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True to Himself; Or, Roger Strong's Struggle for Place

by Edward Stratemeyer · English · Gutenberg #4995 · 326,808 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: True to Himself; Or, Roger Strong's Struggle for Place

Author: Edward Stratemeyer


        
Release date: January 1, 2004 [eBook #4995]
                Most recently updated: May 31, 2012

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4995

Credits: Produced by Jim Weller


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRUE TO HIMSELF; OR, ROGER STRONG'S STRUGGLE FOR PLACE ***




Produced by Jim Weller








TRUE TO HIMSELF


ROGER STRONG'S STRUGGLE FOR PLACE


BY

EDWARD STRATEMEYER




PREFACE

"True to himself," while a complete story in itself, forms the third
volume of the "Ship and Shore Series," tales of adventure on land and
sea, written for both boys and girls.

In this story we are introduced to Roger Strong, a typical American
country lad, and his sister Kate, who, by an unhappy combination of
events, are thrown upon their own resources and compelled to make
their own way in the world.

To make one's way in the world is, ordinarily, difficult enough; but
when one is handicapped by a cloud on the family name, the difficulty
becomes far greater. With his father thrown into prison on a serious
charge, Roger finds that few people will have anything to do with
either himself or his sister, and the jeers flung at him are at times
almost more than he can bear. But he is "true to himself" in the best
meaning of that saying, rising above those who would pull him down,
and, in the end, not only succeeds in making a place for himself in
the world, but also scores a worthy triumph over those who had caused
his parents' downfall.

When this story was first printed as a serial, the author has every
reason to believe it was well received by the boys and girls for whom
it was written. In its present revised form he hopes it will meet with
equal commendation.

                                                   Edward Stratemeyer.

     Newark, N.J.,
          April 15, 1900.




CHAPTER I

THE TROUBLE IN THE ORCHARD


"Hi, there, Duncan Woodward!" I called out. "What are you doing in
Widow Canby's orchard?"

"None of your business, Roger Strong," replied the only son of the
wealthiest merchant in Darbyville.

"You are stealing her pears," I went on. "Your pockets are full of
them."

"See here, Roger Strong, just you mind your own business and leave me
alone."

"I am minding my business," I rejoined warmly.

"Indeed!" And Duncan put as much of a sneer as was possible in the
word.

"Yes, indeed. Widow Canby pays me for taking care of her orchard, and
that includes keeping an eye on these pear trees," and I approached
the tree upon the lowest branch of which Duncan was standing.

"Humph! You think you're mighty big!" he blustered, as he jumped to
the ground. "What right has a fellow like you to talk to me in this
manner? You are getting too big for your boots."

"I don't think so. I'm guarding this property, and I want you to hand
over what you've taken and leave the premises," I retorted, for I did
not fancy the style in which I was being addressed.

"Pooh! Do you expect me to pay any attention to that?"

"You had better, Duncan. If you don't you may get into trouble."

"I suppose you intend to tell the widow what I've done."

"I certainly shall; unless you do as I've told you to."

Duncan bit his lip. "How do you know but what the widow said I could
have the pears?" he ventured.

"If she did, it's all right," I returned, astonished, not so much over
the fact that Widow Canby had granted the permission, as that such a
high-toned young gentleman as Duncan Woodward should desire that
privilege.

"You've no business to jump at conclusions," he added sharply.

"If I judged you wrongly, I beg your pardon, Duncan. I'll speak to the
widow about it."

I began to move off toward the house. Duncan hurried after me and
caught me by the arm.

"You fool you, what do you mean?" he demanded.

"I'm going to find out if you are telling the truth."

"Isn't my word enough?"

"It will do no harm to ask," I replied evasively, not caring to pick a
quarrel, and yet morally sure that he was prevaricating.

"So you think I'm telling you a falsehood? I've a good mind to give
you a sound drubbing," he cried angrily.

Duncan Woodward had many of the traits of a bully about him. He was
the only son of a widower who nearly idolized him, and, lacking a
mother's guiding influence, he had grown up wayward in the extreme.

He was a tall, well-built fellow, strong from constant athletic
exercise, and given, on this account, to having his way among his
associates.

Yet I was not afraid of him. Indeed, to tell the truth, I was not
afraid of any one. For eight years I had been shoved in life from
pillar to post, until now threats had no terrors for me.

Both of my parents were dead to me. My mother died when I was but five
years old. She was of a delicate nature, and, strange as it may seem,
I am inclined to believe that it was for the best that her death
occurred when it did. The reason I believe this is, because she was
thus spared the disgrace that came upon our family several years
later.

At her death my father was employed as head clerk by the firm of
Holland & Mack, wholesale provision merchants of Newville, a thriving
city which was but a few miles from Darbyville, a pretty village
located on the Pass River.

We occupied a handsome house in the centre of the village. Our family,
besides my parents and myself, contained but one other member--my
sister Kate, who was several years my senior.

When our beloved mother died, Kate took the management of our home
upon her shoulders, and as she had learned, during my mother's long
illness, how everything should be done, our domestic affairs ran
smoothly. All this time I attended the Darbyville school, and was
laying the foundation for a commercial education, intending at some
later day to follow in the footsteps of my father.

Two years passed, and then my father's manner changed. From being
bright and cheerful toward us he became moody and silent. What the
cause was I could not guess, and it did not help matters to be told by
Duncan Woodward, whose father was also employed by Holland & Mack,
that "some folks would soon learn what was what, and no mistake."

At length the thunderbolt fell. Returning from school one day, I found
Kate in tears.

"Oh, Roger!" she burst out. "They say father has stolen money from
Holland & Mack, and they have just arrested him for a thief!"

The blow was a terrible one. I was but a boy of fourteen, and the news
completely bewildered me. I put on my cap, and together with Kate,
took the first horse car to Newville to find out what it all meant.

We found my father in jail, where he had been placed to await the
action of the grand jury. It was with difficulty that we obtained
permission to see him, and ascertained the facts of the case.

The charge against him was for raising money upon forged cheeks, eight
in number, the total amount being nearly twelve thousand dollars. The
name of the firm had been forged, and the money collected in New York
and Brooklyn. I was not old enough to understand the particulars.

My father protested his innocence, but it was of no avail. The forgery
was declared to be his work, and, though it was said that he must have
had an accomplice to obtain the money, he was adjudged the guilty
party.

"Ten years in the State's prison." That was the penalty. My father
grew deadly white, while as for me, my very heart seemed to stop
beating. Kate fainted, and two days later the doctor announced that
she had an attack of brain fever.

Two months dragged slowly by. Then my sister was declared to be out of
danger. Next the house was sold over our heads, and we were turned out
upon the world, branded as the children of a thief, to get a living as
best we could.

Both of us would willingly have left Darbyville, but where should we
go? The only relation we had was an uncle,--Captain Enos Moss,--and
he was on an extended trip to South America, and when he would return
no one knew.

All the friends we had had before deserted us. The girls "turned up
their noses" at Kate,--which made my blood boil,--and the boys
fought shy of me.

I tried to find work, but without success. Even in places where help
was wanted excuses were made to me--trivial excuses that meant but
one thing--that they did not desire any one in their employ who had a
stain upon his name.

Kate was equally unsuccessful; and we might have starved but for a
lucky incident that happened just as we were ready to give up in
despair.

Walking along the road one day, I saw Farmer Tilford's bull tearing
across the field toward a gate which had been accidentally left open.
The Widow Canby, absorbed in thought and quite unconscious of the
danger that threatened her, was just passing this gate, when I darted
forward and closed it just a second before the bull reached it. I did
not consider my act an heroic one, but the Widow Canby declared it
otherwise.

"You are a brave boy," she said. "Who are you?"

I told her, coloring as I spoke. But she laid a kindly hand upon my
shoulder.

"Even if your father was guilty, you are not to blame," she said, and
she made me tell her all about myself, and about Kate, and the hard
luck we were having.

The Widow Canby lived in an old-fashioned house, surrounded on three
sides by orchards several acres in extent. She was well to do, but
made no pretence to style. Many thought her extremely eccentric but
that was only because they did not know her.

The day I came to her assistance she made me stay to supper, and when
I left it was under promise to call the next day and bring my sister
along.

This I did, and a long conversation took place, which resulted in Kate
and myself going to live with the widow--I to take care of the garden
and the orchards, and my sister to help with the housekeeping, for
which we received our board and joint wages of fifteen dollars per
month.

We could not have fallen into better hands. Mrs. Canby was as
considerate as one would wish, and had it not been for the cloud upon
our name we would have been content.

But the stain upon our family was a source of unpleasantness to us. I
fully believed my father innocent, and I wondered if the time would
ever come when his character would be cleared.

My duties around Widow Canby's place were not onerous, and I had
plenty of chance for self-improvement. I had finished my course at the
village school in spite of the calumny that was cast upon me, and now
I continued my studies in private whenever the opportunity offered.

I was looked down upon by nearly every one in the village. To
strangers I was pointed out as the convict's son, and people reckoned
that the "Widder Canby wasn't right sharp when she took in them as
wasn't to be trusted."

I was not over-sensitive, but these remarks, which generally reached
my ears sooner or later, made me very angry. What right had people to
look down on my sister and myself? It was not fair to Kate and me, and
I proposed to stand it no longer.

It was a lovely morning in September, but I was in no mood to enjoy
the bright sunshine and clear air that flooded the orchard. I had just
come from the depot with the mail for Mrs. Canby, and down there I had
heard two men pass opinions on my father's case that were not only
uncharitable but unjust.

I was therefore in no frame of mind to put up with Duncan Woodward's
actions, and when he spoke of giving me a good drubbing I prepared to
defend myself.

"Two can play at that game, Duncan," I replied.

"Ho! ho! Do you mean to say you can stand up against me?" he asked
derisively.

"I can try," I returned stoutly. "I'm sure now that you have no
business here."

"Why, you miserable little thief--"

"Stop that! I'm no thief, if you please."

"Well, you're the son of one, and that's the same thing."

"My father is innocent, and I won't allow any one, big or little, to
call him a thief," I burst out. "Some day he will be cleared."

"Not much!" laughed Duncan. "My father knows all about the case. I can
tell you that."

"Then perhaps he knows where the money went to," I replied quickly. "I
know he was very intimate with my father at that time."

Had I stopped to think I would not have spoken as I did. My remark
made the young man furious, and I had hardly spoken before Duncan hit
me a stinging blow on the forehead, and, springing upon me, bore me to
the ground.




CHAPTER II

AN ASSAULT ON THE ROAD


I knew Duncan Woodward would not hesitate to attack me. He was a much
larger fellow than myself, and always ready to fight any one he
thought he could whip.

Yet I was not prepared for the sudden onslaught that had been made.
Had I been, I might have parried his blow.

But I did not intend to be subdued as easily as he imagined. The blow
on my forehead pained not a little, and it made me mad "clear
through."

"Get off of me!" I cried, as Duncan brought his full weight down upon
my chest.

"Not much! Not until you promise to keep quiet about this affair," he
replied.

"If you don't get off, you'll be mighty sorry;" was my reply, as I
squirmed around in an effort to throw him aside.

Suddenly he caught me by the ear, and gave that member a twist that
caused me to cry out with pain.

"Now will you do as I say?" he demanded.

"No"

Again he caught my ear. But now I was ready for him. It was useless to
try to shake him off. He was too heavy and powerful for that. So I
brought a small, but effective weapon into play. The weapon was
nothing more than a pin that held together a rent in my trousers made
the day previous. Without hesitation I pulled it out and ran it a good
half-inch into his leg.

The yell he gave would have done credit to a wild Indian, and he
bounded a distance of several feet. I was not slow to take advantage
of this movement, and in an instant I was on my feet and several yards
away.

Duncan's rage knew no bounds. He was mad enough to "chew me up," and
with a loud exclamation he sprang after me, aiming a blow at my head
as he did so.

I dodged his arm, and then, gathering myself together, landed my fist
fairly and squarely upon the tip of his nose, a blow that knocked him
off his feet and sent him rolling to the ground.

To say that I was astonished at what I had done would not express my
entire feelings. I was amazed, and could hardly credit my own
eyesight. Yet there he lay, the blood flowing from the end of his
nasal organ. He was completely knocked out, and I had done the deed. I
did not fear for consequences. I felt justified in what I had done.
But I wondered how Duncan would stand the punishment.

With a look of intense bitterness on his face he rose slowly to his
feet. The blood was running down his chin, and there were several
stains upon his white collar and his shirt front. If a look could have
crushed me I would have been instantly annihilated.

"I'll fix you for that!" he roared. "Roger Strong, I'll get even with
you, if it takes ten years!"

"Do what you please, Duncan Woodward," I rejoined. "I don't fear you.
Only beware how you address me in the future. You will get yourself
into trouble."

"I imagine you will be the one to get into trouble," he returned
insinuatingly.

"I'm not afraid. But--hold up there!" I added, for Duncan had begun
to move off toward the fence.

"What for?"

"I want you to hand over the pears you picked."

"I won't."

"Very well. Then I'll report the case to Mrs. Canby."

Duncan grew white.

"Take your confounded fruit," he howled, throwing a dozen or more of
the luscious pears at my feet. "If I don't get even with you, my name
isn't Duncan Woodward!"

And with this parting threat he turned to the fence, jumped over, and
strode down the road.

In spite of the seriousness of the affair I could not help but laugh.
Duncan had no doubt thought it a great lark to rob the widow's
orchard, never dreaming of the wrong he was doing or of the injury to
the trees. Now his nose was swollen, his clothes soiled, and he had
suffered defeat in every way.

I had no doubt that he would do all in his power to get even with me.
He hated me and always had. At school I had surpassed him in our
studies, and on the ball field I had proved myself a superior player.
I do not wish to brag about what I did, but it is necessary to show
why Duncan disliked me.

Nor was there much love lost on my side, though I always treated him
fairly. The reason for this was plain.

As I have stated, his father, Aaron Woodward, was at one tune a
fellow-clerk with my father. At the time my father was arrested,
Woodward was one of his principal accusers. Duncan had, of course,
taken up the matter. Since then Mr. Woodward had received a large
legacy from a dead relative in Chicago, or its suburbs, and started
the finest general store in Darbyville. But his bitterness toward us
still continued.

That the man knew something about the money that had been stolen I did
not doubt, but how to prove it was a difficult problem that I had
pondered many times without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion.

I watched Duncan out of sight and then turned and walked slowly toward
the house.

"Roger!"

It was Mrs. Canby who called me. She stood on the side porch with a
letter in her hand.

"You want me?"

"Yes, I have quite important news," she continued. "My sister in
Norfolk is very ill, and I must go to her at once. I have spoken to
Kate about it. Do you think you can get along while I am gone?"

"Yes, ma'am. How long do you expect to be away?"

"If she is not seriously ill I shall be back by day after to-morrow.
You can hitch up Jerry at once. The train leaves in an hour."

"I'll have him at the door in five minutes."

"And, Roger, you and Kate must take good care of things while I am
gone. There are several hundred dollars locked up in my desk. I would
take the money to the bank in Newville, only I hate to lose the time."

"I reckon it will be safe," I replied; "I'll keep good watch against
burglars."

"Do you think you can handle a pistol?" she went on.

"I think I could," I replied, with all the interest of the average
American boy in firearms.

"There is a pistol upstairs in my bureau that belonged to Mr. Canby. I
will let you have that, though of course I trust you won't need it."

"Is it loaded?"

"Yes; I loaded it last week. I will lay it out before I go. Be very
careful with it."

"I will," I promised her.

I hurried down to the barn, and in a few moments had Jerry hooked up
to the family turnout. As I was about to jump in and drive to the
house, a man confronted me.

He was a stranger, about forty years of age, with black hair and
shaggy beard and eyebrows. He was seedily dressed, and altogether
looked to be a disreputable character.

"Say, young man, can you help a fellow as is down on his luck?" he
asked in a hoarse tone.

"Who are you?" I responded.

"I'm a moulder from Factoryville. The shop's shut down, and I'm out of
money and out of work."

"How long have you been out?"

"Two weeks."

"And you haven't found work anywhere?"

"Not a stroke."

"Been to Newville?"

"All through it, and everything full."

I thought this was queer. I had glanced at the Want column of a
Newville newspaper and had noted that moulders were wanted in several
places.

The man's appearance did not strike me favorably, and when he came
closer to me I noted that his breath smelt strongly of liquor.

"I don't think I can help you," said I. "I have nothing for you to
do."

"Give me a quarter, then, will you? I ain't had nothing to eat since
yesterday."

"But you've had something to drink," I could not help remark.

The man scowled, "How do you know?"

"I can smell it on you."

"I only had one glass,--just to knock out a cold I caught. Come, make
it half a dollar. I'll pay you back when I get work."

"I don't care to lend."

"Make it ten cents."

"Not a cent."

"You're mighty independent about it," he sneered.

"I have to be when such fellows as you tackle me," I returned with
spirit.

"You're mighty high toned for a boy of your age."

"I'm too high toned to let you talk to me in this fashion. I want you
to leave at once."

The tramp--for the man was nothing else--scowled worse than before.

"I'll leave when I please," he returned coolly.

I was nonplussed. I was in a hurry to get away to drive Widow Canby to
the station. To leave the man hanging about the house with no one but
my sister Kate home was simply out of the question.

Suddenly an idea struck me. Like most people who live in the country,
Mrs. Canby kept a watch-dog--a large and powerful mastiff called
Major. He was tied up near the back stoop out of sight, but could be
pressed into service on short notice.

"If you don't go at once, I'll set the dog on you."

"Huh! You can't fool me!"

"No fooling about it. Major! Major!" I called.

There was a rattling of chain as the animal tried to break away, and
then a loud barking. The noise seemed to strike terror to the tramp's
heart.

"I'll get even with you, young fellow!" he growled, and running to the
fence he scrambled over and out of sight. I did not wait to see in
what direction he went.

When I reached the porch I found Mrs. Canby bidding my sister good-by.
A moment more and she was on the seat. I touched up Jerry and we were
off.

"It took you a long time to hitch up," the widow remarked as we drove
along.

"It wasn't that," I replied, and told her about the tramp.

"You must be very careful of those men," she said anxiously. "Some of
them will not stop at anything."

"I'll be wide awake," I rejoined reassuringly.

It was not a long drive to the station. When we arrived there, Mrs.
Canby had over five minutes to spare, and this time was spent in
buying a ticket and giving me final instructions.

At length the train came along and she was off. I waited a few moments
longer and then drove away.

I had several purchases to make in the village--a pruning-knife, a
bag of feed, and some groceries, and these took some time to buy, so
it was nearly noon when I started home.

Several times I imagined that a couple of the village young men
noticed me very closely, but I paid no attention and went on my way,
never dreaming of what was in store for me.

The road to the widow's house ran for half a mile or more through a
heavy belt of timber land. We were jogging along at a fair pace, and I
was looking over a newspaper I had picked up on the station platform.
Suddenly some one sprang out from the bushes and seized Jerry by the
bridle.

Astonished and alarmed, I sprang up to see what was the matter. As I
did so I received a stinging blow on the side of the head, and the
next instant was dragged rudely from the carriage.




CHAPTER III

THE MODELS


I had been taken completely off my guard, but by instinct I tried to
ward off my assailants. My effort was a useless one. In a trice I
found myself on the ground, surrounded by half a dozen of the fastest
young men to be found in Darbyville.

Prominent among them was Duncan Woodward, and I rightfully guessed
that it was he who had organized the attack.

"Take it easy, Strong," exclaimed a fellow named Moran, "unless you
want to be all broke up."

"What do you mean by treating me in this way?" I cried indignantly.

"You'll find out soon enough," said Phillips, another of the young
men. "Come, stop your struggling."

"I'll do nothing of the kind. You have no right to molest me."

"Pooh!" sniffed Duncan. "The Models have a right to do anything."

"The Models?" I queried, in perplexity. "Who are they?"

"The Models are a band of young gentlemen organized for the purpose of
social enjoyment and to teach cads lessons that they are not likely to
forget," replied Moran.

"I suppose you are the members," I said, surveying the half-dozen.

"We have that honor," rejoined a boy named Barton, who had not yet
spoken.

"And we intend to teach you a lesson," added Pultzer, a short, stout
chap, whose father had once been a butcher.

"What for?"

"For your unwarranted attack upon our illustrious president."

"Your president? You mean Duncan?"

"Mr. Woodward, if you please," interrupted Duncan, loftily. "I won't
have such a low-bred fellow as you calling me by my first name."

"I'm no lower bred than you are," I retorted.

"Come, none of that!"cried Moran. "We all know you well. We shall at
once proceed to teach you a lesson."

I could not help smile--the whole affair seemed so ridiculous that
had it not been for the rough handling I had received when pulled from
the carriage, I would have considered it a joke.

"You'll find it no laughing matter," said Duncan, savagely, angry, no
doubt, because I did not show more signs of fear. "Just wait till we
are through with you. You'll grin on the other side of your face."

"What do you intend to do with me?"

"You'll see soon enough."

I began to think the affair might be more serious than I had imagined.
Six to one was heavy odds, and who could tell what these wild fellows
would not do?

"I want you to let me go at once," I said decidedly. "If you don't, it
will be the worse for you."

"Not a bit of it. We intend that you shall remember this occasion as
long as you live," returned Moran. "Come, march along with us."

"Where to?"

"Never mind. March!"

For reply I turned, and made a hasty jump for the carriage, intending
to utilize Jerry in a bold dash for liberty. I had just placed my foot
upon the step and called to the horse when Moran caught me by the
jacket and dragged me to the ground.

"No you don't!" he ejaculated roughly.

