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diff --git a/old/64386-0.txt b/old/64386-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 952d75e..0000000 --- a/old/64386-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5963 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mystery of Cleverly, by George Barton - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Mystery of Cleverly - A Story for Boys - -Author: George Barton - -Release Date: January 25, 2021 [eBook #64386] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of - the Digital Library@Villanova University - (http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERY OF CLEVERLY *** - -THE MYSTERY OF CLEVERLY - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MYSTERY OF CLEVERLY - - - A STORY FOR BOYS - - BY - GEORGE BARTON - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO - BENZIGER BROTHERS - PUBLISHERS OF BENZIGER’S MAGAZINE - - * * * * * - -COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY BENZIGER BROTHERS - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. In Which a Bully Comes to Grief 7 - - II. Herbert Finds Himself the Innocent Cause of Much Trouble 14 - - III. Proving that Birds of a Feather Flock Together 24 - - IV. In Which Fortune Unexpectedly Favors David Harkins 33 - - V. In Which David Harkins Becomes the Victim of Peculiar - Circumstances 39 - - VI. In Which David Harkins Quits This Life and Takes His - Secret with Him 48 - - VII. In Which Herbert Meets Adversity and Learns the - Meaning of Hard Work 58 - - VIII. Herbert Becomes Ambitious and is Fascinated by the - Smell of Printers’ Ink 66 - - IX. Having Become a Newspaper Writer Herbert Looks for New - Worlds to Conquer 77 - - X. Which Tells of How Herbert Came to Leave the Town of - Cleverly 88 - - XI. Herbert is Awed and Amazed by His First Sight of a Great - City 98 - - XII. In Which Herbert Becomes Acquainted With Some of the - Methods of Modern Journalism 109 - - XIII. Herbert Makes a Hit and Tides Over a Temporary Financial - Difficulty 120 - - XIV. In Which Herbert is Given an Unusual Opportunity to - Distinguish Himself 127 - - XV. In Which Herbert Does Some Very Hard Work and Receives a - Terrible Shock 135 - - XVI. In Which Herbert Loses His Position and Retires in - Disgrace 143 - - XVII. The Young Reporter Finds That the Door of Opportunity is - Closed to Him 153 - - XVIII. Wherein a Black Sheep Shows a Desire to Change His Color 161 - - XIX. Persistence Has its Reward and Herbert Finally Meets the - Mysterious Stranger 169 - - XX. In Which a Stain is Removed from the Memory of an - Innocent Man 180 - - XXI. In Which a Telephone Call Produces Some Unexpected - Results 186 - - XXII. Proving that Bad Persons, Like Bad Pennies, are - Constantly Reappearing 194 - - XXIII. In Which a Bad Man Reaches the End of His Rope 204 - - XXIV. Wherein the Clouds Pass Away and the Sun Shines on - Herbert Harkins 215 - - XXV. Demonstrating the Truth of the Saying that All’s Well - that Ends Well 225 - - * * * * * - -THE MYSTERY OF CLEVERLY - - - - -CHAPTER I IN WHICH A BULLY COMES TO GRIEF - - -“If you fellows don’t open that door and let me in, there’ll be trouble -in this town before long.” - -The only answer was a mocking laugh from the group of boys to whom this -threat was addressed. - -Herbert Harkins, his face red with rage, pounded his fist on the panels -of the schoolhouse without making the slightest impression upon his -fellow schoolboys. - -“Open the door,” he cried again, in a loud voice. - -Once more a peal of laughter sounded from within. The scene of this -incident was the Cleverly District School. The time was the second of -January, and the occasion was the annual frolic of the boys, known as -“barring out day.” - -It was a custom which, originating down east, had spread to the little -town in New Jersey. The method was quite simple. After the Christmas -holidays the big boys put their heads together and decided on a plan -of campaign. When all of the details had been arranged, it was decided -to put them into execution at the first regular session of the new -year. The forenoon passed off as quietly as any other day, the boys -looking very sober and extremely attentive to their studies, and -keeping unusual order. The moment the schoolmaster left the house for -his dinner and the smaller children were started homeward, the doors -and windows were suddenly and securely locked, and the older pupils -proceeded to spend the afternoon in play and hilarity. - -When Mr. Anderson, the teacher, returned about one o’clock, he was -surprised to find the schoolhouse in a state of siege. He made an -attempt to enter, but failed. It so happened that Herbert Harkins -was the only one of the larger boys who had been locked out. Under -ordinary circumstances he would have taken the incident good-naturedly; -but in this case he knew that the teacher was frail and delicate, -and Herbert’s regard and sympathy for Mr. Anderson aroused all his -manly instincts and brought his fighting blood to the boiling pitch. -The teacher who had been employed in this district only a few weeks, -was evidently of a sickly disposition. It was a cold day. He was -insufficiently clad, and the prospect of taking some sickness which -might perhaps lead to pneumonia and death made the poor man quite -miserable. His face was beginning to get blue with the intense cold; -but he was too weak to resort to any physical methods for opening the -door. - -Herbert knocked again; but his appeal was received only with jeers and -shouts of derision. Mr. Anderson turned to him with a kindly smile, and -said: - -“There is no need of doing anything more, Herbert. I thank you for your -good intentions; but I think the only thing left for me to do is to go -home for the day.” - -As Herbert was about to reply he happened to glance upward and noticed -the smoke coming from the chimney on the top of the schoolhouse. He -remembered that the room was heated by means of an old-fashioned wood -fire, which was constantly replenished during the day. Whenever a fresh -or green log was placed on the fire, more or less smoke went up the -chimney. As Herbert gazed at the little curls of smoke making their -way skyward, he suddenly conceived a means of breaking up the siege in -the schoolhouse and procuring entrance for himself and the teacher. To -think was to act. A small pile of lumber lay in the roadway nearby. -Herbert walked over to it and picked out a wide, square board. It was -quite heavy; but by dint of much energy and persistence he managed -to get it under his arm and carry it to the schoolhouse. Mr. Anderson -wondered what he was about to do. The boys on the inside, too, gazed -at this unexpected activity with much interest. Herbert’s next move -was to secure a large ladder, which he put up against the side of the -house. Then reaching for the board, he made his way to the top of the -schoolhouse and in less than two minutes had placed it over the top of -the chimney. Then he hurried down the ladder again, and rejoining Mr. -Anderson, said calmly: - -“I am willing to wager that we will be inside of that schoolroom before -you have time to count a hundred.” - -And so it proved. The smoke, unable to find its way out of the chimney, -was thrown back into the schoolroom, and in a minute’s time the boys -were choking from the effects of the fumes. Some were in favor of -holding out, but when their eyes began to run water and they were -filled with a stifling sensation, they quickly decided to surrender. -The bars were taken down and the doors and windows thrown open. - -Herbert, delighted with the success of his little scheme, remounted the -ladder, and going to the roof, took the board from the chimney. The -boys made no further attempts at disturbance; within fifteen minutes -order had been entirely restored, and the afternoon session went on as -if nothing had happened. - -Most of the boys were filled with admiration at Herbert’s cleverness; -but a few of them murmured against him and threatened to punish him -for breaking up their fun. The largest of these boys was Arthur Black, -who was a year older than Herbert, and had the reputation of being -the bully of the school. After the children had been dismissed for -the afternoon, they gathered in groups outside the schoolhouse and -talked about the unusual event. Arthur Black raised his voice above -the others, declaring that he had a great notion to thrash the boy who -had dared to interfere with their sport. Some of the more timid pupils -approached Herbert and advised him to hurry home in order to escape -punishment. He smiled at their fears, however, and said he had no -reason for running away. Just then Arthur Black approached. - -“What’s that you say?” he asked in an insulting voice. - -“I said that I had no reason for running away,” replied Herbert quietly. - -“Well, that’s because you haven’t got any sense,” was the ugly -rejoinder. “You’re a sneak and a busybody and ought to be thrown out of -the school.” - -“Why?” asked Herbert. - -“Because you spoiled our fun,” was the reply. - -“I don’t think it’s much fun to keep a sick teacher out in the cold and -make him run the risk of losing his life. I--” - -“Oh, we’ve had enough of your talk,” said Arthur, interrupting Herbert. - -“But you will listen to what I have to say,” persisted Herbert manfully. - -“No I won’t,” was the rejoinder, “and if you say another word I’ll -thrash you within an inch of your life.” - -“Two can play at that game,” said Herbert coolly. - -The other made no reply, but began to take off his coat, and flinging -it on the ground, started to roll up his shirt sleeves. Instantly the -other boys formed a ring about them. There was nothing left for Herbert -but to accept the invitation that was thrown down to him in such a -noisy way. He took off his coat, and in a trice the two boys were -engaged in a rough and tumble fight. It looked for a time as if Arthur -Black, who was the older and heavier of the two, would get the better -of Herbert. The boys crowded around the two fighters and urged them on -with yells and shouts of approval. Herbert kept comparatively cool, and -at a critical stage in the fight he pummeled Arthur so vigorously that -he cried for mercy. Indeed his nose was bleeding and one of his eyes -was beginning to show evidence of the contest. Picking up his hat and -coat, and hardly able to repress his tears, he hurried off towards his -home. Herbert was immediately proclaimed the hero of the hour. He had -thrashed the bully of the school, and from that moment he was the idol -of his schoolmates and the most popular boy in Cleverly. - - - - -CHAPTER II HERBERT FINDS HIMSELF THE INNOCENT CAUSE OF MUCH TROUBLE - - -When Herbert Harkins reached home he found that the story of his battle -with Arthur Black had preceded him. His mother was at the doorway -awaiting his arrival. She scanned his face anxiously. - -“Are you hurt, Herbert?” she asked. - -“Not a great deal, mother,” he said, with a trace of conscious pride in -his voice; “but I can’t say as much for the other fellow.” - -“I was sorry to hear that you were quarreling,” she remarked gravely; -“it’s not gentlemanly.” - -“But I could not let the other boys think I was a coward,” he cried -quickly. - -His mother made no reply to this, but pointing toward the sitting room, -said simply: - -“Your father is waiting to see you.” - -Herbert started up the stairway, filled with misgivings. It was a rare -thing for his father to send for him, and the serious manner in which -his mother had delivered the message convinced him that it must be a -matter of importance. David Harkins was above everything else a just -man. He had started out in life with bright prospects, but through a -series of misfortunes over which he had no control, his little fortune -had been very much reduced and his health greatly impaired. - -His doctor advised him to go into the country and engage in open air -work as much as possible. He cautioned him above all else to avoid the -occasions of excitement. The medical man assured him that his heart was -weak, and that it would not stand any severe or unusual strain. Mr. -Harkins examined various properties in the vicinity of the city, and -finally decided upon the neat little place at Cleverly. It contained -a garden and was within a reasonable distance of the city whence Mr. -Harkins’ employment called him several times a week. In the meantime -he cultivated the garden, and by dint of close economy managed to make -both ends meet. Mr. Harkins was engaged in looking over some papers -when Herbert entered the room. He laid them down immediately and turned -to the boy with a look in which affection and reproach were mingled. - -“Herbert, I hear bad reports about you.” - -“I’m sorry for that, father,” was the response, “because I don’t -believe I deserve them.” - -Mr. Harkins glanced at Herbert keenly, and the look which he received -in return seemed to satisfy him, for he said: - -“Tell me in your own way all about this quarrel--give me all the -details, and do not attempt to hide anything.” - -Herbert told everything clearly and quickly. As he concluded his father -nodded his head as if to indicate that he understood and then sighed -deeply. Herbert noticed this, and said with trembling voice: - -“You believe me, don’t you?” - -“I do.” - -“Don’t you think I did right?” - -“I do.” - -“But why are you so sad?” - -“Because I regret this thing very much--because I am sorry you -quarreled with Arthur Black.” - -“But you said I was justified.” - -“I did; but unfortunately you have offended a powerful man. I suppose -you are old enough to understand these things. John Black, Arthur’s -father, is not only the richest man in Cleverly, but he is the -president of the bank, and I--I owe him money.” - -David Harkins put his head in his hands as he spoke, and leaning on his -desk, sat there for some time buried in thought. Herbert was silent for -awhile, then rushing up to his father, cried out impulsively: - -“I’m awfully sorry, father; I didn’t intend to do anything wrong. I -never thought of injuring you. If I can repair the damage in any way -I’ll be only too glad to do so. Tell me what to do.” - -“Do,” cried his father, with a sudden return of his natural dignity; -“why do nothing; you are guilty of no wrong and have nothing to regret. -However,” with a sigh which he could not conceal, “I’m sure we will -hear more about this before the evening is over.” - -And so they did. About eight o’clock that night there was a loud -rapping at the door, and a stout, pompous man was ushered into the -parlor. He had iron gray hair, heavy bristling eyebrows and scowled in -the most severe manner. He looked about the little room in a disdainful -manner, and then dropped abruptly into the easiest chair at hand. His -manner was aggressive. He carried a heavy cane and pounded it on the -floor impatiently while awaiting the arrival of Mr. Harkins. - -Such was John Black, bank president, capitalist and the most unpopular -man in Cleverly. - -“See here, Harkins,” he cried out abruptly as Herbert’s father entered -the room, “I came to see you about that boy of yours.” - -“What about him?” asked Mr. Harkins quietly. - -“A great deal about him,” spluttered the banker, “he’s a young rowdy; -that’s what he is. He set on my boy Arthur at school to-day and beat -him in the most brutal manner.” - -“A boys’ fight?” queried Herbert’s father lifting his eyebrows. - -“You may call it a boys’ fight,” thundered the other; “I call it an -outrage. Why that child of mine came home with his nose bleeding--do -you understand sir--with his nose bleeding.” - -“That child as you call him,” ventured Mr. Harkins, a note of amusement -in his voice, “is, I believe, nearly seventeen years old.” - -“What’s that got to do with it?” shouted the other. - -“Nothing, except that he’s nearly two years older than my boy.” - -“Age is not the only thing--” - -“No,” interrupted Mr. Harkins, “weight should be considered. Arthur is -not only older, but he is much heavier than Herbert.” - -“Do you mean to say,” exclaimed the banker in amazement, “that you are -taking up for that boy?” - -“Oh, no,” said Mr. Harkins pleasantly, “that’s not necessary. Herbert -seems to be fully capable of taking up for himself.” - -“Take care, Harkins,” said the rich man, banging his cane angrily on -the floor; “take care; don’t attempt to trifle with me!” - -David Harkins paid no attention to this outburst, but sat silent -wondering what would come next. His curiosity was soon satisfied. - -John Black arose with a gesture of impatience. - -“There is no need of my wasting any more time here,” he exclaimed. “I -came over to give you a chance to set yourself straight.” - -“To set myself straight?” queried Harkins. - -“Yes; if you have that boy of yours apologize to Arthur at school -to-morrow, we’ll call it quits.” - -David Harkins stood looking at the banker as if he had taken leave of -his senses. The silence lasted so long that it became embarrassing. - -“Come, come, what do you say to my proposal?” asked John Black. “I -don’t want to be too hard on your young one. Do as I say and the matter -will drop. Your answer.” - -“No!” shouted Harkins. “No; a hundred times no! Herbert did perfectly -right in thrashing that bully of a son of yours. I’m proud of him for -doing it. And if he would dare to apologize for it I’d disown him as a -son.” - -John Black grew almost livid with rage. He hurried to the door. When he -reached it he looked back and shook his cane at Harkins. - -“You will regret this insult; blast you, I’ll make you sorry for what -you said.” - -Mrs. Harkins entered the room just as the banker retired. She hurried -over to her husband. - -“I heard loud voices, David,” she said. “I am sorry you quarreled with -Mr. Black.” - -Her husband looked at her fondly. His face was pale, although he was -smiling. - -“I’m sorry, too,” he said; “but he irritated me beyond endurance. -Besides I told him the truth. Between ourselves,” he added, “I’m really -proud of Herbert.” - -“But you must not tell that to Herbert,” she said anxiously; “it might -be the means of spoiling him.” - -“Oh, never fear, I won’t tell him; but I won’t be unjust to the boy -either. I’ll deal fairly with him.” - -Indeed, as has already been indicated, a love of justice was one of the -most striking traits of David Harkins’ character, and unconsciously he -was doing all in his power to plant the same virtue in the mind and -heart of his only son. - -“In spite of what you say, David,” remarked Mrs. Harkins, “I regret -this incident. I do not believe in signs or any nonsense of that sort, -but some strange voice within me says that this thing will have a fatal -ending.” - -“Oh, cheer up,” was the bright response of the husband. “It’s folly to -look on the dark side of life. Anyhow, what will be, must be. All that -we can do in this life is to try and live decently. A friend of mine -used to say that it was a good thing always to hope for the best and -prepare for the worst.” - -With this bit of philosophy Mr. Harkins turned to his desk and resumed -his work. As his wife closed the door, however, the cheerful look left -his face, and lines of care and worry began to appear. Despite his -protests to the contrary, he regretted his encounter with John Black. -But his sense of right and justice was too acute to permit him to make -peace at the price of truth. - -While he was thinking over the events of the day, there was a ring of -the door-bell, and in a moment Mrs. Harkins appeared to present Mr. -Horace Coke, the lawyer of Cleverly and one of the good friends of the -family. Mr. Coke was one of the old fashioned attorneys at law. He -wore a suit of black broadcloth and carried a cane and a high silk hat -in his hand. He had a smooth, round face, was always in a good humor, -loved children and dogs, and lived in constant peace and harmony with -his friends and neighbors. - -Mr. Harkins hastened to give him the most comfortable chair in the -room, and Mrs. Harkins, who had remained, waited expectantly to -hear the occasion of the visit. The visitor stroked his chin in an -absent-minded way and seemed ill at ease. He was not smiling either, -which was a strange thing for Horace Coke. Presently he said abruptly: - -“It’s a lovely evening Dave, isn’t it?” - -“Yes,” replied Mr. Harkins, “it is a lovely evening.” - -But he knew in his heart that the lawyer had not called to make this -useless comment on the weather. He knew that something more important -was to come, so he sat silent and waited. - -“Dave,” said the lawyer, clearing his throat, “I’m here on a very, very -unpleasant errand. It was in the line of my professional duty though, -and I couldn’t get out of it.” - -“Indeed,” was the non-committal reply. - -“No,” pursued Mr. Coke, “you see I am here representing a client.” - -“Might I ask the name of your client?” - -“Yes; it is John Black.” - -Mr. Harkins started as he heard this name. It was not altogether -unexpected, yet the sound gave him an uncomfortable feeling. Mrs. -Harkins, too, was very much depressed by the announcement. Herbert had -entered the room quietly during the conversation; but when he heard -what Mr. Coke had said, he paused at the threshold. - -“Well,” said Mr. Harkins finally, “what about Mr. Black?” - -“It seems,” replied the lawyer, “that you have had a financial -transaction with Mr. Black.” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“That he has your note for one thousand dollars.” - -“That is correct.” - -“Well, Mr. Black sends me here to collect it.” - -“Mr. Coke, isn’t this a rather unusual method of doing business? I -borrowed this money from Mr. Black at the bank to pay off the mortgage -on my house. I understood that it was to run for several years, -although we had no written agreement regarding the time. But I never -heard of a banker sending a lawyer to collect a note.” - -“It is unusual,” confessed the lawyer, “but Mr. Black has the legal -right to do it if he sees fit. He says the endorsers of the note are -no good and he instructs me, if payment is not made within twenty-four -hours, to proceed against you.” - -He arose to go. As he reached the door he turned and said: - -“Dave, I don’t think this is a square deal; but I’m only acting as a -lawyer for a client. If I had the money to spare, I’d give it to you -myself.” - -He said good-night and departed. Mrs. Harkins turned to her husband. - -“Can you meet this demand, Dave?” - -He looked at her in a strained sort of way. It was a half minute before -he spoke. He said simply: - -“I haven’t the faintest idea where I am going to get the money.” - - - - -CHAPTER III PROVING THAT BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER - - -Herbert was deeply impressed with the scene that had taken place -between his father and Mr. Coke. It was quite early in the evening, and -putting on his hat and coat, he quietly left the house for the purpose -of taking a walk around the town and thinking over the meaning of the -events which were following each other so quickly. He was filled with -remorse at the thought of having been the innocent cause of bringing -disaster on their modest household; but deep down in his heart he felt -that he had done the right thing in spite of the unexpected results -that had followed. Herbert had always been a sturdy and resolute boy. - -He had regard for the feelings and rights of others, but was always -quick to resent any attempt to impose upon his own good nature. When -he first entered the school at Cleverly he did not give promise of -being a very bright pupil. In fact there were times when the teacher -was disposed to consider him a very dull boy; but little by little the -ability that slumbered with him was awakened, and by degrees he began -to show evidences of more than ordinary talent. He was not quick to -learn; but was always numbered among the plodders at the school. In -spite of his apparent slowness, he began to advance in his classes, and -when he had reached his sixteenth year was near the head of the boys -in his grade. For one thing he retained the knowledge that he acquired -with so much labor. He had what the teacher called bull-dog tenacity. -In other words, when he started out to accomplish a certain task he -never rested till it was entirely completed. - -Mr. Harkins, who was a man of very unusual ability, was extremely -anxious to give his son the very best education in his power. His -ambition was to develop Herbert both morally and mentally, and he -looked forward with great hope to the time when he would finish his -tuition at the Cleverly district school. After that it was his wish -that he should enter St. Joseph’s College in the adjoining city, in -order to obtain a higher education. The Jesuits who were in charge of -that institution, had offered four free scholarships to the boys who -obtained the highest average in a competitive examination that was to -be held in the spring of the year. The father and son had frequently -discussed this subject. - -“Herbert,” said Mr. Harkins, “this is no child’s play. If you make up -your mind to go into this thing, it will mean hard work. There will be -very little time for sports.” - -“I appreciate that, father,” Herbert would say soberly. “And when the -time comes I intend to pin myself down to the hardest kind of work. I -know what it means, and I have no fear of the result.” - -So it was that the boy trudged along in his somewhat heavy way, doing -the routine that fell to all the pupils of the Cleverly School. While -he did not display any special flashes of brilliancy, his averages were -always good, and sometimes unusually large. - -Arthur Black was the opposite of Herbert in almost every way. For years -he had been one of the favored pupils at the Cleverly School. The fact -that his father was rich and influential made all those connected with -the school disposed to treat him with more than ordinary consideration. -He was a bright boy, but extremely indolent; and as a consequence was -a source of constant trouble to his teachers. Arthur had the faculty -of being able to recite his lessons without having given much time to -their study; but as the weeks and months went by he became more and -more indifferent and finally drifted down near the rear of his class -where he bid fair to remain until the end of his school days. Arthur -was very much annoyed at the progress made by Herbert Harkins, and -publicly said that it was due to the fact that Herbert was one of the -teacher’s favorites. No charge could be more unfair than this, but it -was circulated through the town, much to the annoyance of Herbert and -his parents. - -Herbert thought of all these things as he made his way along the main -street of the town. He was filled with an intense desire to assist his -father, and in a vague sort of way wondered whether it would not be a -good thing to leave school and go to work for that purpose. The thought -was worth considering anyhow, and he made up his mind to speak to his -father before he left home the next morning. Just as he reached the -post office pavement, he noticed a small group of men and boys standing -there engaged in an animated discussion. As he approached nearer, he -saw Arthur Black and a friend of his named Harry Adler talking for the -benefit of the crowd. Adler was many years the senior of both Herbert -and Arthur. He had the reputation of being a very worthless boy, and -although he was rapidly approaching manhood he gave no indication -of changing his habits. He was a type of many other boys who can be -described in a single sentence as cigarette smoking youths who will -not work. He said on one occasion that he was too proud to do menial -labor, but in spite of this he was not ashamed to live off the small -earnings of a poor mother who was compelled to take in sewing in order -to feed and clothe the members of her family. Adler had persistently -refused to go to school, and only two years before had run away from -home and made his way by degrees to New York City. He remained there -for several weeks, and then wrote begging letters home asking for -sufficient money to pay his carfare back to Cleverly. He did not even -have the manliness to be ashamed of this incident, but looked upon it -as one of the big achievements in his life. Ever after that he stood -on the street corners and talked in a loud way about his adventures in -the big city, much to the amazement and interest of the small boys who -stood with open mouths and eagerly listened to all that he had to say. - -As Herbert reached the group he heard Arthur Black detailing the story -of the fight at the schoolhouse. He informed his hearers that Herbert -was a sneaking busybody, and that after school was over he had given -him the punishment he so richly deserved. - -“But when my back was turned,” he said, “that rascal of a Herbert -Harkins gave me a blow in the face that made my nose bleed. He wouldn’t -dare to have done it if we had been standing face to face.” - -This was too much for Herbert to stand, and turning toward the crowd -with flashing eyes, he cried out: - -“The story that Arthur Black has told you isn’t true. He was the one at -fault, and as far as the fight was concerned I think his nose and the -color of his eyes tell the story of the battle better than I can.” - -Adler interrupted Herbert at this point to say in a sneering tone: - -“See here, young man, if it comes to a question of truth between you -and Arthur Black, the people of this town will believe Arthur.” - -“I don’t know about that,” retorted Herbert angrily. “Anyhow I would be -willing to leave it to the people that know us both.” - -The minute Herbert had spoken he was sorry that his impulsive nature -had led him into the conversation. In order to avoid any further -trouble he hurried away; but Arthur Black and Harry Adler did not -propose to let him off so easily. - -“Hello there, little boy,” cried Adler in a taunting voice. “Are you -going to run away again, just as you did this afternoon?” - -Herbert made no reply, but kept on his way. Then Arthur Black joined in -the conversation. - -“He’d better run away,” he said, “if he knows which side his bread is -buttered on. I want to tell you, Herbert Harkins, that you are going -to suffer for daring to insult me. You say you won the fight this -afternoon. Well, if you did, it will be the dearest victory you ever -bought. Before another day goes by you will find that your whole family -is likely to be thrown out into the street, and that you will be on -your way to the poorhouse, where you belong. Perhaps you won’t be so -ready to meddle next time.” - -Herbert halted instantly. He hurried back to where the others were -standing and made towards Arthur Black. Just as he passed by, Adler -quietly slipped his right foot out on the sidewalk, and Herbert -tripping over it, fell at full length on the pavement. He jumped up -smarting with anger and the shock of the fall. He rushed toward Adler, -but in the twinkling of an eye, before a blow had been struck, his mind -reverted to the scene that had taken place at his home only a short -while before. Instantly he was filled with remorse. He realized that it -would be most unfortunate for him to get into a street brawl at a time -like this. He felt confident of his ability to chastise both Arthur -Black and Harry Adler; but he realized the scene that it would cause -and the possibility of one or all of them being taken up by the town -constable; so without any explanation whatever he lowered his arms and -walked down the street again. - -Adler turned to Arthur Black with a sneer on his lips. - -“I guess you’ve got that fellow sized up all right,” he said. “He’s a -coward; he’s afraid to fight.” - -Herbert heard this with burning cheeks. He hurried on his way home, -stopping to look neither to the right nor to the left. His mind was -filled with conflicting emotions. He thought of the threat that hung -over his father, and of the reflection that had been made upon his own -personal courage; but try as he would he could not get the sound of -that word “coward” out of his ears. - -When he reached home the sense of shame had grown so strong that he -could not stand the strain any longer. He halted on the doorstep -irresolute. The next moment he turned on his heel and walked back -to the corner where he had met Arthur Black and Harry Adler. Black -had left, but Adler was still there entertaining some of the smaller -boys with stories of his own greatness. Herbert walked up to him with -flashing eyes: - -“Adler, I’ve got a crow to pick with you.” - -“Go ahead with the picking,” sneered the older boy, and Herbert flushed -hotly at the contemptuous tone. - -“A few minutes ago you referred to me as a coward.” - -“Well, what of it?” - -“I want you to take that word back; I won’t stand for it.” - -Adler broke out into a coarse laugh. - -“Why, the little fellow is feeling his oats,” he cried; “he looks like -a bantam rooster.” - -“Never mind what I look like,” retorted Herbert hotly. “I want to know -whether you’ll take that word back.” - -“Don’t get excited, little chap.” - -“Will you take it back? Say yes or no!” demanded Herbert. - -“I say no,” drawled Adler. - -“Then I say take that!” - -As he spoke, Herbert reached up and gave the fellow a resounding slap -on the cheek. Adler was so dazed at the unexpected assault that he -stood still gazing stupidly at his assailant. The small boys in the -group were secretly delighted at the indignity put upon their worthless -companion, but were discreetly silent. Herbert walked off tingling with -delight at having satisfied his outraged feelings. - - - - -CHAPTER IV IN WHICH FORTUNE UNEXPECTEDLY FAVORS DAVID HARKINS - - -Herbert Harkins prepared to go to bed that night with a very heavy -heart. He could not rid himself of the notion that he was the cause of -the troubles that were gathering so rapidly about their home. Sleep is -said to be the best medicine for a troubled mind; but unfortunately -Herbert was not able to go to sleep. Usually he was in the land of -dreams as soon as his head touched the pillow, but this night he was -afflicted with a peculiar nervousness that could not be overcome. -More than this he was greatly disturbed over the agitated condition -of his father. He knew