally known as Robert -Rudd," and did not like to mention it to Hugo lest the latter should -remonstrate with him, and the old man felt too weak to argue. - -"There will be enough left for Hugo," he said to himself. "Ten -thousand dollars is but a small part of my property." - -"It is very lucky," thought Hugo, "that I made arrangements with -Fitzgerald to dispose of the boy, in case my uncle has done anything -foolish in his will. It will save litigation and trouble." - -He looked at the old man—frail, feeble, apparently on the verge of -the grave—and reflected with impatience that as he looked now he had -looked for five years past. His hold on life was tenacious. - -"Good heavens! He may live for five or ten years yet!" thought Hugo. -"He looks as if a breath would blow him away; yet he encumbers the -earth year after year, holding one in a detestable slavery to his whims -and caprices. I shall be an old man myself, or almost one, before -Chestnutwood falls into my possession; but when it does"—and his -eye flashed with hopeful anticipation, and he walked with a prouder -gait—"when it does I will live!" - -One day Hugo was just getting ready for a solitary walk when the -servant announced, "A gentleman to see you, sir." - -"A gentleman? What name?" asked Hugo. - -"He said his name was Fitzgerald, sir." - -"Fitzgerald?" exclaimed Hugo, his voice betraying the excitement he -felt. "Tell him I will be with him at once." - -He entered the drawing-room, and Fitzgerald arose from a sofa on which -he had seated himself. - -"Ah! Fitzgerald!" said Hugo, with assumed indifference. - -"Yes, it is I. I have—" - -"Hush! I am about to take a walk about the place. You can join me, and -whatever you have to say, you can say more freely as we walk." - -"Very well, sir; it is immaterial to me." - -Hugo took his hat, and the two sauntered along the broad walk till they -reached a point at some distance from the mansion. - -"Mr. Fitzgerald, what have you got to tell me?" asked Hugo eagerly. - -"The boy won't trouble you any more," answered Fitzgerald, -sententiously. - -"You mean—the circus rider?" - -"Certainly; your young cousin." - -"Hush!" said Hugo, angerly. "How dare you call him my cousin?" - -"Because he was your cousin," said the other firmly. "He stood between -you and the property, and that is why you wanted me to put him out of -the way." - -"I won't discuss that matter just now—I will simply ask you if you -mean to assure me that the boy is dead?" - -"Yes." - -"You can swear it?" - -"Of course. He is at the bottom of a well in a distant Western State, -unless he has been fished out." - -"He must have been very careless to fall in, whoever he was," said Hugo. - -"Very much so!" said Fitzgerald mockingly. - -"Well," said Hugo, philosophically, "he'd probably have met with a -violent death anyway. This bareback riding is dangerous." - -"So it is; I saw him thrown from his horse in the ring at Crampton." - -"Indeed! Was he hurt?" - -"Sprained his ankle—that was all. He had to retire from the ring for -the season. Then I offered him an engagement to travel with me to the -West." - -"Indeed! Very kind of you!" said Hugo, indifferently. "Well, shall we -go back to the house?" - -"Go back to the house!" repeated Fitzgerald, surprised. "Why, we -haven't transacted our business." - -"Our business! Why, what business have I with you?" - -"I want pay for my work," answered Fitzgerald sharply. - -"Your work! Really, I don't remember to have employed you," said Hugo -with languid indifference. - -"Can he mean to go back on his promise?" Fitzgerald asked himself -uncomfortably. - -"You promised me $2000 down when I had done this job, and $3000 more -when you came into your inheritance," he said quickly. - -Hugo, who was a man of consummate meanness, could not bear to part with -so large a sum of money. Now that he had obtained all that he desired, -and believed that his young cousin, the only possible obstacle between -him and his uncle's wealth, was out of the way, he thought he might -safely repudiate the bargain, and send off Fitzgerald penniless, or at -any rate with a trifle. - -"You seem to be dreaming, or romancing," he said coldly. - -"Do you mean to say you did not promise me the money?" he demanded -passionately. - -"I never did; of course not. I have never had any dealings with you." - -Fitzgerald clenched his hand together until the nails entered the -flesh. Had he committed a detestable crime for nothing? - -"Look here, Mr. Hugo Richmond," he said, passionately. "This won't do! -You are not going to use me and then throw me off. Pay me this money, -or I will report you." - -"You had better reflect before you try it," said Hugo, composedly. -"I shall accuse you of black-mail, and your charge would never be -believed." - -"Wouldn't it? You may find yourself