Messenger No. 48
by James Otis · English · Gutenberg #23627 · 347,076 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Messenger No. 48
Author: James Otis
Release date: November 26, 2007 [eBook #23627]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23627
Credits: Produced by Al Haines
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MESSENGER NO. 48 ***
Produced by Al Haines
[Frontispiece: Jet brought the cane down on his head with full force.]
MESSENGER No. 48
BY
JAMES OTIS
_Author of "Telegraph Tom's Venture," "Messenger No. 48",
"Toby Tyler," "The Boy Captain," "Silent Peter," etc., etc._
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY
NEW YORK ---- AKRON, OHIO ---- CHICAGO
Copyright, 1899
By
The Saalfield Publishing Company
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I Jet
II Trouble
III The Kidnappers
IV An Engagement
V Baffled
VI The Battle
VII A Bold Attempt
VIII An Arrest
IX The Detective
X One Prisoner
XI Close Quarters
XII The Encounter
XIII The Snare
XIV A Capture
XV Assistance
XVI On the Trail
XVII An Old Friend
XVIII Jail Life
XIX The Dinner
XX A Recognition
XXI The Adirondacks
XXII The Small Guide
XXIII The Visit
XXIV A Stern Chase
XXV Jim
XXVI Success
XXVII Reconnoitering
XXVIII The Struggle
XXIX Bob
XXX A Failure
XXXI An Attack
XXXII Harvey & Co.
MESSENGER No. 48
CHAPTER I
JET
"What's your name?"
"Jethro Lewis."
"How old are you?"
"I don't know."
"Judging from the size I shouldn't say you were over ten."
"My size 's against me, that's a fact; but I can run a good deal faster
than some fellers twice as big."
The manager of the District Messenger Station did not attempt to
conceal a smile as the boy spoke thus earnestly, and continued the
examination by asking:
"Where do you live?"
"Down on East Tenth Street."
"Mother and father alive?"
"Both dead. I'm boardin' with Mammy Showers."
"As a rule we do not employ boys who have no parents."
"Why not? Can't they shinney 'round, jest as well as other fellers?"
"There is no question about that, but we prefer to have some one to
look out for them."
"So would I, but there's no use kickin' when a feller can't have all
them luxuries," Jet said gravely. "It ain't so awful nice to hustle
for yourself with a chance of bein' fired outer the house if the board
ain't paid right up to the minute."
"How have you been earning a living?"
"Most any way that come handy. Sometimes I sell papers, an' then agin
I black boots. I did think one spell of goin' into the theayter biz,
but I couldn't git the right kind of a job. I can dance a good many of
them perfessionals way out of sight, but the managers won't hire a
performer what ain't got good clothes."
Jet spoke in a business-like tone which evidently pleased the manager,
for the latter said, after a short pause:
"I will give you a trial, and----"
"You couldn't do better," Jet interrupted gravely, "for if I can't hump
myself ahead of that fat chump over there I don't want a cent," and he
pointed to a very fleshy boy who was half asleep on a bench which
extended across the rear of the room.
"Here is a cap," the manager continued. "Your number is forty-eight.
We'll find a coat which will answer until another is made, and you are
to go to work at once. Can you read?"
"Why cert."
"Then study this book of distances so you may know how much to charge
for service, and set on that bench until it is your turn to go out."
Jet took the articles and was about to turn away from the desk when a
very important question came into his mind.
"How much money are you goin' to give me a week?"
"Four dollars is the regular price for beginners; but there are good
chances to advance if you attend to business."
This was evidently satisfactory to new number forty-eight, for he did
as directed, and was soon busily engaged studying the tariff of prices,
seated beside the fat boy who was now slumbering calmly.
For a short time Jet thought more about financial matters than of his
lesson. Mammy Showers charged him a dollar and a half per week for a
small room hardly larger than a cupboard, and two meals each day. He
would now, providing he did not indulge in too many luxuries while
traveling around the city, be able to save two dollars and a half every
seven days, and it seemed very much as if he had fairly started on the
highway to fortune.
"Well, if they call this work I'd like to have two or three jobs of the
same kind." Jet said aloud when he was tired of studying the printed
instructions. "I've been here a little more'n an hour, an' haven't
been called off the bench once."
This remark appeared to arouse the fat boy to the consciousness of
being alive, and on making great effort to sit upright, he noticed Jet
for the first time.
"Hello! You're a new feller; I s'pose," he said with a yawn.
"Do you think I look very new?"
"You've jest com here to work, haven't you?"
"The way things look now I've come to set around an' keep the flies
offer them young gents as has ter sleep forenoons."
"You'll be glad to do that same thing before you've worked here a week.
It's dull now, but wait awhile, an' then see how the fellers have to
hump themselves."
"Say, do you ever do very much?" Jet asked gravely.
"I was out on a job yesterday that I didn't get through with till past
midnight."
"Do the fellers have to work so late as that?"
"Once in a while. You have to go where the customers send you, an'
some of the jobs are funny ones."
"How far have you ever been on an errand?"
"Up to Albany to bring down a dog for a man what was goin' huntin'."
"Did you get him here?"
"Of course I did."
"It must have been mighty rough on the dog."
"Why?"
"'Caus he'd be away from home so long if he wasn't allowed to walk any
faster than you can."
"Think you're funny, don't you?" and the fat boy made ready to resume
his interrupted nap.
Before Jet could turn his attention to the tariff again the boy at the
desk called loudly: "Number forty-eight!" and he went forward quickly,
well pleased that something had occurred to break the monotony.
A summons had come from one of the hotels near by, and on answering it
he found nothing of more importance than to carry a letter to a certain
house in the immediate vicinity, but to Jet it was particularly
agreeable work, since he was given ten cents more than the regular fee.
"If all the messages turn out like this one I shall have a mighty good
thing of it," he said to himself, in a tone of satisfaction as he
returned to the station.
Jet was called upon only twice more during this first day of his new
work, and when he went home it was with the pleasing knowledge that he
had received as presents fifteen cents.
On the following morning he was at his post so early that some of the
"night boys" made sport of him for appearing at such an hour,
predicting that in less than a week he would have "sense enough to stay
at home till he was wanted."
He was not allowed to remain idle very long, however.
"Number forty-eight!" the man at the desk called sharply, and Jet
leaped to his feet.
"Go to No. -- East Fourteenth Street. Here is your slip."
Jet took the bit of paper and hurried away at full speed, to find that
he had been sent to a bar-room which was by no means noted for bearing
a good reputation so far as the honesty of its patrons was concerned.
Seated at one of the tables were two men. The elder, tall and slim,
and the other of medium height, but rather fleshy.
"Come here!" the thin man called as the messenger entered, and Jet
fancied that the fellow's full beard looked suspiciously heavy and
black.
"I wouldn't like to bet that all that hair grew on his face," Jet said
to himself, as he approached the table, but he gave the matter no
further thought, for it was his business to obey orders, and not
criticize his patrons.
"How long will it take you to go to the corner of Sixth Avenue and
Fifteenth Street?"
"Not more than ten minutes."
"Take this satchel and give it to a party with red hair who is standing
on the northwest corner."
"Suppose there should be more than one?" Jet asked as he took the
traveling-bag which was remarkably light in weight although it was
apparently stuffed full to bursting.
"The right man will ask your number, and you are to tell him it is one
hundred and ten."
"But he can see by my cap that I'm forty-eight."
"Do as I tell you, and never mind about your cap, do you hear?"
"Yes, sir."
"He will give you something to bring back, and you are not to stop on
the way, no matter what happens."
"I'm not in the habit of loafing," Jet replied, just a trifle
indignantly, and before he could say anything more the short man added
impatiently:
"Then don't do it here. Get on about your business, for we want the
answer in the ten minutes you promised."
Jet started at once, feeling decidedly hurt at the tone used by the
men, and, walking as rapidly as the crowds on the sidewalk would
permit, was soon at the appointed place.
A rough booking fellow with a shock of red hair which looked quite as
false as the tall man's whiskers, was waiting for him.
"What is your number?" he asked nervously.
"I was told to say one hundred and ten, but that isn't right."
"Give me the bag, and take this back," the man said, as he literally
tore Jet's burden from him, and thrust into the boy's hands a paper
parcel so heavy that it required all his strength to hold it on one arm.
Jet was on the point of handing this odd acting fellow the slip of
paper that it might be signed according to the rules of the office, but
before he could so much as take it from his pocket the man had
disappeared among the throng.
"I suppose it's all right," he said in a tone of perplexity, "but I
wish people would let a fellow do as the boss insists upon."
There was no time for delay if he intended to return within the ten
minutes as had been promised, and he hurried away, arriving at the
saloon only to be told by the bartender that the gentlemen had left
some time previous.
"What am I to do with this?" and Jet held up the paper parcel.
"They said you was to go to this number on the Bowery. I reckon it's
one of them cheap lodging houses."
Jet took the card which was held toward him, and, stopping only long
enough to read the written words and number, hurried off once more.
This last address was, as the barkeeper had suggested, a small hotel,
and on ascending the stairs to the tiny apartment called by courtesy
"the office," found the tall man awaiting his arrival.
"I thought you was a boy who didn't do any loafing," the gentleman said
gruffly.
"I haven't stopped a minute."
"Who did you hang around chinning with?"
"Nobody."
"Haven't you been talking to that other messenger?"
"Which one?"
"The fellow you met."
"I haven't spoken to anybody except the red-haired man, and he didn't
give me a chance to do much talking."
"What is your fee?"
"Twenty-five cents."
"Here's half a dollar. If anybody asks where you have been say that it
was to the Stock Exchange. I don't care to have a lot of people
talking about my business, and a quarter should be enough to make you
hold your tongue."
"Will you sign this slip, sir? the manager wants the distance and time
on there."
"Do it yourself, and put it down as I tell you."
Jet obeyed, writing as the stranger dictated, and when he presented
himself at the station once more the manager had no reason to believe
he had been anywhere except to the Exchange.
CHAPTER II
TROUBLE
Jet was not just certain, when he seated himself on the bench to wait
for another summons, whether he had done right in obeying the tall man
so implicitly, but yet he could not understand how it would make any
difference to the manager, since he brought back the amount of money
which was the lawful charge for such service.
"I'll ask one of the other fellows," he said to himself, and then the
rush of business was so great that he almost forgot the incident of the
morning.
Until two o'clock in the afternoon he was busily engaged, and at that
hour returned after having been to the post-office to mail a large lot
of circulars sent by a particularly testy and disagreeable old
gentleman.
"You needn't sit down," the manager said sharply, as the boy laid the
service slip on the desk. "Go with this man and see to it that you
tell the whole truth."
Jet looked in surprise at a gentlemanly appearing person who was
pointed out to him, standing near the door, and asked hesitatingly:
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Exactly what I said. Don't keep him waiting, and come back here at
once if they let you go to-day."
This last remark was yet more mysterious than the first, but Jet did
not have an opportunity to ask any more questions, for at this instant
the stranger took him by the arm, saying as he did so:
"Now walk sharp. I've lost too much time already."
There was no other alternative but to obey, for the man literally
dragged him through the crowds on the sidewalks, and continued on at a
rapid pace until the two were at the entrance of Police Headquarters.
"What am I to go in there for?" Jet asked, as he tried to hold back.
"The inspector wants to see you," the man replied, and the boy ceased
any show of resistance, for he began to realize that he was a prisoner,
although on what charge he could not so much as guess.
Ten minutes later he was standing in front of the inspector, and that
gentleman was gazing at him scrutinizingly.
"What is your name?" he asked abruptly, and when the answer had been
given be continued by inquiring into all the particulars of his short
life, until Jet cried in desperation:
"What do you think I have done, sir?"
"That remains to be seen," was the unsatisfactory reply, as, after
writing down all the boy had said, the inspector summoned a man in the
garb of an ordinary citizen, to whom he handed the paper as he said in
a low tone: "Find out if this is correct, and come back at once."
Then turning to Jet:
"How long have you been a district messenger?"
"Two days."
"What time in the morning do you go on duty?"
"Seven o'clock."
"What was the first call you had to-day?"
"To No. -- East Fourteenth Street."
"Tell me all that happened there, and remember If you try to lie I
shall know it."
Jet, confused and bewildered by the strange position in which he found
himself, did as he was bidden.
Just for an instant he believed it would be only just toward the man
who had hired him, to repeat what he had been told to say, but then
came the thought that he was virtually under arrest and the truth
should be spoken at every hazard.
"Can you describe these men?" the inspector asked, when his short story
was told.
Jet did his best, not omitting to say that the hair of one and the
whiskers of another looked suspiciously false.
"Would you know them again?"
"I'm certain of it. The tall man I could spot even if the whiskers
were taken off."
At this point the officer who had been sent to learn the truth of Jet's
statement regarding himself, returned, nodded his head in a significant
manner, and immediately disappeared through another doorway.
Over and over again did the inspector insist on Jet's telling the story
of his morning's work, and when fully an hour had been spent in this
manner he said decidedly more kindly than before:
"I believe you have spoken the truth, but you will be an important
witness in a very serious case, and I suppose it is my duty to send you
to the House of Detention."
"Does that mean I'm goin' to be locked up?" Jet asked in alarm.
"You will be deprived of your liberty, but it is very different from
going to jail."
"Don't do that! Please don't do that! I've just got a job where I can
earn a good deal of money, and it'll knock me out of it. Besides," Jet
added as a lucky thought occurred to him, "if I keep on about my
business I may see them fellers again."
"You advance a very good argument, and, in fact, I am depending on you
to do that same thing, but how shall I know that you won't give us the
slip?"
"I'll stay right at the office, except when I'm out with a message, an'
come here every night if you say the word."
"Do you know of any one who would go bail for your appearance when
wanted?"
"Mammy Showers would tell you that I'll act square up to what I say."
The inspector did not reply for several seconds, and then it was to say:
"I'll take your word for it, my boy. You are to report to me, or one
of the officers here, every twenty-four hours, and, in the meanwhile,
if you get a glimpse of either of those men, follow him until word can
be sent to me; but do not speak of this matter to any one."
It was evident that this ended the interview, for the inspector rose to
his feet, and Jet, overjoyed at the prospect of escaping imprisonment,
hurried out of the gloomy-looking building.
On his return to the office the manager, who was particularly busy at
that moment, motioned him to a seat on the messengers' bench, and the
fat boy, unusually wide awake, asked in a blood-curdling whisper:
"Did you really have anything to do with that murder?"
"What do you mean?"
"There was a man killed an' robbed over on East Twentieth Street last
night, and some of the fellers said you was down to headquarters
tellin' the police all about it."
"And it was the murderers I saw this morning!" Jet repeated aloud,
astounded by the knowledge that he had possibly assisted the guilty
ones to hide the evidences of their crime.
"Then you was in it!" the fat boy exclaimed.
"Now don't be a fool! I carried a bag for some men this morning, but
that's all I know about it. Who was the murdered man?"
"It's all in that paper Sankey left in his overcoat pocket. Get it an'
you have the whole story. I wonder why they don't put you in jail?"
Before Jet could reply to this question he was ordered to the desk, and
from there sent to answer a call from the Union Square Hotel.
Evidently it was not one of the regular patrons of the house who had
summoned him.
He found a gentlemanly looking party standing just outside the clerk's
desk, who appeared particularly pleased on observing the number on his
cap.
"I want you to go with me to Yonkers, and bring back certain papers
which must be delivered before six o'clock. Can you go so far?"
"I will run over to the office and find out. You see I haven't been on
the force very long, and don't know exactly what to do when the work
will keep me so long away."
"Very well, hurry as fast as possible, for I want to leave here by the
next train."
Jet ran swiftly back, and in a very few moments returned with the
information that he was at liberty to go wherever the gentleman
desired, so long as the office received the regular price per hour for
his services.
"There won't be any difficulty about that. You are to go to pier 466
North River, and wait there until I come. Don't stop on the way, for I
shall probably ride down."
"I thought we were going on the cars."
"I changed my mind while you were away. We can get there just as
quickly by boat. Hurry off, for I don't want to be kept waiting."
Jet left the hotel at once, wondering why the gentleman did not give
him a car fare if the business demanded so much speed, and on his way
to the pier he heard the news-boys crying the particulars of the
"Terrible tragedy on East Twentieth Street."
"I'll see what the story is," Jet said to himself as he bought one of
the papers, but he did not stop to read then lest he should arrive at
the rendezvous too late.
The gentleman was waiting for him on his arrival, but did not express
any anxiety to start for Yonkers immediately.
"You can go up to my room and help me stow away some baggage," he said,
glancing around as if to make certain they were not observed.
"Ain't this the Albany boat?"
"Yes; but I reckon there's nothing to prevent our getting out at
Yonkers."
"I didn't know she stopped there."
"You will probably have time to learn several things before you're many
years older."
"But this steamer doesn't leave till night."
"I've made another change in my plans, and it doesn't concern you since
a messenger's duty is to follow as long as he is paid for his services."
This was said in such an angry tone that Jet held his peace lest he
should give further offense, but at the same time the whole affair was
beginning, in his mind, to assume a very mysterious aspect.
The man motioned for him to walk by his side, and led the way through
the main saloon to a state-room forward, where, through the half-opened
door. Jet failed to see the baggage which had been spoken of as
needing "stowing."
"Go in," the stranger said impatiently, pushing Jet into the apartment,
and following him.
Then the door was locked, and the man carefully fastened both the
shutter and window.
Now the messenger was alarmed, and turned toward the door with upraised
fist as if to pound for assistance, when a hand was placed roughly over
his mouth.
"Don't try any such game as that or there'll be trouble, you young
cub," the man whispered, and almost before Jet knew what was being done
a hard substance had been forced into his mouth and fastened there by a
towel tied around his head.
That he was a victim of foul play the young messenger could have no
doubt, and he struggled with all his strength to free himself, but in
vain.
The stranger took from his pocket several lengths of stout rope, bound
first Jet's hands and then his feet, after which he threw him roughly
into one of the berths.
"I reckon you'll lay there without making very much fuss, till I get
ready to let you go," he said, as he treated himself to a long draught
from a black flask. "When we do land at Yonkers, you can go back to
Police Headquarters once more."
The latter remark caused Jet to associate this adventure with the one
he had had in the morning, and after looking intently at the stranger
his suspicions became a certainty.
"This is the short fellow who got me to carry the valise!" he said to
himself. "They know about my goin' to see the inspector, and are bound
to get me out of the way."
The idea that his captor was a cold-blooded murderer, who probably
would not hesitate to add another to his list of crimes, was far from
reassuring, and the perspiration burst out on Jet's face as he thus
persuaded himself he was in immediate danger of a violent death.
CHAPTER III
THE KIDNAPPERS
Jet's captor appeared to be perfectly contented after binding the boy,
and assuring himself that it was impossible an alarm could be given.
He seated himself by the side of the berth, lighted a cigar, and began
to read a newspaper, although the light in the room was far from good
owing to the blinds being closed.
Jet was lying in such a manner that he could see the fellow's face
plainly, and was now able to understand why he had not recognized him
before.
At the saloon he had a heavy moustache and rather long hair. Now his
face was smooth and his head closely shaven.
His face had then been so white as to be pallid, whereas it was now
bronzed deeply. In addition the man's clothing was of the most
fashionable make, while in the morning Jet had seen him clad in coarse,
badly fitting garments.
"There's a big difference in his looks," Jet said to himself, "but yet
I don't understand why I was such a fool as not to know him when he
first spoke."
Messenger number forty-eight had ample time for reflection, for fully
an hour passed without any change in the relative position of affairs,
and then came a low, quick tap at the door.
When it was opened the tall man, now without a beard, and wearing a
pair of green spectacles, came quickly into the room, locking the door
carefully behind him.
"I see you've got the cub," he said, bending over Jet to make certain
of his identity.
"Yes, had him here an hour."
"Have any trouble?"
"Not a particle. He was the first to answer my call, and I took that
as a sign we should get away without leaving a trail."
"We can't lug him around the country with us."