that he was sitting at his desk in the front -room downstairs. He had spoken to him when he came home, and now from -the light that was shining up the stairway he knew that his father was -still awake. Presently he heard the movement of a chair, and then the -steady tramping of feet indicating that Mr. Harkins was walking up and -down the room. - -Suddenly this monotonous sound was broken by a sharp rap on the front -door. Herbert heard his father respond to the summons. The bolt was -drawn back, the door opened, and then came a sound like the cry of -recognition from two men. The door was softly closed again, and then -came the steady mumbling of voices. This continued so long that Herbert -became frightened. He got out of bed in the dark, and going into the -hallway crept downstairs silently, step by step, until he had reached -the doorway leading into the parlor. The light was turned down and the -room was quite dim; but he could see his father and another man seated -at a table engaged in earnest conversation. The stranger wore a full -beard, and his head was covered with a great shock of red hair, in much -disorder. The two men were so much engaged that they did not notice the -half frightened boy standing near the doorway. Herbert on his part was -so much interested in what he saw that for the time being he forgot the -situation in which he had placed himself. - -At times the two men were so close together that it would hardly -have been possible to have drawn a sheet of paper between them. The -stranger, in order to illustrate some point that he was making in his -talk, threw his arm violently in the air, and in doing so overturned a -little China ornament that was on the table, sending it crashing to the -floor. Both men started violently at this unexpected happening, and -then glanced nervously around the room as if to see whether anyone were -listening. At the first sound of the falling ornament, Herbert started -to run upstairs; but when the conversation was resumed some strange -power seemed to draw him back to the doorway again. His intention was -to take one last look and go away. He knew that he had no right there, -and that his father might be very angry if he thought that he was out -of bed and listening to the conversation; but some strange will over -which he appeared to be powerless, kept him rooted to the spot. The -two men talked in such a low tone at first that all he could hear was -the mumbling of voices. Presently, however, his father becoming more -earnest, said excitedly to the other man in a louder voice: - -“I won’t do it. I tell you I can’t do it. It’s not right to you.” - -“Don’t be a fool,” responded the red-haired man in a deep bass voice. -“This will save you, and it cannot do me any harm. I’ll never miss it, -I can assure you.” - -“But it seems so unjust,” urged his father; “it doesn’t seem quite -square to act with you in this way. After all these years I should not -be placed in the position of taking this from you.” - -“I am the best judge of that,” growled the other man in his heavy -voice; “take it and say no more about it.” - -As he spoke he pushed a package in the direction of Mr. Harkins, who -still with reluctance, picked it up and placed it in his pocket. This -act seemed to relieve his feelings, because he said right away in a -voice that sounded lighter and more contented: - -“Well, I guess it is all for the best. I’ll take it, and you can rest -assured that you’ll lose nothing by your kindness.” - -Their voices became lower again at this point, and Herbert, sorry for -having remained so long, hurried back to bed and was soon in the land -of slumber. Father, mother and son met at the breakfast table the next -morning, and all seemed to be in a more cheerful frame of mind than -they had been for some days. Mr. Harkins was bubbling over with good -spirits. He turned to his wife in a laughing manner, and said: - -“I’ve got a surprise for you this morning--a bit of good news that will -make you feel good.” - -“What is it?” asked the wife curiously. - -“Simply that I have the money and I am going to pay off that obligation -to John Black before the clock strikes another hour.” - -The poor woman was so overjoyed at this unexpected news that she ran -over and gave her husband a hearty kiss. - -“This is good news, David,” she said. “How on earth did you manage to -raise the money in such a short time?” - -“Oh ho!” he replied merrily; “it’s news you are after, is it? Well you -can’t have it just now. This money came from a gentleman who is a very -good friend of mine. His name will have to remain a secret for the -present at least.” - -Herbert sat and listened to this conversation with a feeling of dismay. -He felt like crying out and telling his father that he had been present -at the mysterious midnight interview and had heard things that were not -intended for his ears; but his lips refused to frame the words, and he -sat there feeling very mean and very guilty. Finally both conscience -and curiosity got the better of him. He made up his mind to confess -his little indiscretion--for it was not anything more serious than an -indiscretion--and then to ask his father to tell him the name of the -strange man who had appeared at such an unusual hour and under such -unusual circumstances. Mr. Harkins had his hat and coat on preparing to -leave the house when Herbert arose from the table and said to him in a -voice that quivered with nervousness: - -“Father, I could not sleep last night.” - -“I am very sorry to hear that, my son,” was the kindly reply. “Probably -you are not feeling well. You had better stop in and see Dr. Smith on -your way from school this afternoon.” - -“No, no; it’s not that,” stammered Herbert; “it’s something I want to -tell you. When I found that I could not sleep I got out of bed--” - -“I am in a hurry now, Herbert,” exclaimed his father, talking very -rapidly and moving towards the door. “I must get down and see Mr. -Coke. You can tell me this story when you come home from school this -afternoon.” - -And the next moment the street door closed with a bang and Mr. Harkness -was on his way to the bank. Herbert sat down in a chair feeling very -much disappointed. He felt somehow or other that his father had become -involved, and if he had been able to speak, that much mystery might -have been dissipated. - - - - -CHAPTER V IN WHICH DAVID HARKINS BECOMES THE VICTIM OF PECULIAR -CIRCUMSTANCES - - -David Harkins left his home that morning, walking rapidly and gaily -humming a tune to himself. He felt better and happier than he had -for many weeks before. The thought of canceling the note and freeing -himself from the obligation which he was under to John Black lifted an -immense weight from his mind and enabled him to take a cheerful view -of life. As he walked along he mentally matured plans for increasing -his income during the year to come and placing his family in a position -where they would not be compelled to feel concerned regarding the -future. - -In a few minutes he reached the office of Horace Coke, the lawyer, who -was installed in a little second story room of a modest house on the -main street. The apartment was very much like the lawyer--simple and -old-fashioned, but entirely adequate for the needs of the law. There -was a plain, flat-top desk, littered with legal papers. An office boy -who hoped eventually to become a member of the bar, sat copying a -deed; and the silence in the room was broken by the steady scratching -of his pen. The shelves about the room were filled with law books -covered with calfskin and bearing their titles in little gold letters -on a slip of black over what might be called their backbones. Mr. Coke -himself was puffing away at a big black cigar--which, by the way, -was his only dissipation. He was looking over some papers when David -Harkins entered the room, but jumped from his chair immediately and -greeted the newcomer with a hearty: - -“Hello there, Dave! What’s bringing you out so early in the morning?” - -“Some legal business, Horace,” replied the other laughingly. - -“I am sorry to hear that,” said the venerable attorney, shaking his -head in a doubtful manner. “I always advise my friends to keep out of -the law. It’s a bad business. It takes up all your money, and rarely -gives you any good results.” - -“That sounds like queer talk for a man who depends on the law for his -livelihood.” - -Horace Coke laughed heartily at this retort, and said: - -“It does sound queer, doesn’t it? But I don’t talk that way to -everybody. Of course, if people will get into trouble and will invoke -the law, I might as well take their money and attend to their business -as the next one; but I satisfy my conscience by advising all of my -friends to keep out of the law, because as I said before, it’s a mighty -bad business.” - -Then the good-natured counsellor dropped into his chair and indulged in -another hearty laugh. It was one of the oddities of his nature that he -should be continually berating the profession of which he was such an -ornament and for which he really had a deep reverence. - -“But not to get off the subject,” added Mr. Harkins, “I would like to -inform you that I have come here to pay off that note to John Black. -Under ordinary circumstances I would go to the bank to transact this -business; but as long as Mr. Black has found it necessary to employ a -lawyer to secure his money, I felt that it was proper to come here and -pay you.” - -The lawyer looked at David Harkins searchingly through his eye-glasses. -He was silent for a moment, and then said in a low voice, in marked -contrast with his jolly manner of a few minutes before: - -“See here, Dave, can you spare this money? I don’t believe you can, and -I hate to see a man pressed. If you say the word, I’ll go over to old -Black and try to get an extension on the note.” - -“Not at all,” was the cheerful rejoinder. “I do not desire an -extension; I want to pay it and get it off my mind forever.” - -Mr. Coke walked over to Harkins and taking him by the hand, exclaimed -in his cheery voice: - -“Congratulations, old man! I am glad to hear you talk in that way, and -I am mighty glad to know that you were able to raise the money in such -a short time. It will not only be a good thing to pay off the note, but -it will be the means of establishing your credit in Cleverly. There’s -nothing like a reputation for a man, and if you can get a good one it -is liable to stick to you just as well as a bad one.” - -The two men sat down at the desk together, and after the necessary -papers had been prepared and signed, Mr. Harkins handed over one -thousand dollars in fresh banknotes. - -Half an hour later the lawyer put his hat and coat on and started -towards the bank where he had an appointment with John Black. The door -was closed when he arrived; but following his usual custom he entered -without knocking. The banker’s back was turned to him at the time, and -when he heard the door open and close, Mr. Black cried out in a harsh -voice: - -“Who’s that? What are you doing there?” - -“It is only I, John,” said the lawyer. “I came here to attend to a -little matter of business.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed the banker, changing his tone slightly at the sight of -the lawyer. “I thought it was one of those impudent clerks coming in -here without being civil enough to knock at the door.” - -After this he started to walk up and down the office, stamping his feet -and frowning in a very ugly manner. His expression was forbidding, and -Mr. Coke looked at him in astonishment. - -“What’s the matter, Black?” asked the lawyer. “You don’t seem to be in -a very good humor this morning.” - -“Good humor? I should say not. I’ve got a good notion to leave this -town. A man’s property isn’t safe over night. You get no protection. -You pay big taxes and put up with all sorts of inconveniences, and what -do you get in return? That’s what I would like to know; what do you get -in return?” - -“Why what in the world are you driving at?” asked the lawyer; “what has -happened?” - -“Happened? Why everything’s happened. Some thief entered my house last -night, got into the library, broke open my desk and stole a package of -money that I had put there for safe keeping over night. What do you -think of that? Wouldn’t you say that something had happened if your -house had been broken into and your desk had been rifled? Wouldn’t you, -I say? Wouldn’t you?” - -“Why, yes,” said the lawyer, staring at his client. “I suppose I should -say that something had happened under those circumstances. But have -you any clue to the robbery?” - -“Clue! Clue!” retorted the banker, with his habit of repeating words. -“Certainly not. How could you expect me to have a clue in a town like -this? The police officials are no good, never were any good, and never -will be any good.” - -“But have you any hope of recovering your money?” - -“Hope? Certainly I have hope. I am going to recover that money if it -costs every other cent that I have in the world. I don’t propose to sit -down like a lamb and be fleeced. Do you think that I am that kind of a -man? Do you?” - -“No,” said the lawyer, “I do not. I am very sorry to hear about your -loss; but I don’t suppose there is any use crying over spilt milk.” - -“Spilt milk! What do you mean by that? How can you talk about a large -amount of money as if it were spilt milk? What do you mean anyhow?” - -“Oh,” said the lawyer, “that was simply a little illustration of mine. -You see the moral is a good one.” - -“Hump! I don’t think it’s good at all, and I don’t like to hear you -talk in that way.” Then after a momentary pause, “But what is it you -want? Why did you come here?” - -“I came with some good news,” said the lawyer. “David Harkins called -on me this morning and paid off that note of a thousand dollars, and I -have brought the money to you.” - -The crafty face of the banker lighted up with surprise at this -announcement. It was so unexpected that he hardly knew what to say in -reply. Finally he managed to remark: - -“Paid you? Paid you this morning, did he? I wonder where he got the -money.” - -“I am sure I do not know,” said the lawyer, “and really I don’t think -it makes much difference as long as you get the amount of your note.” - -The two men sat down at the desk together, and the lawyer, after some -preliminary remarks, handed over the money to the banker. The minute it -was laid before him he jumped with a start. - -“Why, this is all new money,” he exclaimed. “That’s just the kind of -money that was taken from me last night. I don’t believe Dave Harkins -came by that money honestly. It makes him look like a thief. It was -probably done by that smart boy of his.” - -“I wouldn’t say that,” cried the lawyer, trying to pacify the banker. - -“But I will say it. Both father and son have a grudge against me, and I -don’t believe they would hesitate at anything to get even.” - -“But my dear sir,” remarked the lawyer in a soothing tone, “you have -made a very rash assertion, and you have absolutely nothing to base it -upon.” - -John Black was silent for a moment, and then suddenly turning around, -he said in a harsh tone: - -“Did you get that money direct from David Harkins?” - -“I did,” was the response. - -“Then,” exclaimed the banker in a tone of triumph, “that proves my -suspicion. The money that was taken out of my desk consisted of ten -$100 bills, and the money you have just given me is made up exactly of -ten $100 bills. That satisfies me.” - -“It is a coincidence,” admitted the lawyer. - -“Coincidence,” snorted the banker, “it’s sufficient to convict the man. -It satisfies me, and it ought to be enough to satisfy any other man -with brains.” - -“I wouldn’t be too hasty,” suggested the lawyer. “There is nothing to -be gained by acting in that manner.” - -“Hasty? Don’t talk about being hasty. I am going to have justice no -matter who is injured; and I don’t want to be soft-soaped out of doing -the right thing. I am going to act, and I am going to act quickly.” - -“But, my dear sir,” said the lawyer, persisting in his objections, -“you must have proof; don’t you understand that? You must have proof -before you can accuse a man.” - -John Black was in a terrible rage by this time. He paced up and down -the office rapidly, and then standing in front of the lawyer and -raising his finger in a threatening way, exclaimed: - -“I’ll have proof all right. The proof will be a warrant for the arrest -of David Harkins on the charge of stealing my money.” - -“I am sorry to hear you talk that way,” said the lawyer, “I think you -are making a mistake. But, however, you are master of your own actions. -When do you propose to do this?” - -“Within twenty-four hours,” replied the other solemnly. “If you want -to, you can serve a warning on Dave Harkins, and if he will restore my -money at once I may be merciful to him; but if not, he must take the -consequences. In any event he will have to make up his mind within the -next twenty-four hours.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI IN WHICH DAVID HARKINS QUITS THIS LIFE AND TAKES HIS SECRET -WITH HIM - - -News travels quickly in a small town. Before breakfast the following -morning it was very generally reported that John Black had been robbed, -and that he was going to issue a warrant for the arrest of David -Harkins. The report shocked most of those who heard it. John Black was -a hard man, and more than one of the citizens of Cleverly had felt the -force of his iron hand. - -He worked incessantly, and never spent a penny unless it was absolutely -necessary. Such a man may be considered just; but he is bound to be -unpopular. David Harkins, on the contrary, was well liked by all who -knew him. He was on the best of terms with his neighbors, and always -had time for a kind word to everyone he met--man, woman and child. - -The people therefore were disposed to suspend judgment until they had -heard both sides of the story. While David Harkins was at the table -Horace Coke drove up, and asked to have a minute’s conversation. As -soon as they were alone he said hastily: - -“Have you heard the rumors?” - -“I have,” responded Harkins, “and I consider them scandalous. I wonder -where such malicious stories could originate?” - -“That’s easily told,” replied the lawyer. “They come from no less a -person than John Black.” - -“How dare he say such things!” exclaimed Harkins with passion. - -For answer the lawyer told him the details of his interview with the -banker and the singular likeness between the banknotes that had been -stolen and the money which had been used to pay off the note. - -David Harkins listened in astonishment, and when Coke had concluded, -said: - -“But even that doesn’t justify Black in slandering me.” - -“Certainly not; but you must agree that the coincidence is not only -remarkable, but could be construed as suspicious.” - -“But my part of the transaction was perfectly straight.” - -“I’m sure of that,” responded Coke with fervor, “and that’s why I’m -here this morning. Let me state the case in a nutshell. You have been -foolish enough to make an enemy of a powerful and wealthy man. You have -borrowed money of him. He demands the payment of the money from you in -the belief that you are penniless and cannot comply with his demand. -His house is entered and robbed of a thousand dollars. The next morning -you pay him a thousand dollars in bills identical to those stolen from -him.” - -“But there are thousands of such bills in circulation.” - -“True; but the thing for you to do is to shut the mouth of gossip at -once. That can be done in a very simple manner. All you have to do is -to prove what is known in the law as an alibi. Tell where you got the -money and produce the man who gave it to you.” - -Harkins shook his head sadly at this. - -“Your suggestion seems simple enough; but I fear I cannot comply with -it.” - -“Why not?” in manifest astonishment. - -“Because it was given to me in confidence and with the understanding -that the name of the donor should not be divulged.” - -“But it came from a friend?” - -“One of the best I have in the world.” - -“Well, he would surely not permit you to rest under a shadow for the -sake of a foolish promise. Go to him at once and get a release from -your pledge to silence.” - -“I’m afraid it’s too late,” said Harkins gravely. “He was to start for -England this very day. However, your advice is good. I’ll hire a team -and try to reach him. If I succeed I will report to you this afternoon.” - -As soon as Mr. Coke departed, Herbert made an effort to tell his father -the story of his indiscretion in listening at the doorway on the -occasion of the midnight visit of the mysterious stranger. But once -again Mr. Harkins was too busy to stop and listen, and father and son -parted without that exchange of confidence which would have done so -much to clear up an embarrassing situation. Mr. Harkins went to the -nearest livery stable and soon had a one-horse buggy harnessed and -ready for the road. He told no one his destination, but whipping up the -horse, passed down the main streets, out into the outskirts of the town -and was soon lost to view. - -It was late in the afternoon when he returned, and then the wheels -of the carriage were covered with mud and the horse was covered with -lather as if he had traveled far and fast that day. There was a -careworn look about David Harkins’ eyes and a drooping of the lips that -betokened disappointment. He drove back over the same streets whence he -had taken his departure in the morning, nodding pleasantly to several -acquaintances he passed on the way. - -Just when he was in sight of the livery stable, a sudden gust of wind -raised a cloud of dust that blinded animals and pedestrians alike. This -was followed by another, and the second squall carried in its wake a -batch of old newspapers and sent them eddying about in the air like -some strange craft in a whirlpool. One of the papers struck the horse -square in the eye. The animal, already frightened by the wind and dust, -raised up on its haunches and gave a shrill neigh. Harkins grasping -the reins tightly, pulled it down to earth again. But the moment the -horse’s feet struck the ground it darted off like a flash and went -tearing down the street at an insane gait. The driver kept cool and -self contained. Standing on the floor of the carriage and leaning over -the dashboard he pulled at the lines with all his strength. - -Just when he felt that the animal was being brought into subjection, -the lines gave a snap and broke, leaving him thrown back on the seat -with two useless bits of leather in his hand. He was as helpless as -a seaman without a rudder, or more so. The horse released from the -grasp of the driver, redoubled its speed and kept on its way like mad. -Harkins, now alarmed, considered the advisability of jumping out of -the vehicle in order to avert a worse fate. But while he was debating -the situation the horse solved it for him. Coming to a cross street it -swerved in its furious career and turned the corner. The suddenness of -the move swung the buggy from one side of the street to the other, and -on its rebound it struck an iron lamp-post, smashing the frail vehicle -to pieces and throwing David Harkins head first on to the sidewalk. - -A crowd collected immediately and several men hurried to the assistance -of the stricken man. He was insensible, and his breath came in short, -sharp gasps. A stretcher was procured, and he was carried to his -home. A physician was telephoned for, and he arrived at the home -simultaneously with the men who were carrying the prostrate form. The -doctor worked unceasingly for nearly an hour, and at the end of that -time announced that his patient must have absolute quiet and that no -one must attempt to speak to him for the present. - -Horace Coke, who had arrived at the house, was very much distressed -over the accident and showed especial pain over the doctor’s order. - -“Doctor,” he said, “couldn’t I ask him one question?” - -“My dear sir,” answered the physician pityingly, “you can do as you -please; but the instant you or anyone else disobeys my orders I will -give this case up and will not answer for the consequences.” - -“Is it that bad?” asked the lawyer. - -“It couldn’t be worse,” replied the doctor; “he only regained -consciousness a few minutes ago. I succeeded in putting him into a -light slumber. If he rests undisturbed for an hour I may save his life.” - -Herbert slipped quietly out of the room while the two men were speaking. - -“He is still sleeping,” he said to the doctor. - -The doctor shot a sharp glance at the boy. - -“I hope you didn’t attempt to speak to him,” rather sternly. - -“Certainly not,” replied Herbert, flushing up at this reflection upon -his good sense. Slowly, slowly, the minutes ticked by. - -A few of the neighbors remained in the parlor. The doctor and Mrs. -Harkins alone remained in the sick room. A half hour elapsed. It began -to look as if the life might be saved. - -Presently the door opened and a young girl attired in a dark suit -entered the room. Although youthful, she had the air of restfulness -usually found only in persons of more mature years. She had great black -eyes now full of sympathy with those in the room. Her dark, glossy hair -parted in the middle, emphasized the extreme whiteness of her broad -forehead. This was Mary Black, daughter of the banker, and sister of -Arthur Black. She glanced about the apartment until her glance rested -upon Herbert, and going up to him, put her hand in his with such -frankness and tenderness as to bring tears to his eyes. He stepped to -one side of the room. She was the first to speak. - -“Herbert, I feel for you very, very much,” she said in a low, melodious -voice. “Mother would not rest until I had come over here to inquire how -your father was getting on. Indeed we all feel for you and your mother -very much. Father was anxious also.” - -She was quick to see that Herbert’s face clouded up at the mention of -her father, and hastened to add: - -“That is what I wished to speak about particularly. I know that your -father and my father had words; but I can assure you that there is no -ill feeling on father’s part now. I talked with him long and earnestly, -and he finally consented to permit me to come over here and say this to -your father. The moment he is able to see anyone, I want to tell him -this.” - -“You are an angel,” murmured Herbert. “I don’t thank your father for -this visit, but I am very, very grateful to you.” - -Just then Mrs. Harkins stepped out of the room, and Mary made haste to -repeat to her what she had already told Herbert. The face of the older -woman softened at the kind words that were poured into her ears, and in -a moment the girl and the mother were in each other’s arms, indulging -in one of those crys which do so much to relieve the tension of grief -and sorrow. - -But Mary Black did not waste much time in useless tears. She quickly -dried her eyes, and turning to Mrs. Harkins, said with energy: - -“Now, I’m going to make myself useful; tell me what to do first.” - -Mrs. Harkins smiled through her tears at this manifestation of -industry. But she felt relieved to know that feminine hands and -feminine eyes would be in charge of her house while she remained at -the bedside of her stricken husband. Mary Black, during that hour of -anxiety and for many days afterward, proved herself a genuine angel of -mercy. Those who gazed at her knew that while her nature was kind and -gentle she was yet resolute and determined. - -The minutes went by and those who were assembled in the outer room -kept anxious watch on the door leading to the sick chamber. All -instinctively realized that a crisis was at hand, and that it was to -be decided very shortly. Presently there was a movement within and the -doctor came out, supporting Mrs. Harkins on his shoulder. A hush went -over the little circle. - -“What is it, doctor?” asked Mr. Coke, voicing the question that hung -unspoken on the lips of all the others. - -The doctor looked at his questioner in silence for a moment, and then -said impressively: - -“He is dead!” - -A convulsive sob from the newly made widow brought Mary Black and some -of the neighbors to her side in an instant. While they were leading the -weeping woman up to her room, the doctor noted the questioning look in -Mr. Coke’s eyes. - -“It came very suddenly,” he said; “all was over in an instant. He died -without opening his lips.” - -Herbert, who was standing in the rear of the room unobserved, heard -this with blanched face and parched throat. He realized that the death -of his father marked an epoch in his life. He felt that he had lost his -dearest friend. Yet the tears would not come to his strained, glassy -eyes. He was amazed that his heart beat on as before. All that he was -conscious of was a strange, unnatural feeling of numbness. - - - - -CHAPTER VII IN WHICH HERBERT MEETS ADVERSITY AND LEARNS THE MEANING OF -HARD WORK - - -The Harkins home was a very desolate place for many days after the -funeral. Mary Black remained with the family for several days, moving -about noiselessly and attending to the multitude of details which would -otherwise go neglected at such a sad period. After the first sharp -grief had worn away, Herbert and his mother sat down and talked over -their prospects for the future. Mr. Harkins had been prudent enough to -leave a small insurance policy, made out to the order of Mrs. Harkins, -and this money proved to be of immediate assistance to the widow. - -Mrs. Harkins was a firm believer in the value of education, and felt -that it was her duty to give Herbert all the schooling that was -possible even if it was necessary to make a personal sacrifice to do -so. She insisted upon his going to school for at least a year after the -death of his father. He did so and made gratifying progress; but he was -now old enough to appreciate the responsibility that rested upon him -as an only son, so just before the close of the school term he went to -his mother and said: - -“See here, mother, I’ve got to help you. There is no possible way out -of it. If I can do so and continue going to school, all right; if not, -I will never return to the school.” - -“What you say is probably true, my boy,” replied his mother; “but the -question is what to do and how to do it.” - -“Well, suppose we settle it now,” said Herbert resolutely. - -“Can’t we postpone the thing for a day or so?” asked Mrs. Harkins -anxiously. - -“Yes,” responded Herbert, “we could; but there is nothing like doing -to-day, instead of postponing until to-morrow.” - -“In that case,” said his mother, “I think you had better continue going -to school until the close of the present term, at least.” - -“That’s bully!” exclaimed Herbert heartily. “I am going to put my mind -on my studies, and I don’t think I’ll be a blockhead when the term is -over.” - -“That’s true,” responded his mother sadly. “But there is another -feature of the case that gives me great sorrow.” - -“What is it?” asked Herbert. - -“Your college education,” replied his mother. “You know it was your -father’s fondest wish, as well as my own, that after leaving the -Cleverly School you should take the four year course at St. Joseph’s -College. I don’t see how it can be done now.” - -Herbert hung his head and said nothing. The necessity of abandoning -this cherished project was a severer blow to him than he was willing -to admit to his mother. He had dreamed of a professional career and -often thought that if he were able to go through the College he would -be fitted to take the necessary examination for either the legal or the -medical profession. But now his dream was over; he was an only son, -and his duty to his mother was clear. Mr. and Mrs. Harkins were the -parents of three other children; but each of these had died in early -infancy; and now the great heap of earth which covered the remains of -the lamented father of the house was in close proximity to the three -little mounds which were watered and kept green by the tender care and -love which only a mother can understand and give. Herbert thought of -all these things as he sat silent that day. Presently he lifted his -head and spoke to his mother. - -“Mother, I am old enough to understand my duty. I wanted to go to the -College very, very much; but now I know that it is impossible. We must -meet adversity, and meet it bravely.” - -Her only answer was to embrace the boy who was acquiring manliness at -such a rapid rate. - -The school question for the term having been settled, the next question -was to consider what steps could be taken to increase their very small -income. The subject having been opened, was discussed at various times -during the next two weeks. There was a twenty acre farm adjoining the -little home of the Harkins. It came up against the little vegetable -garden which Mr. Harkins had cultivated with care and profit during -his lifetime. The tenant of the large tract had been unfortunate, and -he was anxious to sub-let his lease for a very modest sum of money. -Herbert consulted with Mr. Coke, the lawyer, regarding the matter, and -after some days it was decided to purchase the lease, which had about -two years to run. - -The first step in the new life was the engaging of a farmhand to do -the heavy work on the twenty acre tract. A reliable, industrious -man was secured for a very reasonable amount of wages; but with the -understanding that he would be kept for at least two years. The work -was begun under pleasant auspices. After it had proceeded a few weeks, -it was decided that Herbert should get as much schooling as he could -in the meantime. It must be admitted that he attended school rather -irregularly during this period. It was at this time of his life that -he learned in a manner never to be forgotten that this is a world of -hard work. Often he got out of bed before dawn in order to ride the -horse to plough among the growing corn, potatoes and hops. The program -was to get as much ploughed by ten o’clock in the morning as could be -hoed during the remainder of that day. After this Herbert would start -for school, where he sometimes arrived as the afternoon session was -half through. In winter his work was lighter, but the snow was often -deep and drifted. The cold was intense, the north wind piercing and his -clothing so thin that he felt real discomfort. - -At night, when his work was over and he had a spare hour, he made it a -habit to study the art of debating. The first book he ever owned was -the “Columbian Orator,” which was given to him by his uncle one winter -as he lay very sick with the measles. In the natural order of things -Herbert soon became recognized as the head of the house, and his mother -leaned on him for advice and accepted his decisions without question. -At the end of the first year, when Herbert balanced his carefully kept -accounts, he found that they had come out just even. It was a little -bit discouraging to find that they had made no profit from their hard -work; but it was a real consolation to know that there had been no -further drain upon the small amount of money which Mrs. Harkins had -laid aside from her husband’s insurance policy. - -At the beginning of the second year of farming, Herbert learned to -his amazement that the man from whom they had purchased the unexpired -lease owed money to a number of tradesmen for implements and supplies. -These men came to him and demanded the payment of their claims; but he -was neither able nor willing to satisfy them. Herbert and his man had -finished their summer tilling and their haying when a heavy rain set in -near the end of August. The dreary character of the weather seemed to -fill him with a foreboding of approaching calamity. One night Mr. Coke -came to him with tidings that their ill fortune was about to culminate. -The following morning the sheriff and some other officials, with two -or three of the principal creditors, appeared and after formally -demanding payment of their claims, proceeded to levy on the farm stock, -implements, household effects and other worldly possessions, coupled -with a threat of arrest and imprisonment for the original tenant who -was invisible for some days. - -Herbert and his mother stopped with a friendly neighbor while the -work of levying went on. In the meantime Mr. Coke had not been idle. -He denounced the proceedings as an outrage, saying that it was wrong -both in law and morals to hold Herbert and his mother responsible for -the faults or crimes of another. He did more than protest, however. -He acted and acted promptly. He went into court, explained the matter -very clearly to the Judge, and succeeded in obtaining an order by which -the levy was stopped. Herbert and his mother immediately resumed their -old life; but at the end of the year both decided that it would be -advisable to quit farming, which in their circumstances offered little -return for the hard labor involved. - -The hired man, who had proven himself to be an unusually efficient -and industrious man, still had two months of his time to run. He -generously offered to release Herbert from this obligation; but the boy -had inherited his father’s trait of pluck and manliness, declined to -accept the offer. He had heard that one of the merchants in the town -who had purchased a large amount of ground on the other side of the -railroad, was anxious to have someone undertake the job of clearing -up fifty acres of the wildest land. Herbert informed his assistant of -that fact, and said that if he was willing to undertake the work he -would guarantee to give him all that they had contracted to pay in the -beginning. It was in November, and when the man and boy started to work -the snow was just going and the water and slush in some places were -knee deep. - -Both were resolute, but they were indifferent choppers compared -with those who usually grapple with forests, and the job looked so -formidable that farmers and others passing along the turnpike were -accustomed to halt and predict that Herbert would be a grown man -before he saw the end of the job. But his fighting blood was up and he -determined to plod along without rest until the work was accomplished. -So they continued cutting trees and bushes, chopping up grown trunks -into small lengths, digging out rotten pines from the soil where they -had imbedded themselves, burning the brush and worthless sticks, and -carting home such wood as served for fuel. So they persevered until -the job was finally completed. Herbert received $200 for the work; and -after paying the hired man the $60 that was his due he had $140 left -to put in the family fund. There was still a balance to their credit. -Herbert was very glad the work was finished. At times he felt that -he would give way under the strain, but pluckily refused to do so. -Frequently at night the sharp lances of the Canadian thistles had to be -dug out of his festered feet with needles; but he had the stuff in him -of which successful men are made. However, two years of this sort of -toil were sufficient, and at the end of that time he cheerfully marked -“the end” at the conclusion of his experience at farming. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII HERBERT BECOMES AMBITIOUS AND IS FASCINATED BY THE SMELL -OF PRINTERS’ INK - - -From the time that he was first able to spell and connect one word -with another, Herbert was fascinated by the sight of a printed page. -If he saw a circular or a fragment of newspaper on the sidewalk he was -impelled to pick it up and read its contents. The weekly paper was a -rare treat to him and he perused its columns from the first page to the -last, until he knew the contents almost by heart. The sight of a book -of fiction or adventure or biography was one of the greatest joys on -earth to him, and he eagerly devoured everything of that kind that came -in his way. Early in his school-days he had written little essays which -after being read in secret, many times, were finally consigned to the -flames as being unworthy of publicity. - -The town, among its other places and things of interest, possessed a -weekly newspaper known as the Cleverly Banner. Herbert never passed the -office of this newspaper without being filled with a wild desire to -be on the inside instead of the outside of the building. Frequently -he stood looking in the window watching the old-fashioned press as it -slowly ground out the regular weekly edition. Once or twice he had -occasion to call at the office of the Banner with reference to some -printing that was being done there, and on such occasions he was thrown -into transports of delight. The smell of the ink, the sound of the -presses, and the sight of the freshly printed pages sent him into an -ecstacy that was almost heavenly in its pleasure. - -When he decided to quit farming his eye and heart unconsciously turned -towards the little newspaper office. One morning he heard that an -apprentice was needed there, he hastened to make application for the -position. The building occupied by the Banner set back on a little -lot facing the main street of the town. It was a two story and a half -dwelling, and an old faded wooden sign over the doorway announced the -name of the paper and informed the residents that “Job printing of all -kinds could be furnished on short notice.” The building itself was half -rotted away from age and want of paint. One editor and one owner after -another had succeeded to the Banner; but it had never occurred to any -of them that it would be a good stroke of business policy to repair or -at least paint the exterior of the building. - -The first floor of the Banner office was taken up with a little -counter where such business as was transacted with the public might -be cared for. The remainder of the room was occupied by a very -large old-fashioned printing press. It worked very slowly, and as a -consequence had to go steadily two or three days a week in order to -turn out the edition of the paper. The second floor, which resembled a -hay loft more than a place of business, was utilized as the editorial -and composing room. An old-fashioned stove in the centre of the room -threw out a heat that made the apartment decidedly uncomfortable at -times. A big, sleek cat dozing placidly beneath this stove was one of -the permanent fixtures of the room. - -It was quite early in the morning when Herbert called at the Banner -office, and he did not find anyone on the first floor. He rapped on -the counter to attract attention, and presently a voice from upstairs -called out in clear, loud tones: - -“Come upstairs.” - -He climbed up the rude stairway slowly, and finally emerged into the -editorial and composing room. An elderly man sat in an old-fashioned -armchair in front of a little desk with its top sloping very much like -the desks used in some schools. He was writing rapidly and pausing -every now and then to dip his pen into a big ink-pot which stood by -his side. Visitors to the Banner office were well acquainted with -that enormous ink-stand. It had been used by the various editors from -the time of the foundation of the Banner and went back so far that its -origin must finally have been lost in the mists of antiquity. When -the industrious writer had finished a sentence or a paragraph to his -satisfaction he wheeled about in his chair and expectorated a mouthful -of tobacco juice into an ample cuspidor which stood on the other side -of the desk. He had a shock of snow white hair, very much in disorder, -caused no doubt from his habit of running his fingers through his hair -when in search of a fugitive thought. He was in his shirt sleeves, -which was his usual habit, for he always protested that it was not -possible for a man to do his best work harnessed up in a coat and vest. -Such was Noah Brooks, the editor of the Cleverly Banner, and one of the -characters of the town. He looked up from his work as Herbert entered, -and said: - -“Hello there, young man! What can I do for you?” - -“I want you to give me a job,” said Herbert simply. - -This reply seemed to amaze the editor, for he laid down his pen, pushed -back his chair, and placing his feet on the desk before him, looked at -Herbert with a good-natured smile. It seemed almost a minute before he -spoke. When he did it was to say: - -“So you want a job, do you? Well, that’s a laudable ambition; but I am -afraid you have come to the wrong place.” - -“I am sorry to hear that,” said Herbert. - -Noah Brooks looked at Herbert again before replying, and then moving -slightly and raising the index finger of his right hand, he pointed to -the rear of the room and said: - -“Do you see those fellows over there?” - -Herbert looked around and saw a man engaged in setting type, while a -boy with a great big ink roller in one hand was engaged in taking a -proof of a circular that was about to be printed. - -“Yes sir,” he answered obediently; “I see them.” - -“Well, do you know,” said the old gentleman with a chuckle, “that about -all those two fellows do is to sit around and wait for Saturday night -in order to draw their salaries.” - -The humor of this seemed to appeal to the speaker so strongly that -he had to pause and engage in a hearty laugh before proceeding. The -man and the boy did not appear to be offended. On the contrary, they -laughed too, as if they were accustomed to the good-natured jests of -their employer. - -“I am very sorry,” said Herbert, breaking the silence; “but I was -really anxious to get employment on this paper--I have long wished to -enter the newspaper business.” - -“Is that so? Do you know anything about the business?” - -“No,” said Herbert; “I am entirely ignorant of it; but I felt that I -could learn.” - -“That’s the way to talk,” was the hearty reply. “The only way to learn -to do a thing is to do it. I think you would pan out all right in an -office of this kind; but I am sorry to say we have no opening at the -present time.” - -Herbert said “Good-by” quietly; but once out of the building he felt -very much depressed at his failure to secure a situation. He did -not tell his mother of his adventure, not wishing to annoy her with -anything that was not of a cheerful nature. During the next few months -he managed to earn a small amount of money by odd bits of employment -that were furnished to him through Horace Coke, the lawyer; but as he -had no taste for the law he did not feel very much encouraged over this -occasional work. His mind still dwelt upon the newspaper business. - -One evening he wrote a little item describing an entertainment given at -the Cleverly High School, and mailed it to the office of the Banner, -without indicating the name or address of the writer. After he had -sent this little message on its way, he was figuratively speaking, on -pins and needles until the next issue of the Cleverly Banner should -appear. On the date of its regular issue, he hurried home in order to -get the paper as soon as possible. He was disappointed. It had not -arrived. Unable to wait, he rushed to the post office, and securing -the paper, he eagerly tore off the wrapping and opened the page which -contained the local news. What he found there caused his face to -flush scarlet. The little item that he had written with such care was -reproduced, word for word, as he had penned it, without a change of any -kind. He felt so glad that he could have shouted for joy. Several other -persons were in the post office, and he looked around at them as if to -see whether they had read his secret; but apparently no one was paying -any attention to him. He walked home in a fever of happiness, and it -was only by the strongest effort on his part that he refrained from -telling his mother about the incident. - -Naturally he continued to send little items to the paper from week -to week. Sometimes they failed to appear. On such occasions he felt -a sense of loss and disappointment that was far out of proportion to -the importance of the subject. But when the paragraphs did appear that -feeling of elation and joy returned to him on each occasion. - -Finally he determined to call at the office of the Banner once more. It -was just possible that there might be an opening, and he made up his -mind not to miss it merely for the sake of asking. The venerable editor -with the snow white hair was in his place as usual. He recognized -Herbert immediately, and cried out: - -“Hello young man! I see you are here again.” - -“Yes sir,” replied Herbert. “I do not want to be a bore, but I felt -that it would be all right to inquire whether an opportunity had arisen -by which I could secure employment on the Banner.” - -Once again the old man looked at him in that quizzical manner. - -“Perseverance wins, boy,” he said, “and you have won. I do need -somebody. My apprentice has left me very suddenly, and I think I can -make use of you. He only got four dollars a week. I know that will be -pretty small for you; but I can afford to give you six dollars, and if -you are willing to take it the job is yours.” - -Herbert could not conceal the pleasure that he felt. - -“I will be delighted to accept,” he said. “When do you want me to -begin, and what may my duties be?” - -“You can begin to-morrow morning at eight o’clock,” was the response; -“and your duties at first will consist of sweeping out the office, -serving the Banner every week, working the printing press, and making -yourself generally useful. That does not sound very poetic, does it? -But you will find that it will prove a very useful discipline and may -be valuable to you later in life.” - -Herbert began his work the following morning and did everything in his -power to give satisfaction to his employer. If he swept out the office, -he did it so carefully as to win the praise of the journeyman printer. -When he served the papers, he did it with such accuracy as to merit -the approval of the editor. This continued for several weeks, and at -the end of that time he began to contribute little local items to the -paper, much to the satisfaction of Mr. Brooks. In the meantime Mr. -Anderson had opened a night school in the town, and Herbert resolved to -attend the sessions of this school in order to perfect his education as -much as possible. - -Towards the close of the winter Mr. Brooks complimented Herbert by -authorizing him to write the Irvington letter for the Banner. Irvington -was the adjoining town, and by this new arrangement Herbert had to go -there for the items regularly every week. He walked there and back in -mid-winter in order to obtain this copy, and although the weather -was sometimes very severe, he never complained. Under his arrangement -with Mr. Brooks, he was to remain at the office of the Cleverly Banner -until he was twenty years of age. Incidentally he was initiated into -the mystery of typesetting, for the Banner, although progressive in -some ways, had not yet reached the dignity of typesetting machines. The -printing press gave him more trouble than any other part of his work. -On the days that he had to assist in working the press his hands were -blistered and his back lamed by constant stooping. Yet he was always -kindly treated by those in authority, and in return merited their -confidence and good will. - -Late one afternoon on his way home he met Mary Black, who was as sweet -and kind and tender as ever. Her first thought was about his new -position. - -“Herbert, I hear that you are connected with the Banner.” - -“Yes,” he said modestly, “that is true.” - -“Are you the editor?” - -“Not exactly.” - -“But what do you write for the paper?” - -“When I do write,” he said with a little hesitancy, “it is usually the -local paragraphs.” - -“Did you write the account of the last entertainment at the Cleverly -High School?” - -“Yes,” he replied, with an inquiring look in his eyes. - -“Oh!” she exclaimed impulsively, “I think that that was just splendid. -It was one of the nicest things I ever read.” - -Herbert flushed with conscious pride at this unexpected praise. He -tried to turn it off by saying that it was only an ordinary piece of -work; but as he walked away he had a difficult time in smothering the -feeling of pride that rose in his breast in spite of himself. He could -scarcely eat his supper that night so strong was the feeling of elation -within him, and even as late as bedtime the recollection of the praise -given him so sweetly filled him with as much delight as if he had -suddenly fallen heir to a great fortune. - - - - -CHAPTER IX HAVING BECOME A NEWSPAPER WRITER, HERBERT LOOKS FOR NEW -WORLDS TO CONQUER - - -In the early part of the winter Mr. Brooks was taken ill with what the -doctor diagnosed as grippe. He thought at first that he would be about -in a few days; but the days lengthened into weeks, and even then the -physician would not permit him to leave the house. In the beginning of -his illness the editor did a great deal of his work at home, sending -the copy to the office in time for the regular edition of the Banner. -But as time wore on the medical man frowned upon this, declaring that -it was retarding his recovery. - -One day the editor sent for Herbert, and after some questions regarding -himself and the office, said: - -“Herbert, I’m going to place a new responsibility on you. The doctor -has forbidden my doing any more writing. I want you to take my place. -I want you to write the editorials and as many of the local items as -possible. In short, I want you to manage the Banner until I am able to -be about again. Will you do it?” - -“Gladly,” replied Herbert. - -From that day he felt an added importance, although he did not show it -by act or word. He must have had a natural instinct for the newspaper -business, for everything moved along with remarkable smoothness and -despite the fact that he had to labor incessantly he was fond of his -work. - -Subscribers noticed an improvement in the Banner. The local paragraphs -became more numerous and were filled with human interest. The -editorials also were crisp and to the point. Indeed they became a -decided feature of the paper whereas they were formerly accepted as a -painful necessity. One day an old reader of the paper who came in to -renew his subscription to the paper, said: - -“I want to congratulate you on the good paper you are getting out. This -is especially true of the editorial columns. I find the comment on the -news to be short and snappy. This is much better than the long articles -which used to be more or less instructive, but generally as dull as -sermons. How do you do it? You must have some secret method. What is -it?” - -Herbert smiled at this sweeping praise. He pointed to a little motto -which hung over his desk. - -“I don’t know,” he said, “unless it is because I follow the advice on -that card.” - -The little inscription to which he pointed said simply: - -“Brevity is the soul of wit.” - -“That is as true to-day,” he remarked, “as when it was first penned by -the great poet.” - -Herbert did not tell his caller one of the means he had used to arrive -at such a desirable end. When he began writing editorials he found -himself almost unconsciously padding them out to a half column and a -column in length. He pondered long and earnestly over the means of -breaking himself of the habit. Finally he hit on a plan which was as -simple as it was effective. He cut his copy paper in such a length that -it would not hold more than eight or ten lines. When he got an idea for -an editorial comment, he endeavored to express it clearly and pointedly -in the number of words that would go on the small sheet of paper. -At first it was a very difficult task, but practice makes perfect, -and at length he found that he could do it with comparative ease and -eventually reached the state of things which had won him unstinted -praise. - -He had not been in charge of the Banner long before he realized that -the local news was the most important thing in the paper to the -people of Cleverly. Accordingly he bent all of his energies to the -improvement of that department. He pressed the postmaster into his -service. He induced some of the young men of the town to contribute, -and as a result there was not a wedding, a birth or a funeral that was -not fully reported in the Banner. He laid great stress on personal -items, taking the ground that a pleasant reference to anyone not only -interested the person mentioned, but also their relatives and friends -as well as the people of the town. If a church raised its mortgage, -or a citizen put an addition to his house, or the school gave an -entertainment it was sure to be found in the local columns. It was -not surprising, therefore, that the subscribers looked forward with -eagerness for their paper and complained bitterly if, by chance, they -failed to receive it. - -Herbert avoided rumors and scandals with scrupulous care. He made up -his mind that as long as he was at the helm such things would not find -their way into the weekly. He remembered, with bitterness, the stories -that had been circulated about his father, and while they had been well -nigh forgotten by the people of the town, they were still treasured up -in a corner of his memory. He frequently talked with his mother, and -although she gave him no encouragement, persisted in a determination to -clear his father’s name. - -“There was some strange mystery connected with father’s last day,” he -said, “and I will never rest entirely happy until it has been fully -cleared. I believe the suggestion that he stole that money was a base -calumny, but I will not be content until the world is convinced that he -was innocent.” - -His face would darken at this, and he would add: - -“And when his innocence is proved the guilt of someone else will be -established, and that person, whoever it may be, need expect no mercy -from me.” - -One day when he had been talking in this strain his mother said: - -“Herbert, I want you to drop this sort of thing. You are on the verge -of man’s estate and you should look forward and not backward. I feel -the blot on your father’s good name quite as keenly as you do, but I -would be most unhappy if I thought you would permit it to embitter your -life. This is a busy world, and the people in it--men and women--have -little time for the person who is nursing a grievance.” - -“You mean well, mother,” replied the young journalist, “but you do -not realize the feeling I have. It is not a feeling of bitterness; -it is not a grievance; it is a desire--a desire that will not be -quenched--for justice. No matter where I go or what I may do, this -desire remains with me, and some day it shall be gratified.” - -She stroked his hands fondly and looked at him with undisguised -admiration. - -“While you live your father will never die--you resemble him in more -ways than one. Go ahead and carry out your own designs. I am content to -have you do as you will.” - -In the meantime the circulation of the Banner was increasing by -leaps and bounds. The job printing office was going at full speed. -This condition of affairs began to show itself in the accounts. Noah -Brooks, who was beginning to improve in health, noticed it with evident -satisfaction. - -“Herbert,” he said when the young man visited him one day, “I am -satisfied that you have made good. I have resolved to make your salary -ten dollars a week. Probably you are worth more than that, but it is -all I can do at present.” - -“It will be gratefully accepted,” replied Herbert. “It is a proof that -you are satisfied with my work, and that is compensation in itself.” - -During this time the young man, who was soon to celebrate his -twenty-first birthday, had not neglected to advance himself in the -art of writing. He felt that this was to be his trade, and that if -a man devoted years to the work of becoming a proficient carpenter -or bricklayer there was no reason why he should not also give time -and study to the work of learning to write. He had left school, but -Mr. Anderson, who had been his devoted friend from the time he had -routed the other boys from the schoolhouse on “barring out day,” very -kindly offered to give him a special course of instruction in English -composition. By this means the long winter passed away very quickly, -and Herbert advanced rapidly in his chosen business. - -One evening when Herbert came home from his studies, a little earlier -than usual, he found Mary Black in the parlor with his mother. After -the usual cordial greetings she said timidly: - -“I hope you have forgiven us for the dreadful things that occurred -before your father’s death.” - -“We have nothing to forgive you for, Mary,” said Herbert gently. “If -there has been any obligation it is entirely on our side. I am sure -that neither mother nor I can ever forget your kindness.” - -She flushed a little at this, and then after some hesitancy, said: - -“It’s not that. I know you have only kind feelings toward me. But I -want you to be charitable to father and--and to Arthur.” - -She hung her head, and Herbert, a trifle embarrassed, made no reply. He -glanced up and noticed that her eyes were red and her face careworn. -His mother noticed the look, and quickly stepped in the breach. - -“Mary is in trouble,” she said; “Arthur left home last week and has -not been heard of since then.” - -“Oh,” cried Herbert impulsively, going up and taking her hands. “I am -very, very sorry to hear this, and if I can assist you in any way you -need only command me.” - -Her only reply was to weep quietly. Mrs. Harkins took her in her arms -and soothed her with motherly kindness. Herbert felt quite awkward at -this scene. First he stood on one foot and then on the other. Finally -for want of something to say he exclaimed: - -“You can rest assured that I have no feelings of resentment toward -your father or Arthur. I was angry with them, very angry; but I am not -vindictive.” - -He did not add that the fact that she was the daughter of one and the -sister of the other caused him to utter such a generous sentiment. - -“Have you any idea where Arthur has gone?” he asked a moment later. - -“No,” she replied; “that is what makes it so distressing. If it were -not for the uncertainty we might feel resigned.” - -“Did anyone go with him?” - -“We are not sure, but he was seen with Harry Adler just before he left.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed Herbert. “Then it’s ten to one he has gone to New -York. Adler has a perfect mania for that place.” - -“I’m sorry,” ejaculated Mrs. Harkins, “because if that’s so, Arthur is -in very bad company in a very wicked place.” - -In spite of himself, Herbert had to laugh at the vehemence with which -his mother uttered her sentiments. After some further conversation he -said: - -“I may be able to help you, Mary. You know Mr. Anderson has gone to -New York to accept a position as teacher in a private academy. I’ll -write to him and ask him to keep on the lookout for Arthur. Of course -New York is a big city and it seems like looking for a needle in a -haystack, but it’s just possible he may run across him. Anyhow it will -do no harm to try.” - -The letter was dispatched that night. As he posted it Herbert little -thought it was to be the messenger which was to summon him to newer, -higher and more responsible duties. But a kind fate which conceals -from us the misfortunes we are to undergo also hides from us the path -which is to lead to happiness and prosperity. Although Noah Brooks had -returned to the office and was able to resume his work, he insisted -that Herbert should continue the writing he had been doing so well. - -Three days later Herbert received a letter postmarked New York. He -rightly surmised that it was from Mr. Anderson. It was brief and -cordial. It said that he had heard nothing of Arthur Black, but that if -he should run across him in the future he would immediately notify the -family at Cleverly. There was a postscript to the letter, and unusual -for a man’s postscript, it contained the most important thing of all. -Mr. Anderson said that he had become acquainted with the city editor of -the Argus, one of the important daily newspapers of the metropolis, and -that he had the disposal of a position on the local staff which would -pay fifteen dollars a week at the start, with a prospect for promotion -and increased salary at an early date. The teacher said that Herbert’s -letter had reached him opportunely and that he had strongly recommended -his young friend for the position. The city editor, he added, would -give him one week in which to either accept or decline the offer. - -Herbert jumped at least two feet in the air when he had finished -reading this letter. It offered him an opportunity he had secretly -coveted for a long while. He hurried home to show the communication to -his mother. Dinner had been served and she was waiting for him. As he -took his place at the table, he tossed the envelope over to her. - -“A letter from New York,” he said. - -She read it through carefully. When she reached the postscript a shadow -crossed her face. - -“What are you going to do about it?” she asked. - -He appreciated fully the meaning of that question. He understood -that the answer to it meant either the continuance of their present -comfortable home life or a temporary painful separation. But he knew -his mother well too, and he realized from her tone and manner that she -did not intend to advise him one way or the other. She was interested -in his welfare and would let him settle the question for himself. -Nevertheless she waited, with some anxiety, for the reply. Herbert -walked over and put his arms about her shoulders as if to reassure her, -and then replied in a low tone: - -“I will make my decision within twenty-four hours.” - - - - -CHAPTER X WHICH TELLS OF HOW HERBERT CAME TO LEAVE THE TOWN OF CLEVERLY - - -As soon as he arrived at the office of the Banner on the following -morning, Herbert showed Noah Brooks the letter he had received from New -York, and said he had not yet decided whether to accept or decline the -proffer of the position on the New York Argus. - -“It is not a matter of salary, Mr. Brooks,” he said, “but the question -of my future. The prospect of an opening in the metropolis is alluring, -yet I dislike the idea of leaving Cleverly.” - -“Take your time and do the right thing, Herbert,” said the veteran -editor. “As you are aware, your time with me expired some months ago, -and your further continuance depends entirely upon yourself. I am frank -enough to say that there is not much chance of advancement here.” - -A few minutes later the young man left the office for the purpose -of transacting some business with the postmaster of the town. That -official had stepped out for the moment, but his clerk courteously -invited Herbert to take a seat in his private office and await his -return. For a few minutes the young man whiled away the time by idly -turning over the pages of some newspapers that he found upon the -postmaster’s desk. Presently his attention was attracted by the sound -of footsteps in the outside corridor. It was nearly mail time, and -people were assembling for the purpose of receiving their letters and -papers. The board partition between the private office and the outside -room was very thin, and Herbert could hear bits of conversation. He -paid no attention to them at first, but after a while the mention -of his father’s name caused him to prick up his ears in wonder. He -recognized the voices of the two speakers; one was a well-to-do farmer -named Bingham who operated an extensive place just outside of Cleverly; -the other, John Peterson, a wholesale grocer, ranked among the leading -citizens of the town. They were in a secluded corner of the post -office, and after a while their conversation became quite animated. -Bingham was doing most of the talking. He said very earnestly: - -“I always liked Dave Harkins, and it has been a standing regret with me -that the mystery of his last days was never cleared up.” - -“I have heard a great deal about that,” responded Peterson, “but I have -never been able to get head or tail of the affair. There was a mystery -sure enough, and Harkins died under a cloud; but it was never explained -to me by anyone who was in a position to talk about the matter.” - -“Well,” replied the other slowly, “I can’t say that I am an authority -on the subject; yet I know some of the facts. It seems that old man -Black took an unaccountable dislike to Dave Harkins and went to him and -insisted upon the immediate repayment of a loan that he had made some -time