bitterly mistaken." - -"You must remember that in charging yourself with murder you will run -the risk of the hangman's rope. Even if the charge could do me any harm -you would probably lose your own life." - -This was no doubt true, and Fitzgerald stared at the man who had -tempted him to a crime and now threatened him with the consequences -while he held back the reward, with stupefaction. - -"You see your plan won't work," said Hugo, smoothly. - -"I believe you are a fiend incarnate!" exclaimed Fitzgerald, feeling -baffled and defeated. - -"Really, I don't much care what you think of me." - -"Do you mean to send me away penniless?" asked Fitzgerald, hoarsely. - -"No, I will take pity on your necessities and give you fifty dollars. -I don't recognize any claims you may pretend to have on me, but I will -help you so far." - -"Give me the fifty dollars, then!" said Fitzgerald, sullenly. - -Hugo drew from his wallet five ten-dollar bills, and handed them to his -companion. - -"Now," said he, "I must wish you good morning. Don't come in my way -again!" - -As Hugo walked back to the house Fitzgerald looked after him. - -"This will prove a bad morning's work for you, Mr. Hugo Richmond!" he -muttered. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -FITZGERALD SEES AN APPARITION. - - -A month later North's circus had come as far on its Eastern trip as -Syracuse. Robert Rudd was still with it, and again was employed in -his old business of riding. The young rider regularly employed was -sick, and feeling that his ankle had become strong enough, Robert had -volunteered to take his place. - -It so happened that Fitzgerald found himself in Syracuse at this -time. Fortune had smiled upon him. He had carried the fifty dollars -he received from Hugo Richmond to the gaming-table, and contrary to -the usual fortune in such cases had won steadily till he had a fund of -ten times the amount. Ordinarily he would have kept on, but now he had -a definite object in view, and this was to revenge himself upon his -faithless employer. - -"Why was I such a fool as to harm the boy?" he had asked himself more -than once. "The cunning villain schemed to get me into his power, and -he has done so. I do not dare to expose him, because in so doing I -should risk my own life. Why did I not send him out of the country -merely, and then claim the reward?" - -But the past could not be recalled, and though Fitzgerald heartily -wished the boy alive, he always thought of him as lying dead at the -bottom of a well in a far Western State. His busy brain was trying -to contrive some plan of revenge, when he chanced to see a poster of -North's circus. Robert's name was not on the bill, as he was only a -substitute, not the regular rider. - -The performance had commenced when Fitzgerald entered. - -He looked on with languid indifference till the time came for Robert to -enter the ring. - -When Fitzgerald saw the boy, whom he supposed to be dead, riding in -the ring, he was as much startled as if he had seen some one arise -from the dead. Could he be deceived? No. There could be no such close -resemblances between two boys as between the rider and Robert Rudd. - -"Yes, it is he!" decided Fitzgerald, and his heart was filled with -gladness. As we know, the gladness had a selfish source, but he was -certainly overjoyed to think that the boy was alive and well. - -Robert went through his usual act with his usual grace, and never -suspected that his would-be murderer was looking on. - -When the performance was over, Fitzgerald lingered near the tents till -he saw Robert come out. It was rather embarrassing to disclose himself -to the boy, who had so nearly fallen a victim to his violence, but it -must be done. - -"Robert! Robert Rudd!" he said, touching the boy on the arm. - -Robert turned, and his face became stern when he saw at his side the -man who had tried to murder him. - -"You villain!" he said. "How have you the face to show yourself to me?" - -"Because," answered Fitzgerald, "I am prepared to make atonement for -the injury I did you. No one can be more delighted to see you than I." - -"How can I trust you after what has passed?" asked Robert, -suspiciously. - -"Don't trust me till I show myself worthy of trust. I am prepared to do -more for you than any man living." - -"What do you mean?" - -"Suppose that I tell you who you are, that I restore you to your -relatives, that I secure for you the inheritance of a large estate, -would you consider that I am making atonement for my offence?" - -"Can you do this?" asked Robert, eagerly. - -"I can," answered Fitzgerald. - -"What are your terms, for I suppose that you do not work for nothing?" - -"I stipulate nothing. When I have succeeded and you come to your own I -will trust to your generosity. If that seems strange to you, I don't -mind telling you that I have a selfish motive. I wish to revenge myself -upon the man who occupies your place, and whom you will disinherit." - -"Will you give me fuller information?" asked Robert. "Will you let me -know who I am and how I came to lose my home?" - -"Yes; I am prepared to tell you all. Come to the hotel where I am -staying, and after you have heard me we will concert together plans for -reinstating you." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -THE MYSTERY OF ROBERT RUDD IS SOLVED. - - -Hugo Richmond was in good spirits. All seemed working in his favor. He -had got rid of Robert, the rightful heir, and escaped paying Fitzgerald -the money he had agreed to pay him. Now his uncle, whose feeble hold on -life had so long kept him from the coveted inheritance, seemed getting -weaker and weaker every day. He was not positively sick, but he was -sad and despondent; his appetite had failed, and he was more thin and -shadowy than ever. - -The wicked nephew could hardly conceal his exultation as he looked on -the feeble old man, and calculated how few weeks he probably had to -live. - -"Yes," he said to himself, "Chestnutwood will soon be mine. And -then—then I will take care to be repaid for the slavery of the last -eight years." - -Old Mr. Richmond could not read the nephew's heart, nor did he suspect -his baseness. He thought him sincerely devoted to his interests. - -"A gentleman to see you, sir," announced the servant, interrupting one -of Hugo's day dreams. - -"Who is it?" - -"I don't know, sir; but I think he has been here before." - -When Hugo entered the drawing-room and saw Fitzgerald, he stopped short -with a frown. - -"You here?" he said. - -"Yes, I am here," answered the other proudly. - -"You might as well have stayed away. If you think you can levy any -black-mail you are mistaken." - -"I expect nothing of the kind." - -"Probably you don't want any money?" said Hugo, sneering. - -"Not from you," answered Fitzgerald, eying him steadily. - -"You don't want money?" exclaimed Hugo, in genuine surprise. - -"No, though I have no doubt you would be very glad to give me a large -sum." - -"You are quite mistaken. I suspect you are drunk." - -"That is where you are mistaken." - -"What is your object in coming, then? Is this a friendly call?" asked -Hugo, with an evident sneer. - -"Well, perhaps it may be so considered; I came to give you a friendly -warning." - -"A warning?" - -"Yes." - -"I really can't conceive how I can need any warning from you. What is -your warning?" - -"I warn you to leave the country as soon as it is in your power." - -Hugo laughed scornfully. - -"Thank you for nothing," he said; "why should I leave the country?" - -"Because you will otherwise be charged with instigating the murder of -your cousin, known as Robert Rudd." - -"Humph! No one will credit it. Besides, you will have to admit that you -killed him." - -"You are mistaken again. He is not dead." - -"Not dead?" echoed Hugo, turning pale and sinking into a seat. - -"No, he is as much alive as you or I, but I am prepared to swear that -you hired me to kill him." - -"Villain! you deceived me!" exclaimed Hugo, furiously. - -"I feel less a villain than if I had compassed the boy's death." - -Hugo reflected a moment. A gulf seemed to open before him, and just -as his uncle was nearing death all his schemes seemed in danger of -failure. This must be prevented at all hazards. - -"Fitzgerald!" he said, in an altered tone, "this thing can yet be -arranged. You have gained an advantage over me, I grant, and I am -prepared to make it worth your while to keep this thing hushed up. What -are your terms?" - -"Why should I name terms when you have once treacherously gone back on -your word?" - -"I will not do so again." - -"Do you want me to kill the boy?" - -"No! Let him live, but never let him suspect who he is." - -"And for this you will give me—how much?" - -"Five thousand dollars!" answered Hugo, after a brief pause. - -"It is a good sum, but your uncle's property amounts to a quarter of a -million, at least." - -"Nothing like it," answered Hugo, hurriedly. "Besides, he is likely to -leave a large part to charitable institutions." - -"Not if you can prevent it," thought Fitzgerald. - -"It is useless!" he said aloud. "I am not to be bought." - -"What, then, do you require?" asked Hugo, desperately. - -"I require you to leave the country, and acknowledge Robert Rudd as -your cousin." - -"Never!" said Hugo, fiercely. - -"Very well!" said Fitzgerald, rising. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Hugo, anxiously. - -"To leave you to your fate! Within a few hours you will be arrested on -a charge of complicity in an attempted murder." - -"Stay!" exclaimed Hugo, now thoroughly alarmed. "How far has this gone? -Surely you have not revealed anything to Robert Rudd? - -"Everything," answered Fitzgerald, laconically. - -"To any one else?" - -"Yes, to a lawyer, who is possessed of all the evidence in the case, -and is prepared to communicate all to your uncle!" - -"Is this true?" asked Hugo, pale with dismay. - -"You can believe it or not. I have only this to say, that you had -better go with me to the hotel where your cousin and his lawyer are now -staying, and assure yourself whether we are in earnest." - -"Suppose I grant your demands and acknowledge the boy?" - -"Then you will be suffered to go where you please unharmed." - -"I will go with you." - -Hugo accompanied Fitzgerald to the hotel, had a private interview with -the lawyer, and decided that opposition was useless. He took care, -however, to feather his own nest by appropriating a large amount of -government bonds belonging to his uncle, which, in addition to his -pickings and stealings for eight years past, provided him with a -competency. The theft could not be proved, for he alone had the charge -of his uncle's affairs. With his ill-gotten gains he sailed for Europe, -where he is now residing. - -The joy of Cornelius Richmond when his grandson was restored to him can -be imagined. It seemed to bring him back from the grave and restore -his strength. A tutor was at once engaged to remedy Robert Rudd's—now -Robert Richmond's—defective education, and money was actually lavished -upon him by his doting grandfather. But Robert stood the test of -prosperity as he had stood the test of adversity. He remained the same -frank, manly, self-respecting boy, and was not drawn into squandering -his money in policy or dissipation. But he delighted to help those of -his former associates who were unfortunate and needed assistance—for -instance, a trapeze performer, who having fractured a leg by a fall -from the trapeze, was left in want with a wife and four young children -dependent upon his exertions. For months Robert allowed him $10 a week, -and was heartily glad that his grandfather's liberality allowed him -also to be liberal. - -Our hero rejoiced the heart of his old friend Anak by the gift of -a handsome gold watch, and he also remembered others who had been -kind to him. He has sent an invitation to Sidney Grey to visit him -at Chestnutwood, and has requested Squire Grey to transfer the $200 -entrusted to him to his son. He had intended to offer a home to Charlie -Davis, his associate rider, but Charlie had already attracted the -attention of a gentleman, who had offered to adopt him at the close of -the present season. My readers may be interested to know that Master -Charlie is this very summer travelling with a circus through the New -England States and Canada. Having lamed his foot, he, too, is engaged -for the time being in selling prize packages and candy, but will -probably retire from professional life in October. Hundreds of the -boys who read this story will probably see him at some time during the -season. - -Robert is busily employed in remedying the deficiencies in his -education, and is already entrusted with a large part of the business -connected with the management of his grandfather's property. From the -latter has been concealed Hugo's wicked attempt to make away with -Robert, as it would shock the old man and affect him injuriously. But -he seldom inquires for his nephew, to whom he was never much attached. -He is quite content with the company of his grandson. There are few -who know that Robert Richmond, the heir of Chestnut wood, was once - - ROBERT RUDD, - - THE BOY WONDER! - - The Best Bareback Rider in the World. - - - - - THE - FAMOUS - CASTLEMON - BOOKS. - - BY - HARRY - CASTLEMON. - - -[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Gunboat Series.] - -No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys -than "Harry Castlemon;" every book by him is sure to meet with hearty -reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity lead -his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one -volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for -more." - -⁂ Any volume sold separately. - - =GUNBOAT SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. 6 - vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $7 50 - - =Frank, the Young Naturalist= 1 25 - - =Frank in the Woods= 1 25 - - =Frank on the Prairie= 1 25 - - =Frank on a Gunboat= 1 25 - - =Frank before Vicksburg= 1 25 - - =Frank on the Lower Mississippi= 1 25 - - =GO AHEAD SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. 3 - vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Go Ahead=; or, The Fisher Boy's Motto 1 25 - - =No Moss=, or, The Career of a Rolling Stone 1 25 - - =Tom Newcombe=; or, The Boy of Bad Habits 1 25 - - =ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= By Harry - Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, - extra, printed in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho= 1 25 - - =Frank among the Rancheros= 1 25 - - =Frank in the Mountains= 1 25 - - =SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.