"You're right but we can drop him after he's where it'll trouble him to
get back."
"There's a safer way."
"I know what you mean, Joe, but I don't like to do any more of that
business than's necessary. The last one couldn't have been avoided,
but this can."
"It's a big risk to carry him up the river, and he'd better be dropped."
"We'll talk about that later. Have you heard anything new?"
"Not much. After this cub came from headquarters a detective was sent
down to the Bowery, and by this time it is known pretty well what we
looked like. The afternoon papers say the police are following a good
clew, but you know what such talk means, Bob."
"Is the stuff salted away?"
"All except what we need for a couple of months. The boys can send us
more if we conclude to leave the quiet little place we're bound for."
Then the two men had recourse to the flask, and after taking a hearty
drink the one who had been called Bob proposed to go outside for a
moment.
"You must be a fool to think of such a thing," Joe said angrily. "You
are not done up so well but that some body would be able to recognize
you. We are lucky in getting under cover without trouble, and here we
stop till morning."
"It's going to be mighty dull work staying in this coop all that time."
"Not half so bad as a cell in the Tombs."
The two men relapsed into silence for a time and Jet lay watching them
as he tried to devise some way out of a position which was fraught with
danger. It seemed impossible that he could aid himself, bound as he
was, and exceedingly improbable any one would come to his assistance.
Study as he might Jet could think of no way to extricate himself and he
said mentally after racking his brain in vain:
"I don't see any way out, but there's no use in giving up hope till a
fellow is obliged to."
The men alternately drank and smoked during the remainder of the
afternoon, but said very little more regarding their flight.
When the steamer started Jet expected to hear them decide what was to
be done with him, but in this he was mistaken.
As the hours wore on he fell into an uneasy slumber, despite the
painfulness of his position, and during this time of unconsciousness
the matter must have been settled.
It was yet dark when the steamer arrived at Albany, and, very much to
the prisoner's surprise, the two men left the room, fastening the door
behind them. Then Jet heard a noise as if something was being done to
the lock, after which a deep silence reigned.
"They're going to leave me here, and have put something into the lock
so the door can't be opened in a hurry," he said to himself, and during
the next ten minutes he struggled desperately to free himself.
The bonds had been adjusted by an expert, and he might as well have
tried to fly as to hope to remove them unaided.
He was both thirsty and hungry, and every limb ached from being so long
in one position.
It seemed an almost endless time before the sounds of people moving
proclaimed that the passengers were leaving the steamer.
Then another long interval, during which he could hear the noises of
the city, and finally some one knocked on the door of the room.
If he could have cried out then his term of imprisonment would have
been speedily ended.
"Some fool has broken the key in the lock," he heard one of the
servants say after trying several times to open the door. "We may as
well wait till the engineer can come up."
Jet was rapidly losing heart. He counted the minutes, as if such a
course would make the time pass more rapidly, and was so thoroughly
exhausted when, at nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, the work of
picking the lock was begun, that he could not have made himself heard
even had the gag been removed.
The engineer was not a skillful locksmith, and half an hour elapsed
before the door was opened.
Even then it was several moments before the bedroom stewards perceived
the prisoner, and instead of unbinding him at once they ran in search
of the purser. When that officer arrived Jet was released from his
uncomfortable position, but his mouth was so dry and parched that he
could not speak.
The boy realized that he would be questioned closely, and remembering
the inspector's caution, he resolved to tell no more than was
absolutely necessary. Therefore when the officers of the steamer
insisted on being told how he chanced to be a prisoner, he simply
related the story of the capture, without entering into particulars as
to why the men should do such a thing. His account was looked upon
with suspicion, and after questioning him yet more closely the purser
said:
"The boy is lying for some purpose, probably to get a free passage.
Why would two men want to steal a fellow like him?"
"I've told the truth," Jet replied earnestly. "Don't you suppose I
could have stowed away easier than by being tied up till I couldn't
wink, an' waiting for you to come an' find me?"
"That sounds reasonable enough, but at the same time I don't believe
the story," the purser said severely. "Get ashore now, and if I catch
you on this boat again you'll have considerable trouble."
It was with difficulty Jet could walk, owing to the cramps in his
limbs, but he hobbled ashore at once, thinking that for a boy who had
simply tried to do his duty he had been badly used.
It was necessary he should return home at once, but he had no money.
He was hungry, and yet had nothing with which to purchase a meal.
His entire hoardings were in a box at Mammy Showers' house, and he did
not have the value of a penny about him.
"It's a mighty tight fix," he said reflectively, as he walked up from
the river front, "and what makes it worse is that the inspector will be
certain I've run away because I had something to do with the murder."
There could be no question but that he was in a bad scrape, and the
more he thought of it the more serious did the whole affair appear.
"Hello, Johnny! Whater you doin' up here?"
Without really thinking he was the one addressed, Jet looked around,
and saw a small boy in district messenger's uniform beckoning
vigorously to him.
"Was you calling me?" he asked, as he crossed the street.
"Sure. Ain't that a New York cap?"
"Yes."
"Whater you doin' here?"
"That's what I'd like to know," Jet replied ruefully.
"Well say, what's crawlin' on you? Run away, eh?"
Jet was in that frame of mind when to confide in some one is a relief,
and he told him the same story the purser of the steamer refused to
believe.
His new acquaintance listened attentively, and when Jet had concluded,
asked:
"What do you s'pose they wanted with a feller like you?"
"I don't know."
"Hadn't anybody's else money, eh?"
"Not a cent, an' I'm no richer now."
"What kind of lookin' duffers was they?"
"Dressed pretty well, the short one was."
"Did the other one wear green spectacles, an' was he tall?"
"Yes, have you seen 'em?"
"There was a couple of duffers hangin' round the other depot waitin'
for the train, an' I wouldn't wonder if they was the ones. The short
feller bought two tickets for Cooperstown Junction."
"How did you happen to hear all that?"
"I went after some parlor car tickets for our boss."
"Has the train gone yet?"
"It oughter left at seven this mornin'."
"An' it's most night now, so they've got off."
"Was they runnin' away from somebody?"
Just for an instant Jet was on the point of telling this brother
messenger the whole story, but he checked himself in time and replied:
"I should think they'd want to after playin' such a trick on me. Say,
how am I goin' back to New York?"
"I dunno 'less you walk; I don't reckon you wanter stow away on the
boat?"
"You bet I don't."
At this moment the Albany messenger remembered that he had been sent on
an important errand, and said as he turned to go:
"I'll be through work at six o'clock. Come around by the office an'
we'll have another talk."
Food, not conversation, was what Jet most wanted just then, and as his
new acquaintance departed in great haste he walked aimlessly along the
streets wondering what could be done.
"The inspector thinks by this time that I lied to him, and---- By
gracious, why can't I follow those fellows? That's jest what he told
me to do!"
This seemed like a lucky thought, and without realizing that he had no
means to prosecute even the shortest search, Jet went rapidly toward
the depot.
CHAPTER IV
AN ENGAGEMENT
It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by
his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed
more apparent than before.
Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push
him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying
throng than he had been on the street.
After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask
the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none
of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he
sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which
met his touch.
"I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he
unfolded the printed sheet. "When a feller is readin' he kinder
forgets how hungry he is, I reckon."
To give the printed account in all its details would require too much
space, since there were no less than five columns in Jet's paper.
The substance was to the effect that a well-known merchant, residing on
East Twentieth Street, had been found on the floor of his library the
previous morning, his skull crushed in as if with some heavy instrument
like a crow-bar, or a burglar's jimmy, and the safe, which was known to
have contained money and bonds to the amount of forty-six thousand
dollars, was broken open and empty.
The theory of the detectives was that thieves had entered the dwelling
for the purpose of robbery; but having been surprised by the owner,
killed him in order to make good their escape.
A large tuft of hair in the dead man's hand told that he had grappled
with his murderers, and the overturned furniture spoke of a long and
desperate struggle.
Singular as it may seem none of the other occupants of the house had
heard any unusual noise, although the uproar must have been great for
some moments, nor was any shock perceived when the safe door had been
blown off.
It was as the paper stated, the most mysterious of the many
detective-baffling crimes which had been committed in New York city,
because of the fact that such a deed could have been done without
alarming any one in the vicinity.
Nothing was said regarding the men for whom Jet had carried the
satchel, because at the time the article had been written the police
were not in possession of this very valuable clew.
Jet had finished reading the article, and was studying the matter in
his mind without being able to arrive at any definite conclusion
regarding the course he should pursue, except that he was eager to
follow the men who had treated him so roughly, when a stranger halted
directly in front of him.
"You don't seem to be very busy."
"It kinder looks that way for a fact."
"Taking a vacation?"
"A good deal more of a one than I want. I'd like to pick up some kind
of a job that would pay a little money between now an' bedtime."
"Live here?"
"In New York. A couple of duffers hired me to come here, an' then
skipped without payin'."
"So you're stranded?"
"You'd think so if you didn't have a blessed cent, an' was hungry
enough to eat up the whole town."
"Do you want to earn money to take you back to the city?"
"I'd rather go to Cooperstown Junction."
"Then you'd be worse off than you are here, for it isn't any town."
"That's where I want to go all the same."
"I can give you a chance if you'll work your way."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I've got a minstrel company on the road, and wouldn't mind paying the
traveling expenses of a smart boy who will distribute programmes and
make himself generally useful."
"A show! Say, I can do a mighty good turn at dancin', and give some of
these fellers what think they know it all, a few points."
"Step out and let me see what you can do."
Jet was by no means bashful; in a few seconds he was dancing as
spiritedly as if such discomforts as hunger and fatigue were unknown.
"You'll do," the stranger said, approvingly, when the boy ceased his
efforts. "I'll take you along, and pay a little something if you'll do
a turn."
"You can bet your life I will, but I don't want to go any farther than
Cooperstown Junction."
"Very well, there'll be plenty of time to talk about that part of the
business, for we shall make three stands between here and there. Take
this money to buy something in the way of a lunch, and in twenty
minutes we'll start."
Jet was overjoyed.
By this arrangement he saw an opportunity to follow the alleged
murderers, and at the same time earn money to return to New York if
necessary.
Probably if he had told his new employer the whole story that gentleman
would have advised him to call upon the inspector without delay, rather
than try to run the criminals down himself.
As it was, however, he believed he knew exactly what course to pursue,
and had little doubt as to succeeding.
Two sandwiches and three boiled eggs were the provisions he purchased
to break his long fast, and when the train drew out of the depot the
amateur dancer, seated by the side of his employer, thought he was very
fortunate.
Cobleskill was the town where Jet was to make his first bow before the
public, and with a costume which was rather "off color" because of
having been contributed in fragments by the different members of the
company, he stepped on the stage feeling just a trifle nervous.
To the surprise of his professional companions Jet gave a really
presentable performance.
It is true some of his steps were not exactly artistic, but he made up
in quantity what might have been lacking in quality, and the applause
received was enough to make him proud.
"Say, my boy, you'll make a success of this thing if you do a little
studying," the manager exclaimed when Jet finished his turn. "I'll
give you ten dollars a week and pay all your expenses if you want to
keep on the road with us."
"I don't reckon I'll stay more than the three nights we talked about,
'cause you see I've got some work to do when we strike Cooperstown
Junction."
"You'll be glad enough to drop it when you see what kind of a place it
is."
During the remainder of the evening Jet had nothing to do save watch
the other performers from the wings, and but for the fear that the
inspector might send an officer to arrest him, he would have enjoyed
himself hugely.
On the following day he took part in the street parade at the next
stopping place, and during the afternoon read everything concerning the
tragedy he could find in the hotel reading-room papers.
He did not gain any great amount of information, however.
The particulars of the murder were related at greater length, and it
was said that several promising clews were being followed, but no
details were given concerning the work of the detectives.
"Jest as likely as not I'll surprise people before this thing is over.
If I can get on the track of them men Something is goin' to happen for
a fact."
He had already begun to speculate on the anticipated triumph when he
should, unaided, bring the guilty men to justice, as his gaze fell on
an advertisement displayed in large type:
INFORMATION WANTED.
A suitable reward will be paid for information as to the whereabouts of
Jethro Lewis. The said boy is fourteen years of age, medium size,
curly hair, and when last seen wore a suit of grey clothes with a
district messenger's cap, on which were the figures 48.
Address
X. Y. Z., _Herald_ office.
"The inspector is after me," Jet whispered as the paper fell from his
grasp. "Now my jig is up, an' I reckon there's no chance but that I'll
have to go to jail."
Jet tore the advertisement from the sheet lest it should be seen by
some member of the company, and then went at once to the theater, where
he could remain screened from view of the townspeople.
The one thought in his mind was that all would be well if he could get
on the track of those who had kidnapped him, and he blamed himself
severely for not having gone straight on to Cooperstown Junction,
instead of remaining with the company, but how that might have been
done while he was penniless was something he did not attempt to solve.
"I won't stay any longer than to-night," he said to himself as the
curtain was raised for the evening's performance, and the stage manager
warned him to be ready for his cue. "There must be some way of getting
over to that place without waiting for the company."
On this night he felt more confidence in himself, having had two
rehearsals with the leader of the orchestra, and at the signal went
before the audience confidently.
On the previous performance he had not dared to look at the people, but
kept his eyes on the stage. Now, however, he glanced around, and the
dance was hardly begun before he brought it to a close, the musicians
gazing at him in surprise.
The cause of his sudden stopping was startling enough to have
disconcerted a much older performer.
Facing him, and not more than two rows of seats from the stage, sat the
two men he was so anxious to meet.
"Go on!" the leader of the orchestra whispered hoarsely, and from the
wings he heard the angry command of the stage manager:
"Get to work, boy! Do you want to queer the whole show?"
Jet nerved himself to begin the dance, but he was so exceedingly
awkward that several of the audience guyed him, a fact which deprived
him of the small remnant of self-possession remaining.
Without stopping to consider what the result might be, he ran at full
speed from the stage, and the spectators hooted and yelled derisively.
"What is the matter with you?" the manager asked fiercely, as he shook
Jet until his teeth chattered.
"Them men are there!" the boy cried brokenly. "I must go right out an'
get hold of them."
"You'll go and stay, you little villain! If you couldn't dance I
wouldn't say a word, but I know what you are able to do. Where are you
off to now?"
"I want to change these clothes so's I can go around to the front of
the house."
"What for?"
"Them men are there, an' I've got to find out where they're stopping."
"What are they to you?
"Don't stop to ask questions now, but let me go!" Jet cried,
impatiently, as he tore himself from the angry man's grasp, threw off
the stage costume and ran from the building.
With no idea his enemies had recognized him, he continued on without
fear until reaching the corner of the building, where one of the men
was standing half hidden by the shadow.
The fellow's hand was raised, and as Jet came up he struck the boy a
crashing blow on the head with a stout stick, felling him to the ground
like one suddenly deprived of life.
CHAPTER V
BAFFLED
When Jet regained consciousness he was lying on the ground alone,
feeling dizzy and suffering from a most severe pain in his head.
He raised his hand as if to relieve the anguish, and found that his
hair was matted together with a certain sticky substance, which, by aid
of a light from a near-by lamp, he discovered to be blood.
From the theater music could be heard, thus telling that the
performance had not yet been brought to a close.
It was only after the greatest difficulty that Jet rose to his feet,
looked around for an instant as if expecting another attack, and then
staggered toward the stage entrance.
He spent ten minutes covering a distance of twenty yards, and, on
opening the door, was greeted by one of the company, who had evidently
come out for a breath of fresh air.
"You had better not let the manager see you until after he cools off a
little more, for---- What is the matter, lad?"
This last question after the boy's pale and blood-stained face could be
seen.
"Somebody struck me."
"Struck you? It looks more as if they had been trying to kill you."
"Perhaps that was what they did want to do," and Jet half-seated
himself, half-fell on a trunk.
However aggrieved the members of the company may have felt because of
Jet's failure, none of them were so hard-hearted as to ignore the fact
of his suffering. Those not on the stage were immediately summoned by
the boy's questioner, and in a very few seconds a messenger had been
sent in search of a surgeon.
"Don't bother about me; I'll be all right in a little while," Jet
managed to say, and then he fainted.
It was soon found that the boy's injuries, while severe, were not
dangerous.
The scalp had been laid open to such an extent that half a dozen
stitches were necessary to close the wound, and the surgeon said,
reassuringly, as he bandaged the cut:
"He has lost considerable blood, which accounts for his weak condition.
It will be some time before he feels all right again; but he'll come
around in good shape."
"Will it do him any harm to keep on traveling with us?" the manager
asked.
"Let him be quiet, and I don't anticipate any evil results. Do you
know how it happened?"
"No. He was very anxious to see some one in the audience, and I fancy
he went out immediately after breaking down in his act."
"Then send around at once and learn if anybody left the hall just
before the assault."
This suggestion was acted upon immediately, and the doorkeeper stated
that two men, one tall and the other of medium height, went out very
soon after Jet ran off the stage.
"It must have been some fellow who had a grudge against him, and he
broke down from fright at seeing the man; but I don't fancy it will do
much good to attempt to trace the matter. Show people can't afford to
fool around a town waiting for the delays of the law when they are
billed to play in other places, therefore the whole thing had better be
dropped."
The surgeon received his fee and left the invalid after advising that
he be kept perfectly quiet.
The performers continued their efforts to amuse, and Jet, lying on a
pile of wardrobe stuff, with the music of the orchestra and the
applause of the audience ringing in his ears, tried to decide upon his
course of action.
"I'll have to leave the show here an' find them fellers," he thought to
himself, and then the pain of his wound prevented any further study of
the detective work he hoped to perform.
It so chanced, however, that he did not carry out this resolution.
When morning came he was too sick to have much choice in the matter,
and the kind-hearted manager said as he wrapped the boy in an old
overcoat:
"We'll take him along in the hope of his getting better. If he don't
improve in a day or two he can be left in some other town, for it's
certain his life isn't safe in this place. Those fellows hit to kill
last night, and on a second attempt might be more successful."
It was forty-eight hours before Jet fully realized the condition of
affairs, and then the show was nearly a hundred miles from the scene of
the attack.
"Have we passed Cooperstown Junction?" he asked of the manager as the
performers boarded a train.
"Bless your heart, lad, we left that desolate place behind us the
morning after you were hurt."
"How can I get back there?"
"I shan't allow you to try it yet awhile. In your present condition it
would be as much as your life is worth to make the attempt."
"But I must go."
"See here, Jet, why not tell me what is on your mind? I might be able
to help you."
"Some time you shall know all about it; but not now."
"Just as you please," was the impatient reply. "Will you be able to do
a turn to-night?"
"I must get off the train at the next station."
"Not much."
"That's what I've got to do. You've been mighty good to me, but I
can't go any farther from New York."
"How will you get back without money?"
"Walk, if there isn't any other way."
It was useless for the manager to make any protest. He was eager to
keep Jet with the company, for he had seen that he could please the
public; but after quite a lengthy conversation the boy's determination
was so strong that it would have been useless to oppose him further.
"Well, if I can't help myself, I suppose you must go. Here are a
couple of dollars to help out on the trip, and I hope you'll win,
whatever's in the wind."
"When does the train stop?"
"In less than ten minutes."
Jet made his preparations for leaving by removing the coat which one of
the company had contributed for his comfort, but the manager insisted
that he keep it, and when he stepped upon the platform of a small
station while the train continued on, it was with a very decided sense
of loneliness.
His first care was to buy a new hat.
His messenger's cap was too conspicuous, and afforded positive means of
identification in case he met with any one who had read the
advertisement.
Then came the question as to whether he should return by the train at
the expense of his small capital, or walk at the expense of time.
"It ain't certain they stayed in that town after knockin' me down, an'
I stand as good a chance of meetin' 'em on the road as anywhere else,
so I'll tramp it."
After investing twenty cents in crackers and cheese, and consulting
with the station master as to whether it would be advisable for him to
follow the track or the carriage road, Jet set out on his journey.