previous. Harkins was not supposed to have an extra dollar in the -world. Yet he paid the loan in full the following day. That night--or -rather the night before--Black’s place was broken into and a bundle -of money stolen. Now the curious part of the story is the allegation -that the money which Harkins used to pay off his debt to Black, was the -identical cash that was taken from Black’s desk the night before. That -is the shape the rumors took. For my part I don’t believe it; and yet, -unfortunately, Dave Harkins died before he could set himself straight -with the community. His wife and son have never attempted to clear the -matter up. Probably they are unable to do so. You don’t suppose that -Dave Harkins could have been tempted to take the money, do you?” - -“Lord forbid,” rejoined the other, “I believe that he was a thoroughly -honest man; but the thing is to get other people to believe the same -thing. A bit of scandal is a terrible thing; it may start out in the -beginning no bigger than the tip end of a pin; but by the time it gets -through growing it is taller than one of those skyscraping office -buildings in New York. To tell you the truth I dislike to talk about -such things. You are the first man I ever discussed the Harkins case -with. Whenever the subject is brought up--and it has been mentioned to -me once or twice--I always pooh-hooh it.” - -“What reminds you of it to-day?” inquired his companion. - -“Young Harkins,” was the prompt rejoinder. “I stopped in at the Banner -office to congratulate old man Brooks on the way that young man was -running the paper for him, and he astonished me by the news that young -Harkins was likely to leave him. He’s got an offer to go to New York -and he’s considering it just now. Do you think it is possible, Bingham, -that this story concerning his father affects his standing in the -community?” - -“Undoubtedly,” was the quick response. “A thing of that kind will never -die a natural death in a little town like this. It has either got to -be cleared up and ripped out of existence, root and branch, or it will -go on thriving until Gabriel’s trumpet summons the people to another -world.” - -“Well,” said the other speaker, “I am glad to know you believed in -Dave Harkins, because I rather liked the man myself.” - -“I believed in him as I believe in my life.” - -“What do you think of the son?” asked Bingham, after a short pause. - -“Why,” said Peterson in his nasal voice; “I kind o’ think he’s a chip -off the old block. I think if he gets a chance he will make good.” - -“So do I,” assented Bingham in a hearty voice. - -Herbert, seated behind the partition, could stand the strain no longer. -He jumped from his chair and opening the door suddenly, presented -himself to the two men. Their astonishment made them speechless. -Herbert going over to them, put out his two hands and grasping their -hardened palms, he said: - -“I have been an unintentional listener to your conversation. I have -heard all that you have said about my father and myself, and I want to -tell you that I am grateful for the belief you have expressed in his -honesty and mine.” - -“Don’t mention it,” mumbled Peterson. “I never dreamt you were near by, -or I’d been more cautious in my conversation.” - -“I am glad I heard it,” replied Herbert, with glistening eyes. “It -has uncovered the truth for me. I have had an offer from New York. I -hesitated about leaving Cleverly. I like the Banner, and I like the -place; but I find now that my duty is elsewhere. The man who gave -that money to my father left here and went straight to New York. He -has been swallowed up amid millions of other men; but I’ll find him -somewhere and in some way if it takes the rest of my life. I thank you, -gentlemen, for the things you have said. Before I heard them I was in -doubt; now everything is clear to me. My decision is made; I am off to -New York.” - -With flushed face and eager step the young man hurried from the -post office and walked rapidly down the main street. Mr. Brooks was -preparing to go to his lunch when Herbert hurried into the Banner -office. - -“I’ll see you in about an hour, Herbert,” he said smilingly. - -“If you will wait a moment I would like to speak to you now,” replied -Herbert quickly. - -“What is it?” asked the other, with an anxious look in his face. “If -it’s about New York I’d like to tell you that you can take your own -time in coming to a decision. Take a week if you need it.” - -“I don’t need a minute,” replied Herbert impetuously, “I am grateful to -you for your kindness; but my decision is already made. I am going to -New York, and I am going at the earliest possible moment.” - -Mr. Brooks expressed the regret that he felt and then left the young -man. Herbert’s next task was to inform his mother of his decision. He -knew that the change would be a violent one for her, but felt in his -heart that he was only doing his duty to her as well as to the memory -of his dead father. He walked slowly to his home, and when he entered, -found his mother seated in an armchair by the window engaged in some -knitting. He walked into the room on tiptoe, and going back of her, -threw his arms about her neck. - -“Mother,” he said softly. - -“Well, Herbert,” she replied, in a gentle voice. “What is it?” - -“I am going to tell you something that may not be pleasant for you to -hear, and I want you to promise me that you will bear with it for my -sake.” - -“What is it?” she asked, with a look of pain on her face. - -“Will you promise?” he persisted. - -“Yes,” she said, very slowly, but with emphasis. “I’ll promise to be -reconciled to anything that is for your good.” - -“Well,” he said after a short pause, “I have come to a decision. I am -going to New York, and I am going within forty-eight hours.” - -The tears came to her eyes, but she bravely repressed them, and -arising, took Herbert in her arms and gave him a motherly kiss. - -“Bless you, my son,” she said, “and go ahead and do what you believe is -for the best.” - -From that time until the moment of his departure Herbert was kept -busy in completing his arrangements for moving to the metropolis. His -chief business was in completing his work for the current issue of the -Banner. When the other persons who were connected with the paper heard -of his prospective departure they were very much disappointed because -Herbert was a general favorite in the office. The young man himself was -so agitated at the thought of leaving those with whom he had been in -contact so long and so pleasantly that he could scarcely get through -with his routine work. - -The morning for his departure dawned at last, and he started for the -train with a gripsack in one hand and an umbrella in the other. His -mother accompanied him, and on the way gave him a great deal of homely -advice regarding his future life in the big city. It was understood -that he should go on with his work and if it should prove successful -that later on he would send for his mother and thereafter both of them -would make their home in New York. In the meantime he promised to send -her part of his earnings every week, and in spite of her protests, made -the amount the major part of his salary. On the way to the train they -passed the home of John Black. Mary Black was just coming out of the -doorway, and when she saw the mother and son, joined them on the way to -the station. - -“I wish you God-speed, Herbert,” she said, with undoubted sincerity; -“and if you see anything of Arthur it will be a real charity for you to -inform us of the fact. Mother and father are very much distressed over -his absence.” - -“Haven’t you heard anything from him since he left?” asked Herbert. - -“Yes,” she replied, holding her head down. “He has written to me twice, -each time to ask me for money.” - -“And you gave it to him?” inquired Herbert. - -“Yes,” she replied. “Perhaps it was wrong; but I could not refuse it. -He did not give any address, but had the mail sent to the General -Delivery window of the main post office building.” - -“Well, Mary,” said Herbert, “I assure you that if I am ever in a -position to assist you either in Arthur’s case, or in any other manner, -I will be only too glad to do so.” - -They had reached the station by this time, and in a moment or two were -joined by Noah Brooks, who insisted on coming along to say good-by to -his much valued assistant and associate editor. - -Brooks was silent for some time, but his face showed the feeling that -he was endeavoring to repress. Going over to Herbert, he put his arm -around his shoulder in an affectionate manner, and said: - -“My boy, I have to thank you for the fidelity you have always shown -to my interests. I don’t know what in the world I’ll do without you; -indeed I don’t.” - -Just then the train pulled in at the station and Herbert, after a last -good-by, jumped aboard. The engine pulled out quickly, and the young -man standing on the rear platform, shook his handkerchief in farewell -to his mother and friends. As the train gradually put distance between -itself and Cleverly, Herbert was filled with a strange emotion which -he could not understand. He was leaving the home of his birth and his -youth, and his heart was strangely touched at the thought. The train -puffed on, and soon the little group on the station became mere specks -in the distance; but the last thing that Herbert saw was the trim -figure and the two bright eyes, half dimmed with tears, belonging to -Mary Black. - - - - -CHAPTER XI HERBERT IS AWED AND AMAZED BY HIS FIRST SIGHT OF A GREAT CITY - - -The train made good time, and in two hours arrived in Jersey City. From -the shed to the two story ferry-boat which plied between the two shores -was but a step. When the boat pulled out into the stream, Herbert was -dazzled by the sight that met his eyes. Through force of circumstances -over which he had no control, he had never visited New York, and so it -came about that this was to be his first view of the wonderful city -of the Western Continent. His gaze rested first on the magnificent -Statue of Liberty enlightening the world--that colossal bit of statuary -placed in New York harbor not only to typify the grandeur of American -institutions, but also to emphasize the long friendship existing -between America and France. Beyond this he beheld that great piece of -engineering known as the Brooklyn Bridge, the girdle, the connecting -link which is the visible bond uniting the two great cities of Greater -New York. - -In the harbor boats were coming and going in every direction, carrying -people and merchandise from the four corners of the earth. A monster -ocean steamer plowing its way majestically through the waves, its deck -literally black with people eager for the first glimpse of land, was -making towards the new Castle Garden, there to empty upon the shores -of America more men and women than there were in the entire population -of Cleverly. Another magnificent ocean greyhound just going down the -bay was filled with rich Americans, millionaires and men made suddenly -rich who were embarking for foreign shores to spend the money they had -dug from the bowels of the earth, or cleverly obtained by ingenuity or -trade from their fellow countrymen. - -Herbert felt as he gazed out on this constantly moving panorama, as if -the whole world had suddenly burst on his view. From the time he left -the Jersey City shore until he reached the New York side, his mind was -in a whirl trying to grasp and comprehend all the strange sights that -were constantly coming within his view. No time was lost in landing, -and in a minute or two the country-reared boy found himself in the -midst of what seemed to be a hopeless confusion of trucks and drays -and cursing drivers. A policeman with uplifted club soon straightened -out this tangle, and Herbert proceeded on his way up Cortlandt Street. -The rush and roar of the elevated trains, the shouts and protests of -the wagon drivers, the yells of the cabmen and peddlers, and the never -ceasing hum of talk from the hurrying pedestrians, made Herbert feel as -if this were all some wonderful dream. - -He spoke to a policeman, asking him the way to Broadway. - -“Follow your nose, Johnny, for two blocks,” was the flippant rejoinder. - -Herbert flushed up a little at this. He was not accustomed to being -addressed in such a manner. In fact before he left Cleverly he was -looked upon as one of the important persons of the town; but in New -York, like many other persons of greater importance, Herbert was soon -stripped of his dignity and self-esteem. He continued on his way up -the hilly street until he finally found himself on a corner of that -throbbing, pulsating, crowded and ever changing thoroughfare which -is known by reputation all over the civilized world as Broadway. He -walked along its diagonal length for some distance looking in the shop -windows, gazing at the crowds, and greedily drinking in the sights that -presented themselves on all sides. The noise and the hum and the din -were continuous. It began to give him a headache. He wondered how the -people were able to stand such a tumultuous existence. Still more, he -wondered how soon he would become accustomed to this new condition of -things, little thinking that most of that confused multitude had come -to New York like himself, a stranger in a strange city, and many of -them strangers in a strange land. - -After he had partially satisfied his curiosity he determined to look -for lodgings. He had the address of Mr. Anderson on a little card. He -knew from a letter he had received that it was somewhere on upper Sixth -Avenue, and after making one or two mistakes in the direction he took, -he finally succeeded in boarding a Sixth Avenue elevated train and was -whizzed along towards the up-town section of New York City. It was -quite a sensation to ride so far up in the air and to be able to look -into the open bedroom windows of the people who lived on either side of -the elevated road. He thought he must have surely struck New York on -wash-day, because every window and every areaway appeared to be filled -with shirts and other articles of wearing apparel. Finally he reached -the street that was nearest his destination, and getting out of the -train, walked down the high steps towards that section of Sixth Avenue -which had been described to him by his former teacher. - -On the way, for the first time it dawned upon him that his appearance -must be a little bit odd to the pedestrians who passed him on the -street. He was twenty-one years old, tall, slender, pale and plain, -with twenty-five dollars in his pocket--he had persisted in giving -his mother the remainder of his money, claiming that with a position -assured he had no need of a large surplus. Nearly all of the clothing -he possessed was on his back, and in addition to that his total capital -was a knowledge of so much of the art of printing and so much of the -art of reporting and editing as a youth is enabled to learn in the -office of an enterprising country newspaper. But the most acute feeling -that came over him at this time was a sense of terrible loneliness. -With the possible exception of Mr. Anderson, he knew no human being -within two hundred miles, and his rustic manner and address, he felt -satisfied, did not favor the immediate making of new friendships. His -personal estate, which was neatly tied up in a little packet, did -not encumber him, and he stepped along lightly in his search for Mr. -Anderson’s boarding house. The landlady proved to be a very pleasant -woman, and when he inquired for his friend, told him that he had been -unexpectedly called out of the city and would be gone for a week. -When he inquired about accommodations she showed him a nice, pleasant -room which he could have with board for the sum of $8 a week. Herbert -immediately rejected this proffer as being a little more expensive than -he was able to undertake. - -Somewhat disappointed, he boarded the elevated train once more and -was soon whirled down-town. He wandered about aimlessly for some time, -wondering where he should look for a boarding house. Passing one of the -newspaper offices, he purchased an evening edition and looked in the -columns marked “Boarding” and “Rooms to Rent.” There were hundreds of -advertisements, but they gave no clue to the character of the houses, -and very few of them announced their terms. He threw the paper away as -useless and continued walking towards the North River. Finally he came -to a rather respectable looking house with a brick front, containing -the sign “Boarding.” He entered, introduced himself to the landlady, -and was offered shelter and subsistence at $5 a week. The room that -was offered for his inspection was comfortable, and the price seemed -reasonable, so he closed the bargain at once. - -After depositing his little package in his room and washing himself -and ridding his clothing of the stains of travel, he left the house -to make some purchases of little articles that were necessary for his -attire. Once again he walked about in a rather aimless manner, and in -the course of his travels finally reached the thoroughfare known as the -Bowery. It proved to be quite a different place from the street that he -had pictured in his mind. There were some few dance halls and concert -rooms, it is true, but in addition to that he was surprised to see the -unusually large number of bright looking retail stores and business -houses. He was gazing in the window of one of these stores when someone -tapped him on the arm and said in a whining voice: - -“Say, boss, can’t you help a poor fellow out?” - -He turned quickly, and to his great astonishment, beheld Harry Adler -standing before him. He had not seen the man since he left Cleverly -in company with Arthur Black. The appearance of Adler indicated that -he had been a victim either of great misfortune, or of the persistent -laziness which seemed to be part of his character. He was very thinly -clad; in fact his coat seemed to be a mass of rags, and there were -holes in the rough shoes that he wore on his feet. A hat with a torn -brim covered his bushy hair, and he was entirely innocent of collar or -necktie. A heavy beard suggested continuous neglect of the barber. - -“Harry Adler!” exclaimed Herbert. “You are the last man in the world I -expected to meet.” - -“Yes, I guess that’s so,” said Adler, beginning to sniffle; “but you -see, Herbert, I’ve been playing in very hard luck. I came to the city -to get work, and after I had been at it for about a week I was taken -sick and sent to the hospital. When I came out of that institution I -was so weak that I was not able to hunt for employment, and I finally -got in such a condition that I had to beg for a bit to eat.” - -Herbert looked at the fellow in a skeptical manner. Then he gave a -significant sniff of his nose. - -“I guess you’ve been drinking,” he cried. “Probably that has prevented -you from being a successful business man in New York.” - -Adler pretended not to notice this bit of irony and continued: - -“Herbert, you’ve got a chance to make a man out of me. I know we -haven’t been very good friends; but if you will help to straighten me -out you will never have cause to regret it.” - -“Where is Arthur Black?” asked Herbert, disregarding the other’s appeal. - -“He’s up at my boarding house,” replied Adler, with a whimper. - -“Well, I would like to see him very much,” responded Herbert. “Will -you promise to make an arrangement so that I can meet him somewhere -to-night?” - -“Yes, indeed I will,” replied the other, “if you will help me out a -little bit I will do anything for you.” - -“Well I don’t want you to do anything, except to have Arthur Black meet -me.” - -“All right; I’ll do that.” - -“Where is your boarding house?” asked Herbert. - -Adler looked a little bit scared at this question, and then said in a -husky tone: - -“Oh, it wouldn’t do for you to come to our boarding house. It’s too -humble for the likes of you; but I tell you what I’ll do. I’ll arrange -to have Arthur Black meet you in the corridor of the main post office -building at eight o’clock to-night. I’ll do that sure if you help me -out.” - -The constant appeal for personal help finally impressed itself upon -Herbert, and he said: - -“What do you want?” - -“Well,” said the other in a quavering voice, “I guess a coat and a -shave and a pair of shoes wouldn’t be bad to start with.” - -“All right, I’ll try to fit you out with them,” said Herbert, “if you -don’t let it cost too much.” - -So the queerly assorted pair entered a clothing house on the Bowery, -where Adler succeeded in obtaining a coat and a pair of shoes for ten -dollars. Following that he was taken into a barber shop and treated -to a clean shave and haircut. The improvement in his appearance was -remarkable. - -“How do you feel now?” asked Herbert, looking at him approvingly. - -“Pretty good, but mighty hungry.” - -“Well, come with me, and I’ll get you something to eat.” - -The two men repaired to a near-by restaurant and Adler was treated to -what was probably the best meal he had enjoyed in many a long day. - -Herbert settled the score, and once more telling him to be sure to have -Arthur Black at the post office at eight o’clock, parted with him and -went around to his own lodgings. He looked over his money and found -that after paying his board and spending money for food and clothing -on Adler and giving the lazy one a two dollar bill, he had only four -dollars left to his credit. He was somewhat annoyed at this; but -consoled himself with the thought that he would begin employment the -next day and would soon have sufficient ready money to satisfy all of -his needs. At times he felt angry with himself for having helped Adler, -who after all that was said and done, was a very worthless sort of -fellow. But on reflection he felt that he might have done the man some -good, and that thought was sufficient to give him a feeling of pleasant -self-satisfaction. - -He left the house immediately after dinner, and after a short walk on -Broadway, found himself in the corridor of the main post office at a -quarter before eight. He stationed himself in such a position as to -command a view of all of those who entered or left the building. It -was irksome business waiting for anyone in that place. The hands of -the clock gradually moved around and it finally struck eight, but -there was no sign of Arthur Black. Herbert waited on, feeling that the -expected visitor would be likely to come in at any minute; but time -continued to pass, and finally the clock struck nine. Herbert turned -and left the building, filled with great disgust: - -“Buncoed!” he muttered to himself. “Buncoed, by gosh! My first day -in New York and I permit myself to be buncoed by a man who was even -without standing in Cleverly! That’s a pretty good lesson for my first -day in the metropolis.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII IN WHICH HERBERT BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH SOME OF THE -METHODS OF MODERN JOURNALISM - - -Herbert had been advised to call at the Argus office at noon for the -purpose of presenting his letter of introduction to Mr. Blakeley, -the city editor of that newspaper. He prepared himself carefully for -the forthcoming interview, trying especially in a half conscious way -to rid himself of the rustic appearance which he felt might lessen -his prospects, or impair his prestige with the newspaper man he was -about to meet. The Argus office was located almost in the center of -the cluster of large buildings on Park Row, and as Herbert looked up -at the edifice he could not repress a feeling of pride at the thought -that in a day or so he would be numbered among the busy workers in that -bee-hive of industry. - -He took the elevator and was shot up to the fifth floor with a -suddenness that almost took his breath away. A boy standing at the -door of this landing demanded his card, and while Herbert sat there -waiting for a reply he noticed that the door was kept locked, and that -newcomers were greeted with a large sign which read: - -“Positively no admittance except on business.” - -He thought this was rather inhospitable at the time, but later in his -career realized that it was a necessity in order to permit the orderly -and speedy transaction of business. A newspaper office is looked upon -as the Mecca for eccentric people of all kinds and characters and if -they were admitted promiscuously they would consume the time of the -editors and reporters and make it impossible to issue the paper at all. - -Presently the office boy returned, and said: - -“Step inside.” - -He walked into a large room and was directed to a smaller room, which -was partitioned off in the extreme corner. A tall, thin man rose to -greet him, and nodding in a friendly way, pointed to a chair: - -“I am sorry,” said this gentleman, “that Mr. Blakeley, the city editor -of the Argus, is not here to-day. This is his day off. However he spoke -to me about you and I am very glad to meet you; but it is not possible -for me to serve you in any way to-day. It will be necessary for you to -see him in person before you can go to work.” - -Herbert thanked him for his courtesy and the pleasant manner in which -he had been greeted and promised to return again the next day. In -the few minutes he was in the office he noticed that the room was -gradually beginning to assume an air of activity. Men were coming -in constantly and seating themselves in front of desks in the large -apartment, which because of the ink and paper and pencils and furniture -looked very much like a large edition of the old schoolroom in Cleverly. - -Herbert was quite disappointed at not seeing Mr. Blakeley on his -first visit, but resolved to utilize the remainder of the day by -sight-seeing. He visited many of the places of interest in New York, -including the Aquarium, the tomb of General Grant at Riverside Park, -and the Metropolitan Museum in Central Park. All of these things -were deeply interesting, and in a larger sense highly educational. -On his way home he purchased copies of all the afternoon papers, and -after dinner that evening spent several hours in going over them very -carefully with a view of becoming familiar with the style of reporting -that prevailed on the popular newspapers in New York City. In spite -of the fact that he had put in a very busy day he went to bed with a -feeling of regret over the apparent loss of two whole days. - -At noon the following day he was again at the Argus office, and this -time was successful in meeting Mr. Blakeley. The city editor was a -short, stockily built man, wearing eyeglasses and possessed of a -quick, nervous manner. He looked Herbert over from head to foot as soon -as he entered and gazed at him very earnestly during all the course of -their brief conversation. - -“Harkins,” he said, after the usual greeting, “I am going to put you -on the Argus at a salary. This is somewhat unusual, because nearly all -on our staff are space men. New men especially are put on space, which -simply means that they are paid for what they write, in order to test -their ability. But Mr. Anderson, who is an old friend of mine, has -recommended you so highly that I am going to put you on the regular -staff at once; and I will give you three weeks in which to demonstrate -your ability to hold the place down permanently.” - -“I thank you very much,” said Herbert, “I will try to prove myself -worthy of the confidence you are placing in me.” - -“That’s all right,” said the other skeptically, “I don’t want any -promises; all I want is the performance.” - -“All right, sir,” said Herbert; “I’ll not make any promises; but I can -assure you that I will try to size up to the position.” - -“That sounds business,” retorted the other in his quick, jerky style. -Then looking up at the calendar, he said musingly: “It’s a little too -late in the week for you to do anything now. You can report for duty -at noon next Monday. Meantime I would advise you to become acquainted -with the city and its institutions, and to book yourself up as speedily -as possible on the men and things who go to make up life in this busy -town.” - -Herbert promised to do as he was advised, and then met the tall, spare -man with whom he had held the conversation the day before. This was the -assistant city editor, who took him in hand and introduced him to such -other members of the Argus staff as were in the office at that time. -They were all pleasant and affable, but Herbert took an immediate and -special liking to Francis Tomlin, one of the reporters, who had greeted -him in a very kindly spirit. - -“Don’t permit the noise and bustle and confusion of this place to -confuse you,” said Tomlin, “because it will not take you many days to -know that that is merely the outer covering, or what we might call -the atmosphere of the place. You will find that the work itself moves -along in a precise and systematic manner. Come in to-night around the -midnight hour and see the office going at full blast.” - -Herbert accepted the invitation, and just before the clock towers were -striking the mystic hour he entered the local room of the Argus. Tomlin -had phrased it correctly. The office was in full blast. The news room -immediately adjoined the city room, and between the two the noise and -bustle and air of activity were confusing to one not accustomed to that -sort of thing. Telegraph instruments in two corners of the room ticked -away continuously. A man at the long distance telephone sat in front of -a typewriter and transcribed a story that was being sent in over the -wire from a little town fifteen miles away. The assistant city editor -shouted through the speaking tube to the foreman of the composing room -about every ten or fifteen minutes. Telegraph boys came in every few -minutes, carrying little yellow envelopes bearing within their modest -covers the news of the entire habitable globe. The news editors sitting -at their big desks tore the wrappings off these silent messengers, and -after editing them, put suggestive and snappy headlines over them for -the benefit of their thousands of readers of the following morning. A -dozen reporters sitting at their desks scratched away for dear life, -or pounded the typewriters in their haste to put the words together -which were to furnish the subscribers of the Argus with a comprehensive -account of everything of interest that had happened in the great city -during the previous twenty-four hours. Nothing was too small, nothing -too great to be gathered in this enormous dragnet of publicity and -furnished to eager men and women with their coffee and rolls on the -following morning. - -Herbert was entranced with the scene. He had already been fascinated -by the smell of printers’ ink and had a very intelligent idea of -the methods of modern journalism; but this scene wherein apparently -hopeless confusion gradually worked itself out into perfect order and -system, furnished the capstone to his already stimulated imagination. -He longed to take an active part in it. - -As he looked around the room his eye was attracted to little slips of -paper posted on a bulletin board near the city editor’s desk. These -informed all who were interested, whether John Jones or John Smith -was absent or on duty; prohibited the men from smoking in the office, -and contained little bits of poetry and anecdotes which had been -surreptitiously posted there by some of the men on the staff. There was -one thing on the bulletin board that attracted Herbert’s attention more -than anything else. It might be called a code of fundamental principles -for the aspiring reporter. It read as follows: - -“Be accurate, courteous, earnest, enterprising, enthusiastic, faithful, -honest, manly, modest, observant, persevering, pleasant, prompt, quick, -sensible, shrewd, tactful, temperate. - -“Ask plenty of questions, and don’t forget the answers. - -“Know all you can, but don’t know it all. - -“Study history, political economy, learn shorthand, use a typewriter. - -“Keep posted on current events; cultivate numerous acquaintances; say -little, listen much. - -“Never violate confidence; be honest with yourself, your employers, and -the public. Have a conscience. Don’t fake. Merit confidence. Command -respect. - -“Know men; know facts, then write the plain truth simply. Write plainly -and avoid flub. Write for the people. Write English. Be clear, concise, -direct. - -“When sent for news get it, and get it right. Accuracy, accuracy, -accuracy. - -“Never write anything you would not sign your name to. Realize your -responsibility. - -“Never be unjust or unmanly; cultivate a pleasant address, be -persistent, but polite. - -“Observe everything. Study human nature. Study newspapers of different -cities and make a model of the best. - -“Cultivate humor. Be charitable. Speak kindly. - -“Keep your presence of mind. - -“Read good literature; avoid debasing associations. - -“Hustle.” - -After reading this, and resolving to memorize it for his own benefit, -Herbert went to one of the unoccupied desks and began looking over some -of the newspapers. While he was thus engaged the assistant city editor -rushed up to him carrying a clipping taken from one of the afternoon -papers. - -“See here, Harkins!” he shouted, “how would you like to make yourself -useful--you’re not on the staff yet, but it won’t do you any harm to -try and get your hand in.” - -“I’d be delighted,” said Herbert; “what is it?” - -“Here, take this clipping,” was the reply; “it’s from one of the -afternoon papers. I’d like you to re-write it and condense it for the -Argus. Get it up quickly. It’s for one of the inside pages, and it must -be in the composing room before one o’clock.” - -Herbert took the clipping and read it carefully. It told about the -arrival in New York of Madame Bonneville, a celebrated French actress, -who was coming to this country for the purpose of making her farewell -tour. There was a spirited description of her arrival on the pier amid -a cloud of trunks, packages and dress-suit cases, not to mention two or -three bird cages, half a dozen umbrellas, a green poll-parrot and a pet -poodle dog which she insisted on carrying in her arms and embracing in -a most motherly fashion. - -Herbert gazed at this account long and earnestly. It contained a brief -interview with the actress, and while the whole thing was intensely -interesting and human, it really contained little actual news excepting -the fact that the actress had arrived and being wearied with her long -journey, had retired immediately to her apartments. How to re-write and -reduce this article and make it different from the clipping, and yet -retain the news and the interest, was the problem that presented itself -to the young aspirant for journalistic honors. He got down to work at -last, however, because he felt that if a person intended doing a thing -there was nothing like doing it. It would not be wise to theorize much -while the assistant city editor was shouting for copy. Herbert never -worked harder on any of the things he had contributed to his own little -paper in the country than he did on the re-writing of this scrap of New -York news. After much patient labor, he finally completed his work, and -found to his satisfaction that he had reduced the article just one-half -and still retained some semblance of a good story. He carried it over -to the assistant city editor, who glanced at it hastily, and said -sharply, without the slightest note of explanation: - -“Won’t do. Too long. Put it in a stick or two.” - -Herbert walked back to his desk rather disappointed. He knew that the -news in the article could be put into a stick or two, but he felt -instinctively that the item would be robbed of all its interest. -However, he sat down once more and wrote a ten line paragraph, which -met with the approval and acceptance of the busy assistant city editor. - -He arose early the next morning and hunted for a copy of the Argus with -much eagerness. He knew that the little paragraph which he had finally -turned in at his first piece of work in New York did not amount to -anything; but he could not restrain the longing desire to see himself -in print for the first time in a metropolitan newspaper. He took the -Argus and went over it with extreme care from the first to the last -page. Nothing in the paper escaped his keen, inquiring gaze. When he -had concluded he laid it aside with a sigh of disappointment. - -His ten line story had not been printed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII HERBERT MAKES A HIT AND TIDES OVER A TEMPORARY FINANCIAL -DIFFICULTY - - -Herbert was still young enough to be sensitive, and the thought that -his maiden effort in the big city had probably found its way into the -waste paper basket was galling to his natural pride. However, he braced -himself and called at the office at noon again, and smilingly greeted -his colleagues. He learned some things during the day, and one was a -conviction that success on a country newspaper did not necessarily fit -a man for immediate employment on a metropolitan daily. He had a long -and confidential talk with Frank Tomlin, during the course of which he -related his experience and the fate of his first item. - -Tomlin laughed heartily at the recital. - -“You can’t afford to be thin-skinned in New York, my boy,” he replied. -“Besides, you are mistaken about your item. It was written all right, -but was crowded out in the make-up.” - -“Do you think so?” - -“I am satisfied of it. I have helped Blakeley to make up the paper -on more than one occasion, and there were times when stories bigger -and more important than yours and which were in type were thrown aside -for want of space. So don’t let a little thing like that trouble you. -Persevere; do the best you can, and don’t permit yourself to be cast -down by little incidents of this kind.” - -Herbert thanked him for this friendly advice and promised to profit by -it. The talk caused Tomlin to drift into a train of reminiscences. - -“I’ll never forget my first experience in the newspaper business in -this city,” he said musingly; “it satisfied me that enterprise, while -quite valuable in itself, is not the most important thing in the -gathering of news. I know that when I began I was eager to accomplish -great things. - -“One morning the city editor assigned me to a meeting of the Municipal -League, and as I was leaving the room he called out: - -“‘See here, I want you to put a little ginger in your articles. We want -to brighten the paper up a bit.’ - -“It was a prosy gathering. Most of the members of the league were -elderly or old men, and they made long winded speeches and accomplished -little business. There did not seem to be much prospect of a bright -article in the ordinary report of a meeting of this character. I -decided to burlesque the meeting. The result was all that could be -desired. The city editor was not ‘on’ and the story went straight to -the copy desk. - -“The next morning I was informed the proprietor wanted to see me. I -felt at once that this summons had something to do with my article. -When I entered the room, he looked at me curiously and in silence for -some moments. - -“‘Did you write the meeting of the Municipal League which appears in -this morning’s paper?’ - -“‘I did,’ I answered, swelling up with pride. - -“He was silent. - -“‘Didn’t you like the report?’ I finally inquired. - -“‘Yes,’ he said, prolonging the word in a strange manner. - -“‘Wasn’t it good enough?’ I inquired. - -“‘Oh, yes,’ with a peculiar laugh; ‘it was bright.’ Then turning to me -he said impressively: ‘I have no doubt in the world that the members of -the league deserve all the ridicule you cast on them, but,’ he added, -‘it should not have been printed in my paper. I am the president of the -Municipal League.’” - -Herbert and Tomlin remained in conversation for a long while, and -the older man regaled his companion with a batch of very interesting -stories bearing upon the incidents that take place behind the scenes of -journalism. They walked home together that night, and Herbert, feeling -that Tomlin was a man in whom he could trust and confide, confessed to -him the low condition of his finances. - -“I thought I would get immediate employment,” he said, “and as a -consequence brought only a small amount of money with me from the -country. I met an old acquaintance who was on his uppers and gave him -a large part of my surplus. As the result of this and my other little -expenditures, I have only about two dollars.” - -“Do you want to borrow anything?” said the other, turning to him -quickly; “I will be glad to stake you if you do.” - -“Not at all,” said Herbert hastily, “I hope you won’t think I -introduced the subject for that purpose. But it will be about ten days -before I receive my first pay; and in the meantime next week’s board -bill will be due and payable. I wondered whether I could not earn a -little money in the meantime.” - -“Certainly,” said Tomlin; “it will give you an opportunity for showing -what is in you, too. The thing is easy enough. Write some space for the -Argus. Blakeley is always willing to accept a good story, and if you -can go out into this human whirlpool to-morrow and fish up something a -little bit out of the ordinary he will be only too glad to print it, -and pay you for it, too.” - -The following day, acting on the suggestion of his friend, Herbert -made the rounds of the city hospitals. The usual routine stories -presented themselves at all of these institutions; but most of them -were covered by staff men, and for that reason were not available for -a special space-writer. While Herbert was pondering over what was best -to do under the circumstances, it suddenly dawned on him that perhaps -the obvious thing might make the best story after all. Things that were -happening every day in the week were looked upon as being trite and -trivial. If he could take one of these incidents and lift it out of -the rut and make it stand toweringly above other incidents of a like -character he would make a hit. To think was to act. He went to the head -keeper in the next hospital and asked to look over the book of records. -Among the items inscribed there was one which told about a patient who -had attempted suicide, but whose life would be saved. Herbert asked -whether he could obtain the details of this story, and was told that if -he applied to one of the assistants in the main ward he might obtain -some additional information. He did obtain more facts, and he hurried -to the office, eager to write the story. The heading was “How a Trained -Nurse Defeated Death.” - -The introduction described how a demure little nurse in the hospital -who looked as if she might weigh not more than one hundred pounds, -started on a walking match against death at five o’clock in the -evening, and finished at six o’clock in the morning--a winner. The -story went on and told how the ambulance had brought a twenty-two year -old girl to the hospital after she had swallowed enough opium to send -three or four strong men to their death. The poor, misguided girl who -had taken the poison on account of a case of unrequited love, showed a -strong desire to go to sleep. The little nurse knew that if the girl -closed her eyes they would never again open in this world; so she tried -to keep her awake by slapping her on the back. - -That method was not strenuous enough, so the long walk was started. -It was up and down the corridor of the receiving ward, and out into -the hall and the yard. Whenever the nurse became tired she sat down to -rest for a moment; but as soon as the girl nodded the walk was resumed. -All through the lonesome hours of the night this unique feat of -pedestrianism was continued. Daylight appeared, and still the walk went -on. Finally the clock struck six, and the two women were still walking. -Shortly after that the house physician made his appearance, and giving -the girl a careful examination, pronounced her out of danger. Then, and -not until then, the nurse went to sleep, and even while Herbert was -writing his picturesque story she was still sleeping the sleep of the -just and the brave. - -His story made over a column in the Argus. It proved to be a palpable -hit. Blakeley, the city editor, who did not see it until he picked up -the paper the next morning, gloated over it with the glee with which -a miser examines a newly found diamond. He patted Herbert on the back -and said that if he continued to turn in stories of that character his -period of probation would be short indeed and his permanence on the -paper assured. - -But the best feature of the incident, to Herbert’s mind, came on -Friday afternoon, when he called at the business office and received a -check for $8 for his piece of special reporting. This gave him a total -cash balance of $10 and enabled him to pay his board bill and to look -forward with confidence to the coming of his regular pay-days. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV IN WHICH HERBERT IS GIVEN AN UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY TO -DISTINGUISH HIMSELF - - -After he had been on the Argus for about a month, Herbert felt entirely -at home. He managed to get along very smoothly with all the members -of the staff. Blakeley, the city editor, was especially pleased with -the new addition to his local force. He found that he was punctual, -industrious and anxious to do his work to the very best of his ability. -The other reporters at the same time looked on him as an agreeable -fellow who was willing to do them a good turn whenever he had the -chance to do so. At the end of his second month on the paper he was -gratified at the receipt of an unsolicited increase in his salary. His -particular friend on the Argus, Francis Tomlin, obtained a promotion -at the same time; and the two young men put their heads together and -decided to seek a pleasant room near the office. After a search that -consumed nearly all the idle hours of a whole week, they finally -obtained an apartment which had the added advantage of a neat and well -kept bath-room. Herbert lost no time in removing his effects from the -modest quarters which he had occupied since his first arrival in New -York. The two young men were together very much, and the fact that they -were employed at night and had many hours of leisure during the day -gave them the chance of strolling about the city or seeking amusements -together at a time when most other men were busily engaged in their -trades and professions. - -The new room, which was comfortably furnished in the first place, -rapidly grew more habitable through the skill and good taste of the -two reporters. The gift of a set of books from home first gave Herbert -the idea of accumulating a library. Tomlin joined with him, and in a -surprisingly short time they were the possessors of quite a valuable -little library which counted among its principal assets several -important books of reference. - -One day Herbert was delighted to receive a visit from Mr. Anderson, who -had been his school-teacher for so many years in Cleverly. In honor of -the event he begged off from the office for the night, and secured a -similar privilege for Tomlin. The three men sat in the room till long -past midnight, chatting about books and newspapers and other topics of -a congenial nature. Mr. Anderson told the story of “barring out day” at -the school in Cleverly, and the recital was done so well that it filled -Tomlin with delight and caused him to laugh with such heartiness that -the tears fairly ran down his cheeks. - -On another occasion a little later in the year Noah Brooks, the editor -of the Cleverly Banner, visited New York, and while in the city was -the guest of Herbert Harkins. The young man was very much pleased at -the thought of entertaining the veteran editor, who had been such a -good friend to him in Cleverly. He took Tomlin into his confidence, -and between them they planned a program which kept Mr. Brooks engaged -every minute of the day and night during his four days’ stay in the -metropolis. In fact Herbert exhausted his resources in showing the -visitor what he was pleased to call “the time of his life.” As the -three men walked along Broadway together, Mr. Brooks looking up at the -high buildings on either side of him, said musingly: - -“Herbert, it’s been over forty years since I visited this town before, -and I want to say that there have been many changes since then.” - -“I should say so,” replied Herbert, with a laugh; “in fact, although I -have been here only a few months I can see changes that are going on at -the present time.” - -“Yes, many changes,” assented the old editor, nodding his head in -a reflective manner; “and these changes are not only in the big -buildings, but in the big men. I may be mistaken, but I don’t think -you produce the kind of men that we had in the days when I was in my -prime. However, I won’t insist on that. It may simply be the natural -thought of every old man.” - -“Who would you regard as the most conspicuous man that was here when -you visited the city last?” asked Herbert, anxious to draw upon his -friend’s inexhaustible fund of recollections. - -“Well,” he replied, “that’s a pretty hard question to answer after all -these years; but I think that perhaps good old Horace Greeley was the -best of them all. When I was here last I met him in the flesh. Now all -that you have of him is that statue in front of the Tribune Building -and the memory of his honest, old fashioned life.” - -The old gentleman sighed at this as if he were not quite sure that the -good old times would ever come again. Indeed he was a type of man very -similar to the famous editor, whom he was accustomed to look upon as -the greatest man of his day and generation. Mr. Brooks was careless -in his dress, quaint in his manner and unyielding in his integrity. -Tomlin enjoyed the visit of the country editor, if anything, more than -Herbert; and he was really sorry when the trip came to an end, and he -went with Herbert to the depot to bid good-by to the whole-souled old -man. - -In the meantime Herbert continued to make satisfactory progress in -the Argus office. He was receiving all kinds of assignments now, and -he soon had the reputation of being a man who did his work perfectly. -More than this, he was marked down as a reliable reporter, which is a -very important thing on any newspaper. The city editor felt that when -an assignment was placed in his hand it was sure to be covered and the -copy turned in at the earliest possible moment. One morning as they -were leaving the house together, Tomlin said to Herbert: - -“Some day, old man, you will get a very big thing to do, and it may be -the means of either making or breaking you.” - -The occasion came sooner than expected. That very morning the city -editor summoned Herbert to his private office, and said: - -“See here, Harkins, I am going to give you a chance to show what there -is in you. I have here what I regard as a very delicate and difficult -piece of work. It requires perseverance, and I am willing to give you -the job if you will tell me that you will stick at it and never quit -until your efforts have been crowned with success. Can you give me that -promise?” - -Herbert smiled at this vigorous presentation of the case, and said: - -“Well, Mr. Blakeley, if it is a piece of newspaper work that comes -within my ability, I feel reasonably sure of coming out successful.” - -“Well,” said the other, in his short, snappy tones, “here is a letter. -It’s a small clue as a starting point. Read it over, and then come back -to me.” - -Herbert went to his desk and read the letter as directed. It was from a -poor woman who had been induced to send $2 of her hard earned money to -a concern which promised to teach her how to paint on china within two -weeks, and after that time to furnish her with steady employment which -would pay her anywhere from $10 to $20 a week, according to her speed -and ability. She said in her letter that she had sent the money, and -in return received a flimsy circular which gave some crude and utterly -impracticable directions of how to paint. The thing was worthless to -her and her $2 wasted. - -When Herbert had finished reading this, he returned to Blakeley and -said: - -“Have you any further directions?” - -“No,” was the reply, “you will have to work on your own resources from -now on. I suppose that eventually the postal authorities will hear of -this swindle and refuse to permit this sort of thing to go through the -mails; but in the meantime we know about it and we want to get the -credit of stopping it at once. You take the address of this woman and -go ahead and see what you can make of it.” - -Herbert called upon the woman that afternoon, and in less than an hour -had obtained a very good story from her, backed up by a sworn statement -of her experience with the concern. At the same time he learned the -names and addresses of ten other persons who had been swindled in a -similar manner. Altogether four days were consumed in visiting and -interviewing these persons. Some of them who had natural ability, had -learned to paint on china in spite of the bungling directions sent out -by the concern; but when they wrote to the company and asked for the -employment that was to pay them from $10 to $20 a week their letters -were ignored. Altogether the young reporter had what might be called a -first class story. When he had all of his facts in good shape he went -to the city editor again, and said: - -“Mr. Blakeley, I want you to give me authority to employ a private -detective. I have everything in perfect condition at present, and all -I need is the climax, which I hope to bring about at noon to-morrow. -In other words, it is necessary to arrest someone connected with this -concern. If we do this, I will have plenty of witnesses, and we can -have the scoundrel held for court.” - -“Capital! Capital!” shouted Blakeley. “I will give you the authority to -employ a detective at once. How do you propose going about it?” - -“That is quite simple,” answered Herbert; “the company has a box in -the post office. I have sent a decoy letter, which should be placed -in the box between eleven and twelve o’clock to-morrow. They probably -employ a go-between, or a messenger, who gathers up the letters and -takes them to the head swindler. We must arrest this person, whoever -he is, and probably with a little ingenuity we may be able to extort -a confession from him, and then go after the other fellows. In the -meantime I am going back to my room and will start to typewrite the -story. I have it blocked out, so that we can make a full page scare -out of it. We ought to have a picture of the man who comes after the -letters, and then, if possible, a photograph of the head swindler, and -interviews with all the victims.” - -Blakeley looked at the young man with admiration written in every line -of his countenance. He put out his short, pudgy hand, and slapped -Herbert on the back. - -“Harkins, you are all right. You’ll do. Go ahead, my boy, and I wish -you luck in your undertaking.” - - - - -CHAPTER XV IN WHICH HERBERT DOES SOME VERY HARD WORK AND RECEIVES A -TERRIBLE SHOCK - - -Herbert arose much earlier than usual the next morning, for he had -a keen appreciation of the important character of the work that lay -before him. He had hardly finished his breakfast when there was a ring -at the door and the landlady brought up a card which bore upon its -glazed surface the simple inscription “M. Short.” Herbert wondered who -this could be, but directed that he be sent up to his room at once. A -few minutes later he was greeting a short-set, stockily-built man, with -sharp eyes and a sad expression of countenance. - -“Well, Mr. Short,” said Herbert, “what can I do for you?” - -The bright eyes of the little man twinkled merrily as he responded: - -“I fear that I will have to put the shoe on the other foot and kindly -inquire what I can do for you.” - -“Why,” said Herbert, “I never met you before.” - -“Probably not,” replied the other, still smiling; “but I was ordered -to report to you this morning, and told that you would give me -directions how to proceed.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed Herbert, a light breaking in on him, “you are the -detective.” - -“Yes,” said the other mildly, “that is my business, and I am now at -your service.” - -After a conversation of ten or fifteen minutes, the reporter and the -detective came to a thorough understanding. They were to meet at the -main post office shortly before noon, and their movements after that -were to depend entirely upon circumstances. Herbert was pleased with -the character of man who had been sent to assist him, and mentally -congratulated himself upon what now appeared to be the certain success -of many days of hard labor. The end was already in view. - -A few minutes after the detective had taken his leave, Herbert received -a square cornered envelope, containing his name and address. He tore it -open quickly and read as follows: - - “DEAR HERBERT: - - “Father, mother and I have removed to New York for the winter, - and would be glad to have you call at the earliest opportunity. - We understand that you are engaged in your newspaper work in the - evening, so that if you care you are quite welcome to call in the - morning, or at any other time that may suit your convenience. - - “Very sincerely yours, - “MARY BLACK.” - -Herbert looked at his watch. He had nearly three hours to spare before -it would be time to keep his appointment with the detective in the -post office, and he quickly decided to utilize it by making a hurried -call on the Blacks. The address given was that of a house on West 69th -Street, and in a very short time, by making use of the sub-way, Herbert -found himself at the address indicated. - -Mary Black, who responded to his call, was delighted to see her old -friend and schoolmate, and in a few minutes he was also talking with -Mr. and Mrs. Black. The family, distressed by the continued absence of -the son and brother, had determined to stay in New York for some months -in the hope of obtaining some clue to the runaway. A financial friend -of Mr. Black, who had gone to Europe for the winter, had insisted upon -his occupancy of the house during the time that he was absent from -the country. Although the suggestion had been made only a fortnight -before, the little family was already comfortably installed in the 69th -Street house. They were all delighted with their new surroundings, and -Mary was very much pleased and interested with the sights of the big -city; but over it all there was a certain sadness caused by the sorrow -which was felt on account of the erring one. The father was almost -completely crushed at the domestic affliction which overshadowed their -hearthstone. He had lost the coldness and haughtiness for which he -was distinguished while at Cleverly, and in broken tones expressed to -Herbert the sorrow he felt at the injustice which he had done to his -old friend, David Harkins. He said that if an opportunity should ever -come whereby he would be enabled to remedy the ill that had been caused -through his thoughtless words, he would cheerfully do so. - -Time passed so rapidly and so pleasantly in the company of Mary Black -that Herbert was loath to leave. A look at his watch, however, showed -that he had less than an hour before the time would arrive for keeping -his appointment, so he bade good-by to Mr. and Mrs. Black and hurried -towards the door. Mary accompanied him there, and he noticed from her -constrained manner that she had something on her mind and was anxious -to speak to him privately. Being a man, he felt that it was incumbent -upon him to break the ice, so he said gently: - -“Mary, is there anything I can do for you or your father or mother? If -so, don’t hesitate to speak to me frankly.” - -“There is something, Herbert,” she said, “and it has been weighing upon -my mind for a long while. It is about Arthur. I want you to promise me -that you will be a friend to my brother. I do not believe that he is a -bad boy at heart; but unfortunately, he has fallen into bad company and -has been led astray. Promise me that if the opportunity ever presents -itself, you will give him a helping hand. This chance may come, or it -may never come; but tell me that you will not forget what I have said -to you.” - -Herbert took her by the hand, and said with much solemnity: - -“Mary, if I ever meet Arthur and have the opportunity of befriending -him, I promise you that I shall do so.” - -Her eyelashes were wet with tears; but at his words, her eyes sparkled -with satisfaction, and she exclaimed eagerly: - -“Oh, I thank you so much for saying that, because I know that I can -trust you, and I know that you mean what you say.” - -A few minutes later Herbert was once more in the sub-way, speeding -towards the Park Row station, which was within a short distance of the -main post office building. He reached that busy spot at ten minutes of -twelve o’clock and found the detective awaiting him. The two men held a -hurried interview with the clerk of the box department, who informed -them that he knew the young man who was in the habit of calling for the -letters for the swindling concern which they now had under suspicion. -He said that he would remain at his post for the next fifteen or twenty -minutes and as soon as he identified the fellow he would give the two -men a signal by holding up his right hand. The details of the plan -having been arranged, the reporter and the detective set themselves to -wait for the critical moment. It proved to be a great strain on all -concerned. The hands of the big clock moved around so slowly that they -could almost have shrieked out with impatience and anxiety. A great -crowd was hurrying to and fro and opening and closing the letter boxes, -which reached almost from the pavement to the ceiling all along the -great corridor, but the moments dragged by and the clerk had made no -signal. - -Presently a man wearing a long ulster and a derby hat stooped down on -one knee and began opening the letter box which contained the mail -belonging to the china painting concern. He entered so quickly that -neither Herbert nor the detective caught a glimpse of his face. The box -clerk inside the office became very much excited when the man stooped -down, and getting a good look at his face, raised his hand and shook -it in the air as a signal to those on the outside. It said just as -clearly as if the words had been spoken: - -“There is your man. Nab him.” - -The detective moved to one side so that he could arrest his man the -minute he arose from his sitting position. Herbert, who was becoming -quite nervous from the strain, motioned the detective to step back a -few yards. When this had been done, the young reporter got immediately -in the rear of the kneeling man so that when he arose he could face him -and make his accusation as dramatically as possible. He felt that this -was to be a great occasion in his journalistic life, and he wanted it -to come off successfully and without the slightest slip. - -The man in the ulster was terribly slow about his work. His head and -his face were so close to the box that it was impossible to get a -glimpse of his countenance. Besides he fingered each letter separately -as if to feel and mentally calculate the amount of money enclosed in -each of the envelopes. The action did not escape Herbert’s attention, -and caused him to curl his lips up in a look of unutterable scorn. - -“Calculating his stealings,” he muttered to himself indignantly; -“considering how much money he has filched from poor girls and women -who have scarcely enough to buy food to eat.” - -The kneeling figure, however, knew nothing of the contempt with which -he was being regarded by the warm-blooded young man behind him. -Presently he finished his examination of the letters and had put them -all in the little leather gripsack which he had beside him. He arose -very slowly, and then turned around and came face to face with the -young reporter. - -The sight that met the gaze of Herbert Harkins caused him to become as -pale as a sheet. His head seemed to be reeling around him, and he felt -as if he could scarcely stand without support. - -He looked again. The second glance only confirmed what he had seen at -first. - -The youth who stood before him was Arthur Black! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI IN WHICH HERBERT LOSES HIS POSITION AND RETIRES IN DISGRACE - - -The shock of discovering Arthur Black so unexpectedly and under such -damaging circumstances completely unnerved Herbert Harkins. For many -seconds he stood there staring at Arthur as if he were some ghostly -phantom who had suddenly appeared from the grave. By degrees Herbert -began to realize the compromising position in which he had placed -himself. The detective stood only a few yards away eagerly watching the -scene and awaiting the moment when he would be called upon to place -Arthur Black under arrest. Herbert did not turn around, but felt that -the sleuth was there, ready to perform the act which was to be the -capstone of a remarkably clever piece of newspaper work. - -In that brief period of time his mind traveled with lightning like -rapidity. He thought of his troubles in the country. He remembered -the incident when he had punished Arthur. He recalled the threatened -disgrace which had preceded his father’s sudden death. He remembered -his work on the Cleverly Banner, and then by easy stages his mind -reverted to his arrival in New York, his employment on the Argus, and -finally to his meeting with Mary Black on that very morning. He thought -of Blakeley, the city editor, impatiently waiting for the announcement -that his big story was to be a success and that the Argus could pride -itself not only upon a notable scoop, but also upon the exposure of a -set of swindlers who had preyed remorselessly upon the public. - -What should he do? His duty seemed clear and unavoidable. Surely one -would have to suffer for the benefit of the many. Besides that the -eyes of the detective were upon him, and his failure to do the right -thing at this moment might lead to his complete downfall. From this -thought his mind reverted to every detail of the impressive interview -which he had held with Mary Black a little more than an hour before. -A voice within him urged him to be faithful to his promise, no matter -what personal loss he might suffer. He had given her his pledge that -if he ever met Arthur Black he would lend him a helping hand; that if -he was in trouble he would succor him; that if he was in danger he -would save him. For what seemed to be a very long time he was torn with -conflicting emotions. Many minutes seemed to elapse--in reality it -was only a few seconds. He reached his decision quickly, and he acted -promptly. Putting his arm on Arthur’s shoulder, he whispered, almost -hissed, into the latter’s ear: - -“You are on the verge of ruin. I have been sent here to arrest you. A -detective is standing a few yards away. If you wish to avoid arrest, -exposure and disgrace, run--run for your life.” - -Arthur clutched convulsively at the grip in his right hand and gave a -hurried look about him. His glance fell upon the short, stockily built -man with the little twinkling eyes, who stood only a few yards distant. -Some instinct seemed to tell Arthur that this was the detective, that -this was the one man he should avoid. As quick as thought, he turned -on his heel and made a dash in the opposite direction. The detective -noting the movement, started to follow him; but Herbert shouldering his -way against some people who were standing between them, got in front of -the detective and completely blocked his way. - -“Move aside,” said the officer angrily, “don’t you see that that fellow -is getting away? Move aside, I tell you!” - -By this time the crowd in the corridor had become so dense that it was -almost impassable. It was quite evident that Arthur had made his escape -and in all probability was now out of harm’s way. Herbert turned to -the detective and said in a low tone: - -“It’s the wrong fellow, old man; it’s all a mistake.” - -The little twinkling eyes looked searchingly into Herbert’s face. What -he saw there satisfied him. The pale face, the look of despair, the -nervous manner were sufficient to indicate that the young man had just -passed through a crisis. It would be useless to argue with him. The -detective did not attempt it. He buttoned up his coat, pulled his hat -down more firmly over his head, and walked away, muttering: - -“Well, this is the queerest game I’ve ever been up against in all my -career.” - -After the detective left him, Herbert moved over to one of the big -windows in the post office corridor, and leaning his elbows on the -sill, stood there for some time musing upon the incidents that had just -occurred. He recalled with a feeling of sadness Tomlin’s prophetic -words: “An opportunity may come to you to do some big bit of work, and -it will either break you or make you.” - -The opportunity had come much quicker than he had anticipated, and -unless all signs failed it would prove to be the cause of his undoing. -He wondered in a numb sort of way how he was ever going to face -Blakeley. He had started out on this assignment with a great display -of enthusiasm. Indeed, now that he looked back upon it he had acted -with considerable presumption. He had as good as boasted of the ease -with which he intended to handle the case, and now it was all ended -in an inglorious fizzle. The thought of a face to face encounter with -Blakeley was decidedly chilling. Blakeley, while possessing many -charming personal traits, was one of the hardest taskmasters in the -office. Herbert shrank at the thought of going before him without the -coveted story. He even contemplated the notion of not returning to the -office at all; but this bit of cowardice was soon overcome as a thought -not to be seriously considered for an instant. He would return to the -office; he would face the music like a man; and he would take his -medicine--no matter how bitter--without making any faces. - -He left the post office building to go to the Argus office; but -somehow or other he could not summon up sufficient courage to undergo -the dreadful ordeal; so he walked up Broadway, mingling with the -crowd, looking in the shop windows and trying to forget the terrible -details of the most unpleasant incident of his life. After awhile he -turned off Broadway and walked in the direction of Fifth Avenue. When -he had reached that fashionable thoroughfare he bent his footsteps -towards Central Park. By this time it was late in the afternoon. The -fashionable turnouts of the rich and the prosperous were going up the -avenue, skilfully guided through the crowded street by richly liveried -drivers who seemed to know every inch of the ground. Still Herbert -walked on and on, seemingly unconscious of what he was doing. The -approach of dusk brought him to his senses. He must go to the office -and go there as quickly as possible. - -He jumped on a ’bus that was going down-town, and at the intersection -where the Avenue joins Broadway he alighted and boarded one of the -surface cars. It was quite dusk when he reached the Argus office, and -walking into the local room in an uncertain manner, he noticed that -most of the men were out and that Blakeley was seated at his desk -alone. The city editor was puffing at a big cigar, and did not notice -the entrance of the young reporter. - -Herbert was the first to speak. - -“Mr. Blakeley,” he said, in a hushed sort of voice. - -The city editor turned around like a flash. - -“Hello there, Harkins,” he said eagerly; “I’ve been waiting for you all -the afternoon. How did the thing pan out?” - -“It didn’t pan out at all,” said Herbert in a hesitating, halting way. - -“What do you mean?” cried the other, his tone perceptibly hardening. - -“I mean that I have no story,” this in a slightly firmer voice. - -“No story?” shouted the other, “why what are you talking about anyhow? -There must be a story.” - -“There was a story,” rejoined Herbert, now throwing all precaution to -the winds; “but I can’t write it.” - -“Can’t write it? Why, you’re crazy, man. What are you talking about?” - -The city editor was thoroughly angry now. He arose from his chair and -stood towering before Herbert. In his rage he threw his freshly lighted -cigar into the cuspidor with a savage movement of his hand. He stamped -his foot on the floor fiercely. - -“There is no use talking about this matter any longer. You go to your -desk and write this thing and have your copy ready as soon as possible.” - -“I can’t write it,” said Herbert, now speaking in a voice that was -scarcely audible. - -Blakeley was silent, trying hard to control his rising passion. When he -spoke his voice sounded almost like a hiss. - -“You understand what this means, don’t you--you know what it will cost -you?” - -“Yes,” said Herbert, looking up; “I understand, and I resign my -position as a reporter on the Argus.” - -“Your resignation is accepted,” said the other shortly; “but I call -upon you to do the work that you were assigned to perform, before -leaving this office.” - -“I can’t do it,” said Herbert; “on my honor I cannot do it.” - -“But what explanation have you to give?” - -Herbert looked up helplessly. For a moment a desire to tell the whole -story to Blakeley took possession of him. The next minute it was -dismissed as impracticable. Blakeley was a man without any heart or -feeling. He felt convinced of this, and felt likewise that if the facts -were once in the city editor’s possession the story would have to be -written regardless of the private anguish it might cause. So he stood -there speechless before his superior. - -“Go!” finally shouted Blakeley, pointing to the door. “But when you go -remember that you go in disgrace. You are like an engineer who would -leave his train in the middle of the journey, or a pilot who would -desert his ship in a storm at sea. Go, and never let me see you again.” - -Herbert left the room with a flushed face and downcast eyes. He avoided -the elevator. The thought of meeting with anyone at a time like this -grated upon his feelings. He walked down the stairway with a heart as -heavy as lead. He felt mortified and angry by turns. He mentally blamed -Blakeley for his coarse manner and the ugly scolding he had given -him. The next second he admitted to himself that Blakeley was fully -justified in what he had said and done. Indeed, from the standpoint of -the news and of duty, he could find no possible justification for his -own conduct. - -Presently he got out into Park Row and was soon in the midst of the -pushing, bustling crowd. It was quite dark now, and the rush to the -bridge was at its height. Myriads of electric lights shone brightly -all about him. Cars rushed by, with motormen sounding their gongs -continuously. Wagon drivers shouted and shrieked and pulled at their -horses, and thousands of pedestrians laughed and shouted as they -hurriedly went their way. Herbert, in a vague sort of way, wondered how -they could all be so happy when he felt so miserable. Nothing seemed -the same to him. Some mysterious change appeared to have overcome the -face of New York since he had left his home early that morning; but in -reality things moved on as before. Herbert’s philosophy did not realize -that the world moves on day by day and night by night, regardless of -the joys or the woes of the individual. - -He soon reached his lodgings and quietly let himself in the door by -means of his latch-key. He struck a light and gazed about curiously -at the familiar things in the little apartment. Everything in the room -seemed to look at him in a reproachful manner. Strange as it may seem, -it was some moments before he became accustomed to being alone. Then -he picked up a book and tried to read; but it was a dismal failure. He -walked the floor for a long, long while. There was a lump in his throat -that he could not remove. Presently he sank down into a chair and -dropped his bowed head into his hands on the table. - -“I’ve lost my job,” he groaned to himself. “I’ve done more than that. -I’ve not only lost my place, but I’ve been retired in disgrace.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII THE YOUNG REPORTER FINDS THAT THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY IS -BARRED TO HIM - - -Herbert sat in the darkened room with his head bowed on the table for -a very long while, thinking of the events that had taken place the -previous twenty-four hours. First he was angry with himself for what -he had done, and then felt humiliated at permitting Blakeley to abuse -him in such a cruel manner; but with second thought came the conviction -that even if he had it to go over again he would not have acted in a -different manner. To have written the story even with Arthur at liberty -would have meant lasting disgrace to Mary Black and her parents. He had -paid a very dear price, but had averted that, which after all, was a -very consoling thing. While he sat there Tomlin came into the room in -his impetuous manner. He rushed over to Herbert and clapped him on the -shoulders. - -“Brace up, old man; don’t sit here and mope as if you had lost your -last friend in the world.” - -Herbert looked up at him and tried to smile; but the effort was a very -sickly one. - -Tomlin sat down beside his friend, and becoming serious, said: - -“See here, old chap, I don’t want to pry into your affairs, but why in -the world did you throw Blakeley down in that cold-blooded fashion?” - -“I didn’t throw Blakeley down,” began Herbert angrily. - -But the other man held up his hand to stay the hot words, and replied -in a low voice: - -“But you did throw him down, and there is no possible way of proving -anything to the contrary. Now you must have had a reason, and if you -care to give it to me, I’ll be glad to listen.” - -“I hope you won’t consider me rude, or lacking in friendship,” replied -Herbert; “but really the circumstances make it impossible for me to -tell you why I acted as I did.” - -“All right, old fellow,” rejoined Tomlin, slapping Herbert on the back -again; “I am satisfied whether you tell me or not. I believe in you and -that is sufficient.” - -Shortly before noon the following day Herbert went to the office of -the New York Sentinel and presented his card to the city editor. That -individual sat in his roll-top chair and gazed at the bit of pasteboard -musingly: - -“So you want a job, do you? Well, I have heard of your name before, and -I understand that you have done some creditable work. I might make a -place for you here--” - -“Could you?” inquired Herbert eagerly; “I’m sure if you would give me -the chance I’d make good.” - -“I don’t doubt it,” said the city editor. Then as if the thought had -just struck him: “By the way, how did you come to leave the Argus?” - -Herbert flushed up at this, and the fact did not escape the attention -of the keen-witted city editor of the Sentinel. He scrutinized his -visitor with a steady eye. Herbert hesitated for some seconds, and then -said slowly: - -“Well, to tell the truth, that is a personal matter that I cannot -explain.” - -“All right,” said the other slowly, “that rests with you entirely.” - -“Can I have the position?” inquired Herbert. - -“Well,” said the other, rubbing his hand over his face and speaking -slower than before, “I think you had better come in and see me again in -the course of a day or so.” - -This was not very satisfactory, but Herbert had to make the best of it. -He returned to his room for the purpose of writing some letters and -later on took a walk. Two days after this incident he called at the -Sentinel office, but found, to his disappointment, that the city editor -was out of the city. Another day elapsed, and this time the man he was -in search of was at his desk. - -“Do you find that you will be able to employ me on the Sentinel?” asked -Herbert. - -“No,” said the city editor decidedly; “no, I cannot find room for you.” - -“Is there any special reason for that decision?” asked Herbert with a -sinking sensation in the region of the heart. - -“Well,” yawned the city editor, stretching his arms over his head, “I -don’t know that I should answer that question; but I will say that -I had a talk with Blakeley, the city editor of the Argus, yesterday -afternoon. You can draw your own conclusions.” - -Herbert did, and found that the conclusions were not very flattering to -himself. In the course of the next two weeks he visited the local rooms -of nearly every important newspaper in the city; but everywhere he met -with the same experience. In short, he found himself blacklisted. - -In the meantime he made every effort to preserve a cheerful demeanor. -He wrote long letters home to his mother, but never mentioned the grave -disaster which had overwhelmed him and which threatened to blight his -future newspaper life. Fortunately he possessed a small sum of money -which was on deposit in the saving fund. He had been prudent and -thrifty from the time of his arrival in New York, and as a consequence -was able to save small amounts of money in addition to the allowance -which he sent to his mother with religious regularity. He drew this out -now, and counting it over carefully found that, if necessary, it would -be sufficient to pay his expenses for a month or so. But after all a -month, and even two months pass very rapidly to a poor man who sees no -immediate prospect of earning money. He noted with dismay that a whole -week had been lost in his fruitless negotiations with the Sentinel, -and that a longer period of time had passed by during the time he was -applying to the other newspapers. - -At this period he received a letter from Noah Brooks, saying that Mr. -Anderson had told him of the big beat upon which he was working for the -Argus, and wanting to know whether he had been able to carry it to a -successful conclusion. The letter annoyed him, even coming from such an -old and valued friend as the editor of the Cleverly Banner. However, -he sent a courteous reply to his old friend, expressing regret at his -failure to distinguish himself upon that particular piece of work. - -Mr. Anderson, his former teacher, hearing that he had separated from -the service of the Argus, called on him one evening. - -“I am awfully sorry to hear this, Herbert, and I half suspect that it -is the result of a quarrel with Blakeley.” - -“Yes,” assented Herbert with a half smile, “there is no doubt about -that. Blakeley quarreled all right. I think it was a one-sided quarrel; -but there is no use in discussing it now.” - -“But there is use,” insisted the other; “I’ll go to see Blakeley at -once and have this matter straightened out.” - -Herbert put a detaining hand on his arm, and said with great -earnestness: - -“Please don’t do anything of the kind.” - -“But I will,” cried the other. - -“But you must not,” corrected Herbert; “if you carry out your good -intentions you will do me a great deal of harm. If you are really a -friend of mine, I beg of you to stay away from the Argus office.” - -“But, my young man,” said the teacher, “you are entirely too young to -be so self opinionated. You should not have quarreled with Blakeley. It -would have been much better if you had bent your will to his.” - -Herbert shook his head sadly. He was silent for a few moments, and then -said with much gravity: - -“You mean very well, but you cannot mend matters in this instance.” - -Mr. Anderson left the house looking very forlorn. He was anxious to -help Herbert, and keenly felt his inability to do so. - -Tomlin had been sent out on an assignment that took him to a remote -part of the State. He remained away for a week, and Herbert was alone -during all that period. Tomlin returned unexpectedly one evening, -very anxious to hear the latest news regarding his friend and the -papers. Herbert came in late that night. His white face, drooping mouth -and hopeless eyes told their own story to Tomlin. However he tried -to disguise the feeling that was within him, and said with assumed -cheerfulness: - -“Well, old boy, how have you made out in my absence? Have you tried any -of the other papers?” - -“Yes,” said Herbert, “I have.” - -“Which one?” - -“Everyone,” said Herbert with a bitter smile, “at least everyone that -is worth considering.” - -“Well, what are your prospects?” - -“I have no prospects.” - -“No prospects--not even in the future?” - -“No,” retorted Herbert, the anger in his heart making him raise his -voice to a high pitch; “not even in the future. To be plain with -you, Tomlin, they all know about the circumstances under which I -left the Argus, and they refuse to have anything to do with me. I am -blacklisted. Do you understand that? I am blacklisted, and a disgraced -man.” - -The tone of Herbert’s voice no less than what he said shocked Tomlin -very much; but he made no reply, and the two friends sat there for many -minutes staring mutely at each other. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII WHEREIN A BLACK SHEEP SHOWS A DESIRE TO CHANGE HIS COLOR - - -One morning not long after the conversation which has been recorded in -the previous chapter, Tomlin said to Herbert: - -“See here, old chap, you are not going to throw up the sponge--I know -you’re not. You’ve got too much grit and pluck for any such thing as -that.” - -“What do you mean?” asked Herbert, staring at him in an unmeaning way. - -“What do I mean? I mean that you’ve got to employ strategy. When a -soldier gets in a tight fix with the enemy, he uses the brains with -which he is endowed for the purpose of extricating himself. So it is -with the lawyer, with the business man and with mortals generally--” - -“What in the world are you driving at?” interrupted Herbert. - -“I know what I’m driving at,” replied the other. “Listen to what I have -to say, and then try to answer me intelligently. Can you write a good -Sunday newspaper story?” - -“Can I? Why you know--” - -“Of course, of course I know,” cut in Tomlin, “I only asked you -that question as a matter of form. I want you to go out and get a -first-class special story. Write it up in your most attractive style, -typewrite it on the machine we have in this room, and give it to me by -this time to-morrow.” - -The hearty manner of his friend furnished just the sort of inspiration -that Herbert needed at that particular time. He went out during the -day and visited the various places where he would be likely to obtain -material for a special story. It grew quite late and he was still -without anything upon which he could base the sort of article that -would answer to the vivid description furnished by Tomlin. On his way -back to his room he stopped at an Old Man’s Home to enjoy a chat with -the superintendent, who had been his friend while he was on the Argus, -and had sometimes rendered him valuable assistance. - -“Anything doing about here, Smith?” he asked. - -“No,” replied the superintendent, “not a thing. This is the slowest -week we have had for a long while. It’s as dull as dishwater.” - -“Sorry to hear that,” responded Herbert; “I thought in a large -community of this kind something was always happening.” - -“No,” responded the other, “nothing worth printing. I’ve got a good -joke on one of the old fellows upstairs, however. He was knocked out -by a bat last night.” - -“By a bat?” queried Herbert. - -“Yes. You see the old chap was a colonel in the Civil War--one of the -bravest men that ever led a regiment. Well, while he was reading a -bat flew into the room, and the things that happened during the next -half hour were funny enough to make a sick cat well. The old colonel -picked up his cane and chased that bird all around the room. The light -bewildered the bat and caused it to flounder around so blindly that -half of the ornaments in the room were broken. The colonel thought he -had it at one time, though, and lifted up his cane to give the bird its -death blow; but he missed by a hair, and instead of killing the pesky -thing, he smashed two big vases that stood on the mantel-piece. Then -when he made another lunge at it his stick went through an oil painting -which I believe has been in his family for nearly a hundred years. It -was daylight before that bird was thrust out of the room, and when the -first streak of dawn penetrated into the apartment the floors and walls -resembled some place which had just finished an unsuccessful siege with -the enemy.” - -“Why, that’s a pretty good story,” cried Herbert quickly, “and if you -will give me the privilege of talking to the old colonel and the chance -to look at that room, I will thank you to the day of my death.” - -The superintendent was only too well pleased to do this. Herbert -obtained a picture of the valiant soldier, and borrowing a camera -from one of the inmates, made a photograph of the dismantled room. -He hurried home, and before midnight had succeeded in grinding out -an exceedingly interesting special which was entitled “The Story of -the Union Soldier and the Bat.” He turned this over to Tomlin in the -morning, and when they met in the evening again that young man said -with a considerable degree of self-satisfaction: - -“Your story is accepted and will be printed, and you will be paid for -it on the first of the month.” - -“But I--they--” began Herbert. - -“Oh,” interrupted the other impatiently, “I know what you are going -to say. I know that you are blacklisted, but that has nothing to do -with the case. A man must earn a living, and you have a right to your -bread and butter. Besides this is a justifiable deception. I am going -to keep on selling your stuff as my own as long as you have wit enough -to write. The articles will be typewritten, and the editors who buy -them from me will not know the difference except,” with a little laugh, -“they will be a little more brilliant than the kind I am in the habit -of writing.” - -“You think it’s all right?” ventured Herbert. - -“Of course it’s all right. Where’s the harm? No name is signed to the -articles. The newspapers get the worth of their money. The readers are -satisfied. You are reimbursed, and I am gratified. What more would you -want?” - -Herbert soon came around to this way of thinking, and then and there -started in on another article, which proved equally as saleable as the -first. Elated by the success of these two articles, he planned a series -of Sunday specials, chiefly sketches of odd phases of life in New York -City. He was industry personified, and worked so adroitly in gathering -his facts that his identity was fully concealed. One morning, just as -he was about to leave the house he received a letter; and on tearing -open the envelope, found that it was dated from a small town in the -northern part of Connecticut. It was as follows: - - “DEAR HERBERT: - - “I would be an ingrate of the meanest type if I did not write to you - and acknowledge the great debt which I owe to you now, and which I - will continue to owe till the day of my death. I fully realize that - if it had not been for your interference and kindness I would have - been arrested, and myself and the members of my family disgraced. But - sometimes bad beginnings have good results, and the merest incidents - prove to be the turning point in a man’s career. I am satisfied now - that the little episode which occurred at the post office a few - weeks ago is going to prove the making of me. I know that I have - been indolent and worthless; that I was foolish enough to contract - bad and vicious associations, and that I have been guilty of many - disreputable things. Somehow or other I went along doing these things - without thinking of the meanness that was involved in them. Looking - back upon them now, I can see very readily how little incidents - repeated many times led to bad habits, and how these bad habits were - gradually undermining my whole character. - - “I do not ask you to believe me, but I am going to tell you just - the same, that from the instant you gave me the kindly warning in - the post office building I made up my mind that if I were given the - opportunity I would lead a better life in the future. I am now making - this effort with all the courage at my command. It’s a hard job, - but I believe that I am going to come out a winner. I have secured - honest employment in this little town, and I intend to remain here - till I am fully satisfied that I am fit to associate with manly and - self-respecting persons like yourself. Kindly consider this letter - sent in confidence, and not to be revealed till you hear from me - further. - - “Very truly yours, - “ARTHUR BLACK.” - -Herbert was delighted with this missive. It repaid him for the great -sacrifice he had made--not for Arthur Black--but for his sister. His -first thought was to call on Mary and assure her that her brother was -alive and well; but upon mature reflection he abandoned this as being -unwise. From that day, however, Herbert put more heart into his work. -He still depended upon his voluntary contributions to the newspapers, -and while he longed for a permanent position on the staff of one of the -large dailies, he felt that he would have to bide his time before he -reached such a desirable post. - -During these days he often thought of his father, and more than once -he recalled the dramatic scene when his father and the strange visitor -were seated at the table together in their little home at Cleverly. He -had frequently resolved to run out the mystery of that night, and now -he vowed it with more than usual vehemence. Everywhere he went he tried -to discover some signs of the queer stranger. It seemed a hopeless -task, but he resolved to persist in it till the end. One evening, while -he was walking down Cortlandt street, his gaze was attracted by a big, -broad-shouldered man who was walking along the street four or five -yards in advance of him. There was something very familiar about those -bulky shoulders. He looked again, and as his glance traveled upward -he suddenly realized that the man had a shock of bushy red hair. -Recognition was instantaneous; it was the man he had been looking for -for so long. He pushed his way through the crowd, and at one time was -almost able to reach the mysterious person by stretching out his hands; -but at that critical moment a heavily laden truck intervened, and the -queer one gained several yards on him. It was evident that he was -making for the ferry house to take the boat which ran to Jersey City. -Just before they reached the pier the bell began to ring its warning -signal. The crowd hurried. The man with the red hair and the bulky -shoulders ran rapidly towards the boat, with Herbert after him panting -for breath. - -“Hurry up!” shouted the gateman to the approaching crowd. - -The big man redoubled his speed, and just as he entered the ferry -slip and got aboard the bell rang for the second time, the iron gate -was slammed to with a bang, and Herbert found himself standing on the -wharf, gazing at the boat churning its way towards the shores of New -Jersey. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX PERSISTENCE HAS ITS REWARD AND HERBERT FINALLY MEETS THE -MYSTERIOUS STRANGER - - -Herbert Harkins was now consumed with a burning desire to meet the -mysterious stranger. He had an actual interest in clearing the memory -of his father; but above and beyond that he was now filled with a -boyish curiosity which insisted upon being satisfied. The thought of -the stranger occupied his waking hours, and even disturbed his rest -at night. When he was out of doors he stared at all the big men he -happened to meet, in order to discover, if possible, a burly man with -broad shoulders and a shock of red hair. At times this peculiar quest -seemed so absurd that he felt like abandoning it altogether; but such -periods of depression were invariably followed by a resolution to -persevere till he had accomplished his desire. - -This sort of thing went on day after day without bringing any practical -results. Just when Herbert was beginning to tire of it, the thought -flashed across his mind that publicity was frequently a way of -obtaining things that could not be found by ordinary efforts. In other -words, he flew to the personal columns of the daily newspapers for -assistance. The result of this was the following advertisement which -appeared one morning in the New York Herald: - -“Will the stranger who called on David Harkins at Cleverly very late -one night about five years ago kindly send his address to H. H., care -of General Delivery, Post Office. By doing so he may be the instrument -of redeeming the memory of a good man.” - -Herbert was very much pleased with the phrasing of this advertisement. -There was an air of romance about it that appealed quite strongly to -his youthful fancy. The day after its appearance he hurried to the post -office with the expectation of receiving a letter, but he was doomed to -disappointment. No reply of any kind had been received. On the second -day he called at the post office again, and this time was rewarded by -the receipt of a very much soiled postal card. The writer informed him -that he had called on David Harkins at Cleverly about five years ago -and would be glad to meet the person who was in quest of information. -The address given was that of a low-grade lodging house on the Bowery. -Herbert felt a trifle disappointed at the tone of this communication, -but nevertheless resolved to run it out to the end. He visited the -Bowery that afternoon, and was received by a short, stout man with a -very red nose and a somewhat husky voice. - -“You sent me this postal card,” said Herbert, exhibiting the square -piece of manila board. - -“Yes,” said the other, with a leer, “what is there in it for me if I -give you the information you are after?” - -“I don’t know that that has anything to do with it,” said Herbert. - -“Oh, yes,” retorted the other, with a chuckle, “it has everything to do -with it, my young chappie. I’m a business man.” - -“A business man?” queried Herbert. - -“Yes, sir, a business man. My motto is, no cash no information. That’s -plain enough, isn’t it?” - -“Too plain,” said Herbert, picking up his hat and starting towards the -door. - -“Hold on!” cried the other, jumping up; “I don’t want much from you, -and I’ll tell you anything you wish to know.” - -“I have no doubt of it,” replied Herbert; “but unfortunately you are -not the man I want.” - -“Oh, yes, I am,” insisted the other eagerly, “I’m the man that called -on David Harkins at Cleverly.” - -Herbert shook his head and shrugged his shoulders; then as if it were -an afterthought, he turned to the seedy-looking person and said: - -“Do you insist that you are the identical man who called on David -Harkins?” - -“I insist,” repeated the man, trying to draw himself up in a dignified -way. - -“Now, I am sure that I have no business with you,” said Herbert, -“because it so happens that the man who called on David Harkins had -bright red hair--it was bushy, too, while you are almost bald-headed -and your hair is black.” - -The fellow snickered a little at this, and said: - -“I lost me hair durin’ a very bad attack o’ fever.” - -Herbert could not forbear smiling himself. - -“I suppose the color turned, too, at the same time.” - -“Yes,” answered the man, “it did indeed. You needn’t laugh. Scientific -men will tell you that a man’s hair often changes color in a single -night.” - -“Well, good-by,” said Herbert, “I’ll leave you to settle that with the -scientists.” - -Three weeks passed by after this amusing episode and Herbert received -no further replies from the personal that he had inserted in the -Herald. He was reading the paper one afternoon, and while running his -trained eye down the many columns of small advertisements, happened to -see his own name in print. He looked closer, and this is what he read: - -“If Herbert Harkins, son of the late David Harkins, of Cleverly, New -Jersey, will make his whereabouts known to the undersigned, he may -learn of something to his advantage. Write without delay to Captain -Thomas Janson, Anchor Inn, Jersey City, N. J.” - -Feverish with anxiety, Herbert immediately sent a letter in response -to this advertisement. Within forty-eight hours after that he received -an answer, written in a large, sprawling hand, inviting him to call on -Captain Janson at his domicile in Jersey City. He responded without -delay. He found Anchor Inn to be an obscure hotel in a deserted part of -the town. It was a popular resort for seafaring men. Upon inquiry for -Captain Janson, he was informed that the Captain had removed that very -morning to a new two-story house which he had erected on the outskirts -of the city. He had left a message for Herbert, however, giving him -explicit directions where he could find his new domicile. - -Herbert listened very carefully, and then made his way to the address -that had been given him. He found it to be the quaintest looking house -it had ever been his good fortune to gaze upon. The front of it was -shaped like the prow of a boat, and under the eaves of the house was -a wooden effigy of a mermaid, shaped and painted like those used upon -sailing craft in the Eastern waters. He rang the bell, and the call -was answered by a colored youth dressed up in blue clothing, with -brass buttons, to represent a cabin boy. He was ushered into a small, -low-ceilinged apartment which resembled the captain’s quarters upon a -boat. The beds on either side of the room were fitted up to resemble -bunks. The windows had been so constructed that they were perfect -reproductions of port holes. A little desk, a brass-rimmed clock, such -as can be seen in the cabins of pleasure yachts, a coil of rope, a -large marine glass, and cheap colored pictures of the admirals of the -United States Navy adorned the walls of this strangely furnished room. - -Presently the door of an adjoining apartment opened and a big, brawny -man, with the rolling gait of a sailor, entered the room. His face was -as red as a boiled lobster; his hands were thick-skinned and broad. -He had wide shoulders and--this detail made an immediate impression -upon Herbert--he also possessed a heavy shock of red hair. The -identification was complete. This man, beyond a doubt, was the person -who had been with his father on that eventful night. - -“Avast there, my hearty!” shouted the newcomer, putting out his broad -hand to meet the outstretched palm of his caller; “what are you doing -aboard my craft?” - -“My name is Herbert Harkins,” said the young man, “and I came here in -response to your letter.” - -The seaman stopped short with an exclamation on the tip of