"There, Dunc, catch hold of him; and you too, Ellery. We mustn't let
him escape after we've watched two hours to catch him!"

In an instant, I was surrounded. Now that Duncan had his friends to
back him he was brave enough and held my arm in a grip of iron.

"Any one bring a rope?" went on Moran.

"Here's one," replied Ellery Blake.

"Hand it over. We had better bind his hands."

Knowing that it would be folly to resist, I allowed them to do as
Moran had advised. My wrists were knotted together behind my back, and
then the cord was drawn tightly about my waist.

"Now march!"

"How about the horse and carriage?"

"They'll be O. K."

There seemed to be no help for it, so I walked along with them. Had
there been the slightest chance offered to escape I would have taken
it, but warned by experience, all six kept close watch over me.

Away we went through the woods that lined the east side of the road.
It was bad walking, and with both my hands behind me I was several
times in danger of stumbling. Indeed, once I did go down, but the firm
grasp of my captors saved me from injury.

Presently we came to a long clearing, where it had once been the
intention of some capitalists to build a railroad. But the matter had
drifted into litigation, and nothing was done but to build a tool
house and cut away the trees and brush.

The building had often been the resort of tramps, and was in a
dilapidated condition. It was probably fifteen feet square, having a
door at one end and a window at the other. The roof was flat and full
of holes, but otherwise the building was fairly strong.

"Here we are, fellows," said Duncan, as we stopped in front of the
door. "Just let go of him."

The others did as he requested. But they formed a small circle around
me that I might not escape.

"Now that I have got you in a place free from interruption I intend to
square up accounts with you," continued the president of the Models.
"You hit me a foul blow this morning."

"You brought it on yourself, Duncan," I replied, as coolly as I could,
though I was keenly interested.

"Stop! How many times must I tell you not to call me by my first
name."

"Well, then, Woodward, if that suits you better."

"Mr. Woodward, if you please."

"Oh, come, Dunc, hurry up," interrupted Moran. "We don't want to stay
here all day."

"I'm only teaching this fellow a lesson in politeness."

"All right; only cut it short."

"See here, Moran, who's the president of this club?"

"You are."

"Well, then, I'll take my own time," replied Duncan, loftily.

"Go ahead then. But you'll have to do without me," rejoined Moran,
considerably provoked by the other's domineering tone.

"I will?"

"Yes. I've got other things to do besides standing here gassing all
day."

"Indeed!" sneered Duncan.

"Yes, indeed!"

I enjoyed the scene. It looked very much as if there would be lively
times without my aid.

"You're getting up on your dignity mighty quick, Dan Moran."

"I don't intend to play servant-in-waiting for any one, Duncan
Woodward."

"Who asked you to?"

"'Actions speak louder than words.'"

"I'm the president of the Models, am I not?"

"Yes, but you're not a model president."

I could not help smiling at Moran's pun. He was not a bad chap, and
had he not been to a great extent under Duncan's influence he might
have been a first-rate fellow.

Of course, as is the fashion among men as well as boys, all the others
groaned at the pun; and then Ellery broke in:--

"Come, come, this will never do. Go ahead with Strong, Dunc."

"I intend to," was the president's rejoinder. "But you all promised to
stick by me, and I don't want any one to back out."

"I'm not backing out," put in Moran. "I only want to hurry matters
up."

There was a pause after this speech, then Duncan addressed me:--

"Perhaps you are anxious to know why I brought you here?"

"Not particularly," I returned coldly.

Duncan gave a sniff.

"I guess that's all put on."

"Not at all. What I am anxious to know is, what you intend to do with
me."

"Well, first of all I want you to get down on your knees and apologize
for your conduct toward me this morning."

"Not much!" I cried.

"You are in my power."

"I don't care. Go ahead and do your worst," I replied recklessly,
willing to suffer almost anything rather than apologize to such a chap
as Duncan Woodward.

Besides, what had I done to call for an apology? I had certainly
treated him no worse than he deserved. He was a spoilt boy and a
bully, and I would die rather than go down on my knees to him.

"You don't know what's in store for you," said Dunce, nonplussed by my
manner.

"As I said before, I'll risk it."

"Very well. Where is the rope, boys?"

"Here you are," answered Pultzer. "Plenty of it."

As he spoke he produced a stout clothes line, five or six yards in
length.

"We'll bind his hands a little tighter first," instructed Duncan, "and
then his legs. Be sure and make the knots strong, so they won't slip.
He must not escape us."

I tried to protest against these proceedings, but with my hands
already bound it was useless.

In five minutes the clothes line had been passed around my body from
head to feet, and I was almost as stiff as an Egyptian mummy.

"Now catch hold, and we'll carry him into the tool house," said
Duncan. "I guess after he has spent twenty-four hours in that place
without food or water he'll be mighty anxious to come to terms."

I was half dragged and half carried to the tool house and dropped upon
the floor. Then the door was closed upon me, and I was left to my
fate.




CHAPTER IV

THE TRAMP AGAIN


I am sure that all will admit that the prospect before me was not a
particularly bright one. I was bound hand and foot and left without
food or water.

Yet as I lay upon the hard floor of the tool house I was not so much
concerned about myself as I was about matters at Widow Canby's house.
It would be a hardship to pass the night where I was, to say nothing
of how I might be treated when Duncan Woodward and his followers
returned. But in the meantime, how would Kate fare?

I knew that my sister would be greatly alarmed at my continued
absence. She fully expected me to be home long before this. As near as
I could judge it was now an hour or so after noon, and she would have
dinner kept warm on the kitchen stove, expecting every minute to see
me drive up the lane.

Then again I was worried over the fact that the widow had left the
house and her money in my charge. To be sure, the latter was locked up
in her private secretary; but I felt it to be as much in my care as if
it had been placed in my shirt bosom or the bottom of my trunk.

I concluded that it was my duty, then, to free myself as quickly as
possible from the bonds which the members of the Model Club had placed
upon me. But this idea was more easily conceived than carried out.

In vain I tugged at the clothes line that held my arms and hands fast
to my body. Duncan and the others had done their work well, and the
only result of my efforts was to make the cord cut so deep into my
flesh that several times I was ready to cry out from pain.

In my attempts I tried to rise to my feet, but found it an
impossibility, and only succeeded in bumping my head severely against
the wall.

There was no use in calling for help, and though I halloed several
times I soon gave it up. I was fully three-quarters of a mile from any
house and half that distance from the road, and who would be likely to
hear me so far off?

The afternoon dragged slowly along, and finally the sun went down and
the evening shadows crept up. By this time I was quite hungry and
tremendously thirsty. But with nothing at hand to satisfy the one or
allay the other I resolutely put all thoughts of both out of my head.

In the old tool house there had been left several empty barrels,
behind which was a quantity of shavings that I found far more
comfortable to rest upon than the bare floor.

As the evening wore on I wondered if I would be able to sleep. There
was no use worrying about matters, as it would do no good, so I was
inclined to treat the affair philosophically and make the best of it.

An hour passed, and I was just dropping into a light doze when a noise
outside attracted my attention. I listened intently and heard a man's
footsteps.

I was inclined to call out, and, in fact, was on the point of so
doing, when the door of the tool house opened and in the dim light I
recognized the form of the tramp moulder who earlier in the day had so
impudently asked me for help.

I was not greatly surprised to see him, for, as mentioned before, the
old tool house was frequently used by men of his stamp. He had as much
right there as I had, and though I was chagrined to see him enter I
was in no position to protest.

On the contrary, I deemed it advisable to keep quiet. If he did not
see me, so much the better. If he did, who could tell what indignities
he might visit upon me?

So I crouched down behind the empty barrels, hardly daring to breathe.
The man stumbled into the building, leaving the door wide open.

By his manner I was certain that he had been drinking heavily, and his
rambling soliloquy proved it.

"The same old shebang," he mumbled to himself, as he swayed around in
the middle of the floor, "the same old shebang where Aaron Woodward
and I parted company four years ago. He's took care of his money, and
I've gone to the dogs," and he gave a yawn and sat down on top of a
barrel.

I was thoroughly surprised at his words. Was it possible that this
seedy-looking individual had once been intimate with Duncan Woodward's
father? It hardly seemed reasonable. I made a rapid calculation and
concluded that the meeting must have had something to do with the
proposed railroad in which I knew Mr. Woodward had held an interest.
Perhaps this tramp had once been a prosperous contractor.

"Great times them were. Plenty of money and nothing to do," continued
the man. "Wonder if any one in Darbyville would recognize--hold up,
Stumpy, you mustn't repeat that name too often or you'll be mentioning
it in public when it ain't no interest for you to do it. Stumpy, John
Stumpy, is good enough for the likes of you."

And with great deliberation Mr. John Stumpy brought forth a short clay
pipe which he proceeded to fill and light with evident satisfaction.

During the brief period of lighting up I caught a good glance at his
face, and fancied that I saw beneath the surface of dirt and
dissipation a look of shrewdness and intelligence. Evidently he was
one of the unfortunates who allowed drink to make off with their
brains.

Mr. John Stumpy puffed on in silence for several minutes. I wondered
what he intended to do, and was not prepared for the surprises that
were to follow.

"Times are changed and no mistake," he went on. "Here I am, down at
the bottom, Nick Weaver dead, Woodward a rich man, and Carson Strong
in jail. Humph! but times do change!"

Carson Strong! My heart gave a bound. This man was speaking of my
father. What did it mean? What did the tramp know of the events of the
past? As I lay behind the barrels, I earnestly hoped he would go on
with his talk. I had heard just enough to arouse my curiosity.

I was certain that I had never, until that day, seen the man. What,
then, could he have in common with my father?

Instinctively I connected the man with the cause of my father's
imprisonment--I will not say downfall, because I firmly believed him
innocent. Why I should do so I cannot to this day explain, but from
the instant he mentioned my parent's name the man was firmly fixed in
my memory.

In a few moments Mr. John Stumpy had puffed his pipe out, leaving the
place filled with a heavy and vile smoke which gave me all I could do
to keep from coughing. Then he slowly knocked the ashes from the bowl
and restored the pipe to his pocket.

"Now I reckon I'm in pretty good trim to go ahead," he muttered as he
arose. "No use of talking; there ain't anything like a good puff to
steady a man's nerves. Was a time when I didn't need it, but them
times are gone, and the least little job on hand upsets me. Wonder how
much that old woman left behind."

I nearly uttered an ejaculation of astonishment. Was this man speaking
of Mrs. Canby? What was the job that he contemplated?

Clearly there could be but one answer to that question. He knew the
widow had gone away, and in her absence he contemplated robbing her
house. Perhaps he had overheard her make mention of the money locked
up in her desk, and the temptation to obtain possession of it was too
strong to resist.

"I'll have to get rid of that boy and the dog, I suppose," he went on.
"If it wasn't for the noise I'd shoot the dog; but it won't do to
arouse the neighborhood. As for the lad, I reckon the sight of a
pistol will scare him to death."

I was not so sure of that, and I grated my teeth at the thought of my
present helplessness. Had I been free, I am sure I could have escaped
easily, and perhaps have had the tramp arrested.

It was an alarming prospect. Kate was the only occupant of the house,
and the nearest neighbor lived a full five hundred feet away. If
attacked in the middle of the night, what would my sister do?

For a moment I felt like exposing myself, but then I reflected that
such a course would not liberate me, and he would know that he had
nothing to fear from me at the house, whereas, if I kept quiet, he
might, by some lucky incident, be kept at bay.

So I lay still, wondering when he would start on his criminal quest.

"Now, one more drink and then I'll be off," he continued, and,
producing a bottle, he took a deep draught. "Ha! That's the stuff to
brace a man's nerves! But you mustn't drink too much, John Stumpy, or
you'll be no good at all. If you'd only let liquor alone you might be
as rich as Aaron Woodward, remember that." He gave something like a
sigh. "Oh, well; let it pass. I'll get the tools and be on the way.
The money in my pocket, I'll take the first train in the morning for
the West." He paused a moment. "But no; I won't go until I've seen
Woodward. He owes me a little on the old score, and I'll not go until
he has settled up."

There was an interval of silence, during which Stumpy must have been
feeling around in his pockets for a match; for a moment later there
were several slight scratches, and then a tiny flame lit up the
interior of the tool house.

"Let's see, where did I leave them tools? Ah, yes; I remember now.
Behind those barrels."

And Stumpy moved over to where I was in hiding.




CHAPTER V

FOLLOWING JOHN STUMPY


I expected to be discovered. I could not see how it could possibly be
avoided. John Stumpy was but a few feet away. In a second more he
would be in full sight of me.

What the outcome of the discovery would be I could not imagine. I was
at the man's mercy, and I was inclined to think that, our interview of
the morning would not tend to soften his feelings toward me.

But at that instant a small, yet extremely lucky incident occurred. A
draught of wind came in at the partly open door and blew out the
match, leaving the place in darkness.

"Confound the luck!" ejaculated John Stumpy, in high irritation.
"There goes the light, and it's the last match I've got, too."

This bit of information was gratifying to me, and, without making any
noise, I rolled back into the corner as far as possible.

"Well, I'll have to find them tools in the dark, that's all." He
groped around for several seconds, during which I held my breath. "Ah,
here they are, just as I left 'em last night. Reckon no one visits
this shanty, and maybe it will be a good place to bring the booty,
especially if I happen to be closely pushed."

I sincerely hoped that he would be closely pushed, and in fact so
closely pushed that he would have no booty to bring. But if he did
succeed in his nefarious plans, I was glad that I would know where to
look for him.

No sooner had the man found the bag of tools,--which was nothing more
nor less than a burglar's kit,--than he quitted the place, and I was
left to my own reflections.

My thoughts alarmed me. Beyond a doubt John Stumpy intended to rob the
Widow Canby's house. The only one at home was Kate, and I groaned as I
thought of the alarm and terror that she might be called upon to
suffer. As it was, I was sure she was worried about my continued
absence. In my anguish I strove with all my might to burst asunder the
bonds that held me. At the end of five minutes' struggle I remained as
securely tied as ever.

What was to be done? It was a puzzling, but pertinent question. By
hook or by crook I must get free. At great risk of hurting my head I
rolled to the door of the tool house, which Stumpy had left wide open.
Outside, the stars were shining brightly, and in the southwest the
pale crescent of the new moon was falling behind the tree-tops,
casting ghostly shadows that would have made a timid person shiver.
But as the reader may by this time know, I was not of a timid nature,
and I gave the shadows scant attention until a sudden movement among
the trees attracted my notice. It was the figure of some person coming
rapidly toward me.

At first I judged it must be Stumpy returning, and I was on the point
of rolling back to my hiding-place when I saw that the newcomer was a
boy.

When he reached the edge of the clearing he paused, and approached
slowly.

"Roger Strong!" he called out. I instantly recognized the voice of
Dick Blair, one of the youngest members of the Models, who, during my
capture, had had little to say or do. He was the son of a wealthy
farmer who lived but a short distance down the road from the Widow
Canby's place.

I had always considered Dick a pretty good chap, and had been
disagreeably surprised to see him in company with Duncan Woodward's
crowd. How Duncan had ever taken up with him I could not imagine,
except it might have been on account of the money Dick's father
allowed him to have.

"Roger Strong!" he repeated. "Are you still here?"

I could, not imagine what had brought him to this place at such an
hour of the night. Yet I answered at once.

"Yes, I am, Dick Blair."

"I thought maybe you had managed to get away," he continued, as he
came closer.

"No; you fellows did your work pretty well," I replied as lightly as I
could, for I did not want to show the white feather.

"Precious little I had to do with it," he went on, as he struck a
match and lit a lantern that he carried.

"You were with the crowd."

"I know it; but I wouldn't have been if I'd known what they were up
to. I hope you will not think too badly of me, Roger."

"I thought it was strange you would go into anything of this kind,
Dick. What brings you back to-night?"

"I am ashamed of the whole thing," he answered earnestly, "and I came
to release you--that is, on certain conditions."

My heart gave a bound. "What conditions, Dick?"

"I want you to promise that you won't tell who set you free," he
explained. "If Dunc or the rest heard of it, they would never forgive
me."

"What of it, Dick? Their opinion isn't worth anything."

"I know it--now. But they could tell mighty mean stories about me if
they wanted to." And Dick Blair turned away and shuffled his foot on
the ground to hide his shame.

"Don't mind them, Dick. If they start any bad report about you, do as
I'm doing with the stain on our name--live it down."

"I'll try it. But you'll promise, won't you?"

"If you wish it, yes."

"All right; I know I can trust you," said Dick. Producing his pocket
knife, he quickly cut the cords that bound me. Somewhat stiff from the
position in which I had been forced to remain, I rose slowly to my
feet.

"I don't know whether to thank you or not for what you've done for me,
Dick," I began. "But I appreciate your actions."

"I don't deserve any thanks. It was a mean trick, and I guess legally
I was as guilty as any one. Just keep quiet about it and don't think
too hard of me."

"I'll do both," I responded quickly.

"It's a mighty lonely place to spend the night in," he went on. "I'm
no coward, but I wouldn't care to do it, all alone."

"I haven't been alone."

"No." And Dick looked intensely surprised. "Who has been here?"

I hesitated. Should I tell him?

"A tramp," I began.

"Why didn't he untie you?"

"He didn't see me."

"Oh, I suppose you hid away. What did he want, I wonder?"

"He was after some tools."

"Tools! There are none here, any more."

"But there were."

"What kind of tools?"

I hesitated again. Should I tell Dick the secret? Perhaps he might
give me some timely assistance.

"Will you promise to keep silent if I tell?"

"Why, what do you mean, Roger?"

"It is very important."

"All right. Fire away."

"He came after some burglar's tools."

Dick stepped back in astonishment. "You surely don't mean it!" he
gasped "Who was he going to rob?"

"The widow's house. He knows she is away and has left considerable
money in her desk."

And in a rapid manner I told Dick of what I had overheard, omitting
the mentioning of my father's and Mr. Woodward's names. Of course he
was tremendously excited. What healthy country boy would not be?

"What are you going to do about it?" he questioned.

"Now I'm free I'm going to catch the fellow," I returned decidedly.
"He shall not rob Mrs. Canby's house if I can help it."

"Aren't you afraid?"

"I intend to be cautious."

"He may have a pistol."

"The widow left one in the house. Maybe I can secure it. Then we'll be
on an equal footing."

"I've got a pistol, Roger."

"You!"

"Yes, the Models all carry them. Dunc always insisted that it was the
proper thing."

As Dick spoke, he produced a highly polished nickel-plated
five-shooter.

"It looks like a good one," I said, after examining it. "Is it
loaded?"

"Oh, yes; and I've got a box of cartridges in my pocket besides."

"Lend it to me, Dick."

"If you don't mind I'll--I'll go along with you, Roger," he returned.
"You won't find me such a terrible coward."

"All right. But we must hurry. That fellow has got a good start, and
he may even now be in the house."

"Hardly. He'll want to take a look around first."

Nevertheless, we lost no time in getting away from the tool house. We
walked side by side, I with the pistol in the pocket of my jacket, and
Dick with the lantern held aloft, that we might see to make rapid
progress over the unaccustomed road.

It was a good walk to the widow's, and once Dick stumbled down in a
heap, while the lantern rolled several yards away. But he picked
himself up without grumbling and went along faster than ever.

"If I'm not mistaken, I saw that tramp down at the depot this
morning," said he, as we drew near to the main road. "He was hanging
around, and I thought he looked like a suspicious character."

"Did you see him yesterday?"

"No."

"Did you ever hear of him before?"

"I guess not. He was near the baggage room when I saw him. Then Mr.
Woodward came up to see about a trunk, and the tramp made right off."

I was interested. John Stumpy had intimately that he intended to have
an interview with Duncan Woodward's father, and if this was so, why
had he not taken advantage of the opportunity thus offered?

I could arrive at but one conclusion. The tramp wished their meeting
to be a strictly private one. He did not care to be seen in Mr.
Woodward's presence, or else the wealthy merchant would not tolerate
such a thing.

If the meeting was to be of a private nature, it would no doubt be of
importance. Had my father's name not been mentioned I would not have
cared; but as it was, I was deeply interested.

Perhaps it would be better to merely scare the fellow off. If he was
captured, all chance of finding out his secrets might be lost.

By this time the reader may be aware that I thought John Stumpy's
secrets important. Such was a fact. Try as hard as I was able, I could
not but imagine that they concerned my father and his alleged
downfall.

In five minutes Dick and I came within sight of Widow Canby's house.
There was a light burning in the kitchen and another in the
dining-room.

"Everything seems to be all right," said Dick, as we stood near a
corner of the front fence. "I guess the fellow hasn't put in an
appearance yet."

"I don't know. See I the side porch door is open. We generally keep it
closed, and Kate would certainly have it shut if she was alone."

"What do you intend to do? Go into the house?"

"Guess we had better. I'd like to know where that fellow is," I
replied. "Likely as not he is prowling about here somewhere. If we can
only catch sight of him, we can--Hark!"

As I uttered the last word, a shrill cry reached our ears. It was
Kate's voice; and with my heart jumping wildly I made a dash for the
house, with Dick Blair following me.




CHAPTER VI

A STRANGE ENVELOPE


I was sure that my sister's cry could mean but one thing--that the
tramp had made a raid on the house. I was thoroughly alarmed, and ran
with all possible speed in the direction of the dining-room, from
whence the sound proceeded.

As I tore across the lawn, regardless of the bed of flowers which was
Mrs. Canby's pride, Kate's cry was repeated, this time in a more
intense tone. An instant later I dashed across the porch and into the
room through the door that, as I have said, stood wide open.

I found my sister standing in the middle of the floor, holding in her
hand a heavy umbrella with which she had evidently been defending
herself. She was pale, and trembled from head to foot.