"Counting ties" was not as easy a job as he had fancied, and after an
hour's steady walking he sat down to rest a short distance from the
road, in the shelter of a shanty which looked as if it might originally
have been intended for a tool-house when that portion of the road was
being built.
He had not yet fully recovered from the effects of the murderous blow,
and the steady traveling tired him to such an extent that it became
necessary to lie down.
The natural result of this indulgence was that he soon fell asleep, and
even the rumbling of the trains as they passed failed to awaken him,
until after some time, when he became aware of a tugging and pulling at
his coat.
Opening his eyes, he saw crouching by his side about as villainous a
looking tramp as one would care to meet.
"What are you up to?" Jet cried angrily, as he attempted to rise to his
feet, but was prevented by the man, who threw one arm around the boy's
body.
"Lay still, sonny, an' nobody shan't hurt you."
"Take your hand out of my pocket!" and Jet cautiously drew up his legs
ready for a sudden dash.
"Now don't get into a fidget; I'm only tryin' to find out if you've got
a license to travel over this 'ere road."
The fellow was now doing his utmost to get at the contents of his
prisoner's pockets, and although the special one on which he was
working contained nothing of value, Jet did not intend to submit to the
indignity.
He had drawn his feet up as far as possible, and was ready for the
struggle.
Striking the man a blow in the eye with his disengaged hand, he kicked
upward an instant later, hitting the tramp fairly on the back of the
head as he involuntarily sprang backwards from the effects of the pain.
This vigorous treatment sufficed to break the hold, and Jet sprang to
his feet just in time to avoid a vicious blow.
"Try to get the best of me will you?" the man cried, savagely, as he
picked up a heavy cane which lay near by, keeping his eye meanwhile on
the boy.
Jet knew he must do his best, or suffer for what had been done.
He could see nothing which would serve as a weapon, and was thinking it
might be best to make a break for freedom, when the man sprang upon him.
Luckily he succeeded in avoiding a blow from the cane, by seizing with
both hands the tramp's right arm, and then came a desperate struggle.
Not for a moment did he dare to release his hold lest the fellow should
be able to use his weapon, and in the meanwhile he was pummeled soundly.
The man's left hand was at liberty, and with it he showered blow after
blow on the boy's body.
Jet managed to screen his face by using the tramp's arm as a shield,
and, finding that he was getting the worst of it darted forward at the
same time he kicked with all his strength.
This sudden attack sent the man to the ground, and as he fell Jet
wrested the cane from his grasp.
"It's my turn now!" he cried, as the fellow scrambled to his feet in a
rage. "Make tracks out of this mighty fast or I'll break every bone in
your body!"
The man glared at him fiercely for an instant, and then, stepping back
a few paces, shouted loudly in a peculiar tone.
"Stop that!" and Jet ran forward with the stick uplifted. "Don't you
dare to bring your friends here."
"You spoke a leetle too late, sonny, for they're coming."
Jet glanced quickly down the track, where could be seen two others of
the same sort as his adversary, running at full speed.
"I reckon we won't have any trouble about huntin' for your license
now," the fellow said with a grin as he retreated to a safe distance.
Jet hesitated an instant.
He knew that it would be useless to make a stand-up fight against all
three, but yet at the same time flight was impossible, because of his
exhaustion, caused by the struggle with the tramp.
Looking quickly around, he observed that the door of the shanty was
open, hanging by one hinge.
The hut might serve as a place of refuge until some of the section
hands should come that way and he leaped into the building.
Wrenching the door from its fastening, he pulled it inside, and set it
up lengthwise as a sort of a barrier.
"They'll have to come within reach of this cane before getting at me,
an' it'll be hard luck if I don't give a good account of myself for a
little while," he said, as with compressed lips, he waited for the
battle which he knew must soon begin.
CHAPTER VI
THE BATTLE
The two tramps who were coming down the track halted on reaching the
one who had attacked Jet, and all had a brief conversation, which
evidently concerned the occupant of the shanty.
Jet watched every movement, but while they were talking he had an
opportunity to gaze around the hut in the hope of seeing other means of
defense.
It was empty, with the exception of a pile of straw in one corner,
which most likely had served as a bed for these or other tramps.
"There's nothing for it but to stand up here as long as possible, and
perhaps somebody will come along before they can get the best of me,"
he said grimly. "If things are going on at this rate, it would have
been better for me if I'd stayed with the show, for this isn't doin'
very much toward findin' the murderers."
The men had finished their conversation, and were now approaching the
shanty.
Jet raised the heavy cane, and stood ready for the battle.
It was not to begin as quickly as he thought, for the three men halted
a few yards away, and one of them said, in a wheedling tone, as he
stepped several paces nearer:
"See here, sonny, we're poor, hard-workin' carpenters out of a job.
There's no need of havin' trouble with you; but we're that hungry as to
make a fight seem pleasant alongside of suckin' our thumbs an' eatin'
wind-puddin' all the time."
"What do you mean by all that?"
"Nothin' more'n to let you know how we're fixed."
"It doesn't concern me."
"There's where you're makin' a big mistake, sonny. You've got money
an' we're broke, so it's nothin' more'n fair you should whack up."
"I'm no better off than you are, or I wouldn't be walking instead of
riding on the cars."
"Then come out like a man an' show us what you have got."
"I'd be a fool to do that, for it's none of your business."
"Now you're makin' another mistake. We've been put here to find out
sich things."
"There's no use of all this chinning, for I'm not a fool," Jet cried,
angrily. "I shan't come out, nor will you have a chance to rob me."
"I'm sorry you won't listen to reason, for we may have to treat you
mighty rough before this job is finished."
"Do the best you know how, but remember that I'm going to have
something to say first," and Jet swung the cane threateningly.
"Better take him right out; we'll have visitors before long, an' it
won't do to have sich a cub around," the leader of the party said, as
he advanced, after having armed himself with several huge rocks.
Now the battle began in downright earnest.
Almost before Jet understood that the men were ready to make the attack
a shower of stones were hurled against the shanty, and two came
unpleasantly near his head as they were flung through the door.
"If one of them hits me the jig is up," Jet muttered, dodging his head
barely in time to escape a huge fragment which would have crushed his
skull like an eggshell.
"We'll give you one more chance to come out peaceable like," the leader
cried, as he motioned for his companions to cease firing.
If it had not been for the ignominy of backing down from the bold stand
he had taken, Jet would have accepted the invitation.
The small amount of money in his possession did not warrant a risk of
life, and then again he was but delaying the real purpose of his life
by remaining.
His pride prevented him from surrendering, and he made no reply.
Again the men advanced with a shower of stones, and now they were so
near that Jet could only find shelter by hugging the side of the hut
nearest the door.
"Can't some of you hit him?" the leader asked, angrily. "We mustn't
keep the fun up very long, for the boss is bound to come mighty soon,
an' there'll be a row that amounts to something if he finds us foolin'
like this."
These words caused the men to renew their efforts, and twice did Jet
receive a severe blow on the body before he found an opportunity to
return the compliment.
Then one of the fellows, leaning over the barricade in order to take
better aim, presented a fair target.
Jet brought the cane down on his head with full force, and the fellow
fell to the ground like one dead.
A roar of rage went up from the others, but they prudently fell back a
short distance, dragging their companion with them.
"You see it isn't going to be so one-sided as you fancied," Jet cried.
"Now haul off an' I'll leave without saying another word."
"You won't have much more chance to talk," the leader cried, savagely,
as he gathered another armful of rocks; but before he could renew the
attack a shout from the distance caused him to drop his weapons very
suddenly.
"The boss has come, an' now we shall get a tongue-lashing!" one of the
fellows said, as if in alarm.
"I reckon that won't hurt us very much," the leader replied, but at the
same time he dropped the rocks, and stood ready to receive the
new-comer.
Jet could not see the track from where he was standing, but he heard
what sounded like a familiar voice ask, sharply:
"Now what kind of deviltry are you fellers into?"
"Trying to drive out a rat we've got cornered in here."
"Same old tricks, eh? Well, some of these days you'll bite off more
than can be chewed easily, an' then the jig will be up for all hands.
Can't you act decent one day in a month?"
"That depends. When we're left alone three or four weeks on mighty
short allowance, it stands us in hand to look out for ourselves," the
leader of the party replied, insolently.
"Take care of your tongue, my friend, or there'll be something else
needin' care precious soon. Let me see your game."
Jet heard the sound of rapid footsteps, and an instant later the tall
man whom he had such good cause to remember was standing at a safe
distance trying to peer into the shanty.
"Hello!" he cried, in surprise, as he recognized the boy. "It seems
that you've been doin' a lucky stroke of business without knowing it.
Don't let him give you the slip, an' bring him over to the house as
soon as possible."
"Somebody you know?" one of the fellows asked.
"Yes, a boy who has found out too much for his own good, and he must be
kept mighty close."
"It wouldn't take long to fix that for you," was the significant reply.
"We may have to do it; but Bob is agin that kind of business, an' to
humor him we must keep the cub awhile."
"Has Bob come back?"
"He must be at the house by this time."
"Have you brought grub?"
"Of course not. Do you think we travel around the country loaded down
like pack horses?"
"Better do that than go hungry."
"Is everything used up?"
"Yes, or we shouldn't be down here."
"I'll see to layin' in a stock, an' there shall be plenty to drink.
When you can get hold of the boy, come along; I'll start now."
The man disappeared from view, and the sound of his footsteps told that
he was walking rapidly away in the direction from which he had
approached.
"What a fool I was to stay here fightin' for less than two dollars,
when by giving it up I might have been half a mile from here before
that villain came!" Jet said, bitterly, as he nerved himself for what
he knew must be the final struggle.
He had good cause for fear.
After the instructions which had been given there was little chance the
men would let him slip through their fingers, and, with such an
incentive on their part, there was no hope the struggle could be
prolonged.
The man whom he had stricken down was now on his feet, vowing
vengeance, and ready to continue the fight.
"Close right in on him," the leader said as he seized a stout rail from
a near-by fence. "He can only hit one blow, and the job is ended."
"I'll give them a chance to remember me," Jet said, as he stood ready
for the attack, and the words had hardly come into his mind before the
men were in front of him.
Striking out with all his strength, his cane came in contact with the
leader's weapon, shattering the former, and the fight was over.
Two of the men seized him by the arms, and the third amused himself by
slapping the helpless boy in the face until tired of the sport.
"Tie his hands, an' we'll mosey along. Joe is after something to
drink, an' we must be there in time to get our share."
One of the party had rope enough in his pocket to obey the order, and
in a twinkling Jet's arms were bound so tightly to his sides as to
cause great pain.
During all this time he had not spoken a word, but he did a "power of
thinking."
In the first place he scrutinized his captors carefully, in order to be
able to give a perfect description of them in case he succeeded in
making his escape, and then took a good survey of the surrounding
country, that he might find his way back again.
"Now get along, an' walk sharp, or what I have given you will seem no
more than a flea-bite alongside of the whalin' you'll get," the leader
said as one of the party started off, and he pushed Jet behind him.
The prisoner could do no less than obey, and despite the disadvantage
of walking with his hands tied, he managed to keep pace with the
others. During nearly half an hour the party continued on at a rapid
pace, turning out of the railroad track about a quarter of a mile from
the shanty, and striking directly through the woods.
At the end of this time they had arrived at what appeared to be little
more than a clearing in the woods, where was situated a rude log house
of two stories, around which was piled a complete circle of cordwood
not less than six feet high.
It may have been cut for fuel, but it would serve admirably as
breast-works if the place was attacked by officers.
A small outbuilding, which was evidently used as a stable, stood
fifteen or twenty feet in the rear of the main building, inside the
circle of wood, and near the door were tied two savage looking dogs,
who tugged and pulled at their chains, while they barked loudly as the
party approached.
"If we had left them loose, I don't reckon either the boss or Bob would
have cared to come very near while we were away," the leader of the
party said grimly, as he went toward the stable, leaving the others in
charge of the prisoner.
"There ain't much chance I'll ever be able to tell the inspector what
I've been doing," Jet thought as he entered the enclosure formed by the
fuel, and was led toward the single door of which the house boasted.
"Those dogs would be worse than a hundred men if a fellow was trying to
sneak off."
He had no further opportunity for speculation just then, for the men
pushed him roughly into the house, and he stood in front of the short
man who had so successfully acted the part of a gentleman at the Union
Square Hotel.
CHAPTER VII
A BOLD ATTEMPT
"It seems to be pretty hard to get rid of you," the man said, with a
grin as Jet stood in front of him.
"I can't say it's my fault."
"Perhaps not, and it shan't be ours in the future. Where have you
been?"
"Trying to earn money enough to pay my way back home."
"We'll provide you a job here. If you behave yourself things won't go
so very bad; but there'll be the very devil to pay if we find you
trying to give us the slip."
"I shan't stay any longer'n I can help," Jet replied, stoutly.
"We'll take good care that you can't help it for some time. Sam, take
him up stairs where the small press was; I reckon he'll be safe enough
there; and when Joe comes back turn the dogs loose."
"Then you an' he'll have to be mighty careful about goin' into the
yard, for they'll tackle either of you as quick as they would this boy."
"So much the better. We'll look out for ourselves. There must be work
done to-night, so get ready for it while you are up stairs."
The fellow waited an instant as if to learn whether there were any more
directions to be given, and then dragged Jet out through a door which
led to the apartments above.
There were no stairs connecting the first with the second story. A
stout ladder afforded the only means of ascent, and since Jet could not
make his way up this while his hands were tied, his jailor was forced
to remove the rope.
"Now get along; but look out how you try to play any tricks, for this
is a mighty unhealthy place for anything of the kind."
Jet had no idea of attempting to escape while the odds were so
decidedly against him, and he obeyed meekly.
The man conducted him to a small room at the rear of the building,
which looked as if it had lately been used as a workshop, and there
left him, after locking and barring the door from the outside.
The prisoner gazed around him curiously.
The apartment did not contain a single article of furniture. One small
window admitted the light, and this was so heavily barred with wooden
uprights that even with a sharp saw considerable time would have been
required for the prisoner to cut through.
In one corner was a heap of dirt and fragments of paper; the floor was
stained as if with ink, as were the walls of hewn boards.
From the window the stable was all with the exception of trees, to be
seen. A more desolate spot could not well be imagined, and to add to
its loneliness was the fact that it must be many miles from the nearest
habitation.
Jet had no time to speculate upon his own condition; the only thought
in his mind just then was why these men chose to live in such a
forsaken place.
In an adjoining room he could hear some person walking around briskly,
evidently moving heavy articles from one spot to another, and from
below came the hum of conversation.
Having nothing better to do, and still intent on trying to learn the
purpose for which this house was intended, Jet began kicking away the
pile of dirt.
A bit of bright green attracted his attention.
Picking it up he found to his great surprise and delight that it was a
new ten dollar bill. The fact, that it was unsigned escaped his notice.
"Well, this isn't so bad," he said, in a tone of satisfaction. "If I
ever do get away from this place I'll have money enough to pay my fare
to New York. I s'pose it belongs to them fellers; but I'm going to
keep it, all the same, to even up for what they've done."
Now the dirt pile had great attractions.
He examined it closely, and had the satisfaction of finding a second
bill exactly like the first.
"These people must have plenty of money if they can afford to leave it
around loose like this," he said, as he placed the newly found wealth
in his stocking directly beneath his foot.
Quite a large quantity of plain paper in small strips was all that
rewarded his further search among the dirt; but he did not think there
was any cause for complaint on his part.
"Twenty dollars will come pretty nigh settlin' for all them fellers
have done to me. Now let's try to study up a plan for gettin' out of
this place. There must be some way."
A second examination of the window gave no encouragement, for his
strength was not sufficient to force aside the bars.
The boards of the floor, while not nailed with any remarkable care,
defied all his attempts to remove them.
Then he looked at the ceiling, which was composed only of the rafters
with beams, poles, and boards laid across the top, but, so far as he
could judge, unfastened.
"I don't know as I should be any better off if I was up there; but it
won't do much harm to make a try in that direction after dark. A
fellow ought to be able to shin up the window bars."
The more he thought of this possibility for escape the more simple did
it seem, and he resolved on putting the plan into execution.
That the dogs were outside ready to try conclusions with any stranger
he understood very well; but it was useless to borrow trouble on this
score until learning whether there was a chance for him to descend to
their level.
"I don't s'pose it'll amount to anything more than gettin' into the
loft, an' then coming down again; but it's better than laying still,"
he said, and from that time until sunset he remained at the window
gazing out at the trees and the deep-mouthed guardians of the place.
When, as nearly as he could judge, two hours had passed from the time
of his arrival, the tall man drove up in a springless wagon which was
apparently filled with food and liquor.
The load was taken into the house, the horse stabled, and then the dogs
were let loose.
That they would be very disagreeable customers with whom to have any
dispute could be well understood as they ran to and fro growling and
snarling, and despite his resolve not to borrow trouble until he knew
there was a possibility it could come, Jet could not prevent himself
from speculating upon what would happen if he suddenly appeared before
them.
It was nearly sunset before the door of his room was opened, and then
the short man entered, bringing several slices of raw bacon, half a
loaf of bread, and a bottle of water.
"I don't count on havin' you starve to death," he said, as he placed
the articles on the floor; "but you won't get enough to injure your
health, I reckon."
"Why don't you let me go to New York? I haven't done anything to harm
you."
"That is because you haven't had much of a chance as yet, except to
talk with the inspector, my boy, and we don't intend to give you one.
There isn't--"
"Here, Bob! What's the use of chinnin' with that cub when the grub is
ready. Come down, or I won't answer that your share will be left."
This threat had the desired effect, for Bob went out of the room very
quickly, taking good care, however, to lock and bolt the door behind
him.
The night came; Jet could no longer distinguish objects from the
window, and the room was so dark that it was impossible to see his way
around.
Crouching close by the window Jet heard the heavy tramp as the men came
upstairs, and by the noises he knew they had entered the apartment
adjoining his prison.
The hum of conversation came through the rough partition quite
distinctly, and in a short time this was followed by a heavy thumping
sound at regular intervals.
It was as if the men were pounding with a wooden mallet, except that
the blows were fully thirty seconds apart.
Jet tried to guess what they were doing; but the effort was in vain.
"What's the use bothering about them," he said, finally, to himself.
"So long as they stay where they are, and don't trouble me, I haven't
much right to complain, though a fellow would find it mighty hard work
to sleep in such a racket."
It was time to make his explorations if he proposed doing so before
morning, and he arose to his feet.
By the aid of the window bars it was not a difficult matter for one as
agile as he to clamber to the rafters above, and once there the
remainder of the task was comparatively simple.
Hanging by one arm to the beams, with his disengaged hand he pulled
away the loose timbers and boards from above until a passage was made
for his body.
Then raising himself by both hands he was soon standing where he could
touch the roof of the building; but unable to see his surroundings
because of the intense darkness.
"I don't see that I am much better off up here," he muttered, grimly,
as he walked cautiously along without any very good idea of what he
expected to find.
Just then a twinkling star was seen, and he discovered that one of the
roof-boards was badly rotted.
Now, there was something tangible in the way of escape, and he eagerly
began to tear away the decayed wood, laying the pieces gently on the
flooring, until there was an aperture sufficiently large to admit of
his passing through.
An instant later he was seated astride the ridge-pole, looking down
into the yard where the ferocious dogs were running wildly to and fro
as if having already scented their prey.
Now indeed was Jet at a loss to know what to do.
Even if the animals had not been below he would have hesitated to leap
from the roof of the building lest he should strike upon the barricade
of cord-wood with which the house was surrounded.
He must go down regardless of the many dangers, or return to the room
where the men could murder him whenever they felt so disposed, and
after a few second's reflection he chose the former course.
"There is one chance of getting away from the dogs, an' no show
whatever that I'll ever leave here alive unless I go now," he said, to
himself.
Clutching at the rough boards literally with his finger-nails, he slid
slowly down toward the edge of the roof at a point farthest from the
stable.