his -tongue. He stood in the center of the room with his hands on his hips -and rolled his head from side to side as he stared at Herbert with -unblinking eyes. The scrutiny appeared to satisfy him. - -“So you’re Dave Harkins’ boy, are you? Well, you look like him; you -look like him just as he appeared when he was a young man. You’re -different from him in some ways, but the resemblance is there just the -same. You’re more like a chip off the old block than the old block -itself. Now, boy, take a seat on that steamer chair there, get out your -log book and tell me all about your journey through life.” - -“All right, sir,” replied Herbert, taking the proffered seat; “I’ll do -so.” - -“By the way,” interrupted the Captain, “before you talk about yourself, -tell me about your father.” - -“You know that father is dead?” began Herbert. - -“Yes, I know that,” answered the other, “but I want some details about -it.” - -“All right, I’ll try to give them to you.” - -“By the way,” he interrupted again, as Herbert started to talk, “will -you have a glass of grog to wet your whistle?” - -“No, sir,” replied Herbert, “I don’t drink.” - -“Good for you; you’re a good deal better without it; but an old salt -like myself couldn’t do without his pipe and his grog, especially in -his old days.” - -Herbert then proceeded to tell the old sailor all about his father, and -when he spoke of the mysterious midnight visit and the cloud of false -rumors that had arisen therefrom the Captain’s face clouded and he -walked up and down the floor of his little cabin shaking his fist. - -“The lubbers!” he shouted, “they ought to have been tied to the mast -and given a dose of a cat o’ nine tails.” - -Having finished this part of his narrative, Herbert then proceeded to -tell the story of his own life, and at its conclusion the old salt put -out his brawny hand, and taking Herbert’s, gave it a hearty grasp. - -“Your story is mighty interesting. I’m mighty glad to hear it, and I -think I am in a position to be your friend.” - -“I am glad of that,” responded Herbert, “and I’m very curious to find -out the real meaning of that midnight visit.” - -“I’ll give it to you, my boy, and in mighty quick order. I was a -boyhood chum of your father. We grew up together, went to school -together, and one never had a thing that wasn’t shared by the other. -I had no idea of the sea in my youth; but shortly after I got to be a -boy of about your age I was entrusted with a sum of money belonging to -another person. I was a sort of trustee. In an evil moment some fellow -came along and showed me how it would be possible to double the money -without any risk. I tried it, and lost every cent. While I was in this -condition, I was called upon to make an accounting of the trust money. -In my extremity I went to your father and explained everything. He -gave me every penny that he had in the world in order to make good the -loss, and my reputation was saved and I had learned a lesson that I -have never forgotten since then. I was a wild boy in my younger days. I -owed a great deal of money, and finally determined to take to the sea -as a means of cooling down my hot blood. During the next ten years I -sailed over every part of the civilized globe. I became a master and -traded extensively in the Chinese seas. I was fortunate, made money, -and finally came home to retire upon my savings. - -“The first man I thought of,” said the Captain, leaning back in his -easy chair, “was Dave Harkins. I determined to hunt him up and pay him -the few hundred dollars he had so generously given me at a critical -time in my life. I got to Cleverly late at night; the hotel was closed -so that I was unable to secure accommodations there. The thought -struck me that I might find Harkins at home. I went to his house, and -fortunately found him at a moment when he needed my help just as I had -formerly needed his. I compelled him to take that thousand dollars, and -I made a condition that he was not to tell of my whereabouts until I -got ready to make myself known to the world. I wanted to clear up all -of my old debts and to rehabilitate myself before my old friends before -I revealed my identity. After leaving him I went to New York, and -carrying out a program that had already been arranged, went abroad to -settle up some business interests that I had in Liverpool. I came back, -only to hear that David Harkins was dead. I was told that the family -had moved from Cleverly, and accepted the report without attempting to -verify it. Years went by, but I was never quite satisfied. I hunted -around in a vague sort of way to find Harkins’ boy. Only last week it -occurred to me that a personal in the Herald might bring some results, -and thank goodness it did, because here you are with me in the flesh.” - -“I am very grateful to hear all of this,” said Herbert after the old -sailor had finished; “I can assure you that it makes me very happy -indeed. I never doubted my father at any time; but it is a great -satisfaction to have the whole matter settled and to have these painful -rumors dispelled as you have dispelled them.” - -The Captain arose from his chair, took a turn or two around the room, -and then putting his arm around Herbert’s shoulder, said: - -“My boy, we’ll dispel them in such a way that they’ll never be heard of -again. Mark one thing down, and mark it down plain: I’m your friend, -and your friend for life.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX IN WHICH A STAIN IS REMOVED FROM THE MEMORY OF AN INNOCENT -MAN - - -Herbert remained with Captain Janson for several hours. The man and the -boy were mutually attracted. After some further conversation regarding -David Harkins, the sailor said: - -“Now tell me your story.” - -Herbert did so as briefly and as modestly as possible. He told of his -difficulty with the Argus; but discreetly avoided all reference to -Arthur Black and the manner in which he had saved him at the expense of -his own position. - -“My boy,” said the Captain, when he had concluded, “it’s all right; -don’t worry about these little things. The first thing we have to do -is to straighten out the memory of your father with the people of -Cleverly. You know how these stories stick in small communities. My -boy, we’ll hoist sail and bear down on the port of Cleverly at once, -and when we land there we’ll let the natives know a thing or two. We’ll -let ’em know that David Harkins was one of Nature’s noblemen, and now -that he’s gone to Davy Jones’ locker, he has left a friend and a son -who will take care of his memory.” - -The following day they both took the train and went to Cleverly. Their -first visit was to the office of the Cleverly Banner, where Captain -Jansen was introduced to Noah Brooks. The editor and the sailor had not -talked for ten minutes before they became fast friends. Presently they -were joined by Horace Coke, the lawyer, who had always been a friend -of the Harkins family, and who was delighted with the turn things had -taken. After a general conversation in which all hands joined, the -sailor suddenly pounded his hand on the desk, and said earnestly: - -“Messmates, I’m here for a purpose, and a specific purpose. Dave -Harkins was an honest man. I want everybody else to know that fact. How -can I do it?” - -Noah Brooks scratched his head for awhile, and then said musingly: - -“You might print a story in the Banner, telling all about your visit -that night, and explaining how you came to give him those ten $100 -bills. How does that strike you?” - -“Pardon me,” interrupted the lawyer, “but that doesn’t strike me very -favorably. It would look forced. Besides everybody knows that Brooks -is a friend of Herbert Harkins, and some people might be inclined to -think the story was a little overdrawn.” - -“Yes, that’s so,” admitted Brooks, “but I hardly know how you can get -around it in any other way. Besides, I would do this thing freely and -voluntarily. It is not a question of expense or money.” - -“Money!” shouted the old sailor, “who said anything about money? I -want you to understand that money is not to stand in the way of this -business. There isn’t any expenditure that I could make that would help -the memory of Dave Harkins that I wouldn’t undertake.” - -“Do you mean that?” asked Brooks. - -“Of course I mean it. By the way, while I am here I would like to do -something for this town of yours. What do you need just now?” - -The lawyer laughed at this. - -“You talk like a millionaire.” - -“Well,” responded the sailor, “I am not a millionaire, but I’ve got -enough to live on and a little over, too, and if I can make somebody -else feel happy I’m going to do it.” - -“You asked me just now,” said the lawyer musingly, “what you could do -for the town.” - -“Yes, I did.” - -“Well,” responded the other, “a little fountain in the middle of the -main street wouldn’t be a bad thing. It would be the means of slaking -the thirst of both man and beast. We had one there some years ago, and -it was mighty useful; but it’s worn out now, and we have no means of -replacing it.” - -“What will it cost?” asked the sailor. - -“Not more than two thousand dollars,” responded Mr. Coke; “that would -finish the whole thing in first-class style.” - -“It’s a go!” shouted the sailor, jumping up; “get the thing up in good -shape, and get it up as quickly as possible.” - -Then and there specifications were drawn up, advertisements given out -and the draft of a communication made to city councils. Within thirty -days the whole thing had been completed and was ready for dedication. -On the morning fixed for the celebration it slowly dawned on Herbert’s -mind that the sailor and the lawyer had a fixed purpose in all that -they had done, and this purpose was only now beginning to unfold -itself. He got his first inkling of this when he noticed the little -silver plate on the side of the fountain, saying that it been erected -by Captain Thomas Janson to the memory of his lifelong friend, David -Harkins. - -Mrs. Harkins wept a great deal when she saw this plate, which was a -very good thing for her, because it relieved her pent up feelings -and enabled her to recall memories of the dead without doing her any -serious injury. Herbert, on the other hand, was flushed with conscious -pride. A committee of the city councils had the affair in charge, and -they made Mrs. Harkins, Herbert and Captain Janson the guests of honor. -The Mayor of the city made the speech accepting the fountain, and then -Captain Janson, as the closest friend of David Harkins, was called on -for a few remarks. - -The speech that he made that day was one of the most remarkable that -had ever been delivered in the town. It told the story of the life of -David Harkins, and how he had once befriended the speaker during what -he firmly believed was the crisis of his life. He then related in great -detail how he had come to Cleverly late that night and forced his old -friend to accept the ten $100 bills. Thus, without making any direct -reference to the ancient rumors that had flourished in the town, the -stain attached to the memory of David Harkins was removed in the most -effective manner possible. John Black and his daughter were present at -the ceremonies, and at the conclusion of the set speeches Mr. Black -arose and paid a fervent tribute to the integrity of David Harkins. -Altogether everything was done in the most complete manner, and the -affair was a great success and a red letter day in the history of -Cleverly. - -The story of the event was told in a full page report in the current -issue of the Banner. To the delight of Mr. Brooks, Herbert had -volunteered to write the report, and it proved to be one of the best -pieces of reporting that had ever been done for the local paper. -Captain Janson was the hero of the occasion. He remained in Cleverly -for about a week, and he spent his money so lavishly and with such -utter unconcern that he came to be looked upon as a modern Monte Cristo. - -During his stay he formed quite an intimacy with Noah Brooks, and it -was not very long before the whole-hearted sailor and the eccentric -editor were almost indispensable to each other. Sitting in the Banner -office one day Janson said: - -“See here, Brooks, Cleverly looks to me like a good port in a storm. -It strikes me that it would be a pretty good place for an old worn out -hulk like Captain Janson. I’ve got a great notion to gather my stores -and anchor here for the rest of my life.” - -Brooks thought so, too, and said he felt satisfied that the Captain -would never have cause to regret making the change in his dwelling -place. The sight of the two old men sitting on the porch exchanging -stories of the varied experiences they had undergone during their -stormy lives was a picture not to be forgotten very quickly. At least -Herbert Harkins thought so, and when he finally took the train for his -return to New York the pretty little scene remained engraved upon his -memory. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI IN WHICH A TELEPHONE CALL PRODUCES SOME UNEXPECTED RESULTS - - -Herbert returned to New York from Cleverly in the gayest of spirits. He -was happier than he had been for years, and was filled with a desire -to communicate this light-hearted feeling to everyone that he met. The -fact that the long standing cloud had been removed from the memory of -his father made him forget his own troubles for the time at least. A -week before everything had appeared dark and gloomy; but now the dawn -had arrived and the earth assumed a cheerful appearance. With the -light-heartedness of youth, he looked forward to a future of prosperity -and uninterrupted happiness. - -The time was within a month of Christmas, and before leaving Cleverly -he had exacted a promise from his mother that she would come to New -York on the eve of the festival and stay with him over the holidays. He -was already mentally planning out the treat that would be given her on -her arrival in the metropolis. It was in this mood that he hurried to -his apartments. He found Tomlin at home, and opening and closing the -door boisterously, shouted: - -“Hello Tomlin, old fellow! I want you to jump up and shake hands with a -very happy man.” - -Tomlin did jump up and did shake hands with his friend; but he said -nothing, gazing on the other with an expectant air. Receiving no -response to his silent inquiry, he asked: - -“Have you fallen heir to a fortune?” - -“No,” said Herbert, “something better than that.” - -“Have you obtained a permanent position on one of the big papers?” - -“No,” replied Herbert, and this time a little sadly, “not that.” - -“Well, what in the world is it?” asked the other. - -“Simply this,” replied Herbert, speaking hurriedly and with some -feeling; “after a number of anxious years I have succeeded in clearing -the memory of my father from a stain that has rested upon it ever since -his death.” - -Very rapidly he sketched the events that had followed one another -from the time he had read the little personal in the Herald until the -unveiling of the memorial fountain in Cleverly. - -Tomlin whistled. - -“This is news indeed, and I never knew a thing about it. Why didn’t you -tell me?” - -“I owe you an apology for that,” said Herbert contritely, “but I was a -victim of circumstances. After my interview with the old sea captain -I missed you, and found it necessary to go to Cleverly immediately. -Besides that I had a strong desire to complete the whole business so -that I might give you the story in full when we met.” - -“Don’t mention it,” said the other heartily, his eyes glistening with -the pleasure he felt. “Why the thing has the flavor of a romance from -real life. Say, it would make a bully story for the Argus.” - -Herbert raised his hand in protest. - -“Don’t think of such a thing, Tomlin!” he exclaimed. “I am not desirous -of any publicity just at this time. I wouldn’t have Blakeley even hear -my name or to see it, at least not for some time to come. I know that -he feels very bitterly towards me, and I realize that he has a real -justification for that feeling. Some day I may be able to win back his -good opinion.” - -“I hope so,” fervently ejaculated Tomlin; then as if the thought had -just struck him: “Why not make the attempt now?” - -“It is not possible now,” said Herbert in a positive tone, which -conveyed a distinct desire to close the subject. - -“By the way,” said Tomlin, “you will have to get down to work. You’ve -been wasting a lot of your time when you should have been toiling for -your bread and butter. I’ve got an order here for three specials, and -you will have to turn them out before the end of the week.” - -“I’m your man,” responded Herbert enthusiastically. Then looking at his -friend fondly, he added: - -“Say, Tomlin, how can I ever repay you for your goodness to me?” - -“By never speaking about it,” was the crisp reply. - -Herbert started in immediately and began working on the specials that -had been ordered for the following week. He had to go out for several -days and nights in succession in order to obtain the material, but -once that was in hand he worked quickly and industriously. One of the -articles was a graphic description of the entrance to the Brooklyn -bridge at the rush hour in the evening. The subject was not new by any -means; but Herbert handled it with such cleverness and originality -that it made a very readable page in the Sunday issue of one of the -enterprising newspapers. Another of the specials was a description of -Chinatown at night, couched in such phraseology as to make the reader -believe that the scenes so graphically described were taking place in -the heart of one of the cities of old China instead of actually being -enacted in the midst of the American metropolis. The third article -gave the impressions of a man who went to the very top of one of -the highest buildings on Manhattan Island and viewed the surrounding -country. - -The Argus office was only a few blocks from the lodgings of the two -young men. While Herbert was hard at work one night, Tomlin rushed in -unexpectedly, and said in agitated tones: - -“I’ve got a sensational tip that I want you to run out for me. I am -tied up on another story now, and there is no one in the office. It may -be nothing, or it may be a good thing; but if you are willing to tackle -it I will guarantee that you will not lose anything by the operation.” - -“Don’t talk about losses,” said Herbert impatiently; “tell me what you -want.” - -“Well,” said the other; “I was around at the precinct police station -a little while ago. The telephone bell rang while I was in the room. -The house sergeant was sound asleep, snoring like a log, so I took the -liberty of responding to the call. When I got my ear to the receiver a -very feminine voice said: - -“‘Is this the police station?’ - -“‘Yes ma’am,’ I replied, wondering what was coming next. - -“‘Well,’ said the sweet voice again, ‘a burglar has broken into our -house and I have him locked in the sitting room, and I will be very -much obliged indeed if you will send an officer here at once to take -the man into custody.’ - -“Just in the most matter of fact manner imaginable,” cried Tomlin. -“Could anything be more picturesque or interesting? Here is a woman who -is not afraid of a burglar. She calmly telephones for the police to -come and arrest him. I think that’s a peach of a story, and if you have -any red blood in your veins you will grab your hat and coat and start -off on the story before I am able to say ten more words.” - -This was precisely what Herbert did. In less than a minute’s time he -was at the door, and turning to Tomlin, said: - -“Where’s the house? What was the number?” - -“The cabby knows all about it,” said Tomlin, pointing to a stout man -who was sitting on the high seat of a cab in front of the door. - -“What’s that?” asked Herbert. - -“That’s the cabby,” replied Tomlin; “you don’t suppose I would come -here without furnishing you with all the conveniences necessary to do -the job. There’s a policeman in plain clothes on the inside of the cab. -All you have to do is to go with him, help him to make the arrest, -and then write up the story. I’ll call here again in an hour and get -the copy. If it proves to be a beat, I’ll give it to Blakeley in the -morning and quietly let him know that you have sent it in as a partial -act of retribution for the scurvy manner in which you treated him on -that other big scoop.” - -“Tomlin, I wish you would stop talking about that,” said Herbert -impatiently; “but I’ll do the best I can with this story.” And with a -farewell shout he jumped into the cab, pulled the door to with a slam -and was whirled in the direction of upper New York. The cab driver -had evidently been given an extra fee for speed, because he lashed -his horse unmercifully, and the vehicle went whirling up Broadway -at a gait which terrified chance pedestrians and aroused the ire of -sleepy policemen. Once the hub of the wheel struck another team that -was coming down-town, and for several seconds Herbert felt that their -team was about to be wrecked; but by some lucky chance the wheels -became extricated and the cab once more resumed its upward and onward -journey. Finally, after many minutes had passed, it turned off the -main highway into a side street. Herbert noticed by glancing at a lamp -on the side of the thoroughfare that they had turned into West 69th -street. Presently the cab stopped, and when Herbert and the officer had -alighted, the cabby, pointing towards a brownstone house with the tip -of his whip, said: - -“That’s your house, boys.” - -Herbert looked up at the dwelling, and something familiar about it -arrested his attention. He looked again to make sure, but there could -be no doubt about it. - -It was the home of John Black. Herbert stood on the sidewalk for some -seconds, half dazed at this entirely unexpected discovery. He wondered -curiously what fatality it was that had brought him to this house on -such a strange errand at such an hour of the night; but presently he -aroused himself. Speculation was in vain; action was necessary. After a -few whispered instructions to the officer, he walked up the high steps -and rang the bell. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII PROVING THAT BAD PERSONS, LIKE BAD PENNIES, ARE CONSTANTLY -REAPPEARING - - -After ringing the bell of the house, Herbert waited for a long time, -but there was no response. Instantly his whole being was thrown into -a fever of impatience and unrest. He imagined all sorts of terrible -things. His mind was filled with terror. What if he had arrived on the -scene too late? What if some crime had been committed in the dead of -the night? Curiously enough, during that mental review he never thought -of John Black or his wife. The one person constantly in his mind was -Mary Black. - -He rang the bell a second time. This time it was done fiercely, -angrily. He listened eagerly, but received no immediate response, and -then consulted with the policeman upon the advisability of going to the -rear of the house and breaking in. While they were talking a sound was -heard at the parlor window, and the next moment it was thrown open. A -head was pushed cautiously out of the window. Herbert recognized it at -a glance. It was Mary Black. He was on the top step now, and leaning -over, said quietly so as not to alarm the girl: - -“Mary.” - -She started at the sound of a familiar voice, and peering out into the -gloom, exclaimed in genuine surprise: - -“Herbert Harkins!” - -“Yes, Mary,” he answered; “what is the difficulty?” - -“Oh, I’m terribly frightened,” she cried, “someone has broken into the -house. I don’t know who it is, except that it is a man. I was reading -in my room when I heard a grating sound at the kitchen door. Presently -it was opened, and footsteps could be heard going into the dining room. -Then all was silent for awhile. I came down the front stairway about -half way, and leaning over the banister, looked in the dining room. The -fellow’s back was to me. He was seated at the table calmly eating some -cold meat that he had taken out of the refrigerator. He had a couple of -bottles of papa’s wine, also, and was drinking that with great relish. -Scarcely knowing what to do, I crept back to my room. Both papa and -mamma had gone out for the evening, and I had no idea when they would -return home. While I was in my room, in an agony of fear, I heard the -fellow come upstairs. He went back into the library, and securing a -large tablecloth, filled it with the silverware and other valuable -things that he had carried from the dining room. Then he sank back -into a large arm chair and calmly went to sleep. It was then that I -conceived the idea of sounding the alarm. I pulled the doors of the -library to and locking them securely, came down to the hall, where we -have a telephone, and notified the police.” - -“Good!” exclaimed Herbert at the conclusion of this narrative, “you -have acted very discreetly. Is the fellow still asleep?” - -“No,” she replied; “he evidently awakened a few minutes ago, because I -hear him in the room. He has discovered the fact that he is a prisoner, -and I am sure will either jump through one of the back windows or break -open the door.” - -Herbert immediately sent the policeman to the rear of the house, with -instructions to arrest anybody who might attempt to escape from that -part of the property. Another patrolman fortunately passing by at this -time, volunteered to guard the front of the house, while Herbert went -in to grapple with the intruder. - -Mary was quite solicitous for Herbert’s safety, as was only natural. - -“Please be careful,” she said; “he may be a dangerous character. Don’t -you think you had better send one of the officers up?” - -“No,” said Herbert, “I think I’ll tackle this job myself.” - -He felt some apprehension, but being a man, did not propose to display -it before a girl for whom he had so much regard as Mary Black. - -He crept up the stairs silently, armed with a pistol which Tomlin had -thoughtfully provided. He heard a great knocking on the doors of the -library, and going there immediately, turned the key and threw them -open. The man within, surprised at this bold movement, retreated to the -rear of the room. There was no light, but Herbert could see his figure -dimly moving in the gloom. - -“Surrender or you will be shot!” he shouted sternly. - -For answer the burglar drew a pistol from his pocket, and aiming at -Herbert, pulled the trigger. There was a flash of light and then all -was silence. Herbert felt a tickling sensation like a pin prick on the -back of his right hand. He lifted it, and noticed that the bullet had -just grazed the top of his hand, which was already bleeding. Smarting -with anger, he raised his own pistol and fired. It went far of the -mark, but it produced results, for a heavy bass voice coming out of the -darkness shouted: - -“Stop shooting, and I’ll surrender.” - -Herbert put his pistol away, and striking a match, lit the gas. The -burglar was crouching in a corner of the room back of a book-case. His -clothing seemed to be in tatters. Herbert strode over to where he was -and grabbing him by the arm, pulled him out. The man turned round with -a whine: - -“You’re not going to hurt me, are you?” he said. - -Something in the voice attracted Herbert at once. He scrutinized the -bleared face and recognized in it the countenance of Harry Adler. The -discovery aroused his indignation. - -“You scoundrel!” he shouted, raising his voice in his anger. “What do -you mean by coming here and trying to rob these people. Aren’t you -satisfied with the injury you have already done to this family? You -have taken their boy away from them, and now to cap the climax, you are -low enough and despicable enough to come and try to rob them of their -property.” - -“What family?” asked Adler, looking up at the young man with a sullen -gaze. - -“What family?” ejaculated Herbert, “do you mean to say that you did not -know that this was John Black’s house?” - -“No,” was the reply with an ugly leer. “I didn’t know it was John -Black’s house. I was hard up; I had to get something; I needed money. -This looked like an easy thing. How could I tell whose crib I was -trying to crack?” - -“Well,” said Herbert bitterly, “you put your head in the noose this -time all right You’ve been caught red-handed, and you’ll go to jail -without doubt.” - -“How do you know this?” asked Adler, with sudden defiance. - -“Because the house is guarded back and front,” was the reply; “because -I have caught you in the act and you are my prisoner now, and I don’t -propose to permit you to escape.” - -The burglar looked at his antagonist in a blank sort of way for a -moment, then a glitter of intelligence and cunning suddenly illumined -the fishy eyes and the sodden face. - -“If you permit the police to take me up to-night you’ll regret it to -the very end of your life.” - -Something in the man’s manner and in the tone of his voice arrested -Herbert’s attention. Some instinctive feeling seemed to tell him that -these words were not mere bravado. He turned to the culprit: - -“Why? Why do you say this?” - -“Because,” exclaimed Adler, in a shrill voice, “if you have me arrested -I’ll squeal. I’ll tell the truth and the whole truth about young Arthur -Black. He came to New York with me as my partner. He was concerned in -that dirty get-rich-quick business. I’ll turn State’s evidence, and if -I go to jail he’ll go with me, and you can bet your sweet life that -the Black family will be mighty unhappy before I get through with them.” - -Herbert was the picture of distress. The man watched him with a leer. -With all his defects, Adler possessed acute intelligence and he -realized that Herbert was more deeply interested in Mary Black than he -was willing to acknowledge. Knowing this, he felt that he had struck -his captor in his weakest spot. It did not take Herbert long to decide. -Turning to the unfortunate man, he said: - -“Suppose you are released, what then?” - -“Then mum’s the word,” replied the burglar, “I’ll not squeal; I’ll go -about my business and let you and your friends go about yours.” - -“Wait a minute,” was Herbert’s comment. Going to the foot of the -stairs, he called for Mary Black. She came up very much agitated. She -peeped in at the burglar, who still lay in a heap on the floor, and -shuddered at the sight. Herbert whispered to her. - -“Mary, this man deserves to be arrested and imprisoned; but I have -a great notion to let him go. He is an old Cleverly boy. It’s Harry -Adler. He never did amount to much, but it might be an act of charity -to permit him to go in peace this time.” - -Her eyes brightened and the color returned to her face. In her -enthusiasm she took Herbert by both hands, exclaiming: - -“I agree with you thoroughly, and I think you’re simply great to act so -generously with a man who is at your mercy.” - -While this conversation was going on the policemen who had been -patiently waiting in the front and rear of the house, tiring of their -long watch, came inside and walked up the stairway. As they joined the -group, Herbert turned to the man who had accompanied him, and said: - -“Gentlemen, this is all a deplorable error. This gentleman is a distant -relative of the family. In the confusion he was taken for an intruder. -The family is very much mortified, and hopes that nothing more will be -said about the matter.” - -The policemen smiled at this and bowing their heads in acquiescence -left the house, chuckling in audible tones. Such scenes were not -unfamiliar to the members of the metropolitan police force. As soon as -they had gotten out of sight, Herbert turned to Adler, and in a tone -freighted with anger and contempt, exclaimed: - -“Go!” - -The man looked up out of the corner of his eye as if to assure himself -that there was no treachery intended, and then slunk downstairs and out -into the street. - -As he withdrew Mary turned to Herbert and then suddenly gave a terrible -scream. - -“Why, what’s the matter, Mary?” he cried anxiously, rushing over to her. - -“Oh that, that!” she exclaimed, pointing to his right hand, which was -now almost covered with blood; “you have been shot. You are wounded.” - -Herbert, who had forgotten his slight injury, looked down at his -discolored hand and gave a laugh. - -“Oh, that’s nothing,” he cried; “if you will get me a little hot water -and a bandage, I think we can straighten that out in short order.” - -She proceeded to do this, bustling about with much intelligence and -vivacity. The wound was dressed and she was in the act of binding it -up when Mr. and Mrs. Black returned. They were amazed to see Herbert -Harkins there, and still more thunderstruck when they learned the story -of the attempted robbery. John Black was grateful, but he shook his -head as he said to Herbert: - -“You should not have released the man. He is a menace to society, and -may attempt the same crime against other citizens.” - -Mary spoke up at this point, saying: - -“I disagree with you, father. Herbert was right. He might have been -mistaken, but he was merciful and that after all means much in this -unfeeling world.” - -Herbert was delighted at such praise, and bidding her good-night -stooped down and kissed her hand in the chivalrous manner of a -gentleman of the old school. - -The act appeared to please the girl, for her face crimsoned and -stooping down, she picked up his wounded hand and gave it a kiss. - -“You deserve it,” she said impulsively, “because you have acted the -part of a hero.