"What is it, Kate?" I exclaimed. "Where is the fellow?"

"Oh, Roger!" she gasped. "I'm so glad you've come. A tramp was
here--he robbed--robbed the desk--the window--"

She pointed to the open window on the opposite side of the room. Then
her breast heaved, the umbrella slipped from her grasp, and she sank
into a chair.

"Are you hurt?" I cried anxiously.

"No, no--but the money--it is gone! What will Mrs. Canby say?"

And overcome with the dreadful thought, my sister fainted dead away.

As for myself I felt sick at heart. John Stumpy had been there--the
widow's money had been stolen. What could be done?

Meanwhile, Dick Blair had come in. His common sense told him what had
happened, and he set to work to restore my sister to consciousness.

"Will you stay here with Kate?" I asked.

"Certainly," he returned promptly. "But where are you going? After
that tramp?"

"Yes."

"Be careful, for he may be a desperate character."

"I'm not afraid of him. I'm going to get that money back or know the
reason why," was my determined reply; and I meant every word I said.

To my mind it was absolutely necessary that I recover the stolen
property. It would have been bad enough to have had it taken when the
Widow Canby was at home, but it had been stolen when left in my
charge, and that was enough to make me turn Darbyville district up
side down before letting the matter drop.

Besides, there was still another important factor in the case. I knew
well enough that if the money was not recovered, there would be plenty
of people mean enough to intimate that I had had something to do with
its disappearance. The Strong honor was considered low by many, and
they would not hesitate to declare that I was only following in my
father's footsteps.

To a person already suffering under an unjust accusation such an
intimation is doubly stinging, and when I told Dick that I was not
afraid of Mr. John Stumpy, I meant that I would rather face the robber
now than the Darbyville people later on.

"I want to take the pistol," I added.

"All right. There is the box of extra cartridges. Do you want the
lantern?"

"Yes; I may want to use it before I return. I'll blow it out now."

Our conversation had lasted but a few seconds, and an instant after I
was on my way, the lantern on my left arm and the pistol in my right
hand.

"Take good care of Kate," I called back as I passed out.

"I will," replied Dick. "Don't stay away too long, if you don't find
the fellow."

I passed around to the other side of the garden, where an open gateway
led to the pear orchard. I felt pretty certain that John Stumpy had
pursued this course, and I entered the orchard on a run.

The thief, I reckoned, was not over five minutes ahead of me. To be
sure, he could easily hide, but it was not likely that he would care
to remain in the neighborhood, unless it was really necessary for him
to see Mr. Aaron Woodward.

When I got well into the orchard, where it was darker than in the
garden, I listened intently, hoping that I might hear some sound that
would guide me.

But all was silent. Occasionally a night bird fluttered through the
trees and a frog gave a dismal croak, but otherwise not a sound broke
the stillness.

I continued on my way toward the road, and reaching the fence, paused
again.

Had the thief jumped over? If so, which way had he gone, up, down, or
into the woods beyond? It was a perplexing question. Perhaps if I had
been in a story book I might have found some clew to direct me. But I
was not that kind of a hero. I was only an everyday boy, and
consequently no clew presented itself.

I stood by the fence for several minutes, my eyes and ears on the
alert to catch anything worthy of notice. I judged it was near
midnight, and hardly had I thought of the matter before the distant
town bells tolled the hour of twelve.

As the echo of the last stroke died away, two figures came slowly up
the road. As they drew nearer, I recognized Moran and Pultzer, the two
Models members who had assisted at my capture.

I was astonished at their appearance. What on earth could they be
doing out at this time of night?

As they drew near I thought for many reasons that it would not be
advisable to show myself, and I stepped behind a tree.

"I don't care what you say," said Pultzer, "Dunc was half scared to
death when we came away."

"I guess he didn't think what a serious matter it was when he asked us
to go into it," returned Moran. "It's the worst affair I ever got
into."

"Ditto myself," responded Pultzer.

"And if we get out without being caught, you'll never find me in
another such," continued the other earnestly.

"I wonder what Dunc's father will say when he hears of it?"

"And all the rest of the Darbyville people? Of course they've got to
lay it to some one."

I surmised that they must be speaking of what they had done to me. I
never dreamed that they were discussing a subject much more serious.

"I'm glad Dick Blair wasn't along to-night," went on Moran. "Dick is
not to be trusted any more. He kicked awfully at the idea of tying up
Strong this noon."

I was gratified to hear this bit of news. I liked Dick in many
respects, and now I was almost ready to look upon him as a friend.

"Strong didn't give in quite as much as Dunc thought he would. Hang
it, if I didn't admire his grit."

"So did I. Wonder how he's getting along in the old tool house. We
must release him first thing in the morning."

"No need of doing that, gentlemen," I put in, stepping out from behind
the tree. "I am--"

But it would have been useless for me to say more, as no one would
have heard me.

At the first sound of my voice both of the Models had started in
alarm, and then, led by Pultzer, they dashed up the road as fast as
their feet could carry them.

At first I was amazed at their actions, and then, as the
ridiculousness of the situation presented itself, I smiled. "A guilty
conscience needeth no accuser," it is said, and this truth was
verified to the letter.

Yet I was sorry that I had not had a chance to speak to them. I wanted
to question them in regard to the thief. Perhaps they had seen him,
and if so, I did not want to miss my chance of getting upon his track.

Jumping over the fence, I walked slowly down the road, but not in
hopes of meeting John Stumpy. If he was anywhere near, the approach of
the two boys had certainly driven him into hiding.

Suddenly I thought of the tool house. The tramp had spoken of
returning to the place. He evidently knew the road. I determined to go
to the spot and make a search at once.

It was no easy matter to find my way back to the tool house, and at
the risk of being seen I lit the lantern.

As I walked along I wondered how my sister and Dick were faring. No
doubt Kate had been much surprised to see who was with her on her
recovery, and I sincerely hoped that the shock Stumpy had given her
would not have any evil effects. She was a sensitive girl, and such
happenings were calculated to try her nerves severely.

At length I came within sight of the clearing. Here I hesitated for an
instant, and then, pistol in hand, approached the tool house boldly.

The door was still open, and I entered, only to find the place empty.

With a sigh I realized that my journey thither was a useless one.
Nothing remained but to go back to the road, and I was about to leave
again when the rays of the lantern fell upon a white object lying on
the floor.

I picked it up. It was a common square envelope. Thinking it contained
a letter I turned it over to read the address. Judge of my
astonishment when I read the following:--

Dying Statement of Nicholas Weaver Concerning the Forgeries for which
Carson Strong Was Sent to State's Prison.




CHAPTER VII

A WAR OF WORDS


No words of mine can express the feeling that came over me as I read
the superscription written on the envelope I had picked up in the old
tool house.

Was it possible that this envelope contained the solution of the
mystery that had taken away our good name and sent my father to
prison? The very thought made me tremble.

The packet was not a thick one. In fact, it was so thin that for an
instant I imagined the envelope was empty. But a hasty examination
proved my fears groundless.

In nervous excitement I put the lantern down on the top of a barrel,
and then drew from the envelope the single shoot of foolscap that it
contained. A glance showed me that the pages were closely written in a
cramped hand extremely difficult to read.

For the moment I forgot everything else--forgot that the Widow
Canby's house had been robbed and that I was on the track of the
robber--and drawing close to the feeble light the lantern afforded,
strove with straining eyes and palpitating heart to decipher the
contents of the written pages.

  "I, Nicholas Weaver, being on the point of death from pneumonia, do
  make this my last statement, which I hereby swear is true in every
  particular."

This was the beginning of the document which I hoped would in some way
free my father's character from the stain that now rested on it.

Exactly who Nicholas Weaver was I did not know, though it ran in my
mind that I had heard this name mentioned by my father during the
trial.

Beyond the opening paragraph I have quoted the handwriting was almost
illegible, and in the dim light it was only here and there that I
could pick out such words as "bank," "assumed," "risk," "name," and so
forth, which gave but an inkling of the real contents of the precious
document.

"It's too bad," was my thought. "I'd give all I possess to be able to
read this right off, word for word."

Hardly had the reflection crossed my mind when a noise outside
startled me. I had just time enough to thrust the paper into my pocket
when the door was swung open and the tramp appeared.

He was evidently as much surprised as I was, for he stopped short in
amazement, while the short pipe he carried between his lips fell
unnoticed to the floor.

I rightly conjectured he had not noticed the light of the lantern and
fully believed the tool house tenantless.

"You here!" he cried.

"It looks like it, doesn't it?" was all I could find to reply, and as
I spoke my hand sought the pistol I carried.

"What brought you here?" he demanded roughly.

"I came after you," I returned as coolly as I could; and by this time
I had the pistol where it could be brought into instant use.

"What do you want of me?"

"I want you to hand over the money you stole awhile ago."

"What are you talking about? I never stole any money."

"You did. You broke into the Widow Canby's house less than an hour
ago. Come, hand over that money."

The fellow gave a coarse laugh. "Ha! ha! do you think I'm to be
bluffed by a boy? Get home with you, before I hammer you for calling
me a thief."

"That's just what you are, and I don't intend to go until you hand
over the money, John Stumpy," I returned decidedly.

"Ha! you know my name?"

I bit my lip. I was sorry for the slip I had made. But I put on a bold
front. "I know what you are called," I replied.

"What I am called?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean? Come, out with it."

"I will when I please. In the meantime hand over that money."

"You talk like a fool!" he cried.

"Never mind. You'll find I won't act like one."

"What do you know about me?" he went on curiously, believing, no
doubt, that he was perfectly safe from attack.

"I know more than you think. I know you are a burglar, and may be
worse."

"I'll kill you!" he cried, rushing forward.

"Stand where you are!" I returned, pulling out the pistol. "Don't stir
a step."

He did not see the weapon until he was fairly upon me. The glint of
the nickeled steel made him shiver.

"Don't shoot!" he cried in sudden terror, that showed he was a coward
at heart. "Don't--don't shoot."

"I won't if you do as I tell you."

"Do what?"

"Give up the widow's money."

"See here, young fellow, you've made a mistake. I never was near the
widow's house, 'cepting this morning."

"I know better. You just broke open her desk and stole over two
hundred dollars."

"It's a mistake. Put down the pistol and I'll tell you all about it."

"I'm not such a fool, Mr. John Stumpy, or whatever your name is," was
my decided reply.

The tone of my voice disconcerted the man, for he paused as if not
knowing what to say next.

"Say, young feller, do you want to make some money?" he asked
suddenly, after a short pause.

The change in his manner surprised me.

"How?" I asked, although I knew about what was coming.

"I've got nearly three hundred dollars in cash with me. I'll give you
fifty of it if you'll go home and say you couldn't find me."

"Thank you; I'm not doing business that way," I rejoined coldly.

"Fifty dollars ain't to be sneezed at," he went on insinuatingly.

"I wouldn't care if you offered me fifty thousand," I cried sharply.
"I'm no thief."

"Humph; don't you suppose I know who you are?" he went on. "You're the
son of a thief. Do you hear that?--the son of a thief! What right
have you got to set yourself up to be any better than your father was
afore you?"

"Take care!" I cried, my blood fairly boiling as I spoke. He saw his
mistake.

"I didn't mean no harm, partner. But what's the use of being high
toned when it don't pay?"

"It always pays to be honest," I said firmly.

"There are those who don't think so any more than I," he replied.

"My father never was a thief. They may say all they please, I will
always think him innocent."

"Humph!"

"If it hadn't been for men like you and Nicholas Weaver, my father
would never be in prison."

The words were out before I knew it. They were most injudicious ones.

"What do you mean?" gasped the man. "What do you know about Nick
Weaver?"

"More than you imagine. When he died he made a confession--"

"It's false. Nick Weaver wasn't in his right mind when he died,
anyhow."

"Perhaps he was."

"What you--" began the man. Then he paused and began a rapid search in
his pockets. "You've got that paper," he cried hoarsely. "Give it up,"
and as he spoke, John Stumpy took a threatening step toward me.

"Stand back!" and I raised the pistol.

I was trembling in every limb, but I actually believe I would have
fired it if he had rushed upon me.

"I won't. Give up that paper."

"Never. I'll die first."

And die I would. His earnestness convinced me of the letter's worth.
If it contained that which could clear my father's name, only death
would be the means of parting me from it.

"Give it up, I say! Do you think I'm to be defeated by a boy?"

"Stand back!"

I raised the pistol on a level with his head. As I did so, he made a
dash forward and caught up a stick which was lying near.

"I'll fix you!" he roared, and swinging the billet over his head, he
brought it down with all his force on my arm, causing the pistol to
fly from my hand into a corner beyond.

"Now we'll see who's master here," he cried exultingly. "You're a
smart boy, but you don't know everything!" Rushing over to the corner,
he secured the pistol and aimed it at me. "Now, we'll settle this
matter according to my notions," he went on triumphantly.




CHAPTER VIII

THE STRUGGLE


I was deeply chagrined at the unexpected turn affairs had taken, and I
felt decidedly uncomfortable as John Stumpy levelled the weapon at my
head. I could readily see that the battle of words was at an end.
Action was now the order of the day. I wondered what the fellow would
do next; but I was not kept long in suspense.

"Now, it's my turn, young fellow," he remarked, with a shrewd grin, as
I fell back.

"Well, what do you want?" I asked, as coolly as I could recognizing
the fact that nothing was to be gained by "stirring him up."

"You'll see fast enough. In the first place, hand over that paper."

I was silent. I did not intend to tell a falsehood by saying I did not
have it, nor did I intend to give it up if it could possibly be
avoided.

"Did you hear what I said?" continued Stumpy, after a pause.

"I thought you said the paper wasn't valuable," I returned, more to
gain time than anything else.

"Neither it ain't, but, just the same, I want it. Come, hand it over."

He was getting ugly now, and no mistake. What was to be done?

As I have mentioned before, it would have been useless to call for
help, as no one would have heard the calls.

Suddenly the thought struck me to try a bit of deception. I put my
hand in my pocket and drew out the empty envelope.

"Is that what you want?" I asked, holding it up.

"Reckon it is," he returned eagerly. "Just toss it over."

Somewhat disappointed that he did not approach me and thus give me a
chance of attacking him, I did as requested. It fell at his feet, and
he was not long in transferring it to his pocket.

"Next time don't try to walk over a man like me," he said sharply. "I
know a thing or two, and I'm not to be downed by a boy."

"Are you satisfied?" I asked calmly, though secretly exultant that he
had not discovered my trick.

"Not yet. You followed me when you had no business to, and now you've
got to take the consequences."

"What are you going to do?"

"You'll see soon enough. I ain't the one to make many mistakes. Years
ago I made a few, but I ain't making no more."

"You knew my father quite well, didn't you?" I inquired in deep
curiosity.

"As the old saying goes, 'Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no
lies.' Maybe I didn't; maybe I did."

"I know you did."

"Well, what of it? So did lots of other people."

"But not quite as well as you and Nicholas Weaver and Mr. Aaron
Woodward," I continued, determined to learn all I could.

"Ha! What do you know of them?" He scowled at me. "Reckon you've been
reading that paper of Nick's putty closely. I was a fool for not
tearing it up long ago."

"Why did you keep it--to deliver it to Mr. Wentworth?"

It was a bold stroke and it told. Stumpy grew pale in spite of the
dirt that covered his face, and the hand that held the pistol
trembled.

"Say, young fellow, you know too much, you do. I suppose you read that
paper clear through, did you?"

"As you say: Maybe I didn't; maybe I did."

"Perhaps you wasn't careful of it. Maybe I'd better examine it," he
added.

My heart sank within me. In another moment the deception I had
practised would be known--and then?

He fumbled in his pocket and drew forth the envelope. He could not
extract the letter he supposed it contained with one hand very well,
and so lowered the pistol for a moment.

This was my chance. Unarmed I was evidently in his power. If I could
only escape from the tool house!

The door still stood partly open, and the darkness of night--for the
moon had gone down--was beyond. A dash and I would be outside. Still
the tramp stood between me and liberty. Should I attack him or
endeavor to slip to one side?

I had but an instant to think; another, and it would be too late. John
Stumpy was fumbling in the envelope. His eyes were searching for the
precious document.

With a single bound I sprang against him, knocking him completely off
his feet. Then I made another jump for the door.

But he was too quick for me. Dropping the envelope and the pistol, he
caught me by the foot, and in an instant both of us were rolling on
the floor.

It was an unequal struggle. Strong as I was for a boy of my age, I was
no match for this burly man. Turn and twist all I could, he held me in
his grip while he heaped loud imprecations upon my head.

In our movements on the floor we came in contact with the lantern and
upset it, smashing the frame as well as the glass.

For a moment darkness reigned. Then a tiny light from the corner lit
up the place. The flames had caught the shavings.

"The place is on fire!" I cried in horror.

"Yes, and you did it," replied the tramp.

"It was you!" I returned stoutly, and, as a matter of fact, it may be
as well to state that John Stumpy's foot had caused the accident.

"Not much; it was your fault, and you've got to take the blame."

As the rascal spoke, he caught me by the throat, squeezing it so
tightly that I was in great danger of being choked to death.

"Let--let up!" I gasped.

The choking continued. My head began to grow dizzy, and strange lights
danced before my eyes. I protested against this proceeding as
vigorously as I could by kicking the man sharply and rapidly.

But Stumpy now meant to do me real injury. He realized that I knew too
much for his future welfare. In fact, he, no doubt, imagined I knew
far more than I really did. If I was out of the way for all time so
much the better for him.

"Take that!" he suddenly cried, and springing up he brought his heel
down with great force on my head.

I cannot describe the sensation that followed. It was as if a sharp,
blinding pain had stung me to the very heart. Then my senses forsook
me.

How long I lay in a comatose state I do not know. Certainly it could
not have been a very long time--probably not over five or six
minutes.

In the meantime the fire rapidly spread igniting the barrels that were
stored in the tool house, and climbing up the walls of the building to
the roof.

When I recovered my senses, my face was fairly scorched, and no sooner
had I opened my eyes than they were blinded by smoke and flame.

By instinct rather than reason I staggered to my feet. I was so weak I
could hardly stand, and my head spun around like a top. Where was the
door?

I tottered to one side and felt around. There was the window tightly
closed. The door I knew was opposite.

Reeling, I made my way through the smoke that now seemed to fill my
lungs, to where I knew the door to be. Oh, horror! it was closed and
secured!

"Heaven help me now!" burst from my parched lips. "Am I to be roasted
alive?"

With all my remaining strength I threw myself against the door. Once,
and again, and still it did not budge.

"Help! help!" I called at the top of my voice.

No answer came to my cry. The fire behind me became hotter and hotter.
The roof had now caught, and the sparks fell down upon me in a perfect
shower.

Another moment and it would be all over. With a brief prayer to God
for help in my dire need, I attacked the door for the last time.

At first it did not budge. Then there was a creaking, a sharp crack,
and at last it flew wide open.

Oh, how grateful was the breath of fresh air that struck me! I
stumbled out into the clearing and opened wide my throat to take in
the pure draught.

Then for the first time I realized how nearly I had been overcome. I
could no longer stand, and swooning, sank in a heap to the ground.




CHAPTER IX

NEW TROUBLE


"He's alive, boys."

These were the words that greeted my ears on recovering my senses. I
opened my eyes and saw that I was surrounded by a number of boys and
men.

"How did you come here?" asked Henry Morse, a sturdy farmer who lived
in the neighborhood.

I was too much confused to make any intelligent reply. Rising to a
sitting position, I gazed around.

The tool house had burned to the ground, there being no means at hand
to extinguish the fire. The glare of the conflagration had called out
several dozens of people from Darbyville and the vicinity, several of
whom had stumbled upon me as I lay in the clearing.

"What's the matter, Roger?" asked Larry Simpson, a young man who kept
a bookstore in the town.

"The matter is that I nearly lost my life in that fire," I replied.

"How did you come here?"

As briefly as I could I related my story, leaving out all references
to my personal affairs and the finding of Nicholas Weaver's statement.
At present I considered it would do no good to disclose what I knew on
those points.

"I think I saw that tramp yesterday," said Larry after I had finished.
"He bought a sheet of paper and an envelope in my store, and then
asked if he could write a letter there."

"And did he?" I asked in curiosity.

"Yes. At first I hated to let him do it,--he looked so
disreputable,--but then I thought it might be an application for a
position, and so told him to go ahead."

"Who did he write to? do you know?"

"Somebody in Chicago, I think."

"Do you remember the name?"

"He tried the pen on a slip of paper first. It wouldn't work very
well. But I think the name was Holtzmann, or something similar."

I determined to remember the name, thinking it might prove of value
sometime.

"The thing of it is," broke in Henry Morse, "what has become of this
Stumpy? If he stole the Widow Canby's money, it's high time somebody
was after him."

"That's true," ejaculated another. "Have you any idea which way the
fellow went?"

Of course I had not. Indeed, I was hardly in condition to do any
rational thinking, much less form an opinion. The thief might be in
hiding close at hand, or he might be miles away.

"Some of us had better make a search," put in another. "Come, boys,
we'll spread out and scour the woods."

"That's a good idea," said Tony Parsons, the constable of the town.
"Meanwhile, Roger Strong, let us go to Judge Penfold's house and put
the case in his hands. He'll get out a warrant, and perhaps a reward."

I thought this was a good idea, and readily assented, first, however,
getting one of the boys to promise that he would call at the widow's
house and quiet Kate's fears concerning my whereabouts.

It was now early morning, and we had no difficulty in making our way
through the woods to the main road.

"Guess we won't find the judge up yet," remarked Tony Parsons as we
hurried along. "I've never yet found him out of bed afore seven
o'clock. It will make him mighty mad to get up afore this time."