= By Harry - Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, - extra, printed in colors. In box $3 75 - - =The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle= 1 25 - - =The Sportsman's Club Afloat= 1 25 - - =The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers= 1 25 - - =FRANK NELSON SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. - 3 vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, - printed in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Snowed Up=; or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mts. 1 25 - - =Frank Nelson in the Forecastle=; or, The Sportsman's - Club among the Whalers 1 25 - - =The Boy Traders=; or, The Sportsman's Club among - the Boers 1 25 - - =BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. - 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =The Buried Treasure=; or, Old Jordan's "Haunt" 1 25 - - =The Boy Trapper=; or, How Dave Filled the Order 1 25 - - =The Mail Carrier= 1 25 - - =ROUGHING IT SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. - 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =George in Camp=; or, Life on the Plains 1 25 - - =George at the Wheel=; or, Life in a Pilot House 1 25 - - =George at the Fort=; or, Life Among the Soldiers 1 25 - - =ROD AND GUN SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. - 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Don Gordon's Shooting Box= 1 25 - - =Rod and Gun= 1 25 - - =The Young Wild Fowlers= 1 25 - - =FOREST AND STREAM SERIES.= By Harry - Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, - extra, printed in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Joe Wayring at Home=; or, Story of a Fly Rod 1 25 - - =Snagged and Sunk=; or, The Adventures of a Canvas - Canoe 1 25 - - =Steel Horse=; or, The Rambles of a Bicycle 1 25 - - =WAR SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. 4 vols., - 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in - colors. In box 5 00 - - =True to his Colors= 1 25 - - =Rodney, the Partisan= 1 25 - - =Marcy, the Blockade Runner= 1 25 - - =Marcy, the Refugee= 1 25 - - =OUR FELLOWS=; or, Skirmishes with the Swamp - Dragoons. By Harry Castlemon. 16mo. Fully illustrated. - Cloth, extra 1 25 - - - ALGER'S - RENOWNED - BOOKS. - BY - HORATIO - ALGER, JR. - -[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Ragged Dick Series.] - -Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular -writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his -best books. - -⁂ Any volume sold separately. - - =RAGGED DICK SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, - Jr. 6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, - printed in colors. In box $7 50 - - =Ragged Dick=; or, Street Life in New York 1 25 - - =Fame and Fortune=; or, The Progress of Richard - Hunter 1 25 - - =Mark, the Match Boy=; or, Richard Hunter's Ward 1 25 - - =Rough and Ready=; or, Life among the New York - Newsboys 1 25 - - =Ben, the Luggage Boy=; or, Among the Wharves 1 25 - - =Rufus and Rose=; or, the Fortunes of Rough and - Ready 1 25 - - =TATTERED TOM SERIES.= (FIRST SERIES.) - By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. - Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box 5 00 - - =Tattered Tom=; or, The Story of a Street Arab 1 25 - - =Paul, the Peddler=; or, The Adventures of a Young - Street Merchant 1 25 - - =Phil, the Fiddler=; or, The Young Street Musician 1 25 - - =Slow and Sure=; or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop 1 25 - - =TATTERED TOM SERIES.= (SECOND SERIES.) - 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $5 00 - - =Julius=; or the Street Boy Out West 1 25 - - =The Young Outlaw=; or, Adrift in the World 1 25 - - =Sam's Chance and How He Improved it= 1 25 - - =The Telegraph Boy= 1 25 - - =LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= (FIRST SERIES.) - By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. - Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box $5 00 - - =Luck and Pluck=; or John Oakley's Inheritance 1 25 - - =Sink or Swim=; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve 1 25 - - =Strong and Steady=; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe 1 25 - - =Strive and Succeed=; or, The Progress of Walter - Conrad 1 25 - - =LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= (SECOND - SERIES.) By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 vols., 12mo. - Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In - box $5 00 - - =Try and Trust=; or, The Story of a Bound Boy 1 25 - - =Bound to Rise=; or Harry Walton's Motto 1 25 - - =Risen from the Ranks=; or, Harry Walton's Success 1 25 - - =Herbert Carter's Legacy=; or, The Inventor's Son 1 25 - - =CAMPAIGN SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 - vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Frank's Campaign=; or, The Farm and the Camp 1 25 - - =Paul Prescott's Charge= 1 25 - - =Charlie Codman's Cruise= 1 25 - - =BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.