He could see the wall of wood directly beneath him, and hear the low
growling of the dogs as they sniffed the air to discover the cause of
the sounds which had aroused their suspicions.
To remain very long deliberating would be to run the risk of the
animals giving an alarm, and Jet gathered himself for a spring.
Putting forth all his strength in order to clear the obstacle, he
leaped.
The ends of the cord-wood just grazed his clothing as he passed over
them, and Jet struck the soft ground, which gave forth no warning sound
to those who were in the building, on that side of the clearing where
the trees were nearest.
He was unhurt, although badly shaken up, and would have started at full
speed to gain the partial shelter of the forest, but for the fact that
just then a heavy body leaped over the barricade.
It was one of the dogs, and Jet knew he must now fight desperately if
he would live.
A stick of wood about as thick as his wrist was the first weapon which
came to his hand as he clutched at the top of the pile to draw himself
up, and with this he awaited in silence the onset.
CHAPTER VIII
AN ARREST
Jet understood only too well that even if he should come off victorious
in this battle with the dog, and in so doing make sufficient noise to
be heard by the inmates of the house, all his efforts would have been
in vain.
Although the moon had not yet risen, the light of the stars permitted
the boy to see his antagonist, who, on first striking the ground on the
outside of the barricade, stood for an instant as if at a loss to
locate the intruder.
Jet thought it possible he might yet escape, and started toward the
shelter of the trees; but the sound of his footsteps soon told the
brute where to look for his prey.
With a low, angry yelp he turned, standing motionless a few seconds,
during which time Jet continued to back farther away from the house in
order that there might be less chance the noise of the conflict would
be overheard.
Then the dog crouched for a spring, and Jet, every muscle strained to
its utmost tension, stood ready to receive him.
The battle was short.
While the dog was yet in the air Jet struck out with the heavy stick,
and his aim was perfect.
The club fell squarely on the brute's head, crushing the skull as if it
had been an egg-shell, and without so much as a moan the dog dropped
dead.
There was yet another to be met, but so far he had not made his
presence known save by angry barks, and Jet ran for the woods with all
speed.
He gained the shelter of the trees and paused for an instant to look
back.
If he must meet the companion of the animal he had killed it would be
better to do so at the edge of the undergrowth where he could have a
fair view of his antagonist, rather than fight in the darkness where
the branches would obstruct his movements.
No sound came from the inmates of the house to show that they had been
alarmed.
From the window of the room where Jet had heard them moving about a
bright light could be seen, and what seemed very strange, considering
the fact that the night was far from cold, the men had built such a
roaring fire that the sparks were coming from the chimney in wreaths.
Even where he stood Jet could hear those dull, heavy blows at regular
intervals, which, since it proved their work had not been interrupted,
showed that the men had no idea their prisoner was making his escape.
The remaining dog was rushing to and fro barking furiously; but,
contrary to Jet's expectations, he did not leap over the barrier.
"I don't reckon there's any use waiting longer for him. It will be
better to take my chances of fighting among the trees than to stay
until those fellows come out."
With this thought in his mind Jet started at a rapid pace through the
woods, exerting himself to the utmost to keep ever before him the
direction of the morning's journey.
The bread and bacon he had put in his pocket before attempting the
escape, and now as he made his way through the underbrush he ate
leisurely, for strength was the one thing needful for the successful
completion of the task, and to retain this, food was essential.
More than once he fell over the trunk of a tree, or was thrown by the
vines which caught his feet as in a snare; but each time he arose to
his feet undismayed, and the weary tramp was continued without a halt
until considerably past midnight, when he had arrived at the railroad
track.
With plenty of money in his pocket there was no thought of walking any
farther than necessary, and Jet's only desire was to find a depot.
By continuing on half an hour longer in a direction opposite the one
taken by him when he met the three apparent tramps, the boy found that
for which he sought.
The night train would be along in ten minutes, so the station-agent
said, and Jet bought a ticket for Albany.
He had been tempted to change one of the ten-dollar bills for this
purpose; but decided not to do so after realizing that it might be
imprudent to display so much money.
Of the amount given him by the manager of the minstrel company he had
enough left to pay for a passage and purchase something to eat in the
morning, consequently there was no necessity of using that which he had
found.
Of the journey to Albany he knew absolutely nothing.
The long tramp had given him an overpowering desire for sleep, and the
soft seat was rest-inviting, therefore in less than five minutes from
the time he boarded the train his eyes were closed in slumber.
On arriving at his destination one of the brakemen awakened him with a
vigorous shaking, which would have done credit to a giant's strength,
and he went out in the early morning air decidedly refreshed.
His plans had all been laid during the tramp through the woods, and he
knew exactly what to do.
First breakfast was necessary, and this important duty he attended to
without delay, spending therefor the last of his change.
It was six o'clock when he arrived at the Hudson River depot, and
learned that a train for New York would leave in a short time.
"Give me a ticket," he said, producing one of the bills found in the
house from which he escaped.
The ticket-seller took the money, looked at it scrutinizingly for an
instant, and then at the boy.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"Out on the road a piece. Don't think I stole it, do you?"
"Tell me where you got it."
"I don't know. It wasn't any town, an' I ain't acquainted 'round this
way."
"Who gave it to you?"
"A man."
"Did you earn it?"
"Say, mister, what's the matter?" and now Jet began to be alarmed, for
the ticket-agent looked very stern.
Instead of replying the man beckoned to an officer who was standing
near by, and said, in a low tone:
"Take this boy on a charge of passing counterfeit money. I will be up
to make a complaint as soon as I can get away."
"Come with me," and the officer laid his hand heavily on Jet's shoulder.
"What's the matter?" Jet asked, as he tried to release himself, but
succeeded only in getting such a choking as nearly deprived him of
breath.
"You'd better come along without any trouble, for I don't want to club
a little shaver like you."
"But I'm going to New York, an' that man has got my money."
"I reckon you won't need it yet awhile."
"Tell me what business you've got to haul me off like this?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
By this time quite a crowd had began to gather, and realizing that it
would be useless to make any further objections, Jet added:
"Let up on my collar a little so's I can breathe, an' I'll go along
peaceable."
The officer did as he had been requested, but not to such an extent
that there was any danger his prisoner would have an opportunity to
escape, and the two walked rapidly along the street followed by a
throng of boys.
At the police station Jet was led in front of a high desk, and the
officer said in reply to a question from the sergeant:
"Charged by the ticket-seller at the depot with passing counterfeit
money."
The small prisoner was asked his name, age, and place of residence, to
all of which he made truthful answers, and then he was searched
thoroughly.
As a matter of course this could only result in the finding of the
second bill, and the sergeant said, severely:
"I reckon this isn't his first offense of the same kind. Who sent you
out to pass that money, my boy?"
Jet hesitated.
He had believed it would be possible for him to give such information
to the inspector as would result in the arrest of the murderers, and
was not willing to tell these officers the whole story.
"I didn't know the money was bad," he said, after a brief time of
reflection. "Is that the only reason why you are going to keep me
here?"
"Before the business is ended you'll find that to be serious enough."
"But is it all?"
"Yes."
"Then will you send word to the inspector in New York that District
Messenger No. 48 is here, and wants to see him right away?"
"So? You're the boy who is wanted so badly in New York, eh?"
"I don't know anything about that; but I must see the inspector mighty
soon or it'll be too late."
"Too late for what?"
"That's jest what I can't tell you."
"It may be possible I shall make you."
"You can try; but it won't be any use, for I won't say a word to
anybody but him."
"He has nothing to do with this case of passing counterfeit money."
"I know it; but there's somethin' else of a good deal more importance
that he's got a finger in. It don't make any difference to me, about
the money, for I've done nothin' wrong, however you try to fix it."
Jet spoke in such a tone of independence that the sergeant would have
made him feel the weight of his authority but for the fact that word
had been sent out from the New York Police Headquarters in such a
peculiar manner as to leave no doubt of the boy's being an important
prisoner or witness, and he could not well decline to grant the request.
"You may think to get out of the scrape by playing this game, but I
promise you'll be in a worse box than ever if the inspector don't like
your message."
"I'll run the risk," Jet replied, calmly, feeling that his arrest would
be a matter of but little moment if through it he should be able to
communicate with the inspector before the men in the woods would have
time to get away.
"It would be much better if you confided in me, for just at present you
are in a disagreeable position, and I could do considerable toward
helping you."
"We'll let things go as they are, providin' you let the inspector know
I've got to see him right away," Jet replied, and the sergeant could
not well continue the conversation.
The small prisoner was confined in one of the cells; but due care was
taken in regard to his comfort, for by this time all in the station had
begun to look upon him as a very important person.
Jet was not disturbed because of the fact that he had been arrested on
a charge of passing counterfeit money; already he had a shrewd
suspicion as to the value of his discoveries, and felt quite certain he
would receive a warm and friendly reception from the inspector.
CHAPTER IX
THE DETECTIVE
The only thing which troubled Jet as he sat alone in the narrow cell
was the possibility that the inspector might not get his message in
time to bag the suspected men before they left the house in the woods,
for now that he had made his escape, it was reasonable to suppose they
would be alarmed.
On this score, however, he need have had little fear. Before sunset a
gentleman was ushered into his cell and the door locked behind him.
"You wanted to see the inspector," the stranger began, as he seated
himself on the narrow bench which served as a bed.
"Well, s'posin' I did?" Jet asked, thinking this man was some one
attached to the station.
"He has sent me to know where you have been."
"Did you come from New York?"
"Yes, on the last train."
"Why didn't the inspector come?"
"He never leaves the city; there are plenty of officers at headquarters
to do such work. Now, what do you know?"
"More'n I'll tell to anybody but him."
"In that case I shall have to take you back to the city."
"But then it will be too late; them fellers are bound to skip when they
find out I've got away."
"What fellows?"
Jet looked up suspiciously.
"I don't want to say a word to anybody but the inspector."
"I told you he sent me to do the business. You can talk as freely as
to him."
"Who are you?"
"Detective Harvey."
"From New York?"
"See here, my boy, I don't blame you for having doubts, and to set them
at rest I'll prove that what I say is true," and the detective pounded
on the bars of the cell door until the turnkey appeared.
"I wish you would ask the sergeant to step this way a moment."
That officer obeyed the summons at once, and when he stood at the door
the detective said to him:
"Will you kindly tell this boy who I am? He is afraid I am sailing
under false colors."
"You are Detective Harvey, sent by the inspector at New York in answer
to a telegram I wired this morning. To give him perfect confidence in
you I will say further that at present he is confined for passing
counterfeit money, but if you should ask to have him released I
guarantee that the charge will be withdrawn. Are you satisfied now, my
boy?"
"Yes, I reckon it's all right. I'll take the chances; but if you
fellers are playin' any game, the inspector is bound to raise a
terrible row when I see him."
"That part of it is all right. Tell Harvey what you know, and I answer
for it that it will be the same as if the inspector himself was here."
With this remark the sergeant walked away, and Jet said in a low tone:
"Now I'll tell the whole story; but first I want to know why that
advertisement about me was put in the papers?"
"We thought those two men might have gotten hold of you, more
especially since the manager at the district messenger station reported
that you spoke of being hired to go to Yonkers."
Jet now gave, with careful attention to detail, the story of his
misadventures from the time of leaving the Union Square Hotel, and
Detective Harvey received the information with no slight degree of
excitement.
"I suppose the bills you found in the pile of dirt are in the
sergeant's hands," he said, half to himself, when Jet concluded.
"I reckon so; anyway, they took both away from me."
"We will go up stairs and look at them. If I'm not mistaken, my boy,
we shall run to earth the gang who are flooding the country with the
most dangerous counterfeit known, at the same time that we bag the
murderers. Do you think you could lead me to the house in the woods?"
"I'm certain of it; but we shall have to walk a long distance."
"I wouldn't grumble if it was fifty miles, providing we finally
succeeded. Come with me."
Again he summoned the turnkey, ordered him to open the door, and said
to Jet:
"Follow me."
"Ain't they goin' to keep me here any longer?"
"I should say not. You heard what the sergeant said, and we must be
out of this town within an hour."
Jet followed his conductor up stairs, and in a few moments the two were
in earnest consultation with the Albany Chief of Police.
The counterfeits were found to be the same which had given the
authorities so much trouble. They were so well executed as to pass
without suspicion in the majority of cases, and the fact that the two
discovered by Jet were imperfect impressions, which had been thrown
aside by the makers, was, probably, the only cause of their having been
refused by the ticket-seller.
"It is lucky you were arrested," Harvey said in a tone of satisfaction.
"Why?" Jet asked in surprise. "It wasn't any fun to stay in that
little cell all day."
"I can fancy not; but if you had come to New York a great deal of time
would have been wasted, and as it is we can start in search of those
fellows at once."
"But you an' I can't handle the crowd if they show fight."
"We don't intend to try. When we leave this town our party will be
large enough."
"How many men do you want?" the chief asked the detective.
"Two, providing they are ready at once."
"I suppose you will go a certain portion of the way on the train?"
"Certainly."
"On that road the next one leaves in about an hour. I will have the
best men I know of waiting at the depot. Is there anything else to be
done?"
"Not now. Jet and I will go for dinner, and meet you at the station.
Can you lend the boy a revolver; one more weapon may come in handy in
case of a fight, and unless those fellows have already made a change of
base I reckon we shall have a lively time."
The chief gave Jet a weapon and plenty of cartridges, and District
Messenger No. 48 felt exceedingly proud as he walked out of the station
with the revolver in the inside pocket of his coat.
Harvey was no niggard so far as caring for the comfort of his small
assistant was concerned.
A dinner at the Delavan House such as Jet had never set down to before
was indulged in, and when the messenger arose from the table it was
with the sensation of being full almost to bursting.
To the boy's relief Harvey informed him that the inspector never for a
moment believed he had run away; but attributed his absence to exactly
the true cause, and all which had been done toward finding him was with
this view of the case.
"It will be a mighty big thing for you if we succeed to-night," the
detective added, "for the rewards which have been offered, both for the
counterfeiters and the murderers, amount to no small sum, a portion of
which will, of course, belong to you."
"I'm satisfied if I make wages out of the thing; but it's too bad that
money I found wasn't good, for I allowed to put the most of it away
so's to pay my board till I got another job."
"You needn't hunt very far for work if this thing turns, out all right.
I'll take care of that part of it."
Since Jet was to be the guide on the expedition his advice was asked
for when the tickets were purchased, and in order to be certain of his
bearings he thought best to return to the town where he boarded the
cars during his flight.
Two officers, dressed in citizens' clothes, reported to Harvey at the
depot, and one would say, judging from their personal appearance, that
they were well able to cope with twice the number of desperate
characters who might be found in the house in the woods.
It was late in the evening when the party alighted from the train, and
Jet set out up the track leading the way, until he arrived at the point
where he emerged from the woods.
"This is the place," he said, pointing to the trunk of a dead tree. "I
took especial notice of that so's I'd be able to know where to strike
in again."
"In what direction is the house situated?" Harvey asked.
"About there," and Jet pointed toward the north.
"Do you think you could find it in the night?"
"I'm certain I could when it was light; but there is a long distance to
walk, so what's to hinder our goin' as far as I traveled, an' then
waiting for morning."
"It's a good idea. Go ahead, and when you think we are far enough,
call a halt."
"I don't fancy camping in the woods all night, and that is about what
you are preparing to do," one of the Albany officers said, grumblingly.
"This is a case where we must put up with considerable discomfort for
the sake of bagging our game. Let the boy do as he chooses; I'll
answer for it that he's got brains enough to lead us right."
Harvey was ready to undergo any discomfort in order to gain the desired
end; but his companions were not as enthusiastic. They complained at
being under the guidance of a boy in whom they did not feel the most
perfect confidence, and Harvey was obliged to speak very harshly before
they would consent to follow.
Jet led the way with no slight degree of mental disquietude.
If he failed to conduct the party correctly it might be said he was
playing the traitor, and the task set for him was a difficult one,
considering the fact that he had only been over the ground once before.
Nevertheless he was willing to do all in his power, trusting for
success to the chapter of accidents rather than any especial skill of
his own, and the men followed close at his heels.
During his flight he had noted carefully all the prominent landmarks,
and the fact that he had seen them only in the night aided him now.
During at least four hours he advanced at a rapid pace, stopping now
and then to take counsel with Harvey, and at the expiration of that
time he said, as he pointed toward a clump of alder bushes:
"There is where I first began the tramp after the fight with the dog."
"Are you certain of that?"
"You can make sure by crawling through the bushes three or four hundred
yards, when the house should be in sight."
"I'll go ahead now. If I get off the course, stop me," and Harvey took
command of the party.
That Jet had made no mistake was shown ten minutes later when the
outlines of the building with its barricade of cord-wood could be seen
against the gray sky.
The house was wrapped in darkness, presenting a striking contrast with
the scene as viewed by Jet a few hours previous, and the latter said
mournfully:
"I reckon all hands have skipped."
"It won't take us long to find out, for we'll overhaul the place at
once."
CHAPTER X
ONE PRISONER.
The brute guardian of the house was at his post, as was soon learned
when the new-comers drew nearer.
The deep baying of the dog was heard before the party had gained the
edge of the woods where an unobstructed view of the house could be had,
and Jet whispered to Harvey in a tone of satisfaction:
"It's a good thing I killed the other, for now there can't be much of a
fight with only one to be taken care of."
"Does that wood-pile run all around the house?" the detective asked.
"It does, so far as I could see, except at the gate."
"Where is that?"
"To the right."
"How high is it?"
"About the same as the wood-pile, and made of planks."
It was evident the place had been built with especial reference to
sustaining an attack, and there seemed little chance but that it would
be stoutly defended.
"Three men inside could snap their fingers at a hundred," Harvey said,
half to himself; "but at the same time four on the outside could keep a
dozen of them prisoners."
"You are bound to have a fight," Jet whispered.
"There's little doubt about that, my boy. You are to stay under cover
of the barricade near the gate while we rush in."
"Why don't I go with you?"
"Because there's too much danger. It will be enough if you prevent any
of the crowd from giving us the slip."
"But I want to do my share; it was through me that you found out where
they were, and it isn't fair to make me stay behind?"
"You're a brick, my boy," Harvey exclaimed as he grasped Jet's hand
warmly. "If we finish this work all right I'll show you a chance to
earn a living, for you shall be my partner."
"Do you mean it?" Jet cried, speaking incautiously loud in his
excitement.
"Every word; but we'll drop the matter now and attend to business.
I've got a general idea of the lay of the land, and there must be no
more time wasted. Keep close behind me."
Harvey then held a whispered conversation with his companions, during
which it was decided that the barricade should be scaled near the gate,
and the dog silenced, if possible, in the manner Jet settled the other
one.
"Don't shoot unless it is absolutely necessary," Harvey said in
conclusion, "for we must take those fellows by surprise."
"It isn't likely they've been obliging enough to leave the door open so
we can walk in," one of the party suggested.
"By attacking that with the heaviest sticks of cordwood after the brute
is killed, we should be able to pound our way through in a very few
seconds. Now come on, and work lively after we are in the yard."
Harvey led the way, and on arriving at the gate it was found to be an
extremely difficult point at which to effect an entrance, because of
its height, therefore the plan was so far changed as to move farther
toward the rear of the building, where the party began clambering the
wood.
During all this time the dog had kept up a furious barking, and when
Harvey stood on the top of the barricade ready to leap down, the animal
was directly beneath him ready for a spring.
It would have been an easy matter to shoot him then and there; but the
detective was not willing to discharge his weapon, and, armed with a
heavy stick, he leaped upon him.
Unfortunately, just as he jumped some of the wood rolled from beneath
his feet, and he was turned in such a manner that he fell prostrate
before the enraged brute.
In another instant, and before he could have scrambled to his feet, the
dog would have had him by the throat but for Jet, who was on the alert
for just such an accident.
In a twinkling he was inside the enclosure, and the remainder of the
party hardly had time to understand what had happened before his club
descended on the animal's head.
One such blow was sufficient to put an end to this portion of the
battle, and when Harvey stood erect once more the dog was still in
death, save for the muscular twitching of his body.