"I'm sorry to disturb him," I replied, with something of awe at the
thought of rousing a magistrate of the law.

"But it's got to be done," went on Parsons, with a grave shake of his
head, "unless we all want to be murdered and robbed in our beds!"

"That's true. I'd give all I'm worth to catch that tramp."

"Reckon Widow Canby'll be dreadfully cut up when she hears about the
robbery."

"I suppose so."

"She may blame you, Roger. You see if it was anybody else, it would be
different. But being as it's you, why--"

"I know what you mean," I returned bitterly. "No one in Darbyville
believes I can be honest."

"I ain't saying nothing against you, Roger," returned Parsons,
hastily. "I reckon you ain't no worse than any other boy. But you know
what public sentiment is."

"So I do; but public sentiment isn't always right," was my spirited
answer.

"Who did you say those boys were that tied you up?" went on the
constable, to change the subject.

"Duncan Woodward was the principal one."

"Phew! Reckon he didn't think tying you up would prove such a serious
matter."

"If it hadn't been for that, the robbery might have been prevented. I
would have been home guarding the widow's property, as she expected me
to do."

"Reckon so you would."

"In a certain sense I hold Duncan Woodward and his followers
responsible for what has occurred."

"Phew! What will Mr. Woodward say to that, I wonder?"

"I can't help what he says. I'm not going to bear all the blame when
it isn't my fault."

"No, neither would I."

At length we reached the outskirts of the town. Judge Penfold lived at
the top of what was termed the Hill, the aristocratic district of the
place, and thither we made our way.

"Indeed, but the judge ain't stirring yet!" exclaimed the Irish girl
who came to answer our summons at the door.

"Then wake him at once," said Parsons. "Tell him there has been a most
atrocious robbery and assault committed."

"Mercy on us!" said the girl, lifting up her hands in horror. "And who
was it, Mr. Parsons?"

"Never mind who it was. Go at once."

"I will that! Robbery and assault. Mercy on us!"

And leaving us standing in the hall, the hired girl sped up the front
stairway.

"The judge will be down as soon as he can," she reported on her
return.

We waited as patiently as we could. While doing so I revolved what had
occurred over in my mind, and came to the conclusion that the crime
would be a difficult one to trace. John Stumpy had probably made good
use of his time, knowing that even if I had lost my life in the fire
my sister would still recognize him as the thief.

Suddenly I thought of the written confession that must yet remain in
my pocket, and I was on the point of assuring myself that it was still
safe when a heavy foot-step sounded overhead, and Judge Penfold came
down.

The judge was a tall, slender men of fifty, with hollow cheeks, a
pointed nose, and a sharp chin. His voice was of a peculiarly high and
rasping tone, and his manner far from agreeable.

"What's the trouble?" he demanded, and it was plain to see that he did
not relish having his early morning sleep broken.

"Widow Canby's house was robbed last night," replied the constable;
and he gave the particulars.

Judge Penfold was all ears at once. Indeed, it may be as well to state
that he was a widower and had paid Widow Canby much attention, which,
however, I well knew that good lady heartily resented. No doubt he
thought if he could render her any assistance it would help along his
suit.

"We must catch the fellow at once," he said. "Parsons, you must catch
him without fail."

"Easier said than done, judge," replied the constable, doubtfully.
"Where am I to look for him? The country around here is pretty large."

"No matter. You are constable, and it is your duty to seek him out. I
will sign the warrant for his arrest, and you must have him in jail by
to-night, without fail."

"I'll do what I can, judge," returns Parsons, meekly.

"Strong, I'll have to bind you over as a witness."

"Bind me over?" I queried in perplexity. "What do you mean?"

"Hold you, unless you can give a bond to appear when wanted."

"But I had nothing to do with the burglary."

"You are principal accuser of this John Stumpy."

"Well, I'll promise to be on hand whenever wanted."

"That is not sufficient. Your character is--is not--ahem! of the
best, and--"

"Why is my character not of the best?" I demanded.

"Well, ahem! Your father, you see--"

"Is innocent."

"Perhaps--perhaps, but, nevertheless, I will have to hold you.
Parsons, I will leave him in your charge."

"You have no right to arrest me," I cried, for I knew very little of
the law.

"What's that?" demanded Judge Penfold, pompously. "You forget I am the
judge of that."

"I don't care," I burst out. "I have done no wrong."

"It ain't that, Roger. Many innocent men are held as witnesses," put
in Parsons.

"But I've got to attend to Mrs. Canby's business," I explained.

"I fancy Mrs. Canby would rather get on the track of her money," said
Judge Penfold severely. "Can you furnish bail?"

I did not know that I could. The woman who had been robbed was my only
friend, and she was away.

"Then you'll have to take him to the lockup, Parsons."

This news was far from agreeable. It would be no pleasant thing to be
confined in the Darbyville jail, not to say anything of the anxiety it
might cause Kate. Besides, I wanted to follow up John Stumpy. I was
certain I could do it fully as well as the constable.

"Come, Roger, there is no help for it," said Parsons, as I still
lingered. "It's the law, and it won't do any good to kick."

"Maybe not, but, nevertheless, it isn't fair."

We walked out into the front hall, the judge following us.

"Of course if you can get bail any time during the day I will let you
go," he said; "I will be down in my office from nine to twelve and two
to four."

"Will you offer a reward for the capture of the man?" I asked.

"I cannot do that. The freeholders of the county attend to all such
matters. Parsons, no doubt, will find the scoundrel."

As the judge finished there was a violent ringing of the door bell.
Judge Penfold opened the door and was confronted by Mr. Aaron
Woodward, who looked pale and excited.

"Judge, I want you--hello! that boy! Judge, I want that boy arrested
at once! Don't you let him escape!"

"Want me arrested?" I ejaculated in astonishment. "What for?"

"You know well enough. You thought to hide your tracks, but I have
found you out. Parsons, don't let him get out of the door. He's a
worse villain than his father was!"




CHAPTER X

UNDER ARREST


I will not hesitate to state that I was nearly stunned by Mr. Aaron
Woodward's unexpected statement. I knew that when he announced that I
was a worse villain than my father he meant a good deal.

Yet try as hard as I could it was impossible for me to discover what
he really did mean. I was not conscious of having done him any injury,
either bodily or otherwise. Indeed, of late I had hardly seen the man.
The Widow Canby was not partial to dealings with him, and I never went
near him on my own account.

It was plain to see that the merchant was thoroughly aroused. His face
was pale with anger, and the look he cast upon me was one of bitter
resentment. For the instant he eyed me as if he intended to spring
upon me and choke the life out of my body, and involuntarily I shrank
back. But then I recollected that the minions of the law who stood
beside me would not allow such a course of procedure, and this made me
breathe more freely.

"Yes, sir; he's a worse villain than his father!" repeated Mr. Aaron
Woodward, turning to Judge Penfold; "a most accomplished villain,
sir." And he shook his fist within an inch of my nose.

"What have I done to you, Mr. Woodward?" I demanded, as soon as I
could speak.

"Done, sir? You know very well what you've done, you young rascal!"
puffed the merchant. "Oh, but I'll make you pay dearly for your
villainy."

"I've committed no villainy," I returned warmly. "If you refer to the
way I treated Duncan this morning, why all I've got to say is that it
was his own fault, and I can prove it."

"Treated Duncan? Oh, pshaw! This is far more serious affair than a
boy's quarrel. Don't let him escape, Parsons"--the last to the
constable, who had his hand on my shoulder.

"No fear, sir," was Parson's reply. "He's already under arrest."

"Under arrest?" repeated the merchant quickly. "Then you've already
heard--"

"He is ahem--only under detention as a witness," spoke up Judge
Penfold. "I do not think he had anything to do with the theft of the
widow's money."

"Widow's money! What do you mean?"

In a few words Judge Penfold explained the situation. "Isn't this what
you came about?" he asked then.

"Indeed, no, sir. My affair is far more important--at least to me.
But you can make up your mind that Strong's story is purely fiction.
He is undoubtedly the real culprit, undoubtedly. Takes after his
father."

"My father was an honest man!" I cried out. "I don't care what you or
any one may say! Some day he will be cleared of the stain on his
name."

"Oh, undoubtedly," sneered Mr. Woodward. "Mean while, however, the
community at large had better keep a sharp eye on his son. Whom do you
assert stole the Widow Canby's money?"

"A tramp."

"Humph! A likely story."

"It's true. His name was John Stumpy."

"John Stumpy!"

As Mr. Aaron Woodwind uttered the name, all the color forsook his
face.

"Yes, sir. And he claimed to know you," I went on, my curiosity amused
over the merchant's show of feeling.

"It's a falsehood! I never heard of such a man," cried Mr. Woodward,
but his face belied his words.

"Well, what is your charge against Strong?" asked Judge Penfold,
impatiently, probably tired of being so utterly ignored in the
discussion.

The merchant hesitated.

"I prefer to speak to you about the matter in private," he said
sourly.

"That isn't fair. He ought to tell me what I am accused of," I cried,
"Every one who is arrested has a right to know that. I have done no
wrong and I am not afraid."

"All assumed bravery, Judge Penfold; quite assumed, sir."

"No, sir. Tell me why you want me locked up," I repeated.

But instead of replying Mr. Woodward drew Judge Penfold to the rear
end of the hall and began to speak in so low a tone that I could not
catch a word.

"You don't mean it!" I heard the judge say presently. "Come into the
library and give me the particulars."

The two men passed into the room, closing the door tightly behind
them. They were gone nearly quarter of an hour--a long wait for me. I
wondered what could be the nature of Mr. Woodward's accusation against
me, but failed to solve the mystery.

At length they came out. Judge Penfold's face was a trifle sterner
than before. Mr. Woodward looked pleased, as if his argument had
proven conclusive.

"You will take Strong to the jail at once," said the judge to Parsons
"and tell Booth to be careful of his prisoner."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't let him escape," added Aaron Woodward, anxiously. "Don't let
him escape, sir, under any circumstances."

"No fear," was Parsons's ready answer. "I never had one of 'em give me
the slip yet."

And with great gravity he drew from his pocket a pair of ancient
handcuffs, one of which he attached to my wrist and the other to his
own.

"Come, Roger. Better take it easy," he said. "No use of kicking.
March!"

"But I'd like to know something about this," I protested. "What
right--"

"It is all quite legal," put in Judge Penfold, pompously. "I
understand the law perfectly."

"But--"

"Say no more. Parsons, take him away."

"I shall see you later," whispered Mr. Woodward in my ear as the
constable hurried me off.

The next instant we were on the street. Arrests in Darbyville were
rare, and by the time we reached the jail we had a goodly following of
boys and idle men, all anxious to know what was up.

"He stole the Widow Canby's money," I heard one man whisper, to which
another replied:--

"Light fingered, eh? Must take after his father. I always knew the
Strongs couldn't be trusted."

The jail was a small affair, being nothing more than the loft over a
carpenter shop. The jailer was a round-faced man named Booth, who
filled in his spare time by doing odd jobs of carpentering in the shop
downstairs. We found him hard at work glueing some doors together. I
knew him tolerably well, and he evinced considerable surprise at
seeing me in custody.

"What, Roger; arrested! What for?"

"That's what I would like to know," I returned.

In a few words Parsons told him what was to be done, and Booth led the
way upstairs.

"'Tain't a very secure place," he returned. "Reckon I'll have to nail
down some of the windows unless you'll give me your word not to run
away."

"I'll promise nothing," was my reply. "I'm being treated unfairly, and
I shall do as I think best."

"Then I'll fasten everything as tight as a drum," returned Booth.

Going below, he secured a hammer and some nails, with which he secured
the windows and the scuttle on the roof.

"Reckon it's tight enough now," he said. "Just wait, Parsons, till I
get him a bucket of water."

This was done, and then the two men left me, closing and locking the
door of the enclosed staircase behind them.

The loft was empty, saving a nail keg that stood in one corner of the
floor. Pulling this out, I sat down to think matters over.

Try my best I could not imagine what charge Mr. Aaron Woodward had
brought against me. Yet such had been his earnestness that for the
nonce everything else was driven from my mind.

The sounds of talking below interrupted my meditations. I recognized
Kate's voice, and the next moment my sister stood beside me.

"Oh, Roger!" was all she could say, and catching me by the arm she
burst into tears.

"Don't take it so hard, Kate," I said. "Make sure it will all come out
right in the end."

"But to be arrested like--like a thief! Oh, Roger, it is dreadful!"

"Never mind. I have done no wrong, and I'm not afraid of the result.
Have they heard anything of John Stumpy yet?"

"Dick Blair says not. Mr. Parsons and the rest are after him, but he
seems to have disappeared for good--and Mrs. Canby's money with him."

"Have you heard from her yet?"

"No; but I've written her a letter and just posted it to Norfolk."

"She won't get it till day after to-morrow."

"What will she say? Oh, Roger, do you think--"

"No, I don't. The widow always trusted me, and I know she'll take my
word now. She is not so narrow-minded as the very folks who look down
on her."

"But it is awful! Over two hundred dollars! We can never make it up.
We've only got twenty-eight!"

"We can't exactly be called upon to make it up--" I began.

"But we'll want to," put in Kate, hastily.

"I'd feel better if we did. The widow has always been so kind to us."

"How long must you stay here?"

"I don't know. As long as Judge Penfold sees fit, I suppose."

"If only they could catch this John Stumpy."

"I hope so--for other reasons than those you know, Kate."

"Other reasons?"

"Yes; very important ones, too. John Stumpy knew father well. And he
was mixed up in that--that miserable affair."

"Oh, Roger, how do you know?"

"I heard him say so. Besides, he dropped a letter that proved it. I
have the letter in my pocket now. It's the dying statement of one
Nicholas Weaver--"

"Nicholas Weaver! He was a clerk with father!"

"So I thought. Who Stumpy is, though, I don't know. Do you?"

"No; but his face I'm sure I've seen before. Let me see the letter.
Have you read it?"

"No; I hadn't time to spell it out, it is so badly written. Maybe you
can read it."

"I'll try," replied Kate. "Hand it over."

I put my hand in my pocket to do so. The statement was gone!




CHAPTER XI

AARON WOODWARD'S VISIT


Puzzled and dismayed, I made a rapid search of my clothes--first one
pocket and then another. It was useless. Beyond a doubt the statement
was nowhere about my person.

I was quite sure it had not been taken from me. Strange as it may
seem, neither Parsons nor Booth had searched me. Perhaps they deemed
it useless to take away the possessions of a poor country boy. My
jack-knife and other odds and ends were still in their accustomed
places.

"It's gone!" I gasped, when I was certain that such was a fact.

"Gone?" repeated Kate.

"Yes, gone, and I don't know where. They didn't take it from me. I
must have lost it."

"Oh, Roger, and it was so important!"

"I know it, Kate. It must have dropped from my pocket down at the tool
house. Perhaps if I go down I can find it."

"Go down?" she queried.

"Oh, I forgot I was a prisoner."

"Never mind, Roger. I'll go down myself."

"Aren't you afraid?"

"Not now. I wouldn't have been of this Stumpy only he came on me so
suddenly. I'll go at once."

"You'd better," said a voice behind her. "Your five minutes is up,
Miss Kate." And Booth appeared at the head of the stairs and motioned
her down.

"Good-by, Roger. I'm so sorry to leave you here alone."

"It's not such a dreadful place," I rejoined lightly. "If you discover
anything, let me know at once."

"Be sure I will." And with this assurance Kate was gone.

I was as sorry for her as I was for myself. I knew all she would have
to face in public--the mean things people would say to her, the
snubbing she would be called on to bear.

The loss of the statement rendered me doubly downhearted. Oh, how much
I had counted on it, assuring myself over and over again that it would
surely clear my father's name!

Hardly had my sister left me than there were more voices below, and I
heard Mr. Woodward tell Booth that he had an order from Judge Penfold
for a private interview with me.

"Better go right upstairs then, Mr. Woodward," was the jailer's reply.
"He's all alone."

I wondered what the merchant's visit could portend, but had little
time for speculation.

"So, sir, they've got you fast," said Mr. Woodward sharply as he faced
me. "Fast, and no mistake."

"What do you want?" I demanded boldly, coming at once to the front.

"What do I want?" repeated the merchant, looking behind him to make
sure that Booth had not followed him. "What do I want? Why, I want to
help you, Strong, that's what I want."

I could not help but smile. The idea of Mr. Woodward helping any one,
least of all myself!

"The only way you can help me is to set me free," I returned.

"Oh, I can't do that. You are held on the Canby charge solely."

"But you told me you wanted me arrested."

"So I did, but I intend to give you a chance--that is, if you will do
what I want."

"But why did you want me arrested?"

"You know well enough, Strong."

"On the contrary, I haven't the least idea."

"Stuff and nonsense. See here, if you want to get off without further
trouble, hand over those papers."

"What papers?"

"The papers you took last night," replied Mr. Woodward, sharply.

I was truly astonished. How in the world had he found out about the
statement dropped by Stumpy? Was it possible there had been a meeting
between the two? It looked like it.

"I haven't got the papers," I rejoined.

"Don't tell me a falsehood sir," he thundered.

"It's true."

"Do you deny you have the packet?"

"I do."

"Come, Strong, that story won't answer. Hand it over."

"I haven't it."

"Where is it?"

"I lost it," I replied, before I had time to think.

"Lost it!" he cried anxiously.

"Yes, sir," I returned boldly, resolved to make the best of it, now
the cat was out of the bag. "Either that or it was stolen from me."

He looked at me in silence for a moment.

"Do you expect me to believe all your lies?" he demanded finally.

"I don't care what you believe," I answered. "I tell the truth. And
one question I want to ask you, Aaron Woodward. Why are you so anxious
to gain possession of Nicholas Weaver's dying statement?"

The merchant gave a cry of astonishment, nay, horror. He turned pale
and glared at me fiercely.

"Nicholas Weaver's dying statement!" he ejaculated. "What do you know
of Nicholas Weaver?"

Now I had spoken I was almost sorry I had said what I had. Yet I could
not but notice the tremendous effect my words had produced.

"Never mind what I know," I replied. "Why do you take an interest in
it?"

"I? I don't know anything about it," he faltered. "I hardly knew
Nicholas Weaver."

"Indeed? Yet you want his statement."

"No, I don't. I don't know anything about his statement," he continued
doggedly. "I want my papers. I don't care a rap about any one else's."

It was now my turn to be astonished. Evidently I had been on the wrong
track from the beginning.

"If you don't want his statement, I'm sure I don't know what you do
want," I rejoined, and I spoke the exact truth.

"Don't tell lies, Strong. You know well enough. Hand them over."

"Hand what over?"

"The packet of papers."

"I haven't any packet."

"Strong, if you don't do as I demand, I'll send you to prison after
your father."

"I can't help it. I haven't any papers. If you don't believe me,
search me."

"Where have you hidden them?"

"I never had them to hide."

"I know better, sir, I know better," he fumed.

I made no reply. What could I say?

"Do you hear me, Strong?"

For reply I walked over to the slatted window and began to whistle. My
action only increased the merchant's anger.

"For the last time, Strong, will you give up the papers?" he cried.

"For the last time, Mr. Woodward, let me say I haven't got them, never
had them, and, therefore, cannot possibly give them up."

"Then you shall go to prison, sir. Mark my word,--you shall go to
prison!"

And with this parting threat the merchant hurried down the loft steps
and rapped loudly for Booth to come and let him out.

When he was gone, I sat down again to think over the demand he had
made upon me. To what papers did he refer? In vain I cudgelled my
brain to elicit an answer.

He spoke about sending me to prison, and in such tones as if it were
an easy matter to do. Assuredly he must have some grounds upon which
to base so positive an assertion.

No doubt he was now on his way to Judge Penfold's office to swear out
the necessary papers. I did not know much about the law, but I
objected strongly to going to prison. Once in a regular lockup, the
chances of getting out would be indeed slim.

I reasoned that the best thing to do was to escape while there was a
chance. Perhaps I was wrong in this conclusion, but I was only a
country boy, and I had a horror of stone walls and iron bars.

Escape! No sooner had the thought entered my mind than I was wrapped
up in it. Undoubtedly it was the best thing to do. Freedom meant not
only liberty, but also a chance to hunt down John Stumpy and clear my
father's name.

I looked about the loft for the best means of accomplishing my
purpose. As I have said, the place was over a carpenter shop. The roof
was sloping to the floor, and at each end was a small window heavily
slatted.

The distance to the ground from the window was not less than fifteen
feet, rather a long drop even if I could manage to get the slats
loose, which I doubted, for I had no tools at hand.

I resolved to try the door, and was about to do so when I heard the
bolts shoot back and Booth appeared.

For an instant I thought to trip him up and rush past him, but he
stood on the steps completely blocking the way.

"All right, Roger?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Quite com'table, boy?"

"As comfortable as any one could be in such a place," I rejoined
lightly.

"'Tain't exactly a parlor," he chuckled. "No easy chairs or sofys;
but the food's good. I'm a-going to get it for you now. Then after
that maybe the judge will call around. I'll bring the dinner in a
minute."

He climbed downstairs, bolting the door after him.

In five minutes--or ten at the most--I knew he would be back. After
that there was no telling how long he would stay.

Now, therefore, was the proper time to escape, now or never!




CHAPTER XII

A SURPRISE


No time must be lost. Booth lived but a short hundred feet from the
jail, if such it might be called, and if his wife had dinner ready it
would not take him long to bring it.

I surveyed the room in which I was incarcerated critically. Escape by
either window was, as I have intimated, out of the question. On
account of its height, the scuttle was also not to be considered.