= By Horatio - Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, - extra, printed in colors. In box $5 00 - - =Brave and Bold=; or, The Story of a Factory Boy 1 25 - - =Jack's Ward=; or, The Boy Guardian 1 25 - - =Shifting for Himself=; or, Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes 1 25 - - =Wait and Hope=; or, Ben Bradford's Motto 1 25 - - =PACIFIC SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 - vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $5 00 - - =The Young Adventurer=; or, Tom's Trip Across - the Plains 1 25 - - =The Young Miner=; or, Tom Nelson in California 1 25 - - =The Young Explorer=; or, Among the Sierras 1 25 - - =Ben's Nugget=; or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A - Story of the Pacific Coast 1 25 - - =ATLANTIC SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 - vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $5 00 - - =The Young Circus Rider=; or, The Mystery of - Robert Rudd 1 25 - - =Do and Dare=; or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune 1 25 - - =Hector's Inheritance=; or, Boys of Smith Institute 1 25 - - =Helping Himself=; or, Grant Thornton's Ambition 1 25 - - =WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.= By Horatio - Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, - extra, printed in colors. In box $5 00 - - =Bob Burton= 1 25 - - =The Store Boy= 1 25 - - =Luke Walton= 1 25 - - =Struggling Upward= 1 25 - - -NEW BOOK BY ALGER. - - =DIGGING FOR GOLD.= By Horatio Alger, Jr. - Illustrated 12mo. Cloth, black, red and gold 1 25 - - - - - A - New Series - of Books. - - Indian Life - and - Character - Founded on - Historical - Facts. - -[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Wyoming Series.] - - - By Edward S. Ellis. - -⁂ Any volume sold separately. - - =BOY PIONEER SERIES.= By Edward S. Ellis. - 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Ned in the Block House=; or, Life on the Frontier. 1 25 - - =Ned in the Woods.= A Tale of the Early Days in - the West 1 25 - - =Ned on the River= 1 25 - - =DEERFOOT SERIES.= By Edward S. Ellis. In - box containing the following. 3 vols., 12mo. Illustrated - $3 75 - - =Hunters of the Ozark= 1 25 - - =Camp in the Mountains= 1 25 - - =The Last War Trail= 1 25 - - =LOG CABIN SERIES.= By Edward S. Ellis. - 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Lost Trail= 1 25 - - =Camp-Fire and Wigwam= 1 25 - - =Footprints in the Forest= 1 25 - - =WYOMING SERIES.= By Edward S. Ellis. 3 - vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $3 75 - - =Wyoming= 1 25 - - =Storm Mountain= 1 25 - - =Cabin in the Clearing= 1 25 - - -NEW BOOKS BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. - - =Through Forest and Fire.= 12mo. Cloth $1 25 - - =On the Trail of the Moose.= 12mo. Cloth 1 25 - - - By C. A. Stephens. - -Rare books for boys—bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive; full -of adventure and incident, and information upon natural history. They -blend instruction with amusement—contain much useful and valuable -information upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun -and jollity. - - =CAMPING OUT SERIES.= By C. A. Stephens. - 6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $7 50 - - =Camping Out.= As recorded by "Kit" 1 25 - - =Left on Labrador=; or The Cruise of the Schooner - Yacht "Curfew." As recorded by "Wash" 1 25 - - =Off to the Geysers=; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. - As recorded by "Wade" 1 25 - - =Lynx Hunting.= From Notes by the author of - "Camping Out" 1 25 - - =Fox Hunting.= As recorded by "Raed" 1 25 - - =On the Amazon=; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler." - As recorded by "Wash" 1 25 - - - By J. T. Trowbridge. - -These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books -for the young—and he has written some of the best of our juvenile -literature. - - =JACK HAZARD SERIES.= By J. T. Trowbridge. - 6 vols., 12mo. Fully Illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed - in colors. In box $7 50 - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Circus Rider, by Horatio Alger, Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER *** - -***** This file should be named 56056-0.txt or 56056-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/0/5/56056/ - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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