Again Harvey clasped the boy by the hand, for the latter's timely
action had saved the man from severe wounds, if nothing more serious,
and then all advanced cautiously toward the house.
Listening at the door an instant, not a sound could be heard.
From the silence all believed the men had made their escape, but yet it
would not be wise to take that for granted.
Harvey raised his weapon, looked around to make certain his companions
were ready to join in the assault, and then whispered:
"Now! Strike together, and keep it up till something gives way."
The words had hardly been spoken when the heavy sticks of wood were
launched against the door, and before a second blow could be given the
report of a revolver rang out sharp and angry on the night air.
"We have got them!" the detective shouted triumphantly, for there was
no reason why they should remain silent. "Work quickly, boys!"
Again and again were the blows delivered, causing the barrier to
splinter and creak on its hinges, and the fusillade of shots was kept
up during this portion of the task.
The assaulting party were so near within the shadow of the building
that those inside, who appeared to be in the upper story, could not
take good aim without exposing themselves, and the bullets fled wide of
their mark.
Crash! Crash!
With each blow portions of the door were splintered off, until, before
one hardly had time to count twelve from the beginning of the assault,
the besiegers had free access to the building.
"Let one stay here and the others follow me!" Harvey cried, as he drew
his revolver and rushed at full speed up the ladder.
Jet was close at his heels. He intended to take a man's part in the
capture, and for the time being all thought of danger was forgotten.
The firing had come from the front room, and there Harvey ran after
gaining the upper floor.
"Stand back, Jet, they're bound to shoot when the door is opened," he
said as he halted before the second barrier.
"I'll take my share of it," the boy replied, and he pressed forward for
the honor of entering first, but Harvey pushed him back quickly as he
laid his hand on the wooden latch.
To the surprise of both the door yielded readily to the hand, instead
of being locked, as was supposed.
Harvey sprang in and Jet stepped so close behind as almost to tread on
his leader's heels.
One man stood in the center of the apartment brandishing a revolver,
which he discharged full at the detective.
The latter had stooped suddenly on entering, and the bullet buried
itself in the woodwork above his head.
Quick as thought Harvey threw himself forward, overturning the defender
of the house and causing him to lose his weapon.
"Stand guard over this fellow, and shoot him as you would a dog if he
so much as makes the least motion to get up," the detective shouted to
Jet. Then he sprang back to the ladder. "They have given us the slip.
Get into the yard while I search the other rooms."
The Albany detectives had not yet had time to ascend, and they obeyed
at once, while Harvey ran quickly through the other rooms.
A search of five minutes was sufficient to show that the building had
no other occupant than the prisoner whom Jet was guarding, and Harvey
returned to the front room.
"When did your pals leave?" he asked as he slipped a pair of handcuffs
on the fellow's wrists.
"They went away this morning. What right have you to break into
innocent men's houses?"
"We will explain that matter later. Tell me where the others went."
"Don't you wish you may find out?"
"It will be better for you to give all the information possible if you
want to save your own skin."
"I've heard roosters like you before, so there's no use in crowing to
me."
"Can you find a light, Jet? I want to see what the scoundrel looks
like."
"You'll see enough of me before this thing is ended," the man said with
a growl, and Harvey looked around suspiciously, so confident was the
fellow's tone.
Jet soon found a candle on the rude affair which answered as a table,
but its light revealed nothing of importance.
The room had no other furniture than a cot bed on which were a pile of
coarse blankets, two stools and a sort of shelf that served as a table.
By this time the detectives had come in from the yard with the report
that nothing could be found to show when the others left.
The stable was empty, and had evidently been so for several hours.
"One of you stand guard over this fellow, and we will search the house.
Come on, Jet, and show me where you were imprisoned," Harvey said as he
took up the candle and left the room.
The boy obeyed and a thorough search was made of the premises.
To the surprise of all nothing of importance was found.
If the men had had machinery for making counterfeit money, everything
had been taken away.
The building contained nothing more than might have been found in any
honest dwelling, and Harvey said in a tone of disappointment:
"They must have worked like beavers from the time it was learned the
boy had made his escape, and that fellow in the other room was pretty
near right when he made his threats, for we have broken into a building
without legal right to do anything of the kind."
"If they had presses here we should be able to find them in the
morning, for the whole plant must be buried near by; it couldn't have
been carried away in this short time," the men from Albany suggested.
This seemed reasonable, and Harvey decided to make a thorough search
before returning.
The prisoner was secured to the heavy table in the back room on the
lower floor, and until daylight the party discussed the matter in all
its bearings.
Then Harvey said as he went toward the door:
"Now, let's get to work, and finish this job by night-fall if possible."
At that instant he stepped outside, and at the same moment the reports
of two weapons were heard from the direction of the woods, the bullets
striking within an inch of the detective's head.
He leaped back under cover, saying bitterly as he did so:
"The villains are sharper than I gave them credit for, and have got us
like rats in a trap. We were allowed to come in, and now they propose
to shoot us down at their leisure, for the gang can't afford to let us
leave here alive!"
CHAPTER XI
CLOSE QUARTERS
If either of the party had looked at the prisoner when the shots were
heard it would have been possible to understand that he was expecting
something of the kind.
His face lighted up with an expression of joy, and one could readily
fancy he believed the time near at hand when the tables would be turned
with a vengeance.
Harvey was more chagrined than frightened.
The fact that he had not suspected something of the kind when it was
learned the house had been virtually abandoned, cut deep into his
professional pride, and he blamed himself more severely than any other
member of the party could have done.
"A child would have had more sense than to fancy they had given us the
slip and taken all their stuff with them," he said, angrily. "I have
simply done what they allowed a fool would do, and now we must pay the
piper."
"But they'll make a mighty poor fist of trying to take us out of here,"
one of the detectives said, consolingly.
"That goes without saying; but how about our leaving when we get ready?
They have us where we can't show our noses outside, and in this
desolate spot we needn't expect any help for it would take a month of
steady work for a person to find us, and I don't reckon the house is
provisioned to stand such a siege."
"I haven't seen anything in the way of food, and I've been into every
room."
"Most likely you'll find that the stock of water is quite as low.
We're penned up here without a chance of helping ourselves unless we're
willing to stand a regular battle."
"Well, I don't see why we shouldn't be able to do, that. According to
the boy's story there are only three, without counting this man,
therefore the forces are equal in numbers."
"That is true; but they have the advantage of position by being hidden
in the woods, and we can't show our noses out of doors without the
certainty of acting as targets while they are under cover."
It was not necessary to discuss the matter at any very great length in
order to understand that they had voluntarily entered a trap, and the
entire party gazed at each other in silence while the prisoner appeared
to enjoy the situation hugely.
"I can't see why they want to pen us up here?" Jet said in a low tone
to Harvey when the two were in one of the rear rooms gazing from the
window, and the remainder of the party were with the prisoner.
"It is plain enough," was the petulant reply. "When they found that
you had escaped it was quite natural to suppose you would lead officers
here. Those fellows wanted to get their precious bodies out of the
way; but yet were not willing to leave all their belongings behind.
The work was done systematically. Everything was first carried a short
distance into the woods, and a man left here on guard so we should be
certain to come into the trap."
"Well?"
"Well, while we are here those fellows are carting off their stuff, and
when that has been safely done we shall be allowed to go free, or they
may possibly try to rescue the prisoner, although that would be
needless, since we have no evidence against him."
"Wouldn't things be all right if you could know where the things were
hidden?"
"Of course; why do you ask?"
"Because it seems to me that I might slip out of here after dark and
watch them."
"There would be too much danger in such a job. They had rather get
hold of you than succeed in carrying the stuff away, for you are an
important witness against them, and once in their hands your lease of
life would be cut mighty short."
"I'll run the risk of their getting hold of me."
"But I won't, so there is no need of discussing the matter. I am going
to post the men at the windows in the hope we shall get a shot at one
of the crowd, and while that is being done you must make another search
of the house to find out what we have got in the way of water and
provisions."
Jet obeyed at once, and the detective placed his assistants at
different points where a view of the woods could be had, impressing
upon them the importance of trying to shoot down one or more of the
besiegers.
A search of the building failed to reveal anything which would aid in
"holding the fort."
Not so much as a cracker could be found, and the supply of water was
hardly more than a quart, which had been left in a pail on the kitchen
table.
Harvey had nothing to say when Jet made his report. He had joined his
assistants in trying to get a shot at the men, and seemed to think of
nothing else.
Left to himself, Jet wandered around the building trying to devise some
means of helping his companions, and before noon he fancied he had a
plan which promised success.
At the rear of the house next to the barn was a pile of fuel prepared
for the stove, and near by were two water barrels.
"There is enough around to prevent them from seeing me if I crawled out
to the barn, and I'm going to do it to-night, whether Mr. Harvey is
willing or not," he said to himself as he ascended the stairs.
All the men were on guard; but nothing suspicious had been seen.
"There is no need of their showing themselves, and I question if more
than one is on guard," Harvey said in reply to the boy's question.
"I want to do something," Jet said, and then he explained the plan he
had formed. "There must be an outlet from the barn at the back, and
even if there isn't I can get through all right in the darkness."
"We can't stay idle while those fellows are carrying off their goods,"
the detective said after some thought, "and I believe I will go with
you. We'll leave the others here a while, and see what it is possible
to do."
Jet would have preferred to make the attempt alone, but he could say
nothing against the officer's decision, and the latter at once began to
make his plans.
The two men from Albany were told what was to be tried, and cautioned
to keep the house well guarded during the absence of the others.
"Above all things have your eyes open for the prisoner," Harvey said
warningly. "It is of the utmost importance that we hold him, and you
must shoot the fellow rather than let him give you the slip."
A series of signals were decided upon so that the defenders might know
when their comrades were coming back; the weapons were carefully
examined to make certain they were in good working order, and then
there was nothing to be done but await the coming of night.
All hands were both hungry and thirsty; but since nothing could be done
to relieve their wants no one complained.
When the night had fully settled down Harvey laid his hand on Jet's
shoulder to signify that he was ready, for the prisoner was to be kept
in ignorance concerning their movements, and the two, followed by one
of the other detectives, descended to the kitchen.
"Barricade the door as soon as we go out," the leader whispered, "for
it isn't impossible that the men have crept nearer the building since
sunset."
"Suppose you should meet them before getting out of the house?"
"Then we must fight alone, unless you can aid us from the upper window,
for I would rather get the worst of it than to let that fellow escape.
Follow me, Jet, and don't attempt to go ahead."
Harvey opened the door softly, dropped to his hands and knees, and
crawled into the yard.
Jet copied every movement, and the two worked their way toward the
barn, stopping every few feet to listen for some sound from the enemy.
All was quiet as the grave, and not even so much as the rustling of the
leaves broke the stillness.
The barn door was not fastened, and Harvey pulled it open a short
distance, rising to his feet as he gained the entrance.
A moment later the two were in the building groping their way from one
point to another in the hope of finding a place of exit.
Now Harvey stopped for a final word.
"If it should happen that those fellows on the outside get the best of
me, make every effort to escape."
"Not at the cost of leaving you alone."
"At any price, so that you can telegraph in my name for more men to be
sent up."
"Do you want the inspector to know it?"
"No; wire the chief of police at Albany, and wait at the first station
you reach for them to come. Here is money."
He handed Jet what seemed like quite a large roll of bills, and then
advanced in the darkness once more.
By good fortune rather than skill he found, a moment later, that for
which he was seeking.
A small window, used for throwing out offal, was before him, and
through this he crawled, turning, as he gained the outside, to assist
Jet.
They were now in the shadow of the building with a cleared space of
about twenty yards to be traversed before they could gain the shelter
of the trees.
Again the detective dropped to his hands and knees, Jet following his
example.
Silently and cautiously they crept across the opening; but just as they
were half way it seemed to Jet as if a solid sheet of fire lighted up
the clearing, and the reports which followed were almost deafening.
The enemy had expected exactly the move which was being made, and were
counting on killing their foes.
Fortunately the bullets had passed over the heads of the two reclining
figures, and Jet was about to leap to his feet when Harvey said sternly:
"Stay where you are, and give them a dose!"
At the same instant he began firing his revolver, aiming at the place
from which the flash of weapons had been seen.
Jet did as he was bidden until his weapon was emptied, and then he saw
Harvey leap to his feet and run at full speed diagonally across the
opening.
He did the same, loading the weapon as he went, and just as both
reached the fringe of foliage the detective fell before the fire of
those in the woods.
"Are you hurt?" Jet whispered as he knelt by the side of his friend
regardless of the danger.
"They have put a bullet through my leg, and I reckon that does me up."
"Let me try to get you back."
"It can't be done, my boy. Remember what I told you, and start at
once."
"But I don't want to leave you here?"
"You must; our only hope is that you can reach a telegraph station.
Run the best you know how while I give them something to occupy their
attention."
Jet hesitated no longer.
It seemed cruel to desert a wounded friend; but the order had been
given, and he could not refuse to obey it.
Harvey discharged his weapon rapidly, and the boy ran at full speed in
the opposite direction fearing he would never again see in life the man
who had promised to befriend him.
CHAPTER XII
THE ENCOUNTER
Jet was now traveling over a country with which he was not familiar,
and to continue on would be to take great chances of losing his way, at
least during the hours of darkness.
It was necessary, therefore, or at least he thought so, to get into
that section of the woods over which he had previously journeyed.
To do this he was forced to make a half circle around the building, and
as he ran, keeping at about the same distance from the house as he and
Harvey had gained, the sounds of the conflict could be distinctly heard.
Judging from the noise, one would say at least half a dozen men were
engaged, and Jet said to himself:
"The men from Albany are taking a hand in the row, probably firing from
the windows. If they could wipe the whole gang out there wouldn't be
any need for me to try to strike a telegraph office."
He could not afford to await the result of the contest, however, for if
his friends were worsted just so much valuable time would be lost, and
he pressed on at full speed until, when he was near the spot where he
began his first journey, there was a rustling of the foliage in front
of him as a voice cried:
"Hold up or I'll fire!"
That this threat was made by one of the gang from whom he was trying to
escape there could be no question, and Jet darted aside quickly as he
cocked his revolver.
This had hardly been done when he saw a long tongue of flame leap out
of the bushes at the right, not more than ten feet away, and a bullet
whistled so near his ear that he could hear it shrieking like a minnie
ball.
If he could wound one of these fellows matters would be just so much
better for his friends, and jumping behind the trunk of a tree he fired
every chamber of his revolver as rapidly as possible.
Not until the weapon was emptied did he start on his course again,
shoving cartridges in the chambers as he ran, and followed by a volley
of shots.
It was evident he had not done any damage, and once more he wheeled and
fired.
There was no reply to this last fusillade, and he continued the flight,
straining every muscle to outdistance the enemy in case an attempt
should be made to follow him.
At the expiration of ten minutes he was forced to halt in order to
regain his breath, and while standing panting and blowing behind a tree
he listened for some token of the enemy.
Not a sound, save those made by himself, broke the silence of the
forest, and there was every reason to believe he had for the second
time given the fellows the slip.
But what about Harvey?
In fancy he saw him lying dead or dying within the shelter of the
bushes, while the gang were making a desperate attack upon the house,
and this thought nerved him to continue the flight before he had fairly
recovered his wind.
The journey was a succession of brief halts and mad races, for every
moment might be precious now, and he took no heed of fatigue, save when
exhausted nature literally forced him so to do.
In less than half the time it had cost him to traverse the same
distance when no one but himself was in danger, he accomplished the
task, and stood on the platform of the station at which Harvey's party
stopped the night previous.
The building was closed.
While he was rattling at the door in the vain hope that there might be
a watchman inside, a resident of the town passed.
"What's going on?" he asked in an unsteady voice which told quite
plainly why he was away from home at such an hour.
"I want to send a very important telegram."
"Well send--hic--her if you wanter."
"Where is the operator?"
"At home, I reckon, if he ain't, that's where he oughter be this time
in the morning."
"Do you know when he will be here?"
"'Bout midnight, if he counts on lookin' out for the express."
"Can you tell me what time it is now?"
It was rather a difficult matter for the tipsy party to get at his
watch; but he was in an obliging mood, and after some trouble succeeded
in clutching the timepiece.
"Come here an' see for yourself," he said, after trying in vain to make
out the position of the hands. "I reckon I must have bought four or
five watches by the looks of these, though I'm blest if I remember
anything about it."
"You've only got one there," Jet said, as he gazed over the stranger's
shoulder. "It lacks only ten minutes of being twelve o'clock; I shan't
have long to wait."
"I'd stay with you if I didn't have to call upon a sick friend," the
man replied after some difficulty, and then he staggered on, while Jet
paced to and fro as if only by exercise could he control his impatience.
In less than five minutes he was joined by two men, or at least they
came on the platform; but seemingly took care to prevent him from
seeing their faces.
He could hear them talking in low, earnest tones; but was so engrossed
by his own thoughts that he made no attempt to distinguish the words.
Finally the station agent, who was also the telegraph operator,
arrived, and as he unlocked the door Jet asked eagerly, and
sufficiently loud for the strangers to hear:
"Can I send a message to Albany?"
"Not now. Come to-morrow morning after eight o'clock."
"But this is very important and must go as soon as possible."
"I'll attend to you in the morning."
"It will be too late then," Jet cried, excitedly. "The chief of police
must have the news at once!"
The operator looked at Jet scrutinizingly, and the two men stepped a
few paces nearer.
"What's the matter?" the official asked.
"It is necessary detectives be sent here at once."
"Murder, or something of that kind, eh?"
"All I know is that I was sent by a man who said the telegram must go
at the earliest possible moment."
"Very well, come in and write it. I'll see if the Albany office will
answer my call."
Jet walked into the waiting-room so excited that he failed to notice
the strangers, who crowded behind him; but stood where their faces
would be in the shadow.
After a moment's reflection he wrote the following:
"TO THE CHIEF OF POLICE,
"Albany, N.Y.
"Send more men at once; they have us foul. My messenger will wait at
the station until assistance arrives.
HARVEY."
It was a simple matter for the strangers to read this by looking over
Jet's shoulder, and as soon as they had done so they slipped quietly
out of the building where the following conversation might have been
heard:
"That's the boy Joe and Bob brought up from New York."
"I thought so, and now he is working for Harvey."
"Who has gone to the house in the woods to pull the boys, and has got
the worst of it."
"I don't reckon we could prevent the operator from sending that
message?"
"Not without putting ourselves in the hole."
"We can make sure though that the boy isn't here to show them the place
when the officers arrive."
"Which forces us to stay here another day, and according to the looks
of things I don't think it safe. What made the fools come after
agreeing to lay over in the city till we showed up?"
"That's what I can't say. It's enough to know we've got to bear a
hand, for if one of the crowd is caught all hands stand a good chance
of being sent up."
"Shall we nab the boy as soon as the train passes?"
"No; I've got a better plan than that. We'll wait till the western
express arrives, and make him think we're the officers who have come in
reply to his telegram."
"Then we must keep out of sight. Let's take a turn around the town
where he won't be likely to see us."
The men walked quietly away, and in the depot Jet was congratulating
himself upon having been able to give the alarm so quickly.
The operator had been very eager to learn why officers should be
summoned from the city; but Jet professed entire ignorance of the
matter, repeating again and again that he had only brought the message
from a stranger a short distance up the road, and the questioner
finally ceased trying to extract information.
There was no difficulty about getting a telegram through, and in a few
moments Jet rejoiced at hearing the man say:
"It's done, and now you'll only have to wait until the parties arrive."
"How long before they can come?'
"There's a morning express which leaves Albany in an hour; but it
doesn't stop here, so they'll have to wait for the five o'clock train."
Jet was not troubled as to where he should spend the time.
He was so tired that he could sleep anywhere, and walked across the
track to the waiting shed, where he laid down on one of the benches,
glad of an opportunity to rest his weary limbs.