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII IN WHICH A BAD MAN REACHES THE END OF HIS ROPE - - -Herbert walked home from the Black residence that night. He did not -care to ride. He wanted to have the opportunity to think over the -exciting incidents of the last hour, and felt that he could not do -so with any satisfaction to himself unless he was alone. The clocks -were striking one o’clock in the morning when he finally reached his -lodgings. The gas was burning in the little sitting room, and Tomlin -was there in an attitude of expectancy. - -“Well?” he said, with a questioning look. “What was the result of your -adventure?” - -Herbert’s jaw fell. It suddenly dawned upon him that he was once -more placed in the attitude of a delinquent. He had unconsciously -forgotten all about Tomlin and the fact that he was supposed to be -out on an assignment. The thought mortified him very much. He looked -into Tomlin’s clear eyes, and what he saw there prompted him to be -candid. There was no use in attempting to beat about the bush; he would -tell the truth and tell it as simply as possible; so he sat down and -related all that had occurred from the time he left Tomlin early in -the evening until the present moment. Only upon one phase of the story -did he attempt any disguise, and that was when he related the threat -which had been hurled at him by the burglar. He told his friend that -a person who was very dear to Mary Black was in Adler’s power, and -that the robber had threatened to expose this person and involve him -in disgrace if he was not given an immediate release. When Herbert had -concluded his narrative, Tomlin leaned back in his chair and gave vent -to a hearty laugh. Herbert could not understand the cause of his mirth, -and said so. Tomlin laughed again, and then said: - -“I don’t suppose you see the humorous side of this thing; but it -appeals to me very strongly. See here, Harkins, this thing is becoming -marked with you. It begins to look as if you had gotten into the habit -of falling down on all of your assignments.” - -“I do feel a bit silly about this,” began Herbert, “but you see the -position I was placed in. You see it was this way--” - -“No explanations are necessary,” interrupted Tomlin in his familiar, -hearty tones, “explanations are not of much use anyhow. Your friends -don’t expect them, and your enemies wouldn’t believe them. I’m frank -to say, however, that you did just what any man with red blood in his -veins would have done under the circumstances. In fact I would have -acted just as you did.” - -“Then you don’t feel badly over it? You don’t blame me--” - -“Not at all,” interrupted his friend once more; “I only ask you to -promise me that you are through with this chivalrous business, and -that if you intend to stay in the newspaper profession, you will quit -it right here and now, and that hereafter when you are sent out on an -assignment you will cover it and write it like a sensible man. Do you -promise, Herbert?” - -“I promise,” said the other meekly. - -Thus ended the episode of the attempted robbery. Two days later -Herbert started out early in the morning in order to make a tour of -the hospitals for the purpose of finding some material for special -articles. The first institution he visited was the Samaritan Hospital, -with whose superintendent he was on terms of intimacy. - -“Got anything to-day?” he said to that official. - -“Not much,” was the yawning reply, “at least not much out of the -ordinary. I don’t think we’ve anything here that you would care for.” - -“Any deaths to-day?” - -“No; but we have a queer sort of fellow here who was shot last night -while trying to break into a house up-town.” - -“Is that so?” remarked Herbert carelessly. “I don’t suppose there’s -anything unusual in the case?” - -“No, I don’t think so,” was the rejoinder. “Here’s his name,” and the -superintendent pushed the big register over in the direction of Herbert. - -The young man looked at the open page carelessly, and then gave a -sudden start. - -The name on the book was decidedly familiar. It was that of Harry -Adler. Instantly he became all attention. - -“Was the man seriously injured?” he asked anxiously, turning to the -superintendent. - -“I’m afraid he was; he was shot in the groin while attempting to escape -from the house.” - -“How is he getting along?” - -“Badly,” was the response; “in fact I am satisfied in my own mind that -he is going to make a die of it.” - -Herbert’s sympathies were instantly aroused. He had no regard whatever -for Adler, and looked upon him as a very undesirable member of society; -but the thought of any man being shot and dying from his wounds -appealed strongly to his sympathetic nature. - -“I used to know this man at one time,” he said; “I wonder if I could be -of any use to him. I wonder if he has any friends or relatives that he -would care to see.” - -“I don’t know,” replied the other. - -“Could I see him?” persisted Herbert eagerly; “I might be able to do -something.” - -“Yes,” was the ready rejoinder, “come with me.” - -The two men walked up a flight of stairs and into the accident ward -of the hospital. They passed along through row after row of white -counterpaned cots. Men of all kinds and descriptions were on these -beds of suffering; some within the shadow of the Valley of Death, and -others convalescent. In the last cot on the very end row they found -the wounded burglar. He presented a pitiable spectacle; and when -Herbert looked at his white face and at the countenance twisted with -suffering, his heart melted and he forgot all the evil the man had done -during his useless life. He groaned with the pain and looked up just -as they reached his bedside. His eyes flashed a glance of recognition -at Herbert. He put a thin hand outside of the coverlet, and exclaimed -eagerly, but in a weak and husky voice: - -“Hello there, boy! You’re just the person I want to see.” - -“What is it?” asked Herbert, stooping down and speaking in a gentle -voice. - -“It’s just this,” replied the other in a voice that was not more than -audible; “I am satisfied that I’ve reached the end of my rope. The -doctor says there’s no hope for me. I suppose it serves me right, but -that don’t make me feel any better. I know I’ve led a very miserable -existence, and I suppose that as a man lives so he must die. It’s too -late for me to do any good in the world now; but while I have the -strength and the voice I’d like to clear up one little thing in which I -am satisfied you have a personal interest.” - -“Yes?” assented Herbert with much eagerness, bending a little lower so -that he might hear the man’s voice; “what is it about?” - -“It’s about the robbery of John Black’s house in Cleverly.” - -“I thought so,” exclaimed Herbert, his eyes sparkling with the -excitement of the moment; “what is it you want to tell me?” - -“Well,” said the other, “you know all about the rumors that flew around -Cleverly at that time. Your father’s name was involved. I want to tell -you, and it’s a dying man who is speaking to you, that he was innocent -of that.” - -“I know it,” replied Herbert; “but who was guilty?” - -“I’ll tell you that very briefly,” answered the stricken man. “You -know the kind of fellow I was. I had no scruples. I wanted to live -without work. I got acquainted with young Arthur Black, and I am -afraid that I was the means of corrupting his morals. I traveled with -him a great deal, and he learned many vicious habits through me. Well, -this went on for some time, and one day I was filled with the desire -of getting a good stake and running off to New York. In the course of -my acquaintance with Arthur Black I learned that his father sometimes -brought home money from the bank. On this particular day a customer -who came in from the country late in the afternoon was anxious to make -a deposit. It was after business hours, and the safe had been closed -and locked for the day. The cashier, who was charged with the care -of the vault, had gone home and could not be reached. To accommodate -the depositor, Mr. Black accepted his money and took it home with him -that night. I was hanging around the door of the bank at this time -and overheard the conversation between the two men. I was tempted. It -isn’t necessary to say that it did not take much to tempt me; but I was -filled with an unquenchable desire to get hold of that money. - -“Well,” continued the wounded man, his voice becoming lower and lower, -“I hunted up Arthur immediately and managed to spend the next two hours -with him. I pumped him about the habits of his father and the routine -of their household. I wanted to know particularly how he was able to -get in the house when he left me late at night as he often did. He -said, in his innocence, that his mother was always his friend, and that -in spite of the anger of his father she persisted in taking care of -him. One of the ways she employed to do this was to leave the key of -the dead latch of the door under the mat which lay on the front porch. -That was the very thing I was anxious to learn, and when I discovered -it I left Arthur abruptly, saying that I would see him the next night. -It was after midnight when I went around to the Black house. The -inmates apparently were asleep. I hung around till nearly one o’clock -in the morning, anxious that all the conditions should be ripe for -my dishonest enterprise. When I lifted the mat I found the key there -as it had been described to me by Arthur Black. I got into the house -without difficulty and went to the old man’s desk. It was one of those -frail roll-top affairs, and I succeeded in breaking into it without any -difficulty. I took the money, and then to throw them off the scent, -broke the bolt on the back door to convey the impression that the -robber had entered in that manner.” - -“What happened then?” asked Herbert eagerly. - -“The rest is soon told,” said Adler, his voice sinking to the merest -whisper; “I became aware of the excitement that had been created by the -robbery and kept myself in seclusion for some days. I felt a little -bad when I learned that an effort had been made to place the robbery -on your father, and when he died I was almost on the verge of making a -confession; but didn’t do it. Some days after this I decided to go to -New York with the money, and in a fit of devilishness resolved to take -Arthur Black to New York with me. It seemed to me a very clever trick -to entertain this foolish boy with the money that I had stolen from his -father. You know the rest. We came here and he went from bad to worse -until we got into that get-rich-quick concern which led to the breaking -up of our partnership. Something happened to him then. What it was I -have never discovered; but the boy turned good, and left me, saying -that our paths would lie in different directions in the future; and he -has kept his word from that day to this. You remember what happened -the other night when you had me cornered in old Black’s house. I used -Arthur’s name to secure my own liberty. There you have the whole story. -I’m sorry for what I’ve done; that’s all I can say.” - -The importance of this confession was appreciated by Herbert, who -through the assistance of the superintendent, hastily summoned a -stenographer and a Notary Public. Although the effort was a very -painful one, Adler repeated his story just as he had told it to -Herbert. After it had been reduced to writing, he swore to the truth of -it, and then having a pen placed within his trembling fingers, signed -his name in scrawling lines. - -Herbert asked the man if there was anything he could do for him. He -said if it was possible to lighten his last hours in any way he would -be only too glad to do it; but Adler shook his head in a melancholy way -and said he had no request to make. Herbert wanted to know if he had -relatives or friends he wished to see before his death. Once more he -shook his head, and added: - -“My mother died when I was only a few years old; my father never took -care of me. I don’t know now whether he is dead or alive, and even if I -was aware of his abiding place I would not ask him to come here.” - -Herbert felt a strange lump coming into his throat at these words. He -wondered with a queer feeling about his heart whether he would have -been any better than this dying man if his early life and surroundings -had been the same; but when he left the hospital it was with a feeling -of elation over the strange manner in which every detail of the -Cleverly mystery had been brought to light. The vindication of his -father’s memory was absolutely complete, and he could now go out into -the world with a firm step and with his head in the air. On his return -to his room he told the whole story to Tomlin, who listened with -absorbed attention. Late that afternoon he made another call at the -Samaritan Hospital. The superintendent, who was in the office, gave him -a nod of recognition. - -“How is that wounded man?” asked Herbert. - -“Dead,” was the terse reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV WHEREIN THE CLOUDS PASS AWAY AND THE SUN SHINES ON HERBERT -HARKINS - - -Herbert Harkins voluntarily assumed the care and disposal of the -remains of the unfortunate criminal. The young reporter was acquainted -with the Coroner’s undertaker and through his assistance and that of -some mutual friends he was able to secure a cheap lot in an out of -town cemetery. The obsequies of the departed one were pathetic in the -extreme. The only two mourners at the funeral--if they could be called -mourners--were Herbert Harkins and Francis Tomlin. The whole affair was -tinged with an atmosphere that was at once sombre and desolate; but at -all events Adler had been given a Christian burial, and that was the -thing that Herbert desired most of all. - -“You’re a curious fellow, Harkins,” said Tomlin to the young man on -their way home from the cemetery. - -“How do you make that out?” asked Herbert. - -“Why, by your actions,” was the reply; “you are constantly doing -unexplainable things. Take to-day for instance. Who else would have -done so much for a man who was the cause of all his troubles?” - -“Ah!” said Herbert, “but you must understand that my troubles are now -buried in the grave with that poor, miserable man. I can afford to be -generous.” - -“Even if you are not just?” - -“Who shall determine that--I for one shall always shrink from being the -judge of my fellow men.” - -“But you know that this Adler was thoroughly disreputable--” - -“Yes,” interrupted Herbert, “and that is all the more reason why I -should be reputable. A man must be merciful if he looks for mercy -himself.” - -They had reached their rooms by this time, and after a few -preliminaries, Herbert sat down at his desk and began to clear up an -accumulation of work that had been neglected during the past week, -largely because his time was taken up in preparing for the funeral -arrangements of Harry Adler. This work occupied his attention almost -constantly till late in the night. His last act was to write a letter -to his mother at Cleverly, reminding her that she would be expected to -arrive in New York on Christmas Eve, which important occasion would -occur on the following day. He put a special delivery stamp on the -letter and carried it around to one of the sub-post office stations in -order to insure its prompt delivery on the following morning. - -When the day before Christmas arrived it brought with it a fine fall of -snow, and quite early in the morning the face of New York was hidden -from view with a soft, fleecy covering. At noon time that day Herbert -received a telegram from his mother saying that she would be unable -to reach New York till about eleven o’clock on Christmas morning. -It seemed odd that she should disappoint him in this unaccountable -way; but he thrust the telegram in his pocket, and in the rush of his -everyday duties quickly forgot the incident. - -That evening Tomlin came into the house with a rather solemn face and -said to Herbert: - -“I have been made the bearer of a message to you. Mr. Blakeley says -that he would like to see you at the Argus office at nine o’clock this -evening.” - -Herbert’s face flushed at this unexpected announcement. It was -the first time that he had heard from Blakeley either directly or -indirectly, since the dramatic incident which terminated his career on -the newspaper. At first the message filled him with a sense of elation; -but this was quickly followed by a feeling of resentment. His face -hardened, and he said with much dignity: - -“If Mr. Blakeley desires to communicate with me, or to call upon me, -he knows my address. I--” - -“Now see here,” quickly interrupted Tomlin, “I don’t want any of -this nonsense from you. I don’t care what you do or what you say to -Blakeley; but I don’t propose to have you make me look silly and -ridiculous.” - -Herbert melted in a minute. The distress and annoyance in his friend’s -face changed his whole manner. - -“I wouldn’t offend you for a moment, Tomlin,” he said; “you have been -such a good friend to me that there isn’t anything in the world that I -would not do to serve you. I had felt a bit angry towards Blakeley, but -I could not hold anything but the kindest feelings toward you. If you -say go, I’ll go in a minute.” - -Tomlin’s answer was clear, crisp and to the point. He simply said in -his loudest voice: - -“Go!” - -At nine o’clock that evening Herbert found himself ascending the -stairway toward the local room of the Argus. When he entered, a number -of the men were busily engaged at their desks; but they all looked up -and gave him a cheery greeting. The old familiar scenes coming upon -him unexpectedly seemed to rush through his memory like floods of -water surging over a falls. Blakeley, as usual, occupied his desk in -the corner of the room. He looked quite lifelike to Herbert as he -sat there puffing a strong cigar, with his feet cocked up on the edge -of his desk, reading a proof that had just been rushed down from the -composing room. - -The moment he perceived Herbert he moved his feet from the desk, -arose from his chair, and extending his hand, said with considerable -cordiality: - -“Hello, Harkins, I’m glad to see you again.” - -Herbert took the proffered hand, but held it somewhat limply. He could -not enthuse on such short notice. Presently he was invited to take a -seat, and did so. Tomlin, without being asked, also sat down to listen -to the conversation. - -“I was quite sorry to lose you, Harkins,” said Blakeley after an -interval. - -Herbert looked in his face for a moment to see whether he was jesting. -Such an admission from such a man was very unusual; but Blakeley looked -him squarely in the eye, and there was neither mirth nor sarcasm in the -glance, so he answered softly: - -“I was sorry to go, Mr. Blakeley.” - -“But,” exclaimed the city editor, and the quiet eye now flashed fire, -“you treated me very meanly. I must say that, and I am going to repeat -it, you treated me very meanly.” - -“I admit that I did,” said Herbert, his tone softer than before; “but I -was the victim of circumstances over which I had no control.” - -Blakeley puffed at his cigar for awhile after that, and then as if he -was giving voice to a long cherished desire, said: - -“Now see here, Harkins, I want to put a plain question to you. Why did -you refuse to write that story--now tell me as plainly as you can, and -all will be square between us.” - -Herbert arose before the city editor had finished making his request. -The look of annoyance in his face gave way to indignation, and then he -said with considerable heat: - -“Is that all you have to say to me, Mr. Blakeley?” and receiving no -answer, he went on, “If it is, I will leave you. There is no need of -any further conversation between us.” - -At this point Blakeley arose with a smile on his face that seemed to -stretch almost from ear to ear. His eyes were sparkling with good -nature, and going over to Herbert he took his hand and wrung it -heartily. - -“You are all right, my boy; you are pure gold. I don’t propose to let -you get out of here again. I need you in my business.” - -Herbert was plainly puzzled at this demonstration, and said so at once. - -“I don’t know why you should be so pleased, Mr. Blakeley. I have -declined to answer your query.” - -“That’s just it,” he said; “it demonstrates what I have always -believed, that you wouldn’t betray a confidence. However a kind friend -has already done that for you.” - -Herbert’s eyes expressed the surprise he felt. Before he could make any -reply a door in the rear of Mr. Blakeley’s office opened suddenly, and -Arthur Black appeared upon the scene. Herbert gasped for breath. He was -too much amazed to speak to the young man. Blakeley spared him that -trouble by saying: - -“Now, Mr. Black, we are all together; tell me once again the story that -you were good enough to relate to me early in the afternoon.” - -“The story is soon told,” said Arthur, with a firmness in his voice and -a dignity in his manner that Herbert had never noticed before; “I come -here to do a tardy act of justice to one of the manliest persons I have -ever known. Mr. Blakeley, as I have already told you, I was foolish -enough and despicable enough to engage in, or rather to permit myself -to be used in a swindling game that was being conducted in this city -some time ago. Herbert Harkins ran that story out for the Argus and -was prepared to make an arrest of one of those who were engaged in the -game; but when he discovered that I was implicated in it he permitted -me to escape, and as a result of that act of generosity, lost a good -story and forfeited his position on the Argus. - -“I left the city immediately after that incident occurred,” continued -Arthur, “and went to a little town in Connecticut, where I endeavored -to make a new man of myself. I think I have partially succeeded. I -am not going to stop till I succeed entirely; but only a week ago I -learned of the misfortune which had happened to Herbert Harkins through -his effort to shield me and my family from disgrace. I have not been -able to rest at night since I learned this news. Finally I could stand -it no longer, and I came here to tell you the truth and the simple -truth. Herbert did throw the Argus down on its good story, but he did -so for my sake and the sake of my father and mother and sister. I am -here now not only to admit this, but to throw myself on your mercy. -If you think the ends of justice have not already been served, I am -willing to submit to arrest and imprisonment. The punishment will be a -severe one, but probably not more than I deserve. In any event I hope -to restore Herbert Harkins to your esteem, if not to the position he -formerly occupied on this paper.” - -Herbert listened to this recital in open mouthed wonder. He watched -Arthur Black keenly while he was telling his story, and as he -proceeded, was filled with admiration for the young man. He could see -very clearly now that Arthur was not really a bad boy at heart; that he -had been a spoiled child in his youth and had drifted into the company -of dissolute young men. What at first was merely waywardness had -gradually extended to more serious things; but fortunately his downward -career had been checked just on the edge of a precipice. - -There was silence in the group for a few moments, and then Blakeley -spoke up in his short, snappy tones. He took Arthur by the hand, and -said: - -“I want to congratulate you, young man. You have shown a manliness that -does you credit. Now, there is no paper in town that is more eager to -obtain exclusive news than the Argus, and I am willing to admit that -there are times when we feel disposed to turn sharp corners in order to -beat the other newspapers; but we have the line of decency even in this -office, and I propose to draw it on this occasion. You can rest at your -ease. So far as I am concerned and so far as the paper is concerned, -the firm with which you were connected never existed; the incident at -the post office never happened. I can only say that you have my best -wishes for your future success in life.” - -Everybody was delighted at this evidence of a warm heart on the part of -the man who had the reputation of being a cold-blooded hunter for news. -But he was not through. He turned to Herbert after a few moments of -meditation, and said: - -“Harkins, your old place awaits you on the Argus. I want to tell you, -as I have already told young Black, that my memory is a blank, that -you have never offended me and that you have never thrown the paper -down. Your place has never been filled. Your chair over at that desk is -still vacant. Come in again on Monday morning and try to distinguish -yourself.” - -The manner of this man, no less than the words, impressed Herbert -deeply, and he mentally vowed that he would do his duty by Blakeley and -the Argus to the full extent of his ability. - -There was much laughter and much hand shaking as the little party -dispersed. Tomlin lingered a little longer than the others, and when -they were out of ear-shot, said to Blakeley in quick tones: - -“Say, old man, that was a cruel test with which you began this -session--that attempt to get Herbert to squeal on Arthur Black.” - -“Aye,” responded the other heartily, “it was indeed, but it was the -crucial test. It was worth all the pain that it cost. It is proof -positive to my mind that Harkins can be trusted absolutely. He would -die before he violated a confidence. That’s the kind of men we need on -the Argus.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXV DEMONSTRATING THE TRUTH OF THE SAYING THAT ALL’S WELL THAT -ENDS WELL - - -Christmas morning dawned cold and clear and crisp with a nipping -eagerness in the atmosphere that brought the roses to the cheeks and -warmed the hearts of the multitudes who made their abode on Manhattan -Island. The spirit of the day seemed to take hold of everybody and -manifested itself in the homes of the lowly as well as in those of the -great. Herbert attended early morning Mass, and as he knelt before -the crib of the Infant Saviour of the world, his heart swelled with a -feeling of profound gratefulness for all the graces and favors that had -been showered upon him. Nowhere did the meaning of the day seem more -apparent than in the little apartment which had been occupied so long -by Herbert Harkins and his friend Tomlin. - -At ten o’clock that morning Tomlin turned to Herbert and said: - -“See here, old man, if you don’t hurry to the railroad station you are -likely to miss your mother.” - -“Why, what’s the matter with you, Tomlin? You’re as nervous and -fidgety as an old cat. The train doesn’t come in for an hour yet.” - -“Yes, yes, I know,” said Tomlin in hurried tones. “But you can’t depend -on these New York trains. They’re always ahead of time. Suppose your -mother got in and was waiting there now.” - -“Why,” exclaimed the other, with a skeptical look in his face, “I -thought the trains were generally behind time.” - -“No, no,” responded the other in his nervous, jerky way. “Ahead of -time; ahead of time, always! But see here, don’t you stand there trying -to get into an argument with me. You go and fetch your mother. She has -never been in New York. Suppose she should start to come here herself -and get lost--and lost on Christmas morning, too. Why, the idea is too -terrible to contemplate.” - -Herbert departed in a few minutes, much to the satisfaction of his -friend. The understanding was that he should bring his mother to their -little abode, and then after the arrangement of some preliminaries, -that the three should go to a well known restaurant for their holiday -dinner. The moment Herbert disappeared, however, there were strange -doings in that neighborhood. Tomlin stepped to the front door and gave -a low whistle. Immediately two men stepped from within the shadows of -friendly doorways and joined him. One was Horace Coke and the other -Noah Brooks, who had hurried up from Cleverly in order to join in the -conspiracy that had been laid by Francis Tomlin. - -“Now, boys!” shouted the youth to the two elderly men; “get down to -work as soon as you can.” - -And they did. A bag filled with holly and evergreen appeared as if by -magic. Each of them grabbed a handful, and in an incredibly short space -of time the doorways and windows and the gas fixtures were artistically -draped. After this the little extension table was drawn out and -filled with all the additional leaves that it would hold. Then a long -tablecloth that had been engaged for the occasion was thrown over -the table. It was as white and as pure as the driven snow, and even -without any food was an incentive to good cheer. In the meantime a boy -from a neighboring store appeared with eight or ten additional chairs, -carrying them one at a time into the little apartment. - -“It’s going to be a tight squeeze,” said Tomlin, “but I think we’ll -make it.” - -“Oh, yes,” exclaimed Brooks, “it’s going to be tight all right; but the -more the merrier is always my motto.” - -While the three conspirators were talking, John Black and his wife and -Mary Black appeared as if by appointment. Mary insisted upon joining -in the housework, and her deft little fingers rapidly completed -the details that had not already been attended to. John Anderson, -the school teacher, who had placed Herbert on the path which led to -ultimate success, dropped in a little later, and to cap the climax, -who should hove into view but Captain Thomas Janson, bluff and hearty -and loud-mouthed as ever. He sailed into the room like a whiff of salt -air, and his mere presence was refreshing and invigorating. He was -handsomely attired for the occasion. He had discarded his ordinary -clothing, and wore a handsome blue suit, with brass buttons and gilt -stripes on the sleeves, giving him, as one of the other guests slyly -remarked, the appearance of a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. -A nautical cap sat jauntily on the Captain’s shock of bushy red hair. -He puffed like a porpoise, for he was quite stout now and beginning -to feel the effects of age. When he had finally settled himself -comfortably in a large chair which had been placed for him at the head -of the table, he turned around to the others and cried out in his -loudest voice: - -“Does the boy know which way the wind blows?” - -“No!” came a chorus in reply. - -“Good!” he exclaimed; “then it will fall to the lot of old Captain -Janson to tell him something about the voyage of life.” - -Tomlin looked at his watch at this period. It pointed to high noon. He -turned to the Captain: - -“Herbert will be here in fifteen or twenty minutes. I guess we had -better start. What do you say?” - -“Sure,” snorted the old salt. - -Without waiting for any further remarks, Tomlin charged out of the -front door, and in a few minutes returned, followed by two white -aproned and white capped fellows, carrying waiters which contained -plates filled with eatables that were smoking hot. When the covers were -removed the air was impregnated with an appetizing odor. The two mates, -as the Captain insisted upon calling the two waiters, made five or six -trips before they finally completed their work to their satisfaction -and declared everything all right. - -And indeed it was all right. The table presented a beautiful sight, -charming to the eye and tempting to the palate. An enormous turkey, -browned to a crisp, occupied the center of the table; mounds of mashed -white potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes, and dishes of cranberries -moulded into the most incomprehensible shapes--all looked so clean and -sweet that they must have tempted the most jaded appetite. A row of -mince pies flanked on either side by delicious looking pumpkin pies, -suggested that the diners were expected to do some very serious work -before their day’s labor was finished. - -“Now all hands be seated,” cried the Captain; “but don’t dare to eat a -mouthful until I give the signal.” - -He had scarcely finished this caution when the door opened, and Herbert -entered, accompanied by his mother; and then there were such cheers and -shouts and such laughter and such crying as had never been heard before -in this old room since its first walls had been constructed. - -Herbert was literally made speechless by amazement. His mother, with -feminine instinct, took refuge in tears; but Herbert soon recovered -his voice and his mother soon dried her tears, and very quickly the -clatter of knives and forks and the din of conversation and the ripple -of never-ending laughter set everyone at ease. - -Tomlin, in a spirit of mischief, had set Herbert Harkins and Mary Black -side by side, and during the dinner the two young people were made the -subject of many good natured jests; but Mary’s sweet countenance glowed -with happiness, and when Herbert stooped down to speak to her once -during the dinner her cheeks crimsoned in the most beautiful manner -imaginable. - -Some philosopher--if he wasn’t a philosopher he should have been -one--has said that it never rains but it pours. So it was on this -festive occasion. The first shower came with the announcement that -within six months Herbert would be given the coveted post of Washington -correspondent of the Argus--that he should join the company of the very -aristocracy of American journalism. The next came with the statement -that Blakeley--good-hearted, blustering Blakeley--had been made the -managing editor of the Argus, and that Tomlin would succeed him in -the responsible position of city editor of that journal. At this -announcement Herbert seized the hand of his friend and wrung it with -such fervor that his old room-mate cried for mercy. After that John -Black informed the assembled company of the selection of his son Arthur -as the cashier and confidential man of his newly established bank at -Cleverly. - -Captain Janson was given the floor then, and amid many elaborate sea -phrases and involved sentences he proclaimed Herbert Harkins as his -adopted son and heir. - -Near the close of the dinner, Herbert arose and with trembling lips -and swelling heart announced that the noblest girl in the whole world -had just promised to become his wife; and although he mentioned no -name, every eye turned instinctively towards Mary, who finding herself -singled out from all the others, blushed desperately and shrank shyly -beneath the united gaze of the company for all the world like a sweet -little violet whose hiding place has been discovered by a sudden burst -of glaring sunlight. - -PRINTED BY BENZIGER BROTHERS, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Punctuation has been made consistent. - -Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in -the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have -been corrected. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERY OF CLEVERLY *** - -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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