Apparently nothing remained to try but the door. Running down the
steps, I looked it over. It was of solid oak planking, an inch thick,
and fastened at both top and bottom.

It was a hard thing to tackle, especially with no tools, and, after
surveying it, I went upstairs again to search for something that might
do as a pry.

I could see nothing but the empty nail keg, and I could discover no
use at first in this until the idea struck me of wedging it between
one of the lower steps and the door, and, by jumping upon it, forcing
the bottom bolt.

With some difficulty I placed the keg in position and brought down my
full weight upon it. The first time the bolt merely creaked, but the
second there was a snap, and the lower part of the door burst outward
several inches.

The bottom bolt had yielded, and now only the top one remained. But to
reach this was a difficult matter, as no purchase could be had against
it.

While considering the situation, I imagined I heard my jailer
returning, and my heart jumped into my throat. What if Booth should
see the damage I had done? I reckoned that things would go hard with
me if it became known that I had attempted to break jail. Judge
Penfold would surely give me the full penalty of the law.

But the approach of Booth was only imaginary, and, after a brief
interval of silence, I breathed freer.

I ascends the stairs once more to see if I could not find something
besides the keg to assist me. If only I had a plank or a beam, I might
use it as a battering-ram.

The thought of a plank led me to examine the floor, and, going over it
carefully, I soon came to a short board, one end of which was loose.
Raising it, I pulled with all my might, and the board came up.

I was astonished to see that it made an opening into the shop below. I
had imagined that the floor or ceiling was of double thickness.

This gave me a new idea. Why not escape through the floor? To pry up
another board would perhaps be easier than to force the door.

I tried the board next to the opening. The end was somewhat rotted,
and it came up with hardly an effort.

In another moment the opening would be large enough to allow the
passage of my body. Putting the first board under the edge of the
second, I bore down upon it.

As I did so I heard a noise that alarmed me greatly. It was the sound
of Booth returning, and the next instant the carpenter had opened the
outer door and entered.

In one hand he carried a tray containing my dinner. He crossed the
floor directly under me without looking up. Then his eyes caught the
shattered door and he gave a loud exclamation.

"By ginger! If that boy ain't gone and escaped!"

He set down the tray with a rattle and tried to pull the door open.
But the top bolt had become displaced, and it was several seconds
before it could be shot back.

Meanwhile I was not idle. As quietly as I could I tore up the second
board. The deed was done just as Booth stumbled over the keg on his
way up the stairs.

As my jailer appeared at the top, I let my body through the opening.
It was a tight squeeze, especially when accomplished in a hurry. I
landed in a heap on a pile of shavings.

"Stop! stop!" called out Booth. "Roger, don't you hear me?"

I certainly did hear him, but paid no attention to his words. My one
thought was to get away as quickly as possible.

"If you don't stop, I'll shoot you," went on Booth at the top of his
voice. "Don't you know breaking jail is a--a felony?"

I did not know what kind of a crime it was. I had made up my mind to
escape, and intended to do so, even if such a deed constituted
manslaughter. I made a break for the door and passed out just as Booth
came tramping down the stairs.

I ran across the yard that separated the carpenter shop from the
house. As I did so, Mrs. Booth appeared at the back door. Upon seeing
me she held up her hands in horror.

"Mercy on us! Roger Strong! Where be you a-running to? 'Zekel! 'Zekel!
the prisoner's broke loose!"

"I know it, Mandy!" I heard Ezekiel Booth answer. "Dunno how he did
it, though. Stop, Roger, it's best now; jest you mark my word!"

I heard no more. Jumping the side fence, I ran through a bit of
orchard and across a stony lot until I reached the Pass River.

At this point this body of water was several hundred feet wide. The
bank sloped directly to the water's edge. Near at hand were several
private boat-houses, one belonging to Mr. Aaron Woodward, he having
built it to please Duncan.

At the end of the boat-house pier lay a skiff, the oars resting upon
the seats. I knew it was wrong to make use of the craft, but
"necessity knows no law," and my need was great.

Running down to the end of the pier, I dropped into the boat and
shoved off. As I did so, Duncan Woodward, accompanied by Pultzer, came
out of the boat-house.

"Hi, there, what are you doing in my boat?" he sang out. "What, Roger
Strong!" he continued as he came nearer.

"You must lend me the boat, Duncan," I returned. "I've got to cross
the river in a hurry."

"Not much! I thought you were in jail."

"Not just now," I replied. "You can get your boat on the other side."

"Hold up! You shan't have her. Come back!"

But I was already pulling out into the stream. He continued to shout
after me, and presently I saw the two joined by Booth, and all watched
me in dismay as I made for the opposite shore.

Reaching the bank, I beached the boat high up and then climbed to the
roadway that ran beside the stream. Trees and bushes were thick here,
and I had but little difficulty in hiding from the view of those
opposite.

For a moment I hesitated as to which way to proceed. A number of miles
down the stream lay Newville, of which I have already spoken. Probably
my pursuers would think I had gone in that direction. If so, they
would hasten to the bridge below, with the intention of cutting me
off.

I therefore started immediately on my way up the river road, resolved
to put as much ground as possible between myself and my pursuers. I
had no definite destination in view, but thought to gain some
hiding-place where I might rest secure and think things over.

It was now going on to two o'clock in the afternoon, and as I had not
had anything to eat since the noon previous, I began to feel decidedly
hungry. I felt in my pocket and discovered that I was the possessor of
sixty-five cents, and with this amount of cash I did not see any
reason for my remaining hungry any longer.

Presently I came to a small, white cottage, upon the front porch of
which was displayed the sign

                               BOARDING

Ascending the steps, I knocked at the door, and a comely, middle-aged
woman answered my summons.

"I see that you take boarders here," I said, "I am hungry, and several
miles from any restaurant. Can you furnish me with dinner?"

She looked me over rather sharply before replying. Then I realize for
the first time that my appearance was not of the best. My clothes were
considerably the worse for having rolled over and over in the old tool
house, and in escaping from my prison I had made several rents in my
coat.

"I will pay you whatever you charge," I added hastily, "and I would
like to wash and brush up, too; I have had a tumble," which was
literally true.

"I can let you have dinner for twenty-five cent," she said finally. "I
won't charge you anything for cleaning up," she added, with something
like a smile. "Will you mind paying in advance?"

"No, ma'am," and I handed over the money. "I suppose I won't have to
wait very long."

"Oh, no, the regular boarders have just finished. You can sit right
down."

"If you don't mind, I'll take a wash first."

The woman led the way to an ante-room, in which were placed a bowl of
water, towel, and soap, as well as a dust brush. It did not take me
long to fix myself up, and then I flattered myself I did not present
an unbecoming appearance.

The dinner that the woman served was not as good as that which my
sister Kate helped to prepare at the Widow Canby's, but it was
wholesome food, and my sharpened appetite made it disappear rapidly.

As I ate I reflected upon my situation. For the life of me I did not
know what to do next. I longed to see my sister and tell her that I
was safe. This done, I intended to devote my time to hunting up the
man who I firmly believed held my father's reputation in his hand. I
was sure I would discover him sooner or later, and this accomplished,
I would not let him out of my sight until he had confessed his secret.
I wondered if Kate had succeeded in finding that precious statement I
had lost. Heartily did I reproach myself for not having taken better
care of it.

Having satisfied myself upon the substantial things set before me, I
finished my meal with a small cut of apple pie.

As I was swallowing the last mouthful I glanced out of the window up
the road, and gave a cry of surprise. And no wonder, for coming toward
the house was Mr. Aaron Woodward, and beside him walked John Stumpy!




CHAPTER XIII

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION


I could hardly believe the evidence of my senses when I saw Mr. Aaron
Woodward coming up the road with John Stumpy beside him. It would have
astonished me to have seen the merchant alone, but to see him in
company with the very man I was looking for was more than I had
thought possible.

Yet I reflected that the tramp--or whatever the man was--had evinced
a determination to secure an interview with Mr. Woodward before
quitting Darbyville. There was important business to be transacted
between them. Mr. John Stumpy intended to have his say, whatever that
might mean.

What was to be done? It would never do for me to be seen. Nothing
short of arrest would follow. I must get out of the way as quickly as
possible.

During the time I had been eating, the sky had become overcast as if a
shower was imminent. Taking advantage of this fact I rose quickly and
reached for my hat.

"Guess we're going to have a thunder shower," I remarked. "Hope it
holds off. I don't want to get wet."

"Then you'll have to hurry," rejoined the woman as she looked out of
the door. "Looks as if it would be here in less than quarter of an
hour."

"Then I'm off. Good day."

"Good day. Come again."

I slipped out of the door, and passing behind a hedge, made my way to
the road. As I did so, Mr. Woodward and Stumpy turned from the highway
and walked directly up the gravel path that led to the house!

I was dumfounded by this movement. What did they mean by going to the
very place I had just vacated? Was it possible they had seen me?

I earnestly hoped not; for if so, it would spoil a little plan that
had just come to me, which was to follow them, see what they were up
to, and, if possible, overhear whatever might be said.

I was soon convinced that neither of the men was aware of my presence.
They were talking earnestly and stepped up on the porch just as
ordinary visitors would have done. In a moment the woman let them in
and the door closed behind them.

My curiosity was aroused to its highest pitch, and at the risk of
being discovered by any one who might chance to be passing by I walked
cautiously back along the hedge until I reached a clump of rose bushes
that grew directly under one of the dining-room windows.

The window was open, and by a little manoeuvring I easily managed to
see and hear what was going on within.

"You came for the rent, I suppose, Mr. Woodward," the woman was
saying. "Joel was going to bring it up to-night. He would have brought
it over this morning, only he thought it was going to rain and he had
some hay he wanted to get in."

"Yes, I did come for the rent, Mrs. Decker," replied the merchant.
"It's due several days now."

"I have it here--thirty dollars. Here is the receipt book."

There was the rustle of bills and the scratching of a pen.

"Here you are, Mrs. Decker."

"Thank you, sir. Now we'll be worry free for another month."

"So you are. Nothing like being prompt."

"My husband was going to speak to you about the roof. It leaks
dreadfully."

"Pooh! That can't be. Why, it was patched only two years ago."

"You are wrong, Mr. Woodward. It is four years, and then but very
little was done to it."

"It cost near twelve dollars," growled the merchant. "You can't expect
me to be fixing up the house all the time."

"It leaks very badly."

"Then your husband will have to attend to it. I can't spend any more
money this year."

"I don't know what we'll do. I wish you would just step outside and
look up at the shingles. Nearly all of them are ready to fall off."

I was alarmed by Mrs. Decker's request. Suppose the trio should come
out? I would surely be discovered. But my fears were groundless, as
the next words of Mr. Woodward proved.

"I can't go out now, madam, not now. I haven't time. I have a little
business to transact with this man, and then I must return to
Darbyville."

"I'm sorry--" began the woman.

"So am I; but it cannot be helped. Can I use this room for a while?"

By the look upon Mrs. Decker's face it was plain to see she wanted to
say, "No, you can't," but she hardly dared to speak the words, so she
gave an icy assent and withdrew.

The merchant followed her to the door and saw that it was closed
tightly behind her. Then he strode across the room and faced John
Stumpy.

"Wall, sir, now we'll have an accounting," he began in an
authoritative voice.

"So we will, Woody," returned John Stumpy, in no wise abashed by the
other's manner.

The merchant winced at the use of a nickname, but after an instant's
hesitation passed it over.

"What do you mean by coming to Darbyville, sir, when I have repeatedly
written you to stay away?"

"Oh, come, Woody, don't get on your high horse," was Stumpy's
response, as he swung back in the rocker he occupied. "You know I
never could stand your high-toned ways."

"I flatter myself I am a trifle above common people," returned Mr.
Woodward, and it was plain to see where Duncan got his arrogant
manner.

"Oh, pshaw! don't make me tired," yawned Stumpy. "Come, let's to
business."

"I am at business. Why did you come here?"

"You know well enough. Didn't I write to you?"

"Yes, and got my answer. We've squared up accounts, sir."

"Don't 'sir' me,--it don't go down," cried Stumpy, angrily. "We
haven't squared up, not by a jugful,--not till you hand over some
more cash."

"I've handed over enough now."

"No, you hain't. Do you think I'm going to do all your work for
nothing?"

"You were well paid."

"It's only you as thinks so; I don't."

"How much more do you want?"

"A thousand dollars."

The largeness of the demand fairly took away my breath. As for Mr.
Aaron Woodward, he was beside himself.

"A thousand dollars!" he said. "Why, you're crazy, sir."

"No, I ain't; I mean just what I say."

"You expect me to pay you a thousand dollars?"

"Of course I do. I wouldn't ask it if I didn't."

"See here, Fer--"

"Sh!--John Stumpy, if you please."

"That's so, I forgot. But see here, a thousand dollars! Why, I've
already paid you that."

"So you have. Now I want another thousand and then we'll cry quits."

Mr. Aaron Woodward grew white with rage. "I never heard of such an
outrageous demand," he cried. "I'll never pay it."

"Oh, yes, you will," rejoined the other, coolly. "Aaron Woodward never
yet acted rashly."

"Suppose I refuse to pay?"

"Better not; I'm a bad man when I am aroused."

"I don't fear you. You can do nothing to me."

"Oh, yes, I can. I can tell ugly stories about Mr. Aaron Woodward;
stories concerning his doings when he was collector for Holland &
Mack."

"And who would believe you?" sneered the merchant. "You, a common
tramp--"

"Tramp, am I--" interrupted John Stumpy, with a scowl. "If I am, who
made me so?"

"Your own self and the bottle. Do you think you can hurt me?
Nonsense!"

"I can try."

"And who will believe you, I repeat? A common tramp--whom the police
are now hunting for, because of a robbery that occurred only last
night."

"'Tain't so!"

"It is. You broke into the Widow Canby's house and stole over two
hundred dollars."

In spite of the dirt on his face, John Stumpy grew pale.

"Who can prove it?"

"Several people. Carson Strong's son, for one."

Stumpy sprang to his feet. Then almost as suddenly sat down.

"Didn't know he had a son," he said, as carelessly as he could.

"Yes, you did," returned the merchant, flatly. "I think, Fer--Stumpy,
I know a little more about you than you do about me."

Bitter hatred spread itself over the tramp's face.

"Oh, ho, you do, do you? Well, we'll see. 'Them laughs best as laughs
last.' If you won't pay, I'm off."

He rose to his feet and reached for his hat, Mr. Woodward intercepted
him.

"Where are you going?"

"That's my business. I want you to know I didn't come on all the way
from Chicago for nothing."

"Are you hard up?"

"Yes, I am. I want money, and I'm going to have it."

"How about the two hundred dollars you stole last night?"

Stumpy hesitated.

"Well, if you want to know the truth, I lost the money," he said.




CHAPTER XIV

THE PRICE OF SILENCE


For a moment I was staggered by John Stumpy's announcement. Was it
possible he was telling the truth? If so, the chances of recovering
the Widow Canby's money would assume a different shape. To arrest him
would prove a moral satisfaction, but it would not restore the stolen
dollars.

Occupying the position I did, I was more interested in restoring the
stolen money than I was in having the tramp incarcerated.

Nothing would have given me greater satisfaction than to have met the
Widow Canby at the depot with the two hundred odd dollars in my
pocket. It would have silenced the public tongue and made my breaking
jail of no consequence.

But perhaps John Stumpy was telling a falsehood. He was not above such
a thing, and would not hesitate if he thought anything could be gained
thereby. That Mr. Aaron Woodward also guessed such to be a fact was
proven by the words that followed Stumpy's statement.

"Lost the money?" he ejaculated. "Do you expect me to believe you,
sir?"

"It's true."

"Nonsense, sir. Jack Fer--"

"Sh!"

"John Stumpy isn't the one to lose over two hundred dollars!"

"Just what I always said myself, partner, and--"

"Don't 'partner ' me, sir!"

"Well, wasn't we all partners in the good times gone by?"

"No, sir!"

"I reckon we were. Howsomever, let it pass. Well, as I was saying, I
reckoned I'd never lose any money, leasewise a small pile, but that's
what I have done, and that's why I want you to come down."

And John Stumpy leaned back in the rocker in a defiant fashion.

The merchant eyed him sharply in silence for a moment.

"Where did you lose the money?" he asked at length.

"How do I know? If I did, don't you suppose I'd go back and pick it
up?"

"I thought perhaps you were afraid of discovery."

"Humph! I'm not skeered of any such constables as they have in
Darbyville."

"But you must have some idea where you dropped it," went on Mr.
Woodward, and I was astonished to see how coolly this man, who always
pretended to be so straightforward, could inquire about stolen money.

"Not the least," responded John Stumpy. "There was two hundred and
sixty dollars in all. I took out ten and left the rest in the
pocketbook it was in. I've got the ten dollars, and that's all. And
that's why you've got to come down," he went on deliberately. "I'm off
for Chicago to-night, and I'm not going back empty handed."

"You think I ought to pay you for your own carelessness," returned Mr.
Woodward, coolly.

"Not a bit of it. You owe me every cent I ask."

"I don't owe you a penny."

"You owe me a thousand dollars, and for the last time let me tell you,
you've got to pay or take the consequences." And John Stumpy brought
his fist down on the table with a bang.

"Hold on; don't make so much noise," cried Mr. Aaron Woodward in
alarm. "There is no use of rousing the household."

"I don't care. Either you'll come down or I'll rouse the whole of
Darbyville," cried the tramp, vehemently.

"I haven't any money."

"You can't tell me that."

"It's true. Times are getting worse every day."

"Didn't the woman who lives here just pay you?"

"Yes; thirty dollars--"

"And didn't you put the bills in with a big roll in your vest pocket?"
went on Stumpy, triumphantly.

The merchant bit his lip.

"That money is to pay a bill that falls due to-morrow," he replied.

"Well, my 'bill' falls due to-day, and it's got to be met. So come; no
more beating about the bush. We've talked long enough. Now to
business. Do you intend to pay or not?"

The merchant hesitated. Evidently he was afraid to oppose the other
too strongly.

"Well, I don't want to let you go without anything," he began. "I'll
let you have twenty-five dollars--"

John Stumpy jumped up in a passion. "That settles it. I'm done with
you. To-night I'll send a letter to Chris Holtzmann, 897 Sherman
Street, Chicago, and tell him a few things he wants to know, and--"

"You dare!" almost shrieked Mr. Woodward. "Write a single word to him
and I'll--I'll--"

"So! ho! You're afraid of him, are you?"

"No, I'm not, but what's the use of letting him know anything?"

"Humph! Do you suppose I'd tell him without pay? Not much! I can
easily get him to fork over fifty or a hundred dollars. And he'll make
you pay it back, ten times over."

Mr. Aaron Woodward sank back in a chair without a word. Evidently he
was completely baffled, and knew not which way to turn.

As for myself, I was very much in the dark as to what all this was
about. I was certain the past events spoken of pertained to my
father's affairs, but failed to "make connections."

One thing, however, I did do, and that was to make a note of Mr. Chris
Holtzmann's address. He was the man Stumpy had written to just
previous to the robbery, and he was perhaps one of the persons
concerned in my father's downfall.

"See here," said the merchant at last. "It's too late for us to
quarrel. What good would an exposure to Holtzmann do?"

"Never mind. If you won't come to time, I shall do as I please,"
growled Stumpy.

"But a thousand dollars! I haven't got it in cash."

"You can easily get it."

"Not so easily as you think. Tell you what I will do. I'll give you a
hundred. But you must give up all evidence you have against me."

Stumpy gave a short, contemptuous laugh. "You must think me as green
as grass," he sneered. "I'm not giving up any evidence. I'm holding on
to all I've got and gathering more."

"You have Nicholas Weaver's statement," went on Mr. Woodward, with
interest.

"So I have. Nick told the truth in it, too."

"I would like to see it"

"Of course you would. So would some other people,--Carson Strong's
boy, for instance."

"Sh!--not so loud."

"Well, then, don't bring the subject up."

"Have you the statement with you?"

"Maybe I haven't; maybe I have."

"Perhaps it was taken from you," went on Mr. Woodward, curiously.

"What do you know about that?" Stumpy again jumped to his feet.
"You've been talking to that Strong boy," he cried.

"Supposing I have?"

"Well, it didn't do you no good. Say, how much does the young cub
know?"

"He knows too much for the good of either of us," responded the
merchant.

"Sorry he wasn't found in the ruins of that tool house," growled the
tramp, savagely.

This was certainly a fine assertion for me to hear. Yet it was no more
than I would expect from John Stumpy. He was a villain through and
through.

"You meant to burn him up, did you?" asked Mr. Woodward.

"And if I had, Mr. Aaron Woodward would never have shed a tear,"
laughed John Stumpy.

"Let me see the statement."

John Stumpy hesitated. "Hand over the money first, and maybe I will."

"The hundred dollars?"

"No, a thousand."

"Do you suppose I carry so much money with me?"

"Give me what you have in that roll, and I'll take your word for the
rest."

The merchant gave something that sounded very much like a groan.

"Well, I suppose if you insist on it, I must," he said. "I'll give you
what I have, but I won't promise you any more."

"Hand it over," was Stumpy's laconic reply. He probably thought half a
loaf better than no bread, at all.

With a heavy sigh Mr. Woodward drew the roll of bills from his pocket
and began to count them over. I was eager to catch sight of them. I
stood on tiptoe and peered into the window. It was an interesting
scene; the sour look upon the merchant's face; the look of greed in
the tramp's eye. In a moment the counting was finished.

"A hundred and seventy dollars," said Mr. Aaron Woodward. "Here you
are." And he held them out. Stumpy almost snatched them from his hand.