While paying for the telegram he noticed with surprise that Harvey had
intrusted him with twenty dollars, and he said to himself as his eyes
were closing in sleep:
"I wonder why he gave me so much? It can't be possible he thought the
message would cost all that."
Then he was unconscious of everything around him.
The midnight express arrived, stopped, and with a loud snort from the
engine went on again; but the noise barely sufficed to make Jet aware
that something unusual had happened.
During the next hour he slept peacefully, and then the two strangers
came up the track talking in low tones.
By the glare of the station lamp they saw the sleeping boy.
"What is the use of waiting for the train, when it may be possible the
officers will come?"
"The morning express doesn't stop here."
"What of that? The conductor would let the officers off if the chief
should ask him as an especial favor."
"Well, how can we hurry matters?"
"He is asleep, and all we have to do is to swear the train has just
passed. He probably hasn't got a watch, and can't tell whether one
hour or four has passed since he closed his eyes."
"But if he should be suspicious, he might make trouble."
"Say, you're getting to be a regular coward. We've got to take some
chances if we want to prevent Joe and Bob from being pulled, and it
will be rough if you and I can't handle a boy like that."
"Do as you please; of course I'm bound to stand at your back all the
time."
The first speaker looked around once to make certain no one was near,
and then stepping quickly into the shed shook Jet roughly.
CHAPTER XIII
THE SNARE
"What's the matter?" Jet cried, as he arose to a sitting posture, and
rubbed his eyes.
"Are you the fellow who sent a message to the Albany chief of police?"
one of the men asked.
"Yes; has there been an answer?"
"I should say so. Don't we look like a pretty substantial reply to
almost any kind of a telegram?"
"But how did you get here?"
"On the morning express. It wasn't much of a job to persuade the
conductor to slow up about here when he knew what our business was."
"The morning express?" Jet repeated. "Why, it hasn't been more than
ten minutes since I fell asleep."
"You are not awake yet. It's twenty minutes past three," and the man
looked at his watch, as if to assure himself that he had made no
mistake. "Now, what is the matter, and where did you leave Harvey?"
Jet gazed around him in bewilderment at the thought that he had been
sleeping so long; but as the man asked these last questions it seemed
certain everything was all right, and he replied, without hesitation:
"I left Mr. Harvey wounded near a house about five miles from here."
Then he told the entire story, the men glancing triumphantly at each
other as he proceeded.
"Can you lead us to the place?" one of them asked, when he concluded.
"Of course, that's what I waited for."
"How many men has Harvey with him?"
"Didn't you know he brought two from Albany?"
"So he did; I remember now. And they are shut up in the house?"
"I suppose so."
"Then the sooner we leave the better, for it stands us in hand to
arrive about daybreak."
"Are you well armed?"
"Don't worry about us, my son. We know what we are about when we start
on a job like this."
"I only spoke because they have been shooting pretty lively."
"Things will be changed when we get there," was the reply in a
significant tone.
"If you are ready, we'll tramp along."
Jet leaped to his feet, feeling woefully stiff and sore; but the
thought that he was guiding those who would aid Harvey served to make
him forget, in a measure, his weariness.
He led the way down the track to that portion of the woods with which
he was familiar, and then struck across the country, walking so rapidly
that more than once his companions insisted on less speed.
"We must get there as soon as possible," he said, slackening his speed
unwillingly.
"A few minutes more or less can't make any difference, and we were
mighty nigh used up before we started. The next time Harvey undertakes
a job I hope he'll have sense enough to carry it through without
calling on all the men in the country."
Jet was about to make an angry protest against this criticism of his
friend, but he reflected that it would not be well to get into a
controversy, and more especially when he could better employ his breath.
He continued on as rapidly as his companions would permit, stopping to
rest only when they insisted upon it, and succeeded in making such good
headway that the sun had not yet shown himself when they arrived at a
point near the house.
"Here we are," Jet said, as he halted and listened for some sound which
would give him an inkling of the position of affairs.
"Where is the building?"
"About a hundred yards in that direction," and Jet pointed toward the
east.
"Are you certain Harvey and his men are there?"
"I know the men are inside, if they obeyed orders; but I'm afraid the
villains have got Mr. Harvey. Say, we must have walked mighty quick,
if it was past three o'clock when you wakened me, for it isn't daylight
yet."
"I said you was rushing too fast. Now, how are we to get inside?"
"Go over the wood-pile on this side."
"They'll shoot, not knowing who we are."
"Whistle twice while you are in the woods, and wait for an answer
before coming out of cover. That was the signal agreed upon."
"Then, you young cub, I reckon we are through with you," and as the man
spoke, he clasped Jet tightly around the waist, while his companion
clapped his hand over the boy's mouth.
Jet was taken so completely by surprise that he did not struggle for an
instant, and then the humiliating truth began to dawn upon him.
"Where is the rope you brought to tie him with?" the man who was
holding Jet asked, and after a moment's pause the other said with a
curse:
"It has slipped out of my pocket while we were coming through the
woods. Now, what shall we do?"
"You can manage to spoil a good thing quicker than any fellow I ever
knew. Why didn't you look out for it?"
"Because I didn't," was the surly reply. "If I'd had my way, these
fools would have been left to take care of themselves."
"Don't turn rusty now when our work is about done. Use a stick of wood
for a gag, and tie it in with your handkerchief."
When this had been done, and it required several moments, owing to the
shortness of the impromptu rope, Jet's hands were secured with another
handkerchief, and his body lashed to a tree with a pair of suspenders.
In this position he was unable to make any outcry; but he felt positive
he could release himself from the bonds after two or three attempts.
"Now, listen to me," one of the men said, in a low tone, as he shook
his fist unpleasantly near Jet's nose. "I reckon you're made fast
here; but if by chance you should find anybody fool enough to untie
you, and undertake to run away, it will be a case of shooting you on
sight. You've been too fresh altogether, and both Joe and Bob are to
blame for not having taken the wind out of your body long ago."
Jet made no reply, for the very good reason that it was impossible for
him to speak, and the men walked hurriedly away in the direction of the
house.
That he had suffered himself to be thus fooled caused the boy more
distress of mind than did the fact of his being powerless at the very
time when he was most needed.
The real officers would soon arrive from Albany; but if no one met them
at the depot they could do nothing, since they had no idea of the
location of the house.
His whole night's work had resulted only in bringing aid to the enemy,
and what made the situation worse was the fact that he had explained
how the villains could gain access to the house without a struggle.
"If Mr. Harvey knew what I had done he'd give over trying to help me
along, in case we ever do get out of this scrape," he said to himself.
"I ain't fit even to carry a message, let alone trying to help a
regular detective."
Then came the thought that Mr. Harvey might no longer be alive, and
this caused Jet such mental distress that several moments passed before
he was sufficiently composed to make any attempt at effecting his own
rescue.
He began by stiffening his muscles and throwing his body forward, with
the idea of stretching the suspenders to such an extent that he could
crawl out of them; but was suddenly stopped by hearing sounds as of
some one coming through the underbrush.
The only thought in his mind was that one of the enemy was coming to
kill him, and he redoubled his efforts until a familiar voice whispered:
"Jet, Jet! Is it you?"
He could not reply in words; but he managed to give vent to a faint
moan, at the same time moving his feet over the dead leaves to make a
yet louder noise.
"It's me, Harvey," the voice continued. "I heard a couple of men
talking about having left some one tied up, and thought it must be you."
While he spoke the detective continued to advance, drawing himself
along the ground by the hands, as if his lower limbs were useless, and
on reaching Jet raised his body with an effort until he could feel the
bonds which held the boy.
It was but the work of an instant to remove the gag, and untie his
hands, after which he could finish the work without assistance.
"Did you send the message?" Harvey asked, eagerly.
"Yes, and made a fool of myself afterward," Jet replied, quickly.
"Tell me what you mean, and speak quickly, for there is no knowing how
long we may be able to talk with each other."
In the fewest words possible the boy related the events of the night,
sparing himself not one whit, and when he had finished the detective
said, soothingly:
"An older hand than you might have been taken in. They probably got a
glimpse of your telegram, and were thus able to deceive you, so don't
feel badly."
"But they will now be able to get into the house."
"I'm not so sure of that. Those there must fancy that one or both of
us were hurt in the scrimmage, and would look mighty close before
letting two enter without a struggle."
"Are you wounded badly?" Jet asked.
"My leg is useless, and I lost considerable blood before I had time to
get a bandage around it."
"How did you give them the slip?"
"After you left I fired two rounds, and then crawled into the bushes.
They didn't dare to hunt me out while it was dark, because I could have
killed the first who came near, so I had a chance to circle around the
clearing. I wanted to be here when you came up with the
reinforcements."
"Have the fellows in the woods done much firing?"
"No; they have kept mighty quiet, and I'm hoping that some of our
bullets hit the mark by chance. We must get out of here as soon as
possible. Can't you find something that would answer as a crutch?
Thus far I've hunted in vain."
"I'll do better than that, Mr. Harvey, if you'll get on my back."
"You can't carry me."
"Indeed I can for a while, and at a good pace."
At that instant a shrill whistle sounded twice, and Jet said, in a
mournful tone:
"Now they are trying to get into the house."
"There's the answer," the detective said, a moment later. "We shall
hear some firing soon, whether they are successful or not."
He had hardly ceased speaking when the sound of firearms rang out on
the still air, and Harvey exclaimed, as he pointed toward the sky:
"We'll hope they tried their plan too late. Day is breaking, and in
the clearing it should be possible to distinguish the forms of men
quite distinctly. If our fellows are fooled, I fancy we shall never
see them again."
"Are we to leave without making one try to give them warning?"
"It is too late now, and was when I first found you. I'll see if you
can carry me a short distance, and then we must find a hiding-place,
for whether they are successful in this scheme or not, the
counterfeiters will soon be on the hunt for me."
CHAPTER XIV
A CAPTURE
For Harvey to attempt to walk, however good a crutch might be found,
would have been foolhardy, for it was only with the greatest difficulty
he could stand upright.
Jet understood this quite as well as did the detective and he also knew
there was no time to be lost, if they expected to find a hiding-place
before the day had fairly dawned.
"I am going to take you on my back," he said in a decided tone, "and we
mustn't fool around here talking about it. Will you climb up without
making a row, or must I use force?"
"I will obey," Harvey replied with a smile, as Jet backed toward him,
and a few seconds later the boy was making his way through the
underbrush.
Jet's burden was heavier than he had anticipated, and he staggered from
side to side before twenty yards had been traversed, causing Harvey to
say firmly:
"It is no use for you to try anything of the kind, Jet. This will only
result in both of us being overhauled."
"Here's a place where we can stop for a rest," and Jet halted in front
of a thick clump of fir bushes. "By crawling in there we shall soon be
out of sight, and I'll start back for the depot as soon as you think it
is safe."
He lowered the detective gently to the ground, aided him in making his
way through the tangled underbrush to the center of the clump, and then
returned to the outside of the little thicket, in order to replace the
branches and foliage generally to their ordinary position, that those
who should come in search might not be able to see the trail.
This done he skirted around to the opposite side, and entered in a
manner which would have done credit to an Indian.
"Now you've got a chance to tie up your leg as it ought to be," he
said. "Shall I take that handkerchief off?"
"I don't think it will pay to disturb it, my boy. The flow of blood
has been stopped, and might start again if the compress was removed.
Besides there is no water with which to wash it."
"How long are you counting on staying around here?"
"Until you can get to the town, and send some one back to help me in.
I couldn't crawl that far in a month."
"Then the sooner I go the better," and Jet rose to his feet, despite
the fatigue which almost overpowered him.
"Wait a while. In the first place, you need rest, and secondly, those
men will soon come back to find you, after which a hunt is certain to
be made for both of us. Hold on until we see what they are going to
do, in order to the better decide upon our own course of action."
Jet was not sorry to sit down again, although, in view of the desperate
situation, he knew he could afford to halt but a short time.
"Do you think you can make another round trip to-day?" Harvey asked
after a short pause.
"It has got to be done, so there's no use in thinking anything about
it. What troubles me is how you are going to get along without food or
water while I am gone."
"Probably in the same way you will keep on your feet after having
walked nearly all night--by sheer force of will."
"But suppose----"
Jet ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant the sound as of
some one coming through the underbrush was heard.
Harvey drew his revolver, and Jet followed his example.
Both weapons were fully loaded, and those in hiding knew it must be a
fight to the death, if they were discovered.
By parting the bushes in front of him slightly, Jet could see through
to where the foliage was less dense, and, as he did so, Joe, the tall
man who had been the cause of all his trouble, came in view, walking
slowly, and peering from side to side.
That he was searching for Harvey there could be no doubt, and, seeing
him alone, a bold plan came into Jet's mind.
Without making any sign to his companion he began to move noiselessly
toward the new-comer on his hands and knees, arriving at the edge of
the bushes just as Joe had passed.
Harvey laid his hand on Jet's leg as a signal for him to come back; but
the boy paid no attention to the mute command.
Joe had halted about three feet from the edge of the bushes, and was
evidently trying to decide in which direction he should go, when Jet
rose up behind him so noiselessly that not even the rustling of a leaf
could have been heard.
By reaching up, he could just touch the back of the man's head, and,
suddenly pressing the muzzle of the revolver against the fellow's neck,
he said quickly:
"Throw up your hands or I'll fire!"
Under such circumstances there was but one thing for Joe to do.
He raised both hands, not daring to so much as turn his head, and Jet
continued, sternly:
"Stay where you are, or a bullet goes into your head. I ain't sure,
anyway, but what it would be better to shoot first and talk afterward."
Harvey understood from the words exactly what had been done, and Jet
heard him crawling out from the bushes, in order to assist at the
capture.
"Take your time, sir," the boy said, calmly. "I've got this fellow
where he won't care to run the chances of wiggling very much."
"I'll kill you some day," the man growled, hoarsely.
"You won't try it for quite a while yet. Look out. Hold your hands
higher!"
This last remark was called forth as Joe lowered his arms ever so
slightly, probably for the purpose of learning if his captor was on the
alert.
By this time Harvey had managed to crawl from his place of concealment,
and, at the expense of severe pain, raised himself to his feet directly
in front of the prisoner.
"Keep your revolver where it is, and fire at the least show of
resistance," he said to Jet, as he proceeded to search Joe's pockets.
"Now, lower your hands, but don't take a step forward," he said when
the man's weapons and money had been thrown on the ground.
Joe obeyed sullenly, and Jet heard the dick of a pair of handcuffs as
they were fastened on the former's wrists, with his arms behind his
back.
"Now sit down," the detective said, as he gathered up two revolvers, an
ugly looking dirk-knife and a well-filled pocket-book.
Joe obeyed in silence, but if a glance could have killed, his captors
would soon have been lying lifeless before him.
"Hadn't we better take him into the thicket?" Jet asked.
"No. Stand in front of him while I write a note. Now, you must start
for the town without delay."
"And take this fellow along?"
"Certainly; we can't afford to run the chances of a rescue."
It was such a job as Jet did not fancy, but he made no protest.
When Harvey had ceased writing on a leaf of his note-book, he handed it
to Jet as he said:
"March your prisoner into the first town you come to, and demand to be
shown to a magistrate. Give him the letter, which will explain the
outlines of who this fellow is, and tell him all of the story save such
as is connected with the murder. That we will keep secret for a while.
Then telegraph to the inspector to send an officer without delay to
carry him to the city."
"Is that all, sir?"
"Except as to the manner of traveling. Keep your prisoner in advance,
and do not hesitate to shoot if he fails to obey every reasonable
order. Above all, do not allow him to face you."
"Suppose some of the gang should overtake us?"
"Put this fellow in front and let them shoot through him if they
choose. Aim to kill or seriously disable if you are attacked, and in
order that there be no lack of ammunition, take one of his revolvers in
addition to your own. By dividing his cartridges we shall each have
enough to stand quite a siege."
"What about sending help to you?"
"I hope the officers from Albany will wait around the depot until you
arrive, when they can decide what is best to be done; but don't make
another mistake as to the identity of those you want to see."
"I reckon I shan't fall into the same kind of a trap for a long while
to come."
"Get something to eat while you are in town, and take a short rest.
Matters won't be very serious here until nightfall."
"I shan't stop long, for it would be a pretty poor sort of a fellow who
couldn't walk twenty miles under these circumstances."
"Do as you choose; you have money enough for all expenses, and it may
be as well to hire a saddle horse to carry me back."
"I'll attend to everything," Jet replied, "and the sooner I leave the
better."
"You are right. Remember what I said about shooting the prisoner if he
shows a disposition to turn rusty, and keep him in front of you."
"I won't forget, sir."
"Then good luck to you."
Harvey held out his hand, Jet grasped it for an instant, and said to
his prisoner:
"Get up now, and go ahead at your best pace. You have heard the advice
given me, and I shall act upon it without hesitation."
Joe looked sullenly around and then obeyed, asking as he set out:
"Which way shall I walk?"
"Straight ahead. I reckon you know the road better than I do."
"That's a fact. There is a short cut after we get down here a bit,
which will save nearly two miles of distance."
"Don't let him guide you," Harvey shouted, he having heard the remark.
"Keep on the course you are familiar with."
"Never fear I'll let him show me anything," Jet replied cheerily, and
he ordered the man to step out more briskly.
During the next ten minutes the two walked at a rapid pace in silence,
and then Joe said without turning his head:
"I suppose you count on making a big pile by taking me to prison?"
"That's where you are mistaken. I'm only trying to square things after
the scrape you got me into."
"Would you like to make five thousand dollars?"
"Of course I would."
"Then unfasten these handcuffs, and I'll guarantee to give you that
amount within the next three days."
"More likely you'd give me a clip over the head. But even if I was
certain of having the money, you couldn't get away, so walk on briskly
and don't let me hear you speak again."
Joe glanced savagely around at the boy, and there was that in his face
which told what desperate chances he would take in order to effect his
escape.
"He's studying mischief," Jet said to himself, "and I've got to look
sharp, or find myself in the soup as I was this morning."
At the best it was a difficult task to walk at any degree of speed
through the woods; but the labor was more than doubled by having a
prisoner over whom it was necessary to keep the strictest watch.
CHAPTER XV
ASSISTANCE
During the first hour Jet thought it would be impossible for him to
hold out to reach the town; but the knowledge of what the result would
be, not only to himself, but to those whom he had left behind, enabled
him to battle against the fatigue which threatened to overpower him.
Not a word had been spoken since Joe made the proposition to purchase
his liberty, until fully an hour passed, and then he said in a meek
tone:
"Don't you think it is about time to take a rest? I'm pretty nigh
played out."
Jet was only too willing to do so, and said:
"Sit down at the foot of that tree; I'll stay in the rear as Mr. Harvey
advised."
"What damage do you think I could do with my arms handcuffed behind me?"
"That is exactly what I don't know, and shall take good care you
haven't a chance to show me."
"I don't deny that I would run a good many risks rather than be taken
to jail; but at the same time I'm not such a fool as to kick when there
isn't the least show of getting the upper hands."
"You are wasting your breath talking to me in that manner, for I intend
to follow Mr. Harvey's advice to the letter."
Joe's face was contorted with a grimace of rage as Jet thus showed that
it would be impossible to wheedle him into carelessness, and, suddenly
changing his tone, he said, angrily:
"You don't have any idea of the trap you're running into. There's more
belonging to our gang than that fool detective fancies, and the minute
we show up in town you'll be marked."
"That won't hurt I reckon."
"It will be enough to cause your death."
"Then I'm to be murdered, eh?"
"That is exactly what will happen when any of our crowd get the chance,
and you may make sure they won't lay down till you're out of the way."
"Well?"
"That's all, unless you're willing to make a trade with me. There'll
be more in it than by sticking to Harvey, who'll throw you over as soon
as this job is finished."
"Get up and make another start," Jet said, abruptly. "If you have
rested enough to talk, I reckon you can push ahead."
"You'll regret not having listened to me while there is a chance."
"Get up!"
The man obeyed with a very bad grace, and once more the two were
traveling at a fair rate of speed toward the village.