"There, now that's settled," he said. "Now about--What was that?"

A noise had disturbed him. While absorbed in what the two were doing I
had given an involuntary cough.

"Somebody listening," he declared as he thrust the money into his
pocket.

"We ought to be more careful."

"Only some one coughing in the next room," returned Mr. Woodward.
"Don't get scared."

"I ain't scared, but I don't want other folks to know my business.
Reckon you don't either."

"No, indeed. It's bad enough for me to be seen in your company,"
returned Mr. Aaron Woodward, with just a trace of his former lofty
manner.

"No insinuations, please," was the ready reply. "My hands ain't any
dirtier than yours."

"Well, well, let's stop quarrelling. Let me see the statement."

"Will you promise to hand it back if I do?"

"Why not let me have it?"

"Never mind why. Will you give it back?"

"If you insist on it, you shall have it back," was Mr. Woodward's
final reply, seeing that he could gain nothing by parleying.

Stumpy drew forth the envelope. I anticipated what was coming.

"Here it is," he said, and handed it over, as he supposed.

"The envelope is empty," said Mr. Woodward.

Stumpy looked dumfounded.




CHAPTER XV

AN ODD STATEMENT


Before Mr. Woodward made the announcement just recorded he had walked
close up to the window, probably to get into the light, for the sky
was now darkening rapidly, portending the near breaking out of the
storm I have mentioned.

In doing this the merchant's back was turned upon his companion, and
for an instant Stumpy had been unable to see what the other was doing.

When therefore Mr. Woodward declared the envelope to be empty every
action of the tramp indicated that he did not believe the statement.

"Empty?" he cried hoarsely.

"Yes, empty," replied the merchant; "and you knew it," he added.

"No such thing. The statement was inside. Woody, you're trying to play
a sharp game, but it won't work."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"You're trying to rob me."

"Nonsense. I say the envelope was empty."

"And I say it wasn't. Come, hand over my property."

"I tell you, Fer--Stumpy, I haven't it."

"I don't care what you say. You can't play any such game off on me,"
rejoined John Stumpy, with increasing anger.

"I'm only speaking the truth."

"You ain't. Hand it over, or I'll--"

John Stumpy caught the merchant by the coat collar.

"What would you do?" cried Mr. Woodward in alarm, and it was plain to
see he was a coward at heart.

"I'll choke the life out of you; that's what I'll do. Hand over the
statement."

"I haven't it, upon my honor."

"Your honor? Bah! What does that amount to?"

John Stumpy suddenly shifted his hand from its grasp on the collar to
the merchant's throat. For a moment I thought Mr. Woodward was in
danger of being choked to death.

"Stop! Stop! Se--search me if you--you want to," he gasped.

But John Stumpy's passion seemed to have got the better of his reason.
He did not relax his hold in the least.

A short struggle ensued. The two backed up against the table, and
presently a chair was upset. Of course all this made considerable
noise. Yet neither of the men heeded it.

Presently the door from the other room swung open, and the two had
hardly time to separate before a tall, lank farmer entered.

"Hello, what's up?" he asked in a loud, drawling tone.

For an instant neither spoke, evidently not knowing what to say.

"We were--were--ahem--trying to--to catch a rat," replied Mr.
Woodward, with an effort.

"A rat?"

"Exactly, sir. Had a terrible time with him, Mr. Decker."

The farmer looked surprised. "So I supposed by the row that was going
on," he said. "Curious. I knew there were rats down to the barn, but I
didn't suppose they came up to the house. What became of him?"

"Slipped out of the door just now," put in John Stumpy. "There he
goes!" he added, pointing out into the hall.

Mr. Decker made a spring out of the room.

"I must ketch him, by gopher!" he cried. "There's enough eat up here
now without having the vermin taking a hand in."

Mr. Woodward closed the door after the man.

"Now see to what your actions have brought us," he exclaimed. "If it
hadn't been for my quick wit we'd been in a pretty mess."

"Not my fault," growled John Stumpy. "Why don't you give up the
statement?"

I could not help but feel amused at his persistency. His demands upon
the merchant were about on a footing with those Mr. Woodward had made
upon me.

"If you'll only listen to reason," began the merchant, "I will
prove--"

The rest of his remark was drowned out in a clap of thunder. Somewhat
startled, I looked up at the sky.

The black clouds in the south had rolled up rapidly, until now the
entire horizon was covered. The first burst of thunder was succeeded
directly by several others, and then large drops of rain began to
fall.

The wind blew the drops directly into the window. I crouched down out
of sight, and the next moment Mr. Woodward said:--

"It's raining in the window. We'd better close it up."

Of course directly the window was closed I could hear no longer. I
remained in my position for half a minute or more, and then as the
rain began to pour down rapidly I made a break for better shelter.

I sought the barn. It was a low, rambling structure, with great wide
doors. No one seemed to be around, and I rushed in without ceremony. I
was pretty fairly soaked, but as it was warm I did not mind the
ducking. I shook out my hat and coat and then sat down to think
matters over.

What I had heard had not given me much satisfaction. To be sure, it
had proved beyond a doubt that Mr. Aaron Woodward was a thorough
scoundrel, but of this I had been already satisfied in my own mind.

What was I to do? I had asked myself that question several times, and
now I asked it again.

If only I could get John Stumpy arrested, perhaps it would be possible
to force him to make a confession. But how was this to be done?

While I sat on the edge of a feed box, a form darkened the doorway,
and Farmer Decker appeared.

"Hello!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I took the liberty to come in out of the rain," I replied. "Have you
any objections to my remaining until the shower is over?"

"No, guess not. It's a mighty heavy one. Where're you from? Newville?"

"No, sir, Darbyville."

"Yes? Had quite a robbery down there, I understand."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, a chap named Strong robbed an old woman of nearly five hundred
dollars. Do you know him or the woman?"

"I know the woman quite well," was my reply, and I hoped he would not
question me further.

"They've got him in jail, I believe. The fellow and his sister tried
to make out that a tramp had taken the money, but I understand no one
would listen to the story."

"No?"

"No. It seems this Strong boy's father is in jail now for stealing, so
it ain't strange the boy's a thief."

"But maybe he isn't guilty," I put in, by way of a mild protest.

"Maybe. Of course it's rather tough on him if he isn't. But you can't
tell nowadays; boys is so all-fired high toned, and want to play big
fiddle."

"Some boys are, but not all of them."

"Some of them. Now there's our landlord, who is in the house now, he's
got a son as extravagant as can be, and if it wasn't for Mr. Woodward
keeping him in funds I don't know what that boy might not do. He--whoa,
there, Billy, whoa!"

The last remark was addressed to a horse standing in one of the
stalls. A clap of thunder had set the animal to prancing.

"Your horse feels rather uneasy," I remarked, glad of a chance to
change the subject.

"Allers acts that way when there's a storm going on. Too bad, too, for
I want to hitch him up and take Mr. Woodward and another man that's
with him over to Darbyville."

As Mr. Decker spoke he led the horse from the stall and backed him up
between the shafts of the carriage that stood near the rear of the
barn.

While he was hitching up I set myself to thinking. While I was
perfectly willing that Mr. Woodward should return to Darbyville, I did
not wish to allow John Stumpy out of my sight. Once away, and I might
not be able to lay hands on him.

Had I been sure that Kate had succeeded in finding the lost statement,
I would not have cared, but the chances in her favor were slim, and I
did not wish to run any risks.

"Are you going to drive around to the house for them?" I asked as the
farmer finished the job.

"Guess I'll have to. It will be a beastly drive. Sorry I can't offer
you a seat--it would be better than walking."

"I think I'll wait till it clears off," I returned. "I'm not on
business, and--"

"Say, Decker, how long is it going to take you to hitch up?"
interrupted a voice from the doorway, and the next instant Mr.
Woodward strode into the barn, followed by John Stumpy.

I did not have time to conceal myself. I tried to step behind a
partition, but before I could do so the merchant's eye was on me.

"Roger Strong!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, sir," I replied, as boldly as I could.

"How did you get here?" he demanded.

"Walked, just as you did."

"Thought you were in jail."

"So do most people."

"Who is this chap?" asked the farmer, staring at me with open eyes.

"It's the boy who was arrested for that robbery last night," explained
the merchant.

"Shoo--you don't say? And I was talking to him about that very thing.
You rascal, you!"

"How did you get out?" put in John Stumpy.

"None of your business," I replied briskly. "If you'd had your way I'd
been burnt up in the tool house last night."

"No such thing," was the tramp's reply. "Never saw you before."

"You're the fellow who stole the Widow Canby's money."

"You must be crazy, young fellow. I don't know anything about the
Widow Canby or her money."

"I can prove it. My sister can prove it, too."

"Then your sister must be as crazy as yourself."

"Stop there! You're the thief and you know it."

"I know nothing of the kind."

"Your story is nonsensical, Strong," broke in Mr. Woodward. "Gentlemen
like Mr. Stumpy here do not break into people's houses and commit
robberies."

"Gentlemen! He's nothing but a tramp, and you know it."

"Tramp? How dare you?" cried Stumpy, in suddenly assumed dignity, put
on for the farmer's benefit. "I am a ranchero from Texas and an honest
man. I am visiting Mr. Woodward, and know nothing more of the robbery
excepting having heard that it occurred--ahem!" And John Stumpy drew
himself up.

Under other circumstances I would have laughed at his effrontery. But
the situation was too serious to indulge in any humor.

"Being placed under arrest has turned your head, Strong," said the
merchant. "You seem to be quite out of your mind."

"When was the robbery committed?" put in John Stumpy, suddenly.

"You know well enough," I cried.

"I heard it was about two o'clock in the morning," vouchsafed Farmer
Decker.

"Then I can easily prove an alibi," said the tramp, triumphantly. "I
can prove I was with my esteemed friend Mr. Woodward at that hour.
Isn't it so, Aaron?"

The merchant hesitated. I fairly held my breath to catch his answer.
Would he commit deliberate perjury?

"Quite true," he replied slowly. "Mr. Stumpy was with me last night.
We sat up in the library, smoking, and playing cards until after
midnight, and then I showed him to bed. He could not possibly have
committed the crime of which Strong speaks."

"Then the boy must be the guilty one hisself," said the farmer. "And
so young, too. Who would a-thought it! What shall we do with him, Mr.
Woodward?"

"You had better help me take him back to Darbyville jail," responded
the merchant.




CHAPTER XVI

MY UNCLE ENOS


John Stumpy gave a smile of triumph. As for myself, I stood aghast.
Mr. Aaron Woodward had committed deliberate perjury, or at least,
something that amounted to the same thing. He had positively declared
that John Stumpy was at his house at the time of the robbery of Widow
Canby's house, and could not, therefore, be the guilty party.

It was easy to guess that in this statement it was his intention to
screen his partner in iniquity. To be sure, he had been forced to take
the position by Stumpy himself, but once having taken it, I was
morally certain he would not back down.

His action would make it harder than ever for me to clear myself and
bring the tramp to justice. His word in a court of law would carry
more weight than mine or my sister's, and consequently our case would
fall to the ground.

I was glad that Dick Blair could testify concerning my whereabouts and
the scene in the dining room directly after the robbery. The merchant
knew nothing of Blair's presence on the occasion--at least I imagined
so from his conversation--and might, by saying too much, "put his
foot in it."

But now my mind was filled with only one thought. The three men
intended to take me to the Darbyville jail. I was to be ignominiously
dragged back to the prison from which I had escaped.

Once again in Ezekiel Booth's custody I was certain he would keep so
strict a guard over me that further breaking away would be out of the
question. Perhaps Judge Penfold would consider me so dangerous a
prisoner as to send me to the county jail for safe keeping, in which
case it would be harder than ever for me to clear myself or see Kate.

For an instant I meditated taking to my legs and running my chances,
but this idea was knocked in the head by Farmer Decker grasping me by
the collar.

"Maybe he might take a notion and run away," he explained. "He did it
once, you say."

"A good idea to hold him," said Mr. Woodward. "Have you finished
hitching up?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you room for him?"

"I might put in another seat."

"Do so. And hurry; the rain has slackened up a bit, and we may reach
Darbyville before it starts again."

The extra seat was soon placed in the carriage. Then the farmer
procured a couple of rubber blankets.

"All ready now," he said. "How shall we sit?"

"You and Mr. Stumpy sit in front. I and the boy will occupy the back
seat. Come, Strong, get in."

For an instant I thought of refusing. The merchant had no right to
order me. But then I reflected that a refusal would do no good, and
might do harm, so without a word I entered the carriage.

The others were not slow to follow. Then Farmer Decker chirruped to
Billy, and we rolled out of the farm yard and down the road.

But little was said on the way. I was busy with my own thoughts, and
so were Mr. Woodward and Stumpy. The farmer asked several questions,
but the merchant said he would learn all he wished to know at the
judge's office, and this quieted him.

About five o'clock in the afternoon we rolled into Darbyville. While
crossing the Pass River the sun had burst through the clouds, and now
all was as bright and fresh as ever.

Judge Penfold's office was situated in the centre of the principal
business block. When we arrived there we found a number of men
standing about the door, no doubt discussing my escape, for they
uttered many exclamations of surprise on seeing me.

Chief among them was Parsons, who looked pale and worried.

"Roger Strong!" he exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

"Took a walk for my health," I replied as lightly as I could, though
my heart was heavy.

"Well, I guess we'll make sure it shan't happen again," he returned.
"Hi, there, Booth! Here's your prisoner come back!"

In a moment the carpenter appeared upon the scene.

"You rascal, you!" he cried in angry tones. "A fine peck of trouble
you've got yourself into!"

"What's all this about?" asked a heavy voice from the stairs, and
Judge Penfold stood before me.

"I have brought your prisoner back, judge," replied Mr. Woodward.

"So I see. Well, Strong, what have you to say for yourself? Do you
know breaking jail is a serious offence?"

"I don't know anything about it. I know I was locked up for nothing at
all, and I escaped at the first chance offered."

"There was no chance offered at all, judge," broke in Booth, fearful
of having a reflection cast upon his character. "He just went and
ripped the hull floor up, that's what he did."

"Silence, Booth! Come upstairs and we will hear the particulars."

In a moment we were in Judge Penfold's office. I was told to take a
seat on a bench, with Booth on one side of me and Parsons on the
other.

Then Mr. Woodward introduced John Stumpy as a friend from San Antonio,
Texas, and the two told their story, corroborated at its end by Farmer
Decker, who trembled from head to foot at the idea of addressing as
high a dignitary as Judge Penfold.

"What have you to say to this, Strong?" I was asked.

In a plain, straightforward way I told my story from beginning to end,
told it in a manner that did not fail to impress nearly every one in
the court-room but the judge and my accusers.

Of course Mr. Woodward and John Stumpy stoutly denied all I said, and
their denial carried the day.

"Until we can have a real trial I will send you back to jail," said
Judge Penfold.

"Why don't you send John Stumpy to jail, too?" I asked. "He is as much
accused as I."

"We have only your word for that."

"Then let me send for my sister Kate and Dick Blair."

Judge Penfold rubbed his chin reflectively.

"I think I'll have to put you under bonds," he said to John Stumpy.

"Why so? The boy's word doesn't amount to anything," put in Mr.
Woodward.

"Only a matter of form, Mr. Woodward. I will make it a thousand
dollars. Will you go his bondsman?"

"Of course he will," said John Stumpy, hastily. "Won't you?"

The merchant winced. "I--I guess so," he stammered. "But it's a
strange proceeding."

In a few moments, by the aid of two other men, the bond was made out.

"I will make your bail a thousand dollars also," said Judge Penfold,
turning to me. "I suppose it's quite useless though," he added
sarcastically.

"Not quite so useless as you might think," exclaimed a hearty voice
from the rear of the court-room.

I thought I recognized the tones, and turned hastily. There beside my
sister Kate stood my uncle, Enos Moss, of whom I have already spoken.

He was a grizzly bearded sea-captain of seventy, with manner and
speech suggestive of the brine.

Breaking from Parsons and Booth, I ran to meet him. He shook both my
hands and then clapped me on the shoulder.

"Cast up on a lee shore, are you, Roger?" he exclaimed. "And the wind
a-blowing a hurricane."

"Yes, I am," I replied, "and I'm mighty glad you've come, Uncle Enos."

"Just dropped anchor in time," he went on. "Judge Penfold, do you
remember me?"

"You are Carson Strong's brother-in-law, I believe?" replied the
judge.

"You've hit it. Captain Enos Moss, part owner and sailing master of
the Hattie Baker, as trim a craft as ever rounded the Horn. Been away
for three years, and now on shore to stay."

"You're not going on any more voyages?" I queried.

"No, my hearty. I've made enough to keep me, and I'm getting too old
to walk the quarter-deck. Besides, I've heard of your father's
troubles from Kate, and I reckon they need sounding."

"Indeed they do."

"Well, now about your difficulty. A thousand-dollar bond, eh. It's
pretty stiff, but I guess I can stand it."

"Thank you, sir," was all I could say.

"Don't say a word. Didn't your father put in a good word for me when I
was a-courting your aunt that's dead and gone--God bless her! Indeed,
he did! And I'll stand by you, Roger, no matter how hard the gale
blows."

"Then you don't think I'm guilty?"

"What! a lad with your bearing a thief? Not much. The people in this
village must be asleep--not to know better'n that?"

"Ahem!" coughed Judge Penfold, sternly. He considered my uncle's
remarks decidedly impertinent. "Are you able to go his bail?" he
asked.

"Reckon I am. I've just deposited ten thousand dollars in the bank
here, and I've got twenty and more in New York. How will you have
it--in cash?"

"A conditional check, certified, will do," replied Judge Penfold,
shortly.

What he meant had to be explained, and then we all went to the
banker's office. My uncle's account was found to be as he had stated,
and about ten minutes later my bond was signed and I was at liberty to
go where I pleased until called upon to appear.

Mr. Aaron Woodward and John Stumpy apparently did not relish the turn
affairs had taken. But I paid no attention to them, and the business
over, I hurried off with my sister and my newly arrived uncle.

"Did you find the statement?" I asked of Kate, as soon as we were out
of hearing of the crowd.

"No, Roger, I looked and looked, but it wasn't anywhere, either at the
tool house or on the way to Judge Penfold's."

"Have you heard from Mrs. Canby yet?"

"Yes, she is coming home."

"Does she blame me for what has happened?"

"She doesn't say."

"Never mind, Roger. We'll stick up for you," put in Uncle Enos,
kindly.

I was considerably disturbed. What if Mrs. Canby should consider me at
fault?

As we drew near to the cottage, I saw a lady standing by the gate,
watching our approach. It was the Widow Canby.




CHAPTER XVII

A SUDDEN RESOLVE


My heart beat rapidly as I walked up to the gate. How would the good
lady who had done so much for Kate and myself receive me?

An unkind word or an unfavorable insinuation from her would have hurt
me worse than a thousand from any one else. She had been so generous
that to have her turn would have made me feel as if I had lost my last
friend on earth.

But as she had taken me in before when others had cast me out, so she
now proved the friend in need.

"So they've thought better of it and set you free, Roger?" she said as
I hurried up.

"Yes, Mrs. Canby," I returned. "I hope--I hope--" I began, and then
came to a full stop.

"What?" and she caught my hand.

"I hope you don't think I had anything to do with the robbery," I
stammered.

"No, Roger, I don't. I think you're an honest boy, and I've got to
have more proof against you than I've heard yet before I'll believe
otherwise."

"Thank you, ma'am, oh, thank you!" I blurted out, and the tears
started to my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

The events of which I am writing occurred several years ago, but I am
not ashamed of those tears. They were the outcome of long-pent-up
feelings, and I could not hold them back. My sister cried, too, and
the Widow Canby and Uncle Enos looked very much as if they wished to
join in.

"I knew you wouldn't think Roger did it," cried Kate. "I said all
along you wouldn't, though everybody said you would."

"Folks don't appear to know me very well," returned Widow Canby, with
a bit of grim humor in her tone. "I don't always think as others do.
Come into the house and give me full particulars. Who is this man?
Why, really! Captain Moss, I believe?"

"Yes, ma'am, Captain Moss--Roger's uncle, at your service," replied
he, taking off his cap and bowing low. "I thought you'd remember me.
Your husband as was once sailed to Boston with me."

"Oh, yes, I remember you. Will you come in?"

"Thank you, reckon I will. I have no home now, and hotels is scarce in
Darbyville. I only arrived this noon, and I've been with Kate ever
since. I must hunt up a boarding-house to stay at. Do you know of any
close at hand?"

"Perhaps I do. Let us talk of that later on. I want to hear Roger's
story first."

"Just as you say, ma'am. Only I must get a place to stop at to-night."

"You shall be provided for, Captain Moss. I have a spare room."

"You are very kind to an old sea-dog like myself, Mrs. Canby," said
Uncle Enos.

The widow led the way into the dining room. The lamp was already
lighted, and while my sister Kate busied herself with preparing
supper, Mrs. Canby and my uncle sat down to listen to my story.

For the first time I told it with all the details that concerned
myself,--how I had been waylaid by the Models, how Dick Blair had
released me, what Stumpy had done at the tool house, and all, not
forgetting about the statement Kate and I wished so much to find.

The Widow Canby and my uncle listened with close attention until I had
finished.

"It's a strange story, Roger," said the widow, at its conclusion. "One
hard to believe. But I know you tell the truth."

"What a rascal this Woodward must be!" broke in my uncle "He's a far
greater villain in his way than this John Stumpy. I am strongly
inclined to figure that you're right, and he is the one that ran your
father up on a lee shore."

"I don't think father did a single thing that was wrong--that is,
knowingly," I returned. "If he did do wrong, I'm sure Mr. Woodward
made it appear as if it was all right."