Twice again during the journey did Joe attempt to bribe or frighten his
captor, and desisted from his efforts only when they were within sight
of the town.
This walking through a settlement behind a man at whose head a cocked
revolver is held, naturally created considerable excitement, and Jet
found himself surrounded by a curious throng before he had reached the
main street.
The thought occurred to him that among these people might be friends of
his prisoner, and his anxiety became even greater than while they were
in the woods.
He was overwhelmed with questions; but refused to make any
explanations, asking simply that some one would show him the nearest
magistrate's office, and his silence served to anger the crowd.
"Are we going to let a boy walk through this town with his revolver at
a man's head?" one of the party shouted, angrily, and Joe's face
lighted up wonderfully.
"I'm an innocent man whom a party of villains are trying to down," he
cried. "If there are any here who like fair play, take me along
decently, rather than in this style. I can explain who and what I am."
"Shove that boy out of the way!" another member of the crowd shouted,
and Jet believed his prisoner was about to be rescued.
Drawing his second revolver, he held it in his left hand, as he said
firmly:
"This fellow has nearly killed a detective who was sent to arrest him,
and I have the proof of that in my pocket, which I will show to the
magistrate. My orders were to deliver him up to justice, and make sure
he didn't give me the slip. If any one interferes, I shall fire first
at the prisoner, and then at him who dares try to help him."
Just for an instant the crowd fell back, and then the man who had first
spoken, cried angrily:
"Hasn't somebody got the nerve to knock that cub down? I'll see to it
that the prisoner is taken before the magistrate in a proper manner."
"That's a fair offer," Joe said, eagerly. "I'm willing to go along
peaceably; but I don't want to walk with a revolver at my head, as if I
was too dangerous to be in a town with my hands behind my back."
"Knock the boy down!"
"Shoot him!"
"Don't let such an outrage be committed in our town!"
"Will you let a cub like that play the part of desperado in a quiet
village?"
These and similar shouts were heard as the throng drew nearer Jet, who
now understood that Joe's friends must be making the row for the
purpose of releasing the prisoner, and he looked around in vain for a
friendly face.
"Will no one help me do my duty?" he cried.
"We'll take the man to the magistrate decently," some one replied.
"That simply means that a few of you are determined on a rescue."
He would have said more; but Joe's pals, fearing the influence his
words might have upon the crowd, drowned his voice by angry shouts.
Jet realized that the crisis was at hand.
He and his prisoner had just turned down the main street, and the plot
must be carried out at once.
Half a dozen men had crowded so near that they could easily have thrown
him to the ground before he would have an opportunity to use his
weapons.
It was high time to carry his threat into execution; but he knew that
the instant he fired for the purpose of keeping the nearest back, his
prisoner would be torn from him.
"I have failed at the moment when I thought the work was done," he said
to himself, despairingly, and at that instant two men ranged themselves
either side of him.
"Have you been sent here by Harvey?" one of them asked, and Jet could
have shouted for very joy, for he understood these must be the officers
who had come from Albany.
"Yes, and this is one of the men he was so anxious to arrest."
"Where is he now?"
"Hiding in the woods, wounded so badly that he can't walk."
"And the others?"
"Penned up in the building with a prisoner."
During this short conversation the crowd had grown more unruly, and
were now clustered around Joe so closely as to impede his progress.
The officer who had been speaking to Jet motioned to his companion, and
the two sprang in front of the prisoner, as the former shouted:
"Make way, or I shall do more than the boy promised," and he drew a
revolver.
"Who are you?"
"Officers from Albany who have come to assist in the arrest of this
man. The first who interferes shall be taken in custody, and I warn
you that it is a serious matter to try to rescue a prisoner."
This short speech had a decidedly good effect upon the majority of the
crowd, who fell back at once; but Joe's friends had not yet despaired
of success.
They faced the officers boldly, trying to force their way between the
prisoner and Jet, and in a twinkling two of them were seized by the
strangers, who clasped bracelets on their wrists without delay.
"If there are any more who want to try the same, we've got plenty of
time to attend to them, for all we ask is a chance to pick out this
fellow's pals."
The street was now cleared, each member of the throng endeavoring to be
the first to escape suspicion, and the officers called to Jet:
"Start your man along lively. We'll lead you to a magistrate, and then
come back for a few of those who were shouting the loudest."
Ten minutes later Jet's work was accomplished. The prisoners were
confined in the village lock-up, and a message sent to the inspector,
detailing what had been done.
Before Jet had finished the meal he was so much in need of, an answer
came.
It read as follows:
"Have sent for the tall man by train which is just leaving. Report the
result of Harvey's injuries as soon as possible."
"That will be when we come back from the woods," one of the officers
said, as he read the telegram which Jet handed him. "You had better
lie down an hour or so, and then we'll start."
"I'd rather go now. If we can hire a horse with which to bring Mr.
Harvey here, I'll be able to ride part of the way."
One of the officers went out to attend to this portion of the work, and
when he returned it was with the information that he had secured just
the kind of an animal they required.
"He's too old to be afraid of anything, and there's no danger of his
running away after Harvey mounts."
Both the men insisted that Jet should ride the entire distance, and
when he objected they reminded him that by so doing it would be
possible to arrive at the desired place just so much sooner.
The strain of caring for his prisoner had fatigued him quite as much as
the tramp, and it is doubtful if he could have covered the distance
again in less than three or four hours.
The officers walked on either side of the horse, and during the journey
he had ample opportunity to explain why he had not met them at the
arrival of the train.
"We knew from the station agent that a boy had sent the telegram, and
intended to wait for us, therefore it was only natural to suppose some
of the crowd had got the best of you. When we heard the row both of us
hurried from the depot, thinking you were in some way the cause of it."
"I was afraid you might leave when I failed to show up."
"Not much. On such a job as this we'd have stayed here more than one
day before jumping back."
During the last portion of the journey, Jet dozed as he rode along,
forcing himself to open his eyes now and then to make certain he was on
the right course, and it was while he was thus in a semi-conscious
condition that a shout from a clump of bushes told the tramp was nearly
at an end.
"That is Mr. Harvey," Jet cried, gleefully, all desire for slumber gone
from his eyelids now.
CHAPTER XVI
ON THE TRAIL.
The detective had crawled out of the bushes by the time the new-comers
were opposite his place of concealment, and, before speaking to the two
men, he clasped Jet warmly by the hand, as he said:
"I knew you could do the job, if it was in the power of any one, my
boy. After making the capture, single-handed, it would have been
strange if you had failed at the last minute."
"He didn't tell us that it was him who took the fellow prisoner," one
of the men said, in surprise.
"But he did it nevertheless, and I would trust him as far as any person
I ever saw."
Then the men held a short consultation as to what should be done, and
Harvey insisted on making a detour, in order to approach the house on
the side opposite where he believed the enemy were stationed.
"If you help me on the horse I can ride," he said, "and it will be
possible to hold communication with the besieged, if nothing more."
"But you should go where your wound can be dressed properly."
"There is time enough for that. I want to get hold of Bob, and then
I'll give you fellows a chance to clear up the counterfeiting case."
Since Harvey was really the leader of the expedition, the others could
do no more than advise against his engaging in work, and he led the
way, seated on the saddle, with his wounded leg fastened to the pommel
in such a manner that it would not be injured by the trees while they
were passing through the woods.
In due time the party came to a point from which the building could be
seen.
A deep silence reigned. One would have said the house had long been
deserted.
"I'll go where they can see me, and, if no one shoots, climb over the
wood-pile," Jet suggested.
To this plan Harvey would not listen.
He first sent the new-comers to beat the thicket on this side, for the
purpose of learning if any of the enemy were in the vicinity, and, when
they returned with the information that no one had been seen, he
advanced to the very edge of the bushes, where the signal was given.
"They won't be likely to answer it after having been fooled this
morning," Jet suggested, and, without waiting for orders, he stepped
beyond the shelter of the trees.
Instantly he did so one of the besieged appeared at the window, and
hailed:
"Are you alone?"
"There are three besides me," Jet replied, and the words were hardly
out of his mouth before the remainder of the party came into view.
"Are you all right?" Harvey shouted.
"Except for being mighty hungry and thirsty."
"Have you seen anything of the enemy?"
"Not since early this morning. It's my opinion that they have skipped
after trying to get in here."
"We can soon find out," Harvey said. "We'll go boldly up to the gate,
and before it is torn down we shall know how many are in the vicinity."
During the time Jet and the two men were forcing an entrance nothing
more was heard from the adjoining woods, and when the party entered the
yard it was with the belief that the gang had been frightened away by
the escape of the detective and Jet, and the disappearance of their
leader.
"It won't do to take chances," Harvey said, as his friends opened the
door of the house. "Go out with these gentlemen who have just arrived,
and make careful search. The boy and I will care for things here."
This order was obeyed after the detective had been assisted into the
building, and the horse fastened in the stable.
The prisoner was occupying the same position as when Jet saw him last,
and appeared to be thoroughly tired of the whole business.
"If you had brought up some food we might have stayed here until
morning; but as it is I reckon we must make a move pretty soon."
"How strange that I never thought of such a thing," Jet replied, and
straightway he began to blame himself, until his companion said
soothingly:
"After what you have gone through with, it is not strange such a thing
should have escaped your mind. We shan't suffer very much if we don't
get anything for a few hours more."
A short time later the searchers returned laden down with provisions,
and reported that they failed to find any signs of the enemy.
They had come upon a place where the ground appeared to have been
lately disturbed, and on digging there discovered a large store of
bacon, hard-tack, flour and potatoes.
Before waiting to discuss the situation, the hungry men at once
proceeded to cook a hearty meal, two of them going in search of water,
and while this work was being done Harvey had a long, serious
conversation with Jet.
"There is no question but that they have grown frightened and run
away," he said by way of beginning, and to this remark Jet assented,
nodding his head.
"Our trip will have been a failure, despite the fact of having captured
Joe, unless we also get Bob."
"It'll be mighty hard work to find him now."
"That may be; but yet I am depending upon you to do the work."
"Me?" Jet repeated in surprise.
"Certainly; what is to prevent?"
"I don't even know where to look for him."
"Neither do I; but we shall hit upon the trail after a while, for I
believe in the maxim that 'all things come to him who waits.'"
"But surely some of these men could do better than I."
"Are you afraid to try it?" Harvey asked, as he looked Jet full in the
face.
"Not a bit of it. I only thought that there'd be more chance of
success if somebody else took the job. You see I've made a big fool of
myself half a dozen times since this thing was started."
"And by so doing have gained just so much experience. I want the whole
work done by you and I, except when we have to call for assistance, as
in the present case. It's professional pride, my boy, and I look to
you to take my place, until I can crawl around once more."
"I'll be only too willing to do anything you say, Mr. Harvey."
"Then it is all right, Jet, and before three months go by we'll have
our friend Bob behind the bars. Now, lie down and take a nap so as to
be in condition for our final trip to the town."
"Then you have given up all hopes of finding the men here?"
"Yes; although it may be possible they will be foolish enough to come
back. We'll leave two men here on watch for a few days."
Jet threw himself on the floor, and in a very few seconds was sleeping
soundly.
When he was awakened the hunger of those who had been so long without
food was appeased, and all preparations made for the return trip.
As a matter of course Harvey rode on the horse; Jet walked by his side,
and the officers traveled in advance.
The last arrivals were perfectly willing to remain on guard in the
house a few days, now that there were plenty of provisions, and they
were busily engaged repairing the gate when the little party started.
Nothing of especial interest occurred during the journey, and when they
arrived in town an officer was met who had come from New York to take
charge of the prisoner.
The two men who had attempted to rescue Joe were held on the charge of
resisting an officer, and it was believed they could be detained until
it might be possible to connect them with the manufacture or passing of
counterfeit money.
To this last, however, Harvey paid but little attention, allowing the
officers from Albany full charge of the case. He was on the trail of a
murderer, and all else seemed of but trifling importance.
A surgeon in the village dressed Harvey's wound, and when that had been
done there was yet two hours remaining before a train bound for Albany
would arrive.
"Now you and I will have a final talk, Jet," the detective said, when
the two were left alone in one of the rooms at the hotel.
"Why? Ain't you counting on taking me with you?"
"Certainly not. I thought it was agreed you were to search for Bob."
"So I am; but I didn't know I was to be left here."
"That is not exactly what will be done, although it amounts to much the
same thing. I propose to have you get on the train with us, as if you
were going off, and then, stopping at the next station, travel back
thirty or forty miles to whichever town we may decide upon as the most
promising."
"What am I to do there, sir?"
"Look for Bob. Move about from town to town just as seems best at the
moment, and I have no doubt but that you will soon strike his trail."
"Am I to let you know when I find it?"
"Certainly. Can you write?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then let me hear from you every day. Here is an address where the
letters will reach me at the earliest possible moment."
"But, Mr. Harvey, can't you tell me how to begin the work?"
"No; circumstances must decide. I have no question but that you will
succeed finally, and in two weeks, if the job isn't finished before, I
hope to be with you again."
The detective wrote on a slip of paper the address to which letters
should be sent, gave Jet more money, and concluded the interview by
saying:
"It isn't well to let even the officers from Albany know what you
propose to do. I will cook up some story to satisfy their curiosity.
Now, go and buy me a through ticket, and one for yourself to the next
station."
Jet did as he was directed, and, as he entered the depot saw Joe, who,
guarded by the officer sent from New York, was waiting the coming of
the train.
The alleged murderer bestowed a wicked look on the boy who had captured
him, and then turned his head away.
"If he ever gets the chance I shall have a hot time of it," Jet
thought, as he transacted his business with the ticket-seller and then
returned to Harvey.
The latter was just being brought down stairs, for the time of
departure was near at hand, and Jet followed him to the station, where
the detective was warmly greeted by Joe's guard.
Here Jet felt proud by being introduced as the one who had made the
arrest and afterward brought his prisoner safely through the woods
where the remainder of the gang were lurking, and District Messenger
No. 48 felt amply rewarded by the words of praise for all he had
suffered.
The cars arrived. Jet followed his companions on board, and, twenty
minutes later, alighted at a small village where it would be necessary
he should wait half an hour before a western bound train came along.
"It's a tough job I've undertaken," he said to himself, when the long
line of coaches had pulled out, leaving him alone, "and somehow or
other I feel pretty certain I'm going to come to grief before this
thing is ended."
CHAPTER XVII
AN OLD FRIEND
To Jet the idea of loitering around first one town and then another
with no definite plan, unless the simple hope of meeting the man by
accident could be called one, was in the highest degree unsatisfactory.
He had embarked on the enterprise, however, and it was now too late for
regrets.
In due time the train arrived, and, stepping on board, he was surprised
at hearing a familiar voice ask:
"Hello Jet! Have you concluded to join us again?"
It was his old friend the manager of the minstrel company, who appeared
to take it for granted Jet had boarded this particular train for no
other purpose than that of going into the show business again.
"Where are you playing?" the boy asked without answering the question.
"Nowhere to-night, or I shouldn't be here. We've been having mighty
hard luck, and had to lay off to reorganize---- At least that's the
best way of putting it. The company is about twenty miles down the
road, and we shall play that town to-morrow."
While the manager was speaking, Jet thought to himself that he could
attend to his particular business as well, if not better, by traveling
with the show a few days than in any other way, and he asked:
"Do you want a good dancer?"
"If you mean yourself, I'll say yes mighty quick. Will you come?"
"There is no reason why I shouldn't for a while, providing you won't
make any objection if I should leave very suddenly."
"Say, my boy, what are you up to in this section of the country, eh?"
"Nothing in particular, or perhaps it would be best to say, nothing
that I can explain."
"Then I won't ask any questions. How much do you want a night to do
two turns, and help us out in any other way that may come up?"
"If you'll pay my traveling expenses and hotel bills, I'll go on for
one night, and, perhaps a week, but when it comes to leaving this
section of the country I shall have to stay behind."
"I'll accept the offer, and reckon we can keep you with us a good
while, if you are so stuck on this part of the State, for we intend to
remain within a circle of fifty miles for a couple of weeks. Business
has been so bad that we can't afford to make many long jumps, and there
are plenty of little towns where I hope to pull out money enough to set
us on our feet."
This plan exactly suited Jet, and he believed he had been very
fortunate in thus meeting the manager.
When the conductor came for the tickets, Jet's friend paid his fare to
the town where the company had been waiting for funds ever since the
day the young dancer felt forced to leave them.
It was a very cordial greeting which he received from the members of
the show party that night, and many times was he forced to give an
evasive answer in reply to their searching questions, lest his secret
should be discovered.
During the evening he wrote to Harvey, telling him how he proposed to
travel, and concluded by saying:
"You see, by this means I can stay around here a long while without
spending any of your money, and it seems as if there is less chance of
being suspected by friends of Bob's whom I might meet without knowing
them."
During the following day he helped distribute programmes, put the hall
to rights, and otherwise made himself so useful that all looked upon
him as a decided acquisition to the company.
On this night he did his regular turn, and instead of trying to prevent
himself from looking at the audience, stared at each person every time
he came on the stage, hoping he might get a glimpse of Bob.
It was doubtful, he admitted to himself, whether he would recognize the
two who had played the part of Albany officers, for he saw them only at
night and in the feeble rays of light cast by the station lamps.
As to Bob, he was confident of knowing him under almost any disguise
that might be assumed.
However, this night's appearance before the public brought him no other
result than that of establishing himself yet more firmly in the minds
of his companions as a good dancer, and he had no reason to be
discouraged since that which must necessarily be a long task had but
just begun.
According to promise, he wrote a short letter to Harvey, and on the
following morning received, a reply to his first.
Among other things the detective wrote:
"I am glad you had an opportunity to join the company, for it is the
best way you could prosecute the search. It would do no harm to go
even farther from the house in the woods than you propose doing, since
Bob will most likely give that place a wide berth for some time to
come. Do not get discouraged, and use as much money as may be
necessary for your comfort. My wound is improving rapidly under proper
treatment, and I am told that in two weeks I shall be able to walk with
the aid of a cane."
It is true this was not a very important communication; but it was
highly satisfactory to Jet, since it showed that the detective approved
of his course.
The second performance after the "reorganization" of the company, was
given in a small town of about twelve hundred population, and the
receipts at the door were not enough to pay the hotel bill and
traveling expenses to the next town, therefore on that same evening the
manager called the performers to his room for consultation.
"We shall take big money in the next place, providing we can get there
early enough in the morning to make a parade; but I am broke again, and
want your advice."
No one spoke for some time, and Jet asked:
"How far is it?"
"Only six miles."
"I will walk, or pay my own expenses, either one you choose."
"Now, that's what I call coming to the front in great shape. Who's
willing to walk?"
It was some time before he could persuade the other members of the
company to agree. They had received no wages for several weeks, and it
seemed particularly hard to ask them to work for nothing, and, in
addition, tramp from town to town.
It was finally decided two of the company should ride, in order to
transport the baggage, and that the remainder would take to the road as
soon as sunrise next morning.
The manager, knowing that Jet had some money, because of his offer to
pay his own railroad fare, borrowed five dollars of him, with the
promise that it should be repaid with the first money taken at the door
on the next evening, and the amateur detective went to bed feeling
that, perhaps, he could travel around the country more cheaply than by
working for a manager who borrowed his funds.
All hands were called at an early hour on the following morning, and
Jet set out immediately after breakfast with those who were to travel
on "Shank's mare."
It was unfortunate that some of these involuntary pedestrians, while
not having enough to pay their railroad fare, managed to scrape
together sufficient to buy a large bottle of whisky, and when a trifle
more than half the distance had been traversed, several were under the
influence of the fiery liquor.
Jet had many invitations to drink, but he stoutly refused even to taste
of the stuff, and walked on ahead with the other temperate members of
the company.
The dissipated portion of the party danced and sang to the amusement or
disgust of the inhabitants whose houses they passed, and the town was
in sight when a loud shout from the rear caused Jet and his companions
to look back.