"No doubt, no doubt. If you could only get to the bottom of this
Weaver's statement."

"And when is this trial to come off?" put in Mrs. Canby. "Really I
don't see what good it will do me if this man has lost the money."

"I'd like to find that, too," I returned.

Presently Kate announced that supper was ready, and we all sat down.
The widow said that she had found her sister much better, and on
receiving Kate's letter had started for her home at once. The loss of
the money did not disturb her as much as I had anticipated, and as
every one was hungry, the meal passed off tolerably well.

When we had nearly finished there was a knock on the door, and Kate
admitted Mr. Woodward's errand boy. He had a note for me. It contained
but a single sentence:--

"Please call at my house this evening about nine o'clock."

I read the note over with interest, and then informed the others of
what it contained.

"Shall you go?" asked Kate, anxiously.

"I suppose I might."

"Maybe it's a plot," suggested the widow.

"Might waylay you," added Uncle Enos. "A man like him is liable to do
'most anything."

"I don't think he would dare do me any bodily injury," I replied. "He
would know I had told some one where I was going, and that my absence
would be noticed."

"If you go, take me in tow," said my uncle. "I needn't go in with you,
but I can hang around outside, and if anything goes wrong, all you've
got to do is to holler like all creation, and I'll come to the
rescue."

"Oh, if Roger runs any risk, I'd rather he wouldn't go," exclaimed
Kate, in alarm.

"I don't think the risk is very great," I returned. "Besides, I may
find the missing statement. That is worth trying for."

"I shall be in dread until you return," she replied, with a grave
shake of her head.

"When will you start?" asked Uncle Enos.

"About half past eight. It won't take over half an hour to reach his
house."

We continued to discuss Mr. Woodward for some time, and also the
action of the Models and what I should do on their score. My Uncle
Enos was for prosecuting them, but the Widow Canby said that the
future would bring its own punishment, and on this we rested.

"And now about my board," began Uncle Enos, during a dull in the
conversation. "I must find a boarding-house for after to-night."

"Wouldn't you like to stay with the children?" asked Mrs. Canby.

"Yes, ma'am; indeed I would. To tell the truth, it's my intention
sooner or later to offer them a home with me."

"I should hate to have them leave me," returned the widow, quickly.

"I suppose so."

"How would you like to board with me? As I have said, there is lots of
room, and you have just eaten a sample meal. We do not live in
style--but--"

"Plenty good enough style," interrupted Captain Enos, "and better grub
then we had on the Hattie Baker, I'll be bound. I'd like it first rate
here if the terms wasn't too high."

"What do you think fair?"

"I'm sure I don't know, ma'am. I haven't paid a week's board in three
years."

"Would five dollars a week be too much?"

"No, ma'am. Are you sure it's enough? I don't want to crowd your
hospitality."

"I'd be satisfied with five dollars. Of course boarders are out of my
line, but there are exceptions to all cases. Besides, I'll feel safer
with another man about the house. No reflection on you, Roger, but you
won't always be here together."

"No, ma'am," replied my uncle. "I must visit my brother-in-law at the
prison--that will take several days."

"Will you take me with you?" asked Kate, eagerly.

"Certainly, and you, too, Roger, if you want to go."

"I would like to very much," was my reply. "But I want to ask even a
bigger favor than that, Uncle Enos."

"Yes?"

"Yes, sir. You may think it a good deal, but you've been so kind, and
I haven't any one else to go to."

"Well, what is it, my boy? I'll do it if I can."

"Lend me about fifty dollars."

My Uncle Enos raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Fifty dollars?" he repeated.

"Yes, sir. That is, if you can spare it. I'll promise to pay it back
some day."

"And what do you intend to do with it?"

"I want to go to Chicago, sir."

"To Chicago?"

All three of my listeners repeated the words in chorus; then Captain
Enos continued:--

"And what are you going to do there?"

"I want to hunt up this Holtzmann, and find out what he knows about my
father's affairs. I'm satisfied that he is as deep in it as Mr.
Woodward or John Stumpy, and if I can only by some means get him to
tell what he knows, I may accomplish a good deal."

My Uncle Enos put his hand upon my shoulder; "Well, Roger, you're a
brave boy, and I'll trust you. You shall have fifty dollars, and a
hundred, if you want it, to do as you think best. Only don't get into
trouble."

"Thank you Uncle Enos, thank you!" I cried heartily. "Some day I'll
pay you back."

"I don't want it back, my lad. If you can catch any proofs that will
help clear your father, I shall be more than satisfied."

"And when shall you go?" asked Kate.

"I don't know. It will depend on my interview with Mr. Woodward and
also on what John Stumpy does. Not inside of several days, at least.
Besides, we want to see father first, you know."

"Of course."

"We can go to Trenton tomorrow," said Uncle Enos. At Trenton was
located the State prison. After consulting a time table printed in the
Darbyville Record, we found we could catch a train for that city at
8.25 from Newville the next morning, and this we decided to take.

Having settled this matter, we returned again to the discussion of the
incidents surrounding the robbery, and what would probably be the next
movements of those fighting against me. Uncle Enos grew greatly
interested, and said he knew a lawyer in New York who might secure
some good private detective who could take the case in hand.

Finally it came half past eight, and putting on my hat, I started for
Mr. Woodward's residence.




CHAPTER XVIII

IN MR. WOODWARD'S LIBRARY


Though outwardly calm, I was considerably agitated as I walked to
Darbyville. Why the merchant had sent for me I could not surmise. Of
course it was on account of the robbery, but so far as I knew both of
us had taken a separate stand, and neither would turn back. I thought
it barely possible that he wished to intimidate me into receding from
my position. He was as much of a bully in his way as Duncan, and would
not hesitate to use every means in his power to bring me to terms.

Arriving at Mr. Woodward's house, I ascended the steps and rang the
bell.

"Is Mr. Woodward in?" I asked of the girl who answered the summons.

"I'll see, sir," she replied. "Who shall I say it is?"

"Roger Strong."

The girl left me standing in the hall. While waiting for her return I
could not help but remember the old lines:--

  "'Will you walk into my parlor?'
     Said the spider to the fly."

But if I was walking into the spider's parlor, it would be my own
fault if I got hurt, for I was entering with my eyes open. I
determined to be on my guard, and take nothing for granted.

"Mr. Woodward will be pleased to see you in his library," said the
girl upon her return, and then, having indicated the door, she
vanished down the back hall.

As I put my hand upon the door-knob, I heard steps upon the stairs,
and looking up saw Duncan Woodward descending.

His face was still swollen from the punishment I had inflicted upon
him. Nevertheless, he was faultlessly dressed in full evening costume,
and I rightly conjectured he was going to spend the night in some
fashionable dissipation such as dancing or card-playing.

"Hello! how did you get in here?" he exclaimed.

"Was let in," was my mild reply, not caring to pick a quarrel with
him.

"Was, eh? And what for, I'd like to know?"

"That's your father's business, Duncan."

"Don't Duncan me any more, Roger Strong. What's my father's business?"

"What I came for. He sent for me."

"Oh, he did. Reckon he's going to square accounts with you."

"I don't know what accounts he's going to square," I went on in
curiosity.

"Didn't you as much as try to intimate he was lying--down in Judge
Penfold's court this afternoon?"

"I only told what I knew to be the truth," I replied calmly.

"The truth. Humph! I believe you took the widow's money yourself."

"Take care what you're saying," I replied angrily. "I don't propose to
stand any such talk from you."

Duncan grew speechless. "Why, you--you--" he began.

"Hold up now before you say something that you'll be sorry for. This
is your house, but you have no right to insult me in it."

"Quite right, Strong, quite right." The library door had opened, and
Mr. Woodward stood upon the threshold, gazing sharply at his son.
"Strong is here upon my invitation, Duncan; you ought to treat him
with more politeness," he added.

If Duncan was amazed at this speech, so was I. The merchant taking my
part? What did it mean?

"Why, I--I--" began Duncan, but he could really get no further.

"No explanation is necessary," interrupted his father, coolly.

"Strong, please step in, will you?"

"Yes, sir," and I suited the action to the word.

As I did so Duncan passed on to the front door.

"I'll get even with you yet, you cad!" he muttered under his breath;
but I paid no attention to his words. I had "bigger fish to fry."

Once inside of Mr. Woodward's library, the merchant closed the door
behind me and then invited me to take a seat beside his desk, at the
same time throwing himself back in his easy chair.

"I suppose you thought it rather singular that I should send for you,"
he said by way of an opening.

"Yes, sir, I did," was all I could reply.

"I thought as much. It was only an impulse of mine, sir, only an
impulse. I wished to see if we cannot arrange this--this little
difficulty without publicity. I would rather lose a good deal, yes,
sir, a good deal, than have my name dragged into court."

"All I ask is for justice," I replied calmly. "I am under arrest for a
crime of which I am innocent. On the other hand, you are trying to
shield a man I know is guilty."

I expected a storm of indignation from Mr. Woodward because of the
last remark. Yet he showed no sign of resentment.

"Don't you think you might be mistaken in your identification of Mr.
Stumpy?" he replied, and I noticed that again he nearly stumbled in
pronouncing the tramp's name.

"No, sir," I replied promptly.

"Remember that you saw him only by lantern light, and then but for a
few minutes."

"I saw him by daylight as well."

"When?"

"In the morning. He came as a beggar."

"A beggar? Impossible!" The merchant held, up his hands in assumed
amazement. "Why, Strong, the idea of Mr. Stumpy begging is
ridiculous."

"Just the same it is true, Mr. Woodward. And what is more, he is the
thief, and you know it."

"That's a strong assertion to make, sir, a very strong assertion."

"Nevertheless, I believe I can prove my words."

Mr. Woodward turned slightly pale.

"You can prove no such thing," he cried.

"Yes, I can. Didn't Stumpy admit he had taken the money?"

"Never, sir."

"He did."

"When?"

"This afternoon while you were at Decker's place."

Had I slapped the merchant in the face he would not have been more
surprised. He sprang to his feet and glared at me.

"You--you--Who says he made such an admission?"

"I say so."

"Ah! I see, you were spying on us. You rascal!"

"It strikes me that you are the rascal," I returned. "You try
deliberately to shield a thief."

"What!"

"Yes, it's true."

"Can you prove it?"

Mr. Woodward asked the question sneeringly, but there was much of
curiosity in his tones.

"Perhaps I can."

The merchant pulled his mustache nervously.

"Strong, you are greatly mistaken. But don't let us quarrel any more."

"I don't want to quarrel."

"I feel badly over the whole affair, and Mr. Stumpy is fairly sick. I
suppose you think you are right, but you are mistaken. Now I have a
proposition to make to you." Mr. Woodward leaned forward in his chair.
"Suppose you admit that you are mistaken--that Mr. Stumpy is not the
man? Do this, and I will not prosecute you for having taken my
papers."

I was surprised and indignant; surprised that Mr. Woodward should
still insist upon my having taken his papers, and indignant because of
his outrageous offer.

"Mr. Woodward," I began firmly, "you can prosecute me or not; Stumpy
is the guilty man, and I shall always stick to it."

"Then you will go to jail, too."

"For the last time let me say I have not seen your papers."

"It is false. You took them from this room last night. At the very
time you pretend you were after the robber at Mrs. Canby's house you
were here ransacking my desk."

"Mr. Woodward--"

"There is no use in denying it. I have abundant proofs. The girl who
cleaned up here this morning found a handkerchief with your name on it
lying on the floor. If you weren't here, how did that come here?"

"My handkerchief?"

"Yes, sir, your handkerchief; and Mary O'Brien can identify it and
tell where she found it."

"Some one else must have had it," I stammered, and then suddenly: "I
know who the party is--Duncan."

"Duncan!"

"Yes, sir. He took that handkerchief away from me when the Models
waylaid me!"

"My son! Really, Strong, you are mad! But I will take you in hand,
sir; yes, indeed, I will."

"No, you won't, Aaron Woodward!" I cried, for once letting my temper
get the better of me. "You are awfully cunning, but I am not afraid of
you. I am willing to have all these matters sifted to the bottom, and
the sooner the better. What papers have you missed? Were they the ones
that Holtzmann of Chicago is after? How is it that my father is in
prison while you live in style on money you never earned? Who is the
relative that left it to you? Did you ever make a clear statement
concerning the transactions that took away my father's honest name?"

"Stop! Stop!"

"I will not stop! You want an investigation; so do I. Luckily my
uncle, Captain Enos Moss, has just returned from a voyage. He has
quite some money, and I know he will use it to bring the guilty
parties to justice. And then--"

I did not finish. Mr. Woodward had strode over to the door and locked
it, putting the key in his pocket.

"You know too much, Strong," he muttered between his set teeth, as he
caught me by the collar; "too much entirely. We must come to a
settlement before you leave this room."




CHAPTER XIX

A CLEVER RUSE


I must confess I was frightened when Mr. Woodward locked the door of
his library and caught me by the collar. Was it possible that he
contemplated doing me physical harm? It looked that way.

I was not accustomed to such rough treatment, and I resented it
instantly. I was not very large for my age, but I was strong, and
ducking my head I wrenched myself free from his grasp and sprang to
the other side of the small table that stood in the centre of the
room.

"What do you mean by treating me in this manner!" I cried. "Unlock
that door at once!"

"Not much, sir," replied Mr. Woodward, vehemently. "You've made some
remarkable statements, young man, and I demand a clear explanation
before you leave."

"Well, you demand too much, Aaron Woodward," I replied firmly. "Unlock
that door."

"Not just yet. I want to know what you know of Holtzmann of Chicago?"

"You won't learn by treating me in this manner," was my determined
reply. "Unlock that door, or, take my word for it, I'll arouse the
whole neighborhood."

"You'll do nothing of the kind, young man," he rejoined.

"I will."

"Make the least disturbance and you shall pay dearly for it.
Understand, sir, I'm not to be trifled with."

"And I'm not to be frightened into submission," I returned with
spirit. "I have a right to leave when I please and I shall do so."

"Not till I am ready," said he, coolly.

I was nonplussed and alarmed--nonplussed over the question of how to
get away, and alarmed at the thought of what might happen if I was
compelled to remain.

I began to understand Mr. Aaron Woodward's true character. Like
Duncan, he was not only a bully, but also a brute. Words having
failed, he was now evidently going to see what physical force could
accomplish.

"Forewarned is forearmed" is an old saying, and now I applied it to
myself. In other words, I prepared for an encounter. On the centre
table lay a photograph album. It was thick and heavy and capable of
proving quite a formidable article of defence. I picked it up, and
stepping behind a large easy chair, stood on my guard.

Seeing the action, the merchant paused.

"What are going to do with that?" he asked.

"You'll see if you keep on," I replied. "I don't intend to stand this
much longer. You had better open the door."

"You think you're a brainy boy, Strong," he sneered.

"I've got too much brain to let you ride over me."

"You think you have a case against me and Mr. Stumpy, and you intend
to drag it into court and make a great fuss over it," he went on.

"I'm going to get back my father's honest name."

"What you mean is that you intend to drag my name in the mire," he
stormed.

"You can have it so, if you please."

"I shall not allow it. You, a young upstart!"

"Take care, Mr. Woodward!"

"Do you think I will submit to it?" He glared at me and threw a hasty
glance around the room. "Not much!"

Suddenly he stepped to the windows and pulled down the shades. Then he
took out his watch and looked at the time. I wondered what he was up
to now. I was not long in finding out.

"Listen to me," he said in a low, intense tone, "We are alone in this
house--you and I--and will be for half an hour or more. You are in
my power. What will you do? Give up all the papers you possess and
promise to keep silent about what you know or take the consequences."

It would be telling an untruth to say I was not thoroughly startled by
the merchant's sudden change of manner. He was about to assault me,
that was plain to see, and he wished me to understand that no one was
near either to assist me or to bear witness against his dark doings.

I must fight my own battles, not only in a war of words, but also in a
war of blows. I was not afraid after the first shock was over. My
cause was a just one, and I would stand by it, no matter what the
consequences might be.

"I don't fear you, Aaron Woodward," I replied, as steadily as I could.
"I am in the right and shall stick up for it, no matter what comes."

"You defy me?" he cried in a rage.

"Yes, I do."

I had hardly uttered the words before he caught up a heavy cane
standing beside his desk and made for me. There was a wicked
determination in his eyes, and I could see that all the evil passions
within him were aroused.

"We'll see who is master here," he went on.

"Stand back!" I cried. "Don't come a step nearer! If you do, you'll be
sorry for it!"

He paid no attention to my warning, but kept on advancing, raising the
cane over his head as he did so.

When he was within three feet of me he aimed a blow at my head. Had he
hit me, I am certain he would have cracked my skull open.

But I was too quick for him, I dodged, and the cane struck the back of
the chair.

Before he could recover from his onslaught I hurled the album at him
with all force. It struck him full in the face, and must have loosened
several of his teeth, for he put his hand up to his mouth as he reeled
over backward.

I was not astonished. I had accomplished just what I had set out to
do. My one thought now was to make my escape. How was it to be done?

The key to the door was in the merchant's pocket, and this I could,
not obtain. The windows were closed, and the blinds drawn down.

I had but an instant to think. Spluttering to himself, my assailant
was endeavoring to rise to his feet.

A hasty glance around the room revealed a door partly hidden by a
curtain next the mantelpiece. Where it led to I did not know, but
concluding that any place would be better than to remain in the
library, I tried the door, found it open, and slipped out.

"Stop, stop!" roared Mr. Woodward. "Stop, this instant!"

But I did not stop. I found myself in the dining room, and at once put
the long table between us.

"Don't you come any nearer," I called out sharply. "If you do, it may
be at the cost of your life."

As I spoke I picked up a fancy silver knife that lay on the table. It
had a rough resemblance to a pocket pistol, and gave me the idea of
palming it off as such.

"Would you shoot me?" cried the merchant, in sudden terror, as he saw
what he supposed was the barrel of a revolver pointed at his head.

"Why shouldn't I?" was the reply. "You have no right to detain me."

"I don't want to detain you. I only want to come to a settlement," he
returned lamely.

"And I want nothing more to do with you. I'll give you one minute to
show me the way to the front door."

"Yes, but, Strong--"

"No more talk, if you please. Do you intend to show me the way out, or
shall I fire?"

Then Mr. Aaron Woodward showed what a coward he really was. He gave a
cry of horror and sank completely out of sight.

"Don't shoot, Strong. I pray you, take care. I'll show you the way
out, indeed I will!"

"Well, hurry about it. I don't intend to stand any more nonsense."

"Here, this way. Please stop pointing that pistol at me; it might go
off, you know."

"Then the sooner you show me the way out, the better for you," I
returned coolly, inwardly amused at his sudden change of manner

"This way, then. I--I trust you will keep this--this little meeting
of ours a secret."

"Why should I?"

"Because it--it would do no good to have it made public."

"I'll see about it," was my reply.

By this time we had reached the front door, and with unwilling hands
the merchant opened it.

"Now stand aside and let me pass," I commanded.

"I will. But, Strong--"

"No more words are needed," I returned. "I have had enough of you, Mr.
Aaron Woodward. The next time you hear from me it will be in quite a
different shape."

"What do you mean?" he cried, in sudden alarm.

"You will find out soon enough. In the meantime let me return your
fancy knife. I have no further use for it."

I tossed the article over. He looked at it and then at me. Clearly he
was mad enough to "chew me up." Bidding him a mocking good night, I
ran down the steps and hurried away.




CHAPTER XX

AT THE PRISON


Mr. Woodward's actions had aroused me as I had never been aroused
before. My eyes were wide open at last. I realized that if I ever
expected to gain our family rights I must fight for them--and fight
unflinchingly to the bitter end.

It was nearly ten o'clock when I reached the Widow Canby's house. I
met my Uncle Enos on the porch. He had grown impatient, and was about
to start for Darbyville in search of me.

In the dining room I told my story. All laughed heartily at the ruse I
had played upon the merchant, but were indignant at the treatment I
had received.

"Wish I'd been with you," remarked my uncle, with a vigorous shake of
his head. "I'd a-smashed in his figurehead, keelhaul me if I
wouldn't!"

"What do you intend to do now?" asked Kate.

"Let's see; to-day is Friday. If you will take us to Trenton
to-morrow, Uncle Enos, I'll start for Chicago on Monday."

"Don't you think you had better have this Woodward arrested first?"
asked Captain Enos.

"No; I would rather let him think that for the present I had dropped
the whole matter. It may throw him off his guard and enable me to pick
up more clews against him."

"That's an idea. Roger, you've got a level head on your shoulders, and
we can't do any better than follow your advice," returned my uncle.

I did but little sleeping that night. For a long time I lay awake
thinking over my future actions. Then when I did fall into a doze my
rest was broken by dreams of the fire at the tool house and Mr.
Woodward's attack.

I was up at five o'clock in the morning, attending to the regular
chores. I did not know who would do them during my absence, and as
soon as the widow appeared I spoke to her on the subject.

"Your uncle mentioned the matter last night," said Mrs. Canby. "He
said he would do all that was required until you came back. He doesn't
want to remain idle all day, and thought the work would just suit
him."

This was kind of Uncle Enos, and I told him so when an hour later he
appeared, dressed in his best, his trunk having arrived the evening
before.

"Yes, Roger, I'd rather do it than sit twirling my thumbs, a-waiting
for you to come back," said he. "I used to do such work years ago,
before I shipped on the Anna Siegel, and to do it again will make me
feel like a boy once more. But come; let's go to mess and then hoist
anchor and away."