Half a dozen of the men had scaled a fence, and were industriously
engaged filling their pockets with fruit, paying no attention to the
damage done the trees as they broke branches or threw heavy clubs up to
bring down the apples or pears.
"Say, this won't do!" Jet shouted as he ran toward them. "You stand a
good chance to be arrested, and then how shall we get out of town?"
"Walk, as we had to this time," some one replied with a laugh, and the
thefts went on with redoubled eagerness.
Jet tried to persuade the fellows to desist, but deaf ears were turned
to all his entreaties, and he was leaning over the fence when two women
and a boy came out to drive the intruders away.
The drunken men paid no attention either to threats or entreaties, but
continued at the work until a sufficient amount of fruit had been
obtained, when they continued the journey.
Immediately after arriving in town Jet had plenty to do in the way of
distributing programmes, and finished the task only to take his place
in the street parade.
The drunkards had sobered off in a measure by this time, and managed to
march through the village without reeling; but the fumes of liquor were
quickly driven from their brains on returning to the hotel, when one
after another was arrested for trespass and theft preferred by the
owner of the orchard, who brought the two women and boy into town as
witnesses.
Jet was not made a prisoner when the majority of the party were marched
to the squire's office, nor did he anticipate any trouble, for he had
done nothing more than try unsuccessfully to prevent the mischief.
Therefore he followed those under arrest to learn what disposition
would be made of the case, and as he entered the closely-packed room
was surprised at hearing one of the women say, in a voice loud enough
to be understood by all:
"There's another of 'em--that boy. I seen him standin' there all the
time."
"But I was only trying to make the others stop," Jet said quickly, as
if the remark had been addressed to him.
"Don't you believe him, squire, he was doin' that to poke fun at me,
an' jest egged the others on."
To Jet's surprise the magistrate included him in the list of prisoners,
and he had the questionable satisfaction of hearing all three of the
witnesses swear that he was aiding and abetting the thieves.
Jet tried hard to defend himself, but the squire had evidently made up
his mind in advance as to what the sentence should be, for without
allowing the prisoners to make more than a shadow of defense, he said
sternly:
"It's time you show people got to learn that you can't travel 'round
the country cuttin' up shines an' then tryin' to excuse yourselves by
sayin' you was under the influence of licker. This court don't
recognize any sich pleadin', an' sentences every one of the crowd to
pay ten dollars an' costs."
"Do you mean that each man must pay that fine?" the manager asked in
dismay.
"That's what I said, an' if there's any row kicked up I'll double it."
Jet was literally stunned and could make no reply. It is true he had
sufficient money with which to settle his fine, but he did not feel
that he was entitled to do such a thing, and besides, the injustice of
the verdict was so great as to overshadow everything else.
Extra constables were sent for to convey the prisoners to the village
lock-up until such time as they should pay the money, and when one of
these officials entered the room, Jet's anger and surprise was changed
to bewilderment.
The man who advanced to carry him to jail was none other than a member
of that party of alleged tramps who had attempted to rob him on the
railroad track, and consequently a pal of the murderers.
The fellow was unquestionably at the house in the woods when Harvey and
his men were besieged, and had since then returned to this town, where,
of course, he lived.
The question in Jet's mind now was as to whether Bob and the others had
accompanied this one.
"Being arrested may turn out to be a mighty good thing, after all," he
said to himself, "and I wouldn't be surprised if I held off a long
while before paying my fine."
CHAPTER XVIII
JAIL LIFE
The manager of the minstrel company was, and quite naturally, in a high
state of excitement when his people were marched off to the lock-up.
If he was not able to raise sufficient money to pay for the railroad
tickets, it was useless to think he could satisfy the claim which
alleged justice had against the men.
To remain there even for twenty-four hours without giving a performance
would result in utter bankruptcy, and in case he was willing to desert
the company he did not have money enough to go out of the town, except
by leaving the baggage behind and walking.
An hour after the now saddened minstrels had been lodged behind the
bars the manager called upon them.
"I've been trying to chin that old fool of a squire into letting you
off for this evening, so's we can give a show, but he won't listen to
anything of the kind," the visitor announced in a disconsolate tone.
"If you could rope off the yard and put up some seats we might perform
behind the bars. Advertise that the gentlemen composing the greatest
aggregation of minstrel talent in the known world will attempt the
difficult feat of playing themselves out of jail."
This suggestion was made by the "funny" man of the party, but the
distressed manager failed to see in it anything witty or comical.
"Can't some of you fellows suggest a plan?" he asked.
"Announce that we are to lay off a short time in order to--to--well
anything you can think of."
"That is no plan at all; it would look rather fishy to reorganize twice
in one week."
"Say that we are studying our parts for a realistic drama, entitled
'Would You put Yourself in Their Places.'"
"Now see here, boys, this isn't a thing to joke about. We must give a
show to-night, and the question is how can it be done?" the manager
asked in a tone of despair.
This was what no one could answer.
It surely seemed as if the squire had been prompted by an unkind fate
to lay the heavy hand of the law upon this particular branch of the
minstrel business, in order to deter others from traveling in the same
path, and to prevent this company from inflicting stale jokes upon the
public.
Finding that the chief performers could not suggest a way out of the
difficulty, the manager took Jet as far aside as the size of the cell
would permit.
"How much money have you got?" he asked in a whisper.
"None that belongs to me. The five dollars I loaned you was put in my
hands for an especial purpose, and I really had no right to dispose of
it as I did."
"But if you've got enough to pay these fines, I'll promise faithfully
that you shall have every cent we take in until the full amount is paid
back. There isn't any risk, my boy, for we shall certainly do a big
business here."
Although Jet had had but little experience in this line, he knew that
the receipts at the door, even if the small hall should be filled,
would not amount to enough to settle the bills, and from it must
necessarily be taken sufficient to carry the party to the next town.
"I haven't got half as much as you need, and if I had it would be wrong
to use it."
"Then you intend to pay your own fine and give us the slip, eh?"
"I should have a perfect right to do so, because I took no part in the
stealing of the fruit; but I shall stay with the rest."
During the next ten minutes the manager pleaded in vain with the boy,
and then recognizing the uselessness of his arguments, left the
building in a pet.
Meanwhile the members of the company did not look upon the imprisonment
as such a very great hardship.
"Say, who has to pay our board while we are here?" one of the party
asked the jailer.
"I reckon it'll come on the town."
"Then so long as it costs us nothing, what's the use of repining?" and
the man started a song, in which he was joined by his companions, until
the dilapidated building fairly shook with the alleged melody.
As a matter of course, this had the effect of drawing the idle ones to
the jail doors, and the applause from the outside induced a continuance
of the free concert.
All those who could show any right to enter the building crowded in,
and among them was the constable whom Jet had recognized.
While his companions were amusing the visitors and themselves, he edged
along as near this particular man as he could without exposing himself
too freely, and during the pauses between the songs he was fortunate
enough to overhear the following conversation between the fellow in
whom he was interested and a brother constable:
"You've been away quite a while, eh, Jabe?"
"Only three weeks."
"Where was you?"
"'Tendin' to some private business."
"I thought when a man was elected constable he'd got to stay 'round in
case he might be needed."
"I didn't ask for the office, an' don't intend to loaf here when
there's a chance of makin' a dollar outside."
"What have you been up to?"
"That's my own business."
"Of course it is, Jabe; but I know you're makin' money somehow, an' it
seems as if you might give me a show."
"Well, I can't. I had a good thing for a while, but it's busted now."
If Jet had had any doubts as to the identity of the man they would have
been dispelled by this last remark, and he listened eagerly for a
continuation of the conversation.
"Got company up to your house, ain't you?" the inquisitive party asked.
"How'd you know that?"
"Some of the folks said you brought some friends back."
"It seems as if the people in this town had nothin' better to do than
watch their neighbors."
"Then it is true?"
"I've got an old friend visitin' me for a spell, but he's sick now, an'
we don't want folks 'round to disturb him."
"That must be Bob," Jet said to himself. "Perhaps he was wounded, and
has come here to stay till he gets better. Now, how can I send word to
Mr. Harvey?"
This was the one important thing to do in view of what he had learned,
but it would be necessary that none of the townspeople should see the
letter, and the manager of the company was so angry with him that it
was a question if he would attend to the matter.
He seated himself in one corner of the room, where his face could not
be seen plainly, and waited for this particular constable to leave the
building.
In about an hour the prisoners tired of giving a free concert, and,
finding they were not likely to be amused any longer, the visitors took
their departure.
From one of his companions Jet begged a few leaves out of a note-book,
from another he borrowed a pencil, and thus equipped he sat down to
detail what he thought was important news.
"Sending for money to pay your fine, Jet?" one of the party asked
jokingly, and this caused the others to think of what they might do.
"I reckon a good many of us had better try the same game," a second man
said seriously. "The manager can't get us out of the hole, and we may
as well begin to hustle for ourselves."
"It won't cost much to do it," Jet replied, thinking that if a number
of letters were sent from the jail his would attract less attention.
Nearly all the party concluded to make the attempt, and a call was made
upon the turnkey for envelopes.
Jet offered ten cents to pay for the same, and in a short time the
note-book was stripped of its leaves as each prisoner set about making
a written appeal for funds.
The question of postage was next raised, and to this Jet was forced to
respond, in order that his missive should be sent without delay.
By the time the letters had been made ready, the member of the company
who came over on the cars with the manager paid his companions a visit,
and, quite naturally, agreed to post the mail matter.
Now that he was reasonably certain Harvey would soon know the exact
condition of affairs, Jet felt very light-hearted. It seemed almost
positive he had stumbled upon Bob's hiding-place, and if such should
prove to be the case, the second man implicated in the murder must be
captured within a few days.
Shortly before mid-day the squire came over to interview his prisoners.
It was possible he had been figuring the cost to the town in case this
party of twelve should remain contentedly in jail; and perhaps he was
beginning to believe the sentence too severe when taken in the
aggregate.
"Your manager has been tryin' to talk me into lettin' you fellers out,"
he began, assuming a friendly tone and air. "I told him that justice
couldn't be tampered with, an' have come 'round to see what you're
goin' to do 'bout payin' the fines."
"Squire, did you ever try to get blood out of a stone?" one of the
party asked.
"What has that got to do with it, eh?"
"Nothing, except that it would be as easy to bleed a rock as to get
cash from them who are flat broke."
"But, bless my heart, you can't stay here forever, you know."
"It depends on you. If the manager has made any kind of a fair offer I
advise you to accept it, for it will cost something to feed this crowd,
and I don't suppose you would care to take the responsibility of
starving us to death."
The squire wiped the perspiration from his face, although the room was
by no means warm.
"If you could pay somethin' on account, an' give bonds for the rest----"
"I don't believe you could scare up a dollar among the whole of us, and
as for bonds--who would sign them?"
"But you can't expect me to let you go free after robbing a man's
orchard, an' bein' sentenced in a regular court?"
"Certainly not, and for that reason we have settled down to the belief
that we shall be your guests a very long while."
"If I should let you out long enough to give a show, would you come
back here?" the squire asked after a long pause.
"Who would get the money taken at the door?"
"It would go toward payin' your fines."
"That's a matter we shall have to discuss, for it isn't a pleasant
lookout to give a performance for the benefit of your court when we
need money so badly ourselves."
"I'll come back in an hour an' get your answer," the squire replied
with considerable show of dignity, as he left the building.
Jet was distressed at the thought that it might be possible the fines
would be paid in a short time, for then he could make no excuse for
loitering about the town, and even if he should do so there was every
reason to believe the constable he was eager to have arrested would
recognize him.
CHAPTER XIX
THE DINNER
Dinner, consisting of soup, with a liberal supply of meat and bread,
was served to the prisoners at twelve o'clock, and, half an hour later,
the manager arrived to talk with his company regarding the proposition
to reduce the fines so far as was possible by giving a performance.
The "funny" man of the party acted as spokesman for his companions, and
Jet listened with deepest interest to the following conversation:
"There is no question about persuadin' that idiotic squire to give all
hands a few hours' liberty, if you agree to return here as soon as the
performance is ended," the manager began.
"And in what way shall we be benefited?"
"At least a portion of the fines will be paid, and it may then be
possible to get his consent to our moving on to the next town."
"How will you get there, if he insists on taking all the receipts?"
"There must be some kind of a bargain made whereby we can take
car-fares and expenses out of the show."
Although the majority of the prisoners were responsible for the deed
which committed them to prison, not one seemed willing to give an
evening's work, in order to pay a portion of the amount exacted.
The fines were so large in the aggregate, considering the value of the
property taken, that all felt as if it would be the proper thing to let
the town support them for a time.
To the manager the case presented itself in a different aspect.
He had made dates ahead, and if the company failed to keep them, after
having already disappointed the public once, his position would be that
of a veritable bankrupt with whom the owners of the halls would refuse
to transact business.
Therefore it was that he spent considerable time urging his company to
do as he hoped the squire might approve of, and finally, much to Jet's
mental discomfort, he succeeded in extracting a promise from each that
he would agree to go on the stage, and afterward return to the jail.
Then he went to try his powers of persuasion on the squire.
During the afternoon the other member of the party who was at liberty,
reported that the matter had been arranged satisfactorily, and
"dodgers" were now being distributed around the town calling upon the
people to aid in "rescuing from imprisonment a number of gentlemen,
whose exuberance of spirit rather than evil propensities, had plunged
them into sore distress."
More than one of the company predicted that the appeal would be a
signal failure, and Jet earnestly hoped these "exuberant gentlemen"
would prove truthful prophets.
Evening came, and with the shadows of night the constables arrived to
conduct the performers to the hall.
A supper of bread, cold meat, and tea had been served, and, save for
the severe headaches with which the intemperate portion of the party
were suffering, all were in reasonably good spirits.
Both the squire and the manager were at the door to take the money from
the charitably inclined, and the owner of the hall also stood near by
to make certain of receiving his rent from the first cash paid over.
Watching through the peep-hole in the curtain, Jet saw the constable in
whom he was especially interested seated near the stage, and for an
instant he resolved not to appear lest he should be recognized.
A moment's reflection, however, showed him that such a course would
unquestionably arouse suspicion, and he settled the matter by
blackening his face, a disguise which, under the glare of the
footlights, would prove most effective.
The inhabitants of the town did not respond very generously to the
"appeal."
When the curtain rose on the first act, there were hardly more than
enough in the hall to pay the actual running expenses of the evening,
and there was no longer any hope of being able to reduce the amount
owed for fines.
Both the manager and the squire looked despondent, the latter
particularly so, for he had saddled upon the town what might prove to
be a white elephant before the matter was ended.
Despite the discouraging state of affairs the performers did their
best, and the audience were delighted. Jet danced until it was
impossible to take another step, and then, on being called before the
curtain, was forced to bow his thanks instead of responding to the
fourth encore.
During all the time he was on the stage he had scrutinized the faces of
the spectators, but without recognizing any face other than the one
before him, and it was in a decidedly contented frame of mind that he
followed his companions back to jail after the result of the "show" was
made known.
By this evening's work, after the hall rent, printing and services of
the musicians had been paid, the company were able to reduce the entire
amount of fines exactly four dollars, and one of the party remarked,
laughingly:
"At this rate, by hard work, providing the people are willing to come
to a show every night, we may manage to pull through in about three
months, which won't be a profitable speculation, considering the fact
that we might have bought all the fruit for a dollar at the outside."
On the following afternoon Jet received a reply to his letter, and in
it Harvey said:
"Pay your fine and come out of jail at once. You can avoid our
constable by remaining with the company the greater portion of the
time; but it is necessary you should learn who the visitor is. Can't
you walk around that way now and then? I don't fancy Bob will stay in
the house all the time. This work can be done better now by you than
any one I could send, since the presence of a stranger in the little
village would attract attention."
While reading this Jet was busily engaged in trying to make some excuse
whereby he could do as Harvey ordered without arousing the suspicion of
his companions.
If he had paid the fine in the first place all would have been simple;
but reason must be given for leaving after telling the manager that he
did not dare to spend the money he had on his person.
A happy thought occurred to him.
Pretending to read after the letter was finished, he contrived, without
being seen, to take fifteen dollars from his pocket, and, holding them
up triumphantly, he cried:
"Here's enough with which to pay my fine, and I'll have more in a few
days if you fellows don't get out."
As a matter of course his companions supposed the money had been taken
from the letter.
Several tried to persuade him that it would be useless to spend that
amount when by waiting the squire might be forced to free them; but he
professed to be sick of life in a jail, and summoned the turnkey to
take him to the magistrate's office.
Twenty minutes later he was formally released from custody, and the
squire began to believe that two or three more days of imprisonment
would force the others to follow Jet's example.
He went at once to the hotel, paid twenty-four hours' board in advance,
and on turning, after completing this transaction, found himself face
to face with the manager.
"So you concluded that it wouldn't be so very much out of the way to
use some of that money, eh?" the latter asked, sarcastically.
"I wrote for funds, and got fifteen dollars by the last mail."
"Was that the best you could do?"
"It wasn't to be supposed I could pay the whole amount."
"No; but since you have friends with money enough to let you loaf
around this section of the country, I didn't know but that we might
raise a stake somehow."
Now Jet regretted having followed Harvey's advice, for if the manager
should make this same remark in the hearing of the constable, many and
grave suspicions might be aroused, for, of course, the man would be on
the alert for anything which needed an explanation.
"That's where you are making a big mistake," he said, with an
assumption of carelessness which was far from natural. "I only wanted
to stay here till I could get a job."
"That wasn't the way you talked when I met you the other day; but it
doesn't make much difference now, for I am beginning to see my way out
of this snarl."
"How?"
"There's a constable in this town who seems to be pretty well fixed,
and he gave me to understand that he might take the company out of
jail, providing I'd let him act as treasurer until the amount was paid."
"Which one is he?" Jet asked, trying hard not to betray the eagerness
for knowledge which he felt.
"The fellow who took you to jail."
"Are you pretty certain he'll make the trade?"
"Here he comes now to talk the matter over; it won't take us long to
find out."
Jet glanced toward the door, and saw the man in whom he felt so great
an interest.
The manager, eager to clinch the bargain, advanced to meet him, and the
boy, keeping his back toward the new-comer, managed to walk out of the
opposite door without being observed.
Now the one question in the mind of the amateur detective was as to why
this man should be willing to travel with the show.
It did not require many minutes for him to arrive at a satisfactory
conclusion.
"He has got a lot of that counterfeit money with him, and by running
the company through a number of towns some distance from here can pass
it," Jet said to himself. "Now, what shall I do if he makes the trade?"
The proper thing seemed to be to send a letter at once, and, going to
his room, he wrote a full account of what he had heard, concluding by
saying:
"To-night I shall lay around his house trying to get a sight of the man
who is visiting there."
This done he went into the office once more, and there saw the manager,
who was highly elated.
"It is all arranged," he said. "The fines will be fixed in some way
to-morrow, and we shall start once more. We only lose to-night's
stand, and then go on with a backer who has plenty of money. Will you
tell the boys of our good luck, while I make arrangements for sending
the posters ahead?"
Jet promised to carry the tidings, and stopped only long enough to add
the following postscript to his letter:
"The trade has been made, and the constable will leave here to-morrow
with the company. I shall loaf near his house this evening, and walk
to the next town to send you a telegram if I learn anything."
This letter he mailed in time for the night train, and then visited the
jail, delivering news which the prisoners were not particularly glad to
hear, since it gave them no immediate prospect for money.
"We have made up our minds to tire the squire out," one of them said,
"and I don't take favorably to the idea of working to pay the fines
when there's no real need of it."
CHAPTER XX
A RECOGNITION
Jet did not spend much time trying to induce the prisoners to take
advantage of the constable's offer.
It suited his plans best to have them refuse, and, after giving the
information, he walked back to the hotel, as if the one desire of his
life was to get a good supper.
When the meal was finished the night had fully come, and he would have
set out at once to loiter around the constable's house but for the fact
that as yet he did not know where that gentleman lived.
While standing in the office trying to make up his mind whom he could
approach, in order
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