A few minutes later we were at breakfast. Then I put on my good
clothes and brought around the horse and carriage, for the Widow Canby
insisted upon driving us down to Newville by way of Darbyville just to
show folks, as she said, that she had not lost confidence in me.

Kate was in a flutter of excitement. She had wished to see my father
every day since he had been taken away. As for myself, I was fully as
impatient. My father was very dear to me, and every time I thought of
him I prayed that God would place it within my power to clear his name
from the stain that now rested upon him.

We reached the station in Newville five minutes before train time. My
uncle procured our tickets and also checked the basket of delicacies
the Widow Canby had prepared.

"Remember me to Mr. Strong," said the widow, as we boarded the train.
"Tell him I don't believe he's guilty, and perhaps other people in
Darbyville won't think so either before long."

A moment later and we were off. Kate and Uncle Enos occupied one seat,
and I sat directly behind them. A ride of an hour followed, and
finally, after crossing a number of other railroads, we rolled into a
brick station, and the conductor sang out:--

"Trenton!"

It was eleven o'clock when we crossed the wooden foot-bridge of the
station and emerged upon the street.

"We'll go to the prison at once," said my uncle. "Perhaps it isn't
'visiting day,' as they call it, but I reckon I can fix it. Sailors on
shore have special privileges," he added with a laugh.

"Which way is it?" asked Kate.

"I don't know. We'll take a carriage and trust to the driver."

He called a coach, and soon we were rolling off.

Finally the coach stopped, and the driver sprang from his box.

"Here you are, sir," he said, as he opened the door.

I looked up at the big stone buildings before us. My father was behind
those walls. I glanced at Kate. The poor girl was in tears.

"You had better stay on board here till I go in and take soundings,"
said Captain Enos. "I won't be gone long."

Jumping to the pavement, he walked up to the big open door and
entered.

"What a dreadful place!" said my sister, as she strained her eyes to
catch sight of some prisoner.

My uncle was gone not over ten minutes, yet the wait seemed an age. He
returned with a brightened face.

"I had hard work to get permission, but we are to have half an hour's
talk with your father under the supervision of a deputy," he
explained.

In another moment we were inside. We walked along a wide corridor and
into an office, and then a short, stout man, Mr. Carr, the deputy,
joined us.

"This way, please," he said, and gave a kindly glance at Kate and
myself. "You will have to leave the basket here. I will see that it
reaches the--the--your father."

He led the way. How my heart beat! Why, I cannot tell.

"I'll go in first," said my Uncle Enos.

We entered a room. In a moment the deputy brought in a man dressed in
striped clothing, and with his hair cut close. It was my father.

My uncle and I rushed forward. But we were too late. With a cry Kate
was in his arms. It was a great moment all around.

"My children! My Katie and my Roger!" was all my father could say, but
the words went straight home.

"I am heartily glad that you are back," he said then to my uncle. "You
will look after them, Enos, until I am free."

"Indeed I will," replied Captain Enos, heartily. "But you must listen
to Roger. He has a long story to tell."

"Then tell it. I am dying to hear news from home." We sat down, and I
told my story. Perhaps the deputy ought not to have allowed me to say
all I did, but he pretended not to hear.

My father listened with keen attention to every word, and as I went
on, his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Roger, my faithful boy, you almost make me hope for freedom," he
cried. "Oh, how I long to be set right before the world!"

"God make it so," put in my uncle, solemnly. "To suffer unjustly is
terrible."

Then I told of my interview with Mr. Woodward in his library and of
Holtzmann.

"Holtzmann was one of the principal witnesses against me," said my
father. "So was Nicholas Weaver, who managed the Brooklyn business for
Holland & Mack. Who John Stumpy can be I do not know. Perhaps I would
if I saw him face to face. There was another man--he was quite bald,
with a red blotch on the front of his hand--who was brought forward
by Woodward to prove that he had nothing to do with the presentation
of the forged checks and notes, but what his name was I have
forgotten."

"This can't be the man, for he has a heavy head of hair," I replied.
"But I am sure Stumpy is not his true name."

"Probably not. Well, Roger, do your best, not only for me but for
Katie's sake and your own."

Then the conversation became general, and all too soon the half hour
was at an end. My father sent his regards to Mrs. Canby, with many
thanks for the basket of delicacies, and then with a kiss for Kate and
a shake of the hand to Uncle Enos and me, we parted.

Little was said on the way back. No one cared to go to a restaurant,
and we took the first train homeward.

It was dark when we reached Newville. The Widow Canby's carriage was
at the depot waiting for us.

"Suppose I get my ticket for Chicago now," said I. "It will save time
Monday, and I can find out all about the train."

"A good idea," returned my uncle. "I'll go with you."

So while Kate joined Mrs. Canby we entered the depot.

The ticket was soon in my possession, and then I asked the ticket
seller a number of questions concerning the route and the time I would
reach my destination.

Suddenly instinct prompted me to turn quickly. I did so and found John
Stumpy at my shoulder.




CHAPTER XXI

A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE


Mr. John Stumpy had evidently been watching my proceedings closely,
for when I turned to him he was quite startled. However, it did not
take him long to recover, and then, bracing up, he hurried away
without a word.

He was now neatly dressed and had had his face shaved. I conjectured
that Mr. Woodward had advised this change in order to more fully carry
out the deception in relation to the tramp's real character.

"There's that Stumpy," I whispered to Captain Enos, as I pointed my
finger at the man. "He has been watching us."

"How do you know?" asked my uncle.

"Because he was just looking over my shoulder," I replied. "Shall I
speak to him? I'd like to know what he intends to do next."

"It won't do any good. It ain't likely he'd tell you anything, and if
he did, it wouldn't be the truth."

"Maybe it might."

"Well, do as you think best, Roger, only don't be too long--the widow
and Kate are waiting, you know."

Pushing through the crowd, I tapped Stumpy on the shoulder. He looked
around in assumed surprise.

"Hullo!" he exclaimed sharply. "What do you want?"

"Nothing much," I returned. "I just saw you were greatly interested in
what I was doing."

"Why, I didn't see you before."

"You were just looking over my shoulder."

"You're mistaken, young man, just as you are in several other things."

"I'm not mistaken in several other things."

"What do you intend to do?" he asked curiously.

"That's my business."

"Where have you been?"

"That is my business also."

"Strong, you're a fool," he whispered. "Do you think you can hurt men
like Mr. Woodward and myself?"

"I can bring you to justice."

"Bah! I suppose you think you can do wonders by going to Chicago."

"How do you know I am going to Chicago?" I questioned quickly.

Stumpy's face fell, as he realized the slip he had made.

"Never mind. But you won't gain anything," he went on. "Better stay
home and save your money."

And to avoid further talk he pushed his way through the crowd and was
lost to sight.

A moment later I joined the others in the carriage. While driving home
I related the conversation recorded above.

"It's too bad he found out you were going to Chicago," said my uncle.
"He may try to stop you."

"I'll keep my eyes open," I replied.

The remainder of the day was spent in active work around the widow's
place. Not only did I labor all the afternoon, but far into the
evening as well, to show that I did not intend to shirk my duty even
though I was going away. Besides, Mrs. Canby had treated me so well
that I was almost willing to work my fingers to the bone to serve her.

The following day was Sunday. Kate and I were in the habit of
attending church and Sunday-school over in Darbyville, but we shrank
from doing so now. But Uncle Enos and I went to church, and despite
the many curious eyes levelled at me, I managed to give attention to
an excellent sermon. I noticed that the Woodward pew was empty, but
then this was of common occurrence and excited no comment.

On Sunday evening my handbag stood in my room packed, ready for my
departure. Dick Blair came over to see me and brought strange and sad
news.

Duncan Woodward and Pultzer, his intimate crony, had gotten into a row
in a pool room down in Newville and were both under arrest. Mr.
Woodward and Mr. Pultzer had gone off to get their sons out of jail.
Dick did not know how the row had started, but had heard that the
young men had been drinking heavily.

I was much shocked at the news, and so were the others. If affairs
kept on like this, Mr. Aaron Woodward would certainly have his hands
full.

I retired early so as to be on hand the next day. Sleep was out of the
question. I had never been a hundred miles away from Darbyville, and
the prospect of leaving filled me with excitement.

I was up long before it was necessary, but found Kate ahead of me.

"You're going to have a good, hot breakfast before you go," she said.
"Sit right down. It's all ready."

Presently, as I was eating, my uncle and Mrs. Canby joined me. They
were full of advice as to what to do and what to avoid, and I listened
to all they had to say attentively.

But all things must come to an end, and at length breakfast was over.
My Uncle Enos and Kate drove me to Newville, and waited till the train
rolled in.

"Good-by, Roger," said Kate. "Please, please, now do keep out of
trouble."

"I will, Kate," I returned, and kissed her. Then I shook hands with my
uncle.

"Keep a clear weather eye and a strong hand at the wheel, Roger, my
boy," he said, "and you'll make port all safe."

"I'll try, Uncle Enos."

A moment more and I was on the cars. Then with an "All aboard" the
conductor gave the signal, and the train moved off.

I passed into the car and took a vacant seat near the centre. I had
hardly sat down before a well-dressed stranger took the seat beside
me.

"Hot day," said he, after he had arranged his bag on the floor beside
my own.

"Yes, it is," I replied, "and dry, too."

"Meanest part of the country I've struck yet," he went on. "Don't have
any such climate as this out West."

"I should think that would depend on where you come from," I returned,
with a short laugh.

"I hail from Chicago. It's hot there, but we get plenty of breeze from
the lakes."

I looked at the man with some attention. He came from the city I
intended to visit, and perhaps he might give me some information.

He was a burly man of middle age, and, as I have said, well dressed,
though a trifle loud. His hair was black, as was also his mustache,
which he continually kept smoothing down with one hand. I did not like
his looks particularly, nor his tone of voice. They reminded me
strongly of some one, but whom I could not remember.

"You come from Chicago," I said. "I am going there."

"Is that so? Then we can travel together. I like to have some one
going along, don't you?"

I felt like saying that that would depend on who the some one was, but
thinking this would hardly be polite, I returned:--

"I don't know. I've never travelled before."

"No? Well, it's fun at first, but you soon get tired of it. My name is
Allen Price; what is yours?"

"Roger Strong."

"Glad to meet you." He extended his hand. "You're rather young to be
travelling alone--that is, going a distance. Do you smoke? We'll go
into the smoker and take it easy. I have some prime cigars."

"Thank you, I don't smoke."

"That's too bad. Nothing like a good cigar to quiet a man's nerves
when he's riding. So you're going to Chicago? On a visit?"

"No, sir; on business."

"Yes? Rather young for business--excuse me for saying so."

"It is a personal business."

"Oh, I see. Going to claim a dead uncle's property or something like
that, I suppose. Ha! ha! well, I wish you luck."

Mr. Allen Price rattled on in this fashion for some time, and at
length I grew interested in the man in spite of myself. I was positive
I had seen him before, but where I could not tell. I asked him if he
had ever been to Darbyville.

"Never heard of the place," he replied. "Only been in Jersey a month,
and that time was spent principally in Jersey City and Camden. I'm in
the pottery business. Our principal office is in Chicago."

"Do you know much about that city?"

"Lived there all my life."

I was on the point of asking him about Holtzmann, but on second
thought decided to remain silent.

On and on sped the train, making but few stops. There was a dining-car
attached but I was travelling on a cheap scale, and made my dinner and
supper from the generous lunch the widow had provided.

Mr. Price went to the dining-car and also the smoker. He returned
about nine o'clock in the evening, just as I was falling into a light
doze.

"Thought I'd get a sleeper," he explained. "But they are all full, so
I'll have to snooze beside you here."

His breath smelt strongly of liquor, but I had no right to object, and
he dropped heavily into the seat.

Presently I went sound asleep. How long I slept I do not know. When I
awoke it was with a sharp, stinging sensation in the head. A pungent
odor filled my nose, the scent coming from a handkerchief some one had
thrown over my face.

With a gasp I pulled the handkerchief aside and sat up. Beside me sat
Mr. Allen Price with my handbag on his lap. He had a number of keys in
his hand and was trying to unlock the bag.




CHAPTER XXII

A TELEGRAM


I was startled and indignant when I discovered Mr. Allen Price with my
handbag, trying to open it. It looked very much as if my
fellow-passenger was endeavoring to rob me.

I had suspected from the start that this man was not "straight." There
was that peculiar something about his manner which I did not like. He
had been altogether too familiar from the first; too willing to make
himself agreeable.

What he expected to find in my bag I could not imagine. If his mission
was robbery pure and simple, why had he not selected some one who
looked richer than myself? There was, I am certain, nothing about me
to make him believe I had anything of great value in the bag.

"What are you doing with my valise?" I demanded as I straightened up.

My sudden question made the man almost jump to his feet. The bag
dropped from his lap to the floor, and the keys in his hand jingled
after it.

"I--I--didn't think you were awake," he stammered.

"You didn't?" I repeated, puzzled as to what to say.

"No--I--I--"

"You were trying to open my bag."

"So I was--but it's all a mistake, I assure you."

"A mistake?"

"Quite a mistake, Strong." He cleared his throat. "The fact is, I'm
suffering so from the toothache that I'm hardly able to judge of what
I'm doing. I thought your bag was my own."

"They are not much alike," I returned bluntly.

"Well, you see mine is a new one, and I'm not used to it yet. I hope
you don't think I was trying to rob you?" he went on, with a look of
reproach.

I was silent. I did think that that was just what he was trying to do,
but I hardly cared to say so.

"It's awful to have such toothaches as I get," he continued, putting
his hand to his cheek. "They come on me unawares, and drive me
frantic. I wanted to get my teeth attended to in Jersey City when I
was there, but I didn't have time."

"What's this on the handkerchief?" I asked.

"Oh, I guess I spilled some of my toothache cure on it," he replied,
after some hesitation. "I used some and then put the bottle back in
the valise. That's how I came to look for the bottle again. I hope
you're not offended. It was all a mistake."

"It's all right if that's the case," I returned coolly.

Holding my valise on my lap, I settled back in the seat again, but not
to sleep. The little adventure had aroused me thoroughly. Mr. Allen
Price sat beside me for a few moments in silence.

"Guess I'll go into the smoker," he said finally, as he rose. "Maybe a
cigar will help me," and taking up his handbag, he walked down the
aisle.

In a dreamy way I meditated over what had occurred. I could not help
but think that the handkerchief I had found spread over my face had
been saturated with chloroform, and that my fellow-passenger had
endeavored to put me in a sound sleep and then rifle my bag. Of course
I might be mistaken, but still I was positive that Mr. Allen Price
would bear watching.

About four o'clock in the morning the train came to a sudden stop. The
jar was so pronounced that it woke nearly all of the passengers.

Thinking that possibly we had arrived at our destination, I raised the
window and peered out.

Instead of being in the heart of a city, however, I soon discovered we
were in a belt of timber land. Huge trees lined the road on both
sides, and ahead I could hear the flowing of a mountain stream.

The train hands were out with their lanterns, and by their movements
it was plain to see that something was up.

I waited in my seat for ten minutes or more, and then as a number of
passengers left the car, I took up my bag and did the same.

A walk to the front of the train soon made known the cause of the
delay. Over a small mountain stream a strong wooden bridge with iron
frame had been built. Near the bridge grew a number of tall trees, and
one of these had been washed loose by the water and overturned in such
a manner that the largest branch blocked the progress of the
locomotive. The strong headlight had revealed the state of affairs to
the engineer, and he had stopped within five feet of the obstruction.
Had he run on, it is impossible to calculate what amount of damage
might have been done.

"Don't see what we are going to do, except to run back to
Smalleyville," said the engineer, who was in consultation with the
conductor.

"Can't we roll the tree out of the way?" asked the latter official.

The engineer shook his head.

"Too heavy. All the men on the train couldn't budge it."

They stood in silence for a moment.

"If you had a rope, you could make the engine haul it," I suggested to
the fireman, who was a young fellow.

"A good idea," he exclaimed, and reported it to his superior.

"First-class plan; but we haven't got the rope," said the engineer.

"Have you got an axe?"

"Yes."

"Then why not chop it off?"

"That's so! Larry, bring the axes."

"It won't do any good," said one of the brakemen who had just come up.
"The bridge has shifted."

An examination proved his assertion to be correct. As soon as this
became known, a danger light was hung at either end of the structure,
and then we started running backward to Smalleyville.

"How long will this delay us?" I asked of the conductor as he came
through, explaining matters.

"I can't tell. Perhaps only a few hours, perhaps more. It depends on
how soon the wrecking gang arrive on the spot. As soon as they get
there, they will go right to work, and it won't take them long to fix
matters up."

Smalleyville proved to be a small town of not over five hundred
inhabitants. There was quite an excitement around the depot when the
train came in, and despatches were sent in various directions.

Presently a shower came up, and this drove the passengers to the cars
and the station. I got aboard the train at first to listen to what the
train hands might have to say. I found one of the brakemen quite a
friendly fellow, and willing to talk.

"This rain will make matters worse," said he. "That tree was leaning
against the bridge for all it was worth, and if it loosens any more it
will carry the thing away clean."

"Isn't there danger of trains coming from the other way?"

"Not now. We've telegraphed to Chicago, and no train will leave till
everything is in running order."

"When does the next train arrive behind us?"

"At 9.30 this morning."

We chatted for quite a while. Then there was a commotion on the
platform, and we found that part of the wrecking gang had arrived on a
hand-car.

They brought with them a great lot of tools, and soon a flat car with
a hoisting machine was run out of a shed, and they were off.

By this time it was raining in torrents, and the station platform was
deserted. Not caring to get wet, I again took my seat in the car, and
presently fell asleep.

When I awoke I found it was six o'clock. The rain still fell steadily,
without signs of abating.

I was decidedly hungry, and buttoning my coat up tightly about my
neck, I sallied forth in search of a restaurant.

I found one within a block of the depot, and entering, I called for
some coffee and muffins--first, however, assuring myself that my
train was not likely to leave for fully an hour.

While busy with what the waiter had brought, I saw Mr. Allen Price
enter. Luckily the table I sat at was full, and he was compelled to
take a seat some distance from me.

"Good morning, my young friend," said he, as he stopped for an instant
in front of me.

I was surprised at his pleasant manner. He acted as if nothing had
ever happened to bring up a coolness between us.

"Good morning," I replied briefly.

"Terrible rain, this, isn't it?"

"It is."

"My toothache's much better," he went on, "and I feel like myself once
more. Funny I mistook your valise for mine, last night, wasn't it?"

"I don't know," I replied flatly.

I returned to my breakfast, and, seeing I would not converse further,
the man passed on and sat down. But I felt that his eyes were on me,
and instinctively I made up my mind to be on my guard.

As I was about to leave the place, several more passengers came in,
and by what they said I learned that the train would not start for
Chicago till noon, the bridge being so badly damaged that the road
engineer would not let anything cross until it was propped up.

Not caring to go back to the train, I entered the waiting-room and
took in all there was to be seen. At one end of the place was a news
stand, and I walked up to this to look at the picture papers that were
displayed.

I was deeply interested in a cartoon on the middle pages of an
illustrated paper when I heard Mr. Price's voice asking for some
Chicago daily, and then making inquiries as to where the telegraph
once was located.

He did not see me, and I at once stepped out of sight behind him.

Having received his directions, Mr. Price sat down to write out his
telegram. Evidently what he wrote did not satisfy him, for he tore up
several slips of paper before he managed to prepare one that suited
him.

Then he arose, and throwing the scraps in a wad on the floor, walked
away.

Unobserved, I picked up the wad. Right or wrong, I was bound to see
what it contained. Perhaps it might be of no earthly interest to me;
on the other hand, it might contain much I would desire to know.
Strange things had happened lately, and I was prepared for all sorts
of surprises.

A number of the slips of paper were missing and the remainder were so
crumpled that the pencil marks were nearly illegible.

At length I managed to fit one of the sheets together and then read
these words:--

  C. Hholtzmann, Chicago:

  Look out for a young man claiming to--




CHAPTER XXIII

IN CHICAGO


I had not been mistaken in my opinion of Mr. Allen Price. He was
following me, and doing it with no good intention.

I concluded the man must be employed by Mr. Woodward. Perhaps I had
seen him at some time in Darbyville, and so thought his face familiar.

I was glad that if he was a detective I was aware of the fact. I would
now know how to trust him, and I made up my mind that if he got the
best of me it would be my own fault.

One thing struck me quite forcibly. The merchant and John Stumpy both
considered my proposed visit to Chris Holtzmann of importance. They
would not have put themselves to the trouble and expense of hiring
some one to follow me if this was not so. Though Mr. Aaron Woodward
was rich, he was close, and did not spend an extra dollar except upon
himself.

I was chagrined at the thought that Holtzmann would be prepared to
receive me. I had hoped to come upon him unawares, and get into his
confidence before he could realize what I was after.

I began to wonder when the telegram would reach Chicago. Perhaps
something by good fortune might delay it.

Mr. Allen Price walked over to the telegraph office, and following him
with my eyes I saw him pay for the message and then stroll away.

Hardly had he gone before I too stepped up to the counter.

"How long will it take to send a message to Chicago?" I asked of the
clerk in charge.

"Probably till noon," was the reply. "The storm has crippled us, and
we are having trouble with our lineman."

"It won't go before noon!" I repeated, and my heart gave a bound. "Are
you sure?"

"Yes; perhaps even longer."

"How about the message that gentleman just handed in?"

"I told him I would send it as soon as possible,"

"Did you tell him it wouldn't go before noon?"

"No; he didn't ask," returned the clerk, coolly. He was evidently not
going to let any business slip if he could help it.

"Is there any possible way I can get to Chicago before noon?" I went
on.

The clerk